After crash landing on the top of the palace steps, everyone ran inside to group together. There seemed to be no guards guarding the palace doors this time which worried Jacob.

’Don’t tell me... are they already inside?’

Once they entered the palace, they were greeted with another group of people. It was Maria, Zeke, Cane and Slade. All of them looked like they had seen a ghost. Maria looked up from the ground and saw Jacob. Her eyes started filling with tears as she ran towards him.

Jacob grabbed her and pulled her close, comforting her.

"I’m so glad you’re okay. We were just randomly attacked by creepy masked men."

Jacob looked into her jade eyes and whispered to her.

"The masks looked like our mark. I think it’s time I told my father about it. He needs to know who these men might be and why they are attacking the kingdom."

Maria looked back up at him shaking.

"I don’t think they’re attacking the kingdom. They ignored any civilians who were nearby and only went for us. I think they are targeting the nobles."

"Why would they target us specifically? The nobles themselves weren’t ever corrupt."

"I think it’s to weaken us. We are the strongest force of the kingdom besides the king, after all."

"I’m glad to see most of your group made it back. What happened to everyone else?"

Maria and Cane’s face darkened. Cane walked up to him with a sorrowful expression.

"I saw it happen right in front of me. It was as if they disintegrated into pure darkness right before my eyes."

Jacob felt sick to his stomach. All of the people he had just met disappeared in less than a day.

"This can’t be happening. I need to see my father."

"We’ll be right behind you. Let’s hope everything goes well."

Jacob walked toward the throne room with everyone following close behind. he lightly opened the door and looked up at his father who already seemed to sense what was happening. He looked down at Jacob with a stern expression.

"Where is everyone else?"

Jacob remained silent.

"I see. Care to explain what’s happening in my kingdom?"

"We tried bringing the noble clans together for extra bonding. We thought it would strengthen our forces by doing so. However, there seems to be a group targeting us. This is all that’s left."

"You’re trying to tell me there is a force in my kingdom that is strong enough to take out almost every person in my noble clans without my knowledge?"

"They seem to possess an ability of some kind. Every person touched by them have disappeared."

Jacob started to hear light pellets of rain bounce of the windows in the palace hall. His heart sank to his stomach. He was running out of time.

"So, you came crawling back to me for what?"

"I think we need your help beating them. I also have something to share with you."

"Something to share with me? What are you hiding from me?"

Jacob took a deep breath before continuing.

"When me and Maria went out of the palace to go on a picnic, we stumbled upon this rift. We were both sucked into it and marked with a strange symbol."

Suddenly, the king started sweating profusely. His face turned pale and his breathing became irregular. Jacob still continued.

"However, seemingly no one can see the mark. We tried showing some civilians but only we were able to see it."

The king kept sweating, Jacob started getting worried he shared too much. His father’s face was full of dread and apprehension.

"Where did it mark you both? I don’t believe you. Please tell me you are just joking me, son."

"Mine is on my right arm and Maria was marked on her left."

Jacob slowly lifted up his sleeve, revealing the onyx-black skull with its lifeless eyes and strange symbols in its mouth. Maria did the same with hers, revealing it to the whole room.

Suddenly, everyone around them, including the king, started howling in pain. They started scratching at their face until it bled. The king started throwing up behind his throne and coughing heavily. All of the nobles around them curled up on the ground, grabbing their heads and continued screaming.

Even Lidia and Katra seemed to be writhing in agony. Jacob and Maria stared at the scene in horror and quickly hid their marks again. The king struggled to stand up on his own. His legs were shaking as he balanced himself.

"Jacob... what did you... when did you..."

"What’s going on? I thought nobody could see it?"

"Please don’t tell me those people were wearing masks similar to that mark, Jacob."

"They were. I was hoping you would know who they are because of it."

The king still stared at the ground terrified.

"Jacob. You and your friend need to leave. Maybe not now, but as soon as this situation is resolved, you both need to get away from this kingdom as fast as possible. Don’t look back either. Oh god... this is all my fault."

The king started grabbing his head and shaking.

"Dad, tell me what’s going on. You’re starting to scare me. I can give you the charm back, just tell me what’s happening."

"Keep it. Please, my son."

"Why are you being sentimental all of a sudden? Please, just tell me anything."

The king and everyone around them started to come back to their senses. Lidia started crying and holding her stomach.

"My daughter... what happened to my daughter?! What the hell is that thing?!"

"Jacob, whatever you do, do not show those people your mark. Stay hidden by me. I’ll make sure they won’t get to you."

The rain outside grew heavier. It was pounding against the stone walls of the palace and kingdom. The kings face grew even more hopeless.

"You can’t be serious. Now, out of all times?"

A boom resounded through the palace. Small rocks fell from the ceiling, causing some servants to trip and fall.

Another boom.

Then, a loud crack shot through the air.

The king looked at everyone in front of him.

"We’re under attack."