The man dragged the bride down the grand staircase without hesitation.
Her dress scraped against the stone steps as she struggled, but his grip was too strong.
Two armed soldiers followed behind, making sure no one could interfere.
In the distance, Hima stood frozen for a moment.
Then her fingers moved quickly.
She pulled out her phone and sent a message.
"Bride taken to the lobby."
"Security tight. No guards inside."
The signal was sent.
Inside the castle…
The bride was thrown into the center of the lobby.
The vast hall was empty.
Cold.
Silent.
A perfect place for control.
The man quickly tied her hands with thick rope.
Then he pulled out a microphone.
His voice echoed through the entire castle.
"Everyone listen carefully!"
"The princess is in our control!"
"She is in the lobby!"
"You have ten minutes to arrive."
"If you don't show up…"
He paused.
Then smiled.
"We will kill her."
The message spread instantly.
Hina & Pixie
Hina stopped walking.
Her face turned pale.
"What did they just say…"
Pixie clenched his fists.
"We need to go. Now."
Hina nodded.
Without another word, they ran toward the lobby.
Daiki & Michael (Underground Prison)
The same message echoed through the corridors below the castle.
Michael lifted his head sharply.
"They took the bride…"
Daiki's eyes narrowed.
"Then we don't have time anymore."
Michael stepped forward.
"We move now."
Daiki nodded.
"Yeah. Let's go."
Elysia (Unknown Location)
Darkness.
Silence.
Elysia's vision slowly returned.
Her wrists were bound with iron chains, suspended in midair.
Her body swayed slightly.
She slowly opened her eyes.
Three figures stood in front of her.
Chiyo.
Vesper.
And a strange joker-like man standing beside them.
Chiyo spoke calmly.
"They already took her to the lobby."
Elysia's breathing slowed as she listened carefully.
Chiyo continued.
"I sent Yuki to the castle using a false story."
"He will kill Pixie… someone who has nothing to do with this."
"And then everything will be ready."
Elysia's eyes widened slightly.
"So that's your plan…"
Chiyo turned her head slightly.
"You're awake."
Elysia stayed silent, listening.
Then Vesper spoke.
"What will you do with her?"
Chiyo smiled faintly.
"She has water magic."
"I will take it."
The joker chuckled.
"You really are clever, old woman."
Chiyo didn't respond.
"Now both of you go."
The joker and Vesper looked at each other.
Then—
They vanished.
Elysia lowered her head slightly.
Her mind was racing.
Yuki is being sent to kill someone innocent…
They are using everyone… manipulating everything…
Her eyes slowly sharpened.
"I understand now…"
"You're not just starting a war…"
"You're destroying everything."
Her chains suddenly cracked.
CRACK!
Ice spread through the metal.
Frost crawled across the ropes.
Within seconds—
The bindings shattered.
Elysia dropped to the ground.
Chiyo turned sharply.
"How did you—"
Elysia didn't answer.
Her hand formed a crystal of water and ice.
A blade.
Her expression turned cold.
"You made a mistake."
She dashed forward.
SHINK!
The crystal blade pierced Chiyo's chest.
Blood spilled from her mouth.
Chiyo's eyes widened in shock.
She collapsed to her knees.
Elysia didn't wait.
She turned and ran.
Outside the castle…
Wind howled across the mountain edge.
Elysia stood at the cliff.
Without hesitation—
She jumped.
The air roared around her.
Then—
Water exploded beneath her body.
A massive water dragon formed beneath her feet.
It carried her forward like a storm.
Elysia's eyes were sharp.
"I have to stop Yuki…"
"Before she destroys everything."
Underground (Daiki & Michael)
The ground suddenly shook.
BOOOOM!
The floor beneath them cracked open.
A giant serpent emerged from the darkness.
Michael's eyes widened.
"Gantara
"My child…"
"Let us leave this place."
Without hesitation, Daiki and Michael jumped onto it.
The giant serpent wrapped around them and dove into a hidden passage below the castle.
The war was no longer just chaos.
It had become something far more dangerous…
A game of manipulation, betrayal, and survival.
And every character was now moving toward the same storm.