The Dragon's Call

Chapter IV - The Escape

Ascklees, The Eye of Death.

Thousands of years ago, when the Dragons still ruled Saileora, Ascklees was banished by his sister Vidya to the realm he once commanded. His name is still whispered in fear, a dark shadow that has haunted our kingdom for generations. But now, with the seal weakening and rumors of his return spreading like wildfire, the shadow is no longer a distant threat—it's a reality that we must face.

I stand by the window of my tower, staring out at the moonlit landscape. The cold night air presses against the glass, causing a shiver to run down my spine. Sleep has been impossible since what happened at the meeting. The weight of that revelation sits heavily on my shoulders, and Charity's refusal to let me seek out others like me only deepens my frustration. The walls of the castle, once a place of safety, now feel more like a cage.

The oppressive silence of the night is only broken by the rustling of ivy against the stone walls and the occasional creak of the wooden beams. The longer I stay here, the more I feel the urge to break free, to do something—anything—that might help us against the growing threat. But Charity has made it clear that I'm to stay put as if keeping me locked away could somehow protect me from what's coming.

I run my fingers over the windowsill, feeling the rough texture of the stone beneath my touch. My thoughts whirl in a chaotic mess—images of the collapsing ceiling, the surge of power I felt as I manipulated the very stone beneath my feet, and the look of shock on Charity's face when she realized what I was. The memories replay in my mind, each one a reminder of how drastically everything has changed.

I try and do something, anything, to the stone under my window. But no matter what I do, the power just... isn't there anymore. I groan and slam my head on my desk beneath me. Why curse me with this power if I can't even use it?

A soft knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts. I frown—it's late, and no one should be visiting me now. My hand instinctively moves to the hilt of the dagger at my waist as I approach the door cautiously.

"Seeker, it's me," a familiar voice whispers from the other side. Calix.

I open the door a crack, peering out into the dimly lit hallway. Calix stands there, his mischievous grin barely visible in the low light. But there's something in his eyes—a spark of excitement mixed with determination that makes my heart skip a beat.

"What are you doing here?" I hiss. "It's the middle of the night!"

"I know, I know," he says quickly. "But I have to show you something," he says in a low voice, taking a step into my tower.

I narrow my eyes as I let him in, suspicion prickling at the back of my mind. "Show me what?"

Before he can answer, Dr. Rockbrow steps out of the shadows, her expression calm and collected as usual, but with an underlying urgency that sets me on edge.

"Dr. Rockbrow?" I say, my confusion deepening. "What's this all about?"

"We're getting you out of here, Princess," Rockbrow says, her tone leaving no room for argument.

I blink in surprise, the shock quickly morphing into disbelief. "Out of the castle? But Charity—"

"Charity doesn't need to know," Calix cuts in, his grin widening as if he's just shared a great secret. "And by the time she finds out, we'll be long gone."

I stare at him blankly, then at Dr. Rockbrow, my mind whirling with conflicting thoughts. Charity had been adamant that I stay, that we face the threat together. But deep down, I know that finding the other Omnicircies is essential. Still, sneaking out in the dead of night feels... reckless, dangerous even.