Alethea is a kind soul trying to navigate a chaotic world while searching for her place in it. When she discovers she's the lost princess of a vanished planet, her life becomes even more complicated, forcing her to confront a destiny she never asked...
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In my writing era.
This chapter contains themes of captivity, magic, and emotional turmoil, which may not be suitable for all audiences. Reader discretion is advised.
⑅ ♥̩̥̩♥̩̩̥͙♥̩͙ˊˎ
Alethea's POV:
I let out a soft groan, the chill of the floor seeping into my bones as my eyes fluttered open. Pain radiated through my body, every muscle aching as I struggled to comprehend my surroundings. With a shaky effort, I pushed myself upright, leaning against the cold, damp wall.
Where am I?
My throat felt raw, as if I had been screaming, and as I glanced down, I saw bruises blooming across my skin, dark and angry. Panic settled in my chest as I took in the reality around me: I was trapped in a cell, the bars cold and unyielding.
With a trembling breath, I slowly stood, gripping the iron bars, and peered through them, searching for any sign of life. Empty. I took a deep breath, focusing on the magic that should have been coursing through me. A soft blue glow flickered to life around my hands, illuminating the darkness, but it felt distant—my connection to the Winx was severed. The glow faded quickly, snuffed out by a sudden, blinding headache.
"Hello?" I called out, my voice barely more than a whisper. I coughed, and the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth, staining my hands. My heart raced. Just where am I?
Fragments of memory flooded back, disjointed and chaotic: the man who looked exactly like Professor Avalon outside of Alfea, racing to find Bloom, only to stumble upon Professor Avalon holding her unconscious. A flash of light, and then nothing. My mind reeled at the recollection, and a wave of worry washed over me.
Suddenly, I heard footsteps echoing down the corridor, each sound heavy and foreboding. My heart sank, and I instinctively backed away, pressing against the wall. The shadows loomed closer, shifting and darkening until they revealed a figure that was unmistakably not the Professor.
The creature before me bore the wings of a paladin, yet his features were distorted and twisted, with sharp teeth glinting menacingly and strange red markings slashing across his face. He was a monster.
"Who are you?" I forced the words out, my voice shaking despite my effort to sound strong, each syllable a struggle.
A dark smile spread across his face, revealing rows of jagged teeth that glinted in the flickering torchlight. "Such a curious little thing, aren't you? I'm not Professor Avalon but you knew that. You're in Lord Darkar's fortress now."
I pressed my back harder against the cold stone, my heart racing in my chest like a caged bird. "What do you want with me?" I demanded, trying to maintain a semblance of defiance even as terror clawed at my insides.
