Oblivion, A Timeless Void

Chapter 17: The Forlorn Queen

The heat in Orcus was insufferable. Whether it was the warm springs of Solas or the chilly winters of Earth, Nikos had never, in his 450 years of life, been the victim of such atrocious temperatures. And now, after a lifetime spent in weather that was bearable at the very least, he was forced to endure this sort of heat. As a prisoner of war. After a humiliating defeat.

Nikos may have been a humble and rather cool-headed person, but this was too much. His temper was gradually growing worse and worse. What's more, he never got to hear Zielle's answer—he didn't get the chance to learn of his little sister's fate.

As if by a stroke of luck, the very next moment, he caught a glimpse of sky-blue hair come into his field of vision. Looking up frantically in order to identify the person, Nikos silently cheered to himself, seeing who it was.

Soleil.

Before she could pass him by, Nikos called out to her without a shred of hesitation in his soft but slightly deep voice.

"Hey, crazy demon lady!"

His breath caught in his throat as she stopped dead in her tracks. For a moment, she didn't look at him. Then, as if in slow motion, she turned her head in his direction. The gaze in her snake-like golden eyes screamed murder.

"What did you just call me, you damned elf?" Her voice was low as she spoke, spelling out every syllable with a terrifying tone to her voice. Nikos stretched his lips into a thin line as a chill ran down his spine. Yup. Definitely crazy. And scary.

"Ah, not the point!" He finally retorted, causing her to lift a brow in disbelief.

The audacity of this-

"Where is that keeper? I need to talk to her!" he continued, desperation evident in the way he looked at her. Soleil's right eye twitched. He really was audacious. First calling her crazy, then demanding to see Zielle?! He really had no shame.

Slowly, Soleil began advancing towards him, her footsteps echoing in the quiet halls. "What right does a prisoner like you have to demand things from me, the queen's closest aide?"

She roughly grabbed the cell's bars and peered at him, her golden eyes seeming to glow dangerously in the dark night. As she spoke, her voice remained low and calm, making the hairs on the back of Nikos's neck stand. However, he remained firm in his stance.

"You don't understand! I need to find out what happened to my sister! It's been driving me crazy for hundreds of years, so please. Please let me see her!"

As the elven man begged helplessly, Soleil's grip on the bars slackened. The corners of her mouth lifted upwards in a sneer. Then she broke out into a sarcastic, boisterous laugh.

"I owe you nothing, you damned being."

Before he could press further, she turned on her heel and walked away, likely returning to her previous errand, which he so rudely interrupted. Nikos slumped back onto a nearby wall, his jaw clenched in frustration. This woman... ugh, he would not think about her now.

There were far more important things that he should be thinking about. Like escaping. Surely, his friends would be dead worried. Sinking down to the floor, the elf held his chin in deep thought. What could he do to get out? He attempted to summon Celeste in hopes the pixie would help him.

However, she never appeared. It made Nikos a little worried if he were to be honest. He quickly came up with an excuse as to why she didn't reply and went back to considering escape plans.

Eventually, he finally came up with something.

Nikos resolutely stood to his feet.

~