The battle at the castle gates had become a nightmare.
Soldiers clashed against civilians who had joined the rebellion.
Steel struck steel
CLANG!
CLANG!
BOOM!
Explosions shook the walls.
Burning barrels crashed against the castle defenses, spreading flames through the surrounding greenery.
Smoke covered the battlefield.
The castle walls were beginning to crack.
Many soldiers had already fallen, but those who remained continued fighting with unwavering determination.
They still believed they could protect their kingdom.
They still believed they could win.
---
Inside the castle, the explosions echoed through every hallway.
The guests heard them.
The nobles heard them.
The servants heard them.
But fear kept most of them hidden.
Nobody dared leave their rooms.
Nobody dared step into the corridors.
---
Meanwhile...
The bride's parents stood inside a private chamber.
A young Michael stood beside them.
The boy's face was pale.
Outside, the sounds of war continued growing louder.
The bride's mother looked toward her husband.
"We need to hide him."
The bride's father nodded immediately.
"Quickly."
They opened a large wardrobe.
Michael climbed inside without understanding what was happening.
The doors closed.
Darkness swallowed him.
Only moments later—
BANG!
The room's door burst open.
Two armed men rushed inside.
The king and queen turned.
Before either could react—
SHINK!
SHINK!
Blades pierced their stomachs.
Blood stained their royal clothing.
The queen collapsed first.
The king followed moments later.
The wardrobe remained closed.
The young Michael never made a sound.
---
Elsewhere in the castle...
Weston sprinted through a corridor.
His breathing was heavy.
The sounds of battle followed him.
Then—
BANG
A gunshot echoed.
Weston's body jerked forward.
Blood spread across his back.
His eyes widened.
Then he collapsed onto the floor.
The corridor fell silent.
---
The rebels had entered the castle.
Not many.
But enough.
Enough to turn the castle itself into a battlefield.
They moved from room to room.
Searching.
Killing.
Destroying.
---
Inside the main lobby...
The bride sat tied to a chair.
Ropes bound her arms.
The once beautiful hall had become a ruin.
Broken tables littered the floor.
Shattered windows allowed cold wind to enter.
Food and decorations were scattered everywhere.
The wedding celebration had become a graveyard.
The bride glared at the men standing before her.
"What do you want?"
One of them shrugged.
"We don't know."
"Our masters know."
"Zarkoon and Vesper will decide."
The bride struggled against the ropes.
"Let me go!"
---
Suddenly—
The atmosphere changed.
A strange black-and-yellow smoke appeared in the center of the lobby.
The air twisted
The shadows stretched.
Then a figure slowly emerged.
From the floor upward.
As if reality itself was creating him.
The two rebels immediately stepped aside.
The newcomer wore black and yellow clothing.
Messy black hair.
A painted joker smile.
Eyes filled with madness.
A wide grin spread across his face.
"Finally..."
He stretched his arms dramatically.
"I have arrived"
His laughter echoed throughout the ruined hall.
---
A second distortion appeared.
Electric sparks flashed.
Vesper materialized beside him.
The scientist sighed.
"Traveling with you is exhausting."
"I can barely breathe."
Zarkoon placed a hand on his chest.
"That hurts my feelings."
The bride stared at them.
"What do you want from me?"
Zarkoon slowly approached.
His smile widened.
"Oh?"
"A princess sitting right in front of us."
"How dreamy."
He began dancing alone.
Spinning through the broken lobby.
Like a madman performing for an invisible audience.
Then he stopped.
His eyes locked onto the bride.
"Look at her."
"Look how desperately she wants freedom."
"Isn't it beautiful?"
Vesper rubbed his forehead.
"Can you stop talking nonsense for one minute?"
"We have work to do."
Zarkoon pointed dramatically.
"My words are never nonsense."
---
Outside the castle...
Yuki finally arrived.
She stood atop a hill overlooking the battlefield.
Her sword rested at her side.
Smoke rose from the kingdom.
The sounds of war reached her ears.
For several moments she remained silent.
Then—
The weather changed.
Dark clouds gathered above.
The wind began to howl.
Leaves swirled through the air.
The temperature dropped.
A storm was coming.
Yuki tied her horse nearby.
Then slowly began walking toward the castle.
Her eyes were cold.
Determined.
Dangerous.
---
Back inside the lobby...
The powerful wind entered through the shattered windows.
The long curtains danced wildly.
The bride's hair flowed through the air.
The temperature continued dropping.
Zarkoon shivered dramatically.
"Oooooo..."
"What a cold breeze."
"I feel like I might fly away."
The powerful wind pushed against him.
Instead of stopping, he started dancing again.
Spinning
Jumping.
Laughing.
"Look!"
"The wind loves me!"
Vesper's eye twitched.
Without warning—
ZZZT!
A bolt of electricity struck Zarkoon.
"AAAAAH!"
The joker froze.
Smoke rose from his body.
He stood perfectly still.
For three seconds.
Then pointed at Vesper.
"You want a duel?"
Vesper ignored him.
"Stop being annoying."
The wind grew stronger.
The bride's hair continued flowing around her face.
Then_
Zarkoon suddenly stopped smiling.
His eyes narrowed.
He stepped closer.
Slowly.
Curiously.
"Aaaah..."
"Look at that."
Vesper frowned.
"What now?"
Zarkoon pointed toward the bride's neck.
A strange mark had become visible beneath her hair.
A beautiful white symbol.
A frozen circle surrounded by blooming roses.
Elegant.
Mysterious.
Ancient.
For the first time, Zarkoon's expression became serious.
His smile disappeared.
"The mark..."
Vesper's eyes widened slightly.
Then understanding appeared on his face.
Zarkoon slowly turned.
A dangerous grin returned.
"We don't need the princess."
His eyes gleamed.
"We only need the book."