Albion Grimm

Predator

I found my-self spending more and more time at Grimm Castle, the walk through the strange white room, I went to Grimm Castle through the mirror in my room. Alb has moved the mirror so I enter into a small house besides the castle. So, I traveled the familiar path to the entrance. I was welcomed by soldiers who noticed my arrival.

“Hello, I see you’re hard at work.”

“That’s nice of you to say, Miss Alya. Welcome back. The King is available, so you can go right in today.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it.” I executed a small curtsy before heading to the Throne Room.

Of course, Alb was in the Throne Room. Hansel and Red were by his side.

“Hello Alb.”

“Thanks for coming.” His smile set off the butterflies in my stomach, as always.

“Oh, by the way, I brought snacks.”

Alb looked curious when I handed him a bag containing several different sweets.

“I’ll tell everyone to share them. How is everything with you, any recent developments?”

“Well, some beautiful flowers are in bloom at a nearby park.”

“I’m glad to hear everything is peaceful. Not much has changed here, either.”

“Then can I assume you’ll have time to have tea with me?”

“Whoa!”

Hansel, who was right besides us, suddenly raised his voice.

“What’s the matter?”

When I looked toward Hansel, I saw a ray of light emerging from his book. As my eyes went round, I watched the light transform into the shape of a person. When the light faded away, a girl I didn’t know was standing there. The girl was lovely, and she stood there wearing a cute dress. She was very cute but kept her eyes steadfastly down, so she had yet to lock eyes on anyone.

“Who is she? Do you think she’s magic?”

“No, that’s Gretel. Hansels sister” Grimm clarified.

“Due to certain circumstances, Gretel is usually confined within this book. She’s also lost her voice and emotions.” Hansel’s eyes sparkled with wonder and love for his sister. I’d never seen a girl emerge from a book so was unsure how I should react to her. I was just realizing that in the World of Stories, strange things were often normal occurrences. This is a bit different from a genie coming out of a magic lamp. As I was taken off guard the lovely girl Gretel had moved closer to me and was squeezing my hand with both of hers.

“How do you do, Gretel? I’m Alya. It’s nice to meet you.” I introduced myself, but I couldn’t be sure if she had heard me or not. I hoped my words reached Gretel.

“It’s rare for Gretel to appear like this out of her own accord.” Hansel’s eyes were wide as he regarded Gretel.

The door slammed open, and a hurried soldier rushed in.

“There’s an emergency! The Story Eater has descended on our town!”

“The Story Eater?” when I repeated this strange name, Red whispered into my ear.

“The Story Eater, also known as the Predator, eats characters from the World of Stories. Normally, it only attacks characters on the verge of disappearing. Gretel was attacked a long time ago, and that’s why she lost her voice and emotions. For some reason, it’s gaining strength, and now the residents of this kingdom are also being victimized.”

“That’s horrible.”

“We must head into town right away. Red, Hansel, are you ready to go?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

While Red was filling me in, Alb and Hansel got briefed by the solider.

“Be careful, Alb,” There was nothing I could do, I made up my mine to go back to my world. Alb, he caught my gaze and sent me a smile.

“It’ll be all right. There is still so much we don’t know about the Predator, but any one of us is capable of driving it away.”

“Is that so? That’s good to hear,” Alb’s air of confidence left me somewhat relieved.

“Alya, you need to go back to your own world.” With those parting words, Grimm exited the Throne Room with Red and Hansel calling for more soldiers

As soon as I stepped out of the castle, I heard a voice. It was the same voice I heard occasionally in the white world when returning to my own world. But this time it was clearer than before.

“Alya, Alya …” The voice was full of sorrow as it called out my name repeatedly.

What was I about to do?

My mind was fuzzy, and I couldn’t think

“I have to answer that voice…” I started walking on unsteady feet. I walked outside the castle, led by the voice.

“Miss Alya, please be careful. I know it is not far to your cottage but we do not know where the Predator is.”

I ignored the soldier talking to me. I have to follow the voice. I continued to walk in a daze.