The council's dilemma

The king's soldiers surrounded Metsa and Louis, their eyes fixed on the young warrior and her companion. Metsa felt a sense of unease, realizing that her father had come prepared for battle. But she pushed that thought aside, focusing on the warmth in her father's eyes.

"Metsa, my dear," the king said, his voice filled with emotion. "I am so proud of you. You have proven yourself to be a true warrior, worthy of our family's name."

Metsa smiled, feeling a sense of pride and gratitude. "Thank you, Father," she said. "I couldn't have done it without Louis's help."

The king's gaze turned to Louis, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Yes, Louis," he said. "You have proven yourself to be a loyal and trusted ally. I will make sure to reward you for your services."

Louis bowed, his eyes fixed on the king. "Thank you, Your Majesty," he said.

As the king spoke, his soldiers began to move forward, surrounding Metsa and Louis. Metsa felt a sense of unease, realizing that her father had come prepared for battle. But she pushed that thought aside, focusing on the warmth in her father's eyes.

"What happens now, Father?" Metsa asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

The king smiled, his eyes shining with pride. "Now, we return to the castle," he said. "We will celebrate your victory with a grand feast. And then, we will discuss your future, and the future of our kingdom."

Metsa nodded, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. She knew that her father had big plans for her, and she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As they made their way out of the chamber, Metsa couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and awe. She had never imagined that her journey would end like this, with her father's praise and a grand celebration. But she was grateful for it, and she knew that she would always cherish this moment.

The group made their way through the winding corridors of the ancient fortress, the sound of their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. Metsa walked beside her father, feeling a sense of pride and gratitude. She knew that this was just the beginning of a new chapter in her life, and she was ready to face whatever lay ahead.

As they walked, the king began to tell Metsa about the plans he had for her future. He spoke of her becoming a great leader, one who would bring peace and prosperity to their kingdom. Metsa listened intently, her heart swelling with pride and excitement.

But as they approached the castle, Metsa couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. She glanced around, noticing that the soldiers who had accompanied them from the fortress were now flanking them, their eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her skin crawl.

"Father, what's going on?" Metsa asked, her voice low and cautious.

The king's smile faltered for a moment, before he regained his composure. "Nothing, my dear," he said. "Just a precaution. You are a valuable asset to our kingdom, and we must ensure your safety at all times."

Metsa nodded, but her unease only grew. She knew that her father was hiding something from her, and she was determined to find out what it was.

As they entered the castle, Metsa was greeted by the sight of nobles and courtiers, all of whom seemed to be watching her with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. She felt like a prisoner, trapped in a web of intrigue and deception.

But she refused to let her fear get the better of her. She stood tall, her head held high, as she followed her father to the throne room.

There, a grand feast was laid out before her, with food and drink aplenty. But Metsa's appetite was gone, replaced by a growing sense of unease.

What was her father planning? And why did she feel like she was walking into a trap?

As Metsa entered the throne room, she was struck by the grandeur of the decorations. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries, and the tables were laden with gold and silver plate. But despite the opulence, Metsa's senses were on high alert. She could feel the weight of her father's gaze upon her, and the nobles and courtiers seemed to be watching her with an unnerving intensity.

The king took his seat on the throne, and Metsa was led to a place at his right hand. She sat down, her heart pounding in her chest, as the king raised his hands for silence.

"My dear subjects," he began, his voice booming through the hall. "We gather here today to celebrate the bravery and cunning of my daughter, Metsa. She has proven herself to be a true warrior, and a worthy heir to the throne."

Metsa's eyes scanned the room, searching for any sign of danger. But all she saw were smiling faces and nodding heads.

"But Metsa's victory is not just a personal triumph," the king continued. "It is a symbol of our kingdom's strength and resilience. And it is a reminder that we must always be vigilant, for threats lurk in every shadow."

Metsa's unease grew. What was her father trying to say? And why did she feel like she was being trapped in a web of intrigue?

The king's words were interrupted by a commotion at the door. A messenger burst in, his face pale and sweating.

"Your Majesty," he gasped. "News from the border. The dark sorcerer, Gang Goku, has escaped. He is marching on our kingdom, with an army at his command."

The room erupted into chaos, with nobles and courtiers shouting and pointing fingers. Metsa's heart raced, as she realized that her father's words had been more than just empty rhetoric. The kingdom was in danger, and she was the only one who could save it.

The king turned to her, his eyes seeking her input. "Metsa, what are your thoughts on this matter?" he asked.

Metsa took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. "Father, I believe we need to take a cautious approach. Gang Goku's powers are unlike anything we've seen before. We can't underestimate him."

Lord Ravenswood, a noble with a gruff demeanor, snorted. "Cautious? We need to strike while the iron is hot! We can't let Gang Goku gain the upper hand."

Metsa shook her head. "That's exactly what he wants us to do. He wants us to act rashly, so he can use our impulsive decisions against us."

The king nodded thoughtfully. "Metsa has a point, Lord Ravenswood. We need to consider all options before making a move."

Lady Everwood, a wise and aged noble, spoke up. "I agree with Metsa. We need to gather more information about Gang Goku's powers and his plans before we make a move."

The council members continued to debate, with Metsa actively participating in the discussion. She knew that her input was valuable, and she was determined to help the council make an informed decision.

As the meeting drew to a close, the king turned to Metsa once again. "Metsa, I want you to lead a team to gather intelligence on Gang Goku's movements. We need to know what we're up against."

Metsa nodded, feeling a sense of responsibility settle on her shoulders. "I won't disappoint you, Father. I'll get to the bottom of this."

The king smiled, his eyes filled with pride. "I know you will, Metsa. You're the only one I trust to get this done."