Eldric's voice held a stern yet fearful tone as he addressed the enigmatic and formidable figure before him, "Tell me, how did you manage to breach these walls?" With his sword held aloft in a defensive stance, Eldric stood ready to protect himself from any potential threat.

"How indeed," remarked the man as he conjured a chair seemingly out of thin air - not just any ordinary chair, mind you, but a magnificent creation that would make even the most wealthy and regal feel envious. He lowered himself onto it with ease, his trench coat billowing and his long ponytail swaying with the motion. "I must say, your guards were hardly a challenge. I almost felt as though you were welcoming me with open arms."

With an unparalleled air of regal authority, he deliberately shifted his weight, allowing his muscular body to settle into a comfortable and poised stance. In a display of aristocratic elegance, he smoothly and fluidly draped his right leg over his left, asserting his superiority over all those who were witness to his majestic presence. His strong hands were firmly clasped before him, exuding a sense of unwavering confidence and control.

"Ha! The rightful queen of this world? Don't make me laugh," Thaddeus scoffed, his voice thick with derision. He curled his lips into a smile, but it was short-lived, for the man before him suddenly locked eyes with him. It wasn't just any look, but one brimming with raw power and a deadly intensity. Thaddeus felt the weight of it like a physical blow, and before he could react, he was forced down onto the unyielding ground, his skull connecting with a sickening thud.

In a mere fraction of a second, thatseries of events unfolded before me. My eyes darted to Thaddeus who was behaving foolishly by mocking not the man standing before us, but his queen. In an instant, I recognized his foolishness. But before I could react, Thaddeus was forcefully slammed to the ground with great impact.

The ground beneath Thaddeus ruptured into a spider-web pattern, the sound of splintering wood echoing through the air. Meanwhile, a crimson stain seeped from his head, leaving a macabre imprint on the floor below.

"I would describe myself as a composed and collected person, but I cannot remain idle when my leader is ridiculed," With a gaze more penetrating than before, he proclaimed while fixing his eyes on the motionless figure of Thaddeus. "There exist certain boundaries that must not be transgressed, and that was unequivocally one of them," he asserted.

My words spilled forth as I made a quick gesture of submission, my hand darting upward in a fluid motion. Directing my attention to the gentleman known as Galen, I implored, "Kindly pardon this imbecile's lack of insight, for he is unable to fathom the events unfolding before him. However, I shall take it upon myself to enlighten him at a later time."

Our eyes met, and I found myself ensnared by the intensity of his purplish gaze. The same gaze he had earlier directed towards Thaddeus now bore into me, analyzing me from head to toe. Suddenly, he spoke, his sharp and piercing eyes drilling a hole in my soul as he delivered his words with a grave tone. "I comprehend your concern. I have received explicit orders to abstain from ending anyone's life."

Once again, he hints at being sent on a mission by an unknown entity, emanating an aura of independence and possessing vast power at his disposal, insinuating that his superior might be equally or even more formidable than himself. Who possesses such commanding might to reign over this behemoth?

Aragorn strides towards the inert figure of Thaddeus, casting a careful eye over his motionless form to assess the extent of any enduring injuries that may imperil, or worse yet, terminate his life. After a meticulous evaluation, he scans the area around him in all directions, then turns his gaze back to me, a rueful expression creasing his face. "Come the morrow, he should be on the mend," he assures me, his tone grim. "However, I'm no healer, he's sure to suffer a savage headache."

The source of Thaddeus condition rests serenely in his chair, his eyes shut tight as though absolved from any responsibility. A gentle flick of his wrist brushes aside a lock of his delicate, baby blue hair that had veiled his right eye, and then he directs his gaze towards me.

With a tone that exuded authority and demanded an answer, he voiced his belief, "If I'm not mistaken, you hold the highest position here, don't you?"

With a single affirmative gesture, I assert my regal identity. "Yes, I am she who reigns over this land," I declare, before deftly rearranging one of the seats to face my interlocutor. Settling down upon it, I feel the weight of my body compressing the cushion beneath me, yet my gaze remains fixed upon the man before me.

"Very well, I come bearing a message from my lord and master to she who governs these lands," he declared.

I adopt a solemn and respectful demeanor as I address the man sitting before me, uttering the words, "I am all ears." Despite my efforts to conceal any signs of apprehension, an unsettling sensation churns within my stomach, hinting that he may have an uncanny awareness of my innermost thoughts and emotions.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"In three days' time, Her Highness desires an audience with you." His words flowed from his lips with a nonchalant ease, as if he expected my approval as a matter of course - as if I had no other option but to give it. "It would be prudent for all of you to make ready for her advent, lest you incur the wrath of lady Lyra."

A trepidation crept into my mind as I pondered the option of declining his plea. The gentleman standing before me exuded an air of superiority that left me disconcerted. Yet, the name he uttered, Aurora Stormbringer, was one I did not recognize. Who was this ruler he spoke of? It was apparent that she possessed great influence to command someone as imposing as the man standing in front of me. Refusing her request for a meeting could potentially lead to catastrophic consequences, perhaps even spell my demise.

Despite my valiant efforts to maintain focus, my thoughts were inexplicably drawn to the recent catastrophic event that had unfolded. The enormity of the disaster was so profound that it conjured the sensation that the end of the world had finally arrived. Despite my best efforts to shake the feeling that this was no mere coincidence, I remained plagued by a lingering doubt: Could the cause of the devastating earthquake be attributed to his alleged leader? But such an idea was preposterous - no living being could possess such an overwhelming amount of power. The very notion of it sent shivers down my spine. Nevertheless, why did my mind persist in returning to this terrifying possibility?

I cast all those tumultuous musings into the unfathomable depths of my psyche. To navigate this situation with sound reasoning, it is implausible for such a creature to truly exist. Thus, I address the entity before me with a contrite admission, "Pardon my dearth of understanding, but the sovereign of whom you speak is unknown to me."

"Ah, my sincerest apologies. It appears I have neglected to disclose her true identity," he chuckles boisterously, his carefree demeanor shining through. "As they say, old habits die hard," he adds, relishing in his own joke.

"But let me rectify my mistake and enlighten you to the one she truly is: the harbinger of both death and life, bearer of the universe's secrets, a commanding yet kind presence," he announces, his voice imbued with reverence for the enigmatic figure. "That is who she truly is"

"I-I understand. I shall make all necessary arrangements for her arrival," I managed to stammer, stealing a quick glimpse at my companions. In that fleeting moment, a tacit understanding passed between us.

Evelynne glides forward, her movements graceful as she executes a deep bow. "Please pardon my intrusion into your discussion," she says, her gaze fixed on the ground below. "But if I may," she adds, her voice gentle yet resolute.

He casts a curious glance her way and inquires, "And what might that be?" with a hint of fascination in his tone.

"Who is this Lyra you mentioned? And why should her wrath cause us concern?" Her voice betrayed a hint of apprehension as she spoke.

Galen rises from his seat and clasps his hands behind his back, fixing his gaze intently on Evelynne. With a solemn expression, his eyes narrow to slits as he delivers his words. "She is one of the twelve, directly under her highness's command. They are the chosen few we all covet and revere."

His words struck us like a bolt from the blue, leaving us all in a state of shock and disbelief. The implications of what he had just said dawned on us, causing our eyes to widen in astonishment. Could it be true? Did he mean to say that Lyra held a higher position than him, implying that she was stronger? The very idea seemed preposterous. After all, this man had barged into our quarters with such ease, making it seem like child's play. And now, he was claiming that there were twelve others out there who were even more powerful than him? It was difficult to wrap our heads around such a notion.

With trepidation, I venture forth to inquire, "Forgive my impertinence, but perchance do you hold a lofty stature amongst your kin?" This query has plagued us all, and the response that emanates from his lips will either shatter our spirits or soothe our frayed nerves.

With a hint of hesitation, he directs his gaze towards me while his left hand makes a slow ascent towards his chin, as if weighing the pros and cons of divulging the information. After a momentary pause, his eyes shift upwards and his lips part to reveal his secret. "I suppose you could say that I hold the title of captain within The Shadow Brigade, an elite unit under the direct command of none other than Eira Shadowhunter herself - one of the twelve revered Apostles of Strength," he discloses.

A heavy weight settled in my chest as I gazed into the abyss of despair. Why, oh why, did I deserve such a fate? Such thoughts swirled through my mind like a tempestuous storm, leaving me feeling lost and alone.

Summoning all my courage, I managed to speak with a tremulous voice. "I-I understand, it is reassuring to have this knowledge."

Galen's gaze fixed on us as he spoke with a firm voice, only to turn away abruptly. "My time here draws to a close. Fate will bring us together again," he declared before vanishing into the void, as noiseless and elusive as a breeze. His parting words echoed, "Until that moment."

I stretch my neck upwards and rest my hand on my forehead, heaving a deep sigh. "What a pounding ache," I mumble, causing the room to fall into an uneasy hush. The weight of the silence lingers, prompting me to be the one to shatter it. "Prepare yourselves, my friends. I have a feeling that what's to come will be beyond our realm of understanding," I say, my gaze drifting upwards as I ponder my existence and the series of events that brought me to this moment.