TAKK TAKK!
Natalia's heart jumped at the sound. "Had Zack arrived?" Her fingers trembled slightly as she pulled open the door, but instead of Zack's familiar face, she found Big Guy standing there with a complicated expression.
"Big Sister, that man came again.... He says he needs to talk to you about something urgent." Big Guy pointed toward the edge of the 2nd Rock, his usual cheerful demeanor replaced with concern.
"Little Man? Why would he come back?" Natalia frowned, her mind racing through possibilities. She knew it was not easy to push him off but him coming back so fast???.... Something doesn't fit right with this situation. "Let's go," she said, gesturing for Big Guy and Miss Expert Sister, to follow.
They made their way toward the edge where Little Man waited. When he spotted Natalia approaching, he smiled, but the expression held no warmth. Only a deep, bone-weary sadness that made Natalia's stomach clench with guilt.
"Natalia, I'm sorry." Little Man sighed heavily, his shoulders sagging. "I think you have to come with me."
"Why? Where? What happened?" Natalia's voice sharpened as she picked up on the seriousness radiating from him. Every instinct screamed that something was terribly wrong.
Little Man let out another long sigh, running his hand through his hair in frustration. "It seems my father has joined hands with the 1st Rock Leader, along with many other Crown people...…. I don't think you know this yet, but it seems Queen and Zack have announced something crazy that will change the entire course of this city." He shook his head, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "Haha, I thought he would never be able to do anything, but here we are...."
Natalia looked at Miss Expert Sister in confusion, her brow furrowed. She seeing the urgency leaned in close and explained everything in short, clipped sentences. Each word felt like a hammer blow to Nat ears.
"Zack, you.... How long have you been working this hard for me?" She clenched her fists so tight her knuckles went white, her heart aching with the weight of everything he had been carrying alone.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus. There would be time for emotions later. Right now, she needed information. "Little Man, go on. Speak."
"My father told me to bring you to meet the 1st Rock Leader." Little Man kept his eyes fixed on the rock as he spoke, unable to meet her gaze. "You….. All alone."
"What if I don't?" Natalia shot back, her chin lifting defiantly.
"I don't know…... I was only told that if you don't come then...
BOOOOOOMMMMMM!
A massive explosion rocked the air, followed by a sound that chilled the blood of everyone present.
RRROOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
GGGAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
GGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRR!
UWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
The roars came in waves, echoing across the city like thunder. The sound originated from the direction of the 1st Rock, far in the distance, but somehow every horrible note reached them with crystal clarity. These were not human screams. These were the cries of beasts, hundreds of them, roaring in unison.
"WHAT THE FUCK? WHAT IS HAPPENING?!" Little Man squinted into the distance, his face going pale. Everyone around him did the same, their bodies going rigid with shock.
Slowly, as the roars continued to build, they saw it.... A massive swarm was pouring out of the 1st Rock in waves, each group was holding many creatures in it, even from distance Nat and others could figure out who they were because of a tool.
THE FLYING CARRIAGE ANIMALS!!!! They were all the same species…... Dozens upon dozens of them, moving together in an unnatural coordination.
The swarm moved with terrifying purpose toward the 3rd Rock. As they flew, the creatures attacked anyone in the air, their claws and teeth ripping through flying boards. People screamed as their boards shattered beneath them, sending bodies plummeting toward the ground far below.
"TSK! THAT BITCH!" Natalia's eyes blazed with fury as she watched people fall, some were lucky enough to dodge the swarm with their gliding but not all were so lucky. "How are there so many animals here? And why are they acting so weird?!" Her voice cracked with rage and helplessness as she saw the carnage unfold while squinting her eyes tight in the disappearing light.
But Natalia was nothing if not decisive. Her mind shifted into tactical mode within seconds.
"Little Man, let's go! She clearly wants me to make her Top crown of this city!!!" Natalia barked out orders without hesitation. "MISS EXPERT SISTER, YOU TAKE YOUR TROOPS AND STOP THOSE CREATURES FROM INSIDE THE 1ST ROCK!!!! BIG GUY, YOU GO INFORM THE OTHERS IMMEDIATELY! MAKE SURE THOSE CREATURES DON'T REACH THE 3RD ROCK!!!! EMMY, TAKE EVERYONE BACK AND TELL ZACK AND MOTHER WHAT'S HAPPENING!" She locked eyes with each of them in turn. "Don't worry about me. She needs me alive to fulfil her goals! I will try to buy as much time as I could!!"
Without waiting for a response, Natalia leaped onto her flying board and shot into the sky, Little Man following close behind.
"NAT!" Emmy tried to call out to her, reaching forward, but it was already too late. Natalia was gone, disappearing into the horizon.
Following their orders, Miss Expert Sister gathered more than half the available troops and swiftly departed toward the 1st Rock. Big Guy and Emmy headed back toward the palace, their boards cutting through the air at top speed.
"The little ones are probably at Young Master Oliver's house, so they should be safe," Emmy said, more to herself as she thought of Oliver. "I just hope our home doesn't get destroyed." She whispered a prayer for Nat as she flew, her heart heavy with worry.
.
"REPORT, MY QUEEN!"
A soldier burst into the area in front of the Queen's palace where a group had gathered, his chest heaving from exertion. He quickly reported everything he had witnessed.
"I'm going to Nat!" Zack suddenly bolted forward, but Hazel caught his arm, pulling him back.
"Zack, calm down! She will be fine!" Hazel moved to stand in front of him, placing one hand gently on his chest while the other rubbed soothing circles on his back. "That woman needs her alive. Calm down, please."
Subordinate Woman stepped forward as well, adding her voice to Hazel's. Together, they managed to bring Zack back from the edge of panic, though his jaw remained clenched and his fists shook with the effort of staying put.
"Tsk! That bitch is always one step ahead of us!" Leader Mikaela's voice cut through the tension, her frustration evident.
"REPORT, MY QUEEN! SEVERAL HOUSE MASTERS IN THE 5TH ROCK ARE ATTACKING OTHER HOUSES WITH THEIR RESERVED FORCES!!!!!"
Another soldier arrived with more devastating news, and everyone's expressions darkened further.
"Husband!" Miss Phoebe cried out when she heard the report. Panic flooded her features as she moved to leave, but the others held her back telling her to calm down and wait for Queen orders.
Oliver frowned deeply, torn between competing urgencies. "I have to go! There are little kids at my house, but Emmy..." His voice wavered. "I'm worried about her."
"I'll go check on Emmy while you go back to our house," Gracie suddenly spoke up from beside him.
"Huh? You'll do that?" Oliver turned to her in surprise.
"What! Don't look so surprised!" Gracie lifted her chin proudly. "Isn't she your sweetheart? How can I leave her all alone when she's part of the family? I don't like her yet, but this is different."
"Gracie! Thank you!" Oliver pulled her into a tight hug, his voice soft and thick with emotion. "Take care of yourself. Don't get hurt, or I will never forgive you."
"Gah! Young Master, isn't that a double punishment?" Gracie smiled against his shoulder and patted his back reassuringly. "It's okay. Go make sure our home is safe, or there will be no food for you when you get back." She laughed, the sound of her sweet voice making him feel grounded, she stretched her toes and kissed his forehead.
Oliver nodded, squeezing her hand once before heading toward the Queen, who had already begun organizing everyone into strategic groups.
"Queen, hearing this report, I'm certain there is some kind of tool controlling those animals to go rampage!!! Since there has been no news from outside the borders then for sure this is artificial!!!" Tool Guy spoke up enthusiastically, nodding to himself. "If we find it, then voila! Problem solved!"
"Um, Queen, I could help." Mother Silja stepped forward, and spoke while gathering her courage. "I know the ins and outs of that rock. Let me help." Gloomy stuck close to her side, his expression more serious than usual.
"I'll go form a second wall of defense," Leader Remek announced. "I'm sure Little Princess will hold the first line for some time." Without waiting for acknowledgment, he took off into the sky.
"We'll go as well," the 3rd Rock Leader said, and his wife nodded beside him. Together, they flew away, their boards cutting through the darkened sky.
"Zack, Hazel, Subordinate Woman, Mikaela, Julia, Silja, Gracie, Sio, and one of Miss Expert Sister's guards, GO TO THE 1ST ROCK!" Queen Mother's voice rang out with authority. "Deal with the source, save our people there, bring my daughter back safely, and find THAT TOOL THEN DESTROY IT!!!!!!" The group she'd named immediately prepared to depart.
"Sigh, fine, fine," Gloomy muttered, feeling overlooked because his name was not called. "I'll go with them….. No one ever remembers this very important person." Despite his grumbling, he flew after the others without hesitation.
"LURR! TYRR!" Lurvi and Tyra, the two animals bonded to the family, pouted angrily at being left behind. They took off after the group, determined not to be excluded from the fight.
"Oliver, Isafold, Kyra, and one of the Queen's expert guards, go deal with those traitorous fools!" Queen Mother issued her second set of orders. "And Miss Phoebe, we need your help. Make sure to tell your husband that I want him to join forces with others supportive houses and stop this madness!"
"Queen, we'll help too!" Subordinate Woman's family suddenly appeared, calling out loudly. Queen Mother nodded in recognition, grateful for the additional support.
"I know exactly which people will be against the Queen," Gaffney, an ex-house master and father of Subordinate woman spoke up. "Let's go there first!" He led the group away, with Kyra at the front of the charge and many guards following behind.
"Sigh…. fine, fine, we are in Gloomy category…... We can't leave our wife all alone," the trio of husbands muttered, feeling a bit left out but unwilling to let Isafold face danger without them. They flew after the group.
.
"Everyone, be careful!" Sasha called out, her voice trembling slightly as she watched people leave. She hurried away to prepare a medical camp with the help of Mother Ariana and Miss Evangeline.
"Sigh, I figured this night wouldn't be peaceful," Chieftess Anihoa shook her head ruefully. "There goes my sleep."
"Please don't let anyone get hurt," Maid Nima whispered, clasping her hands together in prayer for everyone's safety.
"Queen, are you okay?" Tool Guy approached Queen Mother with concern etched on his face.
"It's fine. I'm sure everything will be okay." Queen Mother's voice came out confident, but her fingers clutched her dress so tightly that the fabric bunched in her grip. She continued to receive reports and issue orders, coordinating the defense of the entire city while fear gnawed at her insides.
.
CRACKLE CRACKLE SIZZLE
"HAHA! BURN THIS HOUSE! THAT OLIVER IS THE CLOSEST TO THE PRINCESS! WE DON'T WANT A TRAITOR IN THIS CITY SUPPORTING SOMEONE WHO IS DESTINED TO BE REPLACED!!!!! BURN EVERYTHING!"
"KEKEKEK! BURN! BURN!"
Several men had been ordered by a top Crown house master to destroy Oliver's property. They moved through the grounds with torches, setting fire to the small but beautiful artificial garden Oliver's house maintained.
"Head Maid! What should we do? Our back exit is blocked by them! We can't get away!" A butler came rushing down, his face drenched in sweat as he spoke urgently to the head maid.
She stood near the front windows, watching silently as the men outside put flame to everything they could reach.
"Waaahh! Waaahhh! I'm scared!" children's voices cried out from the corner of the hallway.
"Big Sister where are you!! WAAAHH!!!" other small voices called out, terrified.
"Waaaahhh!" The crying grew louder.
Many little children huddled together in the corner, surrounded by troubled maids who tried to calm them. But the maids' own bodies shook with fear, making their comforting words ring hollow.
"Tsk! Those bastards!" A butler ground his teeth together as he watched his hard work go up in flames. "Hitting us when we don't have our own private army!"
Head Maid sighed deeply, then turned to face her people. "I'll go outside and talk to them. Buy some time until you can find a way to escape."
"HEAD MAID!" Everyone tried to stop her, reaching for her arms, but she shook them off gently and walked toward the door with steps that seems to be calm…..
CREAAAKK!
The main house door swung open, and Head Maid stepped outside, her posture perfectly straight despite the danger.
"Hey, hey! Why is an old hag coming out? Where's your Young Master Oliver?" A Crown man laughed mockingly as he swaggered forward. "Oh, probably he is busy building a plan to destroy our city! Kekeke!"
Head Maid maintained her dignified posture, meeting his eyes without flinching. "Scared men do foolish things... You will gain nothing by killing innocent people. Go back and surrender, young man."
"Huh? Hey, did you hear that? AN OLD HAG, A FILTHY OLD MAID, IS LECTURING ME! HAHAHAHA!" The Crown man's army laughter turned vicious. "You see, this is what happens when they're given a chance to lift their heads! They just dance on our heads, saying they matter! Hahaha! What a joke! A FILTHY MAID SHOULD BELONG IN THE DIRT!!!!!!!"
The Crown man leading the army rushed forward, his fist raised to strike Head Maid. The people inside the house screamed at the top of their lungs, but they were powerless to help. His arm swung closer and closer as Head Maid closed her eyes with a sigh.
"Master, Madam, thank you for every..."
SWWWIIINNNGG! TAKKK! TANNNNGGG!
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"
Head Maid's eyes flew open. The Crown man's arm had been severed cleanly from the middle, cut off by a spear that now pinned the separated limb to the stone ground. The man lay on his back, clutching at the stump in disbelief, his face white with shock. The pain hadn't hit him yet, but it was coming.
"Hey there, beautiful lady. Are you giving your life away without consulting your lover?" A familiar voice reached her ears.
Head Maid looked up to see Young Master Oliver descending gracefully on his flying board. He jumped down and landed beside her in such a way that shows off his handsome figure perfectly.
"Young Master, you came!" Head Maid's voice cracked, and tears welled in her eyes.
"Hey, hey, are you that happy to see me? I'm touched, but I'm committed to Gracie and Emmy, so I'll have to pass... Oww! Oww! Head Maid!"
His ear was immediately pinched hard by Head Maid, who smiled through her tears. "Stop speaking nonsense and clear those bastards out! I don't want any more damage to this house!" She released his ear and patted his head affectionately. "And congratulations."
Head Maid turned and walked back into the house, leaving Oliver rubbing his sore ear.
"It's Big Sister's husband!"
"Young Master!"
"Kyaaa! So cool!"
The kids and people inside erupted in joyful celebration, clapping and cheering as they saw their young master arrive to save them.
"Ahem….. Clear them out! Go lead them!" Oliver ordered his part of Queen guards to follow the man responsible for security of his house.
The soldiers moved swiftly and efficiently, cutting down those who refused to surrender. Others used energy tools to extinguish the fires, working quickly to minimize the damage. Once the area was secured, Oliver waved to everyone inside and flew away, leaving some guards behind for continued protection.
Head Maid stood inside, watching Oliver's retreating figure against the sky. Her hands were still shaking, and she clasped them tightly together to stop the trembling. "Madam, I think I can face you now," she whispered to the memory of her former madame. "Young Master has become such a great man, and he has chosen good women to support his life..... I'm sure he'll be fine. This house will be fine. Maybe it's time...I should just retire..."
"Hey, hey! Gracie finally got the Young Master!" a butler said happily nearby.
"Gah! Does that mean we have to address her as Madame? Yew, that would be so weird!" a maid responded, making exaggerated faces.
"Indeed. Maybe she could just work as a maid for Young Master and serve him at night as a mis..."
TAKK!
"OWW!"
"STOP SPEAKING NONSENSE!" Head Maid's voice cut through their gossip in anger. "Young Master and Gracie love each other, and you all have to accept it!!! We've known this day would eventually come!!!..... So, I don't want any useless talk from any of you!" She glared at each of them in turn. "And why are you loitering here? Go check the damage and report to me! You lot, go take care of the children! And you, help the soldiers deal with the remaining fires!"
Everyone scattered immediately, running to their assigned tasks and leaving Head Maid alone with a young mother maid who held a sleeping baby in her arms.
They both looked at the damaged surroundings and sighed in unison. Then Head Maid's gaze fell on the sleeping infant, and a soft smile crossed her weathered face. "Look at him, not caring about the world at all. I hope I can be like that."
"Hehe, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," the young mother maid giggled. "Unfortunately, Head Maid, you're way past that time."
"Don't remind me of my age," Head Maid said with another sigh. "The city is changing, and so is Young Master..... I think it's time for me to step down and let the young ones lead the charge." She looked at the mother maid, who wore a surprised expression.
Head Maid smiled gently and patted the mother maid head. "I'm giving you the reins of this house..... I hope before I die, I can see this place returned to its former glory."
The young mother maid suddenly saw Head Maid differently. The wrinkles seemed deeper now, carved by years of service and worries for this house. Her eyes looked more tired, carrying the weight of decades. Her posture, usually so perfect, seemed slightly slumped with exhaustion.
Seeing all of this, the supposedly new mother head maid's eyes filled with tears. It's not like anyone didn't knew that she was planning to retire but.....So suddenly.... New mother head maid couldn't speak for a long moment, simply standing there as sobs built in her chest. Finally, she broke down crying while the ex-head maid continued to pat her head with gentle, loving strokes.
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END OF CHAPTER
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Author Blabbering
If you say you are doing laundry then put it in washing machine then it is you doing laundry or the washing machine?
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