Verena's POV
The room was stark white, with no windows or doors, and I stood across from Morana. She held a bell in her hand, a faint smile playing on her lips as she looked at me. "Wow, you look amazing," she remarked lightly, like we were old friends meeting for tea.
I wasn't charmed. My fists clenched as I struggled to contain the anger bubbling just beneath the surface. Memories of Morana's kindness, her grace—all the things I once admired about her—flashed in my mind, now tainted with betrayal. My voice trembled with barely controlled rage. "How dare you show your face here after everything you've done—to me, to my children, to your nephews! How dare you!"
Her smile faded, and she sighed as though I were an inconvenience. "You've never been one for heartfelt reunions."
I narrowed my eyes, my confusion mingling with fury. "What are you talking about?"
She didn't answer. Instead, she rang the bell in her hand, and the sound pierced the air like a knife. A sharp, excruciating pain tore through my body, so intense that I screamed. "Stop it! Stop, stop!" I fell to my knees, the pain overwhelming.
When it finally subsided, I opened my eyes. The white room was gone. Now, I was in the middle of a forest, surrounded by towering trees. Their dense canopies blocked out the sky, casting everything in shadow. A blue deer with icy horns grazed nearby, its calm presence almost mocking my disorientation.
Am I dead? The question rose unbidden in my mind.
"No, you're not dead." Morana's voice broke through, calm and steady.
My head snapped toward her, suspicion tightening my chest. How does she know what I'm thinking?
She pointed to the amber necklace around her neck, the knowing smile on her face sending chills down my spine. "This allows me to read your thoughts, predict your moves, and much more. The list of what it can do is... extensive. For instance, I could take someone's life or grant them a second chance. The possibilities are endless."
Her words hung heavily in the air, each one heavier than the last. My heart raced as I realized the power she held. She could end my life with a thought.
"Then why are you here?" I snapped. "If you have such an amazing tool, why aren't you out there causing more mayhem? What do you want from me?"
She sighed, and a gust of wind swept through the forest, rustling the leaves around us. "All I want is for you to stay in this forest."
I blinked. "Stay here? You're joking."
"It's not a joke," she said coldly. "There are secrets in this world that must remain hidden, and you'd be a hindrance if you were left free."
Her words only fueled my anger. "And what if I refuse? What will you do, kill me like you killed Roegadyn?"
For a moment, regret flickered in her eyes. "You've always been stubborn, haven't you? I'd hoped you would've grown up by now and learned to let go of the past. But—"
"Grown up?" I cut her off, my voice shaking. "You killed my husband in front of me! You cursed our town! Because of you, we had to leave our home! And you still have the nerve to tell me to let go of the past? Is it my fault he found me more attractive than you?"
The wind howled louder, and thunder cracked overhead. The sky darkened, as if reflecting Morana's rising anger.
"You're right about one thing," she said, her voice dangerously low. "I didn't curse the town. But there's something being hidden from everyone, and for it to come to light, you must stay here."
Her words froze me in place. "What do you mean? What's being hidden?"
"I've said too much." She raised the bell again and rang it, sending a sharp pain shooting through my head. My vision blurred, and the last thing I heard before everything went black was her voice.
"Goodbye, my little sister."
---
Keiran's POV
I woke up in darkness, unable to move. The cold bite of rope against my wrists told me I was tied to a chair. My head throbbed as I tried to make sense of my surroundings. Cracked walls loomed around me, and the only light came from a dim lamp in the center of the room.
Four shadowy figures stood around the lamp, their faces hidden. One of them stepped forward, and I caught sight of blue hair and black eyes.
"You're awake," he said, his voice unnervingly calm.
Another man called from the back. "Rieo." He stepped into the light, his red hair catching the glow and his golden eyes cutting through the dimness.
"Siea," Rieo replied, clearly unbothered.
"You're forgetting your mask," Siea scolded, then paused with a sigh. "Never mind. He's already seen your face."
I stayed silent, my mind racing. Who are these guys, and why am I here?
Siea continued, "Your grandfather, the king, has put a bounty on your head. He wants you alive, which is why we've brought you here."
My stomach dropped. My grandfather?
Before I could process the shock, another figure spoke. "What about the other one? Lumina?"
Hearing my brother's name sent a chill down my spine.
The men argued amongst themselves, their voices fading into the background as I focused on the ropes binding me. I had to get out of here.
I struggled, the ropes cutting into my skin, when Rieo suddenly broke the argument. "I'm starving," he muttered, walking toward the door.
"You're supposed to be watching him," Siea snapped.
"He's tied up. What could he possibly do?" Rieo shot back, leaving the room.
The door clicked shut, and I renewed my efforts. Then I saw it—a small creature moving in the shadows. It stepped into the light, revealing white fur, big blue eyes, and three black spots under its right eye.
"What…?" I whispered, pausing my struggle.
The creature hopped onto my lap, staring at me with unnerving intelligence. Before I could react, the ropes binding me came loose.
"Did you do this?" I asked quietly.
The creature tilted its head in respond.
I didn't have time to think. I stood, muscles aching, and followed the creature as it darted to the door.
When I opened it, I froze. Instead of dark hallways, I saw a bustling town. Towering buildings stretched into the sky, connected by steel pipes that led to a massive castle at the center.
"This isn't Forevermore," I whispered, my heart pounding.
---
Meanwhile in Forevermore
Jack and Lyrie sprinted through the streets, their breaths ragged.
"Where did that boy and woman go?" Jack asked.
They skidded to a stop at the edge of a massive hole. At the bottom, Malar's body lay broken and bloodied.
Jack's face went pale. "What happened here?"
Lyrie slid into the pit, checking for a pulse. Her voice trembled as she spoke. "He's gone."
Jack froze, his hands shaking as he took in the scene"how did this happen"
"I don't know," Lyrie whispered, staring at the devastation. "But whoever it was… they're powerful enough to destroy an entire city."
To Be Continued...