Isabel stirred, her body aching as if it were torn apart. Every part of her body throbbed with pain, and her head felt like it was about to burst. She hadn't opened her eyes yet and tried to lift her hand to touch her head, but it felt too heavy. As her consciousness slowly returned, she opened her eyes to the vast darkness in front of her.
Nothing had changed; she was still in that same smelly, cold place. She had been lying in the same position for hours or maybe even days—she couldn't tell. With some effort, she managed to lift her hand to her head and found dried blood caked on it. All the memories came rushing back. How she had passed out and the dream—
The dream felt so vivid, as if she had lived through those beautiful memories once again. Tears welled up in her eyes as she remembered her grandparents and friends. The tears flowed freely; maybe the gods had listened to her and allowed her to see them once again, even if only in dreams. She was happy to have seen their faces, their smiles, and everything so clearly in her mind.
But with those cherished memories came the faces she hated with a passion, the faces she couldn't wait to tear apart. Hatred burned within her.
The day of the Dragon Choosing Ceremony had been the luckiest day of her life, and also the beginning of her torment in that forsaken place.
She had found her dragon, Pyraxor, her greatest supporter. But with that came the jealousy and hatred of everyone around her.
She had found her father that day, but with him came a poisonous family that didn't think twice before making her life hell.
As she lay there, consumed by her thoughts, Isabel heard the faint sound of footsteps echoing through the dark space. Her heart raced as she realized this was the first time she had heard someone approach her while she was conscious. They usually only came when she was unconscious, ensuring she never saw them. But now, someone was coming, and she knew it was a living being.
She quickly closed her eyes, her body tensing as the footsteps grew closer. She listened intently, her senses heightened. The sound of a wall shifting rumbled through the space, and Isabel clenched her hands, understanding that the damn place had a hidden entrance. She had always wondered how they entered, having tried countless times to find the gate herself.
The figure's footsteps grew louder, each step sending a jolt of adrenaline through Isabel's veins. Her heart pounded, but she forced herself to remain still, to control her breathing and not give away that she was awake. The sound of the shifting wall stopped, and she felt the presence of the figure close to her, their breath barely audible in the oppressive silence.
Isabel's mind raced, her heart hammering in her chest as the figure moved closer. She could sense them standing over her, their presence a tangible weight in the darkness. She fought to keep her breathing steady, her hands clenched tightly at her sides.
The figure stood there for what felt like an eternity, and Isabel's mind filled with questions. Who were they? Why were they here now, breaking the usual pattern? Her resolve hardened, and she vowed to find out, to seize any opportunity to escape and reclaim her life.
Suddenly, the figure bent down, and Isabel felt a gentle touch on her arm. The unexpected kindness made her flinch, but she remained still, keeping her eyes shut. The figure's hand moved to her forehead, brushing aside her hair and lingering for a moment.
Isabel's heart raced even faster, and she fought to suppress a shiver. She needed to stay in control, to not reveal that she was awake. The figure's touch left her forehead, and she heard them muttering something under their breath. She strained to listen, but the words were too faint to discern.
The man bent down, and Isabel felt herself being lifted into his arms, cradled like a princess. Instinctively, she flinched at the unexpected contact but kept her eyes closed, maintaining her façade. She needed to know what was happening and where they were taking her. The footsteps of others echoed around them, following the man who carried her.
They walked for what felt like an eternity. The endless darkness and the sound of footsteps became a monotonous rhythm, lulling Isabel into a state of hyper-awareness. Every step, every slight movement, was etched into her mind. Her thoughts raced as she tried to piece together what was happening. Who was this man? Where were they taking her?
Despite her determination to remain calm, fear began to creep in. They had been walking for so long that Isabel feared she would lose her composure. She decided she couldn't continue this charade any longer. She needed to know where they were taking her, but as she tried to move, she found herself completely immobilized. Panic surged through her. It felt as if her entire body was paralyzed, trapping her in her own mind.
She struggled furiously, willing her limbs to move, but her body remained unresponsive. The horror of her situation deepened. She was a prisoner in her own flesh, unable to move, speak, or even cry out. The man carrying her continued to walk, oblivious to the turmoil within her.
Her mind screamed in frustration and fear, but outwardly she remained still, her body limp in the man's arms. She could only hope that wherever they were taking her, she might find a way to escape. But for now, she was utterly helpless.
The man finally emerged from the dark passage, and Isabel felt the oppressive darkness lift. As they stepped into the light, the gentle moonlight bathed her face, and a soft breeze of the night brushed against her skin. The sudden change in environment was a jarring contrast to the cold, stifling darkness she had been confined in.
The man gently lowered her to the ground, his movements careful and deliberate. Isabel flinched inwardly as his warm breath brushed against her ear. His deep voice, though soft, was laced with a weight of solemnity that sent chills down her spine. "Your dragon is in the deepest part of this dungeon. He said and vanished from there along with his men."