Prince of The Ruined Kingdom

The battle between Sierra One and Abigail erupted in a rapid exchange of gunfire, filling the narrow alley with the sounds of gunshots and small explosions. Bullets struck the walls, sending debris flying, while both fighters moved with agility, trying to evade each other's shots.

Sierra One, accustomed to operating in the shadows, leaped from one wall to the other quickly and silently. Meanwhile, Abigail, with her lightning-fast reflexes, managed to deflect several shots and occasionally fire back with extraordinary precision.

"This is impossible," Abigail thought, her eyes glinting with focus as she tracked Sierra One's movements. "No one has ever dodged my shots like this."

But Sierra One was no ordinary opponent. Every move he made was precise and flawless, as if he had mapped out Abigail's actions before she even moved. His shots were always aimed with meticulous care, forcing Abigail to keep moving, seeking shelter behind debris and walls.

After several rounds of gunfire, both paused momentarily, searching for an opening to attack. Their breaths were heavy—not from fatigue, but from measuring each other up. Abigail managed a faint smile, though slightly out of breath.

"You're pretty quick," Abigail said, wiping the sweat from her forehead. "I thought I was the fastest around."

Sierra One didn't respond. His gaze remained fixed on Abigail, realizing that this girl was no ordinary foe. Every movement she made was calculated and powerful, something only those who had undergone rigorous training possessed.

Abigail speculated, "Could he be a secret agent from the Republic of Cestisia? Only they would have training like this…" That thought nagged at her, though she didn't let any doubt show on her face.

Sierra One, on the other hand, stayed silent. He offered no response, either in words or expressions. To him, Abigail was a clear threat, although a hint of admiration for her abilities began to surface in his mind.

In a split second, Abigail lunged forward, taking advantage of the brief pause. The fight transitioned to close quarters. Sierra One quickly drew a knife from his waist, parrying Abigail's dagger attack that came at him from the side. The clash of metal rang out sharply as their blades collided.

Sierra One attacked swiftly, utilizing incredible speed and precision, but Abigail parried every strike with equal speed and accuracy. Blow after blow, they exchanged hits and slashes, moving in a deadly dance within the tight space. It was as if time slowed down, each attack dodged or deflected in mere milliseconds.

At one moment, Sierra One managed to slash Abigail's shoulder, leaving a deep, bloody gash. Yet, Abigail simply grinned, showing no signs of giving up. She capitalized on the opened distance, pulling the trigger of her weapon and firing two quick shots at Sierra One.

Sierra One sidestepped quickly, but one of the bullets grazed his left arm. Pain shot through him, but he stayed focused, refusing to let Abigail see his weakness. They continued to fight, alternating between attack and defense.

In seconds, Abigail made a quick decision. Drawing on her magical abilities, she began to chant a fire spell, conjuring a fireball that shot towards Sierra One. Unprepared for a magical assault, Sierra One attempted to dodge, but the fireball exploded too close. The blast pushed him back, momentarily causing him to lose his balance.

Abigail seized that moment, launching a relentless flurry of attacks. She fired her gun while brutally swinging her dagger. Sierra One tried to parry, but Abigail's strikes came too quickly and varied too much. Abigail's shots struck Sierra One's body, forcing him back a few steps. Her dagger pierced through Sierra One's protective shield, inflicting wounds in several places.

Sweat streamed down Sierra One's face as he struggled to hold his ground, but every block was met with an even deadlier follow-up attack. Abigail moved like a storm, striking without mercy. Sierra One began to feel overwhelmed.

In one lethal motion, Abigail leaped and spun in mid-air, swinging her dagger towards Sierra One with all her might. Sierra One raised his arm to parry, but the attack was too swift. Abigail's dagger slashed across his shoulder, causing him to drop to one knee, blood pouring from the wound.

Abigail stood before Sierra One, her breath slightly ragged, yet her eyes remained cold. "You're really tough," she said, a hint of admiration in her tone. But there was a note of victory in her voice as well. "But you're not quick enough to dodge all my attacks."

Sierra One fought through the pain radiating through his body. He knew this battle was over, at least for now. "A young girl of unknown identity with extraordinary abilities," he thought. Even as his body knelt, his mind continued to analyze the situation, searching for a way out.

Abigail, with her dagger in hand, looked at Sierra One with a hint of sympathy. She knew he was a trained opponent, and this fight wouldn't have ended easily if he weren't injured. Abigail could have finished it right then and there, but she held back.

"Who sent you?" Abigail asked, her voice softer now, though still cautious.

Sierra One met her gaze, pausing for a moment. "You won't get anything out of me," he replied quietly but firmly.

Abigail sighed deeply, then lifted her dagger. "You know this could end in a much easier way."

But just before Abigail could move further, Sierra One pressed a button on his wrist, triggering an emergency device that emitted a flash of bright light. The sudden brightness made Abigail step back, shielding her eyes.

That was the moment Sierra One needed. A manual drone, which he had prepared before the fight began, shot out from behind Abigail, moving quickly. Before Abigail could react, the drone fired a tranquilizer shot directly into her thigh. The dart landed accurately, piercing her skin and releasing the tranquilizer, which began to take effect within seconds.

As Abigail struggled to adjust her vision, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her thigh. Turning around, she saw the drone hovering nearby, but it was too late. The tranquilizer began to work swiftly through her system. Her vision blurred, her legs grew weak, and before she could muster the strength to fight back, her body crashed to the ground.

Sierra One observed Abigail's every movement carefully, ensuring she was truly unconscious. When her body fell limply in front of him, he approached her, studying her face to confirm she was no longer capable of resistance.

Sierra One let out a long sigh. "It worked… at least for now."

He reached for his communication device and quickly contacted Beta, a member of his team stationed for support from afar. "Beta, the area is secure. Begin the cleanup. I need this place cleared in five minutes."

Beta's voice crackled through the comms. "Copy that, Sierra. The cleanup team is en route. What's the status of the target?"

Sierra One glanced at Abigail, still lying unconscious. "Target secure. Unconscious. Prepare the extraction vehicle. I'm bringing her to a safe location."

There was a brief silence on the line before Beta asked, curiosity lacing his tone, "Is this the girl we've been looking for? The one rumored to be traveling with Arche?"

"Yes," Sierra One replied, his voice flat. "But something feels off. This girl... she's too skilled, yet there's no record of her in our database. No assassination missions logged, no information on her whereabouts. Someone with her abilities should have a long operational history, yet I can't find anything."

Beta sounded perplexed. "So you're saying she's completely unknown? Maybe she's a shadow agent operating off our radar?"

Sierra One shook his head slightly, aware that Beta couldn't see him. "I'm not sure. She's incredibly skilled; I almost lost in that fight. But still, there's no information that matches anyone in our data. I need to investigate her further."

Sierra One stood, gazing thoughtfully at Abigail. He couldn't shake the strange feeling that this girl should be more well-known in the underworld. However, all his information searches had yielded nothing satisfying.

He pressed the communication device again, this time contacting someone higher up in his chain of command, a figure known only as "the Operator."

"Operator," Sierra One said once the call connected, his voice brimming with professionalism, "The mission was successful. The unidentified target has been secured. No serious injuries—she's only unconscious from the tranquilizer."

The Operator's voice came through cold and calm. "Good job, Sierra. Were there any complications?"

Sierra One paused for a moment before answering. "This girl is more skilled than we anticipated. She nearly matched me in a direct confrontation. That's unusual. Also, there's no information about her in our database. No records, no name, no mission history. I'm sure she's not an ordinary agent, but I don't know who she is."

The Operator fell silent for a moment before speaking in a deeper tone. "Interesting. Perhaps this girl is indeed not from our world, or maybe she's been hidden very well. Take her to a secure location. We'll start with an interrogation as soon as she wakes up."

"Understood, Operator," Sierra One replied before ending the call.

Once the communication was disconnected, Sierra One crouched beside Abigail. He examined her face closely, trying to find something he might have overlooked. There was nothing unusual about her features, no signs of anything suspicious. She just looked like a young girl who wasn't involved in anything dangerous. But Sierra knew better. Abigail was a real threat, and the unseen threats were the most dangerous.

"Who are you really?" Sierra One murmured softly, touching the temple of his helmet.

As he prepared to carry Abigail away, he felt a flicker of doubt. Something about her made him feel there was more he didn't know. But now wasn't the time for hesitation. He knew he had to complete this mission. Beta and the cleanup team would be arriving soon, and there was no room for error.

A few minutes later, the sound of a vehicle engine roared in the distance. Beta and his team arrived at the scene, clad in black uniforms with their team logo faintly displayed on their right shoulders. They worked quickly and efficiently, clearing the combat area, erasing any trace of their presence. When they finished, there were no signs of blood, no evidence of the battle to be found.

Beta approached Sierra One, who was still watching Abigail. "Are we taking her now?"

Sierra One nodded. "Yes, we're taking her. Get her in the vehicle. We don't have much time."

Quickly, Beta and another team member lifted Abigail's unconscious body into their specialized vehicle. Sierra One stood guard nearby, ensuring everything went according to plan.

After confirming the area was clean and Abigail secured, Sierra One climbed into the vehicle and sat next to the still-unconscious girl. His gaze remained fixed on her.

"This mission is just beginning," Sierra One murmured to himself, feeling there were more mysteries to unravel.

***

Inside the luxurious cabin of a private jet, the atmosphere buzzed with cheerful conversations from the Einzvil family. They had received a special invitation from King Ornbeth of the Evernoir Kingdom to attend a royal gala. Ten-year-old Abigail sat in the corner of a soft leather seat, glancing out the window with a blank expression. The evening breeze brushed against the aircraft, but Abigail seemed oblivious to the lively chatter around her.

"I can't wait to see Lily again!" exclaimed Ophelia, her eight-year-old sister, her voice bright with excitement. Her face lit up at the thought of reuniting with her friend, Princess Lily of Evernoir. "She always has such fun stories when we visit! Maybe this time she has a new pet!"

Lilith, her twin sister, beamed and clapped her hands. "Yes! Lily is so nice; I want to play with her again. Last time she taught us how to play in the palace gardens. Do you think she'll take us again, Ophelia?"

Ophelia nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! I'm sure she's been waiting for us!"

Their mother, Seraphine, sat gracefully in her seat, smiling as she listened to her daughters' chatter. With her neatly tied blonde hair and elegant deep red dress, she radiated both authority and the softness of a mother. Turning to her husband, Eliphas, she said, "It seems the children can hardly wait to see Lily again, dear. I remember how close they became from the moment they met."

Eliphas, Abigail's father and Seraphine's husband, had a strong, stern face, and his gaze was sharp. Yet, there was always warmth in his eyes, especially when he looked at his family. He nodded and offered a small smile before replying, "Yes, Ornbeth always says that Lily enjoys spending time with our children. And this time, it sounds like we'll also get to see how Ellora has grown. I heard she just completed her special training and received an award from the royal advisors."

Seraphine nodded, her eyes gleaming with pride. "Ellora is truly remarkable. She's always had a talent since she was little. Ornbeth must be very proud of her. I also heard she's starting to be prepared for taking on some significant responsibilities in the kingdom. That girl is a genius."

Ophelia turned with wide, eager eyes. "Is Ellora coming too? I want to see her skills! Mom says she's really good at magic, right?"

Seraphine chuckled softly. "Yes, dear. Ellora is very talented. But remember, don't bother her too much, okay? She might be busy."

Meanwhile, Abigail remained lost in her thoughts, staring blankly out the window. She didn't care about the royal gala, about Lily, or how great Ellora was. None of it interested her. The atmosphere on the jet felt ordinary, just like all the previous invitations. She knew this was just one of many gatherings between her family and the royal family.

Eliphas noticed his eldest daughter sitting quietly in the corner. Something felt different about Abigail today. Normally, she wasn't this passive, though she was known to be a bit reserved in conversations. "Abigail," he called gently, "You're awfully quiet today. Is something on your mind?"

Abigail turned slowly, her gaze slightly startled that her father had called her. "No, Father," she replied briefly, her voice flat. "I was just thinking…"

"About what?" Eliphas prompted softly.

Abigail sighed quietly before saying, "About this party… about all of this. It feels like nothing ever changes. We always come to these royal parties, and every time, I never meet Prince Archemidas."

Seraphine turned, slightly confused. "Prince Archemidas? Oh, you've never met him, have you, Abigail?"

Abigail shook her head. "No, Mother. Every time we're invited, he seems to never be there. I hear he rarely appears in public. Does he even exist?" There was a hint of sarcasm at the end of Abigail's sentence.

Eliphas gave a faint smile, recognizing the skeptical tone in his daughter's voice. "Prince Archemidas is indeed known to be quiet and introverted. He prefers spending his time in the library, immersed in history and philosophy books. Ornbeth often says he's very intelligent, but he lacks the confidence to present himself in public."

Seraphine added, "That might be why you haven't seen him. He doesn't like being the center of attention like Ellora."

Abigail listened to her parents' explanations, yet her curiosity remained unsatisfied. She furrowed her brow, feeling that something was amiss. "Then why doesn't he ever attend parties like this? Shouldn't a prince learn to face his people?"

Eliphas smiled again, this time a bit more gently. "Archemidas is struggling with himself, Abigail. Not everyone is born with the ability to socialize or lead in front of others. Some take longer to find their place. Perhaps one day, he'll be ready."

Abigail fell silent, pondering her father's words. Though she didn't care much about the parties or royal gatherings, there was something about Prince Archemidas that piqued her interest. A prince who never appeared, always hiding behind the palace walls, far from the public eye. Abigail sensed a mystery surrounding him that was yet to be uncovered.

Lilith, who had been listening innocently, suddenly piped up, "Will Archemidas play with us like Lily, Ophelia?"

Ophelia laughed softly. "I don't know, Lilith. But if he comes, he might prefer reading books over playing."

Seraphine smiled as she listened to her children's conversation. "If Prince Archemidas is present, be sure to be friendly with him, okay? He might be shy, but he's still part of the royal family."

Abigail didn't respond, but inside she felt a strange sensation. For some reason, she was curious this time. The prince who never showed up, always hidden. What was he really like? Was he truly just a shy young man, or was there something deeper beneath the surface?

Their jet soared above the night clouds as the Einzvil family continued their lighthearted chatter about the upcoming gala. Meanwhile, Abigail remained still, lost in her thoughts about the mysterious figure she might meet for the first time at this royal event.

***