2025-04-20 07:14:52Peace is boring.
That’s what Rico Maldino told himself as he stared at a stack of rebel council reports, most of which read: “Wand tax riots in South District.” “Lava rats infestation (again).” “Someone enchanted the mayor’s chair to scream.” “Wasn’t me,” Juno said, mouth full of pastry. “You’re the only one with a cursed cherry wand,” Zara pointed out. “I’m being falsely profiled.” Rico ignored them both. Something was wrong. It wasn’t just instinct—it was a tickle in the air. A magical itch he hadn’t felt since the last time he was set up. The problem wasn’t outside the city. It was inside. --- A Spy Among Rebels It began with whispers. Supplies vanished. Surveillance spells went blank. An entire outpost fell silent overnight, only to be found days later, burned to ash — no survivors, no tracks, no answers. Rico gathered the core team in the war room: Zara, Juno, Fritz the goblin, and Munk, their two-headed strategist (one head was a pessimist, the other head was just hungry). “We’ve got a mole,” Rico said. “Finally,” Zara growled. “I’ve been dying to stab something in the name of security.” “We don’t know who yet,” Juno added. “It’s someone with access to our war plans.” “And a preference for dramatic timing,” Munk’s right head said. “Or tacos,” the left head offered. Fritz slammed down a map. “Whoever they are, they’ve been leaking our troop shifts, disabling enchantments, and recently…” he pointed, “…they gave someone the location of the Vault of Artifice.” Silence. That vault held ancient magical tech — old world alchemy bombs, forbidden scrolls, and Rico’s emergency stockpile of “really bad ideas.” “Oh no,” he muttered. “We have to catch them. Tonight,” Zara said. --- The Bait They needed a trap. Something tempting. Something a traitor couldn’t resist. So Rico staged a fake transport of “Chrono Dust” — a mythical powder that could rewind time for ten seconds (allegedly). It wasn’t real. It was glitter, paprika, and powdered hope. Juno labeled it: Definitely Not Fake Chrono Dust, Do Not Steal — complete with sparkles. The fake cart would move under light guard through the Moon Market at midnight. Hidden among the merchants and magical hookah vendors, Rico and Juno watched. “I bet it’s Clove,” Juno whispered. “That guy’s too charming. Smells like betrayal and cinnamon.” Rico shook his head. “No. Too obvious.” Then… it happened. A shadow slipped toward the cart. Silent. Precise. They touched the chest, whispered a word, and— FLASH! A magic net exploded from the box. The traitor froze, wrapped in shimmering energy. The illusion shattered, revealing— Commander Elric. Zara’s second-in-command. Rico’s old contact from the rebellion days. Loyal. Trusted. Deadly. Everyone stared. “No way,” Juno whispered. “He used to babysit the rebel kids!” Elric struggled against the net. “You don’t understand—!” “Explain,” Rico said, eyes hard. Elric looked right at him. “I wasn’t working against you. I was trying to protect you.” --- The Web Unraveled In a secure chamber, Elric explained everything. “There’s a new power,” he said, chained but calm. “Not like Varnox. Not a warlord. Not a king.” “Then what?” Zara asked. “A collective,” Elric said. “They call themselves the Pale Circle. They don’t want power. They want to erase it. Reset the world.” “Sounds cult-y,” Juno muttered. “They infiltrate movements. Seed doubt. Use fear, charm, or mind-bending magic. And they’ve already embedded someone else. Someone you still trust.” Everyone turned to each other. “I knew it was Clove!” Juno yelled. “No!” Elric barked. “It’s someone higher. Someone who’s been beside Rico since the beginning.” The room went quiet. Zara’s hand hovered over her sword. “Don’t say it,” she whispered. “I don’t know who,” Elric admitted. “But I intercepted a message—someone here is scheduled to deliver the Soul Crown to the Pale Circle. If they succeed…” He didn’t have to finish. The Soul Crown — long believed a myth — was a mind-control artifact forged in the Great Collapse. If it fell into the wrong hands… Rico stood. “We’re taking it first.” --- Midnight Heist According to Elric, the Soul Crown was hidden deep beneath the ruins of the Old Ministry — protected by ancient traps, illusion mazes, and a guardian known only as “The Echo.” Naturally, Rico brought Juno, Zara, and Munk. Because nothing screamed “easy” like cursed relic recovery at midnight. “I swear,” Juno grumbled as they descended through a trapdoor, “we should start charging people for not stealing stuff.” The maze was alive — shifting halls, fake walls, and voices mimicking their deepest fears. “Zara,” a ghostly whisper said, “you failed them. Just like you failed your sister.” Zara stabbed the wall. “I said shut up.” “Munk,” said another voice, “you’ll always be… snacks.” “Rude,” both heads said. “Rico,” a soft voice said behind him. “You haven’t changed at all.” He spun. It was… himself. A younger Rico. Cold. Cruel. With blood on his gloves and a smile like venom. “You’re still that guy,” the vision whispered. “You just learned to smile while doing it.” Rico said nothing. He just walked through the ghost. --- The Echo At the heart of the maze stood a being of pure sound — the Echo. It floated in silence until they approached. Then, with a voice like thunder and silk: “One may pass. One may fall. One must stay behind.” “Oh come on,” Juno groaned. “Riddles again?” Munk shouted. “We don’t even like math!” Zara stepped forward. “No. This is a test of choice.” “I’ll go,” Rico said. Juno blinked. “You sure?” He nodded. “This started with me. I’ll finish it.” The Echo opened a gate. Only Rico passed through. --- The Vault of the Soul Crown It glowed. Hovering in a shaft of moonlight, resting on a pedestal of weeping stone — the Soul Crown pulsed like a living thing. Screams echoed from its metal. Faces flickered on its surface. Regret, fury, ambition. Rico approached slowly. His hands trembled. “You always wanted power,” a voice whispered. “Now take it. Be king. Be real.” He reached out. Then stopped. “No,” he said. “I’m not that man anymore.” He turned — just in time to see a crossbow aimed at his back. Click. He spun and ducked. The bolt missed. Standing in the shadows was— Zara. --- Betrayal (Almost) She stepped forward, crossbow still raised. “I wanted to believe in this city,” she said. “But it’s broken. All of it. This crown can fix it. The Pale Circle… they promised.” “You lied to all of us,” Rico growled. “I protected you. Every time you almost got yourself killed, every suicidal plan — I was there!” “You’re like family, Zara,” Rico said quietly. “Then don’t make me shoot you.” They stared. Rico tossed the Soul Crown into the air. Zara’s eyes widened. Instinctively, she caught it. That’s when the net spell triggered. SNAP! She was wrapped in stasis threads. Juno and Munk burst in. “I knew it!” Juno shouted. “Sorry—love you, Zara, but wow, your betrayal arc was really dramatic.” Zara just glared as the net held her tight. --- The Fallout Zara was imprisoned — not in chains, but in a magic null zone. Rico visited her the next morning. “Do you regret it?” he asked. “…No,” she said. “But I regret doing it alone.” He nodded. “I’m not angry,” Rico said. “I’m just tired.” “So what now?” Rico looked out the window at a city waking up, unaware of how close it came to disaster. “Now,” he said, “we get ready.” “For what?” “For the real war.”
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