4: Darken War

18: Alexandria

Chapter 18: Alexandria

We descended the last steps in silence, the cold stone beneath our feet echoing faintly through the underground corridor. The air here was thicker, older—it smelled of dust, steel, and something darker. I knew every inch of this place. In my years held here as a child, I had memorized the layout, learned the way the shadows shifted with the torches, learned which doors creaked and which halls were patrolled less. I knew the path to the throne room better than I knew my own heartbeat.

"Stop," Seraphina whispered urgently, gripping my forearm.

I froze.

She pointed to an empty stretch of hallway just ahead. "Thalira is leaning against that wall," she murmured. "She's using her invisibility. But I can see her. She's just a kid, and she's under Theo's control."

My stomach twisted. "Can you break the control without alerting her?"

"I can," she whispered, glancing over her shoulder at Calista. "But it takes focus. I can only do it on one person at a time. I need to keep Calista safe."

I nodded without hesitation. "That's alright. I'll take the burden this time. I can protect her mind and yours both."

Alexander stepped closer. "That'll weaken you further, sister."

"I'm fine," I said firmly. "My power's at full strength right now—and who do you think has been shielding your mind since we set foot in this cursed place?"

He blinked, surprised, but said nothing.

"I need to see her first," I said. "Fully. Not just sense her."

"Let me go to her," Seraphina offered. "She hasn't seen us, not with your concealment. Just drop it from me."

I exhaled, focused, and peeled the veil of magic from Seraphina alone. She shimmered into full view and stepped forward with calm purpose.

"Hey there, sister," she said, her voice light but steady.

A beat passed. Then: "Seraphina?" A disembodied voice. "What are you doing here? Brother said you were to guard the castle edge."

"He changed his orders," Seraphina lied smoothly. "Said I needed to find you. Calista is missing."

There was a soft shimmer in the air—then a girl appeared like mist taking shape. She couldn't have been more than fourteen, short yellow-blonde hair curling softly around her cheeks. Her eyes were hazy, unfocused.

I concentrated, reaching into her mind gently but firmly, seeking the threads of Theo's control and unraveling them with precision. Her body swayed as if dizzy, and Seraphina caught her with practiced ease.

"She's free now," I said quietly as I dropped the full cloaking spell and walked toward them.

"Who... who are you?" Thalira asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Your older sister," I replied, kneeling before her. "Alexandria."

She blinked at me, confused. "But... Brother Theo... he said you were evil. That you would destroy everything."

"He lied to us," Calista said gently, placing her hand on Thalira's arm. "Sister Alexandria is not evil. I know."

Thalira stared at her. "If you say that... then it must be true."

"We need to move," I said. "The throne room is ahead."

"We can't," Thalira whispered, eyes wide. "The triplets are just up the hall."

My heart sank. "Are they under his control too?"

"No," Seraphina said darkly. "They follow Theo willingly. They're twenty now, fully trained. They believe in his cause."