First things first, before you start reading another sneak peek I would like to say something... Important, something that I've always wanted to say but felt that maybe I was being too much of a... How can I say it? I felt like I'm being too crazy to my favourite authors if I said it to them. But also at the same time I felt regretful for not saying and thinking that maybe the authors will think I'm careless for not saying nice things to them. However, this time I'll use this chance to say it since today is a special day for someone I knew long time ago.

Back when my first LOD novels used to be so rubbish and wrong from the writing style to grammar and punctuation and finally to my very illogical fantasy plots, back when I didn't know a bit about how novels were written correctly. Back when I felt like no one liked my stories and no one was reading them, I was about to leave my hobby behind until one person surfaced from the sea of the most liked authors and mostly read stories to read mine in a club. And that person did read the whole two books that I've written long time ago with sheer interest, and offering advice on how literary worked at the same time.

Therefore becoming my very own first fan of my stories, followed by kindness and politeness becoming my friend. I know I sound like I'm about to praise that person but in all seriousness, I've had a difficult childhood where every single person I met either extremely bullied me and made fun of me, or others who told me I was a failure or an idiot in everything which led me to become an introvert, thinking that there would never be a kind human in this harsh world. Yes I did find some friends who supported me when I was being mistreated, but there's one who actually supported me for my mentality and for my talents that god has gifted me with.

And that treatment kept me going, gave me confidence to accept, and most importantly inspired and motivated me to keep writing either for myself or for awareness and entertainment.

That person is @lionobsession

So all I wanted to say is thank you, I thank you from the very bottom of my heart for showing me support along my writing journey and showing interest in my chronicles, I know that maybe it's not a big deal to you but for me it is a big deal since I had a difficult life and mentality as an introvert. So since you achieved a lot of successful stories and your stories that have been picked by popular profiles, and became a Wattpad Star. You became even better than me and achieved more than me as I was improving, I shall gift you with a sneak peek for the fourth book of the LOD chronicles, featuring your favourite character with your favourite animal. (Of course I didn't plan the entire book to put a lion so you can read it, so no I wasn't aiming to grab your attention, it was just a coincidence that you like lions and that I already planned it before I knew you even so...)

I know that I made this message long with my thanks and emotions but I won't continue further because it's getting even longer now, so without further ado enjoy reading my sneak peek! And also happy late birthday @lionobsession ! 💜😭🦁 (I was actually crying as I wrote this thank you message)

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The air in the castle was completely different with King Salvador's absence and the mysterious man's appearance within the secured and guarded castle walls, even life among the Meanians was different and mostly unhappy with the current situation. Things have changed a lot since King Salvador and his team of men left the kingdom for a rescue mission, only to come back without him but rather with his golden duplicate who was slowly dying. Fuelling the people of the kingdom with more tension and suspicion at the discovery of their King's capture by their enemies, that's where false rumours began to form and slither to the minds of those who were concerned about what is going to happen next without their leader.

Although the team haven't returned to their homes but stayed in the castle; for they knew that they were in a matter of high urgency with their King's disappearance, yet they didn't know how to respond to the problem that only royalty could solve. Tirelessly spending days and nights planning and thinking whether to trust the man they spotted in the throne room or not, some brought positive advantages about his ability and others suspected his motives and goals. 

Fearian wasn't paying attention to anything happening around him, all his mind thought of was the haunting look in Salvador's eyes as he was yanked away easily, the vibrant gold in his eyes were filled with shock and horror as he tried to reach for Fearian. That look, that feeling, the way he felt the same fear and felt the sudden wash of failure and despair as it all happened so quickly, yet the emotions were caught in slow motion. It all sent his regrets and guilt to cascade down his body.

"Go!" He remembered Salvador call. "Keep my brother and the kingdom safe!" Those were the final words he ever heard before he was pulled away.

He swore and yelled to himself that he could've done better, no he should've done better to save him so maybe they wouldn't have fallen into this mess, but he knew that he did something. He knew that he did try to save him by running to Salvador to help him run, it was after King Salvador's battle with the Third King which led his injured body to find difficulty escaping along with his men. Fearian desperately wished if he was more faster than the Third King's spell casting, he wished if he was more stronger so he can carry Salvador on his back and run back to the others. But that was it, they were wishes and wishes cannot come true, ever. 

Fight He thought I'll fight even if it meant getting myself damn hurt! He thought again striding left and right. It isn't right! I can't... Now his frustration had taken over and forced his hand to curl into a fist, a fist that violently landed on a wooden table and broke it into half. Bringing heavy tears to blur and flow from his eyes. 

I'm sorry... I really am... He apologised as if Salvador would hear him and offer him his forgiveness in his now dark and cruel prison.

His knees dropped to the floor as he began to sob silently at his failure and regret, it lasted for a moment until it was stopped by a knock on the door. Then it was opened and a familiar voice entered the room. 

"Hey, are you alright Fearian?" It was Darvin, his voice was soft and calming which sympathised with Fearian's heart.

Fearian had a moment to finish his silent cries. "I'm fine... For now." He said as he turned at the touch of Darvin's hand on his back. 

"I know how Salvador meant so much for you, we all do because he's been like a father to us." He said. 

"Why couldn't we save him?" Fearian spoke out his thoughts that were hanging in his mind.

"Look we did try our best to save him, it's just that we didn't know it was the part of his plan to capture him that way, maybe we shouldn't have underestimated his-".

"That damn snake will fall no matter how many times we'll strike, even if he does send us back to the kingdom again and again I'll keep coming back that's for damn sure!" He suddenly snatched and tossed the broken table as it flew into the wall and shattered into smaller pieces. Making Darvin take a step back from the destruction.

"That's also why I came to you," He told him before Fearian continued to destroy any other furnitures in the room. He gave him the look that waited for his answer, which Darvin hesitated with a short sigh. "It's the King's brother, he's finally awake and slowly recovering but... For some reason he wants to see you in his room along with the others. He says he wants to share what he knows about the Third Colony." He explained it to him as the surprise widened Fearian's ruby eyes.

"I think we're finally going to set a perfect plan to get Salvador out and maybe defeat him." He added, even with all the despair and sympathy he showed, there was a hint of hope in Darvin's warm eyes.

Without anymore hesitation Fearian stood up and strode to the door and left the room as Darvin followed close behind.

~~~

It wasn't long until the door to the royal bedroom was opened for the two brothers to enter, only to find their remaining friends sitting around the room. Except for Red who stood afar leaning his back against the wall with his arms crossed; next to the window that had its drapes concealed over it. Then they saw the golden figure on the bed, breathing as his weak hand was lying on the majestic beast's golden sun like mane, all while its mane glowed and emitted the energy and passed it to him with his touch. 

"We have come here as you requested... Your majesty." Darvin announced calmly to him. 

The response was received quickly when the duplicate of their lost King slowly opened his tired eyes to reveal his silvery irises that glowed like the full moon in the inky sky, they were filled with softness and peace on the eyes of a man who lived through extreme torment. He slowly scanned the room at the men who surrounded him, then his eyes landed on the animal beside him. 

Upon noticing his gaze the lion's eyes, that was also silver, widened with joy which led it to land its paws gently on the edge of the bed and lick his yellow furred cheek, purring with glee. The man laughed softly in return. "I missed you too Leo." His voice was as sweet as golden honey yet a little throaty from the weakness caused by his loss of energy. And so he rubbed through its mane playfully as the mane kept glowing at his touch. 

"He seems happy to see you." Shaun smiled at their reunion. 

"And so I am," The man replied with a struggled smile. It only lasted for a moment until the joy he drew on his face crumbled to gloom. "But without my brother... My joy is incomplete, I'm only... Getting more and more miserable." The lion tried to comfort him with more of its purrs and gentle nudges with its head.

The mention of him caused the men to exchange looks of concerns and sorrow to each other, letting the seriousness and silence to hang in the air. 

"Was he a good man?" He asked as he read each of their faces. 

"He is more than just a good king, he's our father and he will survive." Fearian answered as he corrected him with respect. His hands were clenching into tighter fists.

The man hesitated. "How are you certain he's going to survive?" Despair was stuck in his voice.

"Because he survived and defeated the Raven King, and he'll do it again with the Black Dragon King." Red said. Determination was written on his oceanic eyes.

"What's my brother's name?". 

"King Salvador Seriaz." Kyvan answered him. 

"I'm... Gabriel, and if you are all determined on his survival, there might be a chance we could stop... The darkness from descending," He breathed. "Not only should we save Salvador, but we must defeat the Third King, and all of the Dark Kings." He said then added. "We must act fast.".

"But why defeat all of them?" Soarin was baffled and curious.

Gabriel took a few breaths before he spoke again. "Because the Dark Kings are not only going to take over Mashillia, but they're going to release an entity... An entity that is more powerful than the Guardians themselves, if they succeed the world would either be wiped out or forced into worshipping darkness. We can't... Let that happen." He let out a cough afterwards.

"So they were working towards something big." Red said.

"That is why you are here, it is time that I tell you about the Third colony's plan and how to prevent it, before darkness falls." Gabriel's voice was now replaced with confidence as he filled himself with courage. 

"We're here to listen." Darvin returned the same tone. 

They're ready to set another rescue mission for King Salvador. Then the next plan is to save the world.