Classy, Controlled Chaos - The STEAM Team Adventures

🧊 Open Ocean [1/5] 🧊

Tia's POV:

The second I stepped foot into Northwynd's castle, I was horrified to see who was waiting on the throne.

Permafrost sat there, her white cloak draped over her shoulders to mimic a robe. "Missed me, honeybun?"

Adrenaline began to course through my veins, preparing myself to fight. "Sweet nickname, narwhal. Tell me, what brought your ego this high? You obviously aren't capable of such power."

The sorceress let out a manic laugh, cackling like the stereotypical witch. "Oh, bless your heart. This isn't just my ego, you see."

She stood up from the throne, donning King Arthur's obsidian crown. "You may be wondering... How did I get such an exquisite artifact?"

Impossible! No one touches the king's crown, especially non-royals like herself.

I assumed there was a spell cast on it to enchant the crown to prevent anyone else from wearing it or something, but I didn't try to figure out the logic right then and there.

"He simply gave it to me." Permafrost smiled, a wicked grin spreading across her pale face. "Oh, Arthur, come out here and say hello to our wonderful guest."

I physically flinched as I saw the king emerge from behind the throne.

He had this bulky iron collar firmly strapped around his neck, weighing him down.

A thick chain restrained his movements, forcing him to get down on his knees to present himself.

"Tia, please..." He groaned, weakly bowing his head. "It's over now. Just surrender yourself, or she'll hurt you too."

A concoction of fear, pain, and terror swirled in my chest.

I steeled my nerves, staring down at my mentor.

"Arthur?" I squeaked, my voice coming out in a choked sob. "Arthur, is that really you?"

"It is, not to worry." Permafrost sneered, clearly trying to provoke me. "At least, this will be his state before he dies."

My throat tightened up in my chest.

I have faced countless battles before, fighting alongside Arthur and having his back.

We were strong together; a dangerous duo in a fight.

He knew I was powerful, even though we've only trained for combat for about a month or two by now.

Yet, in this situation, I began to doubt myself.

Just seeing him defenseless, weak, and unable to stand made me want to crumble in place.

I needed to save him.

"Aww, don't tell me you'll listen to him, I can tell you're contemplating your next decision." The sorceress grinned, starting to walk over to my mentor. "You gonna surrender like the weak beluga whale you are, or are you gonna grow a pair and fight?"

She abruptly stopped beside him, stepping on his back with the high heel of her white boot. "Crumble, Tia. Crumble like he is... Watch him suffer, and you know you can't do a thing about it."

Arthur let out a sharp grunt, his voice strained as he tried to keep his composure. "Tia, just surrender... She'll kill us- Ah- both if you fight..."

My feet were rooted into the ground, keeping me in place.

I could feel my mentor's pain radiating from his body, pleading for me to make it stop.

In his eyes, I was his only hope.