Dance of the Damned

Twenty-Four

Arter, Nayte, and several other soldiers from Storia found themselves confined within the dark and frigid depths of the dungeon beneath Ardor Castle. The scene brought back memories of the time when Kalyani held me captive in that very cell for months on end. On the opposite side, Zeddicus stood, observing each of them intently, yet making no move to release them from their imprisonment.

"Are you going to let them out?" I inquired, placing my hands firmly on my hips. It pained me to witness my brother and friend confined behind bars.

"They did launch an attack on my castle," Zeddicus retorted, his gaze fixed on them, his voice low. "I believe a few weeks in this place will do them some good."

My jaw dropped in astonishment as I stared at him. "You cannot be serious. They were coming to rescue me from the captivity you imposed upon me."

Arter, leaning against the iron bars, responded with a hint of sarcasm, "You certainly do not appear as a captive from where we stand." He cast a single glance over my attire - black pants and a crop top tank made of black and maroon scales and my smooth golden hair in a neat ponytail. Nayte stood a few inches behind him, both of them dirt-covered and disheveled, their blonde and brown hair in complete disarray, clad in Storia armor.

"Yes, well, I am. If that wasn't the case, I would have returned home to you," I snappe. I then shifted my attention towards Zeddicus and continued, "They are my family. How would you feel if someone locked up your loved ones?" Anger began to swell within me, and I could sense the beast inside stirring. I knew that in a matter of moments, the claws and black scales would emerge. Before that could happen, Zeddicus swiftly took hold of my waist and teleported us away from there.

"Why did you do that?" I questioned, pushing him away, not bothering to assess our new location, all I knew is that we were outside.

"You were on the verge of losing control back there. Get your shit together, now," he growled at me. "I can't have the entire kingdom discovering that you're a Grim."

"You're imprisoning my family!" I yelled at him, my concern for the safety of Arter and Nayte overpowering any fear of the monster within me tearing him apart. I had to save them, to prevent them from enduring the same torment I faced in Benevol. I couldn't let it happen.

Zeddicus attempted to place a hand on my shoulder, but I forcefully pushed him away. He then tightly gripped my bicep and looked down at me, locking eyes with an unwavering gaze. "You're forgetting that you're also a prisoner here. Do not overstep your boundaries."

I yanked my arm away from his grasp, and to my surprise, he released me. "Why won't you just set us free?"

"You know why. I cannot allow an untrained Grim to roam freely. You're aware of the consequences - execution. Isn't this what you've been longing for? A chance to learn how to control your powers without getting caught?" His tone was no longer filled with anger, but I could still detect the irritation in his voice.

"Yes..." I admitted, my voice filled with resignation.

"I will release your family in a few days, but I need to be certain that we can trust them. A massive war is on the horizon, one that has the potential to tear our world apart," Zeddicus explained, running his hand through his black hair and closing his eyes as he let out a deep sigh, attempting to calm himself. We stood in silence for a few moments, the weight of the impending conflict hanging heavily in the air.

"It appears that my brother has joined Storia's army. I believe we can trust him. Perhaps we can seek their assistance?" I suggested, hopeful that alliances could be forged.

"The Dark and Light Kingdoms have been estranged for a long time," Zeddicus replied, his tone cautious. "Let's just say that the last attempt at cooperation did not end well."

"Things have changed. They have just as much to lose from Kalyani's victory as we do," I argued, my determination shining through. "Please, talk to my brother, convene a council with the Kings of Enchantment. Do something."

"I am taking action, but it's not your business," Zeddicus retorted, his voice returning to its hostile tone.

"Everyone here is running around like headless chickens, fretting over Kalyani's numerical advantage, which still doesn't make sense to me," I stubbornly crossed my arms, refusing to back down. "Stop being so stubborn. You need help."

Zeddicus remained silent, his expression unreadable. I could sense the internal struggle within him, the weight of his responsibilities and the risks involved in seeking assistance from the Dark and Light Kingdoms. It was clear that convincing him would not be easy, but I was determined to do whatever it took to protect my family and save our world from destruction.

Zeddicus scowled at me, his irritation evident. "We shall see. Have you finished with your temper tantrum? Can we approach your brother and his soldiers without any bloodshed?"

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his comment. "Are you going to release my family?"

A flicker of amusement danced in his eyes before disappearing. "We shall see how the conversation unfolds."

"Fine," I replied curtly.

"Fine," he echoed, and we stood in silence for a moment, the tension between us palpable. "You should take a moment to compose yourself. I can still sense the anger emanating from you."

I scowled at him, tempted to make a snarky remark, but deep down, I knew he was right. I was still seething with fury, the beast within me threatening to break free. I didn't respond, unwilling to give him the satisfaction. Instead, I lifted my head high and turned towards the moon, allowing its gentle light to wash over me. I visualized a soothing, light blue healing energy enveloping my entire being, calming the turmoil within.

It had been almost three weeks since I arrived in Ardor, and I was no longer the same girl who had been held captive in Benevol. I was no longer the girl who had tragically ended her own parents' lives, or the girl who had spent years on the run, fighting for survival. I had grown stronger, both physically and mentally. I had to master self-control, for if I didn't, everyone I cared about would suffer the same fate as my parents. I reminded myself that I was stronger than my anger, stronger than the darkness that threatened to consume me. I had to believe in my own strength because I didn't have any other choice.

Upon completing my task, I turned my gaze towards Zeddicus, finding a sense of tranquility settling within me. "Alright, I am ready," I expressed.

Zeddicus acknowledged with a nod and approached me, enveloping me in his embrace while the shadows gracefully danced around us. As the darkness dissipated, we found ourselves standing in front of Arter's prison cell, still and unchanged.

Confusion filled Arter's voice as he inquired, "What the hell just happened? Where did you her?" His grip tightened on the iron bars as he raised his voice. Nayte, attempting to calm my brother, uttered something inaudible. Arter, much like our father, had always possessed a fiery temperament.

"We engaged in a conversation and reached an agreement. I will lend you my ear as a soldier of Storia, and in turn, you shall lend me yours," Zeddicus responded smoothly, his countenance devoid of any emotion. His ebony skin glistened in the flickering firelight, emanating a formidable aura that dared Arter to incite him.

"I am not obliged to tolerate this nonsense. I am the sole heir of Storia, and you will release my sister, my friends, and myself," Arter demanded, causing me to gasp audibly in astonishment.