The dungeon cell was cold.
And damp.
Moss and lichen crawled up the damp walls, their delicate structures the only signs of life in this forsaken place.
The room's sole possession was a dilapidated bench, its surface rough and splintered.
Betrayal, confusion—emotions swirled relentlessly in my mind. Why? Why would Fides do that?
What motive did she have?
"My patience is waning." I murmured internally, my voice raspy from days without water, each word a laborious effort.
"Two days... Would it kill them to offer me some food and water while they're at it? At least the shadows provide me with food."
I looked up at the ceiling, my arm doing the same, "I wonder what my mother thinks... Am I just a failure to her...?"
"No, it can't be," I murmured, a spark of hope igniting within me, "Mother has always believed in me. She wouldn't see me as a failure."
"Maybe I could... No. I'd most likely be putting my family at more risk of danger if I tried escaping..."
The dampness seeped into my bones, and I shivered. I drew my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around them in a futile attempt to ward off the chill.
"How much longer will they make me wait for the investigation to be over?"
The sound of echoing footsteps grew louder, punctuating the thick silence of the dungeon. Each step reverberated through the walls, hinting at the approach of someone—or something.
They grew louder, stopping right outside my cell. I tilted my head, straining my ears, waiting for any indication of what would come next.
A distant clanging echoed down the corridors, mingling with the muffled sounds of distant voices.
The sound of keys jingling grew louder, and a bolt was drawn back; the cell door creaked open, revealing a brutish-looking guard.
"You're coming with me." He snarled, grasping my arm with a grip that was both painful and pitiless.
I resisted the urge to wince as he dragged me out of the cell, the cold stone floor grinding at my legs with each step.
The guard’s grip never slackened, ensuring I couldn’t attempt escape – not that I had the strength for it.
"Is the investigation over? Why are they still treating me like this then?" I wondered.
We eventually reached an even darker chamber, with the only light coming from a single torch.
Chains hung from the walls, and in the centre of the room stood a stout wooden pole. Without a word, the guard pushed me towards it.
His fingers were cold, almost like the touch of death, as they wrapped around my wrists, pulling them towards the wooden pole.
I struggled against the thick rope binding my wrists to the wooden pole. The guard seemed indifferent, focused on ensuring the knots were secure.
"What's this for?" I managed to spit out, trying to suppress the rising panic.
Without uttering a word, the guard exited, leaving the door ajar behind him.
Shadows danced across the walls, animated by the flickering torchlight. Hope blinked within me, a desperate wish that they'd recognise my innocence.
Thirty minutes later, the jingling of keys was the only warning before the door creaked open again, revealing a female silhouette framed by the dim torchlight. It was Fides.
"Fides," my voice was barely a whisper, a mix of relief and anger, "Why?"
She stepped into the cell, the torchlight painting her in an eerie glow. The mischievous glint in her eyes was unmistakable. With harsh clarity, Fides's eyes finally met mine, a glint of defiance evident.
"You wouldn't understand, Lyssa. This wasn't about the kingdom or the fragment. This was about me."
I frowned, trying to comprehend her words.
"What are you saying?"
She smirked, "I was tired, Lyssa. Tired of living in your shadow. You, the darling of the Anastasia family, are always the centre of attention, always so perfect. Do you have any idea how it feels to constantly be compared to you? To be nothing more than an accessory to your life?"
"But we were friends, Fides," I whispered, the pain clear in my voice.
She scoffed, "Friendship? It's a mere consolation prize. I wanted more. I wanted power, respect, a name for myself. With you out of the picture, I can rise. Your downfall is my ascent."
I stared at her, the depth of her betrayal sinking in.
"You sacrificed our friendship and my life for your ambitions?"
She nodded, unapologetic, "It's survival, Lyssa. In this world, you either take what you want or you're left with nothing. I chose to take."
A hollow laugh escaped my lips, "So, this is who you are, Fides. This is what you truly want."
The weight of her words hung in the air, her determination stark against the cold stone walls.
She shrugged, "It is. And I have no regrets."
My eyes hardened, and a determination rising inside me, "You will regret it, Fides. Mark my words. I will find a way to make you pay." I glared at her.
"I look forward to it," she grinned, turning on her heels, "Enjoy rotting in this cell, Lyssa."
The heavy door shut behind her, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The silence was deafening. I took a deep breath, allowing her words to sink in. Was Fides truly capable of such callous ambition?
Was this the true face of my best friend, my companion?
I closed my eyes, letting the darkness envelop me.
A single tear rolled down my cheek, a reminder of all that had been lost.
I felt colder.
The echoes of Fides's words replayed in my mind. Our friendship seemed to crumble, replaced by an unfamiliar void. But I didn't have the luxury of wallowing in despair.
The hours felt like years. My wrists were raw from the ropes. My body felt numb and weakened from the lack of nourishment.
The door creaked open, revealing Lord Castellan Regis's stern face with a cold, emotionless gaze.
"Lyssa Anastasia," he began, his voice dripping with disdain, "You've caused quite a commotion, haven't you?"
"It's unfortunate. Such potential, wasted." He said, feigning sympathy, "I do wonder how you obtained such an item."
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I mustered the courage to respond.
"I've been framed. That fragment wasn't mine."
Lord Regis smirked, his gaze drifting to the door as the king entered. The king's entrance shifted the atmosphere of the room instantaneously.
"Lyssa Anastasia," King Zaphreal began, his deep voice resonating throughout the chamber. His gaze, though piercing, was not without a hint of sadness.
"Your family has been loyal to the crown for generations. To think one of their blood would be caught up in such treachery is... troubling."
I met his gaze, drawing upon every ounce of strength and dignity I had left.
"Your Majesty, I swear upon my family's honour, I've been framed. I would never endanger the kingdom."
A silence filled the room, thick with tension.
Lord Regis smirked, "Words, Lyssa. Empty words without evidence."
"The investigation has concluded. With the evidence presented, the verdict is clear: you stand guilty." King Zaphreal declared, his eyes piercing my soul.
As King Zaphreal's words settled, the weight of reality crashed down on me. Lord Regis's malicious smile grew wider, relishing in the verdict.
"Your fate has been sealed, Lyssa. Your family's name tarnished."
With his words still echoing in the chamber, King Zaphreal rose, leaving without casting another look in my direction. Lord Regis followed him, his smirk evident, fading slowly into the enveloping darkness.
"NO! I'M INNOCENT!" I screamed, straining against the ropes binding me, desperation clawing at my soul.
My voice echoed in the empty chamber, unanswered.
There was nothing I could do.
My fate was sealed.
Alone in the dark, I felt the coldness settle in my bones. My family, my honour, my future—all lost.
Cold, bitter tears coursed down my face.
The memories of the ceremony—that fateful day when everything crumbled—played on a loop in my mind. But amidst the chaos, a nagging thought persisted.
"Why haven't I gone through a trial yet?"
The more I pondered, the murkier it all became.
Nothing added up.
As I brooded over the inconsistencies, a sudden sound interrupted my thoughts.
Dim light from outside the cell faintly illuminated a piece of parchment that had been slipped beneath the door. I was able to slightly see what the message was:
"To Lyssa Anastasia
Do you recall my warning that your life would end the moment the disruption occurred?
It was a fate you couldn't have fled from.
P.S.: Do not attempt to flee. It will merely make things worse. Unless, of course, you do not have ANYTHING to lose...
From D.K".
D.K. It was the same sinister whisper that had haunted my thoughts as I was getting hauled to my cell. I failed to understand what it meant, but I didn't dwell on it much.
The moments that followed felt like an eternity. Time seemed to stretch, and my thoughts were consumed by the weight of the betrayal.
I tried freeing myself. There was no harm in doing that anymore anyway. The coarse rope bit into my wrists, its merciless grasp leaving raw marks on my pale skin.
With each movement, the sensation was unbearable, but I knew the very pain I endured was causing the rope to weaken slightly.
I summoned every ounce of strength and pulled. The rope crumbled, and the sudden release sent me tumbling to the cold stone floor.
The impact was more forceful than I anticipated, and I felt the floor crack ever so slightly beneath me. Taking a moment to steady myself, I rose from the cold ground.
The door ahead stood ajar. Without wasting time, I darted to it, taking a cautious glance outside.
The corridor was cloaked in darkness—perfect for what I had in mind.
Melding into the shadows, I summoned a hidden gateway, visible only to me. It whisked me away to the dungeon's perimeter, placing me right by the entrance to the armoury.
Silence reigned, punctuated only by my soft footsteps. I approached a secure door, the lock seemingly insurmountable. But as instinct took over, I shifted through, using the shadow cast below the door to teleport me through.
Emerging, I was met with guards in formation and Lord Regis at the centre.
His eyes bore into mine, an unsettling smirk on his face—as if he had anticipated my escape. He stepped forward, the confidence evident in his stride, "Planning a little midnight stroll, Lyssa?"
"My apologies, Lord Regis," I retorted, attempting to maintain an air of nonchalance, "I found the cell's ambiance... lacking."
"Indeed. And I'd wager you're searching for your family?" Regis sneered, his eyes narrowing.
His knowing expression unnerved me. I took a step forward, my voice tinged with desperation , "Where are they? Is my family safe? What have you done with my mother?!"
He raised an eyebrow, amusement evident.
"Safe? For the time being..."
I advanced further, my voice a low growl, "You better not lay a finger on them!"
His smirk remained, his words dripping with malice, "Perhaps they're already suffering, suffering because of you."
Regis leaned closer, his voice cold and mocking, "Can't you grasp the reality, Lyssa? Fighting this is pointless. Just accept your fate as the traitor you are."
In a fit of rage, I lunged at Regis. Shadowy tendrils burst from the ground, reflecting the fury coursing through me. My hand, shrouded in a dense, solidified shadow, transformed into razor-sharp claws, aimed squarely at Regis's smug face.
Just when I was close to striking, a shimmering orb materialised near his chest, expanding rapidly to engulf the room's dimensions.
The force from the orb's expansion threw me back with the wind, causing my shadow enhancements to vanish.
"Quite the display, Lyssa, but that wasn't very nice now, was it?"
Regis's laughter echoed through the chamber as he began to vanish before my eyes. Suddenly, an eerie whisper came from behind.
"Looking for someone?"
Spinning around, I was met with Regis's cold, calculating eyes, readying for a swift assault. I tried to brace myself, but the suddenness of his attack caught me off guard.
But summoning every ounce of strength, I dodged, the tip of his blade grazing countless marks on my arm.
The stings were immediate.
My eyes slightly widened, Regis didn't feel hurt in the slightest. Either he had a very high pain tolerance or my pain didn't reflect onto him. His taunting voice interrupted my bewildered thoughts.
"Surprised I felt no pain? Intriguing, isn't it?"
His mocking voice snapped me from my surprise, "Thought you had me figured out? This orb you're enclosed within neutralises any magic other than mine."
"It's quite handy, wouldn't you agree?" He added, circling me, his blade ready for another strike.
I recognised my predicament.
The celestial gift, bestowed by the goddess of magic, allowed humans to manifest multiple abilities upon birth.
Neutralising magic was merely one of Regis's skills.
Knowing the risk of direct confrontation, I opted for evasion, dodging away from his impending attack.
I eventually exited the room into a nearby hallway. Now that I was out of the orb, with the benefit of the scattered shadows, I amplified my speed.
Turning a corner, I hoped to find an escape route. But to my distress, Regis was already there, his malicious grin signalling he had the upper hand.
"Now where are we going?" He began, "We can't have a dangerous criminal running around." His voice doubled, creating an eerie echo that made the room feel even more confining.
Turning, I was met with a mirror image of Regis, both bearing the same sinister smirk. The realisation hit: his ability to control two bodies was now in play.
I felt trapped between the twin spectres of Lord Regis; I had limited options, but before I could act, an overwhelming headache besieged me, accompanied by the relentless whispers of condemnation.
"You fool." They repeated.
The walls, Regis's snicker, the echo of his voice, and the agonizing distress–it all swirled together, crashing over my senses.
Before everything went dark, beckoning me further into its depths, I heard a faint voice whispering in my mind once again.
"My creations. My illusions. They'll aid me in comprehending why people do what they do..."