❝𝙎𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙞𝙥𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙙𝙤𝙢, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙞𝙩.❞
｡˚ ✦ ┊ Corrupt, evil, and fatal. That is how people define Shadow Wielders in the kingdom of Lucinda.
Huang Suyin is a peasant who lives a simple life...
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Chapter 01 : A Clamorous Crowd ≿ · ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ · ≾ Night of the Queen's Ball
The air had been shackled by suffocating specks of dust. The queen's birthday celebration was fueled by innocent celebration and a glistening thrill until all was blackened. Several candles remained blown out by the Cult of Umbra's gray winds, ceasing their lives unless they were to be lit again.
Suyin hadn't budged from her spot. The scene had smeared a chilling on her bare skin, tingling her spine. She could almost hear noises dangling from her ears, teasing her slight headache.
"Suyin?" Someone called. Suyin tore her eyes away from the center of the ballroom. She hadn't realized the rest of the Eight Warriors were ascending the marble staircases.
"We're going to check on the rest of the guests. Come on now," Heeseung said.
Suyin nodded and tailed the boys. She pinched up her dress while watching the steps ahead of her. She smiled when Sunoo offered her a hand up the last steps and accepted it. However, unease dwelled in her stomach. She quietly glanced at the ballroom before leaving the soulless place.
The Eight Warriors eventually arrived at the castle entrance. The front doors and gates were open, inviting loud clamor into the inner hallways. Noble guests from the ball were still present, voicing their concerns to each other.
"Warriors, you're all here," a woman called. The team turned to see the queen with the Royal Council. The group bowed to the queen in blue as she neared them.
"Your majesty," Jungwon greeted when bowing.
"I'm grateful no one was greatly injured. Where are the cultists?" Queen Taeyeon inquired.
Jungwon lowered his eyes. "We are sorry to inform you that they vanished, Your Majesty. We were moments away from catching them and getting answers, but they disappeared before we could."
"They disappeared?" Councilor Irene questioned, stunned when her piercing stare widened.
"The Eight Warriors!" A person in the crowd shouted abruptly, causing the rest to erupt in noise.
The Royal Council sent warnful and concerned glances to Queen Taeyeon–a reminder of their suggestion to keep the cult news a secret, to keep the kingdom calm. With the lift of her palm, Taeyeon silenced the crowd.
"My wonderful citizens, my birthday celebration was supposed to be a day of delight and enjoyment for all of us. This breakout tonight was not what I had expected," Taeyeon announced. She fiddled with the strings of beads that hung from her centerpiece, dragging their anticipation. "These arcane people, draped in black, introduced themselves before the fight broke loose. They are the Cult of Umbra, worshippers of the Dyskro."
Suyin scanned the crowd as dissatisfaction conquered the crowd's reaction. The Royal Council fell into worry, their calm expressions melting off.
"Unfortunately...the cultists were not caught," Taeyeon confessed. "Do not be frightened; we will continue our investigations and expand our security throughout the kingdom. The moon is too high right now and the night has concluded. Please return home and stay cautious until further notice."
