And then, like a rude awakening, the floor shook. Not violently—but enough. Enough to send a half-full cup rattling across the console, enough to make the lights flicker fur a sickening second. Enough to make Y/n’s stomach drop.

A distant clang. The sound of metal hitting metal, somewhere deep in the castle’s belly. Not the normal sounds of the ship settling. This was deliberate.

The castle shook again. Harder this time. Something was being pried open.

Y/n stood up. The empty command deck felt enormous all of a sudden, the silence pressing in like a held breath.

The intruders were already inside. They weren’t even trying to be quiet anymore. They were in the engineering section, just beyond the main corridor. And they were heading somewhere specific. Fast.

Whoever they were, they were after something in particular. And Y/n was the only thing standing—very alone—in their way.