In an Unknown Fortress
Velkara, the Pillar of Decay, marched through hallways and her boots loud on the cold stone floor. Two guards stood by a huge double door. They stiffened as she neared, then pushed the doors open with a nod, revealing a large chamber.
In the center, Ashen sat on a sharp black throne, his chin resting lazily on one hand, eyes closed like he was sleeping. Velkara knelt, bowing her head respectfully.
Ashen's eyes opened slightly. "Speak," he said smoothly.
"Draven has made contact," Velkara said, her voice calm but respectful. "The vessels have been secured, including the ruler."
Ashen's smirk grew into a predatory grin, his eyes sparking with interest. "Both of them?" he asked, leaning forward, fingers tapping the throne's armrest.
"Yes, my lord," Velkara answered. "All is proceeding as planned."
Ashen tilted his head back, a low chuckle growing into a wild laugh that echoed through the walls. "Perfect," he said with twisted excitent. He looked up, as if talking to soone above.
"Ashtarya, my love… you'll return to soon." His eyes glowed with obsession. "And we'll be whole again."
"How long until the teleportation ritual begins?" he asked.
"Twenty minutes, my lord," Velkara replied.
Ashen's laugh faded, replaced by a chilling smile. "Then let's not keep her waiting."
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anwhile, at unknown location
Rin groaned as her head was pounding like it had been hit with a hamr. Her pink eyes opened slowly and the world was blurry. As her vision cleared and saw a grim chamber that gave her chills. Cracked black stone walls surrounded her. She was chained to a rough pillar, the chain digging into her arms and waist, holding her tight. The air slled old, like dust and rot.
She pulled against the chains, teeth clenched, muscles straining. The tal clinked but didn't budge. "Damn it," she hissed. Being trapped was her worst fear.
She scanned the room, and her heart stopped to see another figure was slumped against a pillar, bound in the sa chains. Short blonde hair fell over her face, her head tilted to one side as she was unconscious.
"Velra!" Rin shouted in panic. "Vel, wake up!" Her voice echoed in the tomb-like chamber, but Velra didn't move.
Rin looked around, seeing hanging lamps that cast a sickly yellow light, barely lighting up the darkness. The place felt like a crypt forgotten by ti. "Where the hell are we?" she muttered.
"Is anyone there?" she called, her voice bouncing off the stone. "Hey! Sobody!"
But no answer.
She shouted again, louder with her fear creeping in. "Help! Get us out of here!"
Slow, steady footsteps echoed from a hallway, getting closer. Rin tensed and her heart pounding hard. A figure stepped from the shadows, cloaked in grey and wearing an emotionless mask. Rin can say it's a woman by her figure.
Rin's chest tightened, but she kept her voice steady. "Who are you? Where's Leonhardt?" she demanded while her pink eyes fierce. "What do you want with us?"
The figure stayed silent, her quiet more unsettling than any threat. She stepped closer.
"Answer !" Rin snapped. "You think you can just chain us up and stay quiet? Talk!"
The figure stopped, tilting her head like. Then she pulled a rough, tattered cloth from its cloak and shoved it into her mouth, muffling her shouts.
"Mmff!" Rin protested, her eyes blazing with defiance as she fought the chains.
The figure turned and walked back into the shadows, leaving Rin alone with her muffled anger and the still-unconscious Velra.
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In the Forest Clearing
Leonhardt knelt in the dirt, wrists tied tightly behind his back with rough rope, his body bruised and bloody. Pain throbbed across his ribs, and dried blood crusted his split lip, but his crimson eyes looked up at Draven's smug face with fierce defiance.
"So," Leo said, forcing a crooked grin despite the pain, "what's your creepy cult's plan with my girl? Gotta be sothing big to drag you out of whatever hole you've been hiding in."
Draven's smile grew sharp and cruel. "You really have no idea what she's worth, do you?"
Leo laughed, the sound rough but bold. "Oh, I know exactly what Rin's worth. Why do you think I'm head over heels for her?"
The words hit hard. Draven's amber eyes burned with anger, his jaw tightening as his calm broke. His fist slamd into Leo's chin with a loud crack, snapping his head to the side. The rcenary holding Leo's shoulders grunted, struggling to keep him upright as he swayed.
Leo coughed, spitting blood onto the grass while his grin still there despite the pain. "Ouch," he rasped. "You're rough with ."
Draven grabbed Leo's chin, yanking his face up until their eyes were close. "You killed Sylo," he snarled, his voice shaking with grief and rage. "And now you dare mock ?"
Leo blinked, his swollen face twitching into a half-smirk. "Let's get the story straight. That girl got herself blown to bits. I didn't exactly plan that shit."
Draven's anger exploded. His fist crashed into the other side of Leo's face, blurring his vision as his cheek swelled and fresh blood ran down his jaw. Leo groaned, shaking his head to clear the dizziness.
"I could kill you right now," Draven hissed, his voice low and deadly, his amber eyes blazing with hatred.
Leo coughed, his voice rough but still bold. "So what's stopping you?"
Draven's lips curled into a cold, crazy grin, his eyes shining with cruel joy. "Killing you outright?" he whispered, leaning closer. "That's too easy and I will not get any satisfaction from it." He paused, enjoying the mont. "You want to know what will satisfy ?"
Leo's grin faded with a spark of worry.
"Imagine this," Draven went on, his voice full of twisted glee. "In few minutes, your precious girl was no longer your. And you'll see watching her beco soone else entirely."
Leo's eyes widened, his breath catching as cold fear twisted in his stomach. Draven's grin grew, feeding off his reaction.
"Both girls—your Rin and your brother's Velra," Draven said, his tone almost worshipful, "they're vessels for powers far greater than you can imagine. Your little mage? She's destined to be leader of our new world."
Leo's heart raced, his tied hands clenching uselessly as his mind spun. "And Velra?" he whispered.
Draven's face lit up with wild excitent. "Velra," he said softly, "will beco the vessel for Goddess Ashtarya. Our divine queen will rise again, reborn in her flesh."
The na struck Leo. Ashtarya, the witch who'd haunted him, who'd nearly destroyed his life without even having a body. The thought of her returning, taking over Velra, filled him with terror.
Leo's body shook, not from the bruises or blood, but from the awful weight of what was coming. His eyes flicked to Lucian's unconscious body nearby, then back to Draven. He had to break free. He had to stop this before it was too late.
"You're delusional," he spat. "You think I'll let you touch them? I'll burn your whole damn cult to the ground first."
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