The fireworks painted the southern sky with brilliant colors. The city of Vasta, where the castle stood, gleamed brighter than ever that night.
The night sky blazed with words: MEMORIA, QUEEN MELANIA, LONG LIVE THE CITIZENS. Patterns of flower petals, hearts, and the dove of peace danced across the sky, each burst more spectacular than the last.
Even the knights paused in awe. Memoria had always boasted a formidable army, and these warriors had been specially trained under Melania's watchful eye. Tonight, however, was a rare reprieve from their long, grueling hours. Clad in formal attire, suits crisp and immaculate, they allowed themselves a moment to simply watch.
Only a few knights remained stationed around the castle, guarding its periphery. One knight lingered, reluctant to tear his eyes away from the celestial display, yet he knew duty must come first. When his time was up, he turned and made his way toward a castle gate, each step measured, disciplined, even as the sky continued its dazzling performance above him.
There were four gates—north, south, east, and west. One knight was dispatched to each gate in rotation every three hours, ensuring extra protection should anything go awry. Yet, behind this vibrant celebration, a strange tinge of red was about to spread.
Inside, everyone continued to enjoy the grand show of fireworks when Melania suddenly sensed that something was amiss.
"Lord Deux and his subordinates are nowhere to be seen…" she thought, her brow furrowing.
Melania saw Dani standing alone under the blushed blossom tree. Rica was not to be seen. Perhaps she hasn't returned from the treasury yet, Melania reasoned. She approached Dani. Her bored face suddenly had a big smile when she saw Melania. Dani said, "Melania, it is boring without Rica and the noise of fireworks makes my head ache. Even you are busy, thankfully you came. Finally, there is something to ease my boredom. Melania tapping Dani's head said, "Okay then I have some interesting work for you". Dani's eyes glittered. She continued, "Go look for Lord Deux. He and his men have been missing for a while now."
Dani nodded and, with excitement shook Melania's hands. She used the Divine Levitation Spell to quickly search for Deux.
A sharp-eyed Danver noticed Dani's hasty departure. Sensing something wrong, he quietly approached Melania and asked in a calm yet worried tone,
"Your Majesty, is something the matter?"
"This is a matter of urgency and utmost secrecy. Lord Deux and his subordinates have disappeared for quite some time. I fear something is wrong," Melania whispered to the dwarf, Sir Danver—her voice firm, though her eyes betrayed her concern.
Danver maintained a composed smile and said, "Your Majesty, you are blessed by the spirits. Rather than sending Lady Dani, you could ask the Wind Spirit or the Tree Spirit to look for them."
Before Melania could reply, a tall, broad-shouldered man hurried toward her, walking fast yet carefully so as not to attract attention. It was Casper, the Knight Commander.
"Your Majesty, there's no one controlling the fireworks! They seem to be powered by an instantaneous spell—it'll stop only once the mana inside runs out!" He got to know this by the knight which was guarding the southern gate.
Melania's suspicion deepened. "Deuxa, Lord Deux's first subordinate, is missing too," she said grimly.
A soft whisper brushed past her ear — it was Aria, the Wind Spirit.
"Melania, I sense the mana weakening near the protection barrier in the northeast. Let's go together. Our combined strength will be more effective."
Melania responded through thought, Understood, Aria. If even you cannot handle it alone, the situation must be grave. We must act swiftly.
Straightening, Melania commanded, "Casper, you are to take charge of the citizens. Protect them at all costs. Do not let panic spread, and do not let them notice my absence. As Knight Commander of Memoria, this is your duty."
Casper bowed. "Your will is my command, Your Majesty."
Melania turned to Danver. "Find Rica. Tell her to protect everyone inside the castle until I handle the situation outside. Something must have happened to her—she isn't responding to my mind voice."
Danver said firmly. "I shall heed your command, Your Majesty. But please… do not be harmed. You are our only hope."
Melania's expression hardened with resolve. "I shall look after myself and I will also ensure everyone's safety."
She took a deep breath. "Everyone has their duty. Let's move."
With that, Casper, Danver, and Melania went their separate ways, courage burning in their hearts.
Melania summoned Aria's wind magic, donned an invisible magical cloak, and flew out of the castle walls through the eastern gate—it was the fastest route to reach the city and investigate the cause of weakened mana.
Moments later, after passing beyond the gate, a glowing scroll appeared before her, carrying a sigil. She recognized it instantly — it was from Dani, sent via the Divine Messenger Spell, a technique that consumed enormous divine power.
The message read:
"Melania, I found no trace of Lord Deux inside or around the castle. I will venture north from the northern gate to investigate further into Lord Deux's disappearance. But something is definitely wrong. While on my way, I discovered a dead knight in the bushes.
Before his death, I managed to retrieve fragments of his memory. He said, 'Why do I see fireballs instead of fireworks? The neighbourhood is burning! I must report this to Her Majesty!'
He was running from the western gate toward the garden passage, but was struck down by a sudden flash of steel. I could not see the assailant as he was dead. The fire appears to be a strange blue flame that can only be extinguished with the help of your Water Spirit. It hasn't spread far yet, but it burns hotter than ordinary fire."
The golden scroll faded into the wind.
The knight's death felt heavy, but she didn't let her emotions take control of her. Melania ordered Aria to head straight for the western gate. Within five seconds, they reached it.
Calculating quickly, she reasoned: Dani can retrieve memories from someone who died up to ten seconds prior. The messenger spell takes about one second to reach me from the northern to the eastern gate. That means no more than twenty seconds have passed since the fire began — it should still be manageable.
Though alarmed, Melania remained composed. She saw the blue flames engulfing the front streets, but they hadn't spread further yet. Thankfully, the citizens were still at the banquet, unaware of the unfolding disaster — and that spared many lives.
Questions stormed her mind.
Where will my people live now? Who could have done this? How did a night of celebration turn into tragedy?
But now was not the time to despair. She raised her hand and chanted:
"I call upon you, Aquela, Spirit of Water — bestow your blessings upon these raging flames and calm their fury!"
Streams of crystalline water cascaded through the burning streets, dousing the blue fire. Melania felt relief.
"He, he Melania did you see the how powerful I am." A gleeful voice came out- It was Aquela the water spirit. Melania smiled and said, "Thankyou Aquela, U surely saved my day."
Aria sucked in the smoke as though she were gulping it down completely to prevent any panic among the people enjoying the celebration in the castle. Aquela observed the whole thing and said, "Hmph you could have done better Aria" and she disappeared. Aria didn't take her words seriously and awaited Melania's further orders.
"Aria," Melania said firmly, "Now that one problem is solved, take me to the source of the mana disturbance."
Melania tried reaching Rica through mind voice, worrying why she is not responding and did something happen to her. Rica please be alright. Melania thought to herself the whole time till they reached the northeastern part of the city where the mana had weakened.
Aria took note of Melania's worrisome face and guessed it must have to do about Rica. She told her to not worry as Rica is not someone who anyone can take advantage of. She is strong enough to defend herself. And Sir Danver has gone to look for Rica. Till the time we reach the castle, Rica and the others would already be present waiting for our arrival. These words gave hope to Melania.
When they arrived at the northeastern part of the city, Melania's eyes darkened — the protection barrier itself was shattered. This was the reason that the mana had weakened in this place. The mana went past the barrier.
"Someone tampered with the magical device that powers the barrier — the one stored in the castle's secure chamber. But who would dare? Who set this firestorm upon our people? Why have Lord Deux and his men vanished? And why is Rica still not answering me?"
Aria's voice was grave.
"Intruders… that must be it. Though only a suspicion, it feels likely."
Melania nodded grimly. "Plausible. I see no other explanation for the tampering."
Clenching her fists, she declared, "Take me back to the castle. The answer lies within. Something has gone terribly wrong."
Leaving part of her mana behind to guard the ruined homes and the weakened barrier, Melania summoned an Earth Golem to assist in maintaining stability. With order somewhat restored, she and Aria rushed back toward the castle.
The situation inside the castle did not seem to be good , for Danver couldn't believe his eyes, as it's disappearance in the treasury seemed too mysterious.
Both Casper and Dani did not find themselves in favorable circumstances.
Something unspeakably terrible awaited their eyes. As the ending was heart wrenching.