Battle for the Castle: Night-Terror

Yasuline's mouth was dry and her covers felt heavy over her. She could barely move on her bed as she stared at the sharp end of the knife held over her head by one of the castle maids. "W-what's going on?" she finally managed to ask, her voice shaky with fear. She couldn't believe that someone she thought she knew so well would suddenly betray her like this.

"Why?" Yasuline asked, her voice cracking. But the maid ignored her and lifted the knife with both hands. Yasuline's body shook with terror as she realized the maid could easily pierce her skull with the blade. She struggled to find a way out of the situation, but her body felt paralyzed with fear.

Yasuline's heart was racing as she tried to think of a way out of the situation. She had always been taught to stay calm in the face of danger, but this was unlike anything she had ever experienced. The weight of her position as a princess felt heavy on her shoulders, and she couldn't help but wonder if this was the end for her.

In a split second, a blur of dark-green flashed by Yasuline's side, intercepting the maid's attack with swift precision. The intruder's movements were fluid and calculated, their agility and strength evident in every gesture. It was the White Reaper. With a powerful strike, they sent the maid hurtling towards the wall, the impact knocking the knife from her grasp. It clattered to the ground as well as their unconscious body. The threat is now neutralized.

Relief washed over Yasuline like a sudden rush of air, filling her lungs with much-needed oxygen. She gasped, finally able to breathe freely after the suffocating grip of fear that had consumed her. The weight that had pressed upon her chest lifted, replaced by a surge of gratitude and astonishment.

The room regained its sense of normalcy as time resumed its steady flow. Yasuline's trembling form gradually steadied, her heart still racing in her chest, but now with a renewed sense of hope. She cast her eyes upon her savior, her gaze meeting with a pair of piercing emerald eyes that exuded a mix of determination and concern.

She can feel the adrenaline course through her veins. Yasuline knew that the fight was not over. This unknown battle had merely shifted, and she found herself standing alongside a formidable ally, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Their surroundings echoed with the aftermath of the abrupt confrontation, the silence broken only by the soft sound of Yasuline's exhaled breath. It was a breath she had unknowingly held for what felt like an eternity, released now with a mixture of relief, disbelief, and gratitude. The room seemed to hold its breath, as if in awe of the swift and stylish rescue that had unfolded before their very eyes.

Beside Yasuline, the White Reaper stood like an unwavering pillar of strength, his presence a source of calm amidst the storm of emotions that had engulfed her. In the dimly lit room, their figures were shrouded in an aura of mystery and determination, the weight of the recent encounter still hanging in the air.

With steady composure, the White Reaper extended his hand towards Yasuline, his palm open and inviting. As she reached out to grasp it, she could feel the reassuring warmth of his touch, a grounding force that helped dispel the remnants of panic that lingered within her. It was a silent gesture of support, an unspoken understanding between them.

Time seemed to stand still, as if holding its breath in anticipation of what was to come. The room was heavy with a charged atmosphere, a blend of gratitude and confusion swirling within Yasuline's mind. She mustered her strength, drawing in a deep breath to steady herself before finding her voice once more.

"Thank you," she spoke, her words laced with a mixture of relief and uncertainty. "I... I don't know what came over me, but I won't let that happen again." The declaration carried a resolute determination, a vow to rise above the fear that had momentarily clouded her judgment.

The White Reaper acknowledged her words with a simple nod, his piercing gaze unwavering. His silence held a depth of understanding, as if he recognized the complexity of emotions coursing through her. With a shift in focus, his attention turned towards the fallen maid, his eyes scanning her motionless form for any trace of the motives that had driven her to attack.

In the hushed atmosphere, every sound was magnified, from the soft rustle of fabric to the faint whisper of their breaths. The tension in the room was palpable, as if the air itself held the secrets they sought, waiting to be unraveled. Yasuline gathers her thoughts and tries to remember what had happened prior to her sleep. she can only recall them being in the labyrinth and how she had defeated a daemon on her own. She can only conclude that she had fallen unconscious out of exhaustion. And the White Reaper somehow managed to escape the labyrinth with her.

As her eyes trailed the White Reaper's steady movements, Yasuline's heart raced with a mix of apprehension and concern. She watched intently as he carefully laid the would-be assassin on her bed, his movements both deliberate and graceful. Each second felt like an eternity as she held her breath, fearing the worst.

Then, a flicker of relief washed over her as she noticed the gentle rise and fall of the maid's pale face, a subtle sign of life. A sigh escaped Yasuline's lips, carrying with it the weight of her worries. The tension that had gripped her began to ease, replaced by a glimmer of hope.

Turning her gaze towards the White Reaper, she sought solace in his presence, yearning for reassurance in this tumultuous moment. A soft smile played upon her lips as she spoke, her voice filled with gratitude and admiration. "Thank goodness, she's alive," she uttered, her words a testament to her relief. Yasuline couldn't help but feel a sense of appreciation for the mercy that the White Reaper had shown, sparing the maid's life despite her treacherous intentions.

As Yasuline observed the room, a stark realization dawned upon her. The once familiar space now seemed cloaked in an unsettling darkness, devoid of the soft glow of moonlight that usually bathed the surroundings. Shadows danced along the walls, casting eerie shapes that seemed to twist and contort with a life of their own. A chill snaked its way down her spine, causing her to instinctively wrap her arms around herself, seeking a semblance of comfort and protection.

The only source of illumination came from the ethereal glow emanating from the White Reaper, casting an otherworldly light that seemed to flicker and dance in tandem with the shadows. It both fascinated and unnerved her, adding to the palpable unease that hung in the air.

With a sense of urgency, Yasuline mustered her resolve, realizing the importance of relaying the recent events to Caliber. She recognized the need to personally inform him, to ensure he didn't jump to erroneous conclusions. Turning towards the White Reaper, she prepared to voice her intentions, only to find him absent from the room. Surprise flickered across her features as she blinked in disbelief, momentarily feeling a sense of disorientation and uncertainty. The absence of his presence left her feeling adrift, as if an anchor had been suddenly uprooted, leaving her to navigate the unknown currents alone.

"Pssh, I'm pretty sure that leaving a person alone in their room is quite rude. He may be reliable, but he can sure be rude," she says, hoping that he can still hear her. She starts to gather up her things, preparing her adventuring clothes and ensures she keeps her runeblade in hand. "Oh well, let's see what we're up against."