Elayne's ordinary life takes a drastic turn when she discovers she is part of an ancient prophecy tied to the mythical kingdom of Elyssanar. Guided by Solaris, a unique companion with secrets of his own, Elayne embarks on a journey fraught with chal...
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When I awoke, the first thing I felt was the cold bite of iron around my wrists. The rough, unyielding metal dug into my skin, leaving angry red marks where the chains held me tight. My body ached all over, a dull throb pulsing through every muscle as I tried to move, only to find myself shackled to a stone wall.
The room around me was dark and damp, the air thick with the smell of mold and earth. I could barely make out the contours of the small, cramped cell—stone walls that seemed to close in on me, a heavy door made of old wood reinforced with iron, and a single, narrow window high above that let in a faint sliver of moonlight. The light barely reached the floor, but it was enough to cast eerie shadows that danced along the walls.
Panic surged through me as I yanked at the chains, the metal clanking loudly in the stillness. But the more I struggled, the tighter they seemed to hold, draining what little strength I had left.
I forced myself to take deep breaths, trying to calm the rising tide of fear. The last thing I remembered was Rhea's twisted smile and the horrifying truth she had whispered in my ear. My half-sister. Kronos' wife. I was nothing more than a pawn in her cruel game.
Tears stung my eyes, but I blinked them away. I couldn't afford to break down—not here, not now. I needed to find a way out, to escape before Rhea could use me for whatever dark ritual she had planned.
I looked around, desperate for anything that could help me. The cell was nearly empty, save for a small pile of straw in the corner that served as a crude bed. The walls were solid stone, with no cracks or loose rocks that I could pry free. The door was shut tight, and the chains were bolted into the wall with no sign of weakness.
But there had to be something. Anything.
I closed my eyes, trying to focus, to reach out with whatever inner power I had inherited from Gaia, from my mothers. If I could just tap into that, maybe I could find a way to break the chains or weaken the door.
But all I felt was exhaustion, a bone-deep weariness that made it hard to think straight. My connection to Gaia felt distant, like a fading echo, and I couldn't summon the energy I needed.
The sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor outside, growing louder as they approached. My heart raced, and I quickly wiped away the tears, straightening as best I could in my chains. Whoever was coming, I had to be ready.
The door creaked open, and a figure stepped into the cell. The faint light from the hallway cast long shadows across their face, but I recognized them immediately.
Rhea. Her expression was unreadable as she looked down at me, but there was a coldness in her eyes that sent a shiver down my spine.
