Chapter 3 The Hidden Land of Maju

He was already reconsidering every decision that had led him here.

“Chris.”

“No.”

Kai blinked.

“I didn’t ask anything.”

“You were going to.”

“How do you know?”

“Experience.”

Kai walked beside him along a narrow forest trail, hands resting behind his head.

Morning sunlight slipped through the canopy above them, breaking across the road in scattered patches.

“Okay, but hypothetically—”

“No.”

“You don’t even know what the hypothetical is.”

“I don’t need to.”

Kai frowned.

“You’re really negative.”

“And yet somehow, I’m the reason we’re walking in the correct direction.”

Kai looked ahead.

Then behind them.

Then toward the trees.

“…Which direction is that?”

Chris closed his eyes.

“East.”

“Right.”

“You asked me that ten minutes ago.”

“I was checking.”

“You also asked twenty minutes ago.”

“Still checking.”

Chris kept walking.

Kai grinned and hurried after him.

“So what exactly are we looking for?”

“Information.”

“About the Elementals?”

“Yes.”

“Where?”

“The next town.”

“What town?”

Chris stopped.

Kai almost walked into him.

“You don’t know, do you?”

Chris slowly turned.

“I know exactly where we’re going.”

“So what’s it called?”

Chris stared.

Kai’s grin widened.

Chris turned around.

“The map doesn’t have a name.”

“Aha!”

“That doesn’t mean I’m lost.”

“It kind of does.”

“No. It means the cartographer was lazy.”

Kai laughed.

Chris regretted giving him that satisfaction.

They continued deeper into the forest.

For a while, neither spoke.

Birds called from the trees.

Leaves rustled overhead.

Somewhere farther away, water trickled across stone.

It was peaceful.

Almost unnaturally so.

Chris noticed first.

His hand drifted toward one of his swords.

Kai noticed that.

“What?”

Chris stopped.

“Listen.”

Kai listened.

Birds.

Wind.

Nothing else.

“I don’t hear anything.”

“Exactly.”

Kai’s smile faded slightly.

Then—

BOOM!

A burst of fire exploded somewhere beyond the trees.

Kai jumped.

Chris drew half his blade.

Smoke curled upward in the distance.

Kai’s eyes immediately lit up.

“Did you see that?!”

“Yes.”

“That was magic!”

“Or an explosion.”

“Magic explosion!”

“That isn’t better.”

Kai was already running.

Chris grabbed the back of his shirt.

“No.”

Kai’s feet continued moving uselessly against the dirt.

“But—”

“No.”

“There could be someone in trouble!”

“Or someone causing trouble.”

“Even more reason!”

Chris pulled him backward.

“Kai.”

Another explosion echoed through the forest.

BOOM!

Kai slowly looked at Chris.

Chris stared back.

Kai smiled.

Chris sighed.

“Fine.”

Kai tore free.

“YES!”

“I hate that word now.”

Ryia was having a terrible morning.

Again.

“Focus.”

She stood in a grassy clearing surrounded by scorch marks.

Her wooden staff rested between both hands.

Several targets had been arranged at different distances.

A stone.

A tree stump.

Three bottles.

And one wooden dummy that had somehow caught fire despite being nowhere near anything she'd aimed at.

Ryia stared at it.

“I wasn’t even aiming at you.”

The dummy continued burning.

She sighed.

“Show-off.”

Ryia turned back toward the stone target.

She planted her feet.

Raised her staff.

Breathed.

“Okay.”

Energy gathered around its tip.

A small flame appeared.

Then grew.

Ryia smiled.

“Yes…”

The flame trembled.

“Easy…”

It grew into a proper fireball.

Her smile widened.

“I’ve got you.”

A branch snapped behind her.

Kai’s voice erupted from the trees.

“WHOA! THAT’S AWESOME!”

Ryia screamed.

“AAAAH!”

Her staff whipped around.

The fireball launched.

Kai’s eyes widened.

“Uh-oh.”

BOOM!

The blast struck him square in the chest.

Kai flew backward.

“AAAAAAAA—!”

He disappeared into a bush.

CRASH!

Silence.

Smoke drifted through the clearing.

Chris walked calmly out of the trees.

Ryia stared at him.

Then at the bush.

Then at Chris again.

“I…”

She slowly lowered her staff.

“I didn’t mean to…”

One hand emerged from the bush.

Kai groaned.

“Ow…”

Ryia gasped.

“He’s alive!”

Chris crossed his arms.

“Unfortunately.”

Kai’s head appeared through the leaves.

“You know…”

He coughed.

“Most people say hello.”

“You snuck up on me!”

“I announced myself!”

“While I was holding fire!”

Kai pulled himself free.

His shirt was smoking.

He looked down.

Then slapped the flame out.

Chris raised an eyebrow.

“You wanted an Elemental to set you on fire.”

Kai pointed.

“Different.”

Ryia backed away.

“Who are you?”

Kai smiled.

“I’m Kai.”

Chris gestured lazily.

“Chris.”

Ryia’s eyes drifted toward his swords.

She became guarded.

“What are you doing here?”

“Traveling,” Chris said.

Kai pointed at her staff.

“You can use magic!”

Ryia blinked.

“…Yes.”

“That’s incredible!”

Her expression changed.

Not much.

But enough.

She clearly wasn’t used to hearing that.

Kai moved closer.

“What else can you do?”

Ryia took another step backward.

“That’s none of your business.”

“Can you use lightning?”

“Yes.”

“Ice?”

“A little.”

“Wind?”

“Not properly.”

“Can you make food?”

“What?”

“With magic.”

“No!”

“Oh.”

Kai looked disappointed.

“Still awesome.”

Ryia stared at him like she wasn't sure whether he was dangerous or simply stupid.

Chris could have answered that.

“Anyway,” Ryia said, tightening her grip around her staff, “you shouldn’t be here.”

Kai looked around.

“In the forest?”

“Here.”

She glanced behind herself.

For the first time, Chris noticed the fear in her expression.

Not fear of them.

Fear that they had found something.

Ryia took another step backward.

“You need to leave.”

Kai frowned.

“Why?”

“Just do it.”

She turned.

Kai reached out.

“Wait!”

Ryia spun with her staff raised.

Kai immediately lifted both hands.

“No fire!”

She hesitated.

Then lowered it.

“Don’t follow me.”

She disappeared into the trees.

Kai watched her go.

Chris watched Kai.

He knew that look.

“No.”

Kai turned.

“Wow.”

“No.”

“A real magic user!”

“No.”

“I want her on our team.”

“We do not have a team.”

Kai started walking after her.

Chris caught his shoulder.

“Kai.”

“She can shoot fire!”

“She shot you with fire.”

“Exactly!”

Chris stared.

Kai smiled.

“She’s strong.”

“You flew fifteen feet.”

“That proves my point.”

“She told us not to follow her.”

“I heard.”

“And?”

Kai started running.

“I’m ignoring it!”

Chris closed his eyes.

“One day.”

Then he followed.

“I lasted one day.”

Ryia was fast.

Kai discovered that after several minutes of chasing her through dense woodland.

“Magic girl!”

No answer.

“Hey!”

Nothing.

Chris ran behind him.

“Stop shouting!”

“What if she can’t hear me?”

“She can hear you in Kanoi!”

Kai jumped over a fallen tree.

“Then why isn’t she answering?”

“Because she has excellent judgment!”

They rounded a bend—

—and stopped.

The path ended.

A massive boulder blocked the way.

It stood taller than both of them, wedged between two steep rock walls.

Kai looked left.

Then right.

“No way.”

Chris approached the stone.

“Dead end.”

Kai placed his hands against it.

Chris stared.

“What are you doing?”

“Moving it.”

“You’re going to move the mountain?”

“It’s a boulder.”

“It’s part of the mountain.”

Kai pushed.

Nothing happened.

He pushed harder.

His face turned red.

Nothing.

Chris crossed his arms.

“This is going well.”

“Quiet.”

Kai planted one foot behind himself.

“Almost…”

The rock did not move.

Chris looked toward the sky.

“Should I come back tomorrow?”

Kai growled.

“One…”

Chris frowned.

“One what?”

“Two…”

“Kai.”

“THREE!”

Kai lunged.

His foot slipped on a patch of moss.

“Whoa—!”

He fell forward.

Chris reached for him.

Too late.

Kai passed straight through the boulder.

Chris froze.

Kai vanished.

Silence.

Chris stared at the stone.

“…Of course.”

Kai’s head suddenly reappeared through the surface.

“CHRIS!”

Chris drew both swords.

Kai screamed.

“DON’T CUT MY HEAD OFF!”

Chris stopped.

Kai blinked.

“Whoa.”

His head was sticking through solid stone.

He looked down.

Then back at Chris.

“It’s fake!”

“I gathered that.”

Kai disappeared again.

Chris cautiously touched the boulder.

His hand passed through.

An illusion.

A very powerful one.

Chris stepped forward.

The forest vanished.

Kai stood speechless.

Beyond the false boulder stretched an entire hidden valley.

Mountains rose around it like walls.

Waterfalls poured from cliffs into clear blue rivers.

Ancient stone roads wound through fields and villages.

Towers decorated with crystals rose between trees.

Bridges floated unsupported across ravines.

Glowing symbols drifted lazily above several rooftops.

At the center of everything stood a castle.

Not enormous.

Not extravagant.

Ancient.

Beautiful.

Alive with faint magical light.

Kai’s mouth fell open.

“Whoa…”

Chris stepped through behind him.

He was harder to impress.

But even he stopped.

“What is this place?”

Kai grinned.

“Magic.”

“That isn’t a place.”

“You know what I mean.”

Something flew overhead.

Kai looked up.

A broom.

With a person sitting on it.

His jaw dropped farther.

“CHRIS.”

“I see it.”

“THEY’RE FLYING.”

“I see it.”

“ON A BROOM.”

“I can see the broom.”

Kai grabbed Chris’s shoulders.

“We need the magic girl.”

Chris removed his hands.

“We need information.”

“Same thing.”

“No.”

A spear suddenly touched Kai’s neck.

He froze.

Chris’s hands dropped toward his swords.

Twenty armored guards surrounded them.

Kai slowly looked around.

“…Hello.”

One guard stepped forward.

“You are trespassing in the Land of Maju.”

Kai smiled.

“Great! Now we know the name.”

Chris looked at him.

“Not the time.”

The captain raised his spear.

“Identify yourselves.”

“Kai.”

“Chris.”

“Purpose?”

Kai pointed toward the city.

“We’re looking for a girl who shot me.”

Chris rubbed his face.

The guards exchanged looks.

The captain frowned.

“Spies.”

“What?” Kai said.

Chris sighed.

“Somehow, his explanation made things worse.”

“Seize them.”

The guards moved.

Kai raised his hands.

“Wait, we’re not—”

Chris drew both swords.

Steel flashed.

Two spears flew into the air.

Chris grabbed Kai by the collar.

“Run.”

“I thought violence made things worse!”

“It does.”

“Then why—”

“RUN!”

They ran.

“STOP!”

Kai and Chris tore through the streets of Maju.

People scattered.

Magic users stopped what they were doing to stare.

A woman carrying baskets with telekinesis nearly dropped all of them.

A child floating several feet above the ground pointed.

“Mom! Criminals!”

Kai looked horrified.

“We’re not criminals!”

Chris pulled him around a corner.

“Stop correcting strangers!”

A fire spell blasted the wall behind them.

Kai ducked.

“They’re shooting at us!”

“You escaped arrest.”

“You started that!”

“You were doing badly!”

Another guard appeared ahead.

Chris grabbed Kai.

“This way!”

They jumped over a stone wall.

Landed inside a garden.

Ran through someone's laundry.

Kai emerged wearing a bedsheet over his head.

“I CAN’T SEE!”

Chris tore it away.

They jumped another wall—

—and crashed into a thick hedge.

Leaves swallowed them.

Kai started to stand.

Chris pulled him down.

“Stay.”

“I’m covered in branches.”

“Good.”

Footsteps thundered past.

Both remained still.

Eventually, the sounds faded.

Kai exhaled.

“That went well.”

Chris stared.

“You have an unusual relationship with reality.”

Kai peeked through the leaves.

Then stopped.

“Chris.”

“No.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Your voice changed.”

“There are people over there.”

Chris reluctantly looked.

A large crowd had gathered in a courtyard before the castle.

Nobody was speaking loudly.

Nobody seemed happy.

Kai’s curiosity immediately took over.

He started crawling from the bush.

Chris grabbed his ankle.

“No.”

Kai whispered,

“Something’s happening.”

“Something is always happening around you.”

“I want to see.”

“We are currently fugitives.”

Kai pulled.

Chris held tighter.

“Kai.”

“Chris.”

“Kai.”

“Chris.”

A few people in the crowd looked toward the bush.

Chris immediately released him.

“Fine. Quietly.”

Kai grinned.

They crawled to the other side.

And looked out.

Kai froze.

Standing before the castle was the girl from the forest.

But she looked completely different.

Ryia wore royal robes now.

Deep fabrics embroidered with glowing symbols covered her shoulders and waist. Her hair had been arranged more carefully, although one stubborn strand still refused to cooperate.

The staff remained in her hand.

Beside her stood two elderly people.

Her grandparents.

Her grandmother stood proud and straight despite her age.

Her grandfather leaned against a crooked staff, staring at the sky as though he had forgotten where he was.

He suddenly waved at a bird.

“Hello, Gerald.”

His wife sighed.

“That is not Gerald.”

The old man squinted.

“You sure?”

“Yes.”

“Looks like him.”

“It is a pigeon.”

“Gerald could've changed.”

Ryia closed her eyes.

“Grandfather…”

Kai whispered,

“I like him.”

Chris whispered back,

“Of course you do.”

The crowd suddenly parted.

A carriage entered the courtyard.

It was decorated in gold and crimson.

Four guards walked beside it.

The door opened.

Lord Torik stepped out.

He wore expensive clothing designed to make certain nobody could mistake him for anything less than nobility.

Rings decorated his hands.

Gold lined his coat.

His expression suggested the ground itself should have been grateful he stepped on it.

A second man emerged behind him.

Unlike Torik, he wore simple black robes.

No jewelry.

No ceremonial armor.

Just dark fabric.

A sword rested at his waist.

His expression was indifferent.

Bored, almost.

Kade.

His eyes moved across the courtyard once.

Chris noticed him immediately.

Kade noticed Chris’s hiding place.

For half a second, their eyes almost seemed to meet.

Chris slowly sank lower.

Kai whispered,

“What?”

“That one’s dangerous.”

“The fancy guy?”

“The other one.”

Kade looked away.

Torik approached Ryia.

Ryia forced herself to stand taller.

“Lord Torik.”

“Princess.”

His tone made the title sound insulting.

“What do you want?”

Torik looked around.

“Hospitality would be a pleasant start.”

“You weren’t invited.”

“Yet I came anyway.”

Kai whispered,

“I already hate him.”

Chris covered Kai’s mouth.

Ryia tightened her fingers around her staff.

“State your business.”

Torik sighed dramatically.

“The last group you sent me was unacceptable.”

The crowd stiffened.

Ryia’s grandmother looked down.

Ryia’s expression hardened.

“Unacceptable?”

“Old.”

Torik smiled.

“Slow.”

He examined his fingernails.

“Withered.”

Kai’s smile disappeared.

Chris felt him tense.

Torik continued.

“I require workers, Princess. People capable of carrying stone. Cleaning estates. Working fields. Serving households.”

“They’re people.”

“They’re magic users.”

A few members of the crowd lowered their heads.

Ryia’s voice sharpened.

“They are my people.”

Torik laughed.

“Your people?”

Ryia stepped forward.

“Yes.”

Torik looked around at the ancient buildings.

At the worn clothing.

At the frightened crowd.

“Then you have inherited quite a collection.”

Ryia’s jaw tightened.

“I will not send you anyone else.”

Torik’s smile disappeared.

“What?”

“You heard me.”

“You misunderstand our arrangement.”

“No.”

Ryia’s voice trembled.

Kai noticed.

She was afraid.

But she continued.

“I understand it perfectly.”

Torik moved closer.

“My family allows this place to continue existing.”

“You enslave us.”

Torik stopped.

A murmur moved through the crowd.

Ryia’s grandmother closed her eyes.

Chris stared.

Kai did too.

Ryia’s hands were shaking.

But she didn't lower her gaze.

“For generations,” she said, “your people have entered Maju and taken ours away.”

Torik’s expression darkened.

Ryia continued.

“You call it tribute.”

Her voice rose.

“We call it what it is.”

Torik stepped close enough that only inches separated them.

“You should choose your words carefully.”

Ryia swallowed.

“Slavery.”

The courtyard went silent.

Torik smiled.

A cold smile.

“You really have begun believing you're a ruler.”

Ryia’s eyes narrowed.

“I am the ruler of Maju.”

“No.”

Torik shook his head.

“You are the caretaker of a prison.”

Ryia flinched.

“You govern whatever scraps remain after your betters take what they need.”

Kai’s fingers dug into the dirt.

Chris quietly grabbed his shoulder.

“No.”

Kai didn't look at him.

Torik gestured toward the crowd.

“Look at them.”

Children.

Old men.

Exhausted women.

Families standing too close together.

“These are not citizens.”

Torik laughed.

“They’re leftovers.”

Kai moved.

Chris tightened his grip.

“Kai.”

Ryia looked furious.

“You have taken nearly every young man and woman capable of working!”

“Exactly.”

Torik threw his hands apart.

“And now you understand my complaint.”

His voice sharpened.

“I require more.”

“There are no more!”

“Then make more.”

Ryia stared at him.

Torik smiled.

“Surely magic users can manage that much.”

Kai’s breathing changed.

Chris whispered,

“Don’t.”

Kai's fists tightened.

Ryia raised her chin.

“No.”

Torik’s smile vanished.

“I beg your pardon?”

“You aren’t taking anyone else.”

The crowd gasped.

Ryia’s grandmother looked toward her granddaughter.

Pride flickered through her eyes.

Torik stepped closer.

“You are forgetting your place.”

Ryia’s voice shook.

“So are you.”

Kade’s eyes shifted toward Torik.

Even he seemed mildly interested now.

Torik raised one hand.

Ryia flinched.

Kai saw it.

Not the raised hand.

The flinch.

The instinct.

The expectation.

Like this wasn’t the first time somebody had made her feel small.

Torik’s hand swung.

Chris grabbed for Kai.

Too late.

Leaves exploded from the bush.

Kai shot across the courtyard.

“KAI!”

Torik barely had time to turn.

Kai’s fist slammed directly into his face.

WHAM!

Torik flew backward.

The courtyard erupted.

People screamed.

Guards reached for weapons.

Kade stepped forward.

Chris appeared between him and Kai.

Both swords half-drawn.

Kade stopped.

Chris smiled faintly.

“Wouldn't.”

Kade looked at him.

Then at the swords.

His expression barely changed.

Interesting.

Torik lay sprawled on the ground.

His nose was bleeding.

Kai stared down at him.

The entire courtyard had gone silent.

Kai rubbed his fist.

“You talk too much.”

Torik touched his nose.

He looked at the blood.

Then at Kai.

His face turned pale.

“You…”

He trembled.

“You struck me.”

Kai looked confused.

“Yes.”

“You struck me!”

“That was generally the point.”

Torik scrambled backward.

“You filthy— Who are you?!”

“Kai.”

Torik stared at the crowd.

Then at Ryia.

Fear quickly transformed into rage.

“You allowed this!”

Ryia blinked.

“I don't even know him!”

Kai turned.

“That hurts.”

Torik pointed at her.

“You'll regret this!”

His voice cracked.

“Every one of you will!”

Ryia stepped forward.

“Get out.”

Torik looked toward Kade.

“Kade!”

Kade remained focused on Chris.

Torik snapped,

“We’re leaving!”

Kade slowly lowered his hand from his sword.

Chris did the same.

The two men stared at one another.

Neither smiled.

Kade finally turned away.

Torik rushed toward his carriage.

Before climbing inside, he pointed at Ryia.

“You think you’re a queen?”

His face twisted.

“I’ll remind you what you really are.”

The carriage door slammed.

Moments later, Torik and Kade disappeared through the city gates.

Silence remained.

Kai exhaled.

Then smiled at Ryia.

“You’re welcome.”

Ryia stared at him.

Kai walked closer.

“No need to thank me. I saw he was gonna hit you and—”

Ryia crossed the distance.

Kai smiled wider.

Chris immediately took three steps backward.

Ryia raised her hand.

SLAP!

Kai spun halfway around.

Silence.

He slowly touched his cheek.

“…Ow.”

Ryia’s face was bright red with rage.

“ARE YOU INSANE?!”

Kai blinked.

“I helped you!”

“You punched Lord Torik!”

“He deserved it!”

“That isn’t the point!”

“That feels like the point!”

Ryia pointed toward the gates.

“Do you have any idea what you just did?!”

Kai's expression faded.

Ryia’s voice cracked.

“He won't punish you!”

She pointed toward the crowd.

“He’ll punish them!”

Kai looked around.

The people weren’t cheering.

They were scared.

His stomach sank.

Ryia’s eyes burned.

“You come into my home, break through our barrier, run from my guards, hide outside my castle and then attack someone whose family has controlled our lives for generations!”

Kai opened his mouth.

Nothing came out.

Ryia looked toward Chris.

“And you!”

Chris pointed at himself.

“I advised against most of this.”

“You helped him escape my guards!”

“That part was me.”

“Dungeon.”

Chris sighed.

“That seems fair.”

Kai looked at him.

“Whose side are you on?!”

Ryia spun toward the guards.

“Take them both.”

Kai raised both hands.

“Wait!”

Several guards grabbed him.

“Can we discuss this?!”

“No!”

“Over food?”

“No!”

“Tea?”

“NO!”

Kai struggled as they dragged him away.

He looked back.

Ryia crossed her arms.

Kai shouted,

“I STILL WANT YOU ON THE TEAM!”

Ryia’s eye twitched.

Chris walked willingly beside the guards.

“We don’t have a team.”

Kai pointed at him.

“STOP SAYING THAT!”

The dungeon beneath Maju Castle was surprisingly comfortable.

Kai hated that.

He sat on a stone bench behind iron bars.

Chris leaned against the opposite wall.

Kai stared at him.

Chris stared back.

Kai looked away.

Several seconds passed.

Chris finally spoke.

“How’s your face?”

Kai touched the red handprint on his cheek.

“Fine.”

“Good.”

Silence again.

Kai kicked at the floor.

“I thought she'd say thank you.”

Chris laughed.

Kai looked over.

“You think this is funny?”

“A little.”

“I saved her.”

“You embarrassed her publicly.”

“He was going to hit her.”

“Yes.”

“And you would've let him?”

“No.”

Kai paused.

Chris looked toward the barred window.

“I would've stopped the hand.”

He looked back.

“You punched the man.”

“Same result.”

“No.”

Chris’s voice became more serious.

“You fight like consequences happen later.”

Kai frowned.

“They do happen later.”

“That wasn’t wisdom.”

“Oh.”

Chris crossed his arms.

“Kai, you don't know this place.”

Kai looked away.

“You didn't know who Torik was.”

“He was hurting them.”

“I know.”

“Then why is everyone acting like I’m the bad guy?”

“Because sometimes helping someone means understanding what they need before you swing.”

That hit harder than Kai expected.

He said nothing.

Footsteps echoed down the corridor.

Kai looked up.

Ryia’s grandparents approached.

Her grandmother carried a tray of food.

Her grandfather walked behind her.

He stopped beside another cell.

Peered inside.

“Found them.”

His wife sighed.

“That cell is empty.”

The old man looked closer.

“So it is.”

Kai leaned toward Chris.

“I still like him.”

Chris whispered,

“He worries me.”

Ryia’s grandmother unlocked the outer door.

“I brought you something to eat.”

Kai sat up.

“Are we being released?”

“No.”

He sank again.

“Oh.”

“But you deserve an explanation.”

She placed the tray through the bars.

Kai looked at her.

“About Torik?”

“About Maju.”

The grandfather sat cross-legged on the floor.

He picked up one of the pieces of bread.

His wife slapped his hand away.

“That is theirs.”

“I was checking for poison.”

“You took two bites.”

“Very thorough check.”

Kai smiled.

The grandmother ignored him.

“The Land of Maju is older than most kingdoms outside this valley.”

Kai listened.

“Long ago, magic was not something people feared.”

Her gaze drifted upward.

“It was simply another part of life.”

Ryia’s grandfather nodded solemnly.

“Very useful for opening jars.”

His wife looked at him.

“What?”

He shrugged.

“Old hands.”

She continued.

“Our ancestors built Maju as a refuge. A place where people born with magical ability could live without hiding.”

Chris looked toward the ceiling.

“So why hide the whole kingdom?”

The grandmother’s expression darkened.

“Because eventually people stopped seeing magic as a gift.”

Kai already knew where this was going.

“They saw it as something they could use.”

She nodded.

“Kings wanted soldiers.”

“Merchants wanted workers.”

“Nobles wanted servants.”

She looked toward the bars.

“Those with magic became valuable.”

Kai frowned.

“Valuable sounds better than what Torik called you.”

“It wasn’t.”

She met his eyes.

“Value can become a chain.”

The words silenced him.

“Entire families were taken. Some were forced to fight wars. Others worked until they died.”

Chris’s expression had become unreadable.

“Maju hid itself.”

“Yes.”

The grandmother folded her hands.

“Our strongest mages created the illusion surrounding the entrance.”

“The boulder,” Kai said.

She nodded.

“For generations, it protected us.”

“Until Torik’s family found you.”

The grandmother’s eyes lowered.

“Yes.”

Kai felt his anger returning.

“What do they want?”

“Everything.”

She looked toward the castle walls.

“Their family discovered Maju long before Ryia was born.”

“They agreed not to expose our location to the kingdoms outside.”

Chris immediately understood.

“In exchange for people.”

The grandmother nodded.

Kai stared.

“You agreed to that?”

“We survived.”

Her voice carried no pride.

Only pain.

“I wish I could tell you there was a noble choice.”

“There wasn’t.”

“If we refused, they threatened to reveal Maju.”

“Armies would come.”

“More people would be taken.”

“So each generation surrendered some…”

She stopped.

“Some of its own.”

Kai looked toward the ground.

The grandfather was no longer joking.

For a rare moment, his eyes seemed perfectly clear.

“Sometimes rulers choose which wound bleeds least.”

Kai looked at him.

Then the old man smiled suddenly.

“Also, Torik’s father had terrible hair.”

His wife sighed.

The clarity disappeared.

Or seemed to.

Kai wasn't sure.

Chris noticed too.

“Ryia became ruler recently?” he asked.

The grandmother’s expression changed.

“Yes.”

Kai looked toward her.

“What about her parents?”

Silence.

Ryia’s grandfather looked down.

Her grandmother took a moment before answering.

“When Ryia was young, Torik’s family attempted to increase the number of people taken.”

“Her parents refused.”

“They began secretly helping families escape through the mountains.”

Kai’s chest tightened.

“Torik’s family discovered them.”

The grandmother’s hands trembled.

“They were given a choice.”

“Turn over the families…”

“…or Ryia.”

Kai looked up sharply.

“They chose her.”

The words were simple.

That made them worse.

“Ryia’s parents sacrificed themselves so their daughter could live.”

Her grandmother looked toward the corridor.

“She was still a child.”

Kai said quietly,

“So she had to take over.”

“Eventually.”

“She inherited the throne.”

“The agreement.”

“The fear.”

“All of it.”

Kai remembered the clearing.

Ryia struggling to make one spell work.

Her surprise when he called her magic incredible.

Her shaking hands when she faced Torik.

Her flinch when he raised his hand.

Suddenly, the angry girl who slapped him looked different.

Not weak.

Not ungrateful.

Terrified of making the wrong decision because every wrong decision landed on somebody else.

Kai leaned back against the wall.

“…I messed up.”

Chris raised an eyebrow.

“Should I mark the date?”

Kai glared.

“I’m serious.”

“I know.”

The grandmother smiled faintly.

“You acted because you believed she was in danger.”

“He was going to hit her.”

“Yes.”

Kai looked toward the bars.

“I’d do it again.”

Chris sighed.

Kai continued.

“But maybe…”

He struggled with the words.

“…maybe I’d think for half a second first.”

Chris looked genuinely impressed.

“Progress.”

Kai pointed.

“Don’t ruin it.”

Footsteps came from the stairs.

Ryia appeared.

Her royal robes were gone.

She wore simpler clothing now.

The staff rested at her side.

Her grandparents stood.

“I'll speak with them,” Ryia said.

Her grandmother nodded.

She guided her husband away.

He waved.

“Goodbye, Gerald.”

Kai frowned.

“My name’s Kai.”

The old man stopped.

“I know.”

He winked.

Then continued walking.

Kai stared.

Chris looked toward him.

Kai whispered,

“He’s messing with us.”

“I know.”

Ryia stood outside the cell.

Kai stood.

For a moment, neither said anything.

Then Kai touched his cheek.

“That was a good slap.”

Ryia closed her eyes.

“Is everything a joke to you?”

“No.”

The answer came quickly enough to surprise her.

Kai looked toward the floor.

“I’m sorry.”

Ryia stared.

“I shouldn’t have jumped in without knowing what was happening.”

Chris tilted his head.

Kai ignored him.

“I saw him raise his hand.”

Kai’s expression hardened.

“I couldn't just stand there.”

Ryia looked away.

“I know.”

Kai blinked.

She tightened her grip around the staff.

“That’s what makes this irritating.”

“What?”

Ryia looked back.

“You were trying to help.”

Kai smiled cautiously.

“So we’re good?”

“No.”

“Oh.”

“But…”

Ryia sighed.

“Thank you.”

Kai immediately grinned.

“I KNEW—”

She pointed the staff directly at his face.

“Finish that sentence.”

Kai closed his mouth.

Chris smirked.

Ryia lowered the staff.

“I just wish you had thought before you acted.”

“I’m working on it.”

Chris coughed.

Ryia almost smiled.

Almost.

Kai noticed.

“So you really rule this place?”

Ryia’s confidence disappeared.

“For now.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means…”

She struggled.

“I’m supposed to.”

Kai frowned.

Ryia looked through the small dungeon window.

“Everyone expects me to know what to do.”

“My grandparents.”

“The guards.”

“The families.”

“Every time Torik comes, everyone looks at me.”

She swallowed.

“They expect me to protect them.”

Kai said nothing.

“What if I can’t?”

Her voice became quieter.

“What if my magic isn’t strong enough?”

“What if I say the wrong thing?”

“What if I make things worse?”

Kai stared at her.

Ryia laughed bitterly.

“You saw me this morning.”

“I nearly burned you alive because you surprised me.”

Kai looked at his shirt.

“You only got the front.”

“That’s supposed to make me feel better?”

“It was a good shot.”

Ryia stared.

Kai smiled.

“You’re strong.”

“No, I’m not.”

“You launched me into a bush.”

“You keep using that as evidence.”

“It’s strong evidence.”

Ryia shook her head.

Kai stepped closer to the bars.

“You stood up to Torik.”

Her expression changed.

“That wasn’t magic.”

“I know.”

Kai pointed toward her chest.

“That was you.”

Ryia went quiet.

Kai continued.

“I don't know anything about ruling.”

Chris muttered,

“Obviously.”

Kai ignored him.

“But if everyone here trusts you enough to stand behind you…”

He shrugged.

“Maybe you don't need to know everything yet.”

Ryia stared at him.

“Easy for you to say.”

“Probably.”

Kai smiled.

“I don't even know where I'm going.”

Chris nodded.

“That part is true.”

Ryia’s lips twitched.

Kai noticed again.

Before he could say anything—

A scream echoed from above.

Ryia froze.

Another.

Then—

BOOM!

The castle shook.

Dust fell from the ceiling.

Chris drew both swords.

“What was that?”

Ryia ran toward the stairs.

“Stay here!”

Kai grabbed the bars.

“Like hell!”

Ryia disappeared.

Kai looked at Chris.

Chris looked at the lock.

Kai smiled.

“Can you—”

One sword flashed.

SHING!

The lock split apart.

Kai pushed the door open.

“You carry keys?”

Chris sheathed the blade.

“I have swords.”

“Better.”

They ran.

Chaos had swallowed Maju.

Smoke rose from several homes.

People screamed through the streets.

Guards ran toward the outer district.

Kai stopped.

Shadow creatures.

They crawled across rooftops.

Climbed walls.

Dragged people through the streets.

Ryia stood in the center of the courtyard.

“No…”

Her staff slipped from her hand.

One creature carried an unconscious villager over its shoulder.

Another dragged two people toward the false entrance.

Ryia ran forward.

“STOP!”

A shadow beast turned toward her.

Fire gathered around her hands.

It flickered.

Failed.

Ryia’s eyes widened.

“No.”

She tried again.

Nothing.

Fear took over.

Kai charged past her.

He slammed his fist into the creature.

WHAM!

It stumbled.

Chris’s swords flashed.

The beast dissolved.

“Kai?”

Kai looked toward her.

“Get everyone inside!”

Chris cut down another creature.

“There are too many!”

Ryia looked around desperately.

Then her face changed.

“Grandmother?”

She ran toward the castle.

“GRANDFATHER?!”

No answer.

Ryia pushed through the crowd.

“Where are they?!”

A wounded guard grabbed her arm.

“Princess…”

Ryia dropped beside him.

“What happened?”

“They came through the barrier.”

“Who?”

The guard struggled for breath.

“Shadow beasts.”

“Your grandparents tried to help evacuate the western homes.”

Ryia’s face drained of color.

“They took them.”

Silence.

Ryia stared.

“No.”

“They took several villagers too.”

“No.”

Her staff fell from her hand.

Kai slowly approached.

Ryia backed away.

“No, no, no…”

Then a sound rolled across the courtyard.

Applause.

Slow.

Mocking.

Clap.

Clap.

Clap.

Everyone looked up.

A black crystal floated above the fountain.

Dark smoke twisted around it.

An image appeared within.

Lord Torik.

His nose had been bandaged.

Kai’s fist tightened.

Torik smiled.

“Princess.”

Ryia stared.

“You.”

“I told you there would be consequences.”

“Where are they?!”

Torik smiled wider.

“Safe.”

“For now.”

Ryia stepped closer to the crystal.

“If you've hurt them—”

“Oh, please.”

Torik waved dismissively.

“I have no interest in dead servants.”

Kai moved forward.

Chris caught his arm.

Not yet.

Torik continued.

“Your grandparents.”

“Several villagers.”

“Even a few of those precious children you insist on protecting.”

Ryia’s face twisted.

“What do you want?”

Torik leaned closer to the image.

“What I have always wanted.”

“Control.”

Ryia shook her head.

“No.”

“Then they die.”

The courtyard went silent.

Ryia stopped breathing.

Torik smiled.

“By sunset tomorrow, you will surrender Maju to me.”

“The barrier.”

“Your people.”

“Your magic.”

“Everything.”

Ryia’s hands shook.

“And if I refuse?”

Torik’s expression became cold.

“I return your grandparents in pieces.”

Kai lunged toward the crystal.

“You coward!”

Torik’s eyes shifted.

Recognition.

His smile returned.

“Ah.”

“The little animal.”

Kai’s face darkened.

“Let them go.”

Torik laughed.

“Come and make me.”

The image flickered.

Ryia stepped forward.

“Wait!”

Torik looked at her one last time.

“Tomorrow, Princess.”

“Choose wisely.”

The crystal shattered.

Darkness vanished.

Silence remained.

Ryia stood motionless.

Everyone was watching her.

Again.

Waiting.

For the answer.

For the plan.

For their ruler to know what to do.

Ryia looked around.

At the injured.

At the burning homes.

At the frightened children.

At the empty spaces where her grandparents should have been.

Her staff trembled in her hand.

“I…”

Nothing came.

“I don't…”

Kai watched her.

The confident royal robes were gone.

The angry voice was gone.

For a moment, she was simply the girl from the clearing again.

Trying to make one spell work.

Terrified she never would.

Ryia’s eyes filled.

“I don't know what to do.”

Kai stepped beside her.

Ryia looked toward him.

He didn’t smile.

Didn't joke.

Didn't tell her everything would magically be okay.

He simply looked toward the shattered crystal.

Then toward the mountains beyond Maju.

His fist tightened.

“I do.”

Chris sighed behind him.

He already knew what was coming.

Kai turned toward Ryia.

“We go get them back.”

Ryia stared.

“You don’t even know where he took them.”

Kai looked toward Chris.

Chris closed his eyes.

“…I can track the shadow residue.”

Kai grinned.

Chris pointed at him.

“Do not look that happy.”

Kai turned back toward Ryia.

“There.”

Ryia looked between them.

“You’re prisoners.”

Kai shrugged.

“Not anymore.”

Chris tapped the broken cell key hanging from one sword.

Ryia stared at them.

Then, despite everything—

a tiny laugh escaped her.

It disappeared almost immediately.

But Kai heard it.

He picked up her fallen staff.

Held it toward her.

Ryia looked at it.

Then at him.

“You really are insane.”

Kai smiled.

“I hear that a lot.”

Ryia slowly took the staff.

Beyond Maju’s hidden mountains, thunder rolled through the darkening sky.

Somewhere far away, Lord Torik waited.

Kade waited beside him.

And in cages surrounded by shadow beasts, Ryia’s family waited for someone to come.

Kai looked toward the horizon.

Chris rested one hand against his sword.

Ryia tightened her grip around her staff.

The fool.

The Shadow Hunter.

And the princess who still did not believe she was strong enough.

Tomorrow, they would go to war