The grand halls of the Prism Kingdom's royal palace gleamed under the light of ornate chandeliers, yet the air carried a weight of unease. Commander Cassandra, clad in her navy and silver armor, stood rigid in the opulent chamber before Thalia, the personal secretary to His Majesty.
Thalia, a middle-aged woman with a soft, motherly demeanor, shuffled a stack of documents on her desk. Her auburn hair was pulled into a slightly messy bun, a quill tucked behind her ear. Though her clumsiness was evident in her hurried movements, there was a calm assurance in her voice.
"Commander Cassandra," she said, glancing up with a warm smile. "Thank you for coming. I hope the trip wasn't too troublesome."
Cassandra saluted. "It's always an honor, Lady Thalia."
Thalia waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, drop the formalities, please. You know I prefer just 'Thalia.' Now, tell me—what news do you wanted to bring so urgently?"
Cassandra stepped forward, her expression grim. "We've confirmed that the cult we encountered near Riverside Hospital is responsible for recent disturbances in the forests. Their rituals seem to be affecting the creatures, making them far more aggressive than usual. And…" She hesitated for a moment.
Thalia tilted her head, her gentle eyes narrowing with concern. "And?"
"We believe there may be a connection between the cult's actions and the dragon attack on Katalan Valley," Cassandra said carefully. "Dragons haven't left the Enchanted Forest for over 300 years. This migration is deeply tied to ancient magic, which these cultists may be manipulating."
Thalia's quill slipped from her fingers, landing with a soft thud. "A dragon attack... linked to dark magic?" She paused, her brow furrowed. Then, with a resolute nod, she straightened. "This is troubling news indeed. His Majesty must be informed, but the Postknights and other divisions will need to prepare for anything. This may escalate further."
Cassandra nodded but hesitated before speaking again. "Lady Thalia, there's another concern I must raise—about the unity of our forces."
Thalia's expression softened, yet her gaze was sharp. "Go on."
"The KPP, specifically Commander Orsic," Cassandra began, her voice tinged with frustration. "His ego and hatred for the Postknights are jeopardizing our cohesion. He's openly dismissive of their contributions, undermining their morale and the unity we've worked so hard to build."
Thalia leaned back in her chair, her hands clasped together. "Orsic has always been... strong-willed. But hatred for the Postknights? That's a serious accusation."
"It's more than a personal grudge," Cassandra said firmly. "His disdain is poisoning the perception of Postknights among some of the KPP ranks. If we face a larger threat, we cannot afford this division."
Thalia sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I'll speak to His Majesty about this as well. The unity of Prism's forces is paramount. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Commander."
Cassandra saluted again, her respect for Thalia deepening. "Thank you, Lady Thalia. I only hope we can resolve this before it's too late."
---
Far from the bustling heart of the Prism Kingdom, on its outskirts where civilization gave way to wildlands, a cloaked figure stood in the shadows of a crumbling ruin. The moonlight barely illuminated the scene, casting long, sinister shadows.
The figure's face was obscured by the hood of his dark cloak, and his voice was low and commanding. Before him, another person knelt, their head bowed in reverence.
"The first phase was a success," the cloaked man said. "The forest is restless, and the knights are distracted. It's time to move to the next phase."
The kneeling figure nodded, their voice trembling. "And what of the dragon?"
A chilling laugh escaped the hooded man. "It served its purpose. Fear spreads faster than fire, and the kingdom now teeters on the edge of uncertainty. Continue the rituals in secret. Soon, the entire Prism Kingdom will bow to chaos."
The kneeling figure hesitated. "But that knights—"
"They are inconsequential," the cloaked man interrupted, his tone sharp. "Do not question me. Proceed as planned."
The figure bowed lower. "Yes, my lord."
As the hooded man turned to disappear into the shadows, a faint, unholy glow flickered from the ruins, a sign that the cult's sinister machinations were far from over.
---
The villagers of Katalan Valley gathered around Hector's grave at the edge of the village. The freshly turned earth was marked with a simple wooden cross, adorned with flowers. Solis, Vaidya, Ada, Uncle Dev, and many others stood in solemn silence, the weight of grief heavy in the air.
Solis stared at the grave, his heart aching. His father's voice echoed in his mind, the final words of pride and love cutting deeper than any blade. He clenched his fists, his tears flowing freely.
"I promise," he thought, his voice resolute in his mind. "I'll become a Postknight worthy of your pride. I'll protect others so no one has to suffer like this again."
Vaidya and Ada stood beside him, their expressions somber. Uncle Dev placed a hand on Solis's shoulder, his own eyes misty. "Hector was a good man. He would want you to keep moving forward, Solis."
The villagers bowed their heads in respect, offering prayers for Hector's soul. The somber air lingered as they began to disperse, leaving Solis and his friends to say their final goodbyes.
---
At night at Uncle Dev's
That evening, Uncle Dev insisted the trio stay at his home. "It's late, and you've had a long journey. Rest here tonight," he said, his tone firm but kind.
The small, cozy house was a stark contrast to the day's sorrow. Uncle Dev served warm stew and fresh bread, insisting they eat their fill.
Ada and Vaidya exchanged glances, silently agreeing to try and lift Solis's spirits.
"Remember when Solis tripped over his own sword during training?" Ada teased, a playful smirk on her face. "And then tried to blame the wind?"
Vaidya adjusted his glasses, feigning seriousness. "Ah yes, the legendary Wind Path mishap. Truly a day for the academy's history books."
Solis managed a weak smile. "You two are terrible at this, you know."
Uncle Dev chuckled, ruffling Solis's hair. "They mean well, boy. It's okay to feel what you're feeling. Just don't let it weigh you down forever."
Solis looked at them, his voice soft but sincere. "Thank you, all of you. I'll be okay. Just… give me some time."
---
Returning to Mailie
The next morning, the trio set out for Mailie, bidding Uncle Dev farewell. He hugged Solis tightly before they left. "Take care of yourself, lad. And remember, you're not alone."
As they walked down the dirt path leading away from Katalan Valley, the morning sun warmed their backs. Vaidya and Ada walked on either side of Solis, quiet but present.
Solis glanced at them, his resolve slowly rebuilding. "Let's get back. We have a lot of work to do."
And with that, the three Postknights headed home, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.