Changing Hearts
Chapter 13
Isadora's head hung limply on her shoulders as she stared at the floor of her prison cell. She was so close to seeing her granddaughter alive, but when Kaecilius had caught her trying to escape, her fighting spirit and hope had been drained from her body. It was as if she did not care if the world ended around her, she was ready to surrender and let the world fall to the darkness of Dormammu. This did not stop her from praying endlessly as she was grateful that she did not meet her death at Kaecilius's hands or that she was able to escape from her cell and have one breath of fresh air. If she were to die at Dormammu's hands, she would go out her way and not let Kaecilius choose for her.
"Thank you, Lord," Isadora felt herself smile regardless of her despondent situation. "Your strength has only made my will stronger." She kissed her dirty fingertips and waved them into the air.
"Really? We'll see how strong you are soon," Isadora glared out of the bars of her cell when she saw an all too familiar man walk in front of the bars. "Just give up, Isadora. Your God doesn't exist, only the true Lord and Savior does."
"No matter how many times you get me to deny myself, Kaecilius, your words only strengthen my faith in my religion more." Kaecilius watched her reach into her shirt and pulled out something from her caller that she had managed to hide from him when he had decided to spare her life. It was a necklace that Remi had made her from when she took art class in middle school. The thread was made from a clear solid lining and white clay was carved into a ichthys, the words carved in the middle reading her favorite Bible verse, James 1:6; But let him ask in faith,with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
Isadora's chained hands cupped the necklace and she smiled down at it. She held it close to her heart as Remi knew her faith was important to her, and she vowed to never let anyone take away her set of mind. Kaecilius's eyes widened and he gritted his teeth. He realized that it was going to be hard to break her, and he had had about enough of her delusions. He marched to the opposite side of the rows of cells and grabbed the black metal ring of keys from their holster. Isadora's dreamful stare suddenly darted up and she saw Kaecilius swing her cell door opening. She shrunk back into the corner as he walked towards her until he stopped, his hands tightly fisted, his purple and silver tinted eyes glowing in the dark shadows. Isadora shuttered as he reached down and grabbed her by the collar of her pink shirt, hoisting her to her feet. Isadora cried out as the metal chains that were once again around her wrists tugged painfully.
"We shall see how strong your faith is once Dormammu is here!" Kaecilius snapped. Tucking his index finger and thumb into the collar of her shirt, he saw the necklace he thought a little kid had made. Isadora protested tearfully as he yanked it from her neck, dropping her to the ground and turning his back from her.
"What a pathetic trinket," Kaecilius turned his head to Isadora but kept his back to her. Glaring at her, he incased her granddaughter's gift into a tight fist and squeezed. Remi could hear a tight crack echo through her cell, causing a horrified gasp to escape he dry throat. The clay containing the carving of her favorite bible verse snapped, leaving nothing but small bits in his hand. Making a mock face of sadness, Kaecilius wickedly smiled as he dropped the already broken necklace onto the floor and began stomping on it.
Isadora shuttered and hoarse whimpers made her body shake. Tears formed in her eyes and ran down her cheeks. She broke down and sobbed loudly, hiding her red and wet eyes with the palms of her hands to avoid his face. Kaecilius's smile turned into a frown but his glare still remained. He looked down and saw the clay ichthys was now completely destroyed into nothing but dust. His eyebrows slightly arched.
"Why?! Why are you doing this to me? Why can't you just let me go? At least let me keep the little joy I have left! How could you destroy something that would be left of my Remi?!" Isadora sobbed.
"Isadora…" Kaecilius bent down and roughly grabbed her chin, forcing her red bloodshot eyes to stare into his. "That is why I brought you a very special gift."
Isadora grew confused but watched as two hooded figures entered the dungeon soon after. She watched them pull down their hoods and revealed the faces of two young women, one with long black hair and the other blonde. Their eyes were the same as Kaecilius's. Isadora remembered their names as Delilah and Katrina and watched them walk forward. Ordering Delilah to his cell, she walked in and Isadora's eyes widened in horror. A young woman with medium length black hair and the same skin color was in her arms, dressed in worn out white robes with roped sandals around her ankles and knees. She lay motionless in Delilah's arms, but her fingers twitched from here to there.
"You wanted to see your granddaughter again, didn't you? Now you have your chance."
"Give her to me! Release my Remi!" Isadora shot to her feet and sprinted towards her with open arms, but Kaecilius stepped in front of Delilah, shielding her body from her view.
"If you want to see her again, then you must make an important decision," Isadora glared at him as she tried to get a glimpse of her motionless granddaughter. "I will gladly release her to you, only if you agree to watch her transform into the soldier I plan on making her. If you agree, I will personally see to it that you have the reunion you've longed for so much."
"You mean…you'll let her go?" Isadora gave him a hopeful smile.
"If you agree to watch her transformation, but that is my only offer," Kaecilius rose to his feet and backed away, allowing her a view of Remi's body. Isadora's smile faltered as she stared at her unconscious granddaughter. A few moments had passed in complete silence but Kaecilius waited patiently with his hands behind his back as he waited for her answer. Isadora could only stare at the love of her world as her body began to shake, her lips quivered, and her palms balled into fists. Her sad look turned into a glare and she turned her head around and seethed at Kaecilius.
"Get out of my sight! I would rather rot here in this prison than watch you turn my granddaughter into a MONSTER!" Isadora screamed, her loud voice echoing off the walls.
Kaecilius shook his head with disappointment and walked back to Delilah who slipped the young woman from her arms into his. He carried her bridal style and he made his way out of her cell, Delilah following behind. However, just as he was about to step out, he gave Isadora a shameful glare.
"What a pity. Fine! Have it your way," Kaecilius signaled Katrina forward. The blonde zealot stormed right into her cell, grabbing the keys from her master's hands and unlocking her restraints.
"What are you doing? Let me go!" Isadora struggled in Katrina's grasp but she kicked her to the ground, slamming her foot hard against her spine. Isadora groaned as she felt her foot increase pressure. She wailed as she tried to crawl free. "Remi will never surrender to your control!"
"What if I bring her the head of her beloved grandmother?" Kaecilius smirked sinisterly. Isadora's eyes widened in horror as she turned around to see a large Time Shard in Katrina's hand. The young woman giving her the same wicked look, Tears forming in her eyes, she turned away and closed them, praying to God once more as Katrina swung.
Kaecilius looked away and Delilah followed behind. Looking down at Remi, he smiled and walked up the steps of the prison, the grand organ sliding shut behind him.
To Be Continued
The text I had for the engraving of Isadora's necklace belongs to this website: passage/?search=James+1%3A6&version=ESV
Oooh, a cliffy! I know you all can't stand those, but I love to torture you ;)
I had originally planned on making this chapter with the scenes to follow, but I wanted to work around it and separate this from what is to come.
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See ya next chapter! :)