Chapter 1
“What is that… where did it come from?”
Jean’s voice came out as a whisper as she stared at the massive ship before her.
It hadn’t been there moments ago.
It had fallen from the sky.
Now it stood silently, towering over her, dark and unnatural—like it didn’t belong to this world.
Her fingers tightened around her little son’s hand.
Something wasn’t right.
Something was very, very wrong.
FIFTEEN HOURS EARLIER
“Beavely… please, you have to help me.”
Lolly’s voice trembled as she clutched her swollen belly, tears streaming endlessly down her cheeks. Her whole body shook with fear.
“This baby can’t die… my baby can’t die,” she sobbed, her hands protectively wrapped around her stomach. “It’s not her fault…”
“I know… I know,” Beavely whispered softly, though worry filled her eyes.
She stepped closer, lowering her voice.
“You know my brother hates you… but he favors me. I still don’t understand why he wants to do this.”
“As long as she is stronger than him…” Lolly said weakly, her voice breaking, “…he will never let her live.”
Silence filled the room for a moment.
Then Beavely made her decision.
“You are my sister,” she said firmly. “And I will help you.”
Lolly looked up at her, hope flickering in her tear-filled eyes.
“I’ll use magic,” Beavely continued, leaning closer. “If I can remove the baby in time… we can save her.”
She stood up quickly.
“I’ve prepared the—”
BANG!
The door slammed open.
Both women froze.
Soldiers stormed into the room, their armor clashing loudly, swords drawn and gleaming under the light. They spread out instantly, surrounding Lolly.
And then—
He walked in.
King Aaron.
The room fell silent.
His face was calm… but there was something cold behind his eyes.
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly, his voice heavy.
Lolly’s grip on her belly tightened.
“But this child… cannot be allowed to live.”
“No… please—” Lolly cried, shaking her head.
Aaron’s expression didn’t change.
“I’m sorry, sister,” he added, his voice turning harder. “But she must die.”
He raised his sword.
Time seemed to slow.
Before the blade could fall—
Beavely moved.
Her lips formed silent words as her fingers glowed faintly.
A pulse of magic shot through Lolly’s body.
In an instant—so fast no one noticed—
The child was gone.
Sealed.
Hidden.
Inside the ring on Beavely’s finger.
Lolly felt it.
And for the first time…
She smiled.
The sword came down.
It pierced through her.
A sharp gasp escaped her lips as blood filled her mouth. Her body trembled violently before growing weak.
Her vision blurred.
Her strength faded.
But she didn’t scream.
She didn’t fight.
She simply smiled…
Because her child was safe.
Moments later, her body went still.
KING AARON’S PALACE
Silence filled the grand hall.
King Aaron sat on his throne, his face dark and unreadable.
The council stood before him—queens and kings of different realms—watching carefully, unsure of what he was thinking.
Jessica, the Queen of Nature, stepped forward slightly, about to speak—
But stopped.
A bright light suddenly appeared in the center of the hall.
Everyone froze.
The light grew stronger… then slowly faded.
A figure stood in its place.
Malakai.
Messenger of the gods.
A wave of tension spread through the room.
This wasn’t expected.
Not now.
Not after everything.
“What do you want, Malakai?” Aaron asked, his voice controlled—but his eyes betrayed unease. “What do the gods say this time?”
Malakai said nothing at first.
He simply looked around the room… then back at the king.
“My king…” he began slowly, “the gods are angry.”
A murmur spread across the hall.
“They say…” he continued, “…you have not killed the child.”
Aaron stood up instantly.
“That’s impossible,” he snapped. “I killed her myself.”
Malakai didn’t react.
“They can still feel her,” he said calmly. “She lives.”
Shock filled the room.
Aaron’s expression hardened.
Then Malakai delivered the message that changed everything.
“You are commanded to kill every child aged two years and below… and every pregnant woman.”
Silence.
Cold.
Heavy silence.
Then—
He disappeared.
Just like that.
Leaving fear behind.
Aaron slowly sat back down on his throne, his mind racing.
If the child was alive…
Then someone had deceived him.
Somewhere out there…
That child still existed.
And this time—
He would not fail.
