When I open my eyes again, I have a horrible headache. I feel a bump starting to grow on the side of my head that was hit. The cave is lit with some torches that are scattered on the ground; I look around me. How long has it been? Where am I? Then I remember. I was kidnapped by the prince of the Ruby Kingdom, and I am in a cave located who knows where.
I close my eyes again, trying to concentrate. I have to find a way to escape or at least make some time until Kalen and the others come to rescue me because something tells me they will find me. I know they are going to find me no matter where I am. Cass will find me. She promised.
When I open my eyes again, I realize that none of my captors are there. Where did they go? I cast a quick look around me, looking for some way to escape. The only possible way out is a dark tunnel; probably the same path we used to get here in the first place, and it is unlikely I will be able to get there without being seen, even if neither Garnik nor Breogan is around. Especially being tied up as I am.
"Looking for a way out, Seraenia?"
I am startled by a voice behind me. It is Breogan. How did he get there? And then what he just said hits me.Did he just call me by my name?
"How do you know my name? " I ask, not even trying to hide the disgust in my voice.
I hear his laughter behind me. I listen to his steps and seconds later he is in front of me. He has to squat to be level with my face, it seems like it is hard for him to do so and there is a trace of pain in his features. Once face to face he smiles wickedly.
"I know your name,'' he says. ''I know that your brother's name is Kalen and I know you both are from the Sapphire Kingdom." With each thing he says he taps my nose with his index finger, he wears a black ring with a scarlet stone that shines with every movement. I move my face away from him. I don't want him touching me. His smile widens as he looks at me raising an eyebrow as if he is looking at something funny. "I also know that you are traveling with the Deakin and that you and your brother intend to help him."
"I don't know what you're talking about," I mutter under my breath.
I have to undo the knot that holds my hands together. I search the ground behind me, I needed something sharp to cut the ropes, something like a knife. And then I remember. My dagger. It is tuck in my pants, on my waist, hidden. I need to get it.
"I see you're a clever girl." Breogan moves my face hard, forcing me to look at him. I glare back at him with all the hatred inside me. I am not afraid of him and he knows it. He smiles showing all his teeth now, his wicked eyes shining with the firelight. I move my hands carefully and slowly, keeping his eye contact. "And it seems you are brave too.'' He adds. I feel the pressure of his fingers tightening in my cheeks. ''But you know something? I won't hesitate to get rid of anyone who gets in my way to get to the Deakin.'' He says with a hard voice looking back at me, his eyes seem to have gotten darker if that was even possible. He lets my face go, his eyes looking normal again. ''However, I am very kind, and I am willing to spare your life if you give him to me. I think it is a fair offer. His life for yours."
I finally am able to grab my dagger. I pull it out slowly, hoping he doesn't notice. Once it's finally out I start cutting the rope, but it is going to take me some time to do it. I have to distract him at any cost.
''And what did your dear mother thought?'' I try to keep the venom in my tone as I speak, pretending I am not as scared as I really am. ''That catching Sedrik was going to be as easy as falling off a log? And why would she send the Prince to do this? Don't you have more important business to attend?''
"Sedrik.'' He repeats, and his wicked smile is back. ''I see your relationship with the Deakin is closer than I initially thought." my teasing words didn't work; he looks at me as if he were looking at a chest full of gold. ''And who said anything about this being the Queen's command? This is for my pure enjoyment.''
''You have a bizarre concept of fun then,'' I say back. I can feel the rope ripping apart, the knot in my hands loosening. ''but you are not going to tell me that the Queen, after going to all the trouble of overthrowing an entire kingdom she doesn't care about the rightful heir to the throne being on the run. The question here is why would she send you to do it? Doesn't she have her own pawns to do this job? Or is it that your dear Mother doesn't think you are important enough to take part in her new Kingdom?''
''You don't know what you are talking about,'' he mutters. His eyes are flaring with anger and I feel my hands shaking. I really need to break free soon or I'll be dead.
''Don't I?'' I ask mockingly, I don't know if I am being too bold or too stupid. Probably the latter. ''Then why are we having this conversation right now? Why are you here instead of in the palace?''
''You know what?'' he starts, the smile is back on his face. What a pity that such a handsome face belongs to such a disgusting human. ''I was going to wait to get the Deakin before getting rid of you. But since you are not going to be of any help I might as well start now.''
"I see that the name of Breogan the murderer fits you," I mutter.
''And who, if I may ask, gave me such fitting sobriquet?'' he looks at me with fun in his eyes.
''But if you expect me to tell you where Sedrik is,'' I continue ignoring him. ''well... you should start your torment now because I won't tell you anything.'' I let out with more confidence than I feel.
"And I see that I made the right choice by going after you.'' He says with his stupid smirk. ''I won't need you to tell me where he is because he will come to me.''
"Don't be so sure about it." I smile. My hands are finally free. He looks at me with a raised eyebrow and the smirk still on his lips. ''He won't come to you if you don't have anything for him to do it.''
With no time to think about what to do, I take a handful of dirt in my hands and before he can do anything, I throw it to his face. He covers his face cursing as I put my dagger back in my waist and stand up, running into the dark tunnel. I feel him standing up behind me and then he is running after me. He is fast, faster than I imagined and soon he is right behind me.
"Damn it!" He yells and I feel his fist clenching in a bit of my hair. Luckily, he doesn't catch me, but I know I am going to need help, soon. ''Can you please stop!''
I am taken aback by his words. Has he seriously just asked me to stop? What in the holy...? I can't finish my thought; I am so baffled by what he said that I don't pay attention to where I am going, and I end up tripping over a hole in the ground. Breogan grabs my shoulder and pulls me behind. We both fall to the ground; he reacts quickly and hovers over me.
I try to get him out of the way, but it is impossible, I curse at myself for putting back my dagger when I could've used it against him. He takes my hands and holds them over my head, my wrists burning; he secures my legs with his knees. I am completely immobile while Breogan looks at me with fury in his eyes, I see the pain in his face. I smile. Did I hurt him? I see the fire in his eyes and my smile is gone, and I am praying for my friends to get to me on time.
"Did you think I was going to let you go, darling?" He whispers. I feel the hatred in his voice, a chill running down my back.
Breogan manages to hold both of my wrists with one hand while the other is placed threateningly on my neck. What is he going to do? Is he going to kill me? I feel his touch and my skin stings underneath his fingers. His hand is so hot, it burns. My neckless is on fire over my skin and I feel something warm running through my veins. His gaze moves to somewhere above my head, his eyes flare with realization as he looks back at me. I see the confusion in his gaze. And then he is gone.
I feel a sting behind my neck as his weight is lifted from me. Breogan goes flying through the air and I manage to see the silhouette of Sedrik in front of me. I get up looking at Breogan's face. There is pain written all over his features, as he tries to stand up. He is definitely hurt.
Sedrik hurries closer to me, helping me get up.
"Are you okay?" He asks, inspecting my face and body with a worried look.
"I'm fine." I nod still looking at Breogan. Confusion clouding my mind. My eyes go back to Sedrik. ''We should go.''
Just as we turn around, ready to leave, a scarlet burst flies right next to my face, hitting one of the walls of the cave making some rocks fall inches away from us. Sedrik looks back, where Breogan is already standing. Did he just ignismorphed? Of course, the Ruby Prince from the land of the Fire is an Ignis master, why do I even question that. This is not good. I don't even have the time to question how did he morph if he isn't wearing a gauntlet. We have to get out of here before he roasts us.
"Are you leaving so soon?" He sounds disappointed, there is anger in his eyes. His hands have turned into two scarlet balls. ''Come on little Deakin, you just got here. Let's have some fun.''
"You don't want to do this Breogan." Sedrik's voice sounds different. It is hard, full of hatred and bitterness. His eyes are a reflection of the fire around us. He is furious. ''You can still do the right thing.''
"I can do the right thing," Breogan repeats letting out a mirthless laugh, just as the dust starts flying up from the ground creating a dense cloud around us.
What in the hell is going on? I look back at Breogan. Is he… is he doing this? No. That is not possible. I have to squint to be able to see through the dust.
''You have no idea how wrong you are.'' He lets out, the smile fading away from his lips. His eyes glaring with anger.
"Things don't have to be like this." Sedrik's voice gets louder as he speaks. ''You know there's another way.''
"Another way?'' Breogan laughs. The whole cave roars. "There is no other way but to get rid of you.''
He moves his hands in front of him, sending a red burst directly to Sedrik's who uses his cane to redirect it just in time. The bursts collide with a wall and more rocks fall to the ground. If they continue doing that, we will end up underground.
"Enia," Sedrik tells me holding Breogan's gaze. ''Get out of here, go find Kalen and Cass, and leave.''
"What?'' I ask alarmed. ''Of course not! I'm not going to leave you!'' Sedrik lets me go but I don't move.
"Nothing's going to happen to me." His eyes move to me for a moment. ''You have to trust me.''
I hesitate a few seconds. If I leave and Breogan hurts him no one will be able to help him, but if I stay Breogan can take advantage of that and use me against Sedrik. He asked me to trust him, and I have to believe he knows what he is doing. But just as I am about to turn around, I feel a knot in my stomach, and even without looking at him, I know what Breogan is about to do.
"Watch out!'' I yell at Sedrik just a second before Breogan throws one of his bursts towards us.
We move just in time as it passes right in between us, hitting the wall behind us. Sedrik reacts immediately creating an airball with his hand and using the tip of his cane to throw it to Breogan. It heads straight for his chest, but he stops the impact and returns the ball to Sedrik who is not as fast to move out of the way, and receives the impact in his chest, falling to the ground. I run by his side screaming his name. He coughs as he opens his eyes.
''I'm alright,'' Sedrik says getting up.
"Get out of the way, darling,'' Breogan says. ''I would hate to hurt you."
My hands are burning fists. I turn around to find out he has walked closer; his predator looks fixed in Sedrik. I don't know what I am thinking, or how I find the courage, but before I can understand what I am doing I grab my dagger again and I charge directly to him. He takes too long to realize what is going on, and when he finally does it's too late. I am just a few inches away, throwing his body to the wall behind him and sticking the dagger in his left shoulder.
I look at my right hand where I am still holding the dagger as it sticks in his flesh, blood coming out of the fresh wound. There is a moment, just a fraction of a second when everything pauses. I look at him.
''What…?'' he leaves the question in the air.
The realization of what I just did hits me at the same time that hits him. He grabs my right hand with his own, pulling the dagger out. His eyes still on mine, the panic building its way inside me.
''How…?''
Again, his question is left in the air. His eyes move somewhere in my back as he pushes me to the side, stopping Sedrik's attack.
"Run!" Sedrik orders. ''I'll be right behind!''
This time I don't hesitate. I turn around and run through the tunnel. I hear Sedrik and Breogan fighting behind me. I don't stop. I run as fast as I can until I reach the exit of the cave.
Kalen and Cass are standing by the side of an unconscious Garnik. He is laying on the floor, Kalen standing over his body with a sword against his chest, ready to attack him if necessary.
"What happened? " I ask as I reach their side.
"Cass knocked him out,'' Kalen says as he wraps me in a tight hug. ''Deases. I'm glad you're okay. I was so worried. Are you alright?'' He moves away just enough to take a look at my face and my body, making sure I am not hurt. His eyes widen as they land in my hands. There is blood all over them, I hold the dagger in a tight grip. ''What happened?!"
"It's not my blood.'' I hurry to explain as I clean the dagger with my coat. ''It's Breogan's.''
''Breogan!'' Now his eyes are about to pop out of his face. I can almost feel his panic. ''The Ruby Prince?!''
''Yes… he was the one who took me,'' I say not hiding the anger in my voice. ''He wanted to lure Sedrik here; he…''
"They are getting closer," Cass interrupts me. ''We need to get out of here now.'' She puts her fingers in her mouth letting down a low whistle. A second later Atlas is flying above us.
''How did you…?''
''I sent a friend to get him,'' Cass answers my unfinished question.
I am about to ask what she is talking about just as a majestic creature lands right next to Atlas. It is a wolf. The biggest white-winged wolf I have ever seen, with eyes the slightest shade of blue they are almost white. A pair of wings, white like the fresh snow, now lay by its sides. A marvelous creature.
''This is Accalia, Cass's pet friend,'' Kalen explains as he walks towards Accalia, Cass behind him. ''Come on, get in Atlas, we have to get ready to leave.''
I look behind me. I know Sedrik will make it out. We need to be ready to leave when he does. I turn around making my way towards Atlas just as I hear steps coming out of the cave. Sedrik. He is rushing out, a hand in his chest. A chest covered by a burned piece of cloth. I rush straight to him, rounding his body with my arms.
''What happened!'' I ask as I help him move forward. Breogan is probably right behind.
''I… I…'' he can't answer. He having trouble speaking and breathing.
Kalen is now helping me move Sedrik's body.
"I won't let you run away!" Breogan's voice echoes from the Cave.
"Come on," I tell my brother trying to rush.
"Why didn't you leave?'' Sedrik voice is a whisper, he coughs three times.
"You didn't really think we were going to leave you behind, right?" Kalen says as he helps Sedrik up on Atlas's back. ''You still have a humanity to save, my friend.''
"Come on! hurry! " Cass urges. ''Breogan is coming!''
Kalen rushes towards Accalia, riding behind Cass. I barely have time to get behind Sedrik in Atlas's back before she whistles again. Atlas and Accalia start flying away.
We start flying the exact moment Breogan comes out of the cave, he is grabbing his left shoulder with his right hand. He stops, looking for us, his impeccable uniform is now all ragged. He finally looks up, realizing we are flying away.
He looks at something in his hand as he lifts it up, almost as if he were waving goodbye. I can almost swear he is looking at me. The air gets stuck in my lungs for a moment. Soon Breogan, Garnik, and the cave are left behind us.
I try to keep Sedrik's body in place, he is barely conscious. I place a hand on his chest and he lets out a moan full of pain.
"We have to find somewhere safe to stop," I yell looking at my side where Cass and Kalen are riding on Accalia. "Sedrik doesn't look well.''