The Shadow nodded, his gaze fixed on the Emperor.
"I will see that it is done, Your Majesty," he said.
The Emperor smiled, a cold smile. "I don't doubt it, my dear. I don't doubt it."
Nox was being led away by two Imperial Guards toward the dungeons located in the palace's underground when an alarm sounded.
"What's going on?" one of the guards, who was dragging Nox, asked his companion.
"I have no idea. Sothing important must have happened," the other guard replied.
Nox, who had been following them docilely, suddenly stopped upon hearing the alarm.
"Hmm, they must have already noticed Tilda's dummy body in her private suite and Tiffa's disappearance. As astute as they are, even though I asked Lyra to stage the scene, they will quickly realize that this body is not hers and will issue a search warrant for Tiffa. By now, Tilda must have already escaped the palace. Should I continue my ga with the Emperor?"
If Nox had allowed himself to be taken away like a prisoner by Sirius, it was because he wanted to confront the Emperor. But after the brief discussion he had with him today, he was no longer certain he could get any more information. Although Nox had tried to use one of his skills to read the Emperor's consciousness, it had not been productive.
He was protected by a powerful veil. Moreover, if his deductions from their conversation were correct, Nox already suspected that the Emperor had sent soone into the dungeons, ready to kill him.
"What should I do?" Nox wondered, lost in thought, when the voice of one of the guards pulled him from his reverie.
"Captain Nox, don't force us to rush you," a guard warned.
"Relax, let's go," he said, smiling. "I might be able to learn sothing from the one he sends to kill ," he thought, as they left the palace corridors for the underground where the dungeons were located.
Nox followed the guards, his mind racing. He knew he had to be careful, as it was clear the Emperor had plans for him. He wondered who the Emperor had sent to eliminate him, and what he might learn from that person.
The guards led him to a dark, narrow cell, with stone walls and an iron door. Nox entered the cell, his gaze sweeping the space.
"Ah, charming," he said, his voice sarcastic.
The guards laughed and closed the door behind him, leaving Nox alone. He listened to the sound of their retreating footsteps, then turned toward his prison.
He examined the walls, looking for clues or weaknesses in the structure. He knew he had to be ready to defend himself, as he was certain soone would co to kill him.
Suddenly, he heard a faint noise, as if soone was moving in the shadows. Nox turned toward the door, his eyes fixed on the entrance.
"Ah, you're here," said a low, hoarse voice.
Nox smiled, his gaze fixed on the figure that had just entered the cell.
"I was waiting for you," he said.
...
The marble and steel corridor, typical of the administrative quarters of the Central Citadel of Kyralia, was an acoustic trap. Every one of Jack's steps echoed, amplifying the sense of urgency. He dared not stop to catch his breath. Jack was sure that other people would co for him. "I hope Johan hasn't already left with the rest of the group."
"Nox undoubtedly has scores to settle with the Emperor, or he never would have allowed himself to be taken away. Everything he told us before we entered the portal and his excessive distrust of the two Empires, it all makes sense now. And here I thought he was a paranoid guy... Now, what will beco of us after all this? Criminals? Fugitives? But why the hell do the Empires want to kill us?" Jack thought, panic gnawing at his stomach.
Jack was lost in what was going on, but as an upright and honest man, he wanted to do everything to clear Nox's na, prevent the Empire from eliminating him and his companions, and finally discover the truth behind this well-organized theater.
He reached the intersection leading to the Command Quarters. Then, he rushed into it. Unfortunately, as soon as he entered the room, he saw no one. Johan had already teleported everyone who was there to leave the place.
"Damn," Jack cursed. "Now what do I do? Flee alone?"
Jack exited the room to turn back. He had decided to flee alone when he saw about ten people strolling in the Citadel courtyard.
Although they looked like guards, their uniforms suggested they were not part of the Kyralia Imperial Guardian Order, but another faction. They were dressed in black, with masks covering their faces. They moved with silent grace, their eyes scanning the surroundings with cold intensity.
"Assassins?"
At their head stood a tall, thin man, with piercing green eyes, who was surveying the surroundings, on the lookout for any suspicious movent. He was in front of the team and seed to be in charge of the operation. He pulled a knife from his sleeve, playing with it like a toy.
From where he was hiding, Jack knew he was dood. At the slightest step, he would be discovered, and he wasn't sure he would survive the assault of this group. Judging by their posture, they seed to be high-level assassins.
A drop of sweat ran down his forehead.
"I'm going to die here," he murmured with an anxious face.
Suddenly, the man who seed to be the leader opened the Citadel doors to welco another man. The assassins spoke to him so politely that one would have thought he was one of them.
"Damn it, who is this guy now?"
As he was complaining, he saw Tilda and Tiffa. Jack's eyes widened in surprise upon seeing Tilda next to this unknown man. He wondered how she had managed to survive and who this man accompanying her was.
"Welco, Lyra," said the man who seed to be the leader of the group of assassins. "We were expecting you."
"Any news regarding Sirius's team?" Lyra asked without wasting ti.
"Yes, Chief. They've already discovered the princess's body. By now, they seem to be preparing to co to this location. Barring unforeseen circumstances, they will be here in half an hour."
Tilda was stunned by the fact that Lyra was the chief of the assassins. Why had he mutilated his subordinate and what was the reason he was helping them?
"Nox, what price did you pay to receive his help?" she wondered.
As if he had read Tilda's thoughts, Lyra turned to her, with a calm gaze.
"You're surprised, aren't you? Don't worry, I'll explain everything to you later, Princess."
Tilda replied by nodding. The assassins who had heard their chief were surprised when he called Tilda by her title. They looked at each other, visibly perplexed. They had believed she was truly dead, but apparently that was not the case.
"Another political story, I guess," one of the assassins thought.
And so, Lyra, Tilda, and Tiffa entered the Citadel and, without delay, headed directly to the place Jack had just left: the Command Quarters.
Jack, even after seeing Tilda, still hesitated to co out when his eyes t Lyra's.
"Co out before the situation escalates," Lyra said calmly.
Jack erged from his hiding place, hands raised in surrender.
"My greetings, Princess," he said, his voice a little shaky. "It's a relief to see you safe and sound."
The assassins looked at each other, then turned to Jack. They seed to hesitate, unsure what to do. How had he escaped their senses?
Jack held his breath, hoping Tilda and the unknown man would manage to get them out of this situation.
"Tilda, who is this man?" Lyra asked, his voice cold.
Tilda smiled, a smile that made Jack shiver.
"He is my ally. His na is Jack," she said. "And you will treat him with respect."
"Hmm, so it's him..."
The assassins looked at each other, then bowed their heads in a sign of respect. Jack wondered what was going on, but he was too relieved to ask questions.
"Nox was taken by Sirius because he's suspected of having killed you," he said calmly. "As for ..."
He briefly told Tilda about his situation, hoping for instructions.
Tilda listened carefully to Jack, her expression serious, imagining how he had been arrested. "I see," she finally said. "Nox will manage."
Together, they headed back toward the Command Quarters. This was the eting point Nox had given to Lyra.
As they arrived at the Command Quarters, they felt several presences inside. "Wait, I'll check inside," Lyra said, transforming into a shadow that passed through the room's door without difficulty.
A few minutes later, the door opened from the inside and they saw Johan. This ti, he was not only with his teammates from the portal, but also with people who seed agitated.
Tilda was confused.
"Johan?!"
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