Hi! Welcome back to my mindscape! I hope everyone is having an amazing day, and I hope you all enjoy this chapter! |:D
Luz Noceda's senses gradually returned to her in pieces. The cold, hard surface beneath her sent shivers through her bones, and a dull ache throbbed at the back of her head. Her eyelids felt heavy, resisting her attempts to open them, but she forced them apart, blinking against the dim, bluish light that flickered from the torches lining the walls.
"Where am I?" Her thoughts were muddled, memories scattered. She remembered being captured, the struggle, and then darkness. Now, as she took in her surroundings, a wave of dread washed over her. Chains bound her wrists and ankles, the enchanted restraints glowing with a faint, ominous light.
She struggled to sit up, the chains clinking softly. The room was cold, colder than any place she had ever been. It was also eerily silent, save for the occasional drip of water echoing in the distance. The stone slab she was on felt like ice, and the air was thick with an oppressive weight that made it hard to breathe.
"Hello?" Luz called out, her voice trembling. It echoed off the stone walls, but there was no response. Panic began to set in, her heart pounding in her chest. She pulled at the chains, but they held fast, the magical glow intensifying with each tug.
Think, Luz. Think. She closed her eyes, trying to steady her breathing. Eda, King, and everyone must be looking for me. They had to be. But the uncertainty gnawed at her. She had no idea how long she had been unconscious or how far she was from them.
As she tried to piece together a plan, the sound of footsteps reached her ears. They were distant at first but grew steadily louder, more defined. Whoever it was, they were coming closer. After a moment they stopped, and then she heard quiet whispers from outside the door. Luz's heart raced, and she tried to brace herself for whatever was coming.
The heavy door to the chamber creaked open, and a figure stepped inside. The bluish light of the torches cast long shadows, making it hard to see clearly. But as the figure approached, Luz recognized the silhouette—tall, imposing, and cloaked in dark robes.
"Belos," she whispered, a mix of fear and defiance in her voice.
Belos stepped into the light, his mask hiding any trace of emotion. He observed her for a moment, his gaze piercing through the slits of his mask. "Ah, you're awake," he said, his voice calm and measured. "Good. We have much to discuss."
Luz glared at him, anger bubbling up despite her fear. "Let me go!" she demanded, pulling at the chains again. "You have no right to keep me here!"
Belos tilted his head slightly, as if amused by her defiance. "On the contrary, Miss Noceda, you've become quite the interest to me. A human in the Boiling Isles, and one with such… potential."
"I'm not your experiment!" Luz shot back, her voice shaking but resolute. "I don't know what you're planning, but I won't help you."
Belos took a step closer, his presence looming over her. "You misunderstand," he said softly. "Your help is not something I require. Your existence here, however, poses an interesting conundrum—one that must be carefully managed."
Luz's mind raced, trying to think of a way out, a way to reach Eda and King. She needed to stay strong, to not give in to the fear that threatened to overwhelm her. "Eda and King will come for me," she said, her voice firm. "You can't keep me here forever."
A cold, mirthless chuckle escaped Belos. "Ah, the Owl Lady and her pet demon. I'm counting on it," he said cryptically. "But for now, I have a little story for you."
Luz looked at him questioningly. "I don't want to hear your stupid stories! Let me go now!"
Belos sighed, turning around to summon a chair. He sat in it and said, "Did I ask what you wanted to hear? No. Now shut up and listen."
Luz went to argue with him but suddenly her mouth was glued shut. She started to freak out but Belos interrupted her.
"No need to panic, this spell doesn't block your breathing, it will just make it easier to talk without your… interference." Belos said, chuckling a bit under his mask.
Luz glared at him for a minute, she had no way to escape but maybe she would think of something while Belos was telling his story. So she turned her whole body towards him, waiting for him to tell his story.
"Ah, that's better." Belos clapped his hands together. "Now, let me tell you the Tale of the Brothers Wittebane."
A Swirl of magic enveloped them, and figures began to pop up in the air surrounding them, a whole scene being portrayed out before them as Belos told his story.
"The year is 1613. Two orphaned brothers arrive in a place named Gravesfield. Their names? Philip and Caleb. Caleb, the elder, took it upon himself to care for his younger sibling. They endeavored to integrate into the peculiar town and its distasteful customs. Eventually, the brothers adopted the role of witch hunters. Local legend whispers of the Brothers Wittebane encountering an actual witch from another realm, named Evelyn. Torn pages from Philip's journal hint at the older brother being ensnared and taken away. Evelyn would send Caleb enigmatic symbols, drawing him unwittingly to her witch's lair. Driven by determination, Philip embarked on a quest to vanquish the malevolent witch. Neither brother was ever seen again…" Belos sighed, finishing his story, the magical scene around them disappearing.
Luz' eyes shot up in surprise. Gravesfield? That's where she was from! And Evelyn? That had to be Eda right? In between her shock and thoughts Luz went to ask Belos something but her mouth was still shut. She pointed to her mouth and made a rude gesture towards Belos. She received a stare from Belos but after a few seconds she was able to talk again.
"Why are you telling me this story? What does it have to do with why I am here?" Luz questioned.
"Because," Belos started, taking off his mask.
"I am Phillip." He said with an Evil grin on his face.
With that, he turned and walked back towards the door, putting his mask back on. "Rest, Luz. You'll need your strength for what lies ahead."
The door closed with a heavy thud, leaving Luz alone in the dim, frigid chamber once more. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. She was so confused. Belos was a human? He came from Gravesfield? He had an elder brother and they met Eda? THEY WERE WITCH HUNTERS? There was so much going on and she still had no clue why she was here or how she was going to escape. She laid back down on the cold stone slab and curled up into a ball.
"Please get here soon Eda…" She said quietly, the cold room enveloping her.
BIG REVEAL BIG REVEAL BIG REVEAL! Now, I know this is a bit early for Belos to be revealed as a human but don't worry, next chapter will go more into depth on why he decided to do this and etc. This is a fanfic so there are some creative liberties I may take with some of the characters and their decisions but otherwise I am trying to keep it as close to canon as possible! Thank you again for reading this chapter, I hope you all enjoyed it! If you have any ideas of how I can improve this fic, just leave a comment! If you love it so far, leave a Kudos! Next chapter coming soon to a mindscape near you!