Chapter 3: The Mystery

The arrow struck the sword, and in an instant, it reverted to its dormant form—a shimmering stone, its once radiant glow dimming with each breath of time. Sushie’s eyes widened as the brilliance flickered like a dying star. She narrowed her eyes. That energy… it doesn’t feel like it’s from Ornaphendreul’s Dark Castle.

Then the blast came.

A powerful bolt erupted from the arrow’s impact, sending a shockwave that hurled Sushie away from the stone. Her body crashed against the hard ground, skidding across the earth. Pain exploded in her limbs—her shoulder was dislocated, her side bleeding, her senses spinning. Maimed and barely conscious, she reached a trembling hand toward the stone, crawling forward despite the searing pain.

But she wasn’t alone.

A figure emerged—graceful and silent. The girl in the white mask stepped between her and the stone. The artifact reacted immediately, pulsing with a fierce light that froze the masked girl in place.

"You won’t be able to touch it," Sushie rasped through bloodied lips. "Anyone with a strong desire to possess its power… will be rejected."

The masked girl tilted her head and gave a cold, amused smile. She stood and raised her hand skyward. The clouds turned black. Thunder rumbled as crackling energy sparked above.

Then it struck.

A bolt of magical force lashed down, hitting Sushie squarely in the chest. She screamed, her body convulsing, her vision dimming. The sensation wasn't just pain—it was as if her soul was being ripped from her.

It’s like… she’s seizing my spirit, she thought, struggling to keep her grip on reality.

Her strength waned, but instinct drove her. Her fingers brushed the stone. A final surge of willpower pulsed through her veins. The artifact responded—glowing brighter—returning to its sword form in her hand.

With a cry, she slashed at the masked girl.

The blade grazed her neck, just beneath the mask. Blood trickled, but the girl barely flinched. Instead, she retaliated. A gust of wind erupted behind Sushie—no, a vortex. A swirling portal formed, sucking everything in. Sushie tried to resist, but her wounded body was no match.

The whirlpool engulfed her, and then it vanished.

Arnoux, who had been observing from a distance, stepped forward. “Where did that whirlpool take her?” he asked, his voice hard and cold.

“To a different dimension,” the girl answered smoothly. “One where the stone’s power is nullified… and can be taken without resistance.”

His eyes narrowed. “What do you mean? Where exactly?”

“You don’t need to know,” she said, then unfurled a pair of black wings. She took to the sky like a shadow, vanishing into the storm.

“Impudent traitor!” Arnoux growled. “Enjoy being Ornaphendreul’s pawn… you’ll be discarded like the rest.”

Mortal World…

Sushie groaned softly as her eyes fluttered open. The air was cold, the light foreign. She blinked against the brightness, her body aching all over. She sat up slowly, wincing.

Where was she?

She was beside a small bridge, its rails rusted and ancient. The ground was unfamiliar—too solid, too mundane. Strange glowing boxes moved back and forth on a smooth black road nearby. Their round legs—four of them—spun endlessly.

“Everything here… it’s all so foreign,” she whispered. “What is this world?”

She clutched the stone—but it remained dormant. Her power didn’t respond. Her elf ears were fading, reshaping into human ones. Her wings—gone.

That masked girl… what had she done?

“I’m weakening…” she murmured. Her body trembled. Fear and despair washed over her. “She’s after the stone. I need to protect it… but in this form…”

Across the bridge, an elderly woman stumbled and slowly sat down. Sushie crouched in the shadows, watching. The old woman clutched her chest, and then… she went still.

Two humans rushed over, checking on her. Their voices rose with panic. One knelt beside her; another called for help. A third person came, and together they lifted her away.

Sushie observed silently, hiding behind the bridge’s pillar.

Hours passed. The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the world in amber and indigo. Then she saw her—a girl, perhaps in her teens, chasing a firefly along the path. Laughter echoed.

Sushie smiled faintly. “Only a pure heart can hold the stone… maybe…”

Dark Castle…

"Ornaphendreul," the girl called, entering the obsidian throne chamber.

The shadowy figure turned, crimson eyes gleaming. "Is it done?"

“Yes. She’s in the other world. Weak, confused. The stone will soon yield.” The girl bowed. “As promised, I’ll retrieve it. In the meantime, I ask you to cover for my absence in Eri Kingdom.”

“I’ll handle it,” he said. “But remember—if the others discover your betrayal, they’ll hunt you down.”

“I don’t care,” she said defiantly. “I never belonged there. I deserve power. The Queen is a fool. She follows her advisors like a puppet. She doesn’t deserve the throne.”

Ornaphendreul chuckled. “Very well. Make sure you return. With the stone.”

Back in the Mortal World…

Sushie wandered aimlessly, her steps unsure. The air felt thick, her limbs heavy. Lights approached quickly.

A roar.

A sudden blow struck her from behind. Pain lanced through her as she collapsed.

Inside the car, Romelyne screamed. “Aimee! I told you to slow down! What did you hit?!”

“I—I don’t know,” Aimee said, pale. “Did I hit… someone?”

The two scrambled out and found Sushie lying unconscious.

“It’s a girl!” Romelyne gasped, checking her breathing. “She’s alive. We need to get her help.”

“Let’s bring her to the hospital,” Aimee said, helping lift her.

Sushie stayed limp, pretending to be unconscious. Yes… take me away. I need time… time to regain strength… before they arrive.

Later at the Hospital…