ZELDA'S POV
I walk through the hallway peering at everydoor trying to decipher which led to the archive.
It proves difficult as this part of the mansion is secluded and dimly lit. The walls are dark and cold and I can barely make out the writing on the doors.
Suddenly, I hear heavy footsteps and in panic attempt to push open a door to hide before I'm quickly pulled to a corner.
Frightened and shocked, I stand mute till the footsteps fade. The grip on my hand is released as I look up to see a young lady.
Due to the poor lighting, I could poorly make out her features till suddenly, she opens her left palm to reveal a ball of fire which surprisingly glows more than it's capacity.
I look up at the lady and gasp, "Lucia!" I shout.
"Mistress." She says with a bow holding her scarf.
Speechless, I stand staring at her as she holds my hand and gently pulls me in a direction.
After a while, we arrive at the archive as she pulls me to the secluded part of it, reaching there, I see Kayden already standing looking at a paper.
"Thank you, Lucia. Please stand on the lookout for us." He says.
I open my mouth to speak but still shocked by the discovery, I utter nothing while Lucia bows and leaves.
"Who is she and how did you get to infiltrate her into this kingdom and into my room?!" I ask in utter bewilderment.
"Oh Griselda! You're still in oblivion about how many people from Gilmorsh reside within these walls, you just don't know." He says chuckling.
"But we're not here for that, not at all." He says stepping back as a middle aged man steps out from a corner.
He stares at me unblinkingly as I return his stare. After some seconds, he bows with a smile.
"My apologies, Griselda." He says.
"Who're you?" I ask
"Robert, a loyal priest of the Venine Temple." He says with a smile.
Swallowing tepidly, I turn to Kayden and ask, "What's all these about? You suddenly showing up here with these Gilmorsh's?What's going on?"
"These Gilmorsh's? You're one of us, Griselda." He says.
"We've been tasked with role of bringing you home, Griselda." Robert says.
"Home? You mean Alan sent you?" I ask as Kayden chuckles.
"Home as in Gilmorsh, Griselda. To the Venine Temple where you belong." Kayden says with earnesty.
I chuckle nervously while shaking my head.
"You've seen what you can do, young girl. You've seen the powers you command, waiting to be harnessed, do you think you belong here?
You can achieve alot in Gilmorsh, and can be involved in fulfilling the prophecy. A great future stands before you beckoning on you Griselda, and we're here to help you with that." Robert says slowly holding my palms.
"No, no I don't…" I say shaking my head while stepping back letting go of Robert's hand.
Kayden slowly comes closer to me and holds my face in his palm.
"Zelda, you aren't meant for this life; being subjected to a dehumanising life as a sold mistress. You belong somewhere better than this, somewhere your powers can be harnessed and used for the greater good.
You have a mass of powers at the tip of your fingers you're yet to explore. Doubt it or not, you know within you that you're a part of us, a crucial element to the Venine Temple, Griselda.
The people of Gilmorsh have been living in fear most of their lives with death looming above them once there're outside the boundaries of Gilmorsh.
Hundreds and thousands have been killed because of what they have no power or control over. Your people are being massacred by the heartless leaders of Balcroft and those in alliance with them, you can change this, Zelda.
Think about the deaths that can be avenged and the lives saved, about the future generations that can live peacefully because of you. Think about it, Zelda." He says solemnly.
My body quakes as I sob uncontrollably. Kayden pats me sniffing as Robert comes closer.
"We have to leave now." Robert says.
"Now?" I ask scared.
Then the realization dawns on me that leaving Balcroft for Gilmorsh entails leaving Aidan and Aine behind.
I feel weak as I realise that I can't muster up enough courage to leave Aidan behind. The moments we've shared together and my feelings for him.
I shift disentangling Kayden's embrace, "I can't leave yet. I have something to do before leaving." I say trying to buy enough time for me to think this through and make a decision.
My reply doesn't go down well with Kayden as he tightens his grip on my arms.
"Zelda, we can't spend anymore time here. We have to go and you must…" He says before being cut off by a yelp which I realize belongs to Lucia.
Kayden and Robert hold me firmly on each side and begin to chant some words. I try to release my hands from their grip but they don't relent in their firm grip.
Suddenly, thick black smoke fills the room which seems to affect Kayden and Robert as they cough violently letting go of me.
I step back in fear as guards emerge from various corners and chain an already unconscious Kayden and Robert.
I quiver as I feel a certain pair of arms engulf me, looking back at Aidan to see the usual emotionless look in his eyes.
"Take them to the dungeon and make sure they remain unconscious and keep their hands chained, I'll take care of them later." He says and holds my hand leading me away.
Walking over to the entrance I came in through, I look in horror at an already beheaded Lucia.
I stand as Aidan tugs at me.
Looking over to him, I'm forced to ask, "Who killed her? Why… why was she killed?"
Aidan chuckles and walks over to her lifeless body and squats, lifting her head, he tosses it over to a guard.
"Be sure to burn it." He says.
The guard bows and leaves as I step back in horror.
"We don't want another resurrection mistake now, do we?" He says smiling, still in the same position before Lucia's lifeless body.
"Are you this cruel?" I ask with a cracked voice.
"Not to you." He replies with a twisted smile.
"Not to me, but to the people of Gilmorsh?" I ask still stepping back.
Bending his head slightly to the side, he tuts.
"Maybe…" He says.
I shake my head in disbelief.
"I am one of them, Aidan! And you hurting them will make me hate you and lose my trust in you. They've done no harm whatsoever to deserve the cruel life they're being subjected to." I say in a firm voice realising the tears cascading down my cheeks already.
He stands, brings out a handkerchief from his pocket and meticulously wipes away the blood from his fingers.
"Let's go." He says not sparing another glance and leaves.