"No, you're worth more than me! Just grab the bow and run!" Linebeck struggled.

Bellarius laughed and rested his cheek against Linebeck's. "I see why you fancy him, Ciela. He's so touchingly loyal. What'd I'd give to bite into that soft skin.."

"No!" Ciela yelled as she flew towards him, dodging Nazku's tentacles.

Bellarius brought the dagger to Linebeck's neck and stepped back. "I would stay right there. I'd prefer to devour his flesh while he's still alive."

Ciela's mind was abuzz as she tried to think of something. Linebeck grunted as he tried to get free. "Just run, you nitwit!"

"You might as well stop struggling. It's like playing a mouse." Bellarius grinned.

"The only mouse here is you," Ciela spat.

Bellarius chuckled. "What was that?"

"The Ocean King was far superior to you. You don't stand a chance against his secret weapon," she continued.

Bellarius shook his head and smiled. "Bluffing won't do you any good, my dear."

"I'm not bluffing, you idiot. Why do you think I was the only one who could fetch the bow? Why do you think the king merely erased my memory but neglected the other spirits, having them end up being captured by those creatures?"

The smile began to fade off of Bellarius' face. He stared at Ciela as she narrowed her eyes. "You...you're the weapon."

She said nothing and clenched her fists. He let Linebeck slip to the ground and stomped towards Ciela. His hand grabbed her throat and he snarled in her face.

"I need a good young woman by my side during my rule. You're powerful and clever. You will do as I say and show me no hint of hesitation," he sneered.

Ciela shut her eyes and felt her eyes water as he continued. "You will provide me with an heir. A child of my own blood to rule after my time."

She felt her stomach tie into a knot and gave a quiet sob. Bellarius then threw her down onto her stomach and used his knee to pin her down. He grabbed her wings and eyed his dagger.

Linebeck read his mind and stepped forward. "No!"

Nazku grabbed him and held him back as Bellarius snarled. "I always admired your wings. But, I can't risk you flying away from me."

Linebeck struggled and shouted, "No!"

With a laugh, Bellarius began to cut her wings off with the dagger. Ciela simply stayed where she was and cried silent tears. She felt her chest ache as Linebeck cried words of protest. After a few minutes, the deed was done.

Bellarius hoisted her up and held her by her shoulders. "Now, for the final step."

He yanked her forward and forced his lips onto hers. She didn't fight. She didn't even try. Linebeck watched as her skin was no longer a soft tan, but it was pale. A sickly pale color. Her golden eyes turned a bit gray and she looked ill.

Bellarius had begun to suck the life from her. His lips smiled with content and he glanced at Nazku and asked him to bring Linebeck. He shifted in the water and held Linebeck in front of them. Ciela felt weak and tired.

Linebeck looked at her in horror as Bellarius reached out and touched his neck. "I don't think I have a use for you anymore, dear Linebeck."

Ciela weakly shook her head. "No...let him live. Please..."

Bellarius glanced down at her and licked his lips. "I don't think so."

She narrowed her eyes. "If you kill him...kill me. Or I'll kill myself. "

Frowning, Bellarius merely traced Linebeck's jawline and scoffed. "I hate when they bring up sacrificing themselves. Fine, Ciela. I'll let him live."

Ciela lowered her eyes in relief. Linebeck breathed heavily and shook his head. "No...no, Ciela. You don't have to-"

Nazku gave him a squeeze and he groaned in pain. Ciela felt so lightheaded as Bellarius lifted her into his arms.

"Lock him up and make sure he's comfortable. He'll be here a while," he smirked.

Nazku obeyed and Bellarius was left alone with Ciela. He eyed the bow as it laid on the ground and shook his head.

"Let's rest for a bit, shall we? We'll get back to business tomorrow," he decided.

Nazku dropped Linebeck into a dungeon and shut the door. Linebeck hurried to his feet and began banging on the door.

"You won't get away with this! You hear me? Let me out of here!" Linebeck cried.

He sighed deeply and shook his head. Leaning against the door, he slid to the ground and held his knees close to his chest. How would he get out of this? Would he get out of this?

He examined the dungeon but saw only stone walls. No cracks, no openings. Nothing. He pressed his hand against the walls to see if he could find a vulnerable spot. Nothing.

Lowering his eyes, he clenched his fists. Suddenly, the door unlocked and Bellarius came in. He shut the door and grinned.

"Let's have a little talk, shall we?"

Linebeck narrowed his eyes at him. "I don't have anything to talk about."

"But, I do. I just want you to know that the only thing keeping me from biting into your flesh is Ciela. You should be grateful, my friend," Bellarius said, raising an eyebrow.

Linebeck gulped. "Don't worry. I really am."

Bellarius eyed Linebeck's flesh and grinned. "Imagine it. The man who was involved in my father's murder...being eaten by his son."

Linebeck chuckled nervously. "Striking story."

Bellarius circled Linebeck and sighed. "I really hate seeing Ciela without her wings. Shame I had to cut them off."

Linebeck shut his eyes as he recalled the scene. "She's growing weaker. Don't you see what you've done to her?"

"I have big plans for her, Linebeck. Only I know what she's capable of doing. She's a spirit. Now, I hold some of her power within me. Feels rather nice."

"So, what's your next move?"

"Don't get jealous, Linebeck. I have plans for you too."

"How exciting."

Bellarius chuckled. "Ciela seems to base a lot of her decisions on you. She cares about you. I can see it."

Linebeck stood in silence for a moment and decided, for once in his life, to choose his words carefully. "You don't really seem to know her. She's got a mind of her own."

Bellarius smirked. "Well, I suppose she does. But, I didn't come here to discuss Ciela. I came to tell you my plans for you."

The captain felt a strange tug in his chest and listened as Bellarius spoke.

"Ciela will kill the other spirits, but she cannot do this with the bow on its own. She needs the help of three minerals. The same minerals that were used to create the sword that destroy my father."

Linebeck grimaced. "Where do I come in?"

"Well, I can only wait for so long. She will have three days to get them or else."

Gulping, Linebeck tensed. "I get the feeling that I'm involved in the "else" part.. "

Bellarius grinned as the door opened again. Nazku reached a tentacle inside and grabbed Linebeck. He was taken out and thrown back onto the stony base where Ciela had her wings cut off Suddenly, he was surrounded by glass.

His hands pushed against it as he heard Ciela's voice. "Linebeck!"

He turned and saw Ciela holding the bow. Bellarius laughed and stood by her. "You have three days, Ciela. Otherwise, the dear captain will be buried alive."

Linebeck grimaced until he felt sand being poured onto his head from above. He looked up and realized what he was trapped in. A large hourglass. He began banging on the glass with his fists.

"Ciela, listen to me! You have to kill him! For once just listen to me!"

Bellarius snapped his fingers and seaweed appeared, binding the captain's wrists in front of him.

Linebeck looked Ciela in the eye and shook his head. "Don't let him win! You have to-"

Seaweed was wrapped over his mouth and around his head, silencing him. Ciela turned to Bellarius and spoke clearly.

"I'll get the minerals. And, when I return, I expect to find him alive and unharmed."

Bellarius nodded. "I'm a man of my word. He will be unharmed when you return. Don't be late."

Linebeck continued yelling muffled protests at Ciela as she approached the enormous hourglass. She put a her fingers to her lips and gave them a small peck. Then, she pressed them onto the glass. Linebeck quieted down and looked at her. She gave him a look that he would never forget. A look that told him not to give up. To hold on.

And with that, she turned her back to him as Bellarius handed her a stone tablet. It looked similar to the one the golden frog used. She drew a design on it and disappeared from their sight.