The Ember Within

Flares of Reality

We raced through the dimly lit corridors of the Red Palace, adrenaline coursing through our veins. With the Red Swan secured, it was time to set our plan into motion. We needed to place the explosives throughout the palace, allowing us to escape unnoticed.

"Shawne, Aiden, you take the east wing," I instructed pointing my finger, glancing at the map and back to ensure they were ready, dividing the bombs into two halves. "Sharon and I will head to the west. We'll meet back here in ten minutes."

"Got it," Shawne replied, determination etched on his face as he moved with the trolley. "Let's make this quick."

As we split up, I felt a rush of urgency. The plan hinged on timing, and any misstep could spell disaster. Sharon and I moved swiftly through the corridors, stopping at key points to plant the bombs—hidden within decorative vases, behind wall tapestries, and beneath elegant chandeliers making illusions and distracting guards as we passed.

"Just a few more," I whispered, glancing at the ornate clock on the wall. Time was slipping away and my heart was pounding with that in an unexpected speed.

Suddenly the two guard who had gone array after the voice distraction caught us off guard as we moved with the final bomb in our hands. I wove a quick spell and hid the last bomb on a nearby buffet. "Put your masks down and go along with my act," I instructed Sharon as the guards approached. " Where are you off to?" the guards demanded.

"Oh, sir, my brother is a bit mentally unstable. He ran off, and I had to follow him," I said, feigning disappointment and shooting Sharon a glance filled with urgency.

"Oh no, sir! as you can see It's my sister who's unstable, but don't worry, I'll handle her!" Sharon exclaimed in a dramatically high-pitched voice. The guards exchanged wary glances.

"Alright, let's go their to test the accuracy of your words. I hope those guards there must have seen you enter if you're just wandering," one of the guards said, grabbing Sharon's arm, while the other nodded with approval and grabbed mine, dragging us both toward the central corridor near the Cardes Hall.

" Hell no! Now these guards are doomed. Dear Gods we just needed to escape, why all this! I mumbled as I glanced at Sharon with a knowing glace as he submitted to our fate.

As I looked at Sharon, he knew what we needed to do now. I started adjusting my gown as I placed my hand on it's pocket taking out my new elixir that I had prepared just before the night for emergencies and opened the seal. "One... two... three. Now, don't breathe, and cover your nose!" I shouted, grabbing my own handkerchief to cover my face. The liquid in the vial evaporated, filling the air with the gas released.

"What in the whole world, I swear you won't be spared for this kid!" One of the guard exclaimed as one after the other they took in to their power nap.

We grabbed the bodies of both the guards and took them to a small corner to hide them.

" What was that about? Why did you try to hide your insanity Sharon, I certainly remember I had asked you to go with my act." I asked demanding an instant answer.

" You certainly did little sister but I don't suppose I got your action which in turn showed that you were the one little insane and not me!" Sharon made a face mock-seriously showing how I had offended him by declaring him mentally unstable, and that too when it was one of the biggest truth about him.

"What was that potion? Was it a slumber elixir? Sharon questioned as we moved more laboriously past the bodies.

"No, its a new potion I made, its a mixture of slumber and small amount of evocation potion. through it they will sleep for the next half an hour, along with that their memories of the past few minutes will be erased, which means they won't remember our faces as that is the last thing they saw." We moved near the table where I had hid the last bomb.