Starborn

Chapter 9

Bridgette Westfall. If only she knew we were on our way, she might have taken better precautions. But either they knew we were heading for Theoton, or she was already taken before I knew her name. Alas, I will never know now. I can only imagine the pain in her father, who stares at her dumbfoundedly, too emotional to shake his head in disbelief.

"No..." Elon mutters. "You couldn't have... not my Bridgette..."

"What's the matter, sir?" Drago says with a smile. "Your daughter is beautiful."

Bridgette gawks at him like a statue without a word- her hair softly blows in the wind. However, when Drago comes to her side, she slowly puts her hand to his face, over the dark portion that still pulses horridly. She looks at him with a concerned frown.

"Have no fear, love," he says. "This will heal in time."

Bridgette nods before pulling something out from under her bloomers- a small spoon with its face laden with sharp edges and a small golden goblet. It's filled with a dark substance that emits a familiar black fog.

The scoop must be used to extract the eyes. And inside the goblet, I can only guess, is an awaiting Fiend for the old man to swallow.

"H-How could you?" Elon says, tears rolling down his cheeks. "Bridgette is... all I have left."

"So, Elon," Drago says. "As you can see, your daughter has embraced the Truth. I can tell she would like you to do the same, as would the rest of your city. Theoton could be an extraordinary part of our perfect society."

"All you have to do is embrace the Truth with us," Drago says. "And we will dance together in a world of radiant darkness!"

After a moment, Drago miraculously disperses his shadow, and Elon is freed. But the old man doesn't move. All he does is tumble to his knees, staring at his daughter with a look of distraught. The poor old fellow raises his ancient face to show the streams of tears down his withered cheeks.

Elon bites his lip after emitting one final sob. "Mosleum," Elon finally says, almost regrettably. "The City of Gold, to the south... their headquarters is there."

"Mosleum. Interesting. I thought Donovan took care of that city. Thank you, sir," Drago says as he turns on his heel. "Welcome to the family. Bridgette, if you would."

She steadily walks toward him with that goblet in her hand and the spoon in the other ready to dig into her father's skull. The rest of the Shadowhearts start to unveil their handbells to ring. But the old man tries to stop his daughter by raising his palms.

"Bridgette... please..."

"Please don't fight me, Papa. This is what is best for both of us. It's what Mother wanted, for us to be happy and safe," she says. Her voice is strangely sweet.

"No!" Elon cries. "Your mother... you know your mother better than even I do! You can't become like her! These men are not worthy of you! This man, Drago... think about all the women he's had and tossed away like they were rubbish... you'll be one of them too!"

"Father... I wasn't happy until I met Drago. I want you to accept us. We shall be wed soon."

"NEVER!" he shouts. "I refuse to serve Bishop the Bleak! I'd rather die... if need be. I will give my life for my country. Unless there's still a portion of my daughter left in you."

He kneels down, and he presents his body to show no restraint. Bridgette stares at him carefully, her eyes slightly twitching. Her father looks up with tearful eyes.

But without a blink, Bridgette slowly brings the goblet to her own lips. Her father watches in horror as she gulps the Fiend inside and sighs in relief. Then, almost immediately, she smacks him in the head with the empty goblet. His blood smears on the ground, and he groans in pain. But she kneels down to his head, and with the sharp edge of her spoon, she stabs him in the neck. His blood spurts out onto her face and onto her gown.