Silver Lining

Captives

Content Warning: This chapter contains mild elements of gore, which may be unsettling for some readers. While the descriptions are not excessively graphic, they may still evoke discomfort. Reader discretion is advised.

Silence settled over the jungle, broken only by the distant rustle of leaves and the occasional chirp of hidden creatures.

The air was thick with humidity, and the once vibrant jungle felt ominously still.

Even the soft breeze that had been brushing against the towering trees seemed to have stilled as if the jungle itself was holding its breath.

The scent of earth and greenery surrounded them, yet Cale's senses were numb to it all.

His hand fell uselessly to his side, his eyes still locked on the spot where Raisa had vanished.

He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white.

'She's gone.'

He gritted his teeth, his thoughts racing.

For a moment, all he could feel was the cold, gnawing sensation of loss—then, slowly, his mind began to work, piecing together what he had seen.

Raon broke the silence, his small voice filled with worry and frustration.

"Human, that was dark magic."

His round, childlike face was scrunched into a frown, a rare show of unease from the mighty black dragon.

"It was a teleportation spell. But... there's something wrong."

Raon's frown deepened as he continued.

"They did something to their magic. Even I, the great Raon Miru, couldn't detect the magic circle they planted in the forest."

Cale's thoughts shifted, piecing together the clues.

A hidden magic circle—something even the dragon couldn't sense?

His mind turned, processing the implications.

The black mages had advanced, their traps more insidious and difficult to detect than ever.

Was this how they had been abducting citizens from the other kingdoms without a trace?

The thought made his stomach churn.

On and Hong stood beside the redhead, their bodies tense and alert.

Their usually mischievous expressions were replaced with worry, their eyes flitting between Cale and Raon as they tried to process what had just happened.

"What should we do, Cale-Nya?"

Hong asked quietly, his tail swishing nervously behind him.

On, usually calm and composed, had her ears flattened against her head, her voice slightly strained as she added.

"We need to find her."

Cale forced himself to take a deep breath. He had to calm down—for their sake.

The three children were looking to him for guidance, and panicking would only make things worse.

"We're going to Section 7."

Cale said, his voice steady but firm.

"Raon, teleport us to Miss Lina's palace."

Raon hesitated for a moment, his small face scrunching up in concentration.

"But what about—"

"We need to inform her about the black mages immediately."

Cale interrupted.