The Anomaly

The maids laughed at the corner, whispering quietly about the new incident that had taken place in the manor that morning. One of them said, "Did you see her face when she came out of the Shadow Leopard's cage ?" The other maid giggled, "She looked so flustered and yet so stupid, if the Second young master hadn't rushed in to save her, she would have been digested by now in the spirit beast's belly". They giggled some more and wanted to continue talking when Julian, the second young master teleported to them. "Is this what you are paid to do, talking and mocking your employer", he yelled angrily. "Leave the manor immediately, your services are no longer needed". "We-we didn't mean to say that", they stammered and begged. The guards however were dragging them out already. Julian shook his head and thought about his sister. With her ugly face and brain like that of a 3 year old child, she was often the object of discussion in the manor. At her age she should have been enrolled by now at the Royal Sage Academy. He thought about the incident that happened this morning ~~~~~~ Flashback~~~~~~ The western grounds of the Veyne estate were unusually quiet that afternoon. Tall trees surrounded the stone enclosure, their branches casting long shadows across the narrow paths. Thick vines crept over the walls, and twisted roots covered parts of the iron bars, making the structure resemble a natural den hidden within the forest. Inside the enclosure lived the Shadow Leopard, a rare magical beast feared for its speed, strength, and ability to manipulate shadows. Most of the younger members of House Veyne had been warned to stay away from it. Mira Veyne, however, had never been particularly good at understanding why certain places were dangerous. At fourteen, she was still learning to navigate a world that often moved too quickly for her. She struggled with some things other children her age understood easily, but she had a gentle heart and an enormous capacity for trust. She believed that the people around her meant what they said. If someone smiled at her, she assumed they were being kind. If a family member told her something, she rarely questioned it. That afternoon, she found herself near the Shadow Leopard's enclosure. The beast paced behind the bars, its sleek black coat reflecting faint silver patterns whenever sunlight touched it. Its golden eyes followed the movement outside, and its tail flicked impatiently. Then it released a low growl. Mira took a frightened step back and covered her ears. “No shouting,” she said softly. “I'm not doing anything.” The beast struck the bars with its paw. Mira squealed. A moment later, a terrible scream echoed through the western grounds. The sound reached the guards first. One of them immediately raised the alarm while the others rushed toward the enclosure. When they arrived, Mira was lying on the ground, and the Shadow Leopard stood over her. The leopard turned toward them, baring its teeth. Before the guards could approach, a streak of blue light tore through the clearing. “AZURE BOLT!” A powerful blast struck the ground beside the beast. The force sent it stumbling away from Mira and crashing against the rocky wall. Julian Veyne appeared through the cloud of dust. At eighteen, Julian was the eldest of the younger generation in House Veyne. He was tall, strong, and exceptionally gifted in combat magic. His abilities had developed far beyond those of most young fighters, earning him a reputation as someone few dared to challenge. Her face was pale beneath the blood on her cheek. Several scratches covered her arm, and her shoulder looked badly injured. Her ankle had swollen, while a dark bruise was forming near the side of her head. Julian carefully touched her cheek. “Mira, look at me.” She didn't respond. He called her name again, louder this time. Nothing. Panic tightened his chest. He checked her breathing and felt the faint beat of her pulse. She was alive. “STORMBIND CHAINS!” Lightning-blue chains burst from the ground and wrapped around the beast's legs and torso. The leopard crashed onto its side, roaring as it struggled against the magical restraints. Julian clenched his fist. The chains tightened. The beast tried to summon the shadows around it, but Julian's magic flooded the clearing with blue light, disrupting its attempt to disappear. The ground trembled beneath the force of the struggle. He was stronger than the leopard had anticipated. Much stronger. Julian raised one hand, and another sphere of blue energy formed in his palm. “Stay down.” Julian held the restraints firmly until the guards secured the area. “Reinforce the enclosure,” he ordered. “Check every bar, every lock, and every part of the barrier. I want to know how this happened.” “Yes, my lord.” He gave the beast one final glance before turning and hurrying after Mira. He had never been so afraid of losing someone. Not even close. “Please give me room to work,” the healer replied. He stepped back, though every part of him wanted to remain beside Mira. The minutes seemed endless. Eventually, the healer cleaned and dressed the scratches on Mira's cheek and arm. She carefully treated the injuries to her shoulder and ankle, then examined the swelling around her head. Her expression grew increasingly serious. Julian noticed. “What is it?” “She has suffered a severe head injury.” He stared at her. “Can you treat it?” “We are treating her now. Her breathing and pulse are stable, but she has not regained consciousness.” “What does that mean?” Her head was bandaged, and her injured arm rested against a cushion. The blankets covered most of her body, leaving only her face and one hand visible. She looked impossibly young. Fourteen. She was only fourteen years old, and she had been hurt so badly that she couldn't even open her eyes. Julian moved to her bedside and took her hand. “Mira, it's Julian.” There was no response. “I'm here now. The leopard won't hurt you again.” He waited. Her fingers remained limp in his. The healer allowed him to remain beside her for several minutes before informing him that Lord Aldric had summoned the family. Julian didn't want to leave. “I'll stay here,” he said. “Your grandfather wants to speak with everyone who might know what happened.” Julian looked at Mira, then at the healer. “Please don't leave her alone.” “I won't.” He reluctantly released her hand and stood. Before leaving, he bent over and gently kissed her forehead. “I'll be back soon.” Then he walked out. ~~~~~~~~ Present ~~~~~~~~ No one spoke until Aldric finally broke the silence. “How is Mira?” Julian's expression tightened. “She hasn't awakened. The healer says she's in a coma.” Aldric closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them, the anger had returned. “And how did she end up inside that enclosure?” No one answered. He looked at Edmund. “What do the guards know?” “They heard her screaming and rushed to the western grounds. The leopard had already attacked her by the time they arrived. Julian reached her shortly afterward.” “And the enclosure?” Julian looked exhausted, his clothes still dusty from the fight. His hands had not completely stopped trembling. Aldric knew how deeply he cared for Mira. He also knew that Julian would not have hesitated to fight anything that threatened her. “Very well.” He turned toward the teenagers. “Adrian, Selene, Avery. I want each of you to tell me where you were this afternoon.” Adrian answered first. “I was in the training yard. I heard the alarm, but I didn't see Mira before that.” Selene nodded. “I was in the east wing with the maids. I didn't know anything had happened until people started running.” Aldric looked at Avery. “Did you speak to her?” Avery took a brief moment before answering. “I don't remember having a conversation with her.” Julian looked at her sharply. “You don't remember?” Avery turned toward him. “No. Why are you asking me like that?” “Because Mira is upstairs fighting for her life, and nobody seems to know how she got into that enclosure.” “Julian,” Edmund interrupted firmly. “I will not have this family tearing itself apart based on suspicion. We have no proof of what happened, and I will not permit anyone to accuse another without evidence.” His eyes moved across the room. “However, I know Mira. She is not careless by nature, and she understands very little about the dangers of the magical creatures we keep on this estate. Someone should have ensured she was safe.” His voice grew colder. “The western grounds were restricted. The Shadow Leopard was kept behind a reinforced barrier for a reason. Yet Mira ended up inside that enclosure, and now she may not wake up.” No one responded. Aldric turned to his sons. “Edmund, Victor, I want the guards questioned individually. Examine the enclosure, investigate the damaged barrier, and determine whether anyone entered the western grounds before the attack.” “Yes, Father,” Edmund replied. “We'll handle it,” Victor added. “She trusts us, Grandfather. She doesn't always understand when something is dangerous. She believes people when they tell her things.” His eyes shone with restrained emotion. “She shouldn't have had to go through this.” Aldric's stern expression softened. “No, she shouldn't.” Julian nodded and left the hall. Aldric watched him go, then turned toward the windows overlooking the western grounds. He had no intention of accepting the first convenient explanation offered to him. Something had gone terribly wrong that afternoon. Until he understood what it was, he would not rest. Outside the bedroom, the Veyne estate continued its uneasy search for answers. Guards inspected the enclosure, the family members returned to their rooms, and Lord Aldric began making arrangements for a more thorough investigation. The Shadow Leopard was once again locked behind iron bars and magical barriers. But the beast was not the only thing hidden behind a wall of silence. Mira remained unconscious, unable to explain what had happened to her.