Crimson Heart

10

The room remained silent as they discussed their options, each person focused on the difficult task ahead. Lux paced back and forth, nervously glancing out the window while William continued flipping through his spellbook. Kafka leaned against the wall, her arms crossed, waiting for a solid plan to form.

Lux: "Getting into the palace isn't going to be easy," she began, her voice tight with worry. "My brother, Garen, is leading the Vanguard now. He's fiercely loyal to my parents, and he won't hesitate to arrest us if we're caught. He'll be a huge obstacle."

Kafka: "Sounds like a headache," she remarked dryly. "A leader of the Vanguard isn't someone you can just outmaneuver without some serious distractions."

William glanced up from his spellbook, an idea forming in his mind. He flipped back a few pages, and his eyes locked on a particular spell. A small smile tugged at his lips.

William: "What if we don't need a distraction? What if we just... put them all to sleep?"

The room stilled as everyone turned toward him.

Lux: "A sleep spell?" she asked, her eyes widening.

William nodded, showing them the spell on the page. "It's a bit tricky, but I think I can cast a sleep enchantment on the guards. If we can get close enough, I can knock them out without raising any alarms. No fights, no distractions—just quiet."

Kafka: "Now that's an interesting approach," she mused, looking more intrigued. "Put them to sleep, sneak in without a fight. But how long will the spell last?"

William glanced at the text, calculating the details.

William: "Not long, maybe ten to fifteen minutes. Enough time for us to get inside and make our way to the inner chambers. After that, we'll need to be quick."

Lux: "And Garen? Will it work on him?"

William: "He's human like the rest of them. If we can catch him off guard, yes. But we'll need to be careful—if he senses anything wrong before the spell hits, he'll raise the alarm."

Kafka: "Sounds like we've got a plan," she said with a satisfied nod. "We get close, William casts the sleep spell, and then we move fast."

Lux: "I'll guide us through the hidden paths once we're inside. I know the palace better than anyone, and with the guards asleep, we'll have a clear shot at finding the scientist."

William felt a surge of confidence as the plan came together. The sleep spell would be the key to getting past Garen and the palace guards without a fight.

William: "We'll have to stay close. As soon as I cast it, we'll have a small window to get in and out."

Kafka: "No problem. We'll handle it."

The team gathered their gear, ready to set the plan in motion. Lux's heart raced at the thought of seeing her brother, but William's idea gave her hope. If they could pull it off, they wouldn't have to face Garen or the guards directly.

William: "Let's make this count."

With the plan in place, they moved toward the palace, ready to put Garen and the royal guards to sleep.

Lux carried a tray of food through the narrow, dimly lit hallway of the palace. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she maintained a calm expression. The guards stationed at the palace entrance, armored and vigilant, stood by the door, their eyes scanning the surroundings. She approached them with a warm, reassuring smile, the clatter of the plates and cutlery echoing slightly in the vast hall.