Hidden Dungeon (Part 1)

Siegren and Lumi entered the castle, only to be welcomed by several more knights and guards whose spears and swords are ready to attack.

The soulless was then unsheathed, and the next thing that happened was a seemingly endless spar. The knights came to thrust their blades at the intruder, while the intruder continued to advance forward.

The priestess walked behind him with her white dress fluttering in the breeze. Like a butterfly in the bright moonlight, she enchanted those who were foolish enough to think they could overpower her. She stared at the knights who came to strike—all were falling to the ground as they convulsed.

Only those who have sinned so much could be affected by divinity.

Lumi stared at the grandiose entrance of the palace as Siegren opened its magnificent large doors.

**

As the castle door opened, Lumi and Siegren entered the well-lit large hall.

"This is…" Lumi parted her lips. "The Aclarian palace."

The entrance was beautiful and adorned with a golden chandelier that complimented the place. Large banners of the fire hawk insignia hung on the pillars that were embellished with gold. However, there was no time to admire the castle—running at full speed towards Siegren and Lumi were guards of the royal palace, their appearance distinct from the ones that attacked them from outside.

The royal guards then charged; their spears pointed at the two trespassers. Thrusting lances enclosed the pair as the guards circled to surround them. The palace guards have failed to defend the bastion, so this must be their last attempt to secure the palace.

But even that would be futile.

Siegren closed his eyes as he sensed all of the present energy in his vicinity.

Souls. Mana. Power. Divinity.

MALEVOLENCE.

His grey eyes shot open.

Although its presence was faint, Siegren couldn't mistake that power for anything else.

The royal guards then moved forward, ready to contain them as the end of their lance sparked an electric force.

But then, as Siegren took another step, his eyes flickered red.

Then, an explosion took over the vicinity, blowing a part of the Aclarian palace.

**

In his hand was Lumi, whom he shielded from the momentary blast. The ringing did not stop, and white noise followed in the aftermath of a sudden eruption of another spontaneous explosion.

As the debris fell, trampling those that dared oppose, Siegren strode forward, leaving Lumi standing still in shock as she watched him go.

'What… what just happened?'

A moment ago, they were attacked by the Aclarian palace's royal guards, then suddenly, Siegren pulled her towards him as a loud explosion transpired. White noise then followed, then the trampled bodies from the fallen debris enclosed the entirety of the space... Lumi tried to keep her mind in place. The memory of the night when the temple was filled with dead bodies from the explosion overlapped.

The dust hasn't cleared up, and there was now blood pooling over Lumi's soles. Then, the moment she blinked; the blood was gone.

'Is this his power?' Lumi thought, 'But how? What kind of power is it?'

She then ambled forward, following Siegren—leaving the destruction behind with an unclear mind.

--

"What happened… father, I'm scared,"

"Hush! It'll be alright! I'm sure the royal guards are there to protect us!"

The king gritted his teeth through a closed mouth as he stared at the smoke coming out of the entrance of the Aclarian palace—which can be viewed high above from the large, arched windows in his chambers.

"Whose soldier was this? Estela's? Hescurg's? Who dares betray the peace that has been established for so many years!" The king clenched his fist as he closed his eyes, massaging his temples.

"To come here unannounced with these two intruders, who are no different from monsters—just what are they trying to prove!?"

"The prince and princess haven't come out of age, yet they're attacking like this. For what purpose!"

"Dear, calm down…"

The king snapped back to reality as a knock startled him and his family.

The door then opened, alerting the wary royals who were still wearing their nightclothes. One of the aides then entered the premise, and then bowed before they stated the news. The king's family then stood alert, expectant of a better news.

"Your Majesty, it seems like the back of the palace is also swarming with infernopests," said the aide. "Though we cannot say that the intruder and the infernopests are related to each other…"

The king then sat on the sofa, palms covering his eyes. His wife came to his side, her hands draping around his shoulders.

"Capture that menace, dead or alive. As for the pests, how are you holding them up?" he exclaimed.

"The palace guards have been divided into killing the infernopests and capturing the intruders," the aide retorted. "The citizens have also been alerted to stay in their residences due to this unforeseen attack."

"I see," the king sighed. "And the portal?"

"The portal is ready, your majesty," the aide replied. "The magicians have finished routing it to His Majesty's villa in the Aclarian province."

"Then," the king glanced at his family. "Take my family to the portal."

"Dear..."

"I have to," the king said, standing upright as he walked to his aide who then draped a cloak around him.

"I cannot simply flee the country in such a grave situation," the king said. "Take the children and hide until all things are sorted out."

The wife then nodded, holding the hands of their children who were no more than 10 years of age.

"B-but father, what about you?" The prince and the princess then walked toward their father, tugging his sleeve.

"Can't you come with us?" The princess said, tears looming in the corner of her eyes.

"That's right, father. Just come with us, please?" The prince added, running towards his father and hugging one of his legs.

The queen then came to her children, but before she can say a word, the king stopped her with a knowing look.

The king's hands ruffled the hair of the prince and the princess.

"Don't worry," the king said. "I will be with you. Soon."