Chapter 65: Speculation
The heavy wooden doors to the main hall groaned as they swung open, letting in a rush of cold air.
Lirian turned toward the sound, her exhaustion was shortly forgotten as she saw two tall, broad-shouldered guys stride into the ruined castle.
Gunther and Johann.
Her brothers were back?
"Lirian!" Gunther called, his deep voice seemed to be with relief and urgency as his sharp blue eyes swept over her disheveled look.
Johann was by only a few minutes, followed close behind, his usually easygoing expression was now hard with concern.
Before she could say a word, Gunther and Johann were upon her, their strong arms pulled her into a tight embrace.
"You’re hurt," Gunther said, his voice gruff as he pulled back slightly to inspect her.
His eyes lingered on the dirt and bruises that covered her skin.
"What happened here?"
"Are you alright, Liri?" Johann added, softer but no less worried.
Lirian let out a shaky breath, nodding even as tears pricked at the corners of her eyes.
"I’m fine," she said, though her voice trembled. "It’s not me you should be worried about."
Gunther’s brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"They took him," she said, and started breaking slightly. "They took Gabriel. He’s been arrested by Raphael, and they’ll execute him for treason if we don’t act quickly."
Johann exchanged a grim look with Gunther.
"Lirian," Johann said carefully, "this is... complicated. If Raphael has him, it means the Crown is involved. You can’t just march in there without a plan."
"I know that," she snapped, bubbling over.
"But we don’t have time to waste. Every moment we stand here talking is a moment closer to Gabriel’s death."
Gunther placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Gabriel was their friend, and he agreed to look after Lirian...to make her stay away from their father, but now he was arrested, and they both knew they couldn’t bring Lirian home.
"Not without a plan," he said calmer. "We’ll help you, but we can’t act recklessly. If we lose you too, it’s over."
Lirian’s jaw tightened, but she nodded, knowing he was right.
Before anyone could say more, Pedro let out a series of sharp squeaks from his perch on Lirian’s shoulder.
"Danger! Danger!"
All three siblings stopped moving, darting their eyes around.
"What is that bird going on about now?" Johann muttered, his hand instinctively going to the hilt of his sword.
"Pedro’s just... Pedro," Lirian said with a sigh, reaching up to stroke the parrot’s feathers in an attempt to calm him.
Gunther’s gaze shifted to the devastation around them—the shattered walls, the scorched floors, the lingering scent of smoke and blood.
"Was this Gabriel’s doing?" he asked.
"No," Lirian said quickly, shaking her head. "Gabriel didn’t do this. His monsters didn’t either."
"His monsters?" Johann repeated.
"They’re asleep," Lirian explained. "I saw them myself. They’re harmless right now."
Gunther’s frown deepened, his sharp eyes narrowed as he turned to Lord Rathian, who was silently nearby.
"Is she telling the truth?"
Rathian nodded. "She is. Gabriel’s monsters didn’t cause this destruction. They were locked away and subdued the entire time."
Johann crossed his arms, feeling a little skeptical and the situation.
"Then who did? Because this wasn’t natural. The level of damage, the precision of the attacks—it feels deliberate."
"It was either the Crown’s doing," Gunther said slowly, thoughtfully, "or Baron Meylo’s."
Lirian’s stomach paused at the mention of Meylo.
"Baron Meylo? Why would he attack Gabriel’s castle?"
"He’s ambitious," Johann replied. "Always has been. He’s been eyeing Gabriel’s territory for years. If he saw an opportunity to weaken him, he would have taken it."
"But what about the Crown?" Lirian asked again. "Would they go this far?"
Gunther sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"The Crown is... unpredictable. Raphael’s grip on the throne is tenuous, and he knows it. If he thought Gabriel posed a threat, he might have authorized an attack to remove him."
Rathian cleared his throat, drawing their attention. "There’s another possibility," he said.
Gunther arched an eyebrow. "And what’s that?"
"The monsters," Rathian said carefully. "Even if Gabriel’s creatures didn’t cause this destruction, there are others out there. Wild ones. If someone is controlling them, they could have been used to sow chaos here."
"Someone like Meylo," Johann said, his tone seemed dark.
"Or someone working for the Crown," Gunther added grimly.
Lirian was filled with questions, the pieces of the puzzle seemed to be unmatchable chaotically.
She didn’t know who to trust or what to believe, but one thing was clear: Gabriel was in danger, and time was running out.
"We can speculate all we want," she said finally.
"But it doesn’t change the fact that Gabriel needs help. Now."
Gunther looked at her, his look seemed serious.
"Lirian, this isn’t just about saving Gabriel. If we make a move against the Crown, it could start a war."
"I don’t care," Lirian said, her eyes burnt with anger. "I won’t let him die. Not like this."
Johann let out a low whistle, shaking his head.
"You’ve always been stubborn, Liri. But this? This might be the craziest thing you’ve ever done."
"Maybe," she admitted. "But Gabriel risked everything for me. The least I can do is stand by him now."
Gunther sighed, softening slightly. "Alright," he said eventually. "If this is what you’ve decided, we’ll help you. But we do it smart. No reckless heroics."
Lirian nodded, her heart swelled with gratitude. "Thank you."
Pedro squawked loudly, flapping his wings as if in agreement.
Johann laughed softly, the sound seemed weird.
"Even the bird’s on board, apparently."
Gunther’s lips twitched into a faint smile. "Then it’s settled. We’ll save Gabriel. Together."
There was one thing on Lirian’s mind-their deaths...she didn’t know exactly how to save everyone without them all dying.
’Why can’t the plot twist into a better perspective?’ She thought to herself.
But behind the ruined rocks, nobody noticed that Daria was there, listening to everything they’ve just said.
"I need to report this."