The Prince's Shock

“Make way for the Prince!” one guard accompanying Eric shouted as they tried to push through the crowd.

Eric was used to ‌people making way for him, but today was different. The air felt… nervous, like the people were scared of something. He took a deep breath and leaned forward to talk to one guard.

“Hey, do you have any idea what’s going on?”

“I have no idea what’s going on, my lord; there seems to be a group of people gathered up ahead.” He replied.

“I see…” Eric trailed off as a giant monster with three long legs floated through the air.

When was the last time someone saw an Arak in the capital? Even one this size?

Mika grabbed him tightly, shaking. “My Prince… w-what is that?”

The screams of the surrounding people drowned out Eric’s reply. “We’re doomed! The capital is under attack by giant monsters.”

“Run, make haste!’

The two guards in front of Eric drew their weapons, standing protectively in front of him. “Get behind us, my lord, in case somebody randomly attacks.”

Eric nodded and grabbed Mika, pulling her tighter as they stood behind the guards.

The people around panicked and backed away from the stalls, all scrambling to get away from the monster floating in the air.

“SILENCE!” A giant wave of energy blew through the area, knocking people down and shaking Eric. “Make way for the Mages Corps!”

Once the panicking crowed quiet down, people quickly got out of the way.

The giant Arak that was floating in the air began to move forward, with people in brown hoodies walking beneath it, holding staffs that kept it up. Each step was like a loud echo through the quiet street as they marched.

“The Arak is dead; make way for the Mages Corps to keep going!”

Eric watched them walk. Mages Corps… Why would Father send them out without even notifying him, especially with it having to do with the dungeon?

A tug on his hand broke his thoughts as he looked down at Mika.

“I think we should follow them; it looks as if they’re heading to the Adventurer's Guild.”

Eric frowned. “I don’t know, maybe we should head back to the castle and talk to my father.”

“No! We haven’t found information on the dungeon.”

Eric looked around at the crowd of people, debating before giving a nod.

“Thank you!” Mika squealed, hugging him. “Hopefully we can find out who killed the Arak and then get clues from there.”

“Lead the way!” Eric ordered the two guards.

They marched ahead of them, keeping their swords out as they pushed forward. “Make way for the Prince!”

Mika gripped his hand tightly and pulled him along.

It took only a few minutes for them to catch up to the group of mages, holding up the giant monster. Instead of going into the Adventurer’s Guild, they went around the back, where the sheds and other things were located.

Eric, instead of following them, went to the steps of the building with Mika following on his heels. Before he could reach the door, two guards stopped him, standing there protecting the door.

“Sorry, Prince, the guild master ordered us to lock the building pending investigation,” the one on the left said.

“I don’t want to cause a scene, but I ordered you to let me inside the building,” Eric growled, leaning forward.

The adventurers looked at each other, and the one on the right said. “Again, we were ordered to keep everyone out.”

Eric let out a whistle, and immediately the two guards stepped forward, swords drawn. The two adventurers placed their hands on their weapons, but the door opened before they could pull them from their sheaths.

“What the hell is going on out here?” came the booming voice of the guild master. Beth glanced around before her eyes landed on Eric, and she let out a deep sigh. “Seriously?”

“Call off your barbarians, and tell me what the hell is going on,” Eric demanded in a snooty tone.

Beth's gaze never left as she lifted a hand. The two adventurers immediately backed down, removing their hands from their weapons. The two guards with the Prince followed suit and put their weapons away.

“Listen to your annoyingness,” she started, running a hand through her hair.

Eric bristled at the nickname, but didn’t say anything as she continued.

“We have a lot going on, and I’ve already received orders from Adrain to investigate the adventurer Gwen”

Eric’s eyes widened. “Wait, Gwen? What does she have to do with anything?”

“She was the one who killed the giant Arak, but Adrain thinks she’s the reason the dungeon is growing out of control.”

“That doesn’t make any sense…”

“I said the same thing, but he’s set on keeping her from going into the dungeon.”

“I knew Gwen for years before the failed engagement; despite her cold demeanor, she wouldn’t do something to harm people like this.”

Beth shrugged. “I’m only doing as I’m told, while I don’t agree with it; it's better to listen than have everyone in the guild suffer.”

“Where is she now?”

“Upstairs in the first meeting room.”

“Do you mind if I talk to her?”

“Sure,” Beth agreed. “But you have to leave your people outside. I want no more rumors going around.”

Eric hesitated for a moment and nodded.

Beth stepped to the side. “Tell Mel I let you in.”

“Wait, my Prince!” Mika cried, trying to follow after, but Beth wouldn’t budge.

“Don’t worry, I won’t be long… I just want to make sure Gwen is okay and ask about the dungeon.” Eric called ‌over his shoulder, not waiting for any reply as he rushed into the building.

It didn’t take him long to reach the stairs. Racing up them, Eric immediately went to the door on his right, the only one that was closed in the hallway. Without knocking, he burst into the room and immediately could feel the heavy tension as Gwen and Mel turned to stare at him.

“Nope, we’re done here!” Gwen immediately said, standing up from the chair.

“Wait, Gwen, we—” Mel began.

“Nope, just tell your sister to meet me in front of my hotel in two days.” She interrupted. “I’m not having a conversation with him in the room.”

“Hey, I actually came here to talk to you,” Eric defended.

“Yeah, well, I damn sure don’t want to talk to you. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to brush past. Nice talking to you, Mel.” Gwen hurried out of the room and down the stairs.

Mel placed her hands on her head. “Ugh, this is just getting worse. Why can't that girl just relax for once?”

“Um, Mel, is it… would you mind explaining to me what’s going on?” Eric asked hesitantly.

Mel glared at him between her hands

For a moment, neither of them said anything.

“Then maybe you should start listening before you make things worse.”

Eric glanced toward the doorway Gwen had disappeared through. “What happened between you two?”

Mel’s eyes narrowed.

“That,” she said, pointing toward the door, “is exactly what I’m trying to figure out.”

Eric frowned. “What do you mean?”

Mel let out an exhausted sigh and rubbed her temples.

“Gwen has been dealing with enough already. The last thing she needs is you showing up and making things harder.”

Eric's expression hardened. “I came because I saw the arak, and I wanted to know how Gwen was involved.”

Mel stared at him for a moment. “And you thought barging in here would somehow help?”

Eric opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Mel shook her head. “Yeah. That's what I thought.”

Eric glanced toward the hallway again, his frown deepening.

Whatever had happened between Gwen and the guild was far more serious than he had been told. And somehow, he had just walked right into the middle of it.