The atmosphere in the Medical Sanctuary was a blend of intrigue and concern. Siena's presence had introduced a mysterious element into our lives, one that we couldn't easily dismiss. As I left her room, I couldn't shake the feeling that her arrival marked the beginning of something monumental.

Deryl and I walked back through the garden towards the palace, where the setting sun painted the sky in hues of orange and crimson. The gardens were bathed in a warm, golden glow, casting long shadows on the cobblestone paths.

Deryl broke the silence, his voice tinged with unease. "Jay, you saw her horn, right?"

I nodded, recalling the distinct feature that marked Siena as a Basilisk. "Yeah, it was quite the sight."

Deryl continued, "Her arrival and her connection to her homeland's civil war... it all seems significant. I can't help but wonder if there's more to her story, something hidden beneath the surface."

My thoughts mirrored his concerns. "I agree. Her sudden appearance and her fragmented memories—they don't seem like mere coincidences. There's a lot we don't know, and I have a feeling that understanding her past might hold the key to what lies ahead."

Deryl's brow furrowed in thought. "We need to tread carefully, Jay. Siena's presence might have far-reaching implications. But we can't forget that she's also a victim of these circumstances. Whatever we uncover, we should ensure her safety and well-being."

I nodded in agreement. "You're right. We can't let our curiosity overshadow our compassion. Siena has been through a lot, and it's our duty to support her."

"You know sometimes I can't get over the fact that I talk to a six-year-old with such ease, as if we're equals," Deryl said, as I smiled awkwardly.

As we reached the palace, the guards stationed outside snapped to attention, their vigilant eyes scanning the surroundings. The recent events had put everyone on edge, and security had been heightened to prevent any further incidents.

Inside the palace, we found ourselves in the presence of Queen Eleanor and my parents, Michael and Crystal. Their expressions were a mix of relief and anxiety as they awaited our return.

Eleanor, her face still bearing the faint traces of injury from the earlier incident, spoke first. "How is Siena? Have you learned more about her?"

Deryl nodded. "She's recovering, and we've had a chance to speak with her. Siena's memory is fragmented, but she's shared some details about her past. It seems her homeland is embroiled in a civil war, and she and her mother were among the survivors."

Crystal's eyes filled with empathy. "That's heartbreaking. She must have been through so much."

My mother's words echoed my thoughts exactly. "Indeed, Crystal. And it's a reminder of the complexities of our world, beyond the palace walls."

Michael, my father, stepped forward, concern etched on his face. "But what do we do now? Siena's presence raises many questions, and we can't ignore the implications."

I took a deep breath, knowing that we were at a pivotal moment. "We need to be cautious and gather more information. Siena's arrival may be connected to larger events, and it's crucial that we understand her role in all of this."

Deryl added, "We also need to consider the safety of our kingdom and its people. If there are external forces at play, we must be prepared to protect Aldevia."

Eleanor, always a pillar of wisdom, spoke softly. "Let us proceed with empathy and vigilance.

With our collective resolve, we had taken the first step into a deeper, more complex narrative—one that would test our bonds, challenge our understanding of our world, and ultimately determine the fate of the Sentient Continent.

"Dammit, I didn't sign up for this shit….(SIGH)..."

The palace gates swung open with a thunderous clang, their heavy iron form shaking under the impact. I watched from the palace's entrance as chaos unfolded before my eyes. People streamed in, their faces etched with fear, and their voices a cacophony of confusion.

Hospital-like beds were brought in, one after another, and the sight of the wounded sent shivers down my spine. Their clothes were soaked in crimson, a stark reminder of the guard incident that had transpired within these very walls not too long ago. But this was different; this was something far more sinister.

The victims were in agony, their bodies covered in blood, and their chests pierced by spikes that jutted out like grotesque sculptures. The crowd, now gathering outside the palace, watched in shock and disbelief. The heart of the town had become a nightmarish scene.

The symptoms were unmistakable, and they mirrored those of the guard we had encountered earlier. It began with their eyes, a single eye turning a fiery shade of red, veins rupturing and spreading crimson like a web. To the unknowing eye, it might have seemed like a blessing, for the afflicted appeared healthier than ever, their mana channels aglow with an otherworldly radiance.

But the transformation didn't stop there. Veins began to bulge and snake across their skin, an eerie sight as their mana cores ascended through the stages with astonishing speed. It was as if they had found a cheat code to power beyond imagination.

However, this newfound strength came at a cost that defied belief. Without warning, their mana cores reached a point of no return, and the result was a cataclysmic implosion, a gruesome spectacle of spikes erupting from their bodies. Death came swiftly, their lives extinguished in an instant.

As the horrors of this silent plague unfolded before us, I could hear the frantic cries of the afflicted echoing through the palace walls. The sense of helplessness weighed heavily on my heart. We had faced countless challenges, but this... this was something we couldn't comprehend.

As the crowd hushed in anticipation, King Deryl stepped forward, his presence commanding attention. The weight of the crown rested upon his shoulders, and he carried it with the grace and dignity of a true leader. His voice, filled with gravitas, resonated through the palace courtyard.

"My fellow citizens," he began, his words measured and solemn. "We stand here today faced with an unprecedented challenge, one that threatens the very fabric of our kingdom. A silent plague has descended upon us, casting a shadow of fear and uncertainty."

His gaze swept over the crowd, and I could see the fear in their eyes, mixed with hope for a solution.

"But I want you all to know that we are not alone in this struggle," Deryl continued, his voice unwavering.

"Our kingdom's finest minds have already rallied to confront this menace. In our pursuit of knowledge and understanding, we have turned to our most skilled Alchemist, Michael Ayden, who stands beside me today."

I felt a swell of pride for my father as Deryl acknowledged his expertise. Michael had always been a pillar of wisdom and reason in our kingdom, and now, more than ever, his skills were needed.

"With Michael's guidance, we will uncover the origins of this affliction," Deryl declared, his words firm and resolute.

"We will leave no stone unturned until we understand the nature of this disease and how to combat it."

The crowd listened in rapt attention, hope rekindling in their hearts.

"We must stand united, supporting one another in these trying times," Deryl urged. "Together, we will overcome this challenge, just as we have overcome every other obstacle in our kingdom's history."

With those words, the crowd dispersed, their faith renewed and their prayers joining the collective plea for salvation.

In the Medical Sanctuary, we gathered around a table littered with notes and research papers. Michael had collected blood samples from the victims, but so far, the answers eluded us.

Siena entered the room, her presence drawing our attention. She asked for permission to examine one of the victims, a request to which both Michael and Deryl readily agreed. We watched in anticipation as she took charge, her right eye glowing a brilliant red. An intricate symbol appeared in her eye, spinning with an otherworldly energy before forming a perfect cross.

"It's nearly identical to mine," I remarked, gently touching my right eye, a slight tingling sensation coursing through it.

A magic circle manifested beneath the victim's bed, lifting the lifeless body into the air, suspended by unseen forces. We watched in awe as the body was gently lowered back down, and the magic circle dissipated.

Siena turned to face us, her red eyes gleaming with knowledge. She revealed that the disease plaguing our kingdom was called SPIRECORE. Her explanation was both enlightening and unsettling.

"Spirecore," she began, her voice steady, "occurs when the environment becomes saturated with mana, and the human body absorbs it uncontrollably, attempting to balance the excess mana in nature."

Our faces mirrored a mix of curiosity and concern as Siena continued to explain. "The human body is filled to its limit with mana, and when the mana core can no longer contain it, it implodes, resulting in the formation of those deadly spikes."

She disclosed that she had used Detection magic to uncover these insights. Siena's abilities far surpassed mine, and even Michael's Detection magic couldn't match hers.

"This is the first time, I'm witnessing a small power and the sheer mana control of a Basilisk, she has mana coursing through her veins and every single limb,"I thought.

Siena's final revelation sent a shiver down our spines. She spoke of Essence beasts and how Spirecore was a milder, yet more prevalent ailment among them in her homeland, ARCANUM, the Basilisk Continent.

//// NEXT CHAPTER:ETHEREAL GAZE ////