Kinlanture Vol I: The Kingdom of Forgotten Misfits (Completed)

Chapter 19

    Valen sat alone in a dark, cold room. The same room that had housed Selina while she was there. He felt like he was betraying everyone. He felt like he did not have a choice. If there was even a slight chance that Astra was still alive he needed to do whatever he could for her. Even if she wasn't he still needed to know what happened to her.

    It made sense to him. Where else would Astra go? This kingdom was full of people who were exiled. A kingdom that accepted everyone. Hell, even a prince was here. Why wouldn't see come here?

    A small spot of light made its way into the dark room. Valen squinted his eyes to see Jerik standing before him.

    "Come on lover boy! Altier wants to see you" Jerik spoke with a grin.

    He grabbed onto Valen's arm tightly and yanked him up to his feet. Valen was still very weak and in a lot of pain. He winced as he was dragged behind Jerik.

    Altier was waiting in what used to be the main entrance of the palace. Gale was there as well, sitting off to the side. He felt bad for Valen. They were using him to help give them more power and a better fighting chance. They knew the others would not want to fight Valen. They knew Valen would fight them and kill them if needed if it meant he could see Astra again. Gale was too young to remember if that girl had ever actually been there before.

    "Here he is" Jerik said, throwing Valen down to the ground.

    Valen could not brace himself. He was too weak to hold himself up as it was. He cried out as he hit the ground, his wounds scrapping against the tough rumble underneath him.

    Altier smiled, his eyes landing on Valen. "So here is how everything is going to work" he spoke, walking up to Valen.

    Altier swung his foot hard, kicking Valen in the stomach. Valen's body curled up as he yelled out in pain. His muscles were tight, trying to at least lessen the blows if they were to come again.

    "I will restore your power. You will fight with us but remember, we are more powerful than you, even with your full powers returned."

    Altier knelt down on the ground, lifting Valen's head so he could make eye contact with him.

    "If you so much as try anything against us, you're dead. Any hope you had of finding Astra is gone. Am I making myself clear?"

    Valen nodded weakly in agreement. He would do whatever he said. He was not going to put Astra's life in jeopardy ever again. He already felt responsible as it was. Altier had this on him. He was able to blackmail him to give them more help. He knew Valen was an easy target as he had something he wanted back.

    Altier grinned, dropping Valen's head out of his hands to stand up again. He closed his eyes, his hands lighting up red. Valen felt his body strengthen a bit. He was still weak, but it was obvious to him that his powers had returned.

    "I believe we have no reason to keep him locked up anymore. Leave him be. We want him to regain some strength before those people get here" Altier explained as he walked away.

    Jerik nodded and followed behind him, leaving Valen on the floor. Gale waited for them to leave before standing up and walking over to Valen. He sat himself down on the floor beside him.

    Valen tried to move away from him but could barely pick himself up before falling back to the ground.

    "You do not have to be afraid of me. I won't hurt you" Gale said softly.

    Gale pulled out a sandwich and held it out to Valen. "I'm not a chef, but you really should eat something."

    Valen stared at the sandwich. He was hungry. They were not feeding him or letting him leave the room. He was being tortured for days by Jerik and Altier. He only saw Gale briefly here and there. Gale never entered the room and never laid a hand on him.