𝐈𝐍 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐂𝐇
⸻ Cordelia Winterbourne's ordinary life with her mother was shattered by the onset of war, prompting Cordelia's mother to make a gut-wrenching decision by sending her daughter away for a while to keep her safe.
However, fate had a di...
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The Telmarine soldiers, accompanied by the other Lords and Miraz himself, were en route to Aslan's How marching with a sense of purpose towards their destination.
Miraz led the procession at the forefront, now the reigning king, mounted on a white horse adorned in resplendent golden armor.
In a hushed command, he whispered to the girl riding beside him, her gaze fixed ahead with an expressionless face.
"You will eliminate anyone who obstructs our path, understood?" Despite her blank demeanor, she acknowledged Miraz's orders with a firm nod, displaying unwavering compliance.
At Aslan's How Peter and Lucy's conversation was abruptly halted when Edmund alerted them to a looming threat.
Before them, at a distance, a swarm of Telmarines gathered. The Pevensies stood witness, their expressions tense, as the soldiers and Lords readied themselves for an impending confrontation. The air was thick with tension.
Edmund's eyes widened in recognition as he caught sight of the figure he had been hoping to see.
"Cora?" Peter echoed Edmund's unspoken thoughts, his voice betraying a blend of surprise and concern as he gazed at the girl standing alongside the Telmarine forces. The unexpected sight of her amidst their adversaries added a layer of complexity and worry to their situation.
As they convened inside, the group gathered to strategize and formulate a plan.
"Cakes and kettledrums. That's your next big plan?" Trumpkin questioned skeptically.
"Sending a little girl into the darkest parts of the forest? Alone!" Trumpkin protested vehemently against Peter's proposal to send Lucy into the forest.
"It's our only chance," Peter reasoned, trying to justify the decision.
"And she won't be alone," Susan interjected, stepping in to reassure Trumpkin.
Trumpkin gazed at the youngest Pevensie with a worried expression. "Haven't enough of us died already?" he questioned, his concern palpable.
The badger, seated beside Edmund who was still grappling with what he had witnessed earlier, interjected solemnly, "Nikabrik was my friend too. But he lost hope."
"Queen Lucy hasn't. And neither have I," the badger continued, emphasizing their resilience and determination.
Reepicheep unsheathed his small sword with resolve. "For Aslan," he proclaimed, his declaration echoed by the bear, signifying their unwavering commitment to the cause.
The moment hung heavy with silence until Trumpkin broke it. "Then I'm going with you."
"No, we need you here," Lucy replied, her smile offering reassurance as she placed a hand on Trumpkin's shoulder.
"We have to hold them off until Lucy and Susan get back," Peter declared, turning away. Caspian, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up.
"If I may..." He turned to Doctor Cornelius seated beside him, seeking a moment. "Miraz may be a tyrant and a murderer, but as a king, he is bound by the traditions and expectations of his people."
Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Caspian scanned the group. "There is one tradition, in particular, that may buy us some time."
Peter lowered his gaze briefly, then glanced at his brother, contemplating the weight of their situation.
According to Caspian's plan, they intended to send Edmund as a messenger to deliver a proposition: a one-on-one swordfight between Peter and Miraz, with the condition that no one would interrupt the duel. This strategy aimed to create a diversion and buy time for their plan to unfold.
"What about Cora?" Edmund inquired, breaking the silence with a hint of concern in his voice.
"I'm afraid that's not Cora anymore, my son," Cornelius interjected solemnly, drawing the attention of everyone present to his words. His statement hinted at a transformation or change that had altered Cora into someone unrecognizable or fundamentally different from who she once was.
"What do you mean?" Peter asked, his confusion apparent.
"That's Seraphina now," Cornelius simply stated.
"I'm confused, I thought that's Cora's real name given by the White Witch?" Susan sought clarification, puzzled by the revelation.
"No, Seraphina is her alter ego," Cornelius explained. He paused briefly before continuing, "I suspect Miraz has already used that black powder on her."
"What black powder?" Edmund interjected, eager for more information.
"The Duskfall Catalyst," Cornelius revealed, his tone tinged with a sense of gravity. "It's an arcane substance, steeped in mystery and potent in its effects. This powder, rumored to awaken dormant forces within, possesses an eerie ability to bring forth hidden personas from within an individual's psyche."
He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle among the group.
"It's said to unlock an alter ego, as it did with Seraphina," Cornelius continued. "Once invoked, this alter ego emerges, often embodying traits and characteristics far different from the person's usual self—a persona fueled by unleashed potential and often devoid of mercy or restraint."
Silence settled among the group as they processed Doctor Cornelius' words, the weight of the situation hanging heavily in the air.
"How do we bring her back?" Peter's voice broke the silence, his concern evident.
"Her weakness. You need to know her weakness for you to be able to bring herself back," Cornelius replied simply, emphasizing the critical importance of understanding Cordelia's vulnerability as a key to restoring her true self.
"What happens when we couldn't find it?" Ed's voice quivered with fear, his apprehension palpable in the air.
"Then she won't come back to herself..." Cornelius paused, the weight of his words lingering in the tense atmosphere. "She will be Seraphina forever, and you'll have no choice but to..." His voice trailed off for a moment, the gravity of his next words weighing heavily, "...kill her."
Cornelius's final sentence sent a shiver down Edmund's spine. The thought of having to confront the possibility of ending the life of the girl he had loved for years made his heart ache with despair. The weight of such a grim possibility hung heavily over the group, casting a shadow over their efforts to save her.
𓏲⋆ ִֶָ ๋𓂃 ⋆
Edmund, now clad in armor, moved across the field, accompanied by a centaur and a giant, making his way purposefully toward the Telmarines.
As he drew closer to the Telmarines, a sudden nervous rush coursed through Edmund. The thought of one particular girl lingered in his mind, adding a layer of personal concern to the already tense situation.
Lost in his thoughts, Edmund hadn't realized he was now standing face-to-face with Miraz and Lord Glozelle.
Miraz wordlessly gestured behind him before turning away, and without a word spoken, Edmund and his companions fell into step behind the Telmarine king, silently trailing after him.
