The two of them entered the cave behind the waterfall.
Luna sat leaning against the cave wall, while Penelope walked around, inspecting the space.
"My young lady, I will try to send out communications and gather information about what happened to your parents."
"Please stay here and don't act recklessly. The Ifrit tribe that attacked us is powerful and ruthless. Victor has already informed us that the palace has been taken over, and the fate of its inhabitants is still uncertain—including your parents."
"Penelope, why are they attacking our people? What do they want? What did we do wrong for them to try to destroy us?"
"What will happen to my parents and the people in the palace? What about the king and his family?"
"I don't know, my lady. We're lucky we managed to escape. Victor acted quickly."
"As for their fate… I'm not certain either."
"Right now, the most important thing is your safety. We'll stay hidden until things calm down and the enemy lowers their guard. Then we'll look for allies or relatives who might help us."
"Especially to save your parents. Didn't your father have family or connections in another country?"
"Another country? You mean my uncle and aunt in the neighboring state of Pacifista?"
"I'm not sure they would help. Their relationship with Father has always been cold."
"I don't really understand the matters between adults."
"I mean, we should at least try, my lady. Who knows, we might be able to save your father and mother."
"Please rest for now. I'll go out and gather information about what's really happening."
Penelope took out a silver cube-shaped box and placed it on the stone floor of the cave.
The cube expanded, each side reaching about ten feet.
"My lady, please rest inside the dimensional shelter. It will be more comfortable and safe. Gather your strength—I have a feeling that after this incident, the Nyxarion race will undergo drastic changes, and we will face a long and difficult journey ahead. I'll be back."
"Alright, Penelope. Be careful. I hope you find news about Father and Mother," Luna said as she walked toward the silver cube.
She placed her palm against one of its sides, and an elliptical door appeared. The young girl stepped inside, and the door sealed shut instantly.
The cube flickered with electric patterns on its surface, then vanished.
Penelope exited the cave through the side of the waterfall and followed the riverbank.
After walking for some time, she reached a high plateau surrounded by tall trees that resembled pine.
She pressed a button on the bracelet on her left wrist, and a holographic screen appeared.
She selected an item from the interface—a suitcase-like device—which materialized in front of her.
After pressing several buttons, the case opened, revealing three mechanical eagles made of dark green crystal with glowing red eyes.
She entered command codes using a keyboard filled with unique symbols—the letter of the Nyxarion race.
Once the mission parameters and coordinates were set, the three mechanical eagles shot into the sky at high speed.
"Now I'll try to track information through media channels."
She typed more commands. A holographic screen appeared above the device, displaying images, videos, and articles.
"My God… all members of the royal family have been captured by King Ifrit Leomort."
"Including my lord and lady… they've been captured too."
"All palace residents have been taken. Some are now fugitives—including the young lady."
"The Nyxarion race has fallen under Ifrit rule."
"I'll activate stealth mode and encrypt the system so we won't be detected. Then I'll try contacting some allies."
Penelope attempted to reach several contacts, including Victor—but all attempts failed.
"My God… what is happening? Will the Nyxarion race be wiped out? We've never harmed anyone… Why is no one answering? Have they all been captured? Are the royal family still alive?"
"No matter what, I must find a way to save them."
"They raised me since I was young. It's time I repay their kindness."
"I must protect the young lady. First, I need to plan our escape. We must not be captured!"
"I'll send encrypted messages to a few trusted contacts. For now, the plan is to escape to a neighboring country and seek refuge."
After finishing her tasks, Penelope returned to the cave.
"My lady, Luna, I've gathered some information."
Luna stepped out of the dimensional shelter and leaned against the cave wall.
Penelope sat across from her.
"I've deployed the mechanical eagles and tried contacting others, but there's no response."
"Public media reports that all palace residents have been captured by King Ifrit Leomort—including your parents."
"Their condition is still unknown."
"Official media hasn't released full details yet. It seems they are waiting for the king's decision."
Luna hugged her knees, lowered her head, and cried.
"My lady… you must stay strong. We will find a way to save them," Penelope said softly.
"They were like parents to me. I never even knew my real ones. Let's find a way together."
"We'll go to the neighboring country and seek help from your relatives—perhaps through diplomacy."
"We can't fight him directly. We would lose and be captured."
"Penelope… you're all I have now. What can we do?" Luna sobbed.
"I don't know what to do anymore…"
"For now, we'll stay hidden here. Once it's safe, we'll leave this country."
"Fatty, after my people were conquered by King Ifrit Leomort, I sought refuge from relatives and acquaintances, but all failed. He's too powerful—no one dares oppose him."
"My family's fate is unknown… whether they are still alive or not. But according to the official announcement, they were executed along with the entire Nyxarion royal family."
"And I became a trader… as you see now."
"It's been fifteen years since that happened—until I met you in the valley."
"Fifteen years? That's a long time. But you still look like a kid! You're like a fifth grader!" Fatheema said, puzzled.
"Yes… time flows differently here. Fifteen years is nothing. I'm only one hundred twenty years old."
"It takes me five hundred years to reach adolescence like you."
"What!? Wow—you're actually old!" Fatheema burst into laughter.
She remembered her physics lessons and videos about quantum theory.
"Could this be like those worlds in Hollywood movies? A multiverse? And time is relative?"
"If that's true… that's incredible."
"So what scientists say might be real."
"Time is relative… Luna needs centuries just to grow older."
"To reach my age—sixteen—she needs five hundred years."
"Time moves faster here than on Earth. Months here might be just minutes back home?"
"I need to get my friends' soul crystals quickly… so they can recover."
"Luna, your story is incredible. You're strong, despite everything you've been through. I admire you."
"So… what should we do now? Do you have any ideas?"
"Fatty, for now, we should gather materials for weapons. I'll make something powerful for you."
***