Welcome to the third chapter of The Tale of the Lost Heart. This story puts us into a world of covert operations, hidden allegiances, and high-stakes missions. Join us as we explore the complexities of duty, the weight of responsibility, and the thin line between order and chaos.

The Tale of the Lost Heart follows History, a second sergeant in the Special Forces of Club Penguin, who the legendary Counselor Scars unexpectedly summons to investigate the theft of a Red Stone, an artifact crucial to maintaining order in their society. As suspicion of a traitor within the ranks grows, History and Scars uncover a conspiracy that threatens to tip the balance of power in favor of the chaotic Blue Rebellion.

We then went to the main hall of our palace, located between the left and right gardens. In that moderately large room, two staircases converged on a platform leading to the second-floor rooms. Around us were many chairs, paintings, windows, and various ornaments embroidered with gold and precious metals, all in a grand classical style.

It was there that a soldier, deep in thought, saved us the trouble of finding him. It was Aurora, a counselor for the Special Forces.

– Where is it? Where is it? – she repeated to herself, pacing back and forth. As a counselor, she was excused from the ordinary military service of the army, so while the others were busy with their morning tasks, she wandered uncertainly around our base.

– Where did I leave it? Ah! If someone stole it, I’ll smash their face!

– Is this the ring you’re looking for? – Scars asked, holding up the counselor’s ring we had found in the room.

– You! Give it back now, or else… – Before she finished the sentence, she realized who she was talking to. She immediately bowed down and begged:

– My apologies, Your Excellency! I would never have addressed you that way if I were thinking clearly, you know that very well.

– It’s all right, Miss Aurora – Scars said calmly. – Now, tell me, what are you doing here?

– I was looking for the ring you’re holding, Your Excellency – she responded. – But if I may ask, why do you have it?

– I found it in the room of the second piece we recovered – Scars revealed.

– I never would have imagined! Those rooms are guarded with the highest level of security…

– Indeed – Scars replied. – But it was there. Now, tell me, how did it disappear?

– I don’t know, Your Excellency! – she answered. – I noticed it was missing last night, just before bed. But, if I may ask…

– Go ahead.

– Who was on guard last night? – Aurora asked.

– Dillon and… Jojo.

At that, the officer in front of us stomped his feet and waved his hands angrily, muttering:

– I knew it! It had to be that no-good lieutenant colonel! He must have stolen my ring during the night, taking advantage of his post! He hid it in the room and planned to take it with him when he could leave the base! It had to be him!

While Scars examined everything calmly, I found the situation odd. Odd because the repetition of the pronoun “he” is such a basic stylistic error that someone has to be quite illiterate to make it. But also normal, because everyone knew Aurora didn’t get along with Jojo. I don’t know the reason for their feud, I’m not one for gossip. The accuser continued:

– Thank you so much, Your Excellency, and I apologize again. I spent the whole night searching for that precious ring and couldn’t find it. If it weren’t for you, I never would have.

– You stayed up all night? – Scars had a habit of noticing what others didn’t. – So, tell me, did you notice anything strange besides your missing ring?

– Anything strange besides that… – she thought. – Nothing except for the ring’s disappearance, Your Excellency.

– No strange noises? – Scars pressed.

– Nothing at all. I was so focused on the search that I might not have heard anything, or maybe I just don’t remember because I’m exhausted, Your Excellency.

– Good. Here’s your ring. – With that, the item was returned to its owner.

– Thank you so much, Your Excellency – she said gratefully.

– Now, go and get some rest – Scars advised. The officer accepted the suggestion and headed to his quarters.

– What do you make of all this, sir? – I asked Scars.

– Keep taking notes, History – he said. – I didn’t call you for anything else.

– Right… – I muttered, slightly shaken by his sharp reply.

– Now, let’s find Mare, who probably stayed up all night as well – he told me.

It was true, the Lieutenant had to wake up early to handle some maintenance duties at our base and palace. She was probably working in one of the gardens, and since we didn’t find her in the left garden earlier, we headed to the right one.

We found her right away. There she was, also alone, pulling dead branches and placing them in a basket. When she noticed the counselor, she stood up and greeted him with the usual bow.

– Everything going well, Lieutenant? – Scars asked.

– Yes, Your Excellency – she responded.

– You woke up early today? – he continued.

– Yes, as always – she confirmed. – And as always, I’m very tired.

– I sympathize. I know what it’s like. Go get some rest, the soldier next to me will finish your work – he said, referring to Frantic.

– Really?! – the officer exclaimed. – Thank you so much, Your Excellency!

– But before you go… – Scars interrupted. – I’d like to ask you one or two questions.

– Sure.

– You were awake last night, correct?

After a brief silence, she said, in a voice that began to falter:

– Yes…

– Did you notice anything strange during the night?

– Ah, yes, I think so, yes – she agreed, her voice gradually lowering.

– What was it?

– A strange… noise… – she murmured.

– Eden likes boys? – Scars questioned. – Officer I’m afraid this doesn’t have anything to do with the situation.

– No, no! I meant a strange noise – the officer corrected, speaking a bit louder.

– Oh, I see. And what was the noise like?

At that moment, Mare avoided eye contact, bent down, and went back to gathering the branches.

– Roses are beautiful flowers, but ours only bloom a little after the beginning of spring.

– Hm. – Scars observed. – And what was the noise that you heard?

– They say roses symbolize love.

– Mare! – Scars interrupted.

– Oh! – she sighed.

– Could you please tell us what the noise was like?

Strangely, the Lieutenant looked down, stood up, looked at Scars, and said:

– I can’t describe it… I think it was a really strange sound… I think I really need to rest, I’m not thinking straight.

The same stylistic error I mentioned earlier returned, revealing the poor state of mind the person was in. But this time, it was completely abnormal.

– Well, go get some rest – Scars advised once again.

After Mare left, Frantic finished her task. There were only a few dead branches left to collect.

During that brief time, I had some reflections. Empty ones. Or rather, they were like a tangled knot that I only made worse. My thoughts led nowhere, or rather, to no one, in solving the mystery of the missing piece. Who could have done it? Why? And why was everyone acting so strangely? Everything felt obscure to me.

After Frantic finished the task, we all left the garden. I was still without answers. But not Scars. Like a thunderbolt that strikes without warning, the counselor suddenly declared:

– I’ve discovered who committed the crime.

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Would you like to be featured in the next chapters of this story? What character has been your favorite so far? What do you think will happen in the next chapter? Who do YOU think committed the crime?

 

Edu14463
Editor-in-Chief

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