UNFORESSEN ENCOUNTER I

{ARIA'S POV}

The scene in the palace's grand hall was surreal, a chilling tableau that had frozen everyone in their tracks. The maid's anguished screams pierced the air, her face a portrait of terror and disbelief. Blood had splattered across her once-neat brown hair, and she clutched at it, her trembling hands matted with crimson specks.

My gaze shifted to Jay, who stood nearby, just as stunned as the rest of us. His eyes were wide, and sweat trickled down his cheeks.

He looked as though he'd witnessed a nightmare come to life, a scene that played over and over in his mind. It was impossible to think that he could be responsible for what had happened; after all, we'd been together in the Royal Library when this horrifying event unfolded.

Dad, King Deryl, moved toward the distressed maid, a calming presence in the midst of chaos. He gently wiped away her tears, his eyes filled with concern. He signaled for some guards to assist her, instructing them to take her to the medical alcoves. "She's in shock," he murmured to one of the guards, "and what she's witnessed must be too much for her to bear. After she's had some time to recover, bring her to me so we can learn more about what happened."

With that, Dad turned his attention to the fallen guard, who lay lifeless on the floor, black spikes protruding from his chest. In an act of unwavering strength, he hoisted the guard's body, clad in white armor, onto his shoulder. It was a stark contrast to the elegance of his royal attire. He walked away, his royal advisor and a trio of guards following closely behind.

Meanwhile, Jay seemed to snap out of his daze. He held his head as if to clear his thoughts, running his hand through his hair to straighten it. I approached him, concern etched across my features, and asked, "Jay, what's going on?"

For a moment, he seemed lost in thought, his gaze distant. Then, with a shaky voice, he replied, "I... I... I gotta go."

I watched as he turned and began to walk away, his steps quick and purposeful, leaving behind a room filled with unanswered questions and an eerie sense of unease that hung in the air.

.As the chaos in the grand hall began to subside, people gradually dispersed, returning to their various conversations and duties. Our mothers, seemingly relieved that we were unharmed, engaged in a hushed conversation about the recent events.

Two maids, dressed in their usual white attire, hurriedly moved to the scene to clean the blood-soaked floor, their faces a mixture of trepidation and determination.

Jay's dad, Michael, followed closely behind my father, King Deryl, and I decided to shadow them, my curiosity burning at the back of my mind. What in the world could have caused such a gruesome event?

Sir Eldric, the trusted advisor, couldn't contain his unease. "What could be the cause of this event?" he questioned, his brows furrowed with concern.

Dad sighed heavily as we reached the room that had once contained the thieves who'd attacked the Aydens. Our eyes were immediately drawn to the guard's lifeless body, lying in a pool of his own blood, and it was clear that something profoundly disturbing had transpired.

"This was probably done by someone," Dad began, his voice low and grave, "and if it was, how the hell did they do it?"

The weight of his words hung heavily in the air. The situation had taken a dark turn, and the mystery deepened with each passing moment.

"It was either someone from the outside," Dad continued, his eyes narrowing in contemplation, "or... hate to say it... one of us is an imposter."

The implications of his words sent shivers down my spine. A sense of foreboding washed over me as I realized that we were now faced with an unsettling dilemma: an unknown threat within the palace itself.

{CRYSTAL'S POV}

I was worried and felt insecure, considering the events that had happened. It's clear that the palace has an unknown figure and threat wandering.

As we discussed all this with Queen Eleanor, we took a corner around the throne room. I noticed Jay; he was muttering and talking to himself. "Poor boy, he's probably traumatized and freaking out," I thought.

Eleanor and I walked to Jay. As I knelt to be on the same height as him, I gave him a tight hug. "Mom, this is all like that day," Jay said.

"That day?" I thought. Then I realized what he meant – the day we were attacked. To be honest, I felt chills that day. Looking at Jay, his eyes glowing an ominous purple, it was clear that he had experienced death. Blood covered his tattered clothes. The guard with a pierced chest probably reminded Jay of that incident – he almost lost his family.

Eleanor also leaned in and cuddled up with us.

"Jay, you know your mom was the same in high school back in the day – always depressed and worrying about things she had no control over. I wasn't present during that night, but I know how you felt. The thought of losing your loved ones is unbearable," Eleanor said.

"Thank you, Queen Eleanor. I do understand," Jay said, hugging both of us tightly.

He proceeded, "Mom, is it okay if I go take a walk outside the palace? I promise to be careful."

As any other mom would, I wouldn't want my son going out given the palace's current situation. But restricting him would build up more tension within him.

"Okay, you can, sweetie," I said, giving Jay a kiss on the forehead.

Jay smiled at me, light from the door casting upon him. He turned and headed for the exit door...

Everything was in slow motion. Jay walked to the door, and I could see shattered glass pieces falling from above, landing with ease and harmony, glimmering in the light. Their shattering sound echoed from every corner. The glass was then replaced by rocks...

I looked up, my eyes darting slowly, my breath caught under me, something... S-O-M-E-T-H-I-N-G...

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In a blink of an eye, something had crushed where Jay was standing. The corridor to the exit was half demolished. I could see rocks coming my way, the ground breaking due to the sheer force of the impact.

My eyes were wide, and Eleanor conjured up her Hydrokinesis, ice engulfing the both of us. Rocks hit the ice, and I heard the cracking of the ice, shattering piece by piece.

I looked up to see Eleanor, her face bleeding, pierced by tiny ice crystals. Blood dripped down, drop by drop. All these events occurred in slow motion in my eyes, the sound of my heartbeat loud as ever, like an eerie song.

My eyes darted back to where I last saw my son, peeking through the now translucent ice barrier – a hole in the floor, dug deep.

Just then, everything returned to normal speed. My hearing senses returned bit by bit, the falling of rubble and rocks echoing.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!"

//// NEXT CHAPTER: UNFORESEEN ENCOUNTER II ////

Edited by: JJ