I awoke in darkness, a disorienting fog clouding my senses. My head throbbed with an aching pulse, and every inch of my body felt heavy and constrained. My eyes slowly adjusted to the dim light filtering through a small, grimy window, revealing a cold, stone room. The dampness in the air and the musty smell told me I was somewhere secluded and forgotten.
Panic surged through me as I tried to move, only to find that my limbs were bound tightly. My hands and feet were secured with thick ropes that dug into my skin, making every attempt to wriggle free painful and futile. I struggled against the bindings, but the more I fought, the more the ropes cut into my flesh.
"Damn it," I muttered through gritted teeth, frustration boiling beneath the surface. The last thing I remembered was walking through the academy grounds, searching for Seraphina. The mysterious mist that clouded my vision, the sudden weakness—it all came rushing back. I had been ambushed.
It had been a calm evening when I first sensed something was off. The air had felt charged with an unseen energy, sending a shiver down my spine as I strolled through the academy grounds. I had been preoccupied with thoughts of Seraphina—her laughter, the way her eyes sparkled when she spoke of her dreams. My heart swelled with affection, but as I made my way toward the garden where we often met, that feeling of peace was shattered by a sudden chill.
A figure had emerged from the shadows, cloaked in darkness, their presence unsettling. I barely had time to react before a thin mist filled the air, swirling around me like a living entity. It took only seconds for my limbs to grow heavy and my vision to blur. I remember the sensation of collapsing, of losing consciousness, and the last fleeting image of Seraphina's worried face before the darkness enveloped me.
Now, as I scanned the room, trying to assess my surroundings, I realized how vulnerable I truly was. The walls were rough and unadorned, with cracks snaking their way across the stone. The only source of light came from a flickering bulb hanging from the ceiling, casting eerie shadows that danced across the walls. The room was sparsely furnished, with only a few old, battered pieces of furniture scattered about.
A mixture of anger and confusion bubbled within me. I had no idea who had captured me or why. The only thing I knew for certain was that I needed to escape and find Seraphina. The worry for her safety gnawed at me, and I couldn't shake the feeling that she was in imminent danger.
I heard the creaking of the door, and my heart skipped a beat. I turned my head toward the sound, hoping for a sign of help or, at the very least, some answers. The door opened with a groan, and I saw a figure step into the room. The dim light made it difficult to discern their features, but the aura of authority and control was palpable.
"Who—who are you?" I demanded, my voice hoarse from the effort of shouting. "What do you want with me?"
The figure stepped closer, and I could make out the outline of a woman, her features obscured by the shadows. Her presence radiated a cold intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. "You're awake," she said, her voice a low, measured tone. "Good. I was beginning to worry that the sedative had been too strong."
"Sedative?" I growled, struggling against my restraints. "You've got to let me go. I need to find Seraphina. She's missing, and I have to—"
The woman cut me off with a raised hand, a smirk playing on her lips. "Seraphina is safe for now, though I can't guarantee for how long. I've made sure she's well taken care of."
"Who are you?" I demanded again, my frustration growing. "Why are you doing this?"
The woman's expression hardened, her eyes narrowing. "My name, yeah right. I'm here because of Seraphina. You see, I have a vested interest in her well-being, and I couldn't allow you to interfere with my plans."
Her words hit me like a slap to the face. "Plans? What plans? I don't understand any of this. Why would you target me? Why take me away?"
Her eyes gleamed with a mixture of pity and disdain. "Because you are a threat to my efforts. Your presence, your concern for Sera—it complicates things. I've had to make some difficult choices to ensure her safety and my objectives."
"What do you want from me?" I asked, desperation lacing my voice. "Why am I tied up here?"
The woman took a step closer, her gaze cold and unyielding. "I want you out of the picture. I need you to stay away from Seraphina, to stop interfering in matters you don't fully understand. Your presence is disruptive, and I can't afford to have you causing problems."
I tried to push through my anger and confusion, focusing on the immediate concern. "You're making a mistake. My love, she... needs me. If you have any sense of decency, you'll let me go so I can find her and make sure she's safe."
Her lips curled into a cruel smile. "Decency? I'm afraid you've misunderstood my intentions. I'm here to protect Sera from harm, even if it means taking drastic measures. And you, Dragon, are a significant obstacle to that protection."
My heart sank at her words. "You're insane. You can't just keep me here. Let me go, and I promise I won't interfere."
The woman's gaze was unwavering, her resolve unshaken. "I'm afraid it's not that simple. You've become a pawn in a game you don't fully comprehend. I have my own reasons for doing what I'm doing, and I'm not about to let you or anyone else stand in my way."
As she turned to leave, I called out to her, my voice cracking with frustration and desperation. "Please, you don't have to do this. Just let me g—"
The door slammed shut, cutting off my plea. The sound echoed through the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts and my mounting sense of dread. My bonds felt tighter now, the ropes cutting deeper into my skin as I struggled.
The weight of the situation pressed heavily on me. I had to find a way to escape, to get back to Seraphina, and to figure out who that woman was and why she was so determined to keep me away from her. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but I couldn't afford to give up. Not now, not when so much was at stake.
I took a deep breath, focusing on the present. Every muscle in my body ached from the effort of struggling, but I knew I had to remain focused. My mind raced with possible escape plans and strategies. I couldn't let her actions dictate my fate. I had to fight, to stay strong, and to find a way out of this nightmare.
The darkness of the room seemed to close in around me, but within it, a flicker of hope remained. I would not let this defeat me. Not while Sera's safety and my own freedom were on the line.