The Lost Mage's Journey

Chapter 25: Hunted Shadows

Scene 1: The King's Orders

The grand hall of Lusitania's palace was unusually tense. Five days had passed since Lyka had vanished, leaving only a note behind. King Elric stood by the window, his gaze focused on the horizon. His heart was heavy with worry, and beside him, Queen Alicia clutched her hands together, silently praying for their daughter's safety.

Suddenly, the doors to the throne room swung open, and Alex entered with a group of knights behind him, their expressions serious and ready for whatever lay ahead.

Elric turned to face Alex, his eyes filled with concern, but his voice remained calm and steady.

King Elric (firmly, but with fatherly concern):
"Alex, I'm trusting you with this mission. Lyka's been gone for too long. Find her and bring her home."

Alex bowed his head respectfully, though the weight of responsibility hung heavily on his shoulders.

Alex (determined):
"I will, Your Majesty. I won't return until I find her and bring her back safely."

As he prepared to leave, Mira approached him from the side. Her usual playful demeanor was absent, replaced by a deep worry that shone clearly in her eyes. She stopped him before he could depart, her voice shaking slightly.

Mira (softly, pleading):
"Please, Alex... bring her back safe. She's everything to me. I can't lose her."

Alex, feeling the weight of both Mira's words and his own duty, placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

Alex (gently, but resolute):
"I swear to you, Mira. I'll bring her back. Your little sister will be safe."

Mira's eyes softened with gratitude, though the anxiety still lingered as she stepped back to let him leave. She watched as Alex and the knights, armed with weapons that Lyka had designed for them, left the palace and headed north.

Scene 2: The Search Begins

The journey north toward Eldoria was long and grueling. The ten knights, equipped with Lyka's enhanced weapons, including photon swords and other magical technology, moved swiftly. Alex, at the head of the group, carried a sword that Lyka had personally made for him—a weapon capable of firing different elemental attacks, combining her knowledge of science and magic.

Five days had passed since Lyka's disappearance, and they had no clear sign of where she had gone. All they could do was follow the trail and hope it led them to her.

After a long day of travel, the group stopped in a small village far north, near the borders of Eldoria. They found lodging at a modest inn, hoping to gather information from the locals.

As they settled in for the evening, whispers filled the village square about a figure clad in black—a mysterious person who had been hunting down members of the Obsidian Fang.

Villager 1 (whispering, nervously):
"Have you heard? The one in black... the one they call Shadow Raven has been tearing through the dark guild's territories."

Villager 2 (nodding):
"Yeah, they say it's a woman. She's been eliminating Obsidian Fang strongholds one by one. No one survives."

Alex, overhearing the conversation, felt his heart skip a beat. He leaned in closer, listening intently. Could it be Lyka? Was she the one they were talking about?