Moonveil Academy: Trapped With The Five Kings

Elara:

I used to think birthdays were supposed to feel special.

Maybe it was because Mom always insisted on baking a cake even when we didn’t have much money. Maybe it was because Dad somehow managed to buy me a tiny gift every single year, pretending he’d found it on sale when I knew he had probably skipped buying something for himself. Or maybe it was because my older brother, Felix, never failed to tease me until I threatened to throw my birthday cake at his face before handing me a carefully wrapped present with that stupid, lopsided grin of his.

Whatever the reason... birthdays had always meant home - warm lights, laughter, the smell of Mom’s cooking, and the feeling that no matter how ordinary our lives were, I belonged somewhere.

Tonight was no different. Or so I believed.

The chilly night breeze brushed against my cheeks as I pulled my jacket tighter around myself while walking down the quiet streets of our little town. Most of the shops had already closed for the night, leaving only scattered streetlights to illuminate the empty sidewalks. My feet ached from standing for nearly seven hours straight at the local diner, and my fingers still smelled faintly of coffee and dish soap.

Working part-time wasn’t exactly how most people imagined spending their twentieth birthday. But I didn’t mind.

College tuition wasn’t going to pay itself, and every extra shift meant one less thing for my parents to worry about. Besides, I knew exactly what was waiting for me at home.

A surprise.

Every year they acted as though I couldn’t see through their painfully obvious plans.

Dad would pretend to forget my birthday. Mom would act suspiciously nervous all evening. Felix would disappear for hours before suddenly claiming he had been asleep the whole time. And somehow, every single year, they expected me to believe them.

I smiled to myself. Some traditions were too precious to ruin.

My phone vibrated inside my pocket. I pulled it out, immediately seeing Felix’s name on the screen.

Idiot Brother

A laugh escaped my lips before I even opened the message.

”You’re taking forever. I’m going to bed. Don’t wake me up when you get home.”

I rolled my eyes so hard they almost hurt.

”Liar,” I muttered under my breath.

As if Felix would actually sleep before I got home on my birthday. If anything, he was probably the mastermind behind tonight’s surprise.

I quickly typed back.

”Sure. Sleep well, old man.”

A few seconds later...

”I’m only three years older than you.”

”Exactly. Ancient.”

There was no reply after that.

I chuckled, slipping my phone back into my pocket. He was probably pretending to be offended. Or busy helping Mom set up the birthday candles.

The thought made my smile widen. Sometimes I wondered how I had gotten so lucky. We weren’t rich. Our house wasn’t anything impressive. Dad worked long hours as a mechanic. Mom taught music lessons to neighborhood children. Felix had graduated from university last year and had only recently started working. Life wasn’t perfect, but it was ours. And I loved every messy, ordinary second of it.

By the time I reached our neighborhood, the familiar sight of our little two-story house came into view. The wearm yellow lights glowed behind the curtains.

”They are definitely still awake,” I whispered.

Good. Because that meant my surprise was still waiting.

Instead of walking toward the front porch, an idea suddenly crossed my mind and a grin spread across my face.

Two could play this game. If they were planning to surprise me, I’d surprise them first.

Trying not to laugh, I quietly slipped around the side of the house toward the backyard. The old wooden fence creaked beneath my hand as I pushed the gate open just enough to squeeze through.

Everything looked normal. The flower pots Mom adored. Dad’s gardening tools scattered near the shed. The small swing where Felix and I used to fight over whose turn it was.

I reached the back door and slowly wrapped my fingers around the handle. And just as expected, it was unlocked. Mom never remembered to lock it until everyone went to bed.

I carefully pushed it open, making sure it didn’t creak. The kitchen was dark, with only a faint glow spilling in from the living room ahead.

I kicked off my shoes and tiptoed forward, already imagining everyone’s faces when I suddenly shouted.

”Surpri-”

A scream cut through the air. Not playful or excited. But terrified.

My entire body froze.

That... that was Mom.

The smile vanished from my face. And for one heartbeat, my mind refused to understand what I had heard. Then came another sound.

A crash.

Something heavy hit the floor, followed by Dad’s voice.

”No... please...”

The words barely reached my ears before another sickening thud echoed through the house.

Every instinct in my body screamed that something was wrong. Very wrong. I crept toward the hallway, my heartbeat suddenly loud enough to drown out every other sound.

The living room came into view, and... the world stopped.

Mom was on her knees and blood stained the front of her pale blue sweater. Dad lay collapsed near the sofa, barely moving. And Felix... he was standing in front of them, breathing heavily and clutching a metal fireplace poker with trembling hands.

Surrounding them were six men. But they didn’t look normal. Each of them wore black armor unlike anything I had ever seen. Dark silver patterns glowed faintly across their breastplates while long cloaks covered their shoulders. Their faces were hidden behind smooth white masks marked with strange symbols.

None of them carried guns or knives like normal thugs or thieves. Instead, each one of them held an elegant sword whose blade shimmered with an eerie silver light.

One of the masked figures slowly stepped forward. His voice was cold and emotionless as he spoke, ”Tell us where she is.”

Dad coughed violently. ”I... don’t know what you’re talking about...”

A sword flashed and Dad cried out in agony.

Dad!

The scream almost escaped my throat. But I bit down on my own hand just in time and the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

No. No... This wasn’t happening. This couldn’t be happening.

Felix stepped in front of our parents, raising the fireplace poker despite the way his entire body shook.

”Get away from them!”

The masked men didn’t even look threatened. One of them even laughed. It was a short, cruel, and mocking laugh. ”Your family has hidden her for twenty years. And we have grown tired of asking politely.”

Twenty years? Her? What were they talking about?

Felix frowned. ”I don’t know what nonsense you’re spewing, but get the hell out of my house!”

Another flash.

A sword moved so quickly I barely saw it. The fireplace poker flew across the room. Felix staggered backward, clutching his shoulder as blood poured between his fingers.

”No!” Mom sobbed.

The leader calmly walked closer until he stood directly before my brother. ”One last time. Where is the Moon Princess?”

Felix stared at him in confusion. ”...The what?”

The masked man’s shoulders slowly rose before falling in what almost looked like disappointment.

”Unfortunate.” He muttered and lifted his sword.

Time slowed down.

I wanted to run. Wanted to scream. Wanted to throw myself between them. But my legs refused to move. I could only watch.

Watch... as the blade came down. And in that single horrifying instant... my entire world shattered.