The Secret Alliance

The Secret Alliance

William woke up in a small, quiet room. Through the tiny window, he could see the gentle light reflected by the giant Luminaris crystal at the heart of the city—a breathtaking sight that was impossible to ignore. That view reminded him of his ultimate goal:

The Luminaris Crystal Laboratory.

Yes, the Luminaris Crystal Laboratory, a place brimming with secrets he needed to uncover. But how could he obtain the information when he was stuck in this guest chamber?

It was a pressing question, but his current situation demanded patience and a careful reading of the circumstances. He couldn’t afford to act recklessly.

Surely, nothing would go smoothly, right? If it did, that would be suspicious. Challenges in a mission were part of the adventure.

Moments later, the door to the guest chamber burst open with a loud sound. A guard entered, saluted, and informed William that someone wanted to speak with him. William stood, not entirely surprised. Khadija Al-Rahim, the princess of El-Mahra, would hardly let him go so easily.

When William was brought into a small hall within the palace, he once again faced Khadija, who seemed even more commanding than before. Unsurprisingly, that was just her nature, wasn’t it? But this time, there were two others standing by her side: a burly man and a sharp-eyed woman.

Garron, the towering man with a scarred face, stood with his arms crossed, his gaze evaluating William with intense caution. As a former soldier turned defector, Garron clearly didn’t trust anyone easily. On the other hand, there was Alya, a hunter of forbidden technologies, her black hair tied neatly and her face marked by hardship. She regarded William with a gaze full of suspicion.

“He may know more than we think,” Alya said, her voice calm yet calculating. “If he really is an explorer from the outer continent, he must carry more information than we expect.”

William met their gazes calmly. “I’m not your enemy. I just want to learn more about Luminaris,” he said confidently. “Though I didn’t expect to end up trapped here.”

Khadija stared at William, her eyes sharp. “You need to stop playing games, William Greaves. If what you say is true, then this world is in greater danger than we imagined.” She stepped closer, unbothered by William’s composed demeanor. “The Black Luminaris, the technology you seek, is the key to everything.”

“What are you planning?” William asked, unable to suppress his curiosity. “I saw that crystal in the prison, and it… it’s not an ordinary Luminaris.”

Khadija’s lips curved into a thin smile. “It’s not ordinary, indeed. It’s Black Luminaris. And if you truly understand what it is, perhaps we can work together. We need information, and you might be able to help us.”

Alya nodded. “But if you’re lying, we won’t hesitate to take action.”

William understood the gravity of their words. He knew he had to play his cards carefully. “I don’t know much. But I can find out more if you give me the chance.”

Garron’s skeptical gaze roamed over William, as if measuring how trustworthy he could be. “You claim to know little, yet you came here with a clear purpose—to accomplish something greater. That much is obvious.”

William sighed, realizing he might have no choice but to accept their offer. “I’ll help, but I want to know more about this project—about Black Luminaris.”

Khadija straightened, her eyes reflecting a decision. “I’ll grant you limited access, William. But remember, one misstep, and nothing will save you.”

Before William could respond further, a loud alarm blared throughout the palace, shaking the air around them. Everyone froze.

“Something’s wrong,” Khadija said gravely.

“What’s happening?” William asked.

Neither Khadija nor Garron or Alya answered.

“We need to get to the laboratory now!” Khadija commanded.