Intricate

Chapter # 3

I glanced up, squinting against the dimming light, trying to make sense of the growing sound. It grew louder, resonating in my chest, like a slow-moving storm.

Liyana's grip on my hand tightened. "Emma... do you hear that?"

I nodded slowly, the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. Kian's eyes narrowed as he glanced toward the sky, his expression tightening.

Through the evening haze, I saw it—floating just above the treetops, a carriage. But it wasn't just any carriage.

The chariot was spherical in shape, open from above. It was embedded with anti-gravity rocks from the Wasarior Islet, which gave it the ability to float effortlessly in the air. But it wasn't the carriage itself that caused a knot to form in my stomach.

It was the little soldier ebb hosses.

They fluttered around it, their tiny bodies emitting a soft glow in the dim light. They hummed melodiously, their songs guiding the chariot toward us. But something about the way they flew—too coordinated, too deliberate—sent a chill down my spine.

"Oh, no," I sighed, the words barely escaping my lips as dread settled in my chest.

The humming grew louder, more insistent. We exchanged glances—those of us who had spent enough time in the Islet knew exactly what this meant.

A summons. A command we couldn't ignore.

The carriage, the ebb hosses, the melody—they were all signs. But not good ones. Not for us.

The tension was palpable now, and we stood frozen, waiting for the inevitable.

The carriage was just in front of our eyes when we noticed him—the man inside. Dressed in the uniform of a royal guard, his stern expression didn't suggest he was bringing good news. He stood upright, hands folded behind his back, a figure of strict formality.

We couldn't help but exchange a few more glances, our unease growing as the carriage floated closer, halting right in front of us, its edge at waist height.

Then, as expected, the guard announced in a firm tone, "Princess and Warriorress Amarielle Everwood, Warrior Kian Aleron, and Warriorress Liyana Solara, you've been summoned to the Royal Throne Court of the castle."

I sighed, dragging my feet toward the carriage. The guard disembarked, and steps unfolded from the carriage to help us ascend.

Just then, the guard whistled sharply, calling the Solaryx—the winged sentinel of the heavens. Descending like a storm on silent wings, the Solaryx was one of the rarest, most magnificent creatures, found solely on the Wasarior Islet. Its feathers, a striking blend of burnt gold and shadowed brown, shimmered under the moonlight, but there was more—faint constellations danced across its plumage, glimmering as though the stars had left their mark upon its feathers. The subtle glow of an inner light pulsed along its feathers, as though the very essence of the heavens coursed through it. As it approached, the air seemed to grow warmer, a charged hum spreading through the atmosphere, prickling the skin like the onset of a powerful storm. The wind around it whispered faintly, carrying hints of an ancient language lost to time. Its molten amber eyes, gleaming like twin suns, surveyed the world below with an intensity that seemed to pierce through time itself, as though it saw not only the present but also the echoes of ages past and the shadows of futures yet to come. The royal Solaryx landed with quiet majesty, folding its wings with a grace that belied its immense power. Even the ground seemed to hold its breath, the moment charged with awe as the creature's presence demanded reverence. The guard climbed onto its back, its mighty form dwarfing him, and with a commanding gesture, he guided the carriage into the air, leaving behind a sense of wonder in the hearts of those who beheld it.

As we flew, I glanced below. The Islet looked gorgeous at night, especially from this height. Children played under lantern-lit trees, adults chatted around bonfires, and the glow of ebb hosses illuminated narrow paths as they hummed in unison, likely heading toward the waterfall.

An idea popped into my head, mischievous and irresistible. Grinning, I leaned toward the carriage's edge, gazing below with feigned intent, ready to act on my brilliant plan.

Liyana's hand shot out, gripping mine firmly. "Don't you even think of it, Emma," she warned in a low whisper.

I glanced at Kian, who crossed his arms and fixed me with a knowing look. "Don't, Emma," he whispered sternly.

"Fine," I sighed dramatically, leaning back into my seat. My brilliant prank would have to wait. These two knew me far too well.

Resigned, I settled in for the journey, the weight of the summons pressing on my chest. Whatever awaited us in the throne court, it wasn't going to be pleasant.