A Crown and A Curse

Chapter 33: The Prisoner

Zora

Breathe. Just Breathe. It wasn't just a thought, but an instinct, something primal. I held onto the only words I could bring to my conscious. Breathe.

I slowly came into consciousness, opening my eyes to an expanse of all black, pure nothingness, an empty room that seemed to stretch on forever.

I slowly got to my feet, feeling weak and queasy. Where am I?

"In your subconscious," A velvety, male voice replied from behind me, "You can't feel the pain here." 

I turned slowly, finding a young man standing there, hands in his pockets, casually observing me. He looked familiar with his wavy black hair and ice-blue eyes. His features were sharp and regal. A frown tugged at his thin lips. He looked to be in his early twenties. 

"If I'm in my subconscious then why are you here?" I asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"because unfortunately, I've tasked myself with making sure you die. This will be the last part of you to go."

I inhaled sharply, "I'm dying?" The man nodded, the frown never leaving his face. "My magic?" I asked, swallowing hard. I finally remembered what had happened before I passed out. My magic had gotten out of hand, I couldn't control it...

"In a way." 

I nodded. It wasn't such a bad way to go. I had always worried about accidentally hurting others with my power, here I could only hurt myself. That was some semblance of peace, at least. 

I turned my attention back to the man, "Do I know you?"

He gave me a small smile, "If you were to survive this, we would meet one day. Now, this form is only a small tribute to what could have been." 

A tribute? And what did he mean by form? "This isn't what you truly look like?"

The man chuckled darkly, "No, my dear, I'm ancient and constantly changing. I chose this form as a gift to you."

I frowned, "A gift? How?"

The man smiled sadly, "I can't say much more than I already have."

"Why not show me Kian.. or Areis? What would this man have been to me?" 

But before I could get my answer, I was suddenly seized by a coughing fit. Blood spattered on my hands as I brought them to my face. I staggered back, falling to my knees. 

"This is it. I am truly sorry Zora. It will be easier if you just let go."

I nodded, I could do that. Letting go would be easy, without my magic the world had no use for me. Maybe I would finally meet my father, and maybe I'd see Aiden once again if he hadn't survived the trip to Venarden. I laid back, breathing deeply as my vision became blurry. I was tired... so so tired. I knew that the burdens pushing upon my shoulders for the last nineteen years would be eased soon. I let my eyes flutter closed.

"Zora! Zora, no!" 

Suddenly everything snapped back into focus as Kian appeared before us.

Kian

The beings around me seemed to howl in rage as I darted toward the heart of their power. The air grew colder and the darkness grew suffocating, but I forced myself to keep moving. 

When I didn't back down, the voices picked up again. 

You are nothing and no one. An orphan without a penny to your name, let alone a crown.

I ran harder. 

A stupid, naive boy. A child who risks the lives and liberation of thousands for a single woman. 

My face heated, and I began to grow angry. But then I caught myself- no I couldn't argue or be angry or have any emotion towards these things. That was what they wanted. And I would've bet anything that this was how they trapped Zora. She was brave, clever, and as strong as anyone. But her weakness had always been her kind heart. She let her emotions get the better of her, and that's how the monsters took control. 

So I kept running. I was growing close, I could feel it. There seemed to be a pulse in the air, a heartbeat to this strange and dark world that drew nearer and louder with every step.

Why do you run to the one who has no love for you? If she cared for you in the way you care for her she would fight. Yet... she's accepted her death quietly. 

I laughed, "Zora hasn't done a selfish thing in her life." 

The voices around me seemed to dissipate as suddenly I reached the center. There laid, Zora. Her chest rose in shallow breaths and blood was pooled around her. Her skin was pale... too pale. The world went quiet as the darkness swirled around us. I crashed to my knees beside her, cradling her head. "Zora... Zora no..." I whispered.

I didn't know what to do, I wasn't a healer like Cayra, I didn't know Zora's power like Tyri did, and I wasn't creative like Areis. I had nothing, no way of saving her. 

Then, her breathing began to even out. 

"Kian?" She mumbled softly, though she still seemed to be unconscious. 

My heart sped up. If I could get her out of here, maybe she stood a chance. But how could she escape something that she was creating?

"Zora... I don't know if you can hear me. But if you can, you have to fight. I know you're scared and tired. But please, hold on just a little bit longer. I... I can't do this alone." My voice broke. I finally allowed myself to admit why I was so scared of losing her. Ever since we had met in the woods she had helped me bear the weight of the revolution, had helped me weather the advisors and every other obstacle that had come our way. For the first time in thirteen years, I hadn't felt alone. I'd finally felt like I was enough... That I could do what needed to be done. But without Zora, who would I become? 

"Please come back to me."