ISADORA

SUPERPOWERS

[SIVARROW PALACE CHAMBER]

Isadora got to the chamber to see three new faces aside from the guards. Another woman was sitting beside the woman she had seen from her room. One was dressed so exquisitely, while the other was dressed simply but elegantly.

The one dressed simply gave her a small smile, while the other didn't even acknowledge her presence. To her left were two girls, both looking around her age or older. One stared at her blankly while the other gave her a no welcome look.

The king and Oracle were present in the room, making her wonder why they had called her.

"Mum, is she the one?" One of the girls asked, finally taking her gaze off her.

"Simpleton," the exquisitely looking lady said, adjusting the hand of her royal dress.

"Queen Rukaiya," King Dimitri said, his tone sounding like a warning.

"Why isn't Weston present?" he asked.

"Dad, you don't expect Weston to cancel his activities because of that bastard..."

"Sherly," Goddess Nyla called, waving her hand in the air.

Sherly's lips got glued together. Her words came out, muffled.

"You witch!" Queen Rukaiya yelled. "What have you done to my daughter?" She stood.

"She has no right to call him that," Nyla replied.

"What is wrong with what she said?"

Queen Rukaiya closed her eyes, chanting some words.

She opened them, glaring at Nyla with her red glowing eyeball.

"Release my daughter." She tilted her head to the left and wanted to throw Nyla off her feet.

A simple wave of Nyla's hand made her freeze.

Nyla waved her hand in the same way, and air escaped Sherly's mouth.

Sherly glared at Nyla, mumbling some words as she freed Queen Rukaiya.

King Dimitri slammed his fist on the arm of the couch. "Silence!" he thundered, his voice shaking the whole place.

Isadora's back hit the wall, her heart thudding in fear. Terrified. One word screamed in her head, and that was...

Superpowers!

King Dimitri turned to Queen Rukaiya and Sherly. "Insolence is forbidden in the royal chamber, and as per the rule... you both aren't allowed to step foot into the chamber. Furthermore, your royal maids won't assist the two of you for a whole week," the words slipped out, carrying the needed voice of a king.

"Guards!"

"What! You can't do this!"

Three guards immediately rushed in and escorted them out of the chamber.

Everybody, including the king, exhaled, the quietness returning to the chamber.

Isadora was still in the same position, and her breath refused to slow.

What the hell did she just witness? What part of the world has she found herself in?

Her eyes were still wide, looking so lost and confused. She might be born into history and etched into curiosity, but this was the highest form.

Nyla touched her shoulder, bringing her back to the present.

Isadora stood straight, stepping away from Nyla.

"Where am I?" she asked.

She couldn't hide or confusion or fear. It showed through her face and body. Sweaty head, trembling body, and her lips that quivered.

Nyla shook her head, glancing at the other people who still hadn't introduced themselves.

"Like I said before, you are in Gloamhaven, and this is the royal household, Silvarrow Palace. Come and sit with us," Nyla held her hand. "And we'll explain everything to you."

Isadora jerked her hand away.

"You are lying to me," she muttered.

"What part of it is a lie?" Nyla asked.

Isadora shook her head. "Lying," she breathed, pinching herself.

"This is one of my nightmares. The one about the mystery guy. He has taken me to an unknown world. Only a nightmare. Just a..."

The rest of the words coming out of her mouth became muted.

"Sapphire," Queen Ophelia mumbled, turning to look at her.

Sapphire rolled her eyes. "She was being lousy."

"Restore her voice," King Dimitri commanded.

Sapphire mumbled some words, and Isadora became unmuted.

"Isadora..."

"What is that in the air?!" A guard shouted, pointing his finger in the air.

Everybody turned their gaze in the direction to see a huge creature soaring above them, like a storm cloud. Its claws glinting, drifting with eerie grace, and radiating power that defied gravity.

They all rose to their feet.

Before they could all take their next breath, it let out a loud shuddering growl, causing an earthquake.

It lunged towards Isadora with mighty speed and sank its claws into her stomach.

"Argh!" Blood sprouted from Isadora's mouth onto the floor.

Lights glowed from the creature, blinding them for a few seconds. By the time the lights cleared... the creature was—gone.

Blood trailed down Isadora's lips as she fell on her knees.

"Isadora!" Nyla, Ophelia and Sapphire rushed to her and held her.

"We have to take her inside," Nyla said, urgency rising in her voice.

Together, they carried barely conscious Isadora to a room.

"Call the palace doctor!" Dimitri told the head guard, going in with them.

~~[QUEEN OPHELIA'S ROOM]~~

"It won't work," Nyla said, staring at an unconscious Isadora.

The injury had turned green, spreading across her stomach.

The palace doctor, Zack, has tried everything possible to treat the wound, but it just keeps escalating.

Nyla tried using her powers—nothing was working.

"You have to try!" Queen Ophelia said. "She'd bleed to death." Her tone, pleading.

Nyla shook her head. "She won't die, she's in a trance."

"She's a healer?" Sapphire asked, surprised.

Nyla shook her head. "Partially. There's more about her."

"He's gotten worse," Dimitri muttered, hands behind him. "We can't stop him."

Deep silence fell in the room. His words—the weight and reality behind them—left them lost in a haze of thoughts.

"Hope for the best."

"He's out of control, and I fear this is just a warning."

Ophelia walked to Dimitri and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"He's still our son. We shouldn't give up on him."

Dimitri glanced at her, silent.

Nyla walked to Isadora and raised her hand above her stomach. She closed her eyes, rubbing the air as if rubbing her stomach.

"She will not die," she muttered. "Only he can heal her." Her eyes snapped open.

"He..." Sapphire trailed. "Who?" She exchanged meaningful glances with them.

Nyla faced Dimitri, meeting his eyes. "You all know who."

"Zephyros?"