.·:¨¨ ≈☆≈ ¨¨:·.Chapter 24: The Unexpected Shadow.·:¨¨ ≈☆≈ ¨¨:·.

The sun began to set, painting the fields in orange where the noble knights faced wild creatures and monsters, demonstrating strength and skill in the annual competition. Marlene remained in a safe place, observing every move, taking note of strategies, and evaluating how each noble took advantage of the situation. Kira blinked enthusiastically:

[Kira: Strategic observation activated. Progress: +2 Cunning. Opportunity to obtain information about future allies and enemies.]

[Mission progress 70%]

Suddenly, amidst the murmurs and cheers of the spectators, one of the court ladies approached Marlene with elegant steps and a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“Miss Marlene, I was sent to inform you that your presence is required in the north wing gardens. It seems… urgent,” she said, in a whisper barely audible over the wind.

Marlene frowned, feeling a slight distrust. Kira lit up with an immediate warning:

[Kira: Human, this could be a trap. Proceed with caution. Secondary mission progress: decide how to act on an unexpected call.]

“Thank you for informing me,” Marlene replied with serenity, adjusting her cape to cover herself from the chill that was beginning to appear. “I’ll go immediately.”

As she walked along the garden paths, surrounded by tall hedges and long shadows, the murmur of the competition was left behind, and silence began to envelop her. Every step seemed to be amplified on the gravel, and Kira let out a worried meow:

[Kira: Human, sense of danger increased. Prepare for immediate action.]

Every bush, every tree, every corner seemed like a possible hiding place or a threat. Marlene moved forward cautiously, analyzing every shadow that moved with the wind, every reflection of the sunset light on the leaves. Her breathing was measured, calculated, while her mind processed possible escape or defense strategies.

When Marlene turned a corner into a more secluded area, she noticed a shadow moving quickly from the side. Before she could react, the figure trapped her with a firm arm covering her mouth, and the other hand held her tightly. A shiver ran down her back as she felt herself being lifted gently but without a chance to resist.

“Let go of me!” she whispered with a tense voice, trying to get away, but the grip was precise and secure.

The shadow didn’t respond with words, but the aura of menace was palpable. Kira sent out an urgent notification:

[Kira: Maximum alert! Player kidnapped. Possible unknown objective. Evaluate environment and seek escape. Main mission progress: survival and evasion.]

Marlene, breathing rapidly, evaluated the situation. The garden shadows seemed to envelop her, and although her heart pounded, her mind remained cold. Every detail of the attacker—their posture, their way of moving, the strength of their grip—would be crucial if she wanted to escape.

[Kira: Strategic advice: use the environment to your advantage. Trees, bushes, and any obstacle can be temporary allies. Stay calm.]

As they moved forward, Marlene managed to make out the silhouette of the figure dragging her toward a carriage hidden among the hedges. Without being able to clearly see their face, she understood that this was not a simple noble’s game; someone had carefully planned this kidnapping.

“You don’t know who you’re messing with,” Marlene whispered, more to herself than to the shadow. “This will not go unpunished.”

The wind rustled the leaves of the trees, and the crackling of branches on the garden walls seemed to accompany her tension. Every second counted, and Kira kept issuing warnings:

[Kira: Prepare escape strategies. Analyze the kidnapper’s weaknesses. Mission progress: 20%.]

The carriage waited, its door ajar as if inviting her to an uncertain fate. Marlene, although momentarily trapped, felt the adrenaline starting to ignite every cell of her body. She had to stay calm and look for an opportunity, because every step she took brought her closer to an outcome that could define her safety and, possibly, the course of her relationships with Lucien, Dante, Max, and Adrian.

Kira issued an additional warning, in a more serious tone:

[Kira: Player, the kidnapper is in total control for now. Analyze every move and detect any carelessness. The environment can be your ally. Mission progress: 35%.]

Marlene began to mentally trace possible escape routes. She noticed that the carriage was slightly elevated on a small slope, that the nearby trees could offer shade and a hiding place, and that the shadow holding her had a firm but predictable step. Every detail could be decisive.

Trying to buy time, Marlene murmured softly:

“You won’t know what I’m capable of if you underestimate me.”

The figure tightened its grip slightly but didn’t speak. Its silence made it even more threatening. Marlene felt her mind sharpen, looking for any reaction from the attacker that would allow her to evaluate strength, speed, and possible vulnerabilities.

The carriage began to move, but the slope and the uneven gravel caused small tremors. Marlene perceived the exact moment when the kidnapper’s balance adjusted, and Kira notified:

[Kira: Critical moment. Human, take advantage of the attacker’s balance. Mission progress: 50%.]

With a subtle movement, Marlene managed to partially free a hand, using her cape to hook onto the edge of the carriage and lessen the force of the grip. Her heart was racing, but her mind continued to calculate every possible reaction.

“This won’t end here,” she whispered again, this time more confident. Kira issued its last warning before the scene’s conclusion:

[Kira: Objective activated: survive the kidnapping and collect information about the attacker. Reward: +2 Cunning, +1 Courage. Difficulty: Very high.]

[Main noble contacts mission failed, will be penalized with -10 Cunning.]

Marlene understood that this night would not just be a physical challenge, but a game of wit, strategy, and survival that would test everything she had learned so far at court. Every shadow, every creak of the wood, every detail of the darkness could make the difference between safety and complete capture. And as the carriage moved towards the unknown, she promised that she would not let this move go unanswered.

    ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥to be continued˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥