thank you for the kind reviews. I've been meaning to end this story for years now and I believe it is finally drawing to an end, soon.

thanks to all my readers and I hope you enjoy.


"What is the sanctum?" Miria said.

Maddy casually played with her hair as if she hadn't a fear in the world. The instructress was technically their hostage but didn't act like it. "Did Teresa tell you of it?"

"Just tell me what I want to know," Miria said.

"How's my brother? Is he doing well?"

"Don't pretend you care about him...We both know you don't. Now, the sanctum, instructress, I won't ask again." Miria said.

"Allow me to show you ..." Maddy said. She looked disapprovingly at their academy clothing. "But first, we must have you two change into something a little less conspicuous."

Hysteria gave Miria a shrewd look that screamed 'I don't like this' but they both decided to go ahead with it anyway. The instructress brought them to an empty playroom where within some cupboards she pulled out two plain robes all the slaves in the facility wore. The robes were long and dark and had hoods to shroud their faces. Their swords were still visible behind their backs.

"You may keep your weapons," Maddy said. "Though do not attempt to draw them."

They instructress led them through the darkened halls, and down flights of steps to the lower levels. Along the way, servants and slaves passed by them, all wearing similar long robes. Maddy strode confidently as if things were normal. Another instructress passed by who spared a moment's glance at Miria and Hysteria but ultimately saw nothing suspicious. Maddy nodded her head at the instructress as they passed by

Eventually, they went down a long line of steps and entered upon a huge dome chamber with a galaxy of tiny candles shining within carved slots within the walls. Slaves atop ladders attended to the candles but quikcly came down and left when they saw someone enter. When all the slaves left, the true scope of the place was shown. The quiet of it was almost maddening.

"Welcome to the sanctum." Maddy said. "Please keep your voice low. Wouldn't want to disturb the spirits."

Maddy strode towards the center of the chamber, her high heels tapping and echoing loudly throughout the candlelit chamber, too loud given the instructress' own warning. Miria and Hysteria followed on, and when they reached the very center — where the resonance was the highest, Maddy turned around to look at them, her face only slightly illuminated by the dim lights of a thousand candles.

"What is this place?" Miria said

Maddy placed her index finger to her lips. "Shh, listen."

Miria decided to comply, though the look of disgust across Hysteria was severely distracting. She knew Hysteria wanted nothing more than to tear out the throat of the instructress but the time simply wasn't right. Miria listened to the silence but heard nothing amongst it. After a while, she questioned whether Maddy was trying to waste their time. Hysteria glanced at her again as if to ask for subtle permission to murder, but Miria didn't give it.

"I don't hear anything…" Miria said.

"Listen closer," Maddy said. "Control your breathing."

Miria gave it another try, and after calming herself, she still couldn't quite hear anything. But she did feel something. There was an energy around that was undeniable — the very air grew heavy with it. The silence was dominating. It was a silence that was beyond silent, like an echo of nothingness that kept going on forever. It had a confusing effect on the mind which made the place seemed so much larger than it actually was.

"Miria, Honestly," Hysteria said, irritably. "You need to learn to kill your enemies. She is trying to waste your time."

Miria pursed her lips and looked at Maddy. "I'm starting to agree with her. Tell me why I shouldn't let her do that?"

"Have you ever wondered exactly what awakened beings actually are?"

"I'm guessing you're about to tell me," Miria said.

"All hybrids have a connection with at least one other parallel world, where there exists an individual so alike to them, that reality itself confuses the two at the spirit level. The sanctum is a place where these two spirits can meet."

"What does this have to do with Teresa?" Hysteria said.

"The creature of light is the answer to all our dilemas."

"What creature of light?"

"Oh. She didn't tell you?" Maddy said.

"Tell me what?" Miria said.

Maddy smirked. "Awakened beings are creatures from the shadows, but Teresa has another source of power from the light…"

"She's crazy, Miria." Hysteria said.

"…Have you ever wondered about the nature of her wings? Clearly they are not the product of an awakened being. Clearly they are from a realm of beauty. If Teresa can conquer the creature of light within, who knows how powerful she may become, or what new abilities she may acquire. She may even be able to help with your resurrection sickness. She may end up being all of humanity's salvation. But there is one thing standing in the way of this…"

"Which is?" Miria said.

"Teresa has a problem with her ego. It is preventing her from transcending to her destiny. And so, her ego must be destroyed, and it is only through me that can happen."


The conversation with Miria felt so surreal that Teresa thought she'd dreamt the whole encounter. It was only when the instructress re-entered the room looking shaken did she know for sure that it actually happened. The instructress' usual emotionless expression had disturbances that looked like tiny ripples atop a glassy surface. Maddy sat down and remained unusually silent.

Teresa was glad for it. Hearing that Clare was almost killed was like a gut punch, and she felt horrible for it. She didn't think the dragon queen would be so brazen as to attack the others while she was gone. She had naively thought her enemies wouldn't be aware of her absence, but that was clearly a dangerously wrong assumption.

After a while, Maddy looked up at her. "Miria was never here, do you understand, slave?"

Teresa gave a nod, and the instructress brought her back down to the sanctum then. When they arrived, the slaves attending to the candles came down from their ladders as usual but did not leave as usual. Instead, they collected towards one side where which contained three wooden crates. They opened these crates and took out whatever was in them. Teresa caught sight of a long, chromic net being pulled out, which looked to be used to catch fish but she doubted that was its actual purpose. The slaves all wore strange robes that reflected like a metal would, as if woven from chromic threads.

Teresa ignored the slaves, who worked silently in the background. Maddy walked towards the entrance, and when the high heeled tapping stopped, Teresa felt lost to the silence. She kept her eyes open but used the darkness as a canvas to concentrate on her thoughts. She was every bit as curious about the creature of light as both the master and instructress were.

After a while, the shadows moved in unnatural ways, until the distinct form of the awakened took shape, barely resembling anything human, with a long elongated body and ribbon-like hair cascading across its shoulders. Its large, neon yellow eyes shining in the dark.

"Miria will betray you…she knows of your lies and despises you for it."

Teresa could feel the coldness of the air as her nightmares circled her, its body huge and heavy but its steps light like a cat.

".…I may not be made of pretty lights like the other one, but I'm every bit as powerful as she is. Godess of love! It's all a lie! I'll kill her just like I did the other one. Yes…I'm sure you remember. The one that resembled your precious Clare. Well guess what? That was Clare, and her demise was all your fault."

The awakened pushed its lips uncomfortably close to her ear. "…You didn't come here to protect Clare, but to push her away. Because deep down you know, you're not capable of love."

The creature's words were not an attempt at honest conversation but instead to rile her up. Teresa had a few chosen words to say back, but chose to remain disciplined and silent. She would not let the creature get to her.

The awakened smiled ruefully. "…I know what you're thinking. And I would if I could, but this place has a way of drawing me out. Our spirits are drawn together, Teresa! We are one and the same. You may have defeated me, but my essence will exist forever within you, my voice will always be there."

After being continuously ignored, the awakened finally retreated and was swallowed back into the darkness. Teresa sighed in relief when the silence of the sanctum returned once more.

She focused her mind and thought about Clare, and when she did, she found peace. But then, sparks of light manifested around her before the creature of light suddenly showed up, its light too brilliant to look at initially but then softening so it wouldn't hurt the eye. The creature's features were distinctly hers, with the same long wavy hair that went over her shoulders. The creature was like an angel, perfect in every way.

The angel approached her slowly, and Teresa approached it too, but stopped a safe distance from it, pronging the creature to do the same. The angel tilted its head as if to wonder about what was happening. Teresa saw from the corner of her eye the slaves holding the net moving to surround the angel. Others with long metal poles flanked them.

When the angel got bored of looking at her, it looked about its surroundings. Curiously, it did not seem to notice the approaching slaves. Teresa wondered if she should warn it, but she remained completely and utterly frozen, unable to make up her mind, torn between doing what she always did her whole life — nothing, or actually doing what she felt inside.

And then the angel looked at her and spoke in a voice that was smooth as silk. "Find…"

"Find what?" Teresa said.

"Find…"

"I don't understand."

"Find her."

Teresa was so engrossed by its sweet voice that she didn't even notice when the slaves tossed the net over it.

Teresa could sense the angels suffering as it struggled under the net. The metal sapped away at its light, and its cries were like painful songs. The slaves with the net worked together to tighten the net around the angel, while the ones with the long metallic rods began to poke at it mercilessly. One of the rods knocked the angel off its feet, and then the net enveloped around it completely, trapping it with no hope of escape.

Teresa watched with horror at the undignified manhandling of such a majestic creature, but even so, she did nothing to help.

The tapping of high heels came from behind until the instructress stood beside her.

"So, the creature is every bit as vulnerable to the steel as an awakened…"Excellent. The master will be most pleased to add to his collection, won't he?"

Teresa said nothing, but continued to stare hoplessly at the struggling creature. The chromic net continued to sap away at its light.

Before she met Clare, she had rarely lifted a finger to help another. She had taken a spectator role to the world and its problems but while it served her back then it did not at the moment. She looked over at Maddy and saw, with disgust, the gleeful smirk across the woman.

Maddy added. "Don't you worry slave, In due time, we will capture the creature of darkness also. A the moment, the creature of light takes precedence."

It was strange staring at a creature made entirely out of light and how it so closely resembled her. She felt it in her soul that the creature was her, and being witness to her own suffering was just too much to take.

Teresa finally had enough.

She drew forward and forced the slaves away from the creature one by one, shoving them away like they were nothing. Two of them tried to poke her with the cold steel poles but she smacked them unconscious before they could even point them at her. From under the net, the angel watched her with shining eyes. Teresa grabbed the net and began to pull it apart, ignoring the shouts of Maddy from behind her to stop. The net seared her fingers but she continued on until the angel was freed. As if with new vigor, the angel got to its feet and shot out the most beautiful set of white wings that were so wide the ends almost reached the ends of the sanctum.

"Find Clare." The angel said,

A wave of energy exited where the angel disappeared, the shockwave cracking the delicate rock walls of the sanctum, and causing a rain of candles to fall down. The placed darkened significantly, and the few candles that remained showed massive cracks in the walls of the sanctum, as if the whole place was on the verge of falling apart completely.


Clare stood at the top of the great wall, watching for movement in the distant mountains. She embraced the roaring mountainous winds that battered her which felt nice against her face and hair. She had many thoughts, and all of them to do with Teresa. Strange clouds gathered in the sky and shot down golden rays of light that did not seem to match the environment around it. It was a sight that did not seem natural but was overly beautiful, as if a celestial force made its way down to the earth.

But then she saw movement; two tiny figures moving through a valley, she expanded her wings and went to investigate. As she soared above, she discovered the two to be exactly those who she suspected; Miria and Hysteria, who were making their way back to the academy. She went down to intercept them.

"Miria, where did you go?" Clare said, folding in her wings.

"…Scouting the scenery for the upcoming battle..." Miria said.

An obvious lie. Clare could tell immediately just from the way she said it. Miria didn't even try too hard with the lie either, which was the most curious thing.

"You went to see Teresa, didn't you? You know where she is."

Miria looked away awkwardly and Clare knew that was it. She knew Miria's tells all too well. Hysteria appeared uncomfortable too, clearly given orders by Miria not to say anything. Clare didn't blame her. It was Miria she was upset with.

Miria relented under the pressure and let out a sigh. Perhaps she realised her attempts at denying the truth were futile when it showed on her face. "Yes, I saw Teresa."

"Where is she?"

"Trust me when I say she doesn't want to be found."

Clare bit her lip."…When does she plan on coming back?"

"Hopefully by the time we need her." Miria said.

"Hopefully!?"

"I know that's not a good enough answer, but its the only one I was given. Look Clare, I don't like Teresa's absence either, but right now, we have to trust her. Let Teresa finish up with whatever she's doing. We need to focus on the dragonkin. I suggest you do that too. We leave before daybreak tomorrow. Remember that." Miria said.

Miria remained for a while longer as if she wasn't sure if that was she wanted to say, but then she left, and Hysteria gave her a look that said something like 'sorry' before leaving as well.


Maddy was fuming. Teresa could tell just by the way the instructress hurried her out of the sanctum. They roamed the hallways in silence, moving past countless doors until Maddy finally opened one and took her into a seemingly random playroom so clean it looked as if it had never been used.

Maddy sat down behind the desk. The servant offered her a paper and a quill and instructress wrote what was most likely a report to the master. When she was done, she folded the paper and handed it back to the servant who left without bowing or saying a word. Teresa noticed the instructress's stiff pose and the deep look of disappointment in her eyes. Maddy rose from her seat and strolled over to the racks of torture tools. Teresa cringed when she saw the woman reach for the whip, but then pause as if she had changed her mind midway. She moved down to a drawer, opened it, and pulled out a bundle of neatly coiled up chromic rope. Maddy began to unwind the fragile-looking thread which had an uncanny resemblance to the net earlier. It had a chromic reflection to it as if it were made from metal threads.

"Remove your clothes, slave," Maddy said.

Teresa tilted her head as if she hadn't heard that right.

"Do it now. Do not make me repeat myself."

With some apprehension, Teresa removed her top it and then her bottom and stood naked in front of Maddy, not even bothering to cover herself. She didn't even bother to be embarrassed and hoped the woman liked what she saw, simply because why not.

"Place your arms behind your back."

The instructress bound Teresa's arms behind her back in parallel and then looped the rope tightly around her torso and upper arms. The two parts were then tied together to a central point, securing her arms to the small of her back. Teresa tested her luck to see if she could escape, but the chromic threads were stronger than they looked. On top of that, Maddy's rope work was so perfect it was almost a thing of art. When Maddy was done, Maddy stepped back as if to inspect her work.

"Sit."

Teresa hesitated for only a moment. She did as she was told. Maddy then tied each one of her legs together, below the knee and just above at the ankle and thighs, making it impossible to open and stretch each leg.

"Stand up."

Teresa threw her a confused look, but the instructress didn't seem to be joking. The way her legs were tied together made it impossible to stand. All she could do was awkwardly walk with her knees. Teresa noticed the mildest amusement across Maddy's face. Teresa felt her skin burning where the rope touched it. She felt a similar sensation when she touched the net before. The burning felt strange as if the rope was somehow both very hot and cold, so extreme that it actually sapped away at the warmth of her flesh.

"This rope, as well as the net from earlier, is made from an alloy called cold steel," Maddy said. "Its energy absorption properties make it uniquely effective against any creature with otherworldly energy."

Teresa attempted to wriggle herself free but found her strength was being sapped away. On top of that, the rope-work was done expertly with no hope of loosening any time soon.

Satisfied that Teresa was properly secured, Maddy retreated to seat, folding a leg over another. "

"Why did you release the creature of light, slave?" Maddy said.

"I don't know…I just felt like it," Teresa said. "You know how sometimes you just feel like doing what feels good? I did that."

Maddy's brow twitched. "Clearly, the administration of physical pain hasn't been as effective in behavioral modification as I'd hoped. It seems only a complete breaking is necessary. This process may take far longer than I thought. I believe you will be the first slave to push me to my limits."

Teresa smirked. "The master said he wants me to fight the dragonkin in a few hours, and if I'm not mistaken, he outranks you."

"The master outranks everyone, but what you did was beyond unacceptable. As such, you will stay with me for as long as I deem it necessary. I will convince the master that it must be done."

"I thought you cared about the Capitol?" Teresa said.

"I do."

Teresa wasn't sure what to really believe. Maddy had threatened to keep her longer more than a few times, but Teresa always interpreted those as bluffs.

Maddy sat back in her seat, narrowing her eyes. "…The last time you were with the master, he asked you to spy on me."

"…Is that a statement or a question?"

Maddy smirked. "He said I would offer you a permanent cure to the virus. He warned you not to trust me."

Teresa felt a heaviness in her stomach. That was exactly what the master said but she wondered exactly how Maddy knew that. She wondered about the possibility that the master and Maddy had actually been working together all this time, and that all this was simply a game between them.

"I'll be honest with you slave, I do not possess a permanent cure for the virus, and I strongly suspect the master doesn't either. Know that he seeks to keep you on his hook by spreading misinformation. He is not someone you can trust. The only one you can trust is me. I care about the fate of humanity more than the master, more than Miria, and more than you."

"That's quite a declaration."

"Yes, which is why I believe it is the best interest of all for the master to step down, and for me to take his place."

"You mean, you want me to kill him?" Teresa said.

Maddy glanced at the door as if to make sure it was still closed. A flicker of paranoia showed across her glassy face before she returned her gaze. Her voice softened as she spoke. "If the master was to…disappear, It would be of great benefit to humanity as a whole. Only a true humanist like me deserves to be the leader of humanity."

"Humanist? Is that a term you just made up to make yourself feel better?"

Maddy threw her a look that could instantly melt ice but said nothing snappy back.

Teresa continued: "And as much as I dislike the master, he's the only one with the solution to my virus problem, at least for now. So, why would I want him dead?"

Maddy reached into a pocket in her suit to pulled out a small glass vial. She played with it in a single hand, flicking it around with her fingers before standing up and moving towards Teresa. She pressed the vial to Teresa's lips.

"Perhaps I have access to his antidotes," Maddy said. "He told you not to believe me but can you really believe him?"

Teresa drank it all and felt instant relief flood through her. The chronic fatigue from the virus dissipated once more. The instructress sat back in her seat.

A moment later, a knock came on the door. Teresa watched on eagerly as it opened to reveal a familiar looking man wearing next to no clothing. It was the Boxer from the auction from a while back, the one who had won the prize money and the one she'd spend some time with. She noticed his muscle-bound body was bruised in places. His hands were shackled and his head was down as if he ashamed to show his face. He had a collar around his neck and was walked in by leash by another instructress who wore a bright yellow leather suit.

"Instructress Sheena," Maddy said, "Thank you. Have you seen Bella?"

Instructress Sheena shook her head. "No, instructress, I have not."

"Find her, and bring her to me," Maddy said.

The instructress bowed her head and then left, closing the door behind her. Luke looked up slowly and his face brightened in surprise when he noted Teresa. But it wasn't a pleasant kind of surprise. Everything about him looked defeated.

"I'm sure you remember him," Maddy said with a slick smile. She stood from her seat and moved towards Luke with slow, sensual steps. "…what woman can forget a man such as this? isn't he almost perfect?"

Maddy's hand touched his chest to feel for his muscles, but she didn't do it for herself, she was only doing so in order to piss Teresa off. The instructress stared at Teresa as she touched him all over, her hands sliding over his chest, arms then lower until she grabbed his crotch and kissed him forcefully on the lips.

Teresa watched uncomfortably. Luke obviously didn't like the kiss but he didn't put up a fight either. He seemed far too defeated to fight back. Perhaps his strength had been beaten out of him. The thought of it made Teresa mad. But her bonds still felt light around her. Her arms were tied behind her back and her legs were of no use. Only now did she realize what being in such a vulnerable position truly meant. The hopelessness was a sensation she always wanted to feel but now she wasn't so sure.

Maddy removed his bindings placed them on the table. She sat down across her seat and stared at Teresa with narrowed eyes. Teresa didn't like the way the instructress was looking at her.

"Foolishness comes from pride, and so pride must be extinguished," Maddy said with an evil grin. She looked over at Luke sternly, and then over at Teresa.

"Have your way with her."

Teresa felt an instinctual alarm sound within, but she also saw the sadness in his eyes for what he was about to do, and she would not hate him for it.

With the way she was tied up, Teresa couldn't do anything besides close her legs, but the strength in them was lacking and she accepted her lack of resistance. He took her on the floor there and then and she accepted his male-ness as he went inside her. Up close she could see his eyes were red and he was clearly under the effect of something, likely something similar to the tea she was under.

It felt strange being violated by a man who earlier she had consensual sex with. She figured that was what Maddy was trying to do. To mess with her head. She wondered if this man was one of Maddy's the entire time if the story of his life was even true — If everything was fake to get her to desire him. Teresa would not put it past Maddy. The thought of it made her sick.

He took her in every position Maddy ordered, and in every orifice. Teresa felt guilty and ashamed for enjoying it on some level. It was certainly better than the whip.

When he was finally done, Maddy allowed them both a moment's rest and to catch their breath. Teresa lay on her back as she looked up at him, and he down at her. He was such a strong man but he looked so weak. She saw the shame and defeat in his eyes it did not make her feel any better. Both of them were just as trapped as the other.

"I'm sorry, Teresa." he said hoarsely.

"Me too."

— "Did I say you two could speak?"

A knock came on the door again. Instructress Sheena returned alongside Bella. Maddy and Bella acknowledged each other before Sheena took Luke away. Teresa was overly tired but her mind was still curious and she could tell the annoyance across the instructress.

Maddy's piercing gaze set upon Bella, and Teresa knew that look. Bella was in big trouble. It showed across the slave's face.

"I'll be back, slave," Maddy said.

And then they both left. Teresa breathed a sigh of relief. In a way, she was surprised the instructress allowed her to be unsupervised, likely due to a confidence in flawless rope work. And it was flawless; The knots were in places where her hands could not hope o reach. It was still as tight as ever, but as she wriggled about, she found a place of weakness and twisted her head around to see certain knots loosened.

He must have loosened it for me…

What a fellow…


Maddy hadn't said a word to Bella since they arrived at the office. Bella stood in the center of the room with her head down, visibly ashamed at her disobedience.

"Bella."

"Instructress?" Bella said.

"Where have you been all this time?"

"I, uh, was with George, instructress."

Maddy closed her eyes, holding back her growing agitation. She manually slowed her breathing. "I gave you specific orders, Bella. And I am quite certain playing with George was not one of them. Explain yourself."

"Forgive me, instructress," Bella said. "I Didn't think it would be any trouble. I thought from our conversation earlier that you'd be fine with it."

Maddy leaned back in her seat and sighed. "Bella, Are you aware that as soon as you left, I was set upon by intruders?"

Bella raised her face in surprise. "Intruders? down here? How?"

"My life was put in danger, Bella, and you failed me in my hour of need. Perhaps it's time for some of your privileges to be revoked. ...And if you ever disrespect me by calling me anything other than 'Instructress' again…"

A knock came on the door, and that was enough to trigger Maddy into slamming the desk hard down with her hand. The gesture surprised herself and made Bella look at her oddly too. She cleared her voice and steadied calmed herself.

"What is it?" Maddy said with a raised voice.

One of the master's robed servants entered the room. She placed a paper note across the table and then abruptly left, closing the door behind her. Maddy reached for the paper and read it.

I want to see you. Now.

- The master.

Maddy fidgeted nervously with her hair. "It seems your punishment will have to wait, for the master calls."

They headed for the master's chambers, and Maddy felt nervous along the whole way. The sanctum had been damaged perhaps beyond repair and it happened on her watch. The master was going to blame her for it no doubt, and there was likely nothing she could say to diffuse that blame.

The same robed slave from earlier awaited them in front of the master's door. She bowed, then led them inside the chamber. The master awaited them in the middle of the room just before his giant table, standing with his back turned. Maddy sensed the tension in the air. He knew of the presence, and yet he refused to turn around.

"You sent for me?" Maddy said.

The master turned around, the top part of his face hidden behind his dragon mask but the bottom part showing clear signs of irritation. He gritted his teeth so hard it was as if he would chip them. She noted the manner in which they both had similar ways of dealing with their anger, subtle mannerisms that were readable by anyone who had a sharp eye. Both of them were leaders, she of the order of the instructresses and he, being the master puppeteer of the world.

"Have a seat, instructress." The master said, gesturing to an open seat.

Maddy spared a glance at Bella before moving forward with his offer. The master went around the table to sit at the largest head seat, while Maddy sat across from his right side.

"Tell me in your own words, how it happened." The master said.

"I already explained everything in my report."

"Then explain it again. I need to hear it from you personally instructress, If you don't mind."

Maddy collected herself and her words. "Teresa managed to summon the creature, and then helped it escape. it was a behavior which was most unexpected."

"And then?"

"The next thing I know, a shockwave knocked me off my feet. When I got back up, I noted the damaged the sanctum."

The master sat forward in his seat, crossing his fingers together. "How could this happen? I thought you were supposed to have Teresa under control?"

"She's already on the highest dose of the tea toxin."

"Well, Clearly instructress, it isn't enough. I'm beginning to wonder whether you are even capable of controlling her. The sanctum will take weeks if not months to repair. The magical barriers even longer. I'm beginning to think I should choose another instructress to care for Teresa."

Maddy smirked. "Oh? and curiously, who do you have in mind?"

"Savanna."

"Savanna? She has some talent but I can guarantee you, she will not be able to break Teresa. Only I can do it, you know that."

The master remained silent.

"Rest assured, I will eventually have Teresa under control, but I must be allowed to do my job. This current arrangement, the rules, regulations, it's simply not working. I must be allowed to use more, unorthodox methods."

"These rules and regulators come from your own order." The master said. "I didn't know you had such contempt for them?"

"Teresa is a unique case and therefore requires a unique response."

"A response such as? what unorthodox methods are you implying?"

"I've started to use cold steel on her."

The master shifted at the mention of that. He sniffed hard. "Are you sure that's wise? The metal can be dangerous, even to her."

"Yes. Give me three days, and Teresa will be the most obedient, most perfect slave you can imagine."

The master let out a large exasperated breath. "And what of the Capitol? In those three days, the city could be burnt to the ground."

"If Teresa is required, she can be sent out, but until then, she will stay with me," Maddy said.

The master sat back in his seat, shifting to one side, thinking. "Very well then, you may do to Teresa as you wish, but when I deem it necessary, there will be a knock on your door."


When Miria returned to the academy, Galatea and Isley waited for her at the top terrace of the white building.

"So, does Teresa instill you with confidence?" Galatea said.

"I don't know. Teresa's intent on her plan…" Miria said, catching her breath "But I fear she may be overestimating her own abilities. Maddy may have already broken her, and if that's the case, we're all screwed..."

Hysteria rolled her eyes and crashed against the room couch, hunkering back and resting her arms behind her head.

"The absence of one person doesn't decide a battle," Isley said. "Our coalition may be enough to defeat the dragonkin even before they reach these walls."

"Maybe. But the fighting will likely go on for days, if not weeks," Miria said. "Teresa will have plenty of time to finish up with what she's doing by then. We're all just gonna have to hope she pulls through…maybe she'll be fine. It is Teresa after all."

Hysteria sneered. "You mean, we're all relying on a woman who had her head removed once before?"

They were all thinking about it, and it's not like that wasn't a relevant fact. Teresa's reliability was always in question more often than it should have. Miria changed the subject.

"…I saw something of interest at the master's base," Miria said.

Galatea raised a brow. "You're referring to the sanctum?"

"Yes, how did you know I was going to say that?"

"I saw everything you did, Miria," Galatea said solemnly. "That place was laden with spiritual energy, or at least, it used to be…"

"What do you mean?"

"Even as you left, some of my vision remained in that place, and I saw this sanctum being destroyed either by Teresa or something with her aura."

"Don't tell me Teresa awakened?" Miria said.

"No. She didn't. I could sense two individuals with the exact same aura. Normally, such a thing shouldn't be possible, which leads me to believe this other Teresa must have come from another world."

Galatea did not elaborate further, likely not knowing anything beyond that herself. Miria didn't know if she felt better or worse after this revelation. Teresa from another world? What did that even mean? She hated uncertainty more than anything and Teresa was the queen of it. But she didn't hate Teresa, even if the woman kept important secrets from not only her but also Clare. It was difficult to know what to believe anymore. Everything felt like it was falling apart around her. Friendships included.

"so, is this good or bad news?" Miria said.

"I believe it is good…" Galatea said, then changing her tone suddenly. "Oh, but Miria, could you check on Roxanne?" Galatea said.

"Why?"

"I believe she is up to no good with our new friend."


On the outskirts of academy grounds, Roxanne lay next to Odette atop the grass, staring upward at the sky. The stars were becoming visible as darkness took over the light. Roxanne pretended to be interested in the stars when she really was interested in something else. She had a decent if not slightly awkward conversation with Odette earlier and now enjoyed a moment with her. Roxanne turned over and marveled at the woman next to her, her poise, her beautiful long white-gold hair, the way she oozed alpha status.

"It must really suck to not remember who you were," Roxanne said. "It's basically like dying, in a way, or, you could see it as a kind of rebirth."

Odette shifted slightly, but said nothing. Roxanne saw her chance to slide herself a little closer to the woman until their hands touched. But Odette moved her hand away, and Roxanne felt the sting of rejection.

"You know, there's a way I can help you remember your life…"

Odette's interest peaked and she looked over with those silvery-blue eyes. "How?"

Roxanne slid her hand back towards Odette's and this time Odette didn't move it away.

"You really are so pretty," Roxanne purred. "So, tall and powerful, and your eyes, I could get lost in them for a really long time. Maybe forever."

Odette only stared back blankly. Roxanne attempted to kiss the woman but Odette quickly sat up and got to her feet.

"I do not approve of this," Odette said.

"What's wrong, you don't think girls can kiss each-other and like it?"

"You said you could help me remember," Odette said.

"And I can help you, babe, but I'm gonna need a little kiss first."

"That's disgusting."

"Oh, how intolerant. It's how my powers work, you know. I could read your memories and tell you everything but I need to make a connection first. It's probably the only way you're ever going to remember."

Odette had enough and turned around to leave.

"Or maybe you don't really want to know the truth," Roxanne said."Do you know what I think? I think you're terrified to hear something you don't like. If you really wanted to find out the truth of your past, you'd be trying much harder to find it."

Odette stopped, turned around, staring longly. Her face was colored with only the mildest show of emotion. Roxanne stared into those eyes and she did indeed become lost in them as if they were whirlpools into another world. She felt herself become overly calm and she completely and utterly forgot what she was just thinking about.

"Draw your weapon, Roxanne," Odette said.

Roxanne moved over to the patch of grass where they had left their swords earlier. She picked hers up without even thinking.

"Now, drop it."

She did that too, and only after seeing Odette smiling did she finally snap out of the trance and realize what had just happened.

Roxanne shook her head and looked at the sword on the floor. "Did you…just hypnotize me?"

Odette smiled as if she was proud, and then walked away.


Miria caught up to Odette on her way back to the academy. The woman seemed disturbed by something, and Miria hoped Roxanne had not told her something she wasn't supposed to know.

"Odette, Is everything alright?" Miria asked. "Where's Roxanne?"

"Alone."

"You should be careful with that one."

"Yes, I am aware," Odette said. "She is an anti-warrior like I am."

Odette looked at her starkly as if looking for a reaction, but Miria gave her none. Miria wondered if Roxanne told her that or if the woman had found it out herself. Clare had mentioned some things to her already and it was likely the woman had been putting the pieces together for a while.

"Do you fear me, Miria? Is that why you intend on keeping me ignorant?"

Miria didn't know what to say back. But she decided to just say the honest truth. She did owe the ancient warrior at least that.

"Yes."

"You are afraid that I will put at risk the lives of all these warriors? This entire city?"

"Yes.."

Odette looked away. She had a solemn look on her face, which almost looked like relief. Miria wondered what was on her mind but it didn't appear to be as negative as she had thought.

"You strike me as someone with honor. I can see the way the others look at you. They trust you, and so will I, for now. But when this is all done, you will tell me everything."

"I can agree with that. When this is all done." Miria said.

Odette walked away then, and Miria remarked on how well that conversation went. Odette seemed remarkably disinterested in her own abilities as anti-warrior, or perhaps that was what she was trying to make everyone think.


When Bella entered the playroom, she was shocked to see Teresa free from her rope bindings and standing in the middle of the room in her clothes.

"...How long have you been free?" Bella said.

"Long enough."

Bella looked at her oddly, noticing the coils of chromic rope undone and over to one side of her. "Maddy doesn't make mistakes… Someone helped you escape."

"And who can that possibly be? Hmm, You? Maybe you untied me."

"Except I didn't."

"Yeah, but Maddy won't know that. I wonder just how much she trusts you."

For the next few moments, Bella remained silent and horrified, waiting for the instructress to arrive. When Maddy finally arrived, the woman stared at an untied Teresa and then turned to Bella as if to demand what happened.

"Bella released me, instructress," Teresa said.

Bella turned red. "She's lying, instructress! When I arrived she was already free!"

Maddy sat down calmly across her seat and for a full minute said nothing. She seemed to be wondering what the truth wa herself. But then the sound of creaky wheels came from down the hall and in came a slave pulling a cart with tea atop it. The slave left the cart in the room and dismissed herself.

"Just in time…" Maddy said.


Clare stood at the top of the wall, looking downward at the mountains.

Maybe I should just accept that…Teresa doesn't want to be with me…

Clare was not ready when she felt a sudden onset of crying. She felt like surrendering and letting it happen so she could deal with the emotions that way. it was all just too much. She thought she was strong but the truth was she felt incomplete when alone, and it pained her to think there was a possibility that Teresa and she were not in the same place.

"Go on, let it all out… it's healthy…" Roxanne said.

Clare gathered herself, pretending like she wasn't actually just about to cry.

"…What do you want?"

"Nothing, I'm just wondering how you're doing, that's all. I can tell Teresa's absence is a source of much stress for you."

Clare smiled faintly. The sky was cloudy but not overly so. The moon above was visible and shining brightly. Roxanne walked up to her and stood at her side, taking in the view.

"I don't know what to do," Clare said sadly. "I feel lost without her."

"You're in love, dear. What you're feeling is normal, but I wouldn't worry about Teresa. She'll be fine. It's us I'm worried about. I only just recently came back to life and I plan to stay alive for the foreseeable future, at least, if we survive what's coming next."

Clare said nothing. The words gave her little comfort.

"And by the way, if it means anything, I know Teresa feels the same way about you, she just has a more difficult time expressing herself."

Clare turned over to Roxanne and appreciated those kind words, even they were likely just that.

"Do you really think so?" Clare said.

"Oh sure, you two are the cutest couple ever. Hopefully, she comes back in one piece though, how tragic would it be if you were to never see her again? Honestly, even I'd shed a tear."

Clare looked back forwards. All she could see was Teresa, and the two remained silent for a moment. But then she felt an urge to look over at Roxanne for some reason and when she did, she couldn't believe her eyes when she saw Teresa standing there instead of Roxanne. Clare took a step back out of caution but almost instantly saw through the illusion.

"That's not funny. Turn back now." Clare said.

Roxanne canceled the illusion and turned back to her original form, covering her mouth as she held back a fit of laughter. Miria had earlier wondered once if Roxanne had managed to replicate Raftella's illusion abilities, and the answer to that was now a definitive yes.

Clare narrowed her eyes. "Who's abilities haven't you absorbed? Do you have wings?"

"Well, Teresa allowed me to use my powers on her, but I could never quite manage to copy her wings. They have a strange energy to them, something entirely different from what I'm used to, I'm sure yours are the same."

"Teresa helped you get stronger?"

"She was nice enough to. Honestly can't figure out what was in it for her."

"Then I'll do the same," Clare said.

Roxanne tilted her head. "But why? Revenge against Teresa?"

"No, nothing like that. The dragonkin... We're all in this together. If I can help you get stronger, I'll do it for the sake for all our survival. Clare cleared her throat. "But I won't…you know."

Roxanne giggled. "Oh, relax, that's a bit of disinformation on my part. The thing is, my powers work whether I have physical contact with someone or not."


Teresa cowered in the corner of the playroom, all tied up, her body shaking from trauma. Everything hurt beyond what she thought was even possible, and yet, she couldn't stop smiling throughout the whole ordeal. She knew how it frustrated the instructress to no end and it was that in which she took pleasure in.

Breathing heavily, Maddy put her whip on the table and stretched and massage her sore arm. The instructress stared at her for a short while before turning over to Bella who was in another corner, drenched in tears.

Maddy strode over at Bella and spoke with a voice that almost sounded remorseful. "Your punishment is over..."

Maddy untied Bella, then moved over to Teresa. The instructress bent down and for a second Teresa thought the woman intended to untie her also. The cold steel rope was twice as tight as last time, and twice as much of it had been used to bound her.

But Maddy didn't free her. She only made sure to double-check every loop and knot obsessively to check for weaknesses.

Satisfied everything was secure, Maddy took a step back. "But you, slave, your session has only just begun. Pleasure, or pain. I will give you the choice of what comes next."

Teresa began to laugh, drawing Maddy's ire. "What's so funny, slave?"

Teresa looked up at the instructress. "Giving someone a choice between pleasure or pain, what do you expect the answer to be? You really aren't as good at this as you think…"

Maddy's eye twitched. She turned around and headed for the whip again. Teresa put on a brave face but she hated the thing and felt relief when Maddy only leaned against the table.

"What am I to do with you?" Maddy said. "If pain won't work, perhaps I should consider making you into a pleasure-seeking whore. The tea is an aphrodisiac after all. And I know how much you like men. I know they are your weakness."

"If you say so," Teresa said.

Maddy turned over to Bella. "Go and get him."

Bella dried her tears and left the room.

Teresa suspected exactly what was coming, and it made her laugh again.

"Perhaps you really are going insane," Maddy said.

A knock came on the door. Maddy appeared surprised by it as it couldn't have been Bella.

A young female slave entered the room.

"...Did the master send you?" Maddy said.

The girl walked into the room and went straight up to Teresa, ignoring the instructress.

"It's done." The girl said.

Teresa's smile widened when hearing that. But behind the girl, Maddy was not happy. The instructress grabbed the girl by the neck and yanked her back violently.

"The big bad instructress is now a child abuser," Teresa said.

Maddy shoved the child away so hard she tripped over and fell on the floor. Teresa stared at the violence and didn't approve. Not one bit. In her anger, she tugged at her rope bindings, and when Maddy went for the whip, Teresa decided that was it.

The girl started to cry as she put herself in a fetal position to prepare for the thunder of pain. The girl had placed her trust in her and Teresa wasn't about to dissapoint. It was time to end all this anyway. As Maddy swung back the whip, Teresa instantly broke out from her cold steel bindings as if it was nothing at all.

The act instantly made Maddy put the whip down and stare at her in utter horror. Teresa soared a glance at the girl who looked up at her with eyes of relief. Teresa smiled at her and then that smile left when she advanced for the instructress, who took a step backward for every one of Teresa's until her back hit the wall and could go no further.

"What is this?" Maddy said.

"What do you mean, instructress?" Teresa said, still wearing a faint smile.

"You could have escaped this whole time?"

Teresa nodded, and Maddy's horror only increased.

"Why?"

"I had to do something to pass the time," Teresa said.

Maddy seemed beyond bewildered. Teresa moved the instructress to one of the wall bindings and chained her up by the wrist so she couldn't escape.

"I'll be back for you," Teresa said.

No further words were exchanged as Teresa left the room, the girl slave following her from behind.

They walked the hallways slowly as if everything was fine. Teresa noted the girl staring at her in awe.

"Are you going to kill the master?" The girl asked.

"Yes," Teresa said.

They took a slight detour before heading off to the master's chambers, and when came upon the master's door not long later, Teresa kicked the door off its hinges, the sound causing the master inside to jump up in surprise. He was surrounded by a group of naked women all of whom instantly panicked and fled nearest the closest exit.

Teresa entered the room and cleared her throat as she stared at him. "Do you mind putting something on?"

"Of course..." he said, searching for his pants and when he found them, fumbling to put them on.

Teresa rolled her eyes, and could not quite believe this guy ruled the world. She wondered if she should have done this a long time ago, back before she met Clare. In the end, the most powerful one was always her and she knew it deep down. There wasn't really anything to fear after all.

When his pants were back on, the master calmed himself and they both stared at each other with a searing intensity.

"Have a seat, Teresa." The master gestured over at the couch.

The master sat down across the opposite couch, and Teresa sat down. She sat and remained calm but never once stopped her fierce staring of him. She gauged his level of nervousness and concluded he was about to shit his pants.

He had trouble resting his hands, as well as his general body. He was jittery and obviously uncomfortable, and that made her smile.

"Are you suicidal?" The master said.

"What makes you think that?"

"I told you. If you kill me, you will never see the antidote again. The virus will kill you."

Teresa shifted in her seat, crossing one leg over another. That was when the master noticed the girl slave standing close to the broken-down doorway.

"Saphiena? what are you doing here? You're supposed to be on your break."

Teresa laughed, drawing the master's attention. It was probably the drugs in Maddy's tea but she did find everything suddenly so humorous.

"Saphiena can do whatever she pleases during her break times. Can you believe that she helped me find your secret stash of antidotes? You know, the ones in the hidden safe under the carpet in a room on floor twenty-three?"

The master remained silent. She tried to read his face but with a mask covering the top half it was hard to tell much. But when he spoke the confidence was gone.

"You are mistaken, there is no permanent cure to the virus...those were only experimental, and do not work."

"Yes, that's what I thought too, which is why I had them tested out on an unfortunate slave you had infected with the virus. The poor fellow told me he had no one to visit him for a week. I felt bad for using him as a lab rat but he agreed to it. Since giving him the new antidote, he has been symptom-free for a while now."

The master smirked. "Even if you did manage to cure yourself of the virus, I can still release the feeders and destroy the world."

"Oh, you see, but you can't," Teresa said.

The master stilled as he looked over at Saphiena, who seemed conflicted about having betrayed her own master. But the reassuring glance from Teresa gave her the courage to speak.

"...I've placed dragonkin meat near the cages of the feeders," the girl said. "They have been conditioned."

The master seemed to understand what that meant, and as he looked back at Teresa as she shifted in her seat again and crossed her legs the other way.

"It's just so darn interesting," Teresa said. "Saphiena explained to me that feeders can be taught to go after only one particular food source. All it takes is a bit of conditioning, which involves letting them smell a slice of particular meat for a couple of hours. I got the meat for Saphiena and Saphiena helped spread it near the cages for me. So if you do release them, they'll end up slaughtering all the dragonkin, and then starve to death. So there's no more virus, and the feeders won't destroy the world but save it instead. Seems like I won, doesn't it?"

The master sat back in his seat and said nothing. It was almost as if he looked relieved. Such was the way some men acted when defeated.

"It seems patience really is the key to victory, and you are the most patient of all. But I will not be going down without a fight."

Teresa smiled. "I'm counting on it."