Rowan lifted his violin again. This time, he used a skill called "Tempest Sonata."
A violent whirlwind exploded from around him. The royal red carpet whipped wildly, and the soldiers' armor clattered loudly as they were lifted off the ground.
The vortex hurled them left and right, even making the chandeliers sway from the force of the wind.
Lilith placed a hand on her chest, feeling the vibration of the music. "High-level sound magic… It's been a long time since I've seen something like this."
Only four soldiers were still able to stand. They were shaking, but they still tried to push forward.
Rowan raised his violin high. A soft blue light descended from the ceiling, as if summoned by his melody. A calm smile appeared on his lips.
"Your Majesty… allow me to play the finale."
Lilith looked straight at him. "Show me."
"Ultimate: Finale of the Fallen Stars," Rowan whispered.
A long, resonant note flowed—beautiful, yet dangerous. Light shot upward from Rowan's violin like rising stars. Then, one by one, those stars fell.
Explosions of sound filled the hall. The pillars shook, wind and light crashed wildly across the room. The remaining soldiers were thrown like leaves caught in a storm.
Silence followed as the light faded.
A thin mist lingered on the floor. The soldiers lay helplessly scattered. Rowan still stood tall, his violin glowing faintly.
Lilith slowly rose from her throne. Her footsteps echoed through the quiet hall as she approached him. She stopped in front of him, her crimson eyes now shimmering with admiration.
"Rowan," she said softly, "your performance shattered my expectations."
A faint smile tugged at her lips, a smile the world rarely ever saw. "Honestly, I'm impressed."
Rowan bowed with one hand over his chest. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I only played what my heart whispered to me."
Lilith glanced at Rowan's companions, then back at the young bard, giving him a small, approving nod.
•••
Rowan had won Lilith's favor. Now, he and the others were granted access to use all the facilities within the Kingdom of Shadowfell. But the trackers had already been implanted in their bodies. They were bound to the contract—to bring victory to Shadowfell in the deadly game known as Project V. Escape was no longer an option.
They gathered at a long, luxurious dining table, served with warm soup that smelled like home, slices of bread with different spreads, and a comforting meal after a brutal day.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Rylan said.
"Thank your friend," Lilith replied. "He proved that you're worthy to be part of my team."
Everyone seemed happy with the situation—everyone except Thyra, who kept her usual blank expression, looking neither pleased nor disappointed.
Dinner went by peacefully and pleasantly. Then they were escorted down several hallways until they reached a row of chamber doors.
"Each of you gets a room to rest in. Feel free to choose whichever you want," Lilith said.
"Understood. Thank you, Your Majesty," Nimora replied.
Lilith left them. Nyssara and Thyra immediately picked their rooms and went inside. Rylan refused to separate from Rowan—he still didn't fully trust the kingdom—so he chose to stay in the same room as the bard.
Nimora picked the room right beside theirs. When she entered, she saw paintings of Shadowfell's ancestors hanging on the walls. The large, soft bed instantly relaxed every muscle in her body after such a long and exhausting day. She closed her eyes, intending to rest a bit before the even harder journey ahead.
•••
NEO-LAB
"Damn it, the elevator's broken," Zaraea grumbled.
"What do we do now?" Arthur asked.
Zaraea tried to think of a way to reach Shadowfell and catch up to her sister. She used her power to break open the elevator doors, revealing an endless-looking drop below.
"Alright… I think I can do this," Zaraea said.
"What? You're planning to jump from here?" Arthur looked horrified.
"What else can we do? There's no other way."
"I know you're strong, miss… but even you won't survive a fall like that. And—agh…" His stomach wound flared with pain again from moving too much.
Zaraea checked the injury. The stab wound, wrapped only in cloth, was bleeding again. The pain was brutal, yet Arthur—thanks to his naturally stronger body—was still alive despite the condition.
Zaraea froze in conflict, torn between chasing her sister or getting Arthur out safely.
"Go… if you can really catch up to her," Arthur said with a strained voice.
"Cool! Now you're saying that when you're in even worse shape," Zaraea sighed. "I'm not leaving you. You said she had two of your village's strongest with her, right? I trust you. We're getting out of here first."
She helped Arthur up, supporting his weight, while still firmly holding the Aethonia staff.
•••
CRYSTAL CAVE
"If Lunaria appeared to you in a dream, that means danger really is coming for us," Astraea said.
"Exactly. That's why I want to gather everyone again," Calantha replied.
"So, first we go after Nimora in Mythren, right?"
"No—we don't need to," Calantha said, shaking her head. "Before I came to you, I met Zaraea. I asked her to follow Nimora to Mythren. I'm sure she'll bring our sister back."
"Then what should we do?"
She sighed and says, "Crystalia. We need to find her. But she's very far from here."
"Where is she?"
"Far to the north. In a place of eternal snow called Thalorien."