"Even in the lion's den, the illusion of safety can be the cruelest trick of all."
Kael reclined on his throne, one hand resting casually on the armrest while his golden eyes fixed on the Wildlands beyond the massive windows. The landscape stretched endlessly—dark forests, jagged peaks, and rivers that shimmered under an eerie glow. His gaze lingered on the distant horizon, as if searching for something, or someone, lost to time.
A servant entered the hall silently, bowing deeply before speaking. "Master Kael, the girl is ready."
Kael didn't look away from the window. "Barely," he murmured. "But she did survive."
The servant hesitated, his hands clasped tightly. "Shall I prepare her chamber?"
Kael's lips curved into a faint smile. "Yes. Let her rest. She'll need her strength for what's to come."
Evanna followed the servant through the winding corridors of the castle. The air was still thick and heavy, but now there was an unnatural quiet that made her skin crawl. Glow padded beside her, his fur dimming as though the castle's oppressive energy drained even him.
The servant, a hunched man with gray skin and hollow eyes, stopped in front of a grand door. With a single push, the door creaked open, revealing a room unlike anything Evanna had expected.
Her jaw dropped. "This… is my room?"
The chamber was luxurious beyond belief. Soft carpets covered the floor, glowing crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and the bed was enormous, draped in silken sheets. A large window overlooked the Wildlands, its view both breathtaking and haunting.
Evanna turned to the servant, her disbelief evident. "Why? Why would he give me this?"
The servant bowed his head. "The master does not explain his decisions. Rest now. Dinner will be served shortly."
Before she could ask more, the servant slipped away, leaving her alone.
Evanna ran her fingers over the edge of the bed, frowning. It felt too much like a trap, like bait set to lure her into lowering her guard.
Glow leapt onto the bed and curled up, his glowing fur casting faint shadows on the walls.
Evanna sighed, sinking onto the edge of the mattress. "Don't get too comfortable, Glow. This isn't real. None of this is."
The fox-beast flicked his ears but didn't move, clearly more trusting than his human companion.
The dining hall was just as grand as the room, with a long table stretching nearly the entire length of the chamber. Kael sat at one end, a glass of dark liquid in his hand, his golden eyes fixed on her as she entered.
Evanna hesitated in the doorway, but a servant gestured for her to sit at the other end of the table.
"Is this really necessary?" she muttered, walking to her seat.
Kael raised an eyebrow. "You'd prefer we eat standing in the dungeon, perhaps?"
"I'd prefer not to eat with you at all," she shot back, though she sat down nonetheless.
Kael chuckled, motioning to the servants. Plates of food were brought out—roasted meats, fresh bread, and fruits unlike anything she had seen before. The smell was intoxicating, and despite her suspicion, Evanna's stomach growled loudly.
Kael smirked. "Eat. You'll need your strength."
Evanna hesitated, her eyes narrowing. "What's in it?"
"Poison, obviously," Kael said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Do you always suspect kindness?"
"I've learned not to trust it," she replied, her tone sharp.
Kael's smirk faded, replaced by a flicker of something more serious. "A wise lesson. But the food is safe, I assure you."
Evanna picked at the bread cautiously, watching Kael as he took a sip from his glass. He seemed relaxed, almost disarmingly so, but she wasn't fooled.
"What do you want from me?" she asked after a long silence.
Kael set his glass down, his golden eyes locking onto hers. "You'll find out soon enough."
"I don't like vague answers," she said, crossing her arms.
"And I don't like answering questions," he retorted, leaning back in his chair. "Tell me, Evanna, why do you fight so hard? Why didn't you just surrender like all the others before you?"
She bristled. "Because I'm not like them."
"That much is clear," he said with a faint smile. "But strength without purpose is meaningless. Do you have a purpose, Evanna?"
Her grip tightened on the edge of the table. "If surviving this means making sure no one else has to go through what I did, then yes. I have a purpose."
Kael studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he said, "Good. Purpose will keep you alive."
Later, as Evanna returned to her room, her mind raced with questions she couldn't answer. What did Kael mean by "purpose"? And why did he care whether she survived or not?
Glow greeted her with a soft bark, his tail wagging.
"Don't get too excited," she muttered, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Tomorrow's probably going to be worse than today."
She stared out the window, the Wildlands glowing faintly under the light of the moon. Somewhere out there, her village slept soundly, unaware of what she was enduring for them.
"I'll survive this," she whispered to herself. "For them. For me."
The next morning, a sharp knock on the door jolted Evanna awake.
"Time's up," a servant called. "The master awaits."
Evanna groaned, rubbing her eyes. Glow stretched lazily before hopping off the bed.
"Great," she muttered. "What fresh nightmare is this?"
Kael stood in the throne room, his golden eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. He didn't look at her as she entered, his attention seemingly focused on the Wildlands beyond the windows.
"You're late," he said, his voice calm but laced with authority.
"I wasn't aware this was a timed appointment," she retorted, crossing her arms.
Kael turned to her, his expression unreadable. "The day of your next test has arrived."
Evanna tensed, her fists clenching. "What is it this time? Another fight to the death?"
Kael stepped closer, his gaze intense. "This will be unlike anything you've faced before. And it will determine whether you live or die."
The room seemed to grow colder, and the faint sound of distant growls echoed from the shadows.
Kael leaned in, his golden eyes burning into hers as he said, "The Wildlands themselves will be your judge. Are you ready?"