King Bazi's Chamber
"WHAT?!"
The guards trembled before the king.
"She vanished," one whispered. "The dungeon was locked. No footprints. No broken bars."
The king paced furiously.
"Did anyone visit her?"
The guards hesitated.
"Who?"
"…The queen."
Bazi froze.
His eyes darkened.
"Summon the royal family." His voice turned cold. "It is time we address the truth."
He clenched his fists.
"You dare betray me, Omuro? Very unwise."
...
The royal family gathered in the family chamber under a cloud of confusion.
The long table at the center of the room gleamed beneath the lanterns, but the air felt thick with unease. Every noble present exchanged suspicious glances, whispering quietly as they waited.
Princess Arasinta stood at the back of the room, silently watching. She studied every face, every twitch of anxiety, every nervous breath.
The doors opened.
"Her Majesty, the Queen!"
Everyone stood at once.
Queen Omuro entered with measured grace. Her posture remained regal, but her eyes moved sharply across the room.
Then she saw Sirene.
The queen's brow twitched. Disappointment flickered across her face. Sirene avoided her gaze. She knew she had done wrong, but she didn't waiver.
Omuro took her seat, still staring.
The rest of the family followed.
Lady Erini broke the silence.
"Does anyone know why the king summoned us?"
Lady Gema leaned forward eagerly. "The real question is why there was no execution at dawn. I was rather looking forward to it."
Lady Erini nodded. "That must be why we're here."
The doors burst open again.
"Rise for the king!"
Everyone stood.
King Bazi strode inside and took his seat.
Silence fell instantly.
"You must all be wondering why no one was executed at dawn," he said calmly, "That is because there was no one to execute."
The room erupted with murmurs.
"Kharivanpa's cell was empty."
More gasps.
"The guards searched the entire palace," the king continued, "She vanished." He leaned forward, "And someone here helped her escape."
Every head turned. Eyes darted around the table. Sirene received the most suspicious stares thanks to her being the sister of the criminal.
Lady Erini spoke first.
"Perhaps her sister helped her?"
Sirene shook violently, "No! I would never disobey the king!"
Bazi raised his hand.
"Someone visited her last night."
His gaze drifted slowly across the room.
"Confess. I may spare you if you speak now."
No one moved. Queen Omuro scoffed. She knew he was heading toward her with that accusation.
"For once in your life, think, Bazi." She began.
Whispers filled the chamber.
"Was it the queen?" someone murmured.
Bazi's eyes locked onto her.
"Why did you visit the dungeon?"
Omuro did not flinch, "Because I wanted to listen. She never had a chance to defend herself."
"Are you questioning my judgment?" the king asked sharply.
Omuro leaned forward, "Are you certain about your judgment? Or did you rush to prove yourself the clever king?"
The insult struck.
"Is that why you helped her escape?" Bazi growled.
Omuro laughed softly, "Walk me through how I accomplished that without anyone noticing."
"Bribery."
"Oh really?" She folded her arms, "How many guards did I bribe? One? Two? All of them? You spy on everyone in this palace. Do you truly believe I could bribe the entire dungeon guard without you knowing?"
Bazi narrowed his eyes. "You are clever."
Omuro smiled faintly.
"That I am." She gestured around the room. "Why else do you come to me with every political crisis in this kingdom for me to solve?"
Arasinta smirked quietly in the corner. Finally, her mother showed her fieriness towards the king. It's been a while. She was well aware of her mother's power, and now that the queen owned her truth, it was a breath of fresh air for the princess.
Bazi's jaw tightened.
Omuro sighed. "I simply offered the girl water."
The king scoffed, "Why not offer water to every prisoner?"
"Because that child's pain aches me too." Then Omuro's voice softened, "You noticed it too. How she resembles her."
The king froze. The room went still.
Bazi stammered, "What are you implying?"
Omuro inhaled. "Kharivanpa is—"
"Mother, no!" Arasinta shouted.
At that exact moment—
Lightning crashed through the chamber. A bolt struck the center of the table. Everyone screamed. The doors burst open.
Kharivanpa stood in the doorway.
She looked different. Stronger. Her presence filled the room like a storm.
Guards rushed toward her.
Khari lifted a hand.
"Freeze."
The guards stopped instantly. Their bodies hardened like ice.
"Crack."
Fractures split across their frozen forms.
The room erupted in horror.
Khari walked calmly toward the table.
"Greetings," she said softly, "I understand your fear."
She glanced at Omuro.
"The queen showed me a kind of kindness that even my mother failed to do. But…she did not help me escape. They did."
Bazi swallowed, "Who?"
Khari smiled faintly, "The ones who watch over me now."
She looked around the room.
"I didn't kill Tarula. But that hardly matters now." Her eyes glowed with quiet power, "I am no longer the girl you tried to hang."
Crown Prince Noro stood. "What do you want? Why are you here?"
"Most of you wanted me dead because of who I am, and what I know. I could've stayed hidden and free, but no. I come here with a prophecy."
Silence fell again.
"A disaster approaches this royal family." Khari's voice echoed through the chamber. "You will betray one another. Secrets will poison your hearts. Love will vanish. Tarula's death was only the beginning."
Her eyes darkened.
"Soon the palace will drown in blood. Servants, nobles, children—no one will be spared. Your beautiful halls will become graveyards."
Queen Omuro spoke desperately.
"Child… there must be a way to prevent it."
Khari nodded, "There is."
Hope flickered.
Khari picked up a steak knife from the table.
"Four members of the royal family carry four spirits."
She placed the knife down.
"The Moon. A black-scaled snake. A golden-tailed scorpion. And a white lion. The Moon is your protector. But tonight… the snake will strike. Murder. If the Moon dies before sunrise… the prophecy begins. If the Moon survives the night the disaster will never come."
Queen Omuro whispered, "Who is the Moon?"
Khari shrugged, "That is the riddle you must solve."
And she walked out.
...
The Hallway
Sirene ran after Khari, unsure if it's the best goal.
"Wait!"
Khari turned.
"What happened to you?" Sirene demanded.
"What happened to you?" Khari replied.
"You killed those guards and marked us all for death" She panted, angry, "Who do you think you are? A goddess?"
"I am a priestess."
"You're still my sister." Sirene's voice broke. "You care about me. Under that mask of pretense on your face, I know you don't want me to suffer a cruel fate."
"Of course," Khari softened slightly. "That is why I pray you solve the riddle."
"Then tell me who the Moon is!" Sirene demanded.
Khari could have warned her to watch her tone as she wasn't the same person she knew. She was brand new, a voice of the gods. She could've inflicted some kind of physical ache on Sirene's body, but instead she gently placed a hand on her sister's shoulder.
"I don't know who the moon is," Her eyes lured, "But I hope… you are not the black-scaled snake."
A wave of wind hit Sirene's face as Khari vanished. Sirene wondered whether it was a good idea for her to return to the family room.
***