Capítulo 17: Chapter 17: The Storm Within
The palace of Avalon descended into chaos the moment the sound of gunshots echoed through its vast halls. Fear and confusion rippled through the corridors, as soldiers whispered anxiously amongst themselves.
"What's happening?" one soldier asked, his voice laced with unease. "First the princess disappears, and now this?" He shook his head in frustration. "This isn't what I signed up for."
As murmurs of discontent spread, the emperor wasted no time in taking control of the situation. He summoned the entire palace staff, including military heads, to the grand hall. His expression was grim, his demeanor unshaken but stern. Whatever was happening, he needed answers—and quickly.
---
The grand hall buzzed with nervous energy as officials and military officers gathered. The tension in the air was palpable, and whispers filled the space as everyone speculated about the cause of the sudden uproar. Many suspected it had to do with the emperor's mysterious command to Boyka, though none dared to voice their thoughts aloud.
The emperor entered the hall, his presence silencing the room immediately. He stood tall, his piercing gaze scanning the crowd as if daring anyone to challenge him.
"Listen to me, all of you," Emperor Morris began, his voice calm but commanding. "This is an unwarranted and troubling time. The recent events have shown us how fragile our kingdom's unity has become. But mark my words—we will prevail. We will not let chaos consume us."
The officials nodded, their faces a mixture of fear and forced determination.
"The only way through this storm," the emperor continued, "is to stand together as one. Only through unity can we overcome the darkness threatening to consume Avalon."
The emperor paused, his eyes narrowing. "I have assigned someone a critical task—"
Before he could finish his sentence, the heavy doors to the grand hall burst open. A soldier stumbled in, breathless and disheveled, his face pale with fear.
"Your Majesty!" the soldier shouted, his voice echoing through the chamber.
The emperor's eyes darkened. "What is it?"
The soldier fell to one knee, struggling to catch his breath. "I… I apologize for the interruption, Your Majesty," he stammered. "But Commander Geb… he's been killed."
Gasps filled the room, and a wave of murmurs broke out among the officials.
"Killed?" the emperor asked, his voice cold and sharp.
"Yes, Your Majesty," the soldier replied, his head bowed. "He was killed by an unknown assailant. The gunshots we heard earlier… they were his death knell." The soldier hesitated, then added, "The autopsy confirmed it. He died instantly."
The room erupted into chaos. Officials began speaking over one another, their fear bubbling to the surface.
"What is going on in this palace?" one official cried.
"Are we even safe here?" another asked, his voice trembling.
The emperor raised his hand, silencing the room with a single gesture. His expression was one of cold fury. "Enough," he said, his voice low but powerful.
The officials fell silent, their fear now mixed with dread at the emperor's wrath.
"No one," the emperor began, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade, "is to leave this palace or the kingdom until my daughter is returned to me. No one!"
His words reverberated through the hall, leaving no room for argument.
"You lot care only for yourselves," the emperor continued, his tone laced with disdain. "That is why you tremble in fear. You've forgotten the meaning of loyalty, of duty. And now you dare ask for your own safety while my daughter is missing?"
The officials lowered their gazes, unable to meet the emperor's piercing glare.
"Where is the commander?" the emperor asked abruptly.
An official stepped forward, his voice hesitant. "Your Majesty, it was Commander Geb who was killed."
The emperor's jaw tightened. "Then so be it. I will appoint Boyka as the new commander of the ground forces. He will restore order in this ocean of chaos."
The officials exchanged uneasy glances. Boyka was an outsider, a man who many viewed with suspicion. But none dared to question the emperor's decision.
"But where is Boyka?" the emperor asked, his voice taking on a note of feigned curiosity. He knew exactly where Boyka was—carrying out the secret task he had assigned him. Yet, he posed the question to deflect suspicion and keep his officials in the dark.
An official hesitated, then replied, "We… we are not sure, Your Majesty."
The emperor nodded, his expression unreadable. "No matter. He will be informed of his promotion upon his return."
---
As the meeting concluded, the emperor retreated to his private chambers, the weight of the day pressing heavily on his shoulders. Once alone, his stoic mask slipped, and a shadow of exhaustion crossed his face.
The events of the past days had left him deeply troubled. His daughter's disappearance, the unrest within the palace, and now the murder of Commander Geb—it all pointed to a larger conspiracy. One that seemed to tighten its grip around him with each passing moment.
He poured himself a glass of Avalonian whiskey, the amber liquid swirling in the crystal tumbler. Taking a sip, he allowed himself a brief moment of respite.
"Who can I trust?" he muttered to himself. "My generals eye my throne with greed. My officials cower in fear. And now even my soldiers seem to be turning against me."
His thoughts turned to Boyka. The man was an enigma—loyal to a fault, yet shrouded in mystery. The emperor knew Boyka's past, knew he hailed from a rival empire. And yet, there was something about him that inspired a sliver of trust.
"Boyka…" the emperor murmured, his gaze distant. "You're my only hope now. Do not fail me."
---
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the palace, Boyka moved swiftly through the shadowed corridors. The events of the day had only deepened his resolve. The death of Commander Geb had confirmed his suspicions—there were traitors within the emperor's inner circle. And those traitors would stop at nothing to see their plans succeed.
Boyka's face was set in grim determination. He had no time for doubt, no time for fear. The emperor's trust, tenuous as it was, rested on his shoulders. And though his ultimate goal was far removed from loyalty to the crown, he knew that protecting the emperor—at least for now—was the only way to achieve his own ends.
"Abbadon," he muttered under his breath, the name like venom on his tongue. "This ends with you."
Boyka quickened his pace, his hand instinctively brushing the hilt of his blade. The game was far from over, and he was prepared to play it to the bitter end.
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