Disappointmented and, Shocked

• Outskirt Of Sibiah •

In the hazy realm of sleep, Lucian found himself ensnared within a sinister dream. It was a nightmare that sent shivers down his spine and filled his heart with fear.

In this nightmarish vision, Starael had returned, but he was far more powerful and malevolent than ever before.

The kingdom of Sibiah lay in ruins, a chaotic tableau of destruction and despair. Starael's malevolent presence loomed over the land, his dark aura casting an eerie shadow.

He unleashed his terrible power, reducing structures to rubble and killing people in a fleeting moment. The once-vibrant city now lay in ruin, its people crying out in pain and terror.

Lucian was at the heart of this chaos, his every move fraught with desperation as he attempted to confront the malevolent being.

His powers, no matter how potent, was not as strong compared to Starael's dark powers.Lucian could feel himself growing weaker with every passing moment.

The dream was a relentless torment, with the weight of an entire kingdom's fate resting upon Lucian's shoulders.

He watched helplessly as Starael laid waste to everything in his path, the once-beautiful city now reduced to smoldering ruins. His heart ached as he saw innocent lives taken before his eyes.

In the dream, Starael's malevolent laughter echoed, a sound that filled Lucian with dread. It was a laugh that promised nothing but suffering and chaos. As Starael closed in, his malevolent power overwhelming, Lucian's struggle seemed useless.

But then, just as the dream threatened to consume him entirely, Lucian woke up suddenly. His heart racing, and his breath came in frantic gasps as he realized he was back in the realm of reality.

The images of destruction and despair lingered, haunting him, but he was determined to use every ounce of his strength to prevent that nightmarish future from becoming a reality,but to do that he must find the Arcane book of magic first".

He stood up and looked towards the city saying with resolve "Here I Come".

Lucian pressed on with his quest as he ventured further into the city, guided by the mystical guidance of the arcane compass.

The direction it led him seemed improbable. The compass pointed directly to the palace's imposing gate. Lucian's inner doubts flared with the thought, "The Palace?"

Reluctantly, he moved forward, struggling to accept that what he sought might be within the royal palace of the Kingdom of Sibiah. His journey eventually brought him to the very threshold of the palace.

However, before he could step beyond the palace gates, he encountered the stern gaze of sentry guards. They promptly intervened and posed a series of inquiries, their voices edged with suspicion.

"Who are you?" they questioned, demanding to know the purpose of his presence and his intentions within the palace.

Lucian, though not adorned in regal attire, had dressed decently. The guards' noticed from Lucian's look that he wasn't from Sibiah but a foreigner in the kingdom.

Typically, a well-dressed Sibian would not encounter such resistance. words eluded Lucian for a moment,and was attempting to craft an explanation.

"I'm... I'm an envoy," he stuttered, but triee to sound convincing. "Sent from the kingdom of... Ab... Abalo... Yes, Abalon."

The name Abalon was a fabrication, a Kingdom conjured from his imagination. It had no existence in reality, and Lucian held his breath awaiting the guards' positive response,

Lucian found himself in a bit of a situation, anxiously trying to convince the palace guards that he was indeed an envoy from the mysterious land of Abalon. The guards shared an uncertain glance, silently conversing in hushed tones as they debated the authenticity of his claims.

"Have you heard about Abalon before?" one guard whispered discreetly into the other's ear.

The second guard shook his head, responding in a similarly hushed voice, "No, I have not. Have you?"

"No," the first guard replied. "You claimed to be from a strange land that's unheard of. I've lived in Sibiah since I was born, and I've never heard of any Kingdom called Abalon."

Challenging Lucian further, the second guard inquired, "If you are truly sent from the 'Abalon' as an envoy, where is the sealed edict given to you?"

The weight of silence hung in the air for a few moments as Lucian desperately searched for an answer. It became apparent to the guards that he had no evidence or documentation to validate his envoy status.

"No escort, no imperially sealed edict," the first guard stated firmly, his expression unwavering. "Nothing to indicate that you are a genuine envoy. You cannot enter the Royal Palace. Leave this instant."

Lucian stood there in silence, the reality of the situation sinking in. He could not provide any form of verification to the guards. Disappointment washed over him, but he could not gt afford to give up now. Time was running out, and the threat of Starael's return loomed.

With the risk of exposure, Lucian refrained from using his powers,he turned and started walking back into the city thinking of how he could get into the royal palace.

• The Royal Palace Of Sibiah •

(•Princess Felissa's Chamber•)

Amidst the grandeur of the royal chambers, Princess Felissa had managed to regain her composure after her ordeal in the winding streets of Sibiah.

Even though her regal demeanor was unwavering, the memory of being lost still lingered, and she could not help but feel shaken.

In her respite, she had laid down to rest, only to be abruptly jolted awake by a familiar wave of fear that had plagued her when she was lost in the unfamiliar streets.

Breathing a sigh of relief, she realized it was nothing more than a recurring dream. Sitting up, she summoned her maids with a calm yet firm command, "Get me some water."

One of her maids responded promptly "Yes,your highness", knowing the drill, and went about her task with the precision expected of the royal staff.

She fetched water from an ornate porcelain jug, carefully pouring it into a matching cup that belonged to the princess. Balancing the cup on a gleaming silver tray, she walked gracefully to the bedside, curtsying as she presented the cup for the princess to take.

After quenching her thirst, Felissa instructed her maids saying "Prepare my bath." ,Her maids curtseyed replying the princess, "Yes, your highness."

As the maid moved to fulfill her request, the princess scanned her chambers , seemed to be looking around for Ser Alanis. She inquired with a sense of urgency, "Where is Ser Alanis?" Her maids prepared to answer her, but at that very moment Alanis entered the room.

With a bow that reflected his unwavering loyalty and dedication, Alanis addressed her, "Your highness, were you in need of my presence?"

Princess Felissa acknowledged his arrival and gave her instructions, "Yes, I wanted to inform you that we should prepare for our training. I need to clear my mind." She gazed up at Alanis with a sense of determination and resolve, concluding with, "You may leave, but remain close by."

Ser Alanis responded with a bow, signifying his readiness to comply with her wishes, "Yes, your highness." He exited the room, prepared to assist the princess in any way she required.

Princess Felissa having finished her bath. She looked very fresh and determined. Her maids dried her off and combed her long, dark hair.

Then her maids started dressing her up in the training attire,These clothes were made of soft and comfortable silk. They put it on on her quickly, tying a sash around her waist. She looked very confident and ready for her training.

They tied her hair in a neat bun. She was all set for her tough training session. She looked like a royal, but also like a determined warrior.

In the heart of the training ground, the princess, adorned in her regal training attire, stood ready for her rigorous training session. Her guard and trainer, Alanis, was present there to guide her through another day of training.

They began with combat training, their movements precise and fluid, as they sparred and exchanged blows. The princess showed incredible skill and determination, her graceful agility at odds with her noble status. But it was in the sword training that her skills truly shone.

As the session progressed, the princess's focus wavered for a brief moment, and her foot slipped on a small stone. She stumbled, but before she could hit the ground, Alanis reacted with lightning speed. His strong, capable arms encircled her waist, preventing her from fallimg. In that heartbeat of time, as their bodies brushed against each other, Alanis felt an inexplicable surge within him.

His heart raced,thudding loudly in his chest,"lub-dub,lub-dub,lub-dub,lub-dub, and he was momentarily lost in the depth of her eyes.

Her proximity stirred a strange feeling that was never meant to be, his own heartbeat matching the rapid rhythm of his racing thoughts. It was a fraction of a second, yet it felt like an eternity.

The princess, slightly flustered but not acknowledging the moment, called his name, "Alanis... Alanis... Alanis," not once but three times.

He snapped back to reality, helping the princess regain her balance, and quickly bowed his head saying, "I'm sorry, Your Highness. It is my fault you tripped."

She didn't comment on the matter and just said "Let's press on". As she walked away from him, Alanis stood there, still somewhat dazed, and silently questioned himself, "What just happened now?" His heart continued to race, and a whirlwind of emotions left him feeling more anxious than ever before.

• Streets Of Sibiah •

Lucian was still walking back towards the city when he saw the town guards pasting a poster on the city's announcement board and people stopped and stood there looking at the board with mixed reactions.