**Chapter 18: The Betrayal**
The air was thick with tension as Riven paced back and forth in the small, dimly lit room. The faint scent of old wood and damp stone filled the air, mixing with the distant sounds of muffled voices. He could hear the clink of metal in the hallway, the shuffle of boots on stone, and the low hum of an uneasy silence that had settled over the group. His mind was racing, trying to make sense of the strange unease gnawing at him. He hadn't expected things to be easy—after all, nothing ever was—but this felt different.
Casian had introduced him to a small faction within the city, people who were supposedly on his side. They shared his goal of dismantling the system from the inside out. There had been no sign of deception, no indication that any of them might betray him. At least, not until tonight.
Riven looked over at Nyx, who sat quietly in the corner, her amber eyes glowing softly in the dim light. She had been his rock for so long, his constant companion. Their bond was still growing, still fragile at times, but it was undeniable. He could feel her presence, her strength, in the back of his mind as if they were linked by an invisible thread. Zephyr, too, was there beside her, curled up near the wall, his fur sleek and dark, a stark contrast to the fading light of the room. The young creature had come a long way, adapting quickly to the world Riven had dragged him into, and now, Zephyr was more than just a pet. He was a partner in this fight, a creature whose loyalty and courage had proven invaluable.
The silence in the room stretched, and Riven's gaze flicked toward the door once more. There was something off about the situation, something he couldn't put his finger on. He felt the pressure building inside him, a nagging sense that something bad was about to happen.
Then, it came.
A sharp, deafening crack echoed through the walls, and the door flew open with a force that sent splinters scattering across the floor. Riven barely had time to react before a group of armed men stormed into the room, their eyes cold and merciless.
"Move!" one of them shouted, his voice gruff. "You're coming with us."
Before Riven could even reach for his blade, a sharp pain erupted in his chest. A crossbow bolt had struck him square in the side, the impact sending him stumbling backward. He gasped, struggling to stay on his feet as the world around him swam in a haze of pain. His eyes locked onto Nyx, who was already standing, her body coiled like a spring ready to strike, her fur bristling with alarm. But there was no time for her to move.
Another figure appeared at the door, his face masked in shadow but his presence unmistakable. Riven's heart dropped into his stomach as he recognized the man standing in the doorway.
"Alcaris," he whispered, his voice hoarse with disbelief. "How could you...?"
Alcaris smiled, a cruel twist of his lips, as he stepped forward. "You really thought you could escape the web I've woven? You're more naive than I thought, Riven."
Riven gritted his teeth, his hand still clutching his bleeding side. His mind raced, trying to come up with a plan, any plan. But there was no time. Alcaris had already won. The betrayal had come from within.
The traitor, one of the people Casian had introduced him to, stood at Alcaris's side, a smug smile on his face. Riven couldn't believe it. This man, who had seemed so trustworthy, so eager to help, had sold them out for a few coins, or worse, for power. The betrayal stung deeper than the crossbow bolt lodged in his side.
"You really are a fool," the traitor sneered. "Did you honestly think you could change anything? You and your beasts are nothing but tools for us to use."
Riven's world blurred as he staggered, blood seeping from his wound, but his mind was sharp. He couldn't let them take him—he couldn't let them take Nyx or Zephyr. He had already lost too much. He had to act.
But just as he prepared to spring into action, a sharp yelp filled the room. Riven's heart skipped a beat as he turned toward Zephyr. The young creature was on the floor, writhing in pain. A dart had struck him in the side, and the poison was already spreading, darkening his fur in patches.
"No!" Riven shouted, rushing toward Zephyr, but before he could reach him, he was tackled to the ground. The pain in his side flared up as his captors held him down, their hands rough and unyielding.
"Let him go!" Nyx roared, her voice full of rage. She lunged at the men surrounding them, but before she could make contact, a sharp metal net flew through the air, entangling her in its deadly embrace. She growled in fury, but her movements were sluggish, the net draining her strength.
Riven's heart was pounding in his chest as he struggled to free himself. He could feel Nyx's distress, her confusion, and worst of all, her fear. But he couldn't let her fall apart now. He couldn't let them break her.
"Nyx," he said through gritted teeth, his voice strained with effort. "Hold on. I'll get you out of this."
The men, seeing that Riven was still struggling, tightened their hold on him, their hands like iron on his arms. They didn't need to say anything—they didn't need to explain. They knew they had won. They knew that Riven and his beasts were trapped.
As Riven's world began to dim, he managed to catch a glimpse of Zephyr, who was lying on the ground, his fur blackened with poison, his once-vibrant eyes dimming. The sight was enough to tear at Riven's soul. He had failed. He had failed his allies, his beasts, and worst of all, himself.
"Please..." Riven whispered, his voice barely audible. He didn't even know if the words reached anyone. But in his heart, he knew what he had to do.
The world seemed to close in around him as his vision blurred, his body growing weaker with each passing second. He could feel Nyx's panic rise, could feel her trying to break free of the net, but it was too late. They had lost. And this time, there was no way out.
---
Hours passed, or perhaps it was days—Riven had no concept of time as he lay bound in the cold, damp cell. His head throbbed with the aftermath of his failed escape, and his body felt like it had been shattered into a thousand pieces. The poison had taken its toll on him as well, leaving him weakened, unable to do anything but lie there, helpless.
But through the haze of pain and exhaustion, one thought persisted: Zephyr.
Riven had failed to protect him. He had failed to protect them all.
---
When Riven finally came to, it was with a start. His body was drenched in sweat, his hands bound tightly to a wooden chair. His heart pounded as he tried to gather his bearings, but everything felt off, as if he had entered some kind of nightmare.
He lifted his head to see Nyx standing in the corner of the room, her form slumped with exhaustion, the net still hanging limply around her. But what caught his attention was Zephyr. The young beast was lying on the cold stone floor, his breathing shallow, but his eyes were open. The poison had taken a terrible toll on him, and his fur was matted with sweat, but he was still alive.
Riven's heart clenched with guilt.
Zephyr wasn't just a pet anymore. He was a partner, a friend. And Riven had almost lost him.
The betrayal stung deeper now, as he saw the toll it had taken not only on him but on his beasts, his family. They were in pain. And that pain was something Riven would never forgive himself for.
He swore, under his breath, that he would get them out. He would make the traitors pay, and he would never let anyone else use his beasts again.
And as he looked down at Zephyr, his resolve hardened. It was time for Riven to take back what was his. No matter the cost.