In the dead of night, a small, almost invisible insect flew soundlessly through the damp corridors of the royal prison. Its wings barely stirred the night air, and its size allowed it to slip unnoticed past the iron bars and heavy wooden doors.
The insect even moved past through the magical barriers. It moved with purpose, like a guided human on a mission, crawling inch by inch deeper into the depths of the prison.
After a long struggle through the cold and damp corridors, the insect finally reached a secluded, dark cell. Inside, a woman was suspended by chains, her limbs tied tightly to the stone walls. Her once vibrant skin was now covered by bloody patches, due to the result of endless torture from the guards.
A pair of soldiers stood near her, their hands gripping cruel, barbed whips that dripped with her blood.
“She is almost at the end of her life. Maybe she’ll talk after tonight,” one guard sneered as he cracked his whip one last time across her back.
“Doesn’t matter,” the other muttered. “The emperor wants her broken. We’ll make sure of that.”
With cruel laughter, the soldiers left the cell, the iron door slamming shut behind them, the sound echoing down the dark corridor.
The insect remained still, perched on the wall near the woman’s head, waiting patiently. When it was certain the coast was clear, it buzzed closer, crawling down to the woman’s side.
The lady’s head hung low, and blood dripped steadily from her wounds onto the stone floor. She barely stirred, her breath shallow and uneven.
Suddenly, the insect began to shimmer and shift. A faint, hovering image emerged in the air—a delicate projection of a woman. It was ‘Chelli’, the vice leader of NoMan Island, her expression pitiful yet determined.
“Ria Sister, can you hear me?” Chelli’s voice was soft but firm, calling to the hanging woman.
Ria’s eyelids fluttered open, her bloodshot eyes slowly focusing on the shimmering figure before her. “Chelli?” she gasped, her voice hoarse from screaming. “You… you came?”
“Yes, I came. I couldn’t leave you like this.” Chelli replied, her eyes filled with sorrow as she looked at her beaten friend.
Ria chuckled weakly, though it was more of a pained cough. “You shouldn’t have come. They’ll kill you too if they find out.”
“I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. You’re the heart of NoMan Island. We need you,” Chelli insisted, her voice breaking slightly with emotion. “But you must bear the pain for a little longer. I’ll find a way to save you, I promise.”
Ria’s eyes darkened as she shook her head slowly. “Do you have a plan? Or is this just a desperate attempt to give me false hope?”
Chelli hesitated for a moment, glancing down. “I’ve been trying everything, but… I haven’t found a way yet. The ancestors… they’ve abandoned you, Ria sister. No one is allowed to interfere. I came here alone. No one knows I’m here.”
Ria let out a bitter laugh, her lips cracking as she spoke. “The great No Man Island, leaving one of their own to rot. How predictable. You should go back, Chelli. Lead our sisters without me. I’m already a dead woman.”
“Don’t say that!” Chelli whispered fiercely. “I’ll find a way. Without you, we’re lost. You’re the one who guided us when we faced certain death before. You’re stronger than this.”
A long silence hung between them. Ria breathed deeply, her body quivering in pain. Finally, she spoke, her voice steady but resigned. “There’s only one way you can save me, Chelli. You need to find the masked man who saved the queen during our attack on the royal court. He’s no ally of the palace. If anyone can get me out of here, it’s him.”
Chelli’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Him? Are you out of your mind? I will never do that. He’s the reason our plan failed, Ria! He’s the reason you’re here, shackled like this. How do you even expect him to help us?” She almost screamed in frustration.
“I don’t care,” Ria said firmly. “He’s the only one with the power to defy and manipulate the royal palace. If you respect me, do as I say. Go find him. He is a Dragon Rider spoken in our forbidden books. He will help us if we offer loyalty. Go, talk to him.”
Chelli clenched her fists, conflicted, but before she could argue further, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the corridor. Royal wizards were coming.
The insect swiftly reverted to its original form, crawling back toward the crack in the wall and disappearing into the shadows as the cell door swung open again.
—
Frost Family Palace…
The midnight sky was covered in thick clouds, hiding the moon’s light, darkening the vast training grounds of the Frost family into complete darkness.
Kent stood in the mid air at the center of the field, his voice commanding despite the shadows that surrounded him. Below him, 20,000 Supreme Mages, dressed in battle attire, stood silently, unable to see even the tips of their own fingers in the inky blackness.
Kent’s voice cut through the silence like a blade. “In the darkness, you are blind. But so are your enemies. The key to victory is not in seeing with your eyes, but with your instincts.”
“Tonight, you will fight without your sight. The clouds cover the moon, and no light will guide you. You must learn to trust your other senses—your hearing, your touch, your intuition and mostly your companions.” Explore more stories with My Virtual Library Empire
One of the young mages, his breath trembling slightly, called out, “But how can we fight if we can’t see? We won’t even have the sight of our enemies. How do we stay in formation?”
Kent stopped and turned toward the sound of the voice. “You stay in formation by knowing where your comrades are at all times. You attack by moving in sync with one another. In the darkness, confusion is your greatest enemy. But with discipline, you can turn the dark into your ally. I will guide you to attack during the war. So, stop worrying about the enemy and learn how to coordinate. One mistake can shatter an entire formation. So, act decisively and train regularly.”
A faint breeze stirred as Kent raised his hand, sending a ripple of energy through the air. “Now, assume Eagle formation. Remember your positions.”
The mages scrambled slightly, their movements uncertain as they tried to recall their places. Kent’s voice snapped again, sharper this time. “Hold the line! If you lose your position, you lose the battle. Focus.”
The mages quickly corrected themselves, forming tight ranks despite the blackness.
So, under the cover of night, the 20,000 Supreme Mages continued their relentless training under the supervision of
Dragon Lord Respected.
–
Thank you All 😉