Sarah's inner turmoil had calmed down a little, and the conversations between her, Lynetta and Jareth as a silent observer continued in a relaxed atmosphere. The gleam of the chandeliers reflected in the crystal glasses, while the music filled the air with a gentle melody. Sarah had gradually felt a little more comfortable, the initial tension faded, and the moment seemed almost too peaceful. Lynetta was just talking about one of the last festivals in a neighbouring realm when suddenly a strange tingling filled the air – like an ominous flicker that broke through the atmosphere.
It was a single, almost imperceptible sound that drowned out everything else – a deep, ominous crack that spread from the wall to the arches of the ballroom ceiling. Sarah froze. A bright, almost glaring light flickered in the corner of the hall, and then – a blinding, deafening bang.
Suddenly, a magical explosion lit up the room, and the ballroom was momentarily transformed into a blinding, flashing world of chaos. Screams echoed off the walls as a wave of destruction swept over the guests. The ground beneath Sarah's feet shook, and the air was filled with a paralyzing, metallic smell. Amidst the chaos, she heard the clinking of glass and the hurried footsteps of people.
"Sarah!" Jareth grabbed her hand, pulling her toward him, but the noise was deafening, and before she could react, it was too late.
A shadow broke through the flickering magic. A Fae, tall and dark, stepped out of nowhere with power and determination. His eyes burned with anger as he lunged at Sarah.
"You! You are the one who succeeded where so many others failed," he shouted in a voice like thunder. "You, who escaped the labyrinth – when she couldn't!"
Without warning, he grabbed Sarah and ripped her away from her seat. In the midst of the tumult, she could barely see anything, so many people were rushing in all directions, trying to escape or hide. Jareth rushed forward, but the Fae was faster. "Let her go!" he shouted, but the attacker just grinned darkly as he pulled Sarah into the shadows of the adjacent corridors.
"SARAH," Jareth screamed desperately and ran to the spot where her kidnapper had just been standing with her.
