CHAPTER 6:ZAYKING

"It's time to do the right thing," Zayan said, his voice calm but with an unclear hint of worry. Looking at the fake knife inside him, his eyes lit up with a ray of hope and then he threw it to the floor with a clatter, the sound of the knife hitting the tiles and breaking it into many small pieces.

"This is something we need to find out. Surely this is a man of intrigue and devilish disguise." The magician lifted the fake knife at his feet, yawning and evaluating it through understanding. mine.

"Is that Marcus!? But I can't believe it... He's grown up here since he was a teenager." while turning your back to the other side.

Marcus looked at the fake knife in front of him, savoring every word, "This knife... It was probably a sophisticated fake. But why? And who could have such power?" ?"

"It is impossible to believe that anyone in our court would do this. But we must find out the truth, before things get worse." Zyan turned back to Marcus with vague eyes,

"I will not let him escape punishment." The magician looked at the fake knife with sharp eyes, silently thinking.

Suddenly, a noise from the door made them both turn to look. Princess Senna entered the room, her eyes curious.

Father, "son of king" Marcus, what's going on?

Senna entered, the atmosphere in the room began to become quieter. The King and the Wizard turned to look at her, their expressions full of concern and attention.

"Dear daughter," King Zayan said, his tone warm, gently moving to touch Senna's rosy cheek.

"Why are father and Mr. Marcus so tense?" Extreme suspicion and worry when capturing the moment when both of them were incredibly tense.

"We…we heard about monsters appearing near the forest in the western part of the kingdom. People reported seeing them scurrying around in the dark." Marcus replied.

"Monsters? What could they do to the civilians in the area?" Senna emphasized each sentence, furrowing her eyebrows in a determined manner.

"Ah yes, We must learn the truth about them. We may need to find their origin, so that the kingdom no longer faces unforeseen dangers." The magician took Senna's hands and led her out of this space and did not forget to signal Zayan before leaving completely.

"Oh, that looks delicious," Lloyd said with a gesture of admiration

Martha, Lloyd's aunt, looked at her nephew with nervous eyes. "Don't you remember? The fall camp is happening tonight! Aren't you hungry so you can eat a lot for dinner?" she emphasized.

Lloyd, with excitement, savored every delicious bite of food on the plate. "That's right, fall camp! I forgot," he said, smiling softly.

Martha, Lloyd's aunt, looked at her nephew with affectionate eyes. "If you eat too much now, there won't be any room for dinner at camp tonight," she said sarcastically, emphasizing consideration for the future.

Ethan, Lloyd's younger brother, looked at his nephew with envy. "That's right, you're so lucky," he said, looking demandingly at the food on Lloyd's plate.

Lloyd smiled lightly, picked up the glass of water, "Don't worry, you won't eat too much." He took a sip of water, feeling satisfaction fill his heart.

Aunt Martha looked at her niece with passionate eyes, "Okay, but remember to bring some food home," she said softly, but her eyes contained worry.

Ethan grinned, "Surely you have nothing to worry about, Mom. As for me, I'll eat everything!"

Lloyd looked at Ethan with encouraging eyes, "don't you dare!" He said, nibbling on a delicious piece of meat on the plate.

Aunt Martha placed a plate of delicious food in front of Ethan. "You're staying home with me tonight," she said, her eyes as if she wanted to say something more.

The people's voices from outside rang out happily: "Strong Lloyd, where is the food? Are you planning to hide until dark to eat?" Another insisted, "Come with me, spare everyone Lloyd!"

Lloyd smiled excitedly and replied: "Okay, okay, don't worry everyone!" He said with excitement in his voice.

"Auntie, I'll go, Ethan, uncle." Lloy urgently ate all the leftovers on the plate. When he arrived at the door, Martha called him and quickly gave him the shirt. "There you are, you forgot your shirt again, this kid, has the same hasty personality as when you first came here with me." she said with a lovely look.

Lloyd thanked his aunt with a slightly fading smile and then quickly covered it up with another smile. "Thank you," he said, putting on his coat and getting ready for the journey.

"Remember to bring me a gift!" Ethan said loudly.

Lloyd didn't reply but just waved his hand and left.

Castle Gray, an important gate on the kingdom's southwestern border. On the large yellow stone road, they walked together, their steps graceful on the layer of dry leaves and red soil.

"We are almost at Gray," Gautier said, his voice quiet but dignified.

Gautier, the head of the family with his glittering silver armor and glorious ram horn helmet, led the procession. He appeared strong and decisive, his eyes sparkling under the sunlight.

Ranjit looked towards the citadel with serious eyes. "It's probably going to be a long trip, dad."

"It won't take long, but it's possible." Gautier looked over at his son

Ranjit wears armor with the family crest and holds a sturdy wooden staff. Valera, a strong and attractive woman, dressed in black leather, rode next to Ranjjt, and Jem and Lady Esmira sat in the carriage. His face was tired from the long trip.

As they approached the gates of Gray, they saw a strong and high wall, surrounding the city. On the main door, STORMBLADE's flag waved in the cool breeze. Gautier and his group walked on, ready for this important meeting, marking a new connection between two powerful families.

As they advanced toward Gray's gates, Jem looked out at the distant hills to the west, where the sun was fading as it began to set.

"Aiden, prepare for first contact with the lords of Castle Grey," Gautier called to the leading soldier.

Aiden nodded, his eyes shining with determination. "Of course, sir," he said, his voice affirmative.

When the group approached the city gate, they saw a tall, sturdy wall surrounding the city. Above the main door, the flag of the STORMBLADE waved in the cool breeze.

Along the alternating corridors of the afternoon sun at the palace, arriving at Zayan's place, he pondered for a long time in front of the door, he looked at his magic stick and closed his eyes tightly. The guards looked at him awkwardly, but they remained as steadfast as their statues.

Opening the door carefully without making a sound, he saw, King Zayan quietly raised his eyes to the painting of his wife, memories of Marcella seemed to flood his mind. His eyes looked longingly at the image of the woman who was the focus of his life, the one who brought light into his dark life.

"Cella," he said in his heart, "will you guide me?" A gentle smile appeared on King Zayan's lips, like a desire to be hugged into the arms of his deceased wife, to regain the lost light in his life.

But in reality, he knew that Cella was only left in memories and in paintings hanging on stone walls. Life has taken the one he loves, and now he faces a new challenge, with the loss of the knife of power of the kingdom.

King Zayan's eyes turned to Marcus, seeing determination and patience in the old mage's eyes. He knew that Marcus would be his companion on this journey, to discover and find the precious knife, to regain strength for the kingdom of Mahogany.

As soon as he faced Zayan's eyes, Marcus somewhat avoided.

"We... we have to find the knife again," King Zayan said, his voice heavy and decisive. "Before…before you, Marcus, come to the full moon and your magic will…."

"I'm okay, what's important is you" Marcus replied warmly

" Bond! Zayan can you still feel it? " hurriedly

Zayan slowly felt that connection with every breath he took. When Zayan opened his eyes.

" The bond! I can still feel it, it's very strong, just like the time I made the bond between myself and it with blood! " - " The bond will not end unless I die, just. . without it I cannot provide you with energy..." Zayan looked deeply into Marcus's face.

"My King, I will always be "Son of King" even until my last breath, the mission of "Son of king" is for you and this whole city of Zayking!" Marcus replied, surprisingly calm and gentle.