Chapter 5

Sophia's eyes widened with excitement. "Oh, Precious! You're finally going on a date with Stanley! I'm so happy for you!" She paused, noticing Precious's distant expression. "Hey, what's wrong? You seem a bit... off."

Precious sighed, her mind still haunted by the nightmares. "I just can't shake off these terrible dreams, Sophia. People running, screaming, and darkness everywhere... I feel like something's trying to warn me, but I don't know what."

Sophia's expression turned concerned. "Maybe it's just stress, Precious. You've been working so hard lately. But if it persists, we should consult someone. Maybe... I don't know, a spiritual advisor or something?"

Precious nodded, appreciating Sophia's support. "You're right, I'll try to shake it off.

“That's my girl, But today, let's focus on your date with Stanley! What time is he picking you up?"

Precious beamed, her excitement infectious. "He's coming at 6 pm! I can't wait to see him again.

As they chatted, Precious's thoughts drifted back to the nightmares, wondering if they were more than just a product of her imagination...

*SAME MORNING, ELRADOR KINGDOM*

The royal family sat in silence, their faces reflected in the shiny utensils. King Ryker, Queen Lyra, and Prince Kaid sat in their seats, each lost in thought. The big dining hall, usually full of laughter and conversation, was quiet and eerie.

Queen Lyra looked down, her hands clasped together, her thoughts hidden behind a calm face. But she glanced at King Ryker with suspicion and concern. She knew something was wrong but didn't dare speak up.

Prince Kaid looked around, searching for answers. He sensed the tension and secrets but couldn't figure out the truth.

The silence was heavy and uncomfortable. The only sound was the soft clinking of utensil against plates as they pushed their food around, too worried to eat.

Just as it seemed the silence would last forever, a messenger burst in, his face red with urgency. "Your Majesties!" he exclaimed, bowing low. "News from the north! Xylara dark magic has invaded our land! Our people are in danger, and our armies are preparing to fight back!"

King Ryker's face stayed calm, but his eyes warned Queen Lyra. Prince Kaid's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with questions. And why was his father hiding the witch's secrets?

King Ryker's voice was calm, but laced with a hint of tension. "Thank you, messenger. We will discuss this matter further in private."

The messenger bowed and retreated, leaving the royal family to their thoughts. Queen Lyra's gaze lingered on King Ryker, her eyes searching for answers. Prince Kaid's face was a mask of confusion and concern.

As the dinner continued, the silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the clinking of utensils and the soft murmur of the king's voice, speaking in hushed tones to his wife and son.

It was clear that something was amiss, that secrets and lies hung in the air like a thick fog. Prince Kaid, determined to uncover the truth, began to formulate a plan to uncover his father's secret that had shattered the silence that had gripped the royal family for far too long...

*SOPHIA STITCHES*

Sophia hummed as she measured a customer's waist, her fingers deftly marking the fabric with a chalk line. Her tailoring shop, "Sophia's Stitches," was bustling with activity, the scent of fresh cotton and threads filling the air. As she worked, her mind wandered to her friend Precious, who had been acting strange lately.

"Precious, what's going on with you?" Sophia thought, her brow furrowed in concern. "You've been distant, and those nightmares... I wish you'd confide in me."

A customer's query about a hemline brought Sophia back to the present. She smiled, focusing on the task at hand, but her thoughts kept drifting to Precious. They had been inseparable since childhood, sharing secrets and dreams. Now, it seemed like Precious was hiding something.

As the day went on, Sophia's mind continued to stitch together worries about her friend. She hoped Precious would open up soon, but until then, Sophia would be there, needle and thread at the ready, to mend not just clothes but also their friendship.

*BACK AT ELRADOR KINGDOM*

The king's chambers were filled with the wisest people in the kingdom. The elders gathered around the table, concerned about the news from the north. King Ryker stood at the head of the table, his face serious but hiding a secret.

"Gentlemen," he began, his voice firm but sneaky. "We've heard that Xylara's dark magic has entered our land, and our people are in danger."

The elders nodded, worried. Lord Thomas spoke up. "Your Majesty, we must act fast. We can't let Xylara's darkness spread into our land and beyond."

King Ryker's eyes gleamed with a hidden plan. "I agree, but we must be careful. We can't risk making Xylara angrier."

Lord James added, "But, Your Majesty, we think Xylar is searching for ancient artifacts hidden in our land. If she finds them, her power will be too strong."

King Ryker smiled slyly. "I'll make sure to... talk to Xylara. I'm sure we can come to an agreement that benefits both of us."

The elders exchanged doubtful glances, sensing something was wrong. Lord Edward spoke up, his voice cautious. "Your Majesty, are you sure that's a good idea? Xylara can't be trusted."

King Ryker's expression turned cold, his eyes flashing with anger. "I'll handle this, Lord Edward. I know what's best for the kingdom."

The elders nodded, but their faces showed doubt and concern. They knew something was off, but they couldn't quite figure it out...

The elders left the king's chambers, each with their own thoughts and doubts. Lord Edward approached Lord Thomas, his voice low and concerned.

"Thomas, I don't trust the king's plan. He's hiding something."

Lord Thomas nodded in agreement. "I share your concerns, Edward. The king's words seemed... rehearsed, it'she made it up for us to leave."

Lord James joined the conversation, his brow furrowed. "I've heard rumors of a secret pact between the king and Xylara. Could it be true?"

The three elders exchanged worried glances. They knew they had to investigate further, but the king's guards were loyal only to him.

Just then, a young servant approached them, his eyes darting around nervously. "Lords, I overheard the king's conversation with Xylara the powerful witch the other day in his chamber. He's planning to betray our kingdom!"

The elders' faces turned grave. They knew they had to act fast, but the king's betrayal was a dangerous path to navigate...

The young servant, whose name was Mike, led the elders to a hidden passageway beneath the castle. They followed him, their hearts racing with anticipation.

"What did you hear, Mike?" Lord Thomas asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"The king and Xylara are…..Mike paused, his eyes wide with fear. "They're going to exchange a powerful artifact for a dark magic spell that would conquer every kingdom, the witch wants to feast on the heart of the chosen one."

Lord James's face turned red with anger. "That traitor! We must act fast to stop them!"

The elders nodded in agreement, their minds racing with a plan. They knew they had to be careful, as the king's guards were loyal only to him.

As they made their way back to the castle, they were unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows. King Ryker's spy, disguised herself had overheard their conversation and was now hurrying to inform the king...

The king's spy, a servant named Sarah, rushed to the king's chambers, her heart racing with excitement. She had finally discovered the elders' secret plan.

"Your Majesty," she said, bowing low. "I have news. The elders are planning to betray you. They know about your meeting with Xylara and are going to try and stop it."

King Ryker's face turned red with anger. "Fools!" he exclaimed. "They think they can outsmart me?"

He summoned his guards and ordered them to keep an eye on the elders immediately. Sarah, still bowing, smiled to herself. She had proven her loyalty to the king and would be rewarded.

Meanwhile, the elders, unaware of the danger, continued their plans to stop the king's betrayal. But with Sarah telling the king about what she heard, their chances of success had just dropped off...

*THE SERVANT QUARTERS*

The servant quarters were a bustling with different activity, with servants hurrying to and fro, attending to their duties. Sarah, the king's spy, returned to her small room, a smirk still on her face. She had proven her worth to the king and was now a trusted member of the palace staff.

Two maids sat in the dimly lit corridor, their voices hushed as they talked.

"I can't believe what's happening in the kingdom," the first maid said, shaking her head. "The king's behavior is becoming more erratic by the day."

The second maid nodded, her eyes wide with concern. "I know. And the rumors about Xylara's dark magic... it's terrifying."

"Do you think the choson one they speak of will be able to stop the curse?" the first maid asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The second Maid hesitated. "I don't know. But we have to hope she can. The kingdom is in chaos."

Just then, Sarah passed by, her eyes narrowing as she overheard their conversation. "What are you two talking about?" she asked, her tone icy.

The two maids exchanged nervous glances. "Just the latest news from the kingdom," the first maid replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

Sarah's gaze lingered, her expression suspicious. "Be careful what you say. The king's ears are everywhere."

With that, she continued on her way, leaving the two maida in an uncomfortable silence.

"I don't trust her," Rachel whispered after a moment. "She's always snooping around, reporting back to the king."

Emma nodded in agreement. "We have to be careful. The wrong words could put us in danger."

As they parted ways, the maids couldn't shake off the feeling of unease, their whispers, and worries echoing in the dark corridors of the servant quarters...

LATER ON, NIRI KINGDOM,

Precious arrived at the restaurant, her mind still preoccupied. She spotted Stanley waiting for her at the table, his warm smile a welcome distraction from her troubled thoughts.

As they ordered their meals and sipped their wine, Precious tried to shake off her unease and focus on the date. Stanley was charming and attentive, regaling her with stories of his travels and passions. But Precious found herself struggling to fully engage, her mind wandering back to the mysterious woman and the ominous warning.

Stanley noticed her distant expression and reached for her hand. "Hey, is everything okay? You seem a bit... elsewhere."

Precious forced a laugh, trying to brush off her concerns. "Just a bit tired, that's all. Sorry, Stanley. You're being wonderful, and I'm just not fully present tonight."

Stanley's eyes crinkled with understanding. "No worries, Precious. We can take things slow. But tell me, what's really on your mind? You can trust me."

Precious smiled and nodded, trying to brush off her concerns. "Let's just enjoy the evening, Stanley. I don't want to ruin the night with my worries."

Stanley understood, and they continued their date, laughing and chatting like they used to. But Precious's mind wasn't at rest. She couldn't shake off the feeling that something was watching her, waiting for her to uncover the truth.

As they finished their dessert and prepared to leave, Precious noticed a strange symbol etched into the tablecloth. It looked like a cross with two curved horns on either side, a mark that seemed to pulse with a faint, glow just like the one in her room.

She tried to point it out to Stanley, but when he looked, the symbol was gone. "Must have been my imagination," Precious said, feeling a shiver run down her spine.

As they walked out of the restaurant, Precious couldn't help but wonder if she was losing her grip on reality. Were the nightmares and strange encounters just a product of her own paranoia, or was something sinister at play?

The night air was filled with secrets, and Precious felt like she was drowning in them...

Precious tried to brush off the feeling of unease, but it lingered, like a shadow in the corner of her mind. She forced a smile, trying to focus on the moment, but her eyes kept darting around the street, searching for something that felt off.

Stanley noticed her tension and pulled her closer, his arm wrapping around her shoulders. "Hey, you're safe with me, okay? Whatever it is, we'll face it together."

Precious nodded, trying to believe him, but the voice in her head whispered doubts. "He can't protect you, Precious. No one can."

As they strolled through the quiet streets, Stanley noticed Precious's distant expression. "Hey, you're still troubled, aren't you?" he asked, his voice soft with concern.

Precious forced a smile, trying to reassure him. "Just a bit tired, that's all. Let's enjoy the night, okay?"

But Stanley's eyes lingered on hers, searching for the truth. "Precious, I care about you. If something's bothering you, I want to help."

Precious's heart skipped a beat. She wanted to confide in him, but fear held her back. What if he thought she was crazy? What if he didn't believe her?

As they turned a corner, a faint whisper seemed to caress her ear. "You can't trust anyone, Precious. Not even him."

She spun around, but there was no one there. Stanley looked at her quizzically. "What's wrong?"

Precious shook her head, feeling a chill run down her spine. "Nothing. Just the wind."

But she knew it wasn't the wind. It was the voice, the same one from her nightmares. And it was warning her away from Stanley...

_______________

King Ryker summoned Lord Ravinwood, who entered the room promptly. "I have a task for you," the king said, his voice cold and calculating. "Travel to every kingdom, east, west, north, and south. Find the chosen one, the one they call the savior. Bring me her heart, her blood, and her head, severed from her body. I want her power, her magic, and her life. Do not fail me, Lord Ravinwood. The fate of our kingdom depends on it."

Lord Ravinwood nodded, his face expressionless, and departed, leaving the king to his dark thoughts.