IF ANYTHING CAN BE GOOD 1: Be Strong

Friend or Phantom

ALICIA’S POV

We’re outside, exposed, while the King stays safe inside with all the tech experts working on bombs and explosive vessels.

A strange, tall man approaches me. He swings at me—no warning—but I react fast, slicing him deeply with the knife in my hand. Blood pours from the wound, and he stumbles. The fight pauses for me, just for a second, as I glance around, taking it all in.

I spot Nani. She’s fighting like she’s done this a thousand times, as if war was in her blood.

Then there’s Andy—calm, precise—fighting like the martial arts master he is. And Richie... oh Richie. He’s moving like a god among mortals, untouched, not even a scratch on him. I can’t believe what I’m seeing—this display of strength, power, and fearlessness.

Then—out of nowhere—I feel a hard bump against my head. The world tilts, darkens, and I’m falling before I even understand what’s happening.

RICHARD’S POV

As I fought, something shifted. An unease crawled over me. Then, unexpectedly, our enemies began to retreat. But why? The Emerald Kingdom doesn’t retreat. They’re proud, defiant, unyielding. This... this doesn’t make sense.

Go look for Alicia. Go—she’s in trouble.

That’s it. That’s why this dread is sinking into my bones. Where is she, Lord? Where is she?

I searched. I found Nani. But no sign of Andrew. What the hell is happening?

“Dad. Alicia is gone,” I said as soon as I burst through the doors of the Central Tech Unit.

“And Andrew too!” Nani added. I nearly forgot about him—not out of hate, no—we actually have a good relationship. But Alicia… my heart was already in chaos.

“We know, son. We’re searching. Andrew and Alicia were taken by the Emerald Kingdom,” my dad said, oddly enthusiastic.

His tone grated on me. Why was he excited? Two people—important people—were gone. Possibly on their way to death.

“Dad, why are you so excited?! You’re supposed to be serious. For crying out loud, they’re gone, and you’re excited?” I snapped.

“Son, you don’t see the advantage,” he said, completely calm.

“How am I supposed to see any advantage when my friends are out there?” I shouted, my voice trembling with rage.

“Never in your life yell at me!” he roared back. “I took care of you when your mother died. I trained you the best way I knew how. So if you value your life, shut up and listen to the plans. Got it?”

It was the first time he had yelled at me since I turned twenty. The entire hall fell silent.

“Yes—yes, Sir,” I said, stuttering.

“Continue, guys,” my dad commanded.

“Sir, we were thinking we should send a spy to learn their plans,” the General offered.

“It’s dangerous,” my dad said sternly. “If we lose someone, there will be consequences. You remember what happened before—we can’t afford that again.”

“I’ll go.”

Every head turned. A stranger stood there, someone we didn’t recognize.

“Who are you?” Nani asked sharply.

“I’m a friend of Alicia,” the figure said, pulling off her face mask.

Nani gasped—loud, sharp, afraid. Her whole body tensed in terror.

Who is she?

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A/N: Hi guys. I am sorry the story is short.

For ur info the lasts chapts of this book will be turning out to be short.

So please sit back and continue to read and enjoy the story. And I hope u learn things from this story.

Goodbye and see u in the next chapter 🤗🤗😊

*Your Giftsam.