Dance of the Damned

Three

I grappled with all my might against the creature that seized me, but my efforts proved futile as it's claws dug so deep in my shoulder that they drew blood. It possessed far greater strength than I, and my powers were restrained while no weapons remained trapped within the confines of the tree. Thus, I found myself completely defenseless, a state of helplessness that I despised above all else. I must think of something quickly. I refuse to die. Not like this.

Desperately, I endeavored to unleash the inner beast within me, hoping to procure even the slightest advantage for my escape and counterattack. Alas, my attempts yielded no results, I could feel it fighting inside of me but my powers were still gone. Reluctantly, I resorted to a drastic measure - I tore off my mother's turquoise necklace and allowed it to plummet to the ground, a considerable distance below. Its purpose was to serve as a marker for Nayte and Arter, so that upon their return, they would be able to discern the direction in which to search. Finally, mustering my courage, I cast aside my fear and beheld the monstrous entity that had ensnared me.

As I gazed upon it, a chill ran through my veins, and my countenance drained of color. It appeared to be a creature, bearing a faint resemblance to a woman, with lengthy slimy black hair and lips, and glowing red eyes. Its skin possessed a ghastly gray hue, and it stood unclothed, exposing its perky bare breasts. Additionally, it sported colossal ebony wings akin to those of a bat. Yet, what truly terrified me was the absence of its lower half. Beyond its torso, its innards and organs dangled ominously, entirely blackened, though they remained intact and did not spill forth. How could it even live with all its intestines hanging out like that? It took everything in me not to shudder.

The creature's black talons constricted around me, and a sense of panic overtook me as I discerned our destination. We were hurtling directly towards Benevol, the Kingdom of Shadows - a realm smaller in scale compared to its dark counterparts, yet no less terrifying. Prior to our imminent arrival at the borders of this Shadow Kingdom, I made the decision to relinquish my mother's matching turquoise wedding ring, permitting it to descend to the earth below. It pained me greatly to part with the sole remnants of my mother's possessions. Even during times of dire hunger, I had refused to allow Arter to sell her jewelry. Those trinkets were all we had left of her, and I fervently prayed that they would be found before falling into the grasp of some malevolent beast.

As I soared above the Benevol, I diligently observed my surroundings, grasping at any details that might aid my potential escape back to The Middle. The landscape, as anticipated, exuded an amalgamation of grey and black shadows, a desolate realm akin to The Middle, albeit with scattered mountains and trees, concealed within perpetual darkness. Amidst the shrouded mist, a somber castle emerged on the horizon, its hues dominated by shades of ebony and slate. Regrettably, our trajectory seemed to be directing us straight towards it.

No. Not the castle. The thought of being transported there filled me with dread, for if the queen were to discover my true identity as a Grim, she would undoubtedly mete out swift execution upon me. Even in the event that my true nature remained concealed, I had heard tales of Kalyani, the Queen of Shadows, and her heartless nature. Like the other kings and queens, she is hundreds of years old, and her reputation for enslaving captives was well-known - at least until she reduced them to naught but shadows and mist.

"Please, I beg you. Don't take me to the castle. Just kill me now," I pleaded with the creature, though my pleas fell upon deaf ears. No matter how fervently I attempted, my powers remained unresponsive. The binding spell had proven overly effective, and for the first time since it happened, I deeply regretted subjecting myself to its constraints. Helplessness consumed me, fueling my scorn for the inability to retaliate. I didn't know if I should be afraid or angry. Perhaps both.