Evelynn, Damian, and Crystal were now entrenched in their quest for answers, their minds racing with the enigma that had been plaguing them. They scoured every available resource, pouring over ancient texts, scouring dusty tomes, and searching for any mention of the mysterious period of time that seemed to have vanished from the annals of history.
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Every keyword, every logical explanation, every whispered rumor was scrutinized, but still, they found nothing that led them closer to the truth. The words of the leaders, once thought to hold the key to unlocking the secrets of the past, now seemed like mere whispers in the wind, offering no solace or guidance.
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As the hours ticked by, the trio's frustration grew, their determination to uncover the truth burning brighter with each passing moment. They pored over every shred of evidence, every hint, every clue, but still, the answers eluded them. The silence was deafening, a heavy blanket of uncertainty that threatened to suffocate them at every turn. And yet, they refused to give up, driven by a fierce determination to unravel the mystery that had consumed them.
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Their search was a relentless pursuit, a never-ending quest for answers that seemed to grow more elusive with each passing day. They combed through every available resource, leaving no stone unturned, no corner unexplored. And still, the answers remained elusive, taunting them with their very presence, teasing them with the promise of revelation just out of reach.
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Evelynn's eyes scanned the room, her mind racing with the weight of their discovery. "How will we continue this?" she asked, her voice laced with frustration.
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"Every news and journal seems to be silent about those years, as if they never existed or were deliberately erased from history." She said, tiredly.
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Crystal nodded in agreement, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Yes, I couldn't find anything about it. It's as if the very fabric of time has been torn apart, leaving a gaping hole in the chronicles of our kingdom," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
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Damian's eyes flickered with determination as he spoke. "I've searched far and wide for any mention of those years, and the only thing that comes close is Queen Eleanor's death. But even that is shrouded in controversy, with many citizens debating the exact date and time of her passing."
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Evelynn's gaze locked onto Damian's, her eyes burning with curiosity. "Why do they debate it?" she asked, her voice tinged with a sense of urgency.
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Damian's eyes scanned the page, his voice filled with a sense of mystery. "It seems that no one really knows the exact date and time of Queen Eleanor's death. It's as if the records have been lost or destroyed, leaving behind only whispers and rumors," he said, his voice echoing through the room.
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The silence that followed was palpable, the weight of their discovery settling heavily upon them.
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Crystal's eyes locked onto Damian's, her brow furrowed in confusion. "But why?" she asked, her voice laced with a sense of bewilderment. "All of the leaders' deaths are clearly documented, but why is Queen Eleanor's death shrouded in mystery?" Her words hung in the air, a poignant reminder of the enigma that had been plaguing them.
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Just as Crystal's question seemed to hang suspended, a sudden, jarring noise shook the very foundations of the clubhouse. Books tumbled from the shelves, journals scattered across the floor, and the air was filled with the sound of crashing and shattering. The trio's eyes met, their faces etched with concern and fear.
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Evelynn's voice was laced with worry as she spoke. "Guys... what's happening?" she asked, her eyes scanning the room frantically.
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Damian's protective instincts kicked in, and he quickly pulled his sister and Evelynn beneath the table, shielding them from the chaos. The three friends huddled together, their hearts pounding in unison as they prayed for the best, hoping against hope that whatever was happening would soon pass.
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But their respite was short-lived. The door, once a quiet, unassuming presence, suddenly came to life again. Its angry tone and loud voice boomed through the room, "WHO DARE TO DISTURB ME?!" it thundered, the words echoing off the walls.
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The shaking and banging noise ceased, but the door's anger was palpable. It seemed to seethe with a malevolent energy, its very presence radiating an aura of menace. The voice that followed was low and menacing, its words dripping with malice. "LEAVE OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCES!"
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Evelynn's eyes locked onto her friends, her gaze signaling that the door was likely speaking to someone behind it. But who could it be? The question hung in the air, a tantalizing mystery that only added to the sense of unease that had settled over the trio.
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Suddenly a mysterious soft, fragile voice carried on the wind, its words dripping with a sense of desperation. "Go... go away... you're not safe... go away... you're not safe..." The trio's eyes met, their faces etched with fear and panic.
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Evelynn's voice was barely above a whisper as she spoke, her words trembling with trepidation. "Should we... escape?"
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Crystal's nod was swift and decisive. "Yes, I think... I think it's Queen Fiona. She's going in," she said, her voice laced with a sense of urgency.
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Evelynn's eyes widened in shock, her gaze darting between her friends. "Then how... how do we get out?" she asked, her voice laced with desperation.
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Crystal's serious expression was a stark contrast to the fear that had gripped them moments before. "Damian... the gate," she said, her voice firm.
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Damian's eyes widened in shock, his face pale with fear. "No, sis... no... that's... that's too dangerous. And also, we need someone to be a bait for a distraction," he said, his voice laced with reluctance.
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Crystal's nod was resolute. "I will be it. Take Evelynn out and save yourself," she said, her voice filled with a sense of sacrifice.
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Damian's grip on Crystal's shoulders tightened, his eyes pleading with her to reconsider. "No... I can't let you meet her and face this alone... no... don't do this, sis," he said, his voice cracking with emotion.
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Crystal's smile was soft and gentle, her eyes filled with a sense of determination. "Go... take Evelynn out. Please," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
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With a heavy heart, Damian took Evelynn's hand and pulled her towards the gate. The weight of their decision hung in the air, a palpable reminder of the danger that lay ahead.
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As Damian led Evelynn to the gate, his hand trembled with a mix of emotions. His heart ached with the weight of their decision, but his eyes shone with a deep affection for Evelynn. He couldn't believe that his sister was willing to sacrifice herself for their escape, and his mind was filled with the thought of losing her.
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As they approached the gate, Evelynn's eyes widened in confusion. "Damian... where is the gate? I... I don't see it... it's just a plan wall here," she said, her voice laced with uncertainty.
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Damian's hand hovered over the wall, his eyes scanning the surface for any sign of the gate. Suddenly, the wall began to separate, revealing a rickety bridge that led to a door. The door, once hidden, now stood before them, its presence a beacon of hope in the darkness.
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Damian's smile was weak, but he forced himself to be optimistic. "Come... we need to cross fast before Queen Fiona reaches us," he said, his voice laced with urgency.
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Evelynn nodded, her eyes fixed on the bridge. But just as they were about to cross, she remembered Crystal. "But... what about Crystal? Why isn't she coming with us?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
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Damian's eyes clouded with sadness. "There has to be one person in... to endure the suspiciousness," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Evelynn's eyes widened in alarm. "But... but what if... what if Crystal didn't—"
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Before she could finish her sentence, Damian placed his finger on her lips, his eyes pleading with her to be quiet. He blushed, but his smile was shy and endearing. "She... she is going to be okay... don't worry her too much. My sister, is a smart girl, she can fool and influence people easily. So stay calm and let's cross this bridge, okay?" he said, his voice filled with reassurance.
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Evelynn nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. Damian took her hand again, and they began to cross the bridge. The bridge creaked and groaned beneath their weight, its wooden planks cracking and breaking. The air was thick with tension as they inched closer to the end of the bridge.
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Suddenly, the bridge gave way beneath them, and Evelynn fell and almost slipped off. But Damian, who was already at the end of the bridge, quick to react, reaching out to grab her hand and pull her up.
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Evelynn's eyes were wide with fear as she looked down at the black abyss below. "Damian Help!" she shouted, her voice echoing off the walls.
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Damian didn't hesitate, reaching out to grab her hand once more. "Hold my hand, Evelynn!" he shouted, his voice laced with urgency.
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Evelynn grasped his hand tightly, and he pulled her up, her weightless body floating in mid-air. As they reached the safety of the other side, Evelynn hugged Damian tightly. "Thank you so much, Damian," she said, her voice filled with gratitude.
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Damian's face turned bright red as he hugged her back, his hands trembling with emotion. "Y-yes... yes... Evelynn," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.
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As they stood there, catching their breath, the door behind them creaked open, revealing a vast, huge forest. The air was thick with an otherworldly energy, and the trees seemed to loom over them like sentinels. Damian's smile was weak, but he knew that they had to keep moving. They had to unlock the secrets of the forest and find a way to save Crystal.
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But what about Crystal herself? Is she going to be okay? Will she join them, or will a new betrayer reform?" The questions hung in the air, a constant reminder of the danger that lay ahead.
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To be continued...
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