Avatar of the Frozen Behemoth: Volume 1

Chapter 22: Bonds Beyond the Walls

Yukio and Rome stood close together, processing the grim warning. A worried glance from Princess Evie, standing near her father on the podium, still caught Yukio's attention. She had been partially hidden behind the king, but the look on her face hadn't gone unnoticed-her brow furrowed in the same way his had, her eyes wide with concern. It wasn't just the worry of a princess for her people; it was something deeper, something Yukio recognized all too well.

Finally the gathering began to disperse, a sense of urgency filled the air. Guards rushed toward the entrances of Spadia, their faces set in determination, while high-ranked officials fanned out on patrol, their vigilance unmistakable.

The king, Princess Evie, and several other high-ranking officials retreated into the palace, disappearing behind the grand doors with an air of solemn duty. The soldiers stationed at the front of the square began dismissing the crowd, their disciplined movements stark against the worried murmurs of the citizens.

Their lighthearted exchange was a sharp contrast to the sea of tense expressions around them. Nearby, an elderly woman muttered something to her husband about the dangers of the unknown, her wrinkled face etched with worry. A young boy, no older than seven, clung to his father's leg, his wide eyes darting around in confusion as he tried to understand the murmurs of danger swirling around him.

Adults of all ages spoke in hurried whispers, their hands moving with anxious gestures as they tried to make sense of the king's cryptic warnings. Some furrowed their brows, biting their lips in deep thought; others crossed their arms tightly, holding their children closer as if it would protect them from whatever was coming.

Yukio stood still, his mind racing with the weight of the king's announcement. The missing people, the strange symbols, the ominous phrase "Chaos will prevail and devour"-it all swirled in his thoughts, intertwining with the memories of the mysterious figures and the black building. His chest tightened with a mixture of fear and curiosity.

How did this all connect? he wondered. The name "Udlrainia" echoed in his mind, a key to a puzzle he hadn't yet solved.

He was so deep in thought that he didn't notice Rome approaching until he heard his voice.

"Yukio!" Rome's voice snapped him back to the present, the faint edge of concern clear in his tone as he stepped closer. "You good, man? This whole thing has everyone on edge."

Yukio nodded, his expression still troubled. "Yeah, Rome. It's hard to wrap my head around all of it. The symbols, the heat sensors, and now... 'Chaos will prevail and devour'? It's like someone is deliberately trying to scare us, to unsettle us. But who would do that? And why? No one in their right mind would vandalize Spadia like that. They'd be in huge trouble with the high-ranked officials-especially with Lord Thranis and Lord Arcturus keeping an eye on everything."

Rome gave a wry smile, but his brow furrowed. "That's the thing, no one really did. Not even me. But... It does explain why I haven't seen some folks around lately.

Even Mizuki hasn't been around since yesterday, and that's weird." He paused, leaning in slightly. "Ever since he and I were checking out that secret passage you found, I haven't heard from him. You don't think-"

Yukio cut him off, managing a grin. "What, you think the Janoans or those mystery soldiers kidnapped him? He's probably somewhere in the crowd with his parents."

Rome chuckled, the grin spreading to his face. "Yeah, maybe he just wanted a break from us."

But as they joked, the unease lingered between them. Yukio knew Mizuki wouldn't just disappear without saying anything. And that passageway... there was something off about it, something that still bothered him deeply. But now wasn't the time to dwell on it.