Eternal flame

Chapter 4

Hours dragged by as I lay on the cold, hard bed, my body still trembling from the effects of the serum. The haze of nausea had subsided slightly, but the feverish heat clung to me, a constant reminder of the torment they put me through. I stared at the ceiling, trying to focus on anything other than the gnawing hunger that twisted inside me-the hunger for more of the serum.

Suddenly, the door to my cell creaked open, the sound loud and jarring in the oppressive silence. My heart raced as I shot up in bed, adrenaline coursing through me. The dim light from the corridor spilled into the cell, casting long shadows on the stone walls.

A tall, familiar figure stepped inside.

Pitch.

I clenched my teeth, my muscles tightening instinctively. He stood there, his twisted grin widening as he took in my state-weak, but still defiant. His presence alone filled the air with an oppressive weight, making it hard to breathe.

"Still fighting, are we?" Pitch's voice oozed mockery as he stepped closer. His black eyes gleamed with cruel amusement, watching me like a predator observing its prey. "Good. I wouldn't want you broken too soon."

I glared at him, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a response. My hands tightened into fists, though I knew I was no match for him in this state.

Pitch chuckled as he approached the bed. "Get up," he ordered, his tone dripping with command. "We have unfinished business."

I didn't move. "Go to hell," I spat, my voice hoarse but filled with venom.

Pitch's smile faltered, and his eyes darkened. In an instant, he was upon me, his hand gripping my arm with a vice-like strength. He yanked me to my feet, forcing me to stumble forward, my body still sluggish from the lingering effects of the serum.

"Enough with the bravado, Dragonfire," he hissed, his face inches from mine. "You're coming with me. Now."

I wanted to fight back, to resist, but my body refused to obey. I was weak, and Pitch knew it. He dragged me out of the cell with little effort, his grip unrelenting as he pulled me down the dark, damp corridor. The air was thick with the familiar stench of blood and decay, and distant screams echoed off the stone walls, a constant reminder of the horrors that lurked within this place.

We passed several cells, some occupied by others who had fallen into Pitch's clutches. Their eyes followed me as I was dragged past, but none of them spoke. They were too far gone-broken by the torture, by the same serum that was now coursing through my veins.

After what felt like an eternity, we arrived at the arena and once again. He took off the necklace

"This time youll have to kill your opponent" he said and broke the necklace

Pitch smirked, the gleam in his eyes betraying a deep, twisted satisfaction. He casually tossed the now-broken necklace aside, letting it clatter to the ground with an ominous echo. I could feel the weight of his words sinking in as the reality of the situation settled like a heavy fog in my mind.

My heart raced even faster, and the dull ache of fear that had lingered since the serum now sharpened into a blade of pure terror.

"What about your agreement with your brother?" I demanded again, my voice edged with desperation. I needed to believe that there were still rules in this twisted world-rules that even monsters like Pitch would follow.

Pitch's grin widened, dark amusement dancing in his eyes. "Oh, Dragonfire," he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "You still think there are rules? That there are lines I won't cross?"

His words chilled me to the bone, but I held his gaze, refusing to look away.

Pitch took a step closer, his dark presence looming over me like a shadow ready to consume. "My dear brother is busy with running the kingdom" he said. "He has no idea about this fight, and he doesn't need to. Besides, what he doesn't know won't hurt him... but it will hurt you."