After the training match finally ended. Noah, Emma, and Amy returned to their room.
A few hours passed by and it was now nighttime 🌌.
Suddenly dozens of footsteps echoed through the halls.
Emma turned her head sharply. "Woah… that doesn't sound normal."
Amy pressed her ear on the wall. "Sounds like someone is running…."
Emma slowly pushed the door open just an inch and peeked outside.
Her eyes widened.
A lot of guards ran up and down the palace hallways with their weapons drawn.
"I wonder what's happening…" Emma whispered as she turned to Noah.
Noah lay down on the bed"Something must be going on, something we clearlydon'tknow anything about."
Emma nods. "You want me to check?"
"Yeah," Noah said. "Go ahead."
Emma slipped out the door, and disappeared silently down the hallway.
Amy looked at Noah. "Should we be worried?"
Noah shrugged. "If something happens, we deal with it."
Emma crouched low as she made her way through the palace corridors. She hid behind pillars, slipped between groups of guards, and crawled under tables.
"What's going on…" she muttered quietly.
When she reached the central hall, she saw Marines.
A whole squad of Marines in blue coats marched through the palace hallways. Their rifles hung at their sides, and behind them stood a Vice Admiral giving commands.
Emma ducked behind a curtain.
"What are the Marines doing all the way out here… in a dragon kingdom?" she whispered to herself.
After gathering enough information, she slipped back quietly and returned to Noah and Amy.
Emma shut the door behind her and whispered.
"Noah, Marines are inside the palace. A lot of them. I even saw a Vice Admiral."
Amy's eyes widened. "What?! Why?!"
Noah stood up immediately.
He walked to the door.
"Don't open the door for anyone," Noah said.
"Where are you going?" Emma asked.
"Checking something."
Vector Manipulation — Spectrum.
Noah's body flickered and vanished completely as he turned invisible.
Amy blinked. "…Why is he so cool sometimes?"
Emma sighed. "…And reckless.
Invisible and silent, Noah walked past every guard without a single person noticing. Marines and dragon guards stood all around the hallways.
Noah stopped near a group of Marines.
"We must secure the mineral mines," a Marine officer said. "The Admiral is already inside speaking with the Prince."
Minerals…?
Noah walked on.
He approached a guarded double-door room. Two Marines snd dragon warriors stood in front, blocking entry. Noah simply phased past them unnoticed.
Inside stood a Navy Admiral with a sword at his waist.
Noah stepped back out and kept moving.
He passed more hallways, ignoring guarded doors, until he noticed one room slightly open.
He slipped inside.
FWIP!
A knife🔪 shot straight through his chest but passed harmlessly through his invisible body and stuck into the door behind him.
Alice stood there, one hand over her chest, her silver hair loose, her outer shirt missing. She was in the middle of changing clothes.
"I might not see you…" Alice said calmly, "…but I know your smell."
Noah immediately turned off Spectrum.
He appeared in front of her.
Alice stepped back slightly, red in the face. "Turn around."
"Sorry." Noah spins around instantly.
Alice grabbed her top and hurried to put it on.
"I didn't expect you to be here," Noah said awkwardly.
Alice finished putting on her clothes and exhaled. "Alright. You can look now."
Noah turned back around.
Alice crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Why are you sneaking around the palace?"
"Things feel off," Noah answered honestly. "Too many guards. Too many Marines."
Alice pointed to a chair. "Sit."
Noah sat down.
Alice sat across from him.
"So," Noah said, "what's going on?"
Alice looked down at her hands, then slowly looked up again.
"Do you know anything about this island's history, Noah?"
"No. Not really."
Alice sighed. "Then listen carefully."
"A year ago… everything changed."
Her voice grew soft.
"Our parents...the King and Queen, died in an accident. Or at least… that's what the Marines claimed."
Noah frowned. "Claimed?"
Alice nodded. "After their deaths, the Marines suddenly appeared. At first, it was just a small group. They said they wanted to 'help protect the island.'"
Noah raised an eyebrow. "But they didn't."
Alice laughed bitterly. "Of course not. Marines don't come all the way out here just to help."
Noah leaned forward. "So what did they want?"
Alice looked Noah straight in the eyes.
"Rare Earth Minerals. A huge amount."
Noah stayed quiet.
"Our clan can dig deeper into the earth than normal humans. We can reach places others can't. The minerals here are powerful… some can even be used for weapons." Alice said.
Noah understood instantly. "So the Marines got greedy."
Alice nodded. "Yes. After our parents died, the Marines demanded we hand over the minerals. When we refused, they started sending Admirals and Vice Admirals. Every few months, they come to pressure us."
Noah clenched his fists. "And Allen… does he know?"
"Not everything," Alice answered softly. "He's still young. I try to protect him from politics."
"Why didn't you tell him?"
"Because…" She looked away. "He's the future ruler."
Noah blinked. "Wait. I thought you were older?"
Alice let out a small laugh. "I am. I'm the eldest."
"Then why is he the ruler?"
Alice sighed. "In our clan… only males can become rulers."
Noah stared at her. "That's stupid."
Alice's eyes widened in surprise, but then she smiled slightly. "I know. But the rules are older than us."
Noah leaned back. "So you're the strong one, the smart one, the one protecting everyone… but you can't be the ruler because you're a girl?"
Alice shrugged. "That's how our clan works."
"Do you like the rules?" Noah asked.
"No," Alice said honestly. "But Allen is a good kid. He'll grow into a great ruler."
Noah closed his eyes briefly. "Still sounds unfair."
Alice smiled again softly, almost sadly.
"You're very direct, Noah."
They sat silently for a moment.
Outside, guards ran by again, shouting orders.
Noah opened his mouth. "…The Admiral. He's not leaving, is he?"
"No," Alice said with a serious expression. "He wants something. And when Admirals want something… they take it."
Noah tapped his fingers on the chair. "Tell me what you need me to do."
Alice blinked. "…You want to help?"
"You might not like me," Noah replied. "But your little brother does."
Alice laughed lightly. "I don't dislike you, I'm just overprotective."
Noah stood from the chair. "I don't like bullies. Especially Marines."
Alice looked at him admiration.
"Noah…" she said, "Allen is lucky to have met you."
Noah nodded. "So are you."
Alice froze for a second, cheeks turning pink. "W-What? What do you mean?"
"Why are you blushing," Noah asked, laughing.
Alice looked away quickly. "I-It's not like I need your help or that i like you…"
Her voice softened.
"…still… thank you."
A guard suddenly banged on her door.
"Princess Alice! The Admiral is requesting your presence!"
Alice stood and straightened her clothes. "I have to go."
Noah got up. "Talk later?"
Alice nodded once. "Come back later tonight. I'll tell you the rest."
Noah flashed a grin. "Sure."
Blip⚡️
He vanished.
Alice watched the empty air where Noah stood and touched her chest softly.
"…You're full of surprises, Noah."
She exhaled deeply and stepped outside.