"Bull—"
"But alas," the prince cuts me off, his tone dripping with annoyance rather than regret, "you are the hero of the town square." He leans back in his ornate chair, studying me with disinterest. "I've read the reports. You've caught the attention of my people. Executing a 'hero' would undoubtedly cause unrest in my kingdom."
My mind races for an explanation. I don't understand what's happening. I didn't break any laws. I didn't even kill those lifespan bandits. The weight of confusion bears down on me, but the memory of Tsuki's boot on my chest keeps me silent.
The prince continues, his golden eyes sharp. "You seem confused." His lips curl slightly, his patience thin. "Allow me to enlighten you."
"I have eyes and ears in every shadow of this kingdom," he says, his voice brimming with self-satisfaction. "I see everything. I hear everything. I know everything."
He pauses, letting the declaration hang in the air like an accusation. His piercing gaze narrows. "Yet you continue to play dumb."
I remain silent, my chest tight. He's fishing for answers I don't have.
"We know who you are, Solice Caligo," he sneers, the name laced with disdain. "We know what you seek, your intent, and your deplorable ideologies."
His words send a shiver through me. I don't even know what I seek. What I think. I don't belong in this world, and he doesn't know that. How could he? Tears prick the corners of my eyes.
"Despite these facts," the prince says, waving a dismissive hand, "execution is not my first solution. I am, after all, a pragmatic ruler." His tone is measured, but his expression is sharp enough to cut glass. "And so, I offer you a choice, Solice Caligo of unknown origin."
I stiffen, dread clawing at me.
"I cannot afford to let the knowledge of your existence slip into the hands of the other kingdoms," he explains. "That would make us look weak, penetrable. So here is my offer: Stand before the Kingdom of Alstidon, admit to your devilish ways, and accept your execution. Or…"
He leans forward, his golden eyes burning into mine. "…forfeit all but one week of your lifespan, accept exile, and never return to this kingdom."
The words hit me like a boulder to the chest. Tears spill over, unbidden. My body trembles, my strength gone. I don't make a sound, but the pain is unbearable.
Why? I didn't do anything. I don't deserve this. This damned world is wrong.
Broken, I drop my forehead to the cold stone floor. I can't meet their eyes anymore. Their hatred burns too brightly, suffocating me.
"Why?" The word escapes my lips, quiet and desperate. "Why?"
My stomach tightens, bracing for another kick from Tsuki. It doesn't come.
"Why? Why are you doing this to me?"
My voice cracks, raw and ragged, the sobs I've been holding in spilling forth.
Another voice, sharp and fiery, cuts through the tension. "Prince Ramidion, you are being far too lenient!" It's an adviser with bright red hair and fiery eyes, his tone seething with outrage. "We must be rid of the Dark Deity at once!"
"I don't even know what that is!" I cry, the words bursting from me in a desperate plea. "I don't know what this place is, what this culture is, how I got here, or even these lifespans!" My fingers trace the timer etched into my chest.
"But I know Alondra," I continue, my voice trembling. "I know about those kids who need my help. That's all I want to do—help her and those children. I swear—"
"He's lying!" Salena hisses, her voice dripping with venom.
"I'M NOT LYING!" The shout tears from me, raw and jagged. I can't hold it together anymore. "I don't know anything. Please…"
The room falls silent, the air heavy with tension. My words hang there, ignored.
Prince Ramidion exhales slowly, his expression cold, unflinching. "Solice Caligo," he begins, his voice echoing through the grand chamber, "you will have one week to make your decision. Think. Reflect. Decide."
He straightens in his seat. "Tsuki, find a cell quiet enough for our guest to ponder his choices."
The command feels final, a hammer falling on my fate. Tsuki doesn't hesitate. He shackles my wrists with those heavy, magic-blocking chains, lifts me with ease, and shoves me forward.
My head hangs low, my steps sluggish as I follow him. The golden-eyed prince watches, detached, as if I'm no more than a fly he's swatted aside.
What more can I do?
-----
The cell is dark, damp, and suffocating. The faint flicker of a candle around the corner casts long, haunting shadows. The guard stationed there sits in silence, disinterested.
There are no other prisoners here. Just me.
I've cried all the tears I can. My swollen eyes sting with every blink, but I'm too drained to cry anymore.
"Why is this happening to me?" I whisper into the void. Dark Deity? What does that even mean?
Sam… what would you do?
I close my eyes, imagining his face. Who am I kidding? I know what you would do. You'd pick the easy way out just like you did before… Maybe I should…
Footsteps echo on the cobblestone floor, pulling me from my thoughts. I sit up, the faint light of the candle casting long shadows across the damp cell.
"Excuse me," a familiar voice says, soft yet confident. "I'd like to speak with the prisoner. Alone, please."
I freeze. That voice...
The guard hesitates. "I'm not sure if that's allowed—"
"Please," the voice insists gently, yet firmly.
There's a pause, then the clank of metal boots. "Fine," the guard mutters. "You've got five minutes." His footsteps echo as he ascends the stairs, leaving us alone.
And then I see her.
Alondra.
She steps into view, the faint candlelight catching the soft contours of her face. Her violet eyes shine like gemstones in the dim light, and her hair flows over her shoulders in silken waves. She's dressed in a dark purple and black cloak that hugs her slender frame, and yet there's a strength about her—a quiet, unyielding resolve that's always drawn me to her.
My breath catches in my throat. Relief floods my chest, nearly choking me as I stumble to my feet.
"Alondra," I whisper, gripping the cold iron bars. "You're okay... you're really okay." My voice shakes, a mixture of disbelief and joy. "Are the children safe? Are you safe? What's going on? I... I'm scared."
"Shh," she soothes, her voice as soft and melodic as I remember. She steps closer, her violet eyes meeting mine, and offers a small, reassuring smile. "We're fine," she says.
Her words feel like a balm to my soul. My legs give out, and I collapse to the cold stone floor. My head falls forward, and I feel the tension in my body drain for the first time since this nightmare began.
She kneels beside me, her presence grounding me. She smells faintly of lavender, and her hands brush mine through the bars. They're cool, but the contact steadies me, pulling me back from the brink of despair.
"I was so worried about you," I murmur, my voice trembling. "They're saying things I don't understand—about a Dark Deity, about taking my lifespan. I don't know what to do, Alondra. I just... don't know."
"I know," she says softly. Her smile remains, her gaze steady. "I know."
Her voice soothes me like Sam's once did—gentle and understanding, like she truly sees me. For a fleeting moment, I feel whole again. I feel safe. My heart aches in a way that's unfamiliar yet comforting. This... this must be what love feels like.
It's a quiet sound at first, almost soft, a chuckle that doesn't match the warmth in her eyes. My brows knit together in confusion as her chuckle grows louder, taking on an edge.
"Alondra?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
Her chuckle sharpens, twisting into a laugh that echoes through the empty halls. Her hand, which had rested lightly on mine, pulls away as her laughter grows.
"Alondra, what's going on?" My chest tightens.
She throws her head back, her laughter full and unrestrained. Tears stream down her face—not tears of relief or joy, but something darker, something cruel. When she finally looks at me, her expression is twisted, her violet eyes glinting with malice.
"You... you idiot boy!" she says between fits of laughter, her voice dripping with mockery.
Her words slam into me like a physical blow. My heart shatters into pieces, the safety and relief I felt moments ago crumbling into ash. I stare at her, frozen in place, unable to process what's happening.
"Alondra?" I whisper, the name tasting bitter on my tongue.
"You stupid, stupid boy!" she echoes.
Her words cut deeper than any blade.