The great battle

Grandmother: "Forge ahead, dear. The world beyond is waiting for you."

Mother: "Take the chance, my love. Find a life beyond these oppressive walls."

Aunt: "Running away won't change anything. You're destined to be a slave."

Uncle: "She's just a foolish girl, thinking she can escape her fate."

Another voice: "What's she doing at the gates? Is she planning to flee?"

Another voice."This could be troublesome."

Another voice: "Who cares? She's just a runaway servant."

The palace, with its towering walls, seemed to mock her decision for freedom. The locked gates blocked the way to the world beyond, and Mulan faced a crucial decision.

Grandmother: "Step through those gates, my dear. Your destiny awaits."

Mother: "You have the strength to overcome. Don't let fear dictate your choices."

Aunt: "She's probably confused and lost. A slave can't live in the real world."

Uncle: "She's just a foolish girl. Running away won't change her fate."

Another voice: "Look at her, still standing there. What's she waiting for?"

Another voice: "Should we report this to the authorities?"

Another voice: "No one cares about a runaway slave. Let her go."

Mulan, torn between the oppressive reality of her current situation and the tantalizing promise of freedom, hesitated at the corridor. The world beyond beckoned, but the bars before her seemed impossible.

Grandmother: "Break free, my child. Your destiny is not bound by those gates."

Mother: "You're meant for more than servitude. Leap."

Aunt: "She's wasting her time. There's no escape for a slave."

Uncle: "Let her stand there. She'll realize soon enough that she belongs here."

Another voice: "She's just a slave girl, thinking she can defy the rules."

Another voice: "Should we tell the guards? This could be a security concern."

Another voice: She's just making a scene. No one will care about her."


Amid the locked palace gates, Mulan, standing in the corridor, gazed through the window, her heart sinking at the realization that escape had become even more challenging.

Grandmother: "Don't let the locked gates deter you, dear. There must be another way."

Mother: "Explore your options, my love. Freedom may find a crack in the walls."

Aunt: "She's trapped like a rat. A runaway slave can't navigate the world."

Uncle: "Let her struggle. She's bound to fail outside these walls."

Aunt: "Look at her, stuck here. No escape for a disobedient servant."


Uncle: "Maybe she'll learn her lesson. Running away never ends well.
Why is she still here? The gates won't open for a lowly slave."

Mulan contemplated her next move, initially thinking of seeking out Bella, the mischievous maid who had been a friend. However, she reconsidered, realizing that her situation demanded a more careful approach.

*She might not be able to assist me! She may even turn me in! "

Grandmother: "Think, my dear. There's a solution to every problem."

Mother: "Consider your options, my love. Every challenge has a workaround."

Aunt: "She's probably scheming something. A slave's mind can't handle complexities."

Uncle: "Let her waste time. She'll come back crawling, begging for mercy."

As Mulan pondered, lost in thought, she suddenly collided with the notorious bullies among the maids: Sammy, Eva, Evelyn, and Anita. The encounter was like walking into a storm of aggression.

Sammy, the leader of the bullies, sneered, "Look who we have here. The pathetic little slave."

She didn't see them until their harsh voices sliced through the night. "Well, if it isn't little Mouse, out past her bedtime," Sammy sneered, her bony frame blocking the path back to the outside of the corridors. Eva and Evelyn flanked her, their faces twisted in cruel amusement, while Anita lurked like hyena at the edges

Mulan swallowed, forcing a smile as brittle as glass. "Just enjoying the…night air," she lied, the taste of ash settling on her tongue.

"Always sneaking around, aren't you?" Evelyn snarled, her eyes glinting with malice. "What secrets are you hiding, little Mouse?

Eva, with a malicious grin, added, "Thinking of causing more trouble, Mulan? You should know your place."

Evelyn, twirling a lock of her hair, chimed in, "No one wants you here. You're just a stain on the palace's reputation."

Anita, the quiet but menacing one, whispered, "You should've stayed hidden, like the rat you are."

The barrage of insults intensified as Mulan stood surrounded by the bullies.

Grandmother: "Stand strong, dear. Let their words be the wind against a sturdy tree."

Mother: "Don't let them break your spirit, my love. You are stronger than their cruelty."

Aunt: "She's just attracting more trouble. A runaway slave should know her place."

Uncle: "Let them torment her. She's not fit for anything beyond servant work."

As the bullies verbally assaulted her, Mulan's fear transformed into a surge of boldness. In a moment of desperation, she lashed out, hitting one of them with unexpected strength. The act sparked a chaotic confrontation, a sudden clash in the corridor that echoed with the intensity of a brewing storm.

Grandmother: "Defend yourself, dear. Sometimes, strength is the only language bullies understand."

Mother: "Stand your ground, my love. Let them see the fire within you."

Aunt: "She's fighting back? A slave should cower, not confront."

Uncle: "Let her resist. It won't change her fate outside these walls."

The corridor transformed into a battleground as insults turned into a physical altercation. Mulan's other unexpected strike landed on Sammy, the leader of the bullies, catching them all off guard.

Sammy, recovering from the hit, sneered, "Well, well, seems like the little mouse has teeth."

Eva, with a malicious grin, added, "You've got spunk, Mulan, but it won't save you."

Mulan, fueled by a surge of defiance, retorted, "I won't let you treat me like a punching bag anymore."

Evelyn, twirling a lock of her hair, chimed in, "Bold words for a lowly servant."

Anita, the quiet but menacing one, whispered, "You'll regret crossing us, Mulan."

The bullies circled her with a mix of aggression and caution.

Sammy, the leader, spat on the ground. "You think you can stand up to us? You're nothing."

Mulan, her fists clenched, shot back, "I'm not afraid of you anymore."

Eva, with a taunting laugh, said, "Look at her, pretending to be brave. Let's teach her a lesson."

Sammy lunged at Mulan, aiming to overpower her with sheer force. "You'll regret this, slave!"

Mulan, evading the attack, countered with a swift kick, surprising Sammy. "I regret nothing!"

Eva, attempting to seize an opportunity, sneered, "You'll pay for that, Mulan."

For a split second, the brawl held its breath. Eva, the snake in the viper pit, hissed, "You dare hit us, Mouse? You'll pay for that!"

Evelyn, ever the brute, charged a battering ram aimed at Mulan's slender frame. Mulan sidestepped the attack, using Evelyn's momentum to shove her into Sammy, who tumbled into a heap of clattering buckets. The chaos sparked laughter, a raw, desperate sound bubbling from Mulan's throat.

Sammy lunged, her bony fingers clawing at Mulan's face. Mulan reacted instinctively, slamming her knee into Sammy's gut, doubling her over. "This isn't a game anymore," Mulan growled, her voice raw with unshed tears. "I'm leaving, and you can't stop me."

Eva, eyes like chips of ice, grabbed a broom, snapping the handle in two. "Leaving? We haven't had our fun yet, Mouse!" She lunged, the makeshift spear aimed at Mulan's chest. Mulan ducked, the wood whistling past her ear and lodging itself in the wall.

Mulan, fuelled by the taste of freedom, fought with the ferocity of an animal. She twisted, her elbow connecting with Anita's nose with a sickening crunch. Anita let out a yelp, releasing her grip. Just as Mulan scrambled to her feet, Evelyn, recovered from the bucket blow, grabbed her hair, yanking her head back.

Pain lanced through Mulan's scalp, but she refused to give in. With a desperate twist, she headbutted Evelyn, her forehead connecting with the maid's nose. Blood spurted, Evelyn slumped back, dazed and defeated.

Mulan stood trembling, her clothes ripped, her body throbbing with pain. But in her eyes burned a fire that no fist could extinguish.

Nunew, fueled by concern and suspicion, quickly confronted the mischievous-looking maid, Bella. His eyes bore into hers, seeking answers about Mulan sudden disappearance.

Nunew: "Bella, where is Mulan? What do you know about this?"

"Who knows!" Bella hummed playfully.

Nunew's jaw clenched. "Do you think I'm a fool, Bella? I know you knew about Mulan's plans. Your playful tricks won't mask your involvement."

Bella, ever the enigma, greeted him with a playful glint in her eyes. "Well, well, the master himself graces us with his presence. Seeking answers, are we?" Her words danced on the edge of mockery, yet a flicker of concern lurked beneath the surface.

"Answer my question, woman!" He bellowed at her angrily.

Bella, feigning innocence, replied, "Oh, Mulan? She's probably off sulking somewhere. Don't worry, she'll be fine.

Also, I wouldn't call myself a mastermind, just a curious observer. Besides, Mulan is a firecracker, ready to explode even without a little nudge."

Despite the assurance, suspicion lingered in Nunew's gaze. He suspected Bella to be the mastermind behind Mulan's escape.

Nunew: "Don't play games with me. I sense your hand in this."

Bella, with a sly smile, countered, "Me? Oh, I'm just an innocent maid, Your Highness. I wouldn't dare orchestrate an escape."

To divert Nunew's attention, Bella skillfully shifted the focus by recounting a humorous incident from her childhood.

Bella: "You know, when I was a child, I once tried to catch a butterfly, and I ended up falling into a pond. Quite a sight, really."

Nunew uninterested in her childhood tales, persisted with his inquiry about Mulan "Enough with the stories. Where is she, Bella?"

Bella, maintaining her composure, assured, "Relax, Your Highness. She's safe. Sometimes, a girl just needs a breath of fresh air."

As the conversation unfolded, a mysterious undertone crept in when Nunew menacingly advised Bella to return home before it was too late.

Nunew: "There are forces at play, Bella. Come back home before they catch up to you."

Bella, with a knowing smile, laughed off his cryptic warning.

Bella: "Forces, Your Highness? I'll take my chances. Life's more exciting when it's a mystery, don't you think?"

In turn, Bella offered Nunew a piece of advice, urging him to ignore Priya, the head maid, whom she referred to as a devil.

Bella: " And before you blame me, remember Priya. That woman's smile hides fangs sharper than any wolf.
Priya is nothing but trouble. Ignore her, and you'll find peace in the chaos."

"Oh, I always know when to leave the stage, Master. Just remember, sometimes the devil wears the prettiest dress."

After their exchange, Nunew and Bella parted ways, leaving a lingering air of mystery and uncertainty behind them.

Nunew was alone with his thoughts. Mulan fate clung to his heart like a burr, but Bella's warnings gnawed at the edges of his mind. Was she friend or foe? Was Priya truly the viper in their midst? And what did "it's too late" even mean?

Questions clawed at him, unanswered riddles.

……….

The palace corridor, now a battlefield of words and blows, witnessed Mulan's unwavering spirit against the bullies who sought to keep her captive.

Sammy, the leader of the bullies, rubbed her jaw, assessing the unexpected resistance. "You think you're clever, little slave?"

Mulan, standing battered but resolute, replied, "I'm not your slave. I won't bow to your cruelty."

Eva, holding a broken broom handle like a weapon, sneered, "Bold words for a girl with no future."

But Mulan's focus remained unbroken. "My future is mine to decide, not yours to dictate."

Evelyn, wiping blood from her nose, seethed, "You'll pay for this, Mulan. No one defies us."

Anita, nursing her injured nose, added, "You've unleashed something you can't control."

Grandmother's voice echoed in Mulan's mind: "Stand strong, dear. Let their words be the wind against a sturdy tree."

Mother's encouragement rang true: "Don't let them break your spirit, my love. You are stronger than their cruelty."

Aunt's skepticism whispered, "She's just attracting more trouble. A runaway slave should know her place."

Uncle's disdain lingered, "Let them torment her. She's not fit for anything beyond servant work."

Despite the chaos, Mulan's gaze remained firm. "I won't let you define my worth. I'll find my own path."

The bullies, momentarily stunned by Mulan's unexpected resistance, exchanged glances, unsure of how to proceed.

Sammy, regaining her composure, hissed, "Enough of this. We'll deal with you later, Mulan."

As the bullies were about to retreat, the corridor echoed with Apex words: " Stand your ground, Mulan! Don't let them intimidate you."

The unexpected voice belonged to Apex, the kind-hearted guard who had witnessed the commotion. He stepped forward, a firm resolve in his eyes, disrupting the bullies' retreat.

Apex: "I won't stand by while you harass someone defenseless. Leave this corridor now."

Sammy, glancing at the new interference, scoffed, "What's it to you, guard? This is none of your business."

Eva, holding the broken broom handle, added with a defiant smirk, "Step aside, Apex. This little mouse needs to learn her place."

But Apex stood unwavering, his gaze a shield against the bullies' cruelty.

Apex: "I won't let you harm her. Go back to your duties and leave Mulan alone."

The bullies, faced with a guard unwilling to turn a blind eye, hissed, shooting venomous glares at Mulan. Apex remained by her side, offering a protective presence.

Apex: "Mulan, are you alright? You don't deserve this treatment."

Mulan, still trembling but emboldened, nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Apex. I didn't expect anyone to stand up for me."

Apex: "No one deserves to be treated like that."

"She is a bitch!" Eva fired angrily.
bullies' retreat.

"What is happening there?" As Steve, Nunew's right hand, stepped forward, a wave of recognition and fear swept over the bullies. Their boldness crumbled, and they hastily retreated in the face of the authoritative figure.

Steve, with a stern gaze, warned, "This ends now. Any harm to Nunew will not go unnoticed."

The bullies, realizing the gravity of the situation, scattered, leaving the corridor in a hurry. Steve turned to Mulan and Apex with a reassuring nod.

Steve: "You're safe now, Mulan. Thanks for informing me, Apex, I will be sure to tell the prince about your bravery."

Apex bowed and left.

Mulan, grateful for Steve's intervention, expressed her thanks. "I appreciate your help, Steve. I didn't expect such support."

Steve: "It's my duty to ensure everyone's safety. Come, let's make sure you're in a secure place."

Mulan froze, her body shivering in fear.