Regan was sitting on her bed, her knees to her chest and she couldn't help but feel a range of uncertain emotions. She felt satisfaction for the fight that she survived and didn't give up, however she also felt a pang of guilt, fearing that her attacks were similar to the attacks of an evil one.She knew that it was the way to survive, there wasn't any other way to overcome Vesper. She kept reassuring herself that Vesper didn't end up really bad, because she didn't lose either.The night had already taken place, a long night. She had eaten minutes ago, she measured so. Now, she had grown extremely impatient and mad at her situation.There was something hidden about her past that she didn't know. But what could it be? No matter what, she couldn't get his words out of her mind, you don't know whose blood runs in your veins. She had recently recalled him saying that, and since then, it haunted her.She was very curious and eager to know, although she had to wait until the sun rose again. It was night and the least she wanted was to do something that'll make her drown in deep shame.She had gotten a cough and a sore throat. It was because she ended up drenched in freezing water. She hoped that it wouldn't get any other symptoms because she wasn't willing to get sick in an unknown planet now.She found a set of blue pajamas in the closet and wore them. The fabric was made of cotton and provided a gentle embrace as she settled into bed. Despite the lingering unease, exhaustion from the day's events soon took its toll. As she lay under the dim light filtering through the window, her mind wandered with a mixture of pride, guilt, and curiosity. The bed was comfortable as always and she didn't really have trouble sleeping, unlike what she had had before.The morning sun cast a warm glow across the castle, signaling the start of a new day. Regan awoke with a clear purpose in her mind. The remnants of the previous night's unease clung to her, but the resolve to seek answers surpassed any hesitation.She rose from her bed, determined to confront Sirius about the cryptic words and unravel the mysteries surrounding her past. The cold from yesterday had worsened her cough, but she brushed it off, refusing to let physical discomfort hinder her quest for truth.Something else was rising her unease; she wanted to avoid Vesper. She wasn't afraid, but knew that Vesper's pride must have been very wounded from what happened.She changed her clothes and paced around nervously. She hoped that she wouldn't get awkward or embarrassed. It was the least thing she wanted now. After she saw the sun's position, she thought she had waited enough. Quietly, she stepped out of her chamber, her gaze meeting with the empty dark corridor that held an eerie silence. Her steps echoed around as she walked to the stairs which led the way upstairs.She met with the dark pentagon corridor, a corridor that gave her the chills. Then, her determination started to wash away, her anxiety kicking in, her thoughts rushing with unease.However, she didn't leave. It was nearly impossible to go near that door, but she decided to wait there, wait for the sorcerer to show his face.She waited reluctantly until she suddenly felt his presence around. Before she could do anything, he emerged from the darkness of the other hallway. He was dressed in his usual regal attire and his raven hair was messy, as if he had been running his hand on it. His expression was stoic and cold and his eyebrows furrowed when he saw Regan there."What are you doing here?" he blankly asked."I have to talk," she shortly replied, trying to avoid eye contact.""To talk?" he raised an eyebrow, "to what do I owe the pleasure that you want to talk to me?" he asked, that handsome smirk finding its place on his face."To your own lies. Look I'm not going to drag it. I have to know what do you pretend to know about me and what revenge do you want."He watched her with anticipation and crossed his arms, "Oh, so you want to know the truth now," he said, his voice cryptic. "But you should know something, girl. These truths will change your life deeply.""I don't care. Just tell what you have to tell. Let's not drag this anymore," Regan retorted. Whatever was he knew, she wanted to know as well."The least I want to do is to drag it," he retorted. "Come then," he said, gesturing to his chamber.Regan shifted awkwardly, her reluctance palpable. She didn't want to enter. He noticed, a smirk playing on his lips, "Don't worry, I don't bite."With a heavy sigh, Regan followed him, her steps hesitant and reluctant.The room was grand and dimly lit, adorned with mysterious artifacts and ancient scrolls, set in tall and intriguing bookshelves. The main study table was messy and taken by open books and torn papers. On them, she saw some sketches and beautiful handwritten scripts.He's so talented, she thought. As much as she loathed him, she couldn't deny that his drawings were exquisite. His study was a testament to his dedication and focus, despite the chaos that surrounded him.He leaned far on the wall across, his gaze penetrating and inscrutable."Ask your questions," he began, his tone commanding yet tinged with an air of amusement."What do you know about my past. What revenge do you want from me. What did you mean with whose blood runs in my veins," Regan nonchalantly stated her questions.A smirk tugged at his lips as he straightened and walked over to a red velvet curtain covering a wall. She thought it was covering a window. Shoving the curtain away, he revealed the display of galaxies and later, stars and planets. Doing his spells, he revealed a planet.His elegance was evident in whatever thing he'd do.Regan watched but didn't ask, she didn't know what he was doing. Still, she was fascinated."To start with your answers, you're not from Earth. You're not who you think you are," he stated cryptically."And from where I am?" she snapped in disbelief, crossing her arms."You're from there," he pointed at the planet, "this is your homeland, the place where you were born, the place where your origin comes from."Regan's eyebrows furrowed, perplexed by his words, "What? Are you serious?""Serious is my name."Regan shook her head, finding it impossible to believe. This was ridiculous. "And you think I believe that? I'm from Earth, I was born on there. I'm not an alien. You make no sense.""You," he said, closing the curtain, "have nothing to do with earth. You were born in Avalon, in a royal lineage. Your land got destroyed and you unfortunately survived. Then, you were brought on earth, adopted by your so-called aunt. Your foster parents died in an accident, which you already know. Then, your dear aunt raised you, with lies and deceit," he finished his speech, solemnly. His expression was blank, devoid of anything.Regan's eyes widened in disbelief. What was he saying? What was he talking about? Her, adopted? He was making her whole life a lie."Are you out of your mind? What in the world are you talking about? Me, adopted?" she said, her voice sarcastic, "You're lying!""Oh, but I'm not," he drawled, "I know so much about you that you have no idea of. You don't believe being adopted? Make the link yourself. How would you carry powers in your blood if your foster parents didn't had any? You think these happen on their own? No, my dear, they don't. You carry royal blood.""What the hell are you rambling about?! This is nonsense! If I was adopted, my aunt would have already told that!" Regan retorted, irritated. She couldn't believe any of it."She didn't have to," Sirius said nonchalantly, "It wasn't anything to tell really. You weren't going to find your biological parents anyway.""I don't believe any of this bullshit!" she said sharply, although there was surely an uncertainty about all that. Her doubts were in a high range.Sirius was unfazed. He walked closer to her and Regan eyed him suspiciously. Then, he sat on the couch, crossing his legs. That smirk was still on his face, taunting her."I'm telling you the truth and you chose to believe lies? Do it then. But you won't change the truth."Regan frowned, her voice skeptical, "Let's pretend what you say it's true. Where are my biological parents? What is that royal ramble you're saying?""Here comes the exciting part. Your glorious parents, the king and the queen of Avalon, fell." His tone was blank and stoic, and it was enough to make Regan angrier.She couldn't help but feel a pang of unknown emotions. Even though she found it hard to believe him, she couldn't shake the hint of truth in his voice."You make no sense. How do you know all that?" she asked, her voice lower depsite the anger inside her. She couldn't really believe it.He stood up from the couch again and stepped closer to her, "I know it all. I was there. I destroyed your kingdom. Your parents," his voice dropped to a menacing whisper, "your everything."Regan didn't answer, she had a hard time believing what he was saying, but slowly it was making sense. The fact that she didn't remember much from her childhood, spoke volumes. However, she couldn't trust his story either. He showed himself the criminal he is."And why did you do that?" she asked, her voice breaking."Why?" He raised an eyebrow, his eyes boring on hers, "your parents wronged me, and I wronged them back. They were powerful and all, but arrogance is a downfall. My plans went excellent, but then a problem appeared again. That problem, was you.""You're a criminal, if what you're saying is true," she managed to say."Criminal? I've merely given others what they deserve. If that makes me so, so be it," he stoically replied, "but I know how you feel. Now you'll want to recover your kingdom, your lost grace. However, you don't stand a chance, no matter who you are, Princess.""Prove that what you're saying is true. I don't believe that," Regan said, glaring at him.His smirk widened into a sinister grin. He stepped back, walking towards a concealed cabinet. From it, he retrieved an ancient artifact, "This," he said as he approached her, "is an artifact, that uses my magic to show you what I've seen and what you don't remember. If you want to see your little self, then you'll see it of how I've seen it, back on that war."Regan stared dumbfounded, shocked already by his shocking revelations that she had a hard time to proceed what he was saying."Do it," she said blankly.With a sinister gleam in his eyes, Sirius began an incantation, channeling his magic through the ancient artifact. A surge of energy passed through Regan, making her feel an unusual sensation as the illusion unfolded before her.In the vision, she saw a child with fiery red hair, running hand in hand with another girl through a war-torn landscape. The echoes of war surrounded them, and the devastation of a once-majestic kingdom was evident. A tall tree fell on their way and they disappeared. Regan felt a strange familiarity with the scene, as if the fragments of this forgotten memory were slowly coming together.Abruptly, the spell ceased, leaving Regan bewildered and disoriented. The remnants of the illusion lingered, making her question the authenticity of what she had just witnessed."What was that?" she demanded, her voice tinged with disbelief."That, my dear princess," he said as he went to place the artifact inside the cabinet, "was a glimpse of your past, one that has been concealed from you," he stated, a smirk playing on his lips."Now, if you still don't believe your identity, it's not my problem. But keep something in your mind. You are a problem for me, a big problem and obstacle. And it's right, I want revenge, which I'll get, once I'm done with you." He said with his cryptic voice, his expression unreadable."And something else, in case I forgot. You got your scar in that battle." He added, followed by a threatening silence from his enemy. He was expecting her to say something, anything. Or just lash out at him. But she stayed silent. He knew that was weird. She wouldn't stay without reacting."You killed my parents?" Regan suddenly said, her voice chilling cold."I did so," he nodded."You destroyed my life?" Her hair suddenly started to glow."I did.""You're a criminal!" she growled.Enraged by the revelations, Regan's eyes blazed with fiery intensity. Without a moment's hesitation, she shot her flame powers towards Sirius, sending a torrent of scorching energy that slammed him into the wall.The impact cracked the surface in a hard intensity. He stayed there for a moment, but then emerged seemingly unfazed, chuckling as if to provoke her further."You have a very fiery temper, princess," he remarked, brushing off the dust from his attire. "I knew you were powerful. That's why I spared you in the first place."Regan, still seething with anger, continued to unleash her fury, shooting blazes at him, which he dodged but didn't attack back. Her heart was racing, her breathing was rapid. She couldn't believe he had done all that to her. Her eyes blazed with an intense fire as she continued to unleash her fury. "You bastard! You destroyed everything! My family, my home, my life! I'll make you pay for what you've done!" she shouted, each word carrying a burning anger.Seemingly amused by her outburst, Sirius smirked and calmly responded, "You have two choices, princess. Stand with me by my side, or stand against me. The decision is yours.""I'd rather die a thousand deaths than stand with a monster like you! You won't get away with this!" Regan swore vehemently, fueled by her rage.Sirius chuckled, his expression unfazed. "So be it," he said, his voice holding a mocking edge, "but remember, you chose this path."As she continued with her spells, his annoyance grew on a thin line and he cast a spell on her, which hit her, making her stop in attacks and backing away. He wasn't really willing to fight."What the hell did you do?!" Regan exclaimed in anger."Well, it's not like I'm in the mood to fight. But I'll say, you think your royal life would have been any better?" he asked, his voice chillingly calm."You don't get to decide for my life!" she spat furiously."Really? But.... I know how dark and mundane royal life is. Sure, you'd get others to bow at you, call you titles, invite you to the balls, feign respect for you. However, this is all a beautiful lie. Your royal life wouldn't have been any better, Regan." He spoke, his expression unreadable as he started to circle her around."By this age, you would have been forced into a marriage with a cowardly and promiscuous prince, who would have cheated on you anyway or worse....abused you." He spoke, his words laced with venom and intrigue.Regan stared at him, her eyes filled with fury as she couldn't understand the audacity he had to talk for something like this, "Why do you care? Or have you been faking a royal life for years, having others to obey you with a forced and feigned respect and perhaps you've been married to a promiscuous royal woman who cheated on you?" she spat, her voice filled with anger.She knew that what she said wasn't true. But she said it because she was angry. Because she couldn't stand it when he talked about that marriage thing. She wouldn't even marry someone. She was disgusted by every man.He stopped circling her, his eyes narrowing at what she said, but a brief smirk appeared on his face, "Ah, you have a strong vivid imagination, my dear. But I'm not a man of these affairs." He said with a voice that couldn't be deciphered if it was genuine or not."Again, we were talking about royalties. The romanticism of royalties, is a lovely facade. But I know what's hidden beneath that goodly facade. Darkness. An empire, built on sins, dark desires, lust, greed, betrayal, deceit. A facade with a fake light." He spoke, his voice accusing, as he walked around the dimly lit chamber, his gaze distant.Regan's anger didn't subside, it intensified when she couldn't fathom how he could talk about light when he was the darkness himself. He was probably all the things he mentioned. What a hypocrite, she thought."Who are you to talk? Who are you? How can you talk about morals when you don't have them yourself?"Sirius chuckled, a dark edge to his amusement. "You have no idea about my morals. But it's easy for you to judge. I don't pretend to be virtuous at least. I embrace the shadows that define me."Still seething with anger, she retorted, "You're nothing better. You... you're...you have a whole...." she trailed off, not daring to finish. Not that she was scared to openly accuse him of being a womanizer, but she felt embarrassed to the core about it. It disgusted her, it made her blood boil.He paused, locking eyes with her. "I have a whole what?"An unwanted flush crept up Regan's cheeks. Why did she have to say that?"You have a whole ego," she corrected."Ego?" he raised an eyebrow, "Ah, I see. As for your answer, well, I don't hide behind facades. Everyone knows that I'm unpredictable and ruthless. I did what I did for my reasons, just as you unleash your flames for yours. We are not so different, princess, both fueled by our own motivations.""No! Don't you dare compare me to yourself. You have no right to insult my origins!" Regan retorted, remembering that his hate toward royalties was directed to her lineage in the first place."Oh, I'm not insulting you. You're pure and untouched by the darkness that surrounds the world. But remember something, the world is not black and white only. And...." he trailed off, his gaze distant."And what?" Regan snapped.He smirked, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "And the fire bond, my dear. It's not a joke. It's a powerful connection that bounds you and me, whether you like it or not."Regan's scowl deepened. She didn't even care about that fire bond. She didn't want anything to do with him, let alone be connected to him in any way."I don't care about your fire bond," she said through gritted teeth, "and I don't care about anything you have to say. You destroyed my life, and I'll make sure you pay for it," she declared, her voice trembling with determination.Sirius chuckled, shaking his head, "You still have a chance. If you side with me, we can achieve great things together."She couldn't believe he was asking that again. Was he trapping her? Of course he was. Because there was no way he'd want her on his side. There was no way he'd want her to be with him. But even if there was, she'd never do it."Never, ever," Regan spat angrily, "I'm not some sort of pawn for you to manipulate. I'll never side with someone like you."Sirius shrugged, his smirk never leaving his face. "Excellent, princess. But remember, vengeance is a sword that cuts both ways. And in this war, there'll be only one victor. I precisely can't let that be you." With that, he disappeared into the shadows of the chamber and left Regan there, torn in her thoughts and motives.