Relentless

Chapter 20: Ingrid

Author's Note: Just a heads up, this chapter reveals a lot of backstory but I'm not ready to explain everything yet so hang in there and try to pay careful attention to any backstory in it. Other than that, sorry for the short chapter but this isn't Ingrid Nightclaw's story so... enough said. Enjoy! :)

"Clark... Clark..." My voice is almost gone. They took my pendant and I have began to fade. My hair has taken a darker shade and my eyes have turned into a d dark grey color. My skin looks sickly but my own health is the least of my worries.

My husband lays in shackles next to me. If I could only reach through the bars... if I could only reach out and touch him... at least one last time...

I have hurt him and I'm sorry. Not directly but he is being tortured because of me. If the information my captors wanted only affected me then I would happily give it up, but this isn't just about me and as much as I hate to say it this is bigger than any one of our lives. Including the love of my life.

When our home was attacked and my sister perished the Celestial crown fell to me. I have more than just myself to think about. If my husband dies because I am protecting my people, which he doesn't understand because he is human but he knew before we were married who I was and understood the risks, then I will never forgive myself.

At least I won't have to live with that regret for long because I don't expect to survive this. Because of my pendant, I haven't faded yet but the climate has still affected me which is why my eyes faded from their natural purple and my hair from it's natural silver. Now, without my pendant I am fading faster than a Celestial originally would.

"Clark... I'm sorry." I stressed the last word to make sure that he heard me. He shifts away uncomfortably which lets me know that he did. I swallow hard, fighting off tears. He hates me. It isn't a surprise but knowing something and feeling it are two very different things.

Everything I did was to protect my people and my children. That's why I hid my firstborn son. I knew that I should have sent my daughters away too, but after they were born, I looked upon their little faces and my heart was torn simply thinking of leaving them, so I decided to leave the Divine Colonies. We returned to Clark's roots. He gave up everything to be with me and now it was my turn to do the same for him. He returned to his title and what was supposed to be a peaceful childhood for my girls in the end brought the war to the Narcizza Republic.

I would have had their brother returned but it would reveal too much about their true identity. I hope that one day he can forgive me.

Celestial rule falls to the eldest daughter. It is in honor of Everly who is the mother of all humanoid beings. When the Celestials were appointed to have dominion over the universe we were given gifts from the Master and Everly. From the Master. We got our powers from him and we have a female ruler to honor Everly because we are supposed to be like a mother to guide others.

I never wanted the crown but I never complained. It is an honor and now I must fulfill my duty.

I flinch as someone hits my cage. I rarely move because I am so weak.

"I'm back. Have you thought about your answer?"

I don't reply. This man claims to be the Emperor of a race that, like my own, isn't from this world, but I can tell that he is not. He is merely a puppet and whoever is the ruler is much more powerful than him.

"I will ask you again. Where are the princesses?"

I shake my head, trembling. This is the one question that he won't give up on. This is the most important question and this is the one, that in my weakened state, I really don't know the answer to.

It just brings me comfort to know that they do not have them. Even if I die here, our people will not. They will live on with my lineage.

"Tell me or I'll-"

My saving comes from cadet. "Excuse me, sir."

"I told you that I wasn't to be bothered!" He said in sudden rage, back handing the young women across the face.

"I know but we acquired relevant intel." She said in a trembling voice from where she collapsed on the ground.

"And what might that be?"

"The Divines betrayed us. They said that they didn't have either of them in custody but a scout found contradicting evidence and when they confronted Lydia about it, she refused to hand custody of them over."

"The nerve! How dare they defy us! What do they think that they'll even accomplish with them?"

"Well, they don't seem to know who they are but they discovered the power of Element twins."

"Why you!" He shouted, raising another hand to strike her.

"No! No! Please don't, sir! It's not my fault!"

Another Oblivian enters to protect the first and argue with their leader, but I pay them no mind. My eyes travel to my husband who lies crumpled on his side. He is saved from any more agony at his daughters' cost. My guilt begins to lift.

I just hope that what my brother, Remington, told me is true. I hope that the Order of the Silver Phoenix, or what's left of it, will step in and save their future queens.