Vana's POV
My consciousness is drowsy when I woke up, vision blur as I adjust to the new place we’ve been relocated in. metal bars lined on my left and a wall against my right. The smell of rotten food and sewage water tickled my nose, the dim surrounding not helping clear my vision.
A prison cell; a dungeon. The walls were made of cobblestone, growing with moss and dirt. The dimlight in the dark cave coming from a few torches scattered around the dungeon. I adjusted my eyes on the surrounding, scrunching my eyes.
I grunted my hands that are now in front of me, cuffed up on a long chain against the wall. It clang with a loud metal noise, echoing in the empty place like a deafening shriek. So, now we’re locked up until tomorrow.
I groaned as my head ached for a moment. Flashbacks of the earlier events came flickering in my head, reminding me of the physical torment Jerome suff
Vana's POV “I can run if I have to,” he boasted. I nodded, glancing at the cell door. I approached it, using my hands to feel my way to the door’s lock. The cell doesn’t use a padlock, so I had no choice but to search for the lock attached to the cell door. I managed to find the keyhole, inserting the pin and the clip inside. It didn’t take me long to hear a click coming from the door, the hinges creaking as the door opens. I peered my head over to Jerome, urging him to follow me from behind. I, then, peeked in the hallway, making sure that there is no one guarding corridor. I took a step forward as I confirm the coast is clear, stepping out of the cell. I crouched down, fists raised upfront as I move my way to the door on our right. Jerome tailed behind me with a hoarse breath, one hand with his palm facing up, a swirling ball of wind surging on top of it.
Jerome's POV “No, please, stop!” I heard Vana’s scream, turning around to find her down on her knees with her magic brewing above us. The man who beat me up and nearly tortured us with a knife stood in front of Vana, watching her with a wide, psychotic smile in his lips. My eyes landed back to Vana, baffled at what’s happening. Vana looks as if she’s in pain, a dreadful look painted on her face. I was caught off guard as one of Chairman Zerondale’s goons ambushed me from behind. He managed to throw a fist at me, only to be thrown to the ground by my magic. His fist was inches away from me, and with a quick flick of my fingers and a command in my magic, he was sent flying to the ground. I returned my attention to Vana as I make sure there are no more goons around. I gritted my teeth, enraged as I saw the psychotic man take a few steps away from Vana. He still has the same misc
Vana's POV “You did. I told you, you can control your magic,” I stated with a proud smile. Pain struck me as the bruises and cuts sent a throbbing ache and sharp pain across my entire body. My upper body nearly collapsed, propping my elbow and hand on the ground to stabilize my balance. That was close. Vana moved by instinct as she tries to catch my weight, a worried look plastered on her face. I grunted, groaning as the pain in my back sent a wincing ache down my spine. I cursed, breathing heavily. Vana leaned closer to check my condition, eyes in tears again. “I’m sorry, Jerome. I’m so sorry,” she apologized frantically. “Apology accepted and its not really needed. You should wide your tears and help me on my feet. We still need to escape and head back to the guild,” I said, imploring our main task. Vana pulled herself together
Vana's POV The palace guards may be vigilant and skilled, but Zerondale isn’t born yesterday to not know their weaknesses and blindspots. Past midnight is the time where these guards began to grow sleepy and tired. The time Zerondale used to easily pass them as he sneaks his way within the palace walls. As the Chairman of Ashern in the Magic Council, he has enough authority and power to enter the palace walls at night without being questioned by anyone. He has an office inside, in the same palace where the royal family resides. A wing of his own within the royal palace. He had two offices: the one in the royal palace and the other in the Magic Council’s tower at Jasper Academy. His reasons for the late visit to his office brought questions to everyone he passed by, but none of them thought of asking him. All of them just assumed he was there for a magic administration reason.
Vana's POV I dropped the communication lacrima out of my hand, my face pale as Yuna’s words ran through my head. The lacrima was caught by Storm with one hand, his face having an unreadable expression after hearing the news. We were gathered in Jerome’s room after Yuna messaged Jerome to meet up with the Shadows. He hasn’t fully recovered from his beating yet, but most of his bruises are healing. Professor Zander was also with us, standing abruptly on his seat. Everyone one of us had our jaws dropped to the ground, a shocked and distressing look plastered in our eyes and face. My eyes glanced at Jerome, and we both exchanged a horrified gaze. “Gregory is dead… our king is dead…” Professor Zander mumbled in disbelief, dread gnawing in his eyes. “He was found in his chambers this morning, bearing two stabs in his chest. One of the stabs is the same size a
3rd POVGregory’s bloodied body drove Yuna into a corner after witnessing the crime scene inside his room. Yuna’s face went pale, horrified and alarmed. Her knees collapsed at the doorframe, in disbelief and misery.The king is dead. Her master is dead. Her friend is dead. Gregory is dead.The investigators gathered around the king’s body, sealing the place as the investigation takes place. Gregory’s body was found by dawn after a servant came to prepare the king for the day Yuna arrived only a few minutes after that.Yuna broke down into tears, biting her lip down as frustration, anger, and sadness build inside her. She had to pull herself together until the royal investigation team arrive, and now that they have, Yuna’s walls finally crumbled.She was frustrated at the killer, knowing it was Chairman Zerondale; she was angry at her
Vana's POV“It’s time,” Jerome mumbled as we hear the door of the dungeon open again.I was staring at the corner of our cell, lost in thought ever since Lady Ailima left a few minutes ago. My mind was unable to wrap itself on our crisis. That today will be the day we will be executed and beheaded in front of all the people of Ashern.I clucked my tongue out of dismay and emptiness, blaming the now Prime Minster Zerondale for all of this. I’m certain this isn’t his plan when he thought of stealing the throne. He took advantage of us; of our weak presence and fragile organization, hitting two birds with one stone.From the start, the Shadows were never strong enough to defeat Chairman Zerondale even if we have the king on our side. We lack presence and strength. We lack power and number.The cell door squealed open as two royal guards
Vana's POV“You can rest easy now. We’ll take care of the rest.”“We can’t rest yet. Not when Gregory is in danger and the end is near,” I insisted, lifting my eyes at them. I stood up from my seat, taking the tray of food in my lap to the table near the room’s door.Gregory’s brows furrowed, arms crossing against his chest. “Me in danger? What do you mean?” he asked, confused.“I think it would be better to explain it than watching that agonizing video recording, unless you want to be disturbed by it,” I implored. “Is it alright if Master Ashmere leaves for a while? The Shadows need an emergency meeting.”Jerome and Master Ashmere exchanged glances, Jerome assuring his grandfather that he’ll be alright. Master Ashmere left the room, closing the door as the six of us stayed