In the grand courtyard of the Stick family estate, waves of mages from the Seven Alliance families lined up in formidable formation. Banners rippled in the gusting winds as Princess Sony Stick strode forward, her presence magnetic.
Today marked a crucial day in the army’s preparation for the Trident Summit. Princess Sony looked over the crowd, the intensity in her eyes enough to silence even the most restless of hearts.
“Today,” she began, her voice sharp and commanding, “we stand here with one common goal, victory in the Trident Summit. Only those who can endure, who can surpass all hurdles, will be worthy of fighting under the banner of the Seven Alliances!”
Her speech spurred the soldiers into a thundering cheer that echoed through the grounds. But as the crowd settled, Sony continued with a hardened tone.
“You will all face trials, designed to push your limits. Those who succeed will move forward, while the rest…” she paused, letting her gaze scan the rows of faces, “will serve in whatever roles we assign. For we can only afford the strongest to lead our cause.”
She watched as the thousands of mages stood silently, awaiting her orders. With a single nod, Sony released them to begin their trials. “Disperse!” she commanded.
As the soldiers filed out in orderly ranks, two servants made their way toward her, their nervous expressions betraying the grave nature of their news. Both bowed low before speaking.
“Princess,” the first servant said in a respectful, shaky tone. “We have news regarding Kent, as you ordered.”
Sony’s expression darkened with interest. “Go on. I don’t have all day.”
The servant gulped. “Princess, after a thorough investigation, we tracked his last known location to the royal capital city. He was last seen there two days ago… but since then, no one has seen him.”
“What do you mean ‘no one has seen him’? He can’t just disappear!” Sony snapped, her eyes narrowing.
The second servant interjected, his voice tense, “We inquired with various sources—some soldiers even searched the inns in the capital. None of them saw him, Princess. It’s as if… he vanished.”
A frustrated fire flared in her eyes as she absorbed this news. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Kent’s disappearance was part of some scheme—likely involving the Trident Summit. “So, two days with no sign of him,” she mused aloud, her voice laden with suspicion. “What is he planning? Something underhanded, I’ll wager. A strategy to humiliate us all, no doubt.”
“Princess, we will keep looking,” the first servant stammered, their faces pale under her fierce gaze. “We won’t rest until we have information on his whereabouts.”
Sony’s gaze bore into them as she issued her order with ruthless precision. “You will find him within the day. If you fail…” her eyes turned cold, “don’t bother returning to me. Is that understood?”
The servants paled further, bowing lower until their foreheads brushed the ground. “Understood, Princess. We swear it.”
Sony watched as they scurried off, a faint sense of unease gnawing at her. She clenched her fists, muttering to herself, “Kent, whatever you’re planning, I’ll be watching. And this time, you won’t have a chance to reject my wish.”
—
In the dim, secluded tunnel that stretched from the heart of a vast white-wood tree trunk, Kent sat cross-legged, his eyes closed in quiet concentration. The silence around him was absolute, interrupted only by his steady breaths as he focused on connecting with the Goddess of Lust who resided within his soul space.
Minutes passed as he waited. Just as he was beginning to wonder if she would answer, a gentle yet cold voice echoed in his mind, breaking the silence.
“So, I sense you’ve finally come to seek my help again,” she murmured, her tone a mix of amusement and skepticism. “Tell me, what ridiculous request do you have this time?”
Kent opened his eyes, speaking directly into the empty space around him. “My lady, I know what I’m asking isn’t exactly conventional, but hear me out. I need your Asthra.”
A soft, condescending laugh filled his mind. “Oh, my dear, you can’t be serious. The Asthra’s power is meant for warfare. It can lull entire armies to sleep, yes, but only on the battlefield. And yet here you are, asking me to use it for… what, exactly?”
“To release prisoners,” Kent replied firmly. “They’re criminals—yes—but they were wronged by the royal family. These people don’t deserve to rot in chains. I have to set them free.”
“Interesting,” she mused, though her voice remained aloof. “But what makes you think I’ll lend my power to this little act of… righteousness, as you call it? My Astra is no petty tool. It’s reserved for grand battles, not to meddle in a dungeon or help criminals scurry away.”
Kent’s voice softened, tinged with a pleading note. “Goddess, I understand your reservations. But these people didn’t choose to be on the wrong side. They were wronged and betrayed. By saving them, I can expose the corruption that’s rotting this realm. I’m not asking to harm anyone physically; I promise you that.”
The Goddess’s sigh echoed through his mind, skeptical but softening. “Ah, so now you appeal to justice, do you? For all the wronged people? How… poetic. But you must know, once I agree, this Asthra can be used only once, and only here. And I won’t allow you to bend this promise in the future. One use, Kent. Do you understand?”
Kent’s eyes lit up with relief, a spark of gratitude flickering in them. “Yes, I understand completely. Thank you. I only need it for this one time. Just this once.”
Her voice grew firmer, serious. “If I find you trying to exploit this favor again… if you so much as whisper a request for my power outside of the battlefield…” Her tone turned cold as ice, “I won’t just refuse. I’ll abandon you.”
Kent nodded, keeping his voice steady. “I understand. And I wouldn’t dream of disrespecting you or our pact.”
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“Of course not,” she replied coolly, though a hint of satisfaction laced her words. “But just know, I’m intrigued to see how you intend to pull this off without causing physical harm. It’s a delicate line you’re walking. Don’t disappoint me.”
–
*Wait for the drama to unfold.
-Your’s PeterPan 😉