"Huh—achhkuhh!" Alan groaned as he tried to move, his body feeling heavy and numb. He blinked groggily, struggling to make sense of his surroundings. "What the—? Wasn't I in the forest? Where am I now?"
As he squinted into the dim light, Alan noticed a massive, ornate door towering before him. "What a huge door," he muttered, his voice hoarse and ragged.
He tried to call out to Ellen, but his voice faltered. "Hey, Ellen—"
"Welcome, visitor, to my domain," a sultry voice echoed through the chamber.
Alan turned sharply toward the sound and found himself face-to-face with a striking figure draped in dark, regal attire. Her long, ebony hair flowed like liquid night, and her eyes gleamed with an unsettling mix of curiosity and amusement. She was flanked by a tall, enigmatic butler, whose presence was as imposing as it was silent.
The woman stepped forward gracefully, her movements smooth and predatory. "I am Queen Lyanna, ruler of this dungeon. It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Alan."
Alan struggled to his feet, still feeling disoriented. "What's going on? How did I end up here?"
Lyanna smiled, a hint of mischief in her gaze. "You see, Alan, I've been expecting you. There's a game I'd like to play with you. It's quite simple: answer a question about your deepest desires. Fail, and there may be... consequences."
Alan frowned, the weight of her words sinking in. "Why should I play along with this game? What do you want from me?"
Lyanna's expression remained calm, but her eyes held a calculating edge. "It's not about what I want, but rather what you need to discover. I've been informed of your unique abilities and your connection to a greater destiny. I've been led to believe you may have a role in finding the prophesied Chosen One. It's in my best interest to observe you closely."
Alan's heart raced as he processed her words. "So, you knew about me before I even arrived here?"
"Indeed," Lyanna replied smoothly. "A certain friend of mine has kept me informed. I've been waiting for someone like you. My intuition tells me that you might be connected to the Chosen One. My intuition has never failed me before."
Alan's mind whirled with this new revelation. "And if I refuse to play your game?"
"Refusal has its consequences," Lyanna said cryptically. "But if you succeed, you may earn rewards that could aid you on your journey. The choice is yours."
Alan's eyes narrowed as he contemplated his options. Despite the situation's absurdity, he felt a strange pull to participate. "Fine. I'll play your game."
Lyanna's smile widened. "Excellent. Let's begin."
Alan's pulse quickened as Lyanna's gaze grew sharper, more intense. The butler stood silently by her side, an impenetrable figure of stoicism. The atmosphere crackled with an eerie tension.
"Let's begin," Lyanna said, her voice smooth and commanding. "Tell me, Alan, what is your deepest desire?"
Alan hesitated. The question seemed simple, yet it felt profoundly invasive. He glanced around, trying to make sense of his surroundings. "My deepest desire? I... I want to be reunited with my family. To be with them again."
Lyanna's eyes flickered with a knowing look. "Is that truly what you desire most? Or is there something deeper, something you may not fully understand?"
Alan frowned, his mind racing. As he struggled to articulate his feelings, flashes of his past invaded his thoughts.
Alan saw himself as a young boy, standing in a brightly lit room filled with books and trophies. His sister, an exceptional child prodigy, was surrounded by accolades and praise. Their parents beamed with pride as they showered her with affection.
Alan, standing on the sidelines, looked on with a mixture of envy and longing. Despite his efforts to prove himself, he was often overshadowed by his sister's brilliance. The feeling of being left out, unappreciated, and labeled as "useless" by his own family echoed in his mind.
The scene shifted to his school days, where his childhood best friend, once a close confidant, was spreading malicious rumors about him. The whispers of betrayal and falsehoods fueled Alan's isolation. The friend's words, laden with cruelty, had painted Alan as a failure in the eyes of others.
Alan snapped back to reality, his heart heavy with the weight of these memories. "I... I just want to be acknowledged. To be valued for who I am, not just for my failures or shortcomings."
Lyanna burst out laughing, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Phefft... Reunite with your family? Oh, what a noble soul you are. Ha ha ha! Do you have a hero complex or something? It seems you are beginning to understand your true desires. The need for recognition, validation huh what a sad and pitiful child you are you want some mommys love huh?
"YOU BITCH!" Alan tried to shoot his arrow at Lyanna but he was quickly apprehended by her butler.
Alan's breath quickened as Lyanna's gaze turned steely once more. "Very well. As you have failed to meet the true nature of your deepest desire, there are consequences."
Before Alan could react, a powerful force enveloped him, rendering him immobile. The sensation was like being wrapped in chains made of invisible threads. He struggled, but the more he fought, the tighter the force seemed to bind him.
Lyanna approached, her eyes glinting with a mixture of sympathy and satisfaction. "From this moment on, you are bound to me. You will serve as my subordinate, performing tasks and duties as I see fit. This is the price for your failure."
Alan's heart raced as he tried to comprehend his predicament. "You can't do this! I—"
Lyanna's expression hardened. "It is done. The mark of servitude is now upon you."
She extended her hand, and a glowing symbol appeared on Alan's arm, searing into his skin. The mark was intricate and ominous, a constant reminder of his new status.
Alan's gaze shot to the butler, who remained impassive. "What about Ellen? Where is she?"
The butler's silence was his only answer.
Lyanna's eyes softened momentarily. "You may find some solace in knowing that your journey is far from over. Your connection to the Chosen One remains, and you will have opportunities to prove your worth. If you are smart, that is."
Alan's mind raced with thoughts of escape and rebellion, but he knew he was in no position to act. She is strong, too strong, in fact, she is a monster, Alan thought.
"There is something else," Lyanna continued. "You may be curious about the friend who informed me of your arrival. His intentions were not entirely clear, but rest assured, your path will intertwine with his in due time," she remarked sarcastically.
The room grew darker, and Alan's thoughts were consumed by the weight of his new reality. The Queen's words left him with a lingering sense of dread and uncertainty.
As Alan struggled to adjust to his new role, the chamber's massive doors creaked open, revealing a shadowy figure standing in the doorway. The figure's presence was enigmatic, their intentions cloaked in mystery.
Alan's eyes widened as he realized he was not alone, and the figure's appearance could mean trouble—or a chance for redemption.