Following the harrowing events of the previous day, Emperor Randolf and Empress Natalya found themselves in another trying situation.
Accompanied by guards, they were led to the dank and dismal dungeon, where the oppressive smell immediately assaulted their noses.
The air was filled with the lingering scent of decay and despair, making them feel nauseous.
Upon opening the door, they were met with a sight that further weighed on their hearts.
Astrid, once a radiant and beautiful young woman, now emerged from the shadows, her beauty marred by the depths of her depression and madness.
Her eyes held a haunting emptiness, and her once-cheerful demeanor was replaced by an air of sadness and confusion.
The introduction of Astrid, the daughter of General Matt, to Emperor Randolf and Empress Natalya was a moment filled with both hope and discomfort.
The guards, keen to help the royals understand the complexities of the situation, explained Astrid's connection to the family.
"She is the daughter of General Matt, who had played a significant role in the kingdom's history, here in Cassiopeia"
As Randolf and Natalya gazed upon Astrid, they couldn't help but feel a mix of shock and discomfort.
They had heard tales of the enchanting and lovely Astrid, the noblewoman who had once captured everyone's hearts.
Now, witnessing the transformation that had befallen her, they struggled to believe the image they held in their minds with the reality before them.
Astrid squints her eyes, "Who are you?"
Astrid's question about the identities of Emperor Randolf and Empress Natalya left the guards both bewildered and disheartened.
They had hoped that, with time, Astrid would regain her memories and reconnect with the world around her.
Her inability to recognize the new rulers was a stark reminder of the depth of her struggles.
With a mixture of frustration and determination, the guards informed Astrid that the new emperor was indeed Randolf, and his empress was Natalya.
The news hit her like a punch to the gut, and her eyes widened in shock.
The realization that her father might be in their knowledge was a devastating blow to her already fragile state of mind.
"Where is my father? Have you executed him already? Please do"
In response to Astrid's unsettling query about the fate of her father, Emperor Randolf was momentarily at a loss for words.
Astrid stepped closer, "Please! Please execute my father!"
Astrid's desperate plea to Emperor Randolf to execute her father left him utterly bewildered and distraught.
He could not fathom the depths of her pain or the twisted logic that had led her to such a horrifying request.
As they ventured into the dungeon, Randolf hoped that they might uncover some answers that would help them understand the tragic circumstances surrounding Astrid's life.
Upon entering the dark, cold dungeon, the group was greeted by a horrifying sight: a rotten corpse lying on the floor.
The stench and the grotesque appearance of the body sent shivers down their spines, and for a moment, they were at a loss for words.
As the reality of the situation began to dawn on her, Astrid whispered, "That is Thomas, my husband."
The revelation shook Randolf and Natalya to their core. They had hoped that Astrid's depression was the result of some temporary affliction, but the sight of Thomas's corpse suggested that the situation was far more sinister.
In an effort to provide some comfort and solace, the emperor and empress introduced Astrid to a young girl named Stella, who was just four years old.
Stella's presence served as a reminder of the innocent lives that had been caught in the crossfire of this tragic story.
Astrid's sudden twisted request to execute her father, coupled with her chilling laughter, left them feeling utterly disconcerted and frightened.
As they tried to process the gravity of the situation, their fear only grew. They could sense that Astrid was not the same person they had initially encountered, and her unpredictable behavior was a cause for great concern.
"Do you happen to know Nelson? He mentioned you to us"
"Yes, he is the reason why we're in this state"
Despite their mounting fear, Randolf and Natalya knew that they could not simply abandon Astrid in her time of need.
They feel responsible to help her navigate the darkness that had enveloped her life and to uncover the truth behind the mysterious events that had led to this moment.
As the harrowing events in the palace's first dungeon unfolded, the group was suddenly transported to a far more ominous and darker part of the palace's underground labyrinth.
In this dungeon, they encountered General Matt, a once-respected and loyal soldier who now appeared to be in a state of complete mental collapse.
His disheveled appearance and frantic demeanor were a stark contrast to the disciplined and composed figure he had once been.
It was clear that General Matt had succumbed to the same darkness that had consumed Astrid and her family.
His insanity had taken hold, and he was now a prisoner of his own mind, unable to distinguish reality from his twisted delusions.
In a voice filled with desperation, General Matt screamed that he must escape, but his cries fell on deaf ears.
No one seemed to hear him or acknowledge his plea, as if they were trapped in a world of their own, disconnected from the chaos unfolding around them.
"THOMAS DESERVED TO BE KILLED!"
YOU ARE READING
Black Magic
Mystery / ThrillerA woman in the 19th century curses her husband with black magic, she doesn't know the exchange of that, it might end her whole bloodline.
