The clock opened at midnight like a golden rose around which fireflies hovered, as if it were opening a temporal rift in the dark sky. Everything seemed normal for a moment, the winds whispering through the rustling trees while the river continued its murmur along the edge of the house, which lay in a deep sleep.
After a few moments, the quiet vitality began to gradually fade; the trees lined up motionless like guards, and the wind remained silent, announcing that nature was ready to receive the royal presence that would arrive in minutes. Roy was still deep in sleep, wandering in his dreams, unaware that he would soon be an honored guest.
Meanwhile, the cabin was filled with warmth and trust; the stillness muffled the rhythm of time. Now, the golden staircase was about to descend from that clock suspended in the dark sky. Heavy metal steps shook the stairs, heading toward a specific target in a secret operation, apparently having detected an unfamiliar entity according to the logic of "Infada."
The two armored figures moved straight toward the house, bypassing the silent time and the dead forests, as if they had been erased from existence, breaking through the walls like empty ghosts without bodies!
Roy opened his eyes slowly, as if he were the only one who sensed their presence:
"Ah… do I hear a strange sound? Or am I still drowning in daydreams?"
He rose from his bed unsteadily and walked heavily to quench his thirst and the thoughts swirling around him, muttering sarcastically:
"These are the effects of poor hospitality; I think I drank more than usual."
The sound of heavy footsteps reached his ears, while Leora and the White One were still asleep, seemingly in another dimension far from the noise, leaving Roy as the only one allowed to hear the creaking.
He glanced left and right, his body trembling with unease, whispering to himself:
"The sound is back again! Its intensity has truly increased! It seems I've passed the stage of illusions, the footsteps can no longer hide in the calm." Then he added:
"Am I the only one awake? I'll check the place; it's probably just some intruders or something trivial."
He began searching lightly, careful not to wake the sleepers, inspecting every corner, until he reached the wooden window. He stared at the horizon and noticed an unusual stillness in the forest; everything was motionless, unnervingly so, and he said:
"This is not the night I am used to. It seems completely silent… I'll try to sleep; perhaps this epic journey planted doubts in the smallest things."
As he turned toward his bed to resume sleep, he heard the heavy footsteps again, very close behind him. When he turned, he found two enormous armored riders standing with full grandeur in a scene that made his body shiver. Roy shouted in terror:
"Hey! Who are you?! What are you doing here?!"
As soon as he screamed, he received a sudden strike from the axe handle, immediately losing consciousness, and was dragged by them after covering his head to the unknown.
The golden clock still pointed to midnight in the dark sky, as if its hands had frozen the world for a swift kidnapping unseen by anyone.
Moments later… the cover over Roy was removed as he gradually regained consciousness. He opened his eyes slowly and found himself before something like a vast red hall with a royal ambiance. Golden threads adorned the towering decorated walls, supported by numerous marble stone columns, while the ceiling held a massive golden chandelier casting its light on the tiles.
The royal guard, clad in golden armor, lined up around the iron throne shaped like a clock, atop which sat a creature of a strange species: pale green skin, deep black eyes with shining golden pupils, ears like two lit candles, wearing a golden crown and a red robe adorned with precious stones.
Its voice echoed loudly, almost breaking the surrounding statues:
"What is the ruler of the 'Mutants' doing in my field?"
Roy, still not comprehending the fast-paced events around him, said softly:
"Where am I? And how do you know me? Am I still dreaming, or am I in paradise?"
It replied sharply:
"You are in the heart of the world soaked in blood and betrayal. Dreams are merely refuges for fools. I repeat my question: what is a ruler doing in my private field?"
Roy, astonished, responded:
"Isn't it logical first that you should know where I am and why I was kidnapped? And what do you mean by my 'field'?"
The Lord of the Clock nodded with a mysterious smile:
"Very well. You are in my palace suspended in the sky. I am surprised that a ruler ignores who is the Lord of the Clock and protector of the kingdom of 'Infada.' How could you leave your magnificent palace to meddle with 'my flowers'?"
Roy's eyes widened in amazement:
"Your flowers?! You mean your subjects in Infada? I barely survived the inevitable death at the hands of a few crazy bandits, only to find myself in this unknown place. Their welcome was modest, but one of them had courage and hosted us. That's all. But how do you know me?"
The Lord of the Clock adjusted his sitting position, moving his scepter, and replied in a serious tone:
"A true ruler surveys his surroundings carefully, so do not be surprised if poison infiltrates through an infiltrator. The heir to the throne of the kingdom of 'Kairos' perished due to negligence toward the weak like you."
A chill ran through Roy's heart, and he responded:
"I am an honorable ruler. I do not lean toward deceitful ways. I prefer direct confrontation with sword and fire."
The Lord of the Clock laughed, filling the hall:
"I like your frankness and the confidence that characterizes youth, but it may hasten your inevitable fate. Therefore, you must reinforce this confidence with a sturdy shield."
Roy's mind swirled with questions:
"What do you mean? What are you trying to reach?"
The clock king's face showed determination:
"Tomorrow, an emergency meeting will be held among the rulers of the three kingdoms (Aldoria, Neverland, Ramon), and you will attend as the ruler of the 'Mutants.' Danger is creeping like a hidden snake among the walls. So, do you want to extinguish the fire of your people?"
Roy, after a pause, said:
"I will consider the matter, but I may need some guarantees from you."
The Lord of the Clock smiled faintly:
"Very well, your requests will be met, but first enjoy your time." He pointed with his finger to the guards.
Suddenly, Roy was lifted and dragged toward a massive wooden plank suspended on the blood-red decorated wall and secured tightly. He shouted:
"Hey! What are you doing? Release me!"
The king rose from his throne and laughed madly:
"I told you before, you will get your requests and guarantees, but I did not say you would escape punishment for invading my private field."
He drew a golden sword stained with the blood of wars, moving toward him coldly and without warning, ready to execute the ceremony of welcome.