The sky darkened as the Moon was swallowed by the hostile clouds. An eerie stillness settled upon the landscape. The air became heavy with, each breath Lana took was tinged with an electric charge. Rumbling echoes drifted through the horizon, distant growls of thunder promising an imminent tempest. Suddenly, the first drops of rain began to fall, each one like a whispered warning against the ground. The droplets tapped softly at windows and rooftops, gradually intensifying into a relentless downpour. The heavens opened up, releasing torrents of water that pounded against the earth, creating a symphony of nature's power. Flashes of lightning sliced through the bruised clouds, illuminating her path of escape in blinding bursts of white radiance. The thunder followed closely, its deep booming shakes resonating through the very core of the earth, as if the heavens themselves were unleashing their fury. As the storm grew in intensity, the winds wailed and howled, tearing at branches and pulling at anything in its path. Leaves danced in a chaotic frenzy, and small objects became projectiles, propelled through the air by the storm's wrath. The rain fell in an unceasing deluge, blurring the world in a veil of grey, making it impossible to see beyond a few feet. Through this maelstrom, flashes of light illuminated the ominous figures of silhouetted buildings, their shapes distorted by the rain-soaked air. The booms of thunder seemed to shake the very foundations of the earth, rumbling like the roars of a thousand angry beasts demanding attention.

Lana couldn’t back down, she needed to escape out of the confines of Eugola before she gets caught by the guards, her emotions were a tumultuous mix of fear, determination, and a flicker of hope. She knew that leaving behind the only world she had ever known would not be easy, but was hoping that the unknown future will be better than the ratchet life she lived in the palace. Her mind racing.

“Why would he want to kill me, after arranging the marriages? Was it all a ruse? I don’t know what to think or do anymore. What about Ramona?”

But as she managed to get through the palace gates undetected, but she only had faint memories of the city. As she run further away from the familiar confines of Eugola, the magnitude of her actions began to sink in. Thoughts like "Can I survive on my own?" and "What if I'm caught?" plagued her mind. Doubts crept in, threatening to overshadow her initial fight for survival. “I should just face the consequences of my actions and face the execution. I committed treason for God's sake…”  

Lana's heart pounded in her chest, her thoughts distracting her making her slip and falls a handful of times. She was aware she couldn't stop going back was not an option anymore. She ran further and further. She halted, looking around nervously, she had no idea where she was, panting trying to catch her breath she squatted down holding herself against a wall in a small alley. Lana's appearance reflects her journey soaked from the rain; her nightgown soaked with blood her soaking wet makeshift bag was not spared either even though she clutched it by her stomach. In her rush she didn’t even grabbed shoes, her feet were aching from the injuries it suffered along the way.

She looked up and saw a light flickering through a small window. She had to try, to ask for shelter or at least direction, she thought to herself.

“In this state I doubt anyone would recognise me…” She took a deep breath that left her coughing violently, “Shit… that’s not a good sign Lana…” She said to herself and started looking for an entrance. The sign said Eugolian Bakery. “Could it be…. Joseph?” 

The baker, stood at the counter of his quaint bakery, his usually cheery face, he enjoyed the peace and quiet this thunderstorm brought on to his busy day. He looked up and his smile dropped immediately alongside with his jaw. His hands, nimble and skilled at kneading dough, now trembled slightly as he watched a familiar face walk in his shop. 

“Lana.” He whispered.

Lana, a young woman with eyes that used to sparkle like the morning sun, looked disheveled and weary. Her once vibrant demeanour had been replaced by a fragile and broken spirit. Her clothes clung to her frame; her ribs visible everything else was just a mirror of the weight she carried on her shoulders. Unable to bear the sight any longer, Joseph ran towards the huffing Lana. She looked visibly awful, so much so Joseph had tears in his eyes.

"Lana," Joseph gently called out to her, his voice laced with concern. "Please, let me help you."

Lana looked up, her eyes meeting Joseph's kind gaze. A flicker of hope danced across her face, as if someone had reached out to offer a lifeline. Her tears falling uncontrollably, she fell to her knees and whispered, 

"I'm beyond saving, Joseph. I'm a lost cause."

Joseph's heart sank, but he refused to let Lana slip through his fingers like a forgotten loaf of bread. Stepping closer, he reached out and rested a comforting hand on her trembling shoulder.

"No, Lana, you're not beyond saving," he whispered, the tenderness in his voice wrapping around her like a warm embrace. "You're hurting, and I can see that. But you deserve your life, you deserve to be heard, I will help you." 

Lana's once defiant stance began to crumble as Joseph's words seeped into her wounded soul. The weight she had carried for so long felt momentarily lighter in his presence. Tears spilled down her cheeks, with the sadness that had become her constant companion.

Joseph nodded, his own eyes brimming with unshed tears. He knew all too well the feeling of hope slipping away. In that moment, he made a silent promise to himself - to be a beacon of hope for Lana, no matter what. He moved quickly, gently guiding her to a chair and offering her a cup of warm tea. He covered her with a blanket and pushed her chair near the furnace.

“Tell me what happened?” Lana looked at him her lips trembling. “The less you know the better it is for the both of us. All I can tell you that I need to get away. As far as possible… I don’t where I could go, or what am I to do with myself.”

Joseph was confused but he needed to know, how can he help her. He remembered the little girl she used to be, full of life, training, smiling, great appetite. He hasn’t visited the castle since Loch closed the castle doors to the city. The warning bells rang, Joseph realised they ran out of time. “Lana, what happened?” Lana’s whole body was shaking, and her tears streamed down her face again. 

“My sweet child Lana, I've known you for a long time, and I can see how tormented you are. If you're determined to leave, I can help you. There's a secret exit nearby that leads to a network of catacombs. There is a way to avoid the most dangerous parts. But promise me you'll be careful. Let me show you the way quickly.”

Lana finally felt a glimmer of hope emerge in this dark night, she quickly followed Joseph not even noticing she left her things behind. Joseph decided to provide Lana with more detailed information about the catacombs she was about to venture into. He reached for an old, weathered map, carefully preserved, and handed it to her. The map revealed a labyrinthine network of intricate passageways, hidden chambers, and secret pathways, all leading to the heart of the catacombs.

Lana's eyes widened as she studied the map. She could feel a strange energy emanating from the faded parchment, as if it held the secrets if you looked thoroughly enough.

With a tender smile, Joseph handed her a few freshly baked buns. "These buns will nourish you on your journey," he said, his voice filled with both warmth and concern. "May they provide you with the strength and sustenance you need." Lana felt a renewed sense of determination as she accepted the buns from Joseph. Grateful for his kindness and support, she thanked him profusely before tucking the map in the bag full of buns. She thanked him again and slipped down into the mysterious darkness.

——

Orion sat up in his bed, rubbing his eyes and face he grinned as he fished out the shard from his pocket, but his grin turned to horror in an instance. He had spent centuries using different Aurora shards to ‘have fun’ but this had never happened before. He gazed upon the lifeless crystal; he felt a wave of unease wash over him. 

Orion couldn't help but wonder if something had gone awry on Lana's life. Could she be in danger, or worse… Did she die? He shuddered at the thought, he didn’t understand his feelings. He could just pick someone else. Who cares about this woman particularly? He walked out of his chamber when he heard Seraphina and Lucian talking over their morning tea. He listened in their conversation.

Seraphina leaned forward, her eyes narrowed, as she began the discussion. "It’s crazy about the assassination of King Loch. It appears the kingdom is in disarray, and chaos looms over the horizon."

Lucian's eyes glinted with an unsettling mix of excitement and concern. "Indeed, Seraphina. Not one day passes in the mortal realm without bloodshed and death." He crossed his arms, shaking his head.

"And what of Lana, the king's daughter?" Seraphina inquired, her voice filled with both worry and intrigue. "I've heard whispers that she managed to escape, and Ramona is now the new ruler, hr coronation is scheduled later this week."

Lucian's eyes widened in surprise, before a faint smile crept across his face. "Ah, Lana. The girl Reena’s soul reincarnated in. I can’t wait to see this situation unfold; Orion was right this IS exciting."

Seraphina's eyebrows rose in curiosity. "Do you think Orion is behind this? Did he manipulate them, just to stir things up?"

A soft chuckle escaped Lucian's lips. "I’m not sure, either way this is going to be interesting."

Seraphina leaned back in her chair. "What of Oberon? We haven’t heard of him since he abandoned Orion here."

Lucian's gaze hardened. "If Oberon has anything to do with this… It might be the awakening of chaos. He was banished for a reason…” His words hung heavy in the air.

Orion stepped in after hearing enough. “I’m going to the mortal realm… If my father is behind all this then someone will have to intervene. He always has a grand plan, and it's never good news.”