Emma’s gaze flickered nervously as Princess Rissane studied her with curiosity. “I’m not doing anything,” she said quickly, waving her hands in an awkward attempt to dismiss her mutterings. She worried the princess might think her strange, standing there and talking to herself.
Rissane simply nodded and stepped closer, her green eyes scanning the same wall Emma had been fixated on. Without hesitation, she pointed toward the faint arrow patterns Emma had struggled so hard to decipher. “The patterns follow a reverse circular flow,” she said matter-of-factly. “They rotate 180 degrees with every reshuffling.”
Emma blinked, stunned by the princess’s casual analysis. “How did you know that?” she asked, unable to hide her astonishment.
Rissane’s expression softened with a faint smile. “My father employed scholars of great wisdom to teach me and my siblings about ancient knowledge in the Elverian Kingdom,” she explained. “Most of their lessons were tedious, but I managed to learn a few things from their teachings.”
Emma tilted her head, curiosity bubbling to the surface. “Did they also teach you about this dungeon?”
The princess nodded, her voice calm as she continued. “Yes. This dungeon was created by a clan created by Erilania, the Goddess of Fate, and Akanos, the God of Nightmares.” Her voice carried a mix of reverence and caution. “I’ve always wanted to explore its mysteries, but…” Her smile faded slightly. “It’s too dangerous.”
Emma’s eyes darkened as she looked into the distance, her voice soft. “It’s dangerous, yes. So dangerous that if you were to uncover the truth of everything here, you’d wish you never left your comfort zone.” She paused, her tone growing more firm. “Not all secrets are meant to be uncovered. Sometimes, the cost of knowledge is far greater than its worth.”
Rissane regarded Emma with a solemn expression before nodding. “You’re right,” she said after a moment. “Maybe it’s better to keep my curiosity in check.” She glanced at Emma with a faint smile. “Shall we head back? There are only 3,097 ticks left before the reshuffle.”
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Emma raised an eyebrow. “You’re keeping track of the ticks too?”
The princess laughed lightly. “I started counting after Prince Meron mentioned it.”
Emma smiled faintly and gestured toward the magical egg. “You can give it back now. I’ll carry it.”
Rissane handed it over without protest, and the two began their walk back to the others, their conversation a light contrast to the heavy atmosphere of the dungeon. When they re-entered the room, the group greeted them with nods and brief smiles... except for Maverick... before settling into a tense wait.
Time stretched on, each moment feeling heavier than the last. The sound of the dungeon reshuffling broke the silence.. a low, grinding hum that seemed to come from everywhere at once.
“It’s time,” Gulam announced, rising to his feet. The others followed suit, their movements deliberate and focused.
Outside the room, Maverick’s sharp eyes immediately caught the faint arrow carvings on the wall. He and Gulam took the lead, guiding the group through a maze of paths. Emma and the royals followed close behind, their footsteps echoing against the stone.
The dungeon seemed to shift around them as they moved, the oppressive gloom giving way to an eerie, magical beauty. Luminescent moss cast an otherworldly glow, and faint, shimmering runes danced across the walls like whispers of forgotten spells. The air felt alive, humming with energy, as if the dungeon itself recognized their progress.
Finally, the arrows led them to a familiar chamber.... the room where the shattered remains of the royal carriage lay.
As they stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted. A ripple of energy swept through the room, and the air grew heavy with anticipation. Then, as if in response to their arrival, a portal began to form on the wall behind the carriage. Its edges shimmered like molten silver, and its center swirled with a deep, velvety blackness.
Emma’s breath caught, her chest tightening with a mixture of relief and longing. Finally… I’ll be able to meet my mom, she thought, the words echoing in her mind like a prayer.
The group exchanged glances, unspoken determination passing between them. Maverick, as always, remained unreadable, his gaze fixed on the portal without a single glance at the others.
One by one, they stepped through, their forms dissolving into the swirling void.
Emma was the last to follow, her heart pounding as the dark energy enveloped her. “Finally,” she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible as her figure disappeared into the portal’s embrace.