Chronicles of Panchali - The 100th Selection

Chapter 15: Not What's Supposed to Happen

(A/N This is R and the surprise is... N also wrote this chapter! We had been trying to write and have an online meeting for a very long time now, but all of our schedules never really matched up. Finally, we decided on a date, but sadly, S couldn't attend, so it was just N and I writing this chapter. You'll probably notice that the writing is... significantly better and a bit more like the earlier chapters. Anyway, enjoy! Also, it's a long chapter XD)

It was practically the middle of the night when the alarms rang. Dull violet lights flashed in every corner of the hallway and all of the selected and their bodyguards were immediately outside of their rooms, the guards alert as they searched for safe places to put the young men.

Aiden rubbed his eyes and yawned as Sandor dragged him down the hallway. "What happened? What does purple mean?"

Sandor glanced left and right before running down the stairs, practically carrying Aiden along. "It's not in the protocol."

Aiden blinked, suddenly a lot more alert, even as he was slung over Sandor's shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "Wait what? How can it not be in the protocol?"

Sandor didn't reply, and instead just set Aiden down at the bottom of the stairs. "Head to the general room with the other selected."

"Wait," Aiden called out to Sandor, who was already heading the opposite way. "Where are you going?"

Sandor didn't even blink. "Of course, I have to report to General Subala. Whatever this means, I'm pretty sure it's equivalent to war."

***

When Aiden finally reached the royal throne room with everyone else, he had already subconsciously gathered with Alvin and Keefe. Although he hadn't realized it before, the three were almost in a small alliance. Rudy joined their group silently as well, with no joke to tell, and Aiden couldn't even bring himself to make fun of the slime green pajamas with samosas (badly) drawn on them.

On the other side, right with Keefe, both Fitz Vacker and Tam Song joined, and the three of them began whispering amongst themselves. Even in this situation it seemed as though Keefe was still using humor as a coping measure, judging by the awkward laughs he was letting out, though even he stopped after a few seconds.

There was a lot of commotion everywhere else too. Panic settled in the air, the bitter taste sensed by everyone in the room. Aiden searched the room, and through all the chaos, he couldn't spot Aru. She's in the bunker, duh. His head reminded him, and while he agreed, Aiden couldn't help but feel a little bit of suspicion that something had happened. (A/N ooh maybe he knows)

"Everyone," a voice boomed from the throne, quiet and almost trembling, though still strong. "Please, control yourselves. There is a situation, to say the least, that must be taken into consideration."

Aiden glanced up at the extravagantly decorated seat and saw the queen clearly in a spotlight she must have issued. The rest of the lights went off and the alarms stopped ringing. The only light that remained was the one situated on the ruler, who at the moment seemed incredibly vulnerable.

"I'm sure many of you are extremely confused by this whole ordeal, and while I do sincerely apologize for that, we have no time." The queen took in a deep breath and lowered her voice to a whisper, shushing the room to a pin-drop silence. "As you all know, not too long ago, there was an inexcusable attack on our castle, orchestrated by the Sleeper, who threatened to harm my daughter. But I am afraid to tell you all," the queen paused as if to contain her tears and hide them from the eyes of all the onlookers, "The princess went missing last night, and we have reason to believe the person behind it was none other than the Sleeper himself, as detected by the symbol he left on her bunker walls, as well as the unconscious guards that I had personally appointed, who were knocked out by his infamous sleeping gas." (A/N This paragraph looks a bit messy lol)