The king's invitation

The entire village fell silent.

Everyone stared at the man standing beyond the gates.

Keal.

The ruler of Legends.

The hero who had become a villain.

Sia felt her heart pounding against her chest.

Even from a distance, his presence was overwhelming.

He didn't look like a monster.

He didn't look evil.

In fact, he looked surprisingly normal.

Tall and calm, dressed in black and gold, with golden eyes that seemed to see through everything.

Yet somehow, that made him even more frightening.

"Stay inside," Aries said.

Sia noticed that his hand was trembling slightly.

It was the first time she had seen him afraid.

"What happens if he finds me?" she whispered.

Aries didn't answer.

That silence was enough.

Outside, Keal slowly walked forward.

The villagers immediately moved out of his way.

Nobody dared stand in front of him.

Nobody dared speak.

The only sound was the wind.

Keal stopped in the center of the village.

Then he smiled.

"Welcome to Legends, Sia."

Sia froze.

He knew her name.

Keal looked directly toward the house.

"As much as I enjoy games, hiding is becoming boring."

David swallowed.

"That's creepy."

A second later, the front door exploded inward.

BOOM!

Wood scattered across the floor.

Villagers screamed outside.

Smoke filled the room.

When it cleared, several armored soldiers stood in the doorway.

Aries immediately stepped in front of Sia.

"Run," he whispered.

"What about you?" she asked.

"I'll buy time."

Before she could argue, Aries rushed forward.

Clang!

His sword collided with a soldier's weapon.

David grabbed Sia's arm.

"Come on!"

The two ran through the back door.

Behind them, the sounds of battle echoed through the village.

Sia hated leaving Aries behind.

But she knew he was right.

They needed to escape.

As they raced through narrow streets, people hurried out of their way.

Some looked frightened.

Others looked hopeful.

As if they believed Sia might somehow save them.

The thought only increased the pressure.

Suddenly, a shadow appeared in front of them.

Sia stopped.

David nearly crashed into her.

Standing in the middle of the road was Keal.

Neither of them had heard him move.

It was as if he had simply appeared.

"Going somewhere?" he asked calmly.

Sia instinctively stepped back.

Keal studied her carefully.

For several seconds, he said nothing.

Then he laughed softly.

"You look just like your mother."

Sia's eyes widened.

"You know my parents?"

"Of course."

Keal folded his arms.

"They've been my guests for a very long time."

"Guests?" Sia shouted.

"You imprisoned them!"

Keal shrugged.

"Same thing, depending on your perspective."

Anger surged through her.

"They did nothing wrong!"

Keal's smile disappeared.

"Neither did I."

The atmosphere instantly changed.

The air felt heavier.

For a moment, Sia saw something behind his eyes.

Not cruelty.

Pain.

Loneliness.

Something broken.

"You came from the real world," Keal said quietly.

"Yes."

"Then answer me one question."

His golden eyes locked onto hers.

"Why was I created?"

Sia didn't know what to say.

"What?"

"Why was I born only to discover my life isn't real?"

His voice remained calm, but there was sadness beneath it.

"Why should I obey a story written by someone else?"

For the first time, Sia understood.

Keal wasn't just angry.

He was hurt.

Deeply hurt.

But before she could respond, soldiers appeared behind him.

The moment passed.

Keal sighed.

"Unfortunately, this isn't the right time for a conversation."

He stepped aside.

To Sia's surprise, he wasn't attacking.

Instead, he extended his hand.

"I have a proposal."

Sia stared at him.

"What proposal?"

"Come to my castle willingly."

David looked horrified.

"That's a terrible idea."

Keal ignored him.

"If you come with me, I won't harm your friends."

Sia's heart sank.

It was a trap.

An obvious trap.

Yet she could see the soldiers surrounding the village.

If she refused, innocent people might suffer.

Keal smiled slightly.

"I'll give you until tomorrow."

Then he turned away.

As he walked back toward his army, he stopped for a moment.

Without looking back, he said,

"Your parents miss you, Sia."

And then he was gone.

The soldiers followed him.

The village remained frozen in silence.

Sia stood there, unable to move.

Tomorrow.

She had until tomorrow to make a choice.

Go to the castle.

Or keep running.

Either way, her life would never be the same again.

To be continued...

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