A Sad Day

As Kael, Zola, Zym, and Mieza flew back to Oephidia, Their hearts were buoyed by the successful negotiation with King Eothis, but an unspoken tension lingered. Something felt amiss.

They landed gracefully in the courtyard of the Palace, ready to inform Queen Melinoe about everything that happened but something was different. The usual liveliness and bustle of the palace was conspicuously absent, replaced by an eerie silence. Their steps echoed ominously as they made their way through the grand halls.

Veridian met them at the entrance to the central chamber, his face a mask of sorrow and pain. His chest had injury marks. He had just regained consciousness.

"Veridian, what happened?" Kael asked, his voice filled with concern.

Veridian's eyes were heavy with grief as he spoke. "Queen Melinoe...is no more. The palace was attacked by the Naja while you were away."

A wave of shock and anger washed over the group. Mieza's eyes widened in disbelief, while Zym clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. Kael eyes shifted colours from a calming blue to a fiery red as he stepped forward, his voice tight with emotion. "How could this happen?"

Veridian's shoulders sagged as he explained, his voice tinged with sadness and frustration. "The Naja were many. They attacked with a ferocity we were unprepared for. The palace guards fought bravely, but they were overwhelmed. Some were killed, others gravely injured. I tried to protect the Queen, but they were too many and I was injured and knocked out in the process. By the time reinforcements arrived, it was too late. The Queen was no more."

Zym and Zola's eyes' blazed with fury. "Those Naja... they will pay for this. Zym said, his voice laced with anger."

Mieza placed a comforting hand on Kael's shoulder and shifted her gaze to Zym. "We shouldn't have left her alone. She was so confident and she put her faith in the security of the Palace and the protection of Veridian. I know this is sad but, vengeance won't bring the Queen back. We need to be strategic about our next move."

Kael looked at Mieza and nodded, his expression grim and then turned to Veridian. "Veridian, tell us everything you know. We need to understand everything that happened."

Veridian took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "The Naja planned a coordinated attack. They came in waves, relentless and well-organized. They knew exactly where to strike, bypassing our defenses with frightening precision like someone inside the Palace gave them information. The Queen fought bravely, but in the end, she was overpowered. I strongly believe there's a traitor in our midst. Someone wants the throne."

Kael's heart ached at the loss of Queen Melinoe. She had been a cherished friend from his childhood, and her death was a blow to all of them. "We need to find out who orchestrated this attack. The mastermind behind this plot is getting bolder, and we must put an end to this. If it's someone within the palace, they will be brought to Justice. "

Veridian nodded in agreement, his resolve hardening. "We'll need to strengthen our defenses and rally our allies to prevent another attack and also to find the culprit. The Naja won't stop here; they'll come for the throne next. Queen Melinoe made me promise her that if any harm were to ever come to her. Oephidia must not fall into the hands of the assassin."

Mieza's eyes narrowed with determination. "We won't let them rule over Oephidia but now that the Garudas will no longer be at war with Oephidia, we have more than enough time to find the culprit."

Veridian, despite his injuries, stood tall. "I'll do everything I can to help. Queen Melinoe's death cannot be in vain. We must honor her memory by bringing those responsible to justice."

Kael placed a hand on Veridian's shoulder, his touch firm and reassuring. "We will. We'll avenge her and restore peace to Oephidia. But first, we need to regroup and plan our next steps carefully."

As the group stood in the silent halls of the palace, the weight of their mission settled heavily on their shoulders. The loss of Queen Melinoe was a stark reminder of the dangers they faced and the stakes of their quest. But it also strengthened their resolve. They would not rest until the mastermind behind this treachery was brought to justice, and peace was restored to their realm.

The sun was setting, casting a warm golden light over Oephidia, as preparations were made for Queen Melinoe's last rites. The palace and its surroundings were draped in emerald and silver, Oephidia was mourning. The entire subterranean realm felt the weight of her loss, and a somber silence permeated the air.

Kael, Zym, Zola and Mieza stood at the forefront of the funeral procession, their faces etched with grief and determination. They were clad in ceremonial attire, their garments adorned with symbols of the naga queen's reign and the guardianship they all upheld.

Veridian, his face etched with determination, led the group, his steps firm and purposeful. Kael, Mieza, Zola, and Zym followed, their minds racing with possibilities and concerns. The revelation of the Naja's infiltration and the presence of a traitor within the palace had cast a long shadow over their hopes for a swift resolution.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the Naga citizens of Oephidia gathered in the central square, their heads bowed in respect. The funeral pyre was erected on a grand pedestal, adorned with flowers and precious stones, a tribute to Melinoe's grace and strength.

Veridian, despite his injuries, stepped forward to address the gathered crowd. His voice, though heavy with sorrow, resonated with strength. "Today, we mourn the loss of our beloved Queen Melinoe. She was a beacon of wisdom, courage, and compassion. Her spirit will forever remain a part of Oephidia."

Kael's eyes, still a fiery red, scanned the crowd. The faces of the naga people reflected their pain and respect. He stepped forward, taking Veridian's place. "Queen Melinoe was not just a ruler. She was a friend, a mentor, and a just ruler. Her legacy will continue through our actions, our unity, and our commitment to justice."

Mieza, her eyes filled with unshed tears, approached the pyre. She spoke, her voiced laced with sadness but steady. "In honor of Queen Melinoe, we must stay united and those responsible for this must be brought to justice."

As she stood beside Melinoe's serene form, Zym and Zola moved to the pyre's edge, each holding a torch. Together, they lit the pyre, the flames slowly consuming the wood and reaching towards the sky. The crackling fire was the only sound as the pyre began to burn, casting flickering shadows across the silent assembly.

Veridian, standing beside Kael, whispered, "This is not the end. We will find those responsible for this treachery, and we will bring them to justice."

Kael nodded, his resolve hardening. "We will. For Melinoe, for Oephidia, and for the peace of Vaul."

As the flames grew higher, Mieza took Kael's hand, her grip firm. "We'll be alright. We will put an end to the conspiracy of the Naja.

Kael squeezed her hand in return, his eyes fixed on the burning pyre. "We will. For Melinoe's memory, we must."

The night grew darker, the fire illuminating the sorrowful faces of the naga people. Melinoe's legacy was now their responsibility, and they vowed to honor her memory by safeguarding Oephidia and restoring peace to the subterranean realm.