Bound

Prologue

Bellona's P.O.V

Time is a funny concept. You close your eyes while you're resting, and, suddenly, it's been hours. You finish a task that sucks the life out of you, but not even forty minutes have gone by. Sometimes the world can move slow, and sometimes it can move quick. Other times, the world can feel frozen in place. Nothing turning, nothing moving. Nothing changing.

Actions move the world. What you choose to do can affect everything. I should know, I live in a place where one single lie shaped my home. The land I walk on. The places I visit. The rules I, and every other citizen in the nation of Alremmia, have to follow.

But if you can't choose your actions, what would the world be then?

Would it be moving, since you are changing things for someone else?

Would it be frozen, since you are unable to continue on the path you truly want?

How about spinning? Upside down? Yep, those sound the most accurate.

This is what I ponder while waiting from the outside of a room, a ring, that will forever change my life. What will happen next is both unavoidable and unpredictable. But I have no choice. I must follow the rules. Not just because I'll be punished if I don't, but because of her.

I turn to my right. My sister, Aurelia.

If I try to rebel, who knows what they'll do to her, my friends, and..

No. I can't think of it.

I have to follow. I have to obey.

My ring vibrates. I press on it, letting a hologram appear in front of me. The hologram states one simple sentence: 'Enter the room.'

I stand up, preparing myself for the life I've always known to change. It will never go back to the way it is now. The memories I cherish will never happen again. I have to appreciate what has happened.

But, how will I be able to, when the Crystalline will manipulate me into loving a lie? A life they created?

It's better to accept the truth. The Crystalline will stop at nothing to make sure they have the results they intend. They will torture me, alter my mind and my memories, to get what they want: control. My life is going to change.

...

Oh, how much my life would change indeed.