CHAPTER 24 - CH 24: LOCKED IN - PART 2

Kana stepped down from the cart, her boots crunching softly against the gravel path. The last rays of sunlight filtered through the iron bars of the gate ahead, casting elongated shadows across the ground.

The gate loomed like a grim sentinel—ornate and tall, with strange, faintly glowing runes carved into the metal.

She reached out with both hands and pressed against it.

It moved.

Only a little, maybe a fraction of an inch. But just as quickly, a jolt of force surged from the gate. Kana gasped as she was flung backward, landing hard on the dirt.

Before she could register what had happened, Penelope was already there, grabbing her by the collar and yanking her back just as a violent pulse of energy rippled from the gate.

The wave of magic crackled through the air and slammed into the ground where Kana had just been standing, scorching the gravel.

Kana's eyes widened.

"That could've...!"

"Could've fried your bones clean. Idiot girl. Did you think brute strength could break magic?"

Penelope finished, not looking the least bit surprised.

Kana swallowed. Her pulse was thundering in her ears.

"So it's... locked with magic?"

"Obviously. This isn't some wooden fence, girl. That gate's sealed by a binding ward. Ancient one, too. Physical force is about as useful as throwing rocks at the moon."

Penelope tapped her cane against the ground and exhaled slowly.

Kana bit her lip.

"But can't you do something about it? You're a witch, aren't you?"

"Just because I look old does not mean I am a witch. And even if I could use magic before, I am but an old hag now. Back in the day, maybe I could've cracked it open like an eggshell. But that power's long gone. Dried up like the rest of me."

The old lady corrected sharply.

A heavy silence settled between them.

Kana clenched her fists. She had max mana. She was literally brimming with energy—more than most people could ever dream of.

And yet... she couldn't even light a match. She had no spells, no idea how to channel it, and no teacher.

What use was all that magic if she couldn't even protect herself?

Frustrated, she turned away and scanned the perimeter. Her eyes landed on the wall beside the gate. It wasn't as tall as the mansion, but it might be scalable.

"I'll find another way," she muttered.

She darted toward the wall and hoisted herself up. Her feet found the grooves between stones. She climbed fast, driven by instinct and desperation. She was halfway up when a sharp tug yanked her back.

Penelope had grabbed the hem of her coat and pulled her down.

"Are you mad?"

The old woman snapped.

Kana landed with a grunt, arms flailing.

"What now?! I was going to climb over and look for help!"

Penelope crossed her arms.

"And what if you made it to the top and got yourself blown to bits?"

"W-What?"

"Look."

Kana turned just in time to see a small bird flutter down from the sky and perch on the edge of the wall.

For a second, nothing happened.

Then—crack.

A blinding flash of light surged through the runes etched across the top of the wall. The bird exploded into a puff of black smoke and feathers.

Kana stumbled back, mouth agape.

"Th-That was..."

"A defensive rune. Some poor sod probably tried to scale it in the past. And now the owners make sure no one tries again."

Penelope said grimly.

Kana couldn't speak. Her legs trembled. That could've been her.

"Lesson one- Never assume rich people don't prepare for intrusions. Especially when they're this twisted."

Penelope said, turning her back to the wall.

Kana stared at the faintly glowing runes atop the stone wall. They weren't just sealed in—they were trapped inside. Her breath caught in her throat.

"So... we're stuck?"

Penelope didn't answer.

"I can't use magic. Even though I have all this mana, I don't know what to do with it. I can't climb. I can't force the gate open. I can't—"

Kana muttered, mostly to herself.

"Panicking won't help. You're thinking too loud. Calm your mind."

Penelope said sharply.

But Kana couldn't.

This place—this mansion—it was a gilded prison. Beautiful on the outside, monstrous within.

She thought of Luna's smile. Of Natasha's calm, predatory eyes. Of the way the butler looked relieved to see her return, like she had narrowly escaped some fate she didn't yet understand.

And now, they were trapped.

"What do we do now?"

Kana asked.

"We wait."

Penelope said.

"For what?"

The old woman glanced at the sky, then the surrounding forest.

"Help. Luck. Divine intervention. Take your pick."

Kana sat down on the gravel and pulled her knees to her chest. Her thoughts swirled like a storm—Lysera and Irielle would be looking for her, right?

They had to notice that she hadn't returned. She'd left in the morning and hadn't sent word since.

They'd notice.

They'd come.

Right?

She rested her chin on her knees and stared at the mansion behind them. The luxurious windows. The spotless stone paths. The towering iron gate that now hummed with power.

Penelope remained standing beside her, arms folded and eyes sharp. Like she was expecting something. Or someone.

Kana hoped that someone wouldn't be Luna.

She shuddered. That smile. Those words. That invitation to "stay."

She didn't want to find out what would happen if Luna and Natasha realized they weren't leaving anytime soon.

'Please! Please let someone come find us.'

She prayed silently

Because right now, escape felt like a dream—and time was running out.

Penelope tapped her cane against the ground, her voice low and serious.

"We can't stay here, girl. If we linger near the gate, we'll be sitting ducks. They'll find us easily."

Kana looked back at the towering iron gate. The memory of the shockwave was still fresh in her mind. She nodded hesitantly.

"Then... where should we go?"

"Anywhere but here. We'll find cover somewhere. This estate's big enough. Just stick close."

The old lady muttered.

But as they stepped away from the gate, the fog thickened. Kana kept her eyes on

Penelope's silhouette, but the swirling mist seemed to shift unnaturally, curling between them, swallowing everything in sight. In the space of a breath, the old lady's figure blurred—then vanished.

"Wait—Penelope? Where did you—?"

Kana called, spinning in place.

Nothing. Only fog.

Her heart pounded. She turned again, walking in the direction she thought they had come from.

Her steps quickened. Then slowed. And before long, she wasn't even sure which way she was facing anymore.

Everything looked the same.

Then, like some cruel joke, the fog parted slightly—and she saw it. The mansion.

Tall. Silent. Waiting.

Kana froze.

Her feet moved before her thoughts could stop them. One step. Then another. As if some invisible force was gently pulling her back toward the house.

She didn't want to go back.

But she didn't know where else to go.

And so, helplessly, her hands reached for the door once more.

Her fingers hovered over the door handle, trembling. She didn't want to do this. Every part of her body screamed at her to run, to hide, to not go back inside that cursed place.

But the silence pressing in from all sides was worse. The fog behind her felt alive, watching. At least in the mansion, she knew what she was dealing with—kind of.

Swallowing her fear, Kana pushed the door open slowly. The warmth of the mansion spilled out again... along with a whisper she couldn't place.