Welcome home

Emotionally drained, Charlene stepped through the portal.

“Welcome back, little one!” Argun greeted her warmly. The hounds began to whine and leaped forward, eager to greet her.

“Down,” Argun commanded.

All three hounds obeyed at once, sitting attentively. Argun’s face was tense, his expression pained.

“What’s troubling you, big guy?” Charlene asked, trying to lighten the mood. “No coffee today?”

“I fear things are changing for the worse,” Argun replied solemnly. “Be careful, little one. There are Fates who do not wish you well. Keep your wits about you—treachery walks among them.”

Charlene’s brow furrowed. “What happened?”

“While you were away,” he continued, voice low, “Council Member Byron was murdered in the Great Hall. They’re hunting for the killer as we speak. Chaos grips the realm.”

“Oh no!” Charlene gasped. “Do you think my father is involved?”

“That infidel?” Argun scoffed. “Please.”

“I need to know if he’s okay,” she said softly, eyes pleading.

Argun’s eyes glowed yellow as he scanned the realm. His expression turned grim. “Your father is still in the Grand Hall… but he’s been mortally wounded. He’s in great distress. Go to him now. Take one of my hounds. You’ll need help.”

“I’ll take Asbeel. He’s the furious one,” she said with resolve.

Argun gave a sharp whistle. “Asbeel, go with her. Protect her at all costs. Obey her every command!”

The hound bowed in acknowledgment and stood at Charlene’s side, alert and ready.

Argun waved his hand and opened a portal to the White Room. Red lights flickered, and sirens blared in the distance, a harsh sound that made Asbeel whimper.

“It’s okay, boy. Find Dad,” Charlene said gently, rubbing his head.

Asbeel sniffed the air, caught a scent, and sprinted across the room. Charlene followed closely behind.

Bang! Bang! Bang! The heavy doors shook.

Asbeel snarled. There lay Seth, clutching a gaping wound in his side, braced against the door to keep it from bursting open.

Bang! Bang! The assault continued.

Asbeel crept toward him cautiously.

“You know what you’ve got to do,” Seth whispered, trying to coax him closer. “Be a good boy.”

“Asbeel, go to my dad!” Charlene commanded, still unsure why her father was calling for the beast.

Seth removed his blood-soaked hand. The wound gushed.

“Dad, no!” Charlene cried, frozen in shock. “Who did this to you?!”

“Asbeel… heal me,” Seth whispered.

The hound looked at Charlene for approval.

“Please, Asbeel. Help my father!”

Asbeel let out a deep growl, nostrils glowing orange. He breathed out a stream of warm, healing flame that entered Seth’s body, sealing the wound.

Seth groaned and tried to rise but collapsed to his knees.

Bang! Bang! The doors rattled again.

“You can’t let them in,” Seth gasped. “You have to run, Charlene. Run!”

“I’m not going anywhere without you!”

“Who’s after you?”

“The guard,” Seth muttered, fading in and out of consciousness.

Charlene grabbed his limp body and began dragging him. “Argun, open the portal!”

As the doors buckled.

Argun and his hounds burst through a portal, massive and ready for war.

Bang! The door flew open. Guards stormed inside.

“Attack! Protect the little one and her father!” Argun bellowed.

Ariel soared like an eagle, her massive wings knocking down half the guards before they could react. Armaros darted through them like lightning, ripping them limb from limb.

With a wave of his hand, Argun lifted Charlene and Seth and hurled them into the portal.

“Return!” he shouted.

The hounds obeyed instantly, retreating through the portal, which closed behind them just as backup arrived.

Bodies littered the floor—Fates unconscious, wounded, or dead.

“What happened here?” Haroon barked, surveying the carnage. “Where is he? Answer me!”

“The suspect escaped, sir,” a bruised guard stammered. “He was cornered in the White Room when these… beasts showed up.”

“And where were you during this?” Haroon poked the guard hard in the chest. “You let your men die while you hid?”

“I—I was in the hallway, coordinating—”

“Not a scratch on you,” Haroon growled. He grabbed the guard by the collar. “You’re either incompetent or a coward. Which is it?”

The guard could only stutter.

“I thought so. Take him away for reconditioning!” He threw him into the arms of two soldiers. Then he pointed at another guard loitering nearby. “You! You’re the new head guard.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Your first task—inform Head Councilor Torock what happened.”

“No disrespect, sir,” the new head guard said proudly, “but I’d rather be reconditioned.”

“I’m surrounded by fools and cowards!” Haroon roared and stormed out. “I’ll do it myself!”

The guards exchanged glances. Everyone knew Haroon was just Torock’s lackey. The true power was feared by all.

⸻

Meanwhile, Charlene was nursing Seth in the sanctuary. He drifted in and out of consciousness.

“It might take him a day or two to recover,” Argun said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. “He’s safe now. No one will harm him here.”

Seth stirred. “We have to go back. I have to warn Professor E and the Sec. They’re in danger.”

“You can’t go anywhere right now, Dad,” Charlene urged, trying to keep him calm.

“You don’t understand!” Seth insisted, straining. “I saw Head Councilor Torock kill Byron—cold blood!” His head lolled, barely able to stay upright.

“There’s so much I need to tell you—Idris, the Sec, the woods!” His words became erratic. “The Peter Pan… the hideout… Beth and Odo… the family tree’s fallen… poisoned drink… all will be lost!”

“Shh!” Argun snapped his fingers.

Seth fell asleep instantly.

“I’ve grown tired of his ramblings,” Argun muttered. He turned to Charlene. “Let him rest. In the morning, we’ll learn more. But trust me—Professor E and Idris are resourceful. They’ll be okay for now.”

He crouched, lifting her chin. “As for the Sec, Torock can’t find them without help. Get some sleep, little one. Tomorrow begins the fight to reclaim everything.”