### **Chapter 26: The First Strike**
The dawn was cold and gray, casting a muted light across the palace as Minho stood at the highest balcony, overlooking the kingdom he had sworn to protect. The weight of his newfound knowledge felt heavier with each passing hour. The Order of Shadows was no longer a myth whispered in darkened corners. They were real, they were close, and they were preparing to strike.
As the morning sun barely peeked through the thick clouds, Chan joined him. His presence was grounding, but the tension between them was palpable. They were running out of time, and Minho knew it.
"You didn't sleep again, did you?" Chan asked, his voice gentle yet tinged with concern.
Minho shook his head. "I can't. Every time I close my eyes, I see the visions. The dragon's warnings... and now this threat, looming like a shadow ready to consume everything."
Chan exhaled deeply, leaning against the railing. "We'll face it, Minho. We've made it this far. We've dealt with betrayal, with rebellion-this is just another obstacle."
Minho turned to him, eyes dark with worry. "This is different, Chan. The Order of Shadows isn't just another enemy. They've had centuries to grow in power, to perfect their deception. They're playing a game we don't fully understand yet, and if we misstep, the consequences could be catastrophic."
Before Chan could respond, a sharp knock echoed from the entrance of the balcony. Jeongin appeared, his face pale and his eyes filled with urgency.
"They've made their move," Jeongin said, breathless from running. "The lower chambers-guards have been attacked. Someone's been taken."
Minho's heart sank. "Who?"
Jeongin hesitated, his gaze flicking between Minho and Chan. "It's Lady Eunji. She's gone."
Minho's blood ran cold. "How? She was under heavy guard."
Jeongin shook his head, frustration evident in his expression. "I don't know how they got to her, but it happened last night. Whoever took her knew the layout of the palace-they slipped past all the defenses. The guards were found unconscious, with no memory of what happened."
Chan cursed under his breath. "It's the Order. They're moving faster than we thought."
Minho clenched his fists, his mind racing. Lady Eunji had been one of their strongest allies, one of the few who knew the full scope of their plans. If the Order had her, they had more than just a hostage-they had valuable information.
"We need to find her," Minho said, his voice hard with determination. "We can't let the Order use her against us."
Jeongin stepped forward. "I'll see what I can learn from the guards. Maybe there's a trail, something we missed."
"Do it," Chan ordered. "And be careful. If the Order is capable of erasing memories, we need to assume they can get to anyone, at any time."
Jeongin nodded and left swiftly, disappearing into the winding corridors of the palace. Minho turned to Chan, his eyes filled with a burning resolve.
"We have to strike back, Chan. We can't keep waiting for them to come to us. If we don't act soon, we'll lose more than just Lady Eunji. They'll dismantle us piece by piece."
Chan met his gaze, and after a moment, he nodded. "Agreed. But we can't go in blind. We need to know what they're planning, where they're holding her."
Minho's jaw tightened. "I have an idea."
---
The throne room felt colder than usual as Minho stood before his father, King Hyun. The weight of the crown seemed heavier on his father's brow, the long years of rule etched into his face. Minho had always respected his father's wisdom, but today, he felt a sense of urgency, a fire burning within him that couldn't wait for the slow process of royal diplomacy.
"Father, we need to act," Minho said, his voice steady but forceful. "The Order of Shadows has already infiltrated the palace. They've taken Lady Eunji. This is no longer a distant threat-it's here, within our walls."
King Hyun regarded his son carefully, his dark eyes searching Minho's face. "And what do you propose we do, Minho? We can't wage war on shadows. We don't even know where they are or how many of them exist."
Minho took a deep breath, steadying himself. "We need to mobilize the royal guard, begin searching the palace from the inside out. Every chamber, every hidden corridor. We need to root them out before they strike again."
King Hyun leaned back in his throne, his expression thoughtful. "And what if this Order has already entrenched itself deeper than we can reach? What if they are manipulating more than just a few guards?"
"They are," Minho said, his voice firm. "That's why we can't wait. If we sit back and do nothing, we give them the advantage. We need to fight."
The king was silent for a long moment, the weight of leadership pressing on his shoulders. Finally, he nodded. "Very well. I'll issue the order. But be cautious, Minho. We don't yet know the full extent of what we're up against."
Minho bowed his head slightly. "Thank you, Father."
---
That night, Minho and Chan moved with purpose through the palace's labyrinth of passageways. Armed guards patrolled the halls in increased numbers, their armor glinting under the dim torchlight. The palace was a fortress, but tonight it felt more like a cage.
"We need to head back to the lower chambers," Minho said as they descended the narrow staircase into the depths of the palace. "If Lady Eunji was taken from there, there might be something we missed-a clue, a sign of where they went."
Chan nodded. "Let's hope Jeongin found something useful."
When they reached the lower chambers, Jeongin was already waiting for them, his expression grim. "There's something you need to see."
He led them to the room where Lady Eunji had been held. The guards were still unconscious, their breathing shallow but steady. Minho's stomach churned as he took in the scene, the cold stone walls and the faint smell of incense lingering in the air.
Jeongin pointed to the far wall, where strange markings had been carved into the stone-symbols that Minho recognized from the ancient tome in the archives.
"It's a summoning circle," Minho whispered, his heart racing. "They're using magic."
Chan stepped closer, examining the symbols. "This is dark magic, older than anything we've ever encountered. It must be how they erased the guards' memories."
Jeongin crossed his arms, his brow furrowed. "It's not just that. I overheard something earlier-one of the guards muttering in his sleep. He mentioned a place. A sanctuary in the woods outside the capital."
Minho's eyes widened. "That must be where they've taken Lady Eunji."
Chan nodded. "Then that's where we go. We'll leave tonight, under cover of darkness."
Minho agreed. "We'll take a small team. No more than necessary. We can't risk drawing attention."
As they prepared to leave the palace, Minho couldn't shake the feeling that the Order of Shadows was already watching, waiting for their next move. The darkness was closing in, and with every step they took, they were walking deeper into the heart of danger.
---
**End of Chapter 26**
