Midnight fell quietly as the carriage rolled through the moonlit road, its wheels echoing against the cobblestones.
Inside, Aaron sat in utter confusion, his mind tangled with questions.
A royal invitation… from the Queen herself?
It felt absurd, almost unreal. He turned toward Pierce, seated calmly to his right.
"Sir Pierce," Aaron finally asked, "what's going on between you and the Queen?"
Pierce folded his arms, his gaze fixed outside the small window.
"Well… the King and I go way back," he said. "But things between me and his wife are… complicated. She's the one who summoned me tonight—she wants me to return to my old position."
Aaron tilted his head. "And that position is…?"
"The Western Wing," Pierce replied simply.
Aaron blinked. "What does that mean exactly?"
"It's a title given to a general of the royal army," Pierce explained. "Those who bear it wear the crest of a wing facing west. They command both sword and spell."
Aaron's eyes widened slightly. "You can use magic and swordsmanship? That's insane."
Pierce chuckled softly. "Thank you, I suppose."
"But… why would the Queen force you to return?" Aaron asked.
Pierce's expression hardened. "Before the King left for his campaign, I asked for permission to retire. He understood and respected that. But his wife… she couldn't accept it. The King warned her once not to meddle—but now he's gone, and she does as she pleases."
"That sounds… terrible," Aaron murmured.
Pierce glanced at him and said quietly, "When you meet the Queen, show respect. She values it above all else."
Moments later, the carriage came to a stop. Outside stood a colossal castle—ancient, elegant, and drenched in moonlight. Its towers rose like spears piercing the sky.
A servant opened the carriage door. Pierce stepped out first, followed by Kain and Aaron.
Aaron's eyes glimmered as he took in the sight—the marble arches, the chandeliers glowing like captured stars.
Guards swung open the grand doors. The trio entered.
Inside, nobles and ladies dressed in crimson and gold turned their eyes toward them. Their whispers filled the hall as music played faintly in the background.
Aaron could hardly take it all in—each corner shimmered with royal splendor. Lost in the beauty, he accidentally bumped into Kain, who had stopped abruptly.
Kain was bowing. So were Pierce and the servant.
Aaron followed their gaze—there she was.
The Queen of Maro.
Golden hair cascading over her shoulders, eyes emerald like polished gems, a silver crown resting perfectly atop her head.
Aaron froze for a heartbeat before quickly bowing. So this is the Queen… She doesn't look a day over thirty-five.
Pierce stepped forward.
"Your Majesty," he said with grace, "it is an honor to accept your invitation."
The Queen rose from her throne, smiling faintly.
"I'm glad you came, Western Wing Pierce. This banquet was designed entirely for you."
Pierce's brow furrowed slightly, but before he could speak, she clapped her hands once.
"Let the Red Banquet begin!"
Kain and Aaron exchanged puzzled, slightly comical glances.
Pierce sighed. "Enjoy yourselves," he said.
The three dispersed.
Aaron wandered toward the food tables—golden platters of delicacies that glittered under the light.
Kain, meanwhile, found himself cornered by a group of noblewomen all asking for a dance.
Pierce stood at a distance, watching them both with a faint, nostalgic smile.
Later, the three regrouped.
Aaron grinned. "The food here is incredible!"
Kain groaned. "Those women… I couldn't escape them until I faked a leg cramp."
Pierce chuckled—then the Queen's voice echoed through the hall.
"Everyone, gather."
The music stopped. The crowd fell silent.
"The banquet is ending," she said, her voice cold and sharp. "But before we close… I have one final gift for my guests—your death."
The room froze.
Pierce's head snapped upward. "What… did you say?"
The Queen snapped her fingers.
Instantly, the chandeliers' light turned crimson. The nobles' elegant garments shifted—melting into dark scarlet robes and black masks speckled with white.
Dozens—no, hundreds—of masked assassins now surrounded them.
Pierce's eyes narrowed. "What have you done?"
The Queen's smirk widened.
"I've hired a group of Nadokai users known as the Gloomars. They'll kill you for defying my command. You should have returned to the Western Wing when I ordered it."
"Cowardly woman," Pierce spat, drawing his weapon.
"Kill them all!" she commanded.
The assassins surged forward.
"Close your eyes!" Pierce shouted.
Aaron and Kain obeyed just before a blinding flash of light burst from Pierce's body, illuminating the hall like a miniature sun.
The Gloomars stumbled, blinded.
"Kain—wind wave, now!"
"Got it!"
Kain raised his hands, conjuring a fierce gale that threw the assassins backward.
The trio dashed for the main doors—but the massive gates slammed shut.
Trapped.
The Queen's laughter echoed. "You're surrounded. There's no escape."
Pierce turned to Aaron. "You can't fight them. Run!"
"I can help—"
"Run, damn it! You're not ready!"
Pierce and Kain charged together, creating a gap.
Aaron hesitated only a second—then sprinted through, past the Queen, up the staircase.
The Queen's eyes burned with fury. "After him!"
She and her guards followed.
Pierce saw them go. "Kain! Go after them—protect him!"
"What about you!?"
"I'll hold them off. Move!"
Kain unleashed a vortex, scattering enemies, then sprinted toward the stairs.
Meanwhile, Aaron burst through a door onto the rooftop, slamming it shut behind him.
"Was running away the right choice…? I hope they're okay."
Then—BANG!
The door shook violently. He backed away, panic rising. Two guards burst through, grabbing his arms.
The Queen stepped out behind them, her presence chilling the air.
"Nowhere left to run, little boy."
But before she could strike, a blur flashed between them—Kain.
He smashed one guard aside, kicked the other in the jaw, and shouted, "Aaron, move!"
They ran, but slammed into a transparent wall of pure energy. Both fell hard.
"Pathetic," the Queen hissed, summoning the barrier again. "You can't leave."
Her guards pinned Kain to the ground. The Queen approached the unconscious Aaron, kneeling beside him with a cruel smile.
"I think I'll keep this one as my personal servant," she whispered, caressing his face.
Kain's eyes burned with rage. "You're worse than an insect."
"Oh? You dare insult the Queen of Maro?" she sneered.
She gripped Aaron's face—
—and his eyes snapped open.
A brilliant blue light shone from within, flooding the rooftop. His hand, blazing with azure fire, seized the Queen's cheek.
She screamed as blue flames seared her skin. Wrenching herself free, she fell back, clutching the scorched side of her face.
"Retreat!" she shouted, fury distorting her once-perfect features.
Her guards carried her away as the flames flickered out.
Aaron's glow faded. His body went limp.
Kain caught him just before he hit the ground.
On Aaron's left hand burned a strange blue sigil—
A flame with the number 0 beneath it.
Kain whispered in awe, "He awakened… the Blue Flame."
Moments later, Pierce appeared, battered and bloodied. He froze at the sight.
"What happened? Where's the Queen?"
Kain shook his head. "You wouldn't believe it even if I told you. But first—we need to leave."
Pierce nodded. Together, they escaped the ruined palace, disappearing into the night—
while far behind them, the Queen of Maro watched her blazing castle from afar, fury and hatred burning in her emerald eyes.