Regan kept on following Artemis's lead clueless. She didn't know what to feel. To feel happy was foreign, despite there wasn't anything that was willing of her to not escape.She was skeptical, because she had no idea where she was going. As soon as the truth appeared and she'd finally be free for her own belief, that time she'd feel genuinely happy.Artemis was silent and she didn't speak a single word. Regan was still shocked by the revelation of her being her sister and there were millions of questions in her mind that she couldn't bring herself to ask.Tightening the cloak around her, she secured the dagger she held.
"Where are we going?" She finally asked, her impatience raising. The forest was deep and dark, an unsettling air of mystery scattering around.
Artemis slowed in her steps and replied blankly, "I don't know."Regan mentally facepalmed herself, "How? I mean, where does the road lead?""I can be certain that we'll pass this realm for sure.""And then, what?""Then.... I'm not sure. I'm thinking about it."Regan didn't answer. It felt awkward and uncertain. A fear lingered on her as she would constantly turn her head behind."That seems like a trap. I'm sure we're being followed." She said, her voice filled with annoyance instead of fear, as she was tired of being scared anymore."That's just another game. He wouldn't do any good without bad intention." She added, her voice hopeless and bored.Artemis shook her head, "Quick your pace, Regan. Followed or not, the deal is a deal. You're not going to be captured." She reassured."Even if it's supposed to happen, I'd rather die than go back there." Regan replied frowning.Artemis took a deep breath and asked her, her voice lowered and a bit unnerved, "How were you treated there? Were you tortured?"The girl pondered the question. Deep down she knew she wasn't treated bad, nothing close to bad. For someone who was held a captive, she could have been worse. Being left in the cold and creepy dungeons, starving and getting beaten up, sleeping with mice sounds in her ears, it could have been extremely much worse.However, she wasn't going to accept her isolate but fancy imprisonment. She couldn't swallow the pride and be sincerely honest."It doesn't matter. I don't care." She blankly answered.Artemis didn't press more. She wanted to ask her about Sirius but couldn't bring herself to.The air on the forest was getting denser and thicker with the chilling eerie of the unknown. Regan stood close by Artemis, knowing it wasn't the best position to be nevertheless. Something else was getting to her, she forgot her sister's name.Constantly, she glared at the servant girl. For some reason, she didn't look trustful. Regan saw her with suspicion and assumed that she might play a role in the trap. After all, Regan didn't believe in anyone. Even as she followed Artemis, she knew for sure that Sirius was well aware of her doings."So, what is the deal that Sirius made?" She asked her sister as she approached, noticing that the maid was further away. Artemis was waiting for this to come. She sighed as they kept on walking."He told me to vanish into thin air and to disappear from the magical realms. To never ever cross with his dominions, realms, plans, whatever it's his. That's why he released you. That's mostly directed towards you, Regan." Artemis said, not looking back at Regan. Regan's eyebrows furrowed as she caught the point too soon, her anger rose inside but Artemis spoke again."For all these years, I haven't dared to challenge Sirius. He said that you should get over and never ever think of defeating or fighting him. That way, each of us will mind his own business and won't interfere in each one's deals. And I think that, too. It's the best for us to forget about what happened. And it's the best for you, sister. You're lucky for being alive. You can't destroy yourself by your own wi—""That's bullshit! That's nonsense! Who does he think he is? He is no one! No one!" Regan fumed, her voice furious and the servant was taken aback by her sudden outburst, turning behind."Regan, you should know that this path is dangerous and it doesn't lead for any of us." Artemis retorted lowly, trying to convince her and remove the idea of fighting."No no no no no." Regan shook her head, taking Artemis's hand and leading her a bit away, so that the maid couldn't hear, "Never! He destroyed my life and I'll stay there acting like nothing happened? Not only he wiped out our family and land, he also played with my mind for a damn long time. I don't know if it exists here, but I came out as insane and delusional because of that bastard! I will never give up on that. I've vowed already." She said, her voice strong and confident as there was no way she was going to change her mind for whatever other reason.Artemis's eyes filled with an uncertain fear and Sirius's words rang in her mind. She knew well enough the consequences of disobeying him. It wasn't the first time he had warned her. Her secrets hanged on a thin line and she couldn't let that fall, just because her newfound sister turned to be vengeful and stubborn. No, there was no way she was letting that happen."Regan," she said and grabbed the redhead's hands. You can't change the past. Feigning and fighting won't serve you anything good." Her voice was calm and convincing, however Regan shook her hands away."I don't believe in these hopeless words. It'll serve me too many things, and not only me. It'll serve good and innocent beings as well." She said and walked away. She didn't want to argue at the moment. It would be pointless and worthless. Nothing would ever change her mind.Artemis sighed, knowing this was going to be something for her to deal with.As they kept walking, a creepy sound from the dense shrubs was heard. Regan immediately went on alert and her hand went instantly on the dagger. She looked back at Artemis, but taking on her looks, her expression and her fearful actions, Regan came to the conclusion that Artemis wasn't one to fight and to stand up fiercely for herself.The maid on the other side, looked obeying and all, however, a darkly aura hanged on her.The noises were going denser and creepier. Regan felt a shiver run down her spine, as she thought that maybe she deserved to get into some sort of trouble, since days before she released a wicked criminal, although she never wanted that. However, it wasn't the time to be scared. She was ready to face the threat and anything that had intentions to harm her.And then, they emerged from the bushes. A group of hooded figures with twisted features and ugly faces, their green skin was tainted with dirt and blood, their nails and teeth were sharp as knives. They snarled and hissed, showing their fangs as they approached the women. Regan's blue eyes widened in shock and disgust, but she quickly regained her composure, feeling the anger and hatred boiling inside her."Get out of my way!" She snarled, her voice filled with venom. "Leave us alone or you'll regret it!" The figures, however, only laughed, revealing their rotten teeth. They circled them, closing in on them quickly."You're ours now, pretty one!" One of them snickered, licking its lips. "You're going to be a fun plaything!"Regan's hand grabbed the dagger behind her robe and she held in a menacing way. She could use her powers as well but first, she wanted to threaten them.One of the creatures laughed menacingly, "Look, the little girl thinks she can fight!""R-regan be c-careful." Artemis stammered as she backed away with her maid.Regan didn't answer, her eyes not leaving the creature's ones. They held sinister gleamings and Regan was well aware what their intentions were.Before they could advance further, Regan summoned her powers as she wished. And surprisingly, they responded the way she wanted. She managed to throw a chain made of fire. The chain hit each of the figures, wrapping itself on their twisted bodies.They groaned and winced in unbearable pain, since it was a chain of flames which was keeping them bound, burning their torn robes. Regan smiled at herself, as she couldn't wait more than unleash all the anger she had kept. She moved her hands forward and threw each of the creatures away. They landed on the dirt, shrubs and painful groans echoed around the forest."So? Will you try to come near me again, you bastards?" Regan yelled angrily, her voice echoing around.Suddenly, a shout escaped from behind her. As she turned behind, she saw two of the grotesque creatures, holding Artemis and her maid forcefully. Regan clenched her fists, her eyes blazing with fury."Get your fucking hands off of her!" she growled venomously.The creature smirked viciously and didn't let Artemis go, "Listen here, we thought to get one of you. That one here is weak but you ..." He snickered. "You're coming with us!"Before Regan could react, another creature grabbed her from behind and tried to drag her away. She yelled in pain and struggled against the hold, but it was strong. The creature was laughing, enjoying the fight. Anger boiled up inside Regan and she focused her powers, trying to free herself. Suddenly, the creature's grip loosened and Regan fell to the ground, coughing and wincing from the pain. She turned to face her attacker, her blue eyes blazing with fury."You bastard," she hissed, her voice shaking with rage. Before the creature could react, she lunged forward and slammed it hard on the face. The creature groaned and stumbled backward, giving her an opening. Regan grabbed the creature's arm and twisted it sharply, hearing a satisfying crack. The creature yelled in agony as she forced it to the ground and held its arm against the dirt."Listen, if you want your pretty friend to survive, you're going to come with us. Dare attack again and I'll immediately kill her." The one who was holding Artemis threatened, his claws on her throat.Regan's eyes glew with anger as she saw Artemis's vulnerable state. She remembered her own vulnerabilities. She couldn't afford losing Artemis, someone she was connected by blood, someone who was part of the family.But at the same time, she couldn't submit to anyone so she had to think of a quick plan to get out of this.Just as she was planning something, a loud sound of a gunshot scared the crows away. The creature, whose hold was on Artemis, loosened and he fell. Artemis fell as well, struggling for breath. The gunshots continued, targeting all the creatures.Regan's eyes searched for the source of shooting but it was nearly impossible to confirm anyone."Who's shooting?" she muttered. Looking at Artemis again, she ran to her and helped her up. Then, Regan took her hand and started to run with her. She didn't care what was just happening, she just knew that they were in a terribly dangerous situation.Artemis managed to regain composure as she ran after Regan. The maid, wide eyed and frightened to the core, followed them as well.