~Chapter 23~

Corissa

Everything was falling into my lap with perfect timing. Provinces were falling to my control and anyone who rebelled against my forces were dealt with permanently. I sat on my throne petting my bird Drake who was resting on the ball of my staff. On the nearby wall, I grinned as I watched the light drain from my sisters face. With a flick of my staff, Kaleb, Joel's brother and my second huntsman, came to me bowing low.

"You summoned me?" He asked.

"How goes the collection of light?" I asked him.

"Four are contained." Kaleb answered.

"Comfortably?" I asked curiously raising a brow.

"Not a chance."

"Good. Just like your brother, you cannot fail me. Do we understand each other?"

"Of course." Kaleb replied and then I sent him on his way.

The plan was in motion and all I had to do was just wait until that Noella girl had brought down the last two barriers. It couldn't be too much longer. Suddenly, I heard that annoying mother in my head scream out. I hadn't heard her in awhile, so I figured she finally gave up relinquishing her body completely to my will, but still there was some power she still had unwilling to give to me.

"Leave Noella alone! What exactly are you planning to do to my daughter?" The mother yelled.

"Don't worry she still has a purpose for me...for now. As soon as that purpose is fulfilled, Joel will eliminate her."

"You can't!" She cried.

"Just sit back and watch...like you have choice."

The mother grew silent again. The pain in her voice that I heard in my head was full of so much emotion, it was almost tangible. I could almost feel her anguish and sorrow as she cried out from the depths of my mind. However, I focused my thoughts to the task at hand. I walked over to my magic mirror and talked with a few of my commanding officers throughout the provinces checking on status control. All was well and complete surrender was imminent. I would gain control over all the provinces and being sorceress over all would be my magnum opus. As I began thinking about my next moves, I felt something suddenly. A dark presence and power that was stirring. It was a distance away, but I definitely picked up on it immediately. Curious, I summoned the power from my staff to transport me to that location. I landed in the province usually overseen by my sister where she enchanted that useless prince. The darkness was close and I followed the tug I felt. Soon, I heard the sounds of immense anguish and pain. Somebody was crying. I rounded a large oak tree passing a large white horse tied to a low branch with a green reptilian creature resting on the saddle. A lizard of some kind who stuck its tongue out at me as I passed by. I rounded the tree trunk and found a young woman with short, brunette hair wearing a purple dress dawning a black cloak around her shoulders. As I approached, she looked up at me in surprise that she wasn't alone.

"W-Who are you?" She muttered weakly as she wiped her nose.

Her eyes were bloodshot and clearly she had been at this for awhile with no signs of stopping. Before I answered her, I could sense the darkness slowly growing from a large portion of pain wrapped around her heart, but I also sensed great light within her as well. The two were fighting for control. The dark essence inside of her was seeping from the cloak and I could sense the power and malice. I wanted it. Maybe instead of putting this woman of light out of her misery, I could use her to my advantage. I crouched down at her level smiling kindly. The very action made me sick, but it's what had to be done.

"Oh my dear...why are you so troubled?"

"H-He's dead. M-My mother-er well the woman who raised me died...she lied about everything. How could someone do that?"

I put my hand on her shoulder trying to portray a sympathetic nature. Honestly, I didn't think I was capable of that, but this woman was so vulnerable in this state. I think I could easily manipulate her. Upon touching her shoulder, I saw a quick vision of what happened in her recently. I understood and I grinned a sly smile.

"A gem such as yourself shouldn't be out here alone." I commented. "Why don't you come help me?"

"What could I help you with?"

"Do you possess any skills?"

"I used to be able to sing and heal people, but my magic hair was cut."

"Yes I know, I saw the whole ordeal. Quite tragic. That man saved you by giving up his life."

"Yeah…" She mumbled, her voice trailing off.

The darkness was growing with thoughts of her anguish and pain.

"Aw sweetheart, what if I could restore your hair and give it magic power again?"

"You can do that?"

"I can do many things." I said tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Will you come with me if I restore your hair with a new purpose?"

"I dunno…" She hesitated slightly.

"Remember your pain and remember your love and how he fought for you. Don't let his sacrifice go to waste…" I carefully emphasized every word sending poisonous thoughts into her mind to bring out that strong dark essence. It was working. I watched as her eyes that were green morphed into a more muted color. A dark chestnut brown. Her heart relinquished control and her pain was her fire. With that, I touched her head and my hand began to exert power as I watched her brown hair grow quickly passed her shoulders and down the length of her back just above her waist in length. The woman had closed her eyes for a second and when she opened them, she grabbed her long locks.

"Thank you." She nodded.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Rapunzel." She replied.

"Lose that memory. It's time to start fresh...you are my Nightingale."

She nodded in easy compliance. Her heart was in so much distress and pain. The manipulation process was too easy. She began singing as she walked on ahead of me and as tunes flowed out of her mouth, the birds in the sky began to drop down dead.