Under the cover of darkness, Babaru approached the fortress, veiled in a shroud of magic. The spell she cast, though not rendering her truly invisible, blended her figure into the surroundings and muted her presence—more than adequate for sneaking inside.
Perched on her companion, the siren Alona, Babaru scaled the fortress walls with practiced precision, finally slipping into the shadows within. The aroma of roasting meat and the distant sound of drunken soldiers retching filled the air.
Celebrating after killing my granddaughter… how dare they?
Her hands trembled with barely contained rage, but she forced herself to focus. In a low voice, she addressed her companion.
"Alona, keep watch while I divine his location."
The siren nodded silently, her gestures conveying understanding. Her voice, imbued with innate magic, remained unused except in moments of utmost necessity.
Babaru retrieved fragments of bone from a pouch at her side, tossing them into the air before they clattered onto the ground. Closing her eyes, she began chanting, her words ancient and resonant. The discolored bones shifted and clinked against each other, rearranging into patterns.
Opening her eyes, Babaru scrutinized the arrangement with a keen gaze, her bony fingers tracing their positions.
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"There you are," she whispered, a triumphant gleam in her eyes as she discerned Michael's location. Carefully gathering the bones back into her pouch, she secured it to her waist, where an array of similar pouches hung.
Babaru moved stealthily through the fortress, keeping to the shadows. Her third eye, drawn upon her forehead in dark dye, enhanced her perception, allowing her to map the fortress's layout and pinpoint the positions of guards.
The celebratory atmosphere had made the defenses lax, with sentries distracted and patrols sluggish. Hugging the walls, Babaru and Alona advanced with caution. Climbing a watchtower, the siren paused at Babaru's signal to remain below as she ascended.
From the vantage point, Babaru saw two guards stationed on the stairs leading toward Michael's quarters. Their faces were flushed from alcohol, and they exchanged complaints in hushed tones.
"Of all nights to pull sentry duty…"
"Tell me about it. Everyone else is drinking and feasting while we freeze out here."
"Yeah, well, orders are orders. Not like they care about us."
From another pouch, Babaru produced a fine powder. She scattered it into the air, and the faint breeze carried it toward the guards. Moments later, they began to nod off, their exhaustion overtaking them.
Slipping past without a sound, Babaru entered the corridor leading to Michael's chambers. The route was less heavily guarded than the watchtower, but patrols roamed intermittently. She waited in the shadows, observing their patterns, then moved with precision, hiding behind columns and alcoves as she approached her target.
At last, she reached the door to Michael's quarters. Two guards stood vigilant outside. Killing them would draw attention, and even putting them to sleep risked discovery by nearby patrols. From yet another pouch, Babaru retrieved a rare substance—faerie dust, known for inducing short-lived but vivid hallucinations.
Holding her breath, she scattered the dust toward the guards. As it settled, their eyes glazed over, and their minds succumbed to illusions. Babaru stepped boldly into their line of sight. Despite her movements, the enchanted guards remained oblivious, their senses clouded.
Entering Michael's chamber, she released a final pinch of faerie dust, ensuring its effects would lull him into a dreamlike stupor. As she approached the bed, her trembling hands steadied, her rage cooling into cold resolve.
I'll tear him apart. Piece by piece, he'll pay for Kalina's death.
Drawing on the power of the Rock Bear goddess, Babaru lunged toward the bed. She had never killed with her bare hands before, but her hatred propelled her. Her hands reached out—
A chilling sensation coursed through her, her instincts screaming in alarm. Spinning around, she felt the presence of an overwhelming force behind her.
The room was no longer hers to command.
Michael lay down on his bed, feeling a deep sense of fatigue. As the tension in his muscles eased, sleep began to take hold. However, just before he drifted off, he sensed something unusual and opened his eyes immediately.
Quietly rising from his bed, Michael scanned his surroundings. Outside the door, he could feel an external energy—a dense and hostile force. Moving silently, he stepped out of bed and walked cautiously. His movements blended seamlessly into the darkness as he approached the window.
Moonlight streamed faintly through the window frame, casting a soft glow. In that dim light, Michael noticed a slight movement near the door. Initially, he thought it might be just dust, but gradually, more particles began to move unnaturally. Tiny silver particles were drifting into the room through the gap in the door.
These minute particles floated slowly in the air, emitting a beautiful glow. Yet, Michael could sense the danger hidden behind their beauty. Instinctively, he covered his mouth and nose with his hand. These particles were undoubtedly hazardous.
His gaze sharpened, and his muscles tensed. His heartbeat quickened, though he remained calm. Positioning himself behind a pillar where the faint moonlight couldn't reach, Michael calculated the situation quickly.
Meanwhile, his companions, Miaomiao and Markus, were likely outside, indulging themselves in merriment with other beasts. Michael decided to send a message to Miaomiao. Since he and Castro had shared Ines's enchanted earrings, immediate communication was possible.
The door continued to rattle. The adversary outside appeared to assume that Michael had inhaled the mysterious powder and fallen unconscious, judging by their leisurely approach.
Michael carefully moved his fingers to his earring. Concentrating on it, he channeled his magic, feeling its power ripple through his fingertips. In a low whisper, he spoke into the earring. Despite the ongoing rattling of the doorknob, he remained composed.
"Miaomiao, can you hear me? There's a hostile external force outside my bedroom. Come here immediately. If you encounter anyone suspicious on the way, capture them."
As he awaited a response, Michael's world narrowed to just the rattling doorknob, the earring, and the rhythmic thudding of his heart. Though he was confident in his ability to confront the situation alone, he couldn't guarantee that there was only one enemy.