Warnings: None


The first thing she noticed was that she was warm, almost uncomfortably so. As her vision cleared up enough she could make out the ceiling, she raised her head and saw that there was a blanket over her body and sunlight was spilling through the window over it.

She came to the conclusion she was on a bed, but it wasn't her own. Neither was the room which was finely decorated with a couple chairs, a dresser, and a vanity against the far wall.

Her body felt heavy and unresponsive as she drug herself up into a sitting position. Closing her eyes, she took a slow breath and tried to come to terms with what had happened. She remembered Zane, being hit, and falling down. Then there was nothing, but darkness.

The lord slowly stood up from the bed, gripping the edge of the mattress to steady herself. Her head was pounding. She took small steps across the room until she reached the vanity, staring at the objects scattered across the surface. There looked to be some jewelry and makeup, but nothing else. Nothing of her own.

Frowning silently to herself, she raised her head and looked in the mirror, horrified at the dark bruise that was now over her left eye. She raised a couple tentative fingers and touched the bruise, wincing softly at the ache that followed.

Despite everything, she was still surprised Zane had so bluntly struck her like that. Why hadn't he used his sword? She remembered seeing it in its sheath on his belt, but he had chosen to apprehend her with his hands instead.

And for what reason? Where was she?

She turned away from the vanity and went to the door, rattling the handle quietly. It was locked, as she expected, but she supposed it was at least worth a try. She sighed and let her hand fall back to her side, stopping when something soft brushed her fingers.

She looked down in confusion, only then realizing she was wearing a completely different outfit than what she remembered wearing during the fight. She now wore a cream-colored tank top and matching shorts. But who had-?

Staring at the clothing, she felt a hot blush creep over her face. Someone had changed her while she was unconscious. That alone made her feel sick, much less the idea of who it could have been.

Embarrassed and humiliated, she went and sat in one of the arm chairs, drawing her knees up to her chest. Since the door was locked, there was little more she could do than wait.


It seemed like an eternity before she heard anything in the painfully silent room. She felt like she had been sitting there for hours.

She heard faint talking, more silence, then the handle turned and the door opened slowly. Lurching out of her chair, she slammed her hands against the person's chest and tried to get around them.

"H-Hey-!" A startled voice erupted from the armor-clad guard and their arm shot out to grab Aphmau around the waist and drag her back into the room. The lord grunted in frustration, holding onto the wall for a moment before she was pried away from it and shoved back in, the door slamming.

"Don't touch me," she shouted, her anger getting the best of her. The guard turned for a moment to lock the door, then looked back to her; Aphmau could make out the gleam of eyes behind the slits of their helm, but could see nothing else.

"You can't go outside, Miss." A small voice came from the guard and Aphmau frowned at them.

"Why? Where am I? What's going on?" she demanded as she straightened herself, smoothing out her clothes.

"The High Priest forbids it. I'm sorry, m'lady," the guard bowed their head, folding their hands in front of themselves. "You're in O'Khasis, Miss." Aphmau's eyes widened and she took an unsteady step backwards.

"...Wh-What? But..." Oh Lady Irene. "P-Please... How long have I been here? What's happened?" she suddenly came closer, grabbing the edges of the guard's chestplate, who in turn looked shocked.

"Y-You've only been here for a day, Miss. Please, calm down. The High Priest has brought you here because...I..." The guard paused, "...I don't know. I-I can only assume he'll want to speak to you soon."

Aphmau backed away again, this time hugging herself and going to sit on the edge of the bed. "Z-Zane...No..."

"I'm sorry... I have to take my leave now; I was only sent to make sure you were awake. Something to eat will be sent up for you shortly." Turning back to the door, the guard started to leave, only to let out a surprised sound when the lord jumped up and was suddenly latched onto their arm.

"No! You have to let me out!" she begged. "Please! I have to-" She tried to squeeze past, only to be grabbed and flung to the floor with a dull thud when she hit the carpet. The guard stared in horror at what they had done before mumbling an apology and hurrying out.

After hearing the door lock, Aphmau stayed on the floor for a few minutes in silence, her eyes burning. While she was worried about how she would escape, she was more concerned about Phoenix Drop. What had Zane and his army done while she was unconscious?

Sick and tired, she slowly sat up and went to sit in the middle of the bed, peering out the window on the other side of it. The sun was setting, sinking behind the horizon and turning the sky a crisp orange.

The night wasn't something she was looking forward to.