...
The atmosphere in the room, which had briefly been chaotic and noisy, slowly returned to calm. King Alderic sat back in his high seat at the head of the long table, leaning back and observing the remnants of the chaos with a thoughtful expression. Commander Evan, after giving a brief report, walked out toward the armory to inspect supplies and the security of the war equipment, as if his intuition told him the situation was not yet entirely safe.
Meanwhile, in the center of the room, where cracks still marked the floor from the earlier impact, Rovela Silvio and Eilis Mogina sat cross-legged, facing each other. Between them, they began to draw and chant incantations to form a Primary Magic Circle. Shortly after, they arranged a second layer around it, forming an Outer Magic Circle. Their goal was to trace the energy trail left by the spear of light, and to detect whether any traces of evil energy remained or if other threats were lurking.
Their concentration was absolute. Their eyes were fixed on the flow of light beginning to take shape, their lips moving softly as they recited complex ancient formulas. They were completely unaware that another figure was approaching.
Queen Blossom, who had been sitting observing from the corner, felt her curiosity reaching its peak. She stood slowly, then stepped toward the two young people with movements so light and subtle that she made no sound at all. She sat cross-legged right beside the outer circle, resting both hands upon her lap, and watched the shifting light with an intense and inquisitive gaze.
Inside the circle, energy began to surge violently. Its color changed gradually following the flow of power they channeled. It started as Pure White, then slowly shifted to Ocean Blue, spread outward into Nature Green, and finally pulsed sharply into Blazing Red—the exact color of the attacker's energy from before.
The moment that red color appeared, Rovela and Eilis opened their eyes in unison. They were about to stabilize the flow, but their gaze halted instantly, and their eyes widened in shock.
There, sitting calmly right beside the outer circle, was Queen Blossom. Her graceful hands were folded before her chest, her fingers moving in patterns that mimicked the spell-binding ritual they were performing. But most astonishing of all: the Outer Magic Circle now completely enveloped Queen Blossom, and she had become the central point balancing that energy! The red light, previously uncontrollable, now swirled neatly around her, as if Queen Blossom were the true master of that magic.
"Yo... Your... Majesty?!" Eilis Mogina spoke hoarsely, overwhelmed by shock. She nearly lost control over her own magic. "But... this is impossible! All historical records and reports from the royal mages state that Her Majesty possesses no talent and has never once cast a spell in her entire life! It was believed that even her magical senses were dormant!"
King Alderic, still seated in his high chair, stood rigidly. He stared in disbelief at his wife, standing right in the center of that dangerous vortex of energy, yet appearing so serene and peaceful.
However, Rovela's reaction was somewhat different. He did not cry out in shock like the others. His eyes—which held the special ability to perceive the flow of a person's soul and resolve—glowed faintly. He looked intently at Queen Blossom. In his eyes, he did not see immense natural talent or overflowing power. What he saw was something far more valuable: a gleam of determination as hard as diamond, an unyielding spirit that never faded, and an extraordinarily strong will to learn and master new things.
Rovela slowly smiled faintly, admiration beginning to rise in his heart. He interrupted Eilis, who was still deeply confused.
"Eilis... you misunderstand what 'talent' truly means," Rovela said softly but clearly, never taking his eyes off the Queen's graceful figure. "It is true—naturally, she was not born with a large vessel to store energy. But look... all this time, she has never stopped observing, never stopped learning from the sidelines, and held a strong determination to be able to protect herself and the people she loves. It is that resolve and unyielding spirit that has now become her key. Talent can be sought after, but determination like this... is a rare blessing."
Queen Blossom slowly opened her eyes, which she had kept closed. The red light surrounding her faded gently and flowed back into the magic circle, as if she had just finished controlling that storm of energy with absolute ease. She looked at Rovela and Eilis in turn with her characteristic soft smile, showing no signs of exhaustion or strain whatsoever.
"Forgive me for startling you both," Queen Blossom said in her gentle voice. "I just... have often watched you and the other mages performing these rituals. In the gardens, in the towers, or right here in this room. I simply observed, tried to memorize the movements of your fingers, the flow of words, and the sensation of what it feels like when that energy is present. I thought... at the very least, I should be able to be of some use, rather than merely waiting and sitting idly by when danger arrives."
King Alderic remained standing, frozen in place, his breath caught in his throat. He looked at his wife with a mix of awe, pride, and guilt—realizing that for all this time, he had only ever seen her as someone to be protected.
Eilis Mogina covered her mouth with her hand, still struggling to believe what she had just witnessed. Meanwhile, Rovela simply nodded in deep appreciation.
"That is exactly right, Your Majesty," Rovela stated firmly. "And believe me... the potential you have just demonstrated is far greater than that of someone merely born with magical talent. Because you have earned it through perseverance. And that... is far harder to break or destroy."
The magic circle slowly faded away, but one thing was certain: today, it was not only the mysterious attacker that remained a riddle—the Kingdom of Roses had just discovered a new power, hidden all along within the Queen's graceful form.
Inside the Council Chamber – The Explanation That Changed History
Rovela Silvio looked at both of them with deep admiration in his eyes, then began explaining in detail exactly what had just happened, and why Queen Blossom—someone believed to possess absolutely no magical talent—had been able to perform the impossible feat they had just witnessed. He spoke in a calm yet firm tone, as if revealing the greatest secret of the magical world.
"Your Majesties, Eilis... Allow me to explain the reasoning behind all of this," Rovela said, pointing toward the faint traces of light still lingering in the air. "At first, the trail we tracked originated from the Spear Magic that attacked us earlier. That type of magic is rigid by nature; its power source is fixed, and its mana flow is sealed off. The first step I took was to completely alter the mana flow and the core point of that spell. I did not allow it to remain in the form of a weapon; instead, I transformed it into pure, controllable energy."
Rovela paused for a moment, then moved his fingers to draw symbols in the air.
"To change its fundamental structure, I inserted an Ancient Script: 'CENTURIAN'. This script is the foundation for all forms of energy alteration. By using it, I modified the function of that magic. Originally designed to target inanimate objects and serve as an offensive spell, I changed its function so that it connects to living beings. It was exactly at that moment that Her Majesty Queen Blossom approached. She may not possess a rushing river of magical energy like a standard mage, but she possesses something else entirely: perfect composure and absolute stability of spirit."
Rovela respectfully pointed toward the lower abdomen of Queen Blossom.
"Because her natural energy pathways were sealed, I utilized a technique known as Magic Crafting, or Magic Forging. I constructed and implanted a Mana Circle precisely at the center of power within her lower abdomen. Not in the heart, not in the head, but there—the place where all living beings store their fundamental life energy. This circle functions as an artificial channel that gathers, filters, and conducts energy found both in her surroundings and within her own body. That is why she was able to control such a massive amount of energy with ease—because its power does not come solely from within her, but is unified with the natural world through the circle I implanted."
While the explanation sounded logical, King Alderic furrowed his brow. He thought for a moment, then asked the question weighing heavily on his mind—a question that also seemed to be lingering in Eilis Mogina's thoughts.
"Wait a moment, Rovela," King Alderic interrupted, leaning forward. "Your explanation makes sense. But there is one thing I do not understand. What was your reason for using a Mana Circle? Since ancient times, hasn't the Magic Circle been far more efficient, faster, and stronger? Why go through the trouble of creating a Mana Circle, which is considered an archaic and crude technique? Is there a specific reason?"
Eilis Mogina immediately nodded in firm agreement. "You are right, Your Majesty. Magic Circles are the primary standard taught in every magic academy across this continent. Mana Circles are only used for low-level spells or basic power generation. Why did you choose that method for such a critical situation?"
Rovela smiled faintly. It was a smile that seemed to say: "Now is the time for you to know the hidden truth."
He took a deep breath, then pulled out a sheet of paper and a piece of charcoal, and began drawing two distinct circles on the cluttered table. One circle was filled with complex symbols and tightly closed loops; the other was a simple circle with open, flowing lines.
"Because the belief that Magic Circles represent the ultimate form of power... is a massive misconception that has been ingrained in all of us for thousands of years," Rovela replied softly, yet his words shook them to their core. "Listen closely, for this is a fact that was almost lost to history."
Rovela pointed to the first drawing.
"Magic Circles were created by the Greatest Mages of ancient times... NOT to strengthen humanity, but to HIDE TRUE POWER and to SUPPRESS the occurrence of 'Mana Reconstruction', a phenomenon that happened frequently in that era."
"'Mana Reconstruction'?" Eilis asked, confused.
"Yes. Long ago, thousands of years ago, Mana energy found in nature was wild and highly unstable. Whenever a mage channeled large amounts of power, that energy would explode and transform in unpredictable ways, often damaging the caster themselves. That is why those great mages created the Magic Circle system to act as a 'prison' and a 'filter'. They restricted the flow, narrowed the channels, and locked away humanity's true potential to make magic safe to use. Furthermore, they also established the concept of 'Non-Reconstructible Mana'. That is the reason why, in the present day, some people are born with magic and others are not. Because the fundamental structure of our bodies was already regulated and restricted from birth by the system they created."
Rovela then pointed toward Queen Blossom.
"Now, regarding Her Majesty Queen Blossom... In truth, she does possess a reserve of magical energy. It is small in scale, admittedly—roughly the size of a grape, when compared to a powerful mage whose reserves might be the size of a mountain. However, the main problem was not the size, but the fact that the Natural Magic Circle, which exists within the heart of every human being, HAD NEVER OPENED within her. That is why her small reserve of energy felt as if it did not exist at all."
Rovela tapped the drawing of the Mana Circle he had made.
"That is precisely why I used the Mana Circle. This technique does not restrict; instead, it opens and connects. I combined the concept of the Mana Circle with the ancient principle of 'Mana Reconstruction'. Therefore, even though her vessel is small, like a grape, the flow is smooth and connected directly to the vast energy of the natural world outside, without being locked away or excessively filtered. That is why she was able to control that massive amount of energy calmly. Because what was at work was not her internal power, but her ability to manage the flow itself."
The explanation was so shocking that Eilis Mogina fell into a rigid silence, her eyes looking at the drawing on the table with a completely new perspective. All this time, the magic she had studied and practiced was merely a limited version of its true potential.
However, the silence was broken when King Alderic suddenly slapped his hand on the table, as if remembering something of utmost importance. His expression turned grave.
"Wait... what you are saying... matches exactly what we discovered many years ago," King Alderic muttered. He then stood up and walked quickly toward the iron safe in the corner of the room. He opened it and retrieved an old wooden box covered in a fine layer of dust.
From inside the box, King Alderic pulled out a sheet of parchment, yellowed and brittle with age. The writing upon it was faint, but there was one large symbol drawn clearly in the center—a symbol that looked remarkably similar to what Rovela had just drawn, yet far more intricate.
"I remember now," King Alderic said, his voice heavy. "This was found by our reconnaissance unit during the Exalon War, about five years ago. They discovered it tucked away within the ruins of an enemy magic tower. We could not understand the writing or symbols; we assumed it was just useless notes regarding standard magic."
King Alderic placed the parchment directly in front of Rovela and pointed to a strange symbol, and then to a name written in small letters in the bottom corner.
"Rovela... you understand ancient scripts and this history. Look at this symbol... and explain to me: WHO IS NOVA VALACINO? This name is written here, beneath the symbol, which appears to be the core of this entire document. Was he one of the Greatest Mages you mentioned earlier? Or was he someone else entirely?"
The atmosphere in the room grew tense. Eilis moved closer to see, her curiosity and shock deepening further. Rovela stared at the parchment, and instantly his face turned pale. His eyes remained fixed on that name, his breath caught in his throat. A name that, until now, had existed only within forbidden legends... was now right in front of him.
Rovela rubbed his tired face, as if the weight of thousands of years of history had just settled upon his shoulders. His eyes lingered on the old parchment bearing that mysterious name, then he shrugged casually. He reached out, took a sweet pastry from a plate on the table, and ate it leisurely, as if he hadn't just revealed something of immense significance.
"Most likely true, Your Majesty," he said between bites. "But look here... the paper is torn. Beneath the name Nova Valacino, there are traces of other writing, faintly readable as 'Kamila'. Whoever she was—his partner, his disciple, or someone else entirely—I do not know. But in the fragmentary ancient records that have barely survived, that name is mentioned as The Last Sorcerer Emperor. A figure who reshaped the entire structure of Mana in this world, changing the earth and our very existence into what they are today. Whether it is a true account or just a legend told to frighten children, I cannot say for certain."
King Alderic nodded slowly, storing that heavy piece of information away in his mind. He continued to ponder just how great the secrets were that lay hidden behind the history of magic they had studied for so long.
Amidst the silence, Eilis Mogina suddenly stood up straight. Her expression was filled with enthusiasm and burning curiosity. Inspired by Rovela's explanation, her mind raced as she formulated a new theory. She raised her staff slowly, closing her eyes to focus her concentration.
"If that is the case... if magic was once restricted to prevent it from destroying itself due to reaction... then what if we attempt to combine two opposing elements?" Eilis murmured softly.
She then chanted an ancient spell in a loud, clear voice:
"Omnia quae sordent, foramina nigra et omnia quae reflectunt, foramina alba!"
TRING!
From the tip of her staff, two spheres of energy appeared, each about the size of an apple. One was pitch-black, absorbing all light around it; the other was pure white, radiating brilliant illumination. Both floated and rotated in the air, beautiful yet dangerous.
King Alderic turned his full attention toward Eilis, his eyes shining with keen interest. Rovela stopped chewing for a moment, watching the two orbs with a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Even Queen Blossom, sitting calmly nearby, watched with eyes sparkling in admiration, amazed by the young mage's ability.
Eilis tried to merge the two spheres. She swirled her staff, forcing their compositions to unite into a single entity—exactly according to the theory of Non-Reconstructible Mana she had just heard.
However...
DURR!!
A soft shockwave rippled out. The two orbs repelled each other violently, like two identical magnetic poles. Chaotic energy scattered everywhere. Eilis was forced to dispel her magic, breathing heavily.
"It failed..." Eilis hissed in frustration. "Magic Rejection occurred. Their fundamental compositions are truly completely different; their origins and functions are diametrically opposed. It is impossible to merge them."
Seeing her failure, Rovela first chuckled softly, then burst into hearty laughter while patting his knees.
"Hahaha! You really catch on fast, Eilis! You tried to apply that ancient technique to force a fusion, didn't you? But you forgot one crucial thing... that is exactly why that technique was forbidden and abandoned! If their origins and fundamental natures contradict each other, all you will get is an explosion! You just proved it yourself," Rovela said, returning to his pastry with unhurried ease.
King Alderic merely let out a long sigh, his shoulders slumping in exhaustion. "Enough... it seems my brain is no longer capable of holding any more secrets or complex formulas today. This is enough for now. We shall discuss this again later, when our minds are clearer."
But at that very moment, a soft yet firm voice broke the conversation.
"In my opinion... you are looking at this the wrong way."
Every head turned simultaneously toward the speaker. Queen Blossom.
She sat composedly, her hands clasped in her lap, a faint yet confident smile etched upon her lips. She looked at each of them in turn, then at the residual energy Eilis had summoned earlier.
"You were trying to unite them... mixing them together until they became one single color and one single nature," Queen Blossom said quietly but clearly. "Yet... there is no need to merge them in order for them to work together. In fact, the key lies here: They should not be united, but rather BOUNDED."
Silence instantly enveloped the room.
King Alderic furrowed his brow, leaning forward. "Bounded... what do you mean, Blossom?"
Eilis Mogina was equally confused, blinking rapidly as she processed the words. "Bounded... How? Wouldn't it be true that if we place boundaries around two opposing forces, they would only strive to destroy each other?"
Rovela stopped chewing. The pastry in his hand froze in mid-air. His relaxed smile vanished, replaced by a look of awe slowly returning to his face. He gazed intently at Queen Blossom, waiting for her further explanation.
Queen Blossom smiled more broadly, her eyes shining with intelligence.
"Yes, they would destroy each other if left unrestricted. But if we create tight and balanced boundaries between them... wouldn't that very opposition end up generating endless energy? Just like fire and water. They cannot become one, but if placed in close proximity within a strong vessel... the steam they produce can drive anything. Black and white are different, yes. But being different does not mean they cannot coexist."
Total silence filled the room.
King Alderic, Eilis, and Rovela exchanged glances. The same profound question was written in all their eyes: How could such a simple, yet brilliant insight come from someone who was thought to understand nothing about magic at all?
Queen Blossom's understanding—pure and uncontaminated by thousands of years of restrictive rules and theories—had granted her a far clearer and more correct perspective. Rovela slowly placed his pastry back onto the plate, this time with an expression of far greater respect than before.
"Eilis..." Rovela whispered softly. "I think... the two of us have been trapped for too long by the 'rules', whereas Her Majesty... thinks based on the 'truth of the universe' itself."
Inside the Council Chamber – The Light of New Understanding
Seeing the three figures before him—Rovela, Eilis, and King Alderic—exchanging awkward glances, looking confused and as if they were trying to piece together a missing puzzle, Queen Blossom smiled gently. She knew that what she had just said might sound simple, but for those bound by rigid rules for years, it was something difficult to accept outright. Therefore, Queen Blossom continued her explanation in a calm yet resolute voice, as if reciting absolute truth.
"You are still confused about distinguishing their origins and how they work, aren't you?" Queen Blossom said, looking into each of their faces one by one. "Think again... Is the Aura Sword or Aura Body concept different from the Non-Reconstructible Mana or Reconstruction theories you were just discussing?"
She paused briefly, letting her question sink in, then continued.
"To me... they are all the same. They originate from the same source of energy: Mana. The way to release it is fundamentally the same too: call energy from within, then release it outward. The only difference lies in the object or vessel that contains it. You call it magic if it enters a circle or a spell; you call it physical strength if it enters the muscles; and you call it a magical weapon if it enters the blade of a sword."
Queen Blossom pointed toward the faint traces of the magic circle still visible on the floor, then toward Eilis's body, and finally to the table where ordinary weapons were placed.
"This process... should have just one general name. I call it 'Decapivication'," she stated firmly. "Its meaning: Absorbing energy from the pure form of Mana, transforming its nature into Aura, then transferring it to the most suitable vessel according to its function. No need for complexity, no need to make distinctions. Everything is part of one great, unified flow."
The explanation was so simple, yet struck straight to the heart of the matter. Rovela and Eilis exchanged glances, their mouths slightly open. For all this time, they had treated magic and martial arts as two separate worlds, when in fact they were branches growing from the very same tree.
However, before anyone could respond, the sound of heavy footsteps approached from the doorway. Commander Evan had just returned from the armory, carrying upon his back a massive, sturdy greatsword—his trusted weapon, always brought onto the battlefield. He walked in, then stopped right at the threshold as he heard the Queen's final words.
With great reverence, Commander Evan bowed his head deeply, his right hand gripping the hilt of that enormous sword tightly. His gallant face trembled with sudden curiosity and rising hope.
"Your Majesty Queen..." Commander Evan spoke softly but clearly, his voice echoing in the room. "Forgive me for interrupting this important discussion. However, what I have just heard... regarding this concept of 'Decapivication'... is that statement truly born purely from Your Majesty's own theories and thoughts? Not from books, not from teachers, but from Your Majesty's pure understanding?"
Commander Evan lifted his head slightly, his eyes sharp and filled with intense curiosity.
"If what Your Majesty says is true... if energy truly can be transferred freely into any vessel we desire... then I ask for permission, Your Majesty. I wish to try doing exactly what you just explained. I want to prove this truth with my own hands."
Queen Blossom looked at her loyal Commander with a gentle yet supportive gaze. She nodded slowly, firmly, and reassuringly.
"Yes, Commander. What I say is true. Try it. Trust your own flow of energy, not the rules created by others."
Upon hearing that answer, the look in Commander Evan's eyes transformed. Admiration and burning resolve surged within his chest. He bowed respectfully once more, then stepped back slowly toward a wider, empty section of the room so as not to damage anything nearby.
He stood in the center of the room, regulating his breathing slowly and deeply. He gripped the hilt of the massive sword with both hands. Slowly but surely, he drew the weapon from its sheath. The long, heavy scrape of metal against metal rang out. The blade was plain and ordinary-looking, appearing to be nothing more than a high-quality iron weapon possessing no magical power whatsoever.
Yet, Commander Evan closed his eyes. He began to focus completely, directing all his attention toward the concept he had just heard.
'Mana... Aura... Vessels...' he repeated internally. 'Source is the same. Only the vessel differs. I do not need to change it into fire or wind. I only need to transfer it here... into this sword.'
Around Commander Evan's body, faint wisps of energy began to appear. At first dim and colorless, they slowly transformed into a golden glow—exactly the same hue as the Aura Body he normally used in combat. However, this time, he did not let that energy simply envelop his body. He held it back, condensed it, and with strong determination... pushed it to flow down his arms, entering completely into the greatsword.
Total silence filled the room. King Alderic, Rovela, Eilis, and Queen Blossom all watched intently.
Slowly but surely, the blade—once dull and unremarkable—began to change. That same golden light burned brightly, coating the entire surface of the metal, merging perfectly as if the sword had indeed been forged from that energy from the very beginning. No explosion, no rejection, only a smooth and powerful transfer of power.
Commander Evan remained standing still, eyes closed, experiencing a new sensation unlike anything he had felt in his entire life. The weapon now felt far lighter, yet possessed immensely greater power, as if the sword had become an extension of his own life force and physical strength.
He had successfully performed Decapivication.
...
Inside the highest chamber of the Sacred Tower of the Kingdom of Victoria, the air felt cool and still, illuminated only by the dim glow of candles and moonlight filtering through stained-glass windows. The Saintess, the woman who held the power of revelation and the sight of destiny, had just finished bowing her head in a long prayer for the safety of the entire continent. Her breathing remained steady and gentle, but suddenly her body went rigid.
Her closed eyes flew wide open, pupils dilating as she stared into emptiness, as if seeing something far beyond the room's walls. Cold sweat began to bead at her temples. Before her mind's eye, terrifying visions spun rapidly: colossal surges of energy in purple, blue, and red exploded outward, engulfing heaven and earth, followed by the horrific sight of the entire Disidess region crumbling and shattering into nothingness.
But what made her blood run cold most of all was one scene, clear and vivid: amidst the ruins of destruction, King Alderic Roses lay motionless and lifeless, struck down by a shadowy figure radiating pure evil.
The vision vanished as quickly as it had come, leaving the Saintess breathless and pale. She turned immediately and hurried out of the prayer chamber, heading toward the office of King Moses Victoria—close kin to King Arpienes and chief advisor to this kingdom.
King Moses was seated at his desk, reviewing border reports, when the Saintess entered, her expression still shaken.
"Your Majesty Moses!" she called out, her voice trembling yet urgent. "Allow me to ask—what is the situation in the Kingdom of Roses? Is it truly safe? Have there been reports of battles or attacks occurring there recently?"
King Moses looked up, somewhat surprised by the Saintess's anxious demeanor. He set down the papers in his hand, then replied in a calm, clear tone.
"Peace, Saintess. According to the latest reports received two hours ago, conditions there are perfectly safe. A few days ago there was indeed a massive energy surge in the mountains, but it has since subsided completely. It was said to be merely a large-scale magic experiment conducted by their special forces. King Alderic is well, his realm is peaceful, and there are no issues to be concerned about. Why do you ask? Is something wrong?"
Hearing his answer, the Saintess's heart grew heavier still. 'Reports say it is safe… yet my vision showed destruction and the death of their King…'
She did not reply immediately. Instead, she walked slowly toward the large window in the room, gazing straight toward the western horizon—the direction of the Kingdom of Roses and the entire Disidess region. The sky, which should have been bright with moonlight, now held masses of pitch-black clouds, slowly yet surely thickening, swirling gently as if swallowing the light of stars and moon alike. The aura radiating from those clouds felt heavy, dark, and pregnant with disaster.
The Saintess stared intently at the gathering gloom, her eyes glowing faintly once more as she traced the threads of the future hidden within the black mist. She could smell the sharp scent of metal and rust—an odor that existed only when thousands of blades were drawn and blood was flowing into the earth.
"So it is true…" the Saintess whispered softly, her voice filled with deep concern. "The matter is not finished. The danger has not departed; it has only hidden itself for a while, waiting for the right moment."
She turned to face King Moses, who had now also stood up, his expression growing wary.
"Your Majesty… reports may speak of peace, and human eyes may see only calm. But look at the sky there," she said, pointing toward the dark clouds spreading ever wider. "That is no ordinary storm. It is an omen. A sign that great bloodshed is about to return. And this time… if we do not act, what I have seen—the fall of Disidess and the death of King Alderic—will become bitter reality."
King Moses frowned, stepping quickly to the window to see the darkness slowly engulfing the horizon. His expression turned grave. He knew that the Saintess's words were always true, even when logic suggested otherwise.
"You are certain… the threat has not passed?" Moses asked, his voice heavy.
"Absolutely certain," replied the Saintess firmly, her gaze sharp once more as she looked into the distance. "The enemy is unseen, but it is sharpening its fangs within that darkness. And King Alderic… he is walking unaware into a deadly trap."