Pretty Little Lies

Eighth Prompt: Devotion

Word Count (for story only): 568 words

"You want to get out of this mess?"

Selina nodded, tears streaking down her face. The walls of Cloud Tower loomed over her, casting eternal judgement. Before her stood Acheron, the man who started it all.

She wanted to hate him. She didn't know why she didn't.

"That's no longer possible, I'm afraid, " his voice was neutral. Not cold, but still uncaring. "Do you not remember what you promised me? You said you would get me out of this accursed book once and for all if I taught you what I knew. You promised to do whatever it took, as I promised to omit nothing. Tell me daughter, have I not kept my end of the agreement? What makes you think I would leave something out of your education?"

"No," Selina gasped. He hadn't, as far as she knew. And she knew quite a bit, more than her former classmates. More than the Trix. More than even Ms. Griffin, the ex-headmistress. "You have done what I asked."

"And you have not. For all the knowledge I have given you, all the power you have access to, I am still but a shade. I am still trapped in this book. Trapped, along with every other angry monster in the universe. Why have you not kept your promise to me?"

"I don't know how." Selina exclaimed, hiding. "I've tried, but-"

"And yet nothing. Am I but a tool for you, to cast out and gain what you desire? Do you really think life is so easy?" Acheron shook his head.

"There's nothing I can do for you!" she insisted, stepping out of his immediate reach. "I have searched for every possible escape route, and found nothing dealing with the Legendarium, or you. As far as I know, there is no key to your prison. You...you put your trust in the wrong-"

"You best wish that isn't true," the shade threatened. "Do you think I can't kill you? That I can't make your life a living hell, just because I don't live? Think again, Selina, and keep searching. You were never a stupid girl. Don't start now."

"But..."

"I made you who you are. People may underestimate you, but I know how powerful we can be. Together, the dimension will never be enough. But without me... they will beat you. They will kill you. There's no redemption for you now.

"So what will it be: will you devote yourself to my freedom... or your imprisonment? You will pay the debt, daughter. The only question is how."

Devotion. To you. Selina couldn't get it out of her head. How had it all come to this? She'd been so desperate for knowledge, she never once considered what it may cost.

"I'll find a way," she gasped. Acheron replied, but she no longer heard.

How would she release him from the Legendarium? She's seen monsters lose their place in the Legendarium before, but she never knew what caused their disappearance. She only knew their story was lost, never again to be spoken or written for all eternity. The final way to die.

The only escape. Selina didn't know how Acheron would react to that. So she hadn't told him.

She didn't know how to free him... except for when she did.

A/Ns: Hello world. Sorry it's been so long. I honestly didn't know how to use this prompt. Even now, I'm not sure how well it fits. But the best thing is to get it out of the way, so that's what I'm doing.

Selina getting cold feet, hm? What do you think that means? Will she ever redeem herself? Will she keep her promise to Acheron? Am I going to completely screw over S6 canon? Unfortunately, I only know the answer to one of those questions. Would love to hear what you all think, though.

Also, I would like to make an announcement: We have another entry into the 100 Prompts/Drabbles Challenge! When you're done here, I would love to see you check out the story To Love a Heart of Stone by CrystalHauntress, who is writing about Flora and Riven. I'm sure she'd love to get feedback equally as much as I would.

Again, thank you all for stopping by to read, please review, and I'll see you on the far side!