January 24th, 2021

A loud series of banging knocks commenced from the front entrance of Castle Dimitrescu. As Alcina descended the staircase to go answer them, her expression could only convey annoyance. The presence behind the door was not a mystery—she knew exactly who it was. She grumbled to herself as her eyes narrowed with a mixture of exhaustion and frustration.

When she finally arrived at the set of heavy doors, she took a long, deep breath before she pulled them open. Her towering figure filled the entryway, and on the other side, there stood Karl Heisenberg, leaning lazily against the frame with his usual smug grin and that massive hammer resting by his side. Equally unpleased, his eyes met hers, and both rolled them almost simultaneously. She hated to be around him more than anything, and the fact that even her own castle was not an escape from his infuriating presence bothered her to no end.

Behind him stood Narratha with her hands clasped in front of her, eyes focused downward.

Karl greeted the lady of the castle with a mockingly exaggerated bow and a cocky smirk on his lips. "Did I interrupt your beauty sleep?"

Alcina's lips curled into a sarcastic pull, which tried its best to mask her aggravation. "You? Don't flatter yourself. Your rabbling could put me to sleep at a moment's notice. If I'm ever up too late, then I'll talk to you and rectify that." Her eyes then shifted from Karl, gleaming with resentment as they fell upon Narratha.

The redhead tried not to react as Alcina's piercing stare bore into her. Alcina's lips pursed. She had not seen the freckled woman in a few days, but her animosity towards her was still fresh as ever. "Ah, I remember you," she hissed. "You killed me before, you said? Shall I even the score?"

The tall woman's talons slowly extended, her fingers lengthening into razor-sharp claws. Despite how alarming the display was, Narratha tried her best to remain calm, her eyes downcast submissively. She had taken Karl's words to heart—he had warned her to behave, and she wasn't about to test her luck.

"My lord," she acknowledged Alcina quietly without any hint of her previous rebellion. She chose her words carefully, playing her expected part. "My dearest apologizes. My mind was lost."

Alcina arched an eyebrow, her lips twitching upward in amusement. She was clearly unimpressed by the display of humility, but the fact that Narratha wasn't openly defiant was the personal victory that she craved. She turned her eyes back to Heisenberg, the claws slowly retracting as if the matter had passed.

"Why is this little creature still with you, Heisenberg?" Alcina asked, glancing back at the woman in his custody. "I thought that she was supposed to be a Lycan by now. Why hasn't she turned?"

Heisenberg sighed dramatically, waving a dismissive hand toward Narratha. "Her wound turned out to not be caused by those dogs. Now, it's Mother Miranda's orders—this one's not to leave my sight whenever she's not working. An extra headache, yes, but whatever." He took a moment to glance at Narratha as well, but his mannerisms were different. The fawn understood the concept of fabrication. His movements were quick. Most would have assumed that he was dismissive of her, but no, it was all a lie.

He didn't believe any of his own words.

"And why isn't she working, then?" Alcina pointed to the fields. "What use will she have during this meeting, hmm?"

Heisenberg gave a chuckle as he shrugged. "Because I need someone to hand me my next cigar."

Narratha's expression did not change, but she clenched her jaw, suppressing the urge to grimace at the comment. Heisenberg's degrading remarks were nothing new to her by now, but it still stung all the same.

Alcina eyed them both, seemingly still suspicious about why he would now be okay with keeping a prisoner of his own. The man never cared much for the presence of others. She wasn't certain of what he did all day in that factory, only that his devotion to Mother Miranda was questionable.

After a few seconds, Heisenberg groaned. "Can we get on with this?" he huffed. "Where's the meeting going to be?"

Alcina shook her head almost violently for a second. It was clear that she wanted to lash out at the man and chop him to pieces, but her restraint was still in command. "Mother Miranda wants us to convene in the Main Hall," she answered, ready to spit as soon as the final syllable fell from her lips.

"And Donna and Moreau? Are they coming too?"

"Only Donna will be joining us," Alcina replied.

Heisenberg chuckled at that, a hint of amusement flashing across his face, much to Narratha's silent confusion. She couldn't grasp the significance of Donna's presence or why it was amusing to Karl, but she remained quiet, her eyes fixed on the ground in front of her.

Alcina turned sharply as she began to lead the way inside the castle. Heisenberg followed, gesturing for Narratha to come along. The large doors of the castle closed behind them with a heavy thud, sealing them inside for the time being.

The walk was short, the only sounds being Heisenberg's occasional grunts and Alcina's heels clicking sharply on the marble floor. The matriarch's imposing frame led the way, preparing to bend down as she approached an opened door. However, in the middle of doing so, she paused and turned her gaze back toward Narratha, those amber eyes peeking devilishly over her shoulder.

"If Heisenberg ever decides you're more trouble than you're worth," she began, "know that my daughters would love to have you." Her words were filled with a dark, sadistic promise. Whoever her daughters were, they had to be equally as dangerous as she was.

Narratha, her face still devoid of emotion, nodded once. "Yes, my lord."

Alcina's smirk widened briefly before she moved through the doorway, ducking her head to fit through the smaller space. Narratha followed, her eyes briefly catching Heisenberg's as he gave her an sarcastic mouthing of his sister's words, clearly mocking the exchange.

Narratha didn't laugh, even though a part of it did amuse her.

As they moved closer to the Main Hall, Alcina turned to Heisenberg, her face briefly showing irritation. "Mother Miranda will be waiting for us. Don't waste her time with your pointless rants, Heisenberg."

Heisenberg raised his hands in surrender. "Oh, pointless, are they?"

With a huff, Alcina pushed open the next door. Narratha kept her head bowed as she followed the pair. Whatever this meeting entailed, she could only hope that staying in line would be enough to avoid drawing attention to herself.

She understood that inside this place, surrounded by those horrid people, she was more of an outsider than ever before. All eyes would be on her, and she could not afford to mess up.

Daniela sat one of the velvet chairs in the hallway near the Main Hall, her favorite book in hand, as usual. Her fingers lightly brushed against the edge of each page as she turned them. Her eyes barely studied the words as they passed by her, as if she were merely enjoying the shape of the text itself rather than what it had to say.

Suddenly, she heard the heavy, approaching footsteps through the nearby corridor. She looked up, a bright smile stretching across her face when she recognized her mother was leading the group.

"Mother!" she called out, only for her excitement to diminish as her gaze shifted behind Alcina. Her eyes narrowed as they landed on Heisenberg, her smile turning into a disgusted curl. The sight of him always brought frustration. "Is he going to smoke those nasty things in here?" she asked.

Heisenberg chuckled at her comment, his grin widening as if accepting the challenge. Without a word, he pulled a cigar from his coat pocket, wedging it between his lips within seconds. He accentuated his movements as he began reaching for a lighter, but before he could bring any flame to life, he suddenly felt the unmistakable presence of a claw close to his throat.

"Ah, ah, ah..." Alcina's voice spoke, her elongated talon resting within inches his Adam's apple. Heisenberg rolled his eyes, while Narratha took a cautious step back. The fawn's stare was locked on those deadly claws, memories of her previous encounter flashing in her mind. In Locwitary, she had faced a twisted, monstrous form of Alcina—deformed but still clawing to survive against Narratha's overwhelming magic as she slammed her around and burned her.

Here, those blade-like nails had no opposition.

"Really?" Heisenberg grumbled as he pulled the cigar out of his mouth, his other hand catching the metal hammer that instantly flew towards him. He let it rest at his side, the tension visible but not overtly aggressive. It was more of a show of force than anything else, but the man still wanted to swing it at her. "If I have to listen to you babble on and on without one of these, I'll lose my damn mind."

Alcina's eyes would not leave him; her talon still extended. "The smell of those things is revolting, Heisenberg," she hissed. "Try to go a moment without it. Surely even you have that much self-control."

Heisenberg scoffed, muttering something under his breath, but he slipped the cigar back into his pocket. He shot Daniela a disapproving glance through those dark shades, shaking his head. "Happy now, princess?"

Daniela grinned, ignoring Heisenberg as her eyes fell on Narratha, her interest piqued by the unfamiliar face. Something about this woman seemed odd, but she just couldn't figure out what it was. Her features were unusual. Never before had there been someone in this village with so many freckles and such bushy red hair. The woman's build was also intriguing. As curvy as she was, she also appeared to be strong, though not overly muscular.

Hmm… Oh! She looks just like the way the Valkyrie is described in my book. Well, somewhat, I guess.

"Mother," Daniela began, her gaze fixed on Narratha, "is this the 'loud one' that Bela was talking about?"

Alcina paused, her argument with Heisenberg momentarily forgotten. Her eyes swept over Narratha, assessing her in silence before she spoke. "She isn't loud anymore," she said coldly, bringing her claw down to rest just in front of Narratha's chest. Her voice was motherly but filled to the brim with malicious intent. "And it will stay that way, won't it?"

Their eyes for the briefest moment, Narratha's hiding the desire to tear the behemoth apart. But just like before, she stayed her tongue, nodding almost instantly. "Yes, my lord." She felt the pressure of Alcina's threat. If this woman hated Heisenberg so much, then what would stop her from spearing his prisoner straight through the chest with that nail?

However, just as soon as Alcina lowered her talon, Narratha's eyes fell on Daniela. There was something unnervingly similar about her. The clothes, the way her hair dangled from the side—it was so much like Cassandra. The fawn couldn't take her mind off it. That gown was so distinct.

Did Alcina's daughter have a scar just like Cassandra did?

"Hmm..." Daniela mused, tilting her head as she continued to peek at Narratha. "She seems different now. I guess no more screaming... unless we say so."

Alcina gave a slight nod of approval before her attention shifted to the upcoming meeting. She then leaned over and set her eyes upon her youngest daughter. "My darling, stay away from the Main Hall for now. This is important business, and I need you and your sisters to respect that."

Daniela nodded immediately, though her lips turned downward ever so slightly in disappointment. "Of course, Mother. Should I let them know?"

"No need. They already know," Alcina responded with a dismissive wave of her hand. Daniela kept her face composed, but inside, her thoughts churned. Why was she always the last one to be told about these things? It was as if her sisters were always trusted with the more crucial information, while she was left to simply follow orders without ever being in the loop.

But Daniela held her tongue. She knew not to question her mother. Alcina had expectations of obedience, and Daniela instinctively met them. It was par for the course of being a devoted, loving daughter. "Yes, Mother," she replied, preparing herself to exit the room. She walked out peacefully, taking them time to cradle her book in her arms as if it were an infant.

As soon as Daniela stepped through the set of double doors, Narratha suddenly heard a horde of flapping wings. She turned her head over her shoulder, cautious as to what the source of the noise could have been. Much to her shock, standing in the center of the room was none other than the high priestess herself—Mother Miranda.

Miranda walked forward with a slow pace, her feathered cloak trailing behind her. The blonde's movements were calm, yet a silent reminder of her supremacy over the lords. When she finally came to a stop before them, her piercing eyes locked onto Narratha through her mask.

"This prisoner," Miranda said slowly, "is not to be present during this meeting."

Heisenberg frowned, scratching at his beard in frustration. "Mother Miranda, I was ordered to keep her in sight at all times. Can't exactly do that if she's banished from the room."

Miranda's gaze shifted briefly to Heisenberg, her eyes narrowing with irritation. "She has no place amongst us. She is still an outsider and not fit to even stand in the corner of our meeting. You will find a way to obey both orders, Heisenberg."

Narratha took the opportunity to glance at the prophet. She could feel the power emanating from Miranda, but she couldn't quite pinpoint the source of it—something that frustrated her even more. Why did this woman hold such sway over beings as powerful as the lords? What gave her such control? Narratha's instincts told her that the answer lay in some destructive qualities that could corral anyone into submission.

So far, there had yet to be a demonstration of Mother Miranda's profound abilities. Narratha was grateful that she had been spared the opportunity, however, as it would have likely been spent on her. But still, she knew that there had to be something, and discovering its weakness meant understanding it.

Heisenberg exhaled sharply, clearly displeased, but nonetheless compliant. "Yes, Mother Miranda. What should we do, then?"

Miranda's eyes swapped back to Narratha. "She is to stand far away from the doors. She will not enter any room, nor leave the hall nearby."

Alcina chuckled softly, a sly smile on her lips as she glanced down at Narratha. "And should you decide to wander, my daughters may just scoop you up and have themselves a snack." Her voice was once again deceptively playful.

Narratha's brow furrowed at the mention of cannibalism. She was no stranger to the act back in her world. It was the only way that she was able to break free from her powerless state and obtain the abilities of the surge that she should have had. But if Alcina's daughters fed on the flesh of others, then did she as well? Was it simply out of habit, or was there something in the blood of their victims that enhanced their power?

Did Miranda and the other lords consume the villagers too? Was that where their abilities derived from?

Her thoughts were cut short by Heisenberg's voice. "You heard her," he muttered, jerking his head toward the doors. "Go stand out there and don't try anything stupid."

Narratha gave a small nod, proceeding as instructed.

As she neared the doors, Alcina leaned slightly toward her, the gleam of her amber eyes fixated on Narratha. "Remember," she warned, "the walls have ears and eyes. Any foolishness will bear consequences."

With Mother Miranda standing nearby, Narratha did not want to risk any further threats. She knew when she was outmatched. It would have been a chaotic fight if she had her powers, but in her current state, she had no other option.

The doors of the Main Hall opened, and Narratha found herself in the corner of the hall just outside them. She rested her back against the wall, her mind already racing with ideas as to how she could escape this place. But as her thoughts swirled, her heart turned into stone. There would be no escaping this village unless she could find out a way to kill these people.

But how?

Mother Miranda stood at the head of the room, the golden mask hiding her expression beneath. Alcina's towering frame leaned forward as she sat on the tiny couch. To her left, Heisenberg slouched in his chair, rolling his bearded mouth in mild annoyance. Donna Beneviento, who had entered just a minute after Narratha departed, sat motionless in the chair opposite him. On her lap was Angie, the doll's head constantly swaying from left to right.

Miranda's commanding voice broke through the silence. "The arrival of two outsiders in our village is cause for concern. If they could make it past the Lycans, it means others may be able to do so as well. And that," she paused, her eyes sweeping over the lords, "is unacceptable."

Heisenberg grunted, pushing himself up in his seat. "I've been checking on the Lycan population," he began, his tone half bored, half obedient. "Their numbers are well above average. Hell, they're overrunning the local wildlife. It's no wonder why everyone out there is starving."

Angie snickered from Donna's side. "Those creatures missed these two, though. What kind of watchdogs are they if they can't catch a few pests?"

Alcina interjected, proposing a different solution to the problem. "If more people are going to enter, perhaps they could help sustain the population of the village by taking the place for my wine. Not only would we source enough income to meet our needs of imported goods, but the occasional villagers would be spared."

Heisenberg scoffed, briefly dragging his hammer closer to the edge of his left hip. "Of course. Leave it to you to look at the village and see nothing but food." He grinned at her, mocking. "The whole place isn't your dinner plate."

Angie's head tilted sharply, her laughter ringing through the hall. "Oh! Why don't you two fight to the death, and the winner gets to eat the loser! Now that's a show!"

Without hesitation, both Heisenberg and Alcina turned to Angie, their voices booming in unison. "Shut up!" But the doll only jumped around more, hopping off Donna's lap as she waited for the spectacle to unfold.

Suddenly, the temperature in the room seemed to drop as Mother Miranda's voice put an abrupt end to the bickering. "Silence!" It was a voice like thunder, but the lightning would only strike if her patience thinned out further. "This is not a time for your childish squabbles."

The three lords did not say anything else, merely resigning themselves quietly in their seats as their eyes set upon their leader.

Miranda continued. "More outsiders mean there are gaps in our perimeters. They are coming from somewhere, and we need to find out where. I will personally scout the forests and ensure no further intrusions occur."

The lords remained silent, though each of them had their own thoughts spinning in the background. None of them wanted to cross Mother Miranda when she was this focused, and the stakes were too high for petty arguments.

"While I'm occupied," Miranda continued, "the village must remain secure. Each of you will ensure your sectors are controlled and defended." She shot a glance at Heisenberg, whose lips curled into a tight line as he knew that she had Narratha and that other woman on her mind. "I do not want another breach. Am I clear?"

All heads nodded in agreement.

Miranda's voice then lowered, showcasing that there was something else on her mind that she was not willing to speak in-depth about yet. "There may soon come a time when I must take another extended absence. The next time I return," she said slowly, "if all goes well, the ceremony I have long dreamed of will finally come to fruition." Her masked face shifted slightly as if she were staring into the future itself, but her words ended there.

Narratha stood by the corner of the hall, her keen ears picking up the muffled voices of the lords talking behind the grand doors of the Main Hall. Temptation crept in—she could press her ear to the door and hear the details of the conversation that might reveal their plans, or at least give her insight into her captors. But logic overruled. If caught eavesdropping, she'd be killed, or worse.

Instead, she idly shifted her weight, her eyes wandering to one of the other doorways nearby. This could be the path to escape, she thought. The idea had been rattling in her mind since she was placed there. But the castle was massive, and every corner felt like a potential trap. Still, the idea of running became more appealing by the second.

This was the first time that she had truly been left on her own. Had her visual obedience perhaps won over the lords and lowered their guard around her? It was difficult to say. Any captor would expect someone like her to run, so maybe they did.

Maybe this was just a test.

Her gaze lingered on the door at the other end of the hall, which she then noticed was slightly cracked ajar. Would it be safer over there? She shook her head, imagining maze-like hallways and considering how dangerous they could be. If she made a break for the upper levels and got lost, would someone eventually capture her?

But then curiosity tugged at her. Perhaps there was something useful up there. Maybe a weapon?

Narratha glanced around, ensuring she was alone. Carefully, she began to inch closer toward the door, her shoes making little sound as she masked her footsteps on the cold marble. The closer she got, the more alert her senses became. Each creak of the walls or gust of wind from outside put her on edge. When she reached the door, she was greeted by the faint sound of two women conversing just beyond another set of closed doors.

Pausing, Narratha quickly weighed her options—should she turn back now? She had no business exploring these halls. But before she could decide, the door before her swung open.

Two women emerged from the room, their voices continuing mid-conversation. The first woman, clad in a black apron, exuded a sense of authority in the way she carried herself. Her eyes quickly landed on Narratha as soon as her left foot passed the threshold, narrowing with great concern. It was Madelina, the Grand Chambermaid, though Narratha had no knowledge of who she was.

The second woman, revealed to be Kyia, froze the moment she saw Narratha. Her eyes widened, a look of recognition flashing across her face before her mouth gaped, ready to speak. However, it was the presence of the woman beside her that caused the fawn to go silent. Still, that did not put an end to her endlessly shifting eyes that signaled the highest of urgency.

Madelina, however, did not catch Kyia's reaction and immediately grew suspicious of the likely intruder. "Who are you?" she demanded sharply. "How did you get into the castle?"

Narratha forced herself to remain calm, even as she momentarily contemplated grabbing Madelina and bashing her head against the wall. An imploded skull or a twisted neck would put an end to this problem, but her uncertainty of what would happen after kept her actions at bay.

There was no plan. She needed a plan.

The redhead quickly gestured with her head toward the Main Hall behind her, keeping her voice steady. "I was brought here by Lord Heisenberg. He's having a meeting with the other lords and Mother Miranda." The mention of the lords and Miranda seemed to quell some of Madelina's suspicions, though her eyes remained wary.

Before Madelina could respond, Kyia suddenly found her voice. "She's telling the truth," the brunette said, stepping forward. "This woman was captured alongside me and given to Lord Heisenberg as a servant. She is not an intruder."

Madelina's posture relaxed slightly, accepting Kyia's explanation. "I see," she muttered, though her gaze was still firm. "Well, it doesn't matter. You have no business wandering the castle." Her tone softened a fraction, but the warning in her voice was unmistakable. "For your sake, I suggest you don't stray any further. They will not hesitate to kill you."

Narratha met her gaze, giving a small nod.

Madelina took a step back, casting a final glance between the two women before turning to Kyia. "Continue with your duties, Kyia. Lady Dimitrescu won't tolerate any delays."

Kyia, tucking her head, responded to the woman accordingly. "Yes, Grand Chambermaid. I'll take care of everything."

Without another word, Madelina turned and walked away, her footsteps reverberating down the hall as she returned to the door that she had emerged from. It was possible that the mention of Miranda and the other lords being nearby was the cause for her sudden shift in direction. Narratha had seen that glint in her eye as soon as she informed them.

As soon as Madelina instructed Kyia to accompany her, the brunette obeyed without hesitation. But just before she stepped out, Kyia glanced back at Narratha, winking as she mouthed the word "wait." Narratha, with a stone-cold expressionless face, tilted her nose upward in acknowledgment.

Once the two women had left, Narratha stood beside the steps, her heart pulsating inside her chest. The minutes crawled by, each one dragging longer than the last. She was torn between anxiety and anticipation, her thoughts racing. There wasn't much time to wait around, but she didn't want to forsake this opportunity.

It had been days since she had spoken to Kyia, who was the only link that she had to her old world. Narratha desperately sought answers to this predicament, and she hoped that the slender fawn had something valuable to share with her.

Suddenly, before she could think, the door creaked open, and Kyia quickly slipped back inside. Her face was pale, her nerves clearly getting the better of her, but she hurried over to Narratha. The moment the door shut, the two women wasted no time. Kyia's emerald eyes were filled with adrenaline as she grabbed Narratha's arm, pulling her into a quieter corner.

"How exactly did you arrive here?" Kyia whispered, barely controlling her nervous energy. "What did you mean when you said a window became a door?"

Narratha's eyes met hers, the memory of their first encounter still vivid. "An opening—like a tear in the air—appeared beside me," she explained in a low voice, glancing over her shoulder. "It wasn't my doing. It just happened."

Kyia looked around the room, searching for any sign of the Dimitrescu daughters possibly lurking about. Lowering her voice even further, she pressed on, knowing that this was possibly the only chance she had to speak to her for the time being. "And how were you pulled into this world?"

Narratha paused before answering, watching Kyia closely. "I wasn't pulled. I stepped through it voluntarily," she admitted. "Were you pulled in?"

Kyia blinked in surprise, questioning how a random tear had not yanked Narratha into this world. Ethan and Bela had been pulled into Serpenmoor against their will, but as she tried to piece together the science of it, she figured that it all had to do with placement. The tear likely opened up right on top of the pair, forcing them with no other outcome.

It didn't matter. Kyia knew why Narratha would have been compelled to escape Locwitary. "The war never ended, did it?"

Narratha raised an eyebrow, confused by the mention of the war. "Huh?" she asked slowly. "The Great War is over."

Kyia's jaw dropped. "It ended?"

Narratha nodded, her brow furrowing. "It ended five hundred years ago."

The color drained from Kyia's face as her mind spun, realization dawning on her. Five hundred years ago? She stared at Narratha, a flood of questions bursting in her mind. How could she have come from a point so far in the future? That had to be a lie.

Kyia's thoughts were a whirlwind, but she didn't have time to ask all the questions swirling in her head. There was only room in this conversation for topics of the utmost priority. "Have you ever heard of the Dagger of Death's Flowers?"

Narratha's brows flicked at the mention of the blade. "Of course. It's an ancient story from around that time. Many of us were taught it as children."

Kyia's pulse raced as she swallowed hard, still struggling to wrap her head around everything. "The dagger is real, and I have reason to believe it's hidden somewhere inside this castle."

Narratha stared at her, stunned by the revelation. She had always heard of the Dagger of Death's Flowers harnessing the purest form of fawn energy. But the redhead was skeptical. "How do you know this?"

Kyia hesitated for only a heartbeat before replying. "Because I've wielded it before."

Narratha shook her head slowly. She didn't want to believe it, all because of how impossible it sounded. "No... the story of the fawn who wielded it ended with an explosion and her disappearance. With such fire, she burned out and was vaporized. That was five hundred years ago."

Kyia's expression turned to a mix of determination and perplexation. She still could not understand why there was such a gap between the existence of her and Narratha, but in the heat of the moment, her brain sat still. There was no time to sit here and try to figure all this out. This was her chance to further her goals.

"Look," she said, her head frantically swaying back and forth as her anxiety rose. "I need you to just pay attention, okay? I have traversed the barriers of the realms once before and arrived there without my powers. We need a high concentration of our native energy to regain it."

Narratha stood quiet for a second, pondering the possibility of what would happen if she were to feast on Kyia's blood. It had been the key to her acquiring the powers that she believed she so rightfully deserved in the past. Could it work now?

But that entailed the madness that would follow, and she needed a clear mind to think rationally in this forsaken place. Killing her only ally was not rational thinking at all.

Before either of them could speak further, the distant sound of movement downstairs broke the moment. The lords' meeting was ending. Narratha heard the shuffling of footsteps and faint murmurs.

"I have to go," she whispered urgently.

Kyia nodded, sensing the same impending danger. As much as she wanted to get more information, their conversation was at an end. "Listen, if we can find that dagger," she said in a low, hurried voice, "then I can get us out of here. But I need time to locate it."

Narratha hesitated, unsure whether she could trust this lead. "And what do you need me to do?"

Kyia's eyes locked onto hers. "Find out whatever you can while you're with Heisenberg. Anything about the castle, the lords, and Miranda. But be careful. We do not know if they are the only ones watching."

The sound of footsteps approaching the doorway grew louder.

Kyia glanced nervously at the hall behind the redhead and then back at Narratha herself. "Come back to the castle. Convince Heisenberg."

Narratha's muscles tensed, ready to slip back into place. "I will."

Kyia gave a quick nod, her expression serious. "And don't get killed."

Narratha shot her a brief smirk, despite the gravity of the situation. "I won't."

Without another word, Kyia gestured toward the door, signaling for Narratha to return to her position by the stairs. Kyia straightened her apron, casting one last glance at the fawn before making her way out of the hall.

Just as Narratha resumed her spot, the doors creaked open. The voices of the lords carried through as they stepped into the hall. Heisenberg's boots stomped across the floor, with Alcina and Donna right behind him.

"Move along," Heisenberg grumbled, waving Narratha toward him. She walked in silence, keeping her head low as Alcina's eyes briefly scanned her. The tall woman was still highly suspicious of her brother's prisoner, believing her to be as untrustworthy as he was.

Behind the door that she had exited from, Kyia stood, pressing her fist against her chest. Her heart pounded in her ears as she listened to the sound of Narratha being ordered to walk out. She closed her eyes and released a shaky breath, a mixture of distress and relief washing over her.

They would meet again.

She did not know Narratha, but if there was one thing that she could take away from their talk, it was that the woman held a sense of resilience. She was strong—shaped by violence.

Kyia's mind briefly returned to Captain Webb, the native of Serpenmoor's world who helped bring her and Bela to that clock tower. The man had surely witnessed his share of fights, demonstrating a great prowess when it came to killing the infected populace along the way. She wouldn't have been surprised if the man had managed to injure Vikcia during his final encounter with her.

But all that was in the past. A dead world filled now with nothing but dead people. Gone and forgotten.

If Narratha truly had that natural drive for brutality, then that could be applied when needed. Kyia's plan was gradually forming, slowly but surely. Wherever that dagger was, it was close. She could feel it.

Narratha walked behind Heisenberg as the two made their way toward the castle entrance. Kyia's words lingered in her head, gnawing it endlessly. How could the brunette have come from a time five hundred years in the past? Narratha had heard of strange fluctuations of time between different realms—teachings of how the linear realms moved back and forth at their own pace, independent of one another.

But the gap between both of them in Locwitary?

Kyia had mentioned crossing barriers before. If that was true, perhaps Kyia had fallen into another world where time flowed so differently, where centuries could pass in the blink of an eye. The thought made sense, but it still unsettled her deeply. What kind of place could allow Locwitary's history to advance so drastically while Kyia remained unchanged? Was it just any realm?

She quickly shook off the confusion. Now wasn't the time to think about it. Kyia had mentioned something far more important: the Dagger of Death's Flowers. If the dagger was still intact—and if Kyia was telling the truth about wielding it—then it had to hold immense power. Power so great that the boundaries of the realms were no match for it. But how did Kyia know it was here? That question demanded answers above all others.

The more she considered it, the more she realized just how many unknowns were at play. Two people from Locwitary, each from a different time, trapped in this twisted world. It was a bizarre, almost impossible coincidence, raising the chance that these fawns were dealing with something that has never occurred before in any universe.

As they entered the front lobby, where a large painting of three women was displayed, Narratha's thoughts were abruptly shattered by a voice—a voice that was so chillingly familiar it made her blood run cold. Shockwaves ran across her skin. Phantom pains of a sickle blade that was no longer there. She stopped dead in her tracks, her feet frozen in place, her heart hammering against her chest.

"Mother!"

The voice rang out, sharp and spoiled. Could it be? Narratha's head whipped to the side, her breath stalling as it did. There, approaching with a confident pose, was none other than Cassandra Dimitrescu.

But now she was standing here, healthy as ever. Uninjured. Not even a single scratch.

Her vision swam as memories flooded her mind, bringing with them the taste of bitter rage. The last time she had seen Cassandra, it had been in the heat of battle, the clash of blades, and the scent of blood filling the air. Flames and flies erupting in all directions. But now, here she was, alive and smiling, as though none of it had ever happened.

Cassandra's eyes, filled with sadistic glee, locked onto Narratha. Her lips curled into a smile that dripped with an unfulfilled hunger. She let out a low, amused laugh, inspecting Narratha up and down. "Hmm... what do we have here?"

Narratha's fists clenched at her sides, nails digging into her palms as her feral nature begged to be unleashed. This couldn't be real. How could Cassandra be here, alive? She had stabbed her clean through the gut with her sword—surely killing her in the end. But nothing made sense anymore now.

"I'm starving," Cassandra continued, her eyes still gazing over Narratha's body with predatory intent. "Heisenberg, how about a trade? You can have the skinny little maid with the big bun of hair. She shakes a lot when you yell at her. It's honestly quite fun." Her voice was dripping with dark humor, but there was a genuine hunger in her stare. She saw the hunks of flesh that adorned Narratha's legs. They must have been filled with so much blood.

Heisenberg snorted, unimpressed by Cassandra's suggestion. "Not a chance, Cassandra. I'm not trading anything with you. She's not on the menu." He shoved Narratha forward with a push, directing her to continue moving toward the exit. He would have no more of this castle. He was sick of it. "And that woman you're describing doesn't look like she could lift a brick off the ground. I'll take the stronger one, thank you."

Narratha stumbled slightly as she went ahead, but she paid the act little thought as her eyes glanced at the brunette whom she had fought elsewhere one final time. Her mind was in turmoil, the realization slowly dawning on her: the timelines between worlds weren't consistent. What had happened in Locwitary didn't apply here. This Cassandra had never met her, had never fought her—and yet, she was the same woman, down to those amber eyes.

Revenge surged like fire in her veins. She had likely killed this woman once and she could do it again. Narratha wanted to kick herself for having jumped into that opening before she could finish the job, but with the mortal wound that she had inflicted on Cassandra, there was no way that woman would have ever made it out of that room. She was as good as dead in the redhead's book, but now she had to die again.

It wouldn't be in defense. It would be an execution. The burning hatred in her chest only fueled her resolve as she thought of the Dagger of Death's Flowers once more. If Kyia was right, that dagger could be the key to ending all of this—including Cassandra.

As they exited through the massive front doors of the castle, Heisenberg paused, glancing at her with a hint of interest. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Narratha masked her fury behind a blank expression, bottling her rage for later. "What?"

"No big deal. The castle's practically full of them," Heisenberg grunted before gesturing to the fortress behind him, ready to spit at the sight of it.

The cold night air swept in, hitting Narratha like a slap. She took a deep breath, her mind still reeling from the encounter. Seeing Cassandra was the last thing that she had expected, but it was all clear now: she had to help Kyia.

Once she had that dagger, she would have everything that she needed to slaughter the Dimitrescu family.

The following afternoon...

The afternoon sun hung low in the sky, hidden behind the many clouds, as Narratha worked tirelessly yet again. Her breath formed small clouds of vapor with every exhale as she dug her shovel into the hardened snow, trying to clear a path to the frozen crops yet again. The cold bit at her skin, but the icy chill did little to distract her from the storm of thoughts raging in her mind.

Cassandra. The name festered in her thoughts like an open wound. As her shovel pierced the white ground again and again, she found herself imagining the battle they had fought back in Locwitary.

Her mind kept going back to that moment. The fight. The blood. But beneath her fury, the rational part of her couldn't help but question it all. Why had they fought in the first place?

She knew the answer, though it was one she tried to bury deep. Cassandra had come to her castle to save Leta, a child Narratha had held captive. Narratha had thought she could use Leta to further her own plans, but what followed proved to be nothing but a mistake, culminating in a vengeful slash across the innocent little girl's throat.

But Cassandra had killed Falena. That petite fawn, the only one who had been loyal to Narratha. All that hard work to achieve just one follower who saw the world the same way that she did. Cut down like a soulless animal, devoured on the floor. Her fawn magic stolen to gift the unnatural abilities that the brunette held.

Narratha drove the shovel into the snow with a frustrated grunt, imagining it was Cassandra's chest. Her breath came out in ragged puffs as she tried to keep her emotions in check.

The weight of everything—her past mistakes, her need for vengeance, and the confusing nature of this world—pressed down on her. Was she still the same person she had been back then, filled with rage and vengeance?

Rage and remorse could not coexist, no matter how much they tried.

Suddenly, Narratha felt a gentle tap on the side of her leg. She didn't lash out in fury this time, as much as her anger had risen. When her eyes turned with her head as it moved by her right shoulder, she immediately set her sights on the source of the touch.

Maybe it was her memories of Leta that caused her to not respond in violence this time. Maybe it was because she was reminded of the very same thing that she had destroyed back in her world.

"Excuse me, Miss…" The little boy from yesterday spoke quietly.

A child.

NOTES:

Welcome back! Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Sorry for the slight delay. I was out of the house almost all day yesterday and couldn't post it.

Advancing the plot a little further, the Dagger of Death's Flowers is now a part of Narratha's goals as well. Neither she nor Kyia have any idea where to start, but with these two fawns on opposite sides of the castle, information is ripe for the picking. Narratha is obviously conflicted with her past decisions, as she is still tied to the hatred in her heart, which will be a driving factor for her future actions in this story.

Still, she recognizes her misdeeds.

As for Kyia, she now has an extra shred of confidence that there will be a path to escape. Rest assured, she and Narratha will meet again in due time. Until then, this mischievous little fawn has some information of her own to acquire...

As for Daniela, her time in this chapter was brief, but the next one will focus heavily on her and her sisters. We all know what is coming down the road, or some of us do, depending on if you've read all the stories. Let's just say that she and Cass are heading towards disaster.

The next chapter will release in two weeks on the 2nd. Mark your calendars accordingly.

I hope you all are doing well out there and have been staying happy and healthy. Thank you so much for supporting this work. There is still a lot that is to come, and the action is getting closer. I'm also going to be working more on updating Fragmented Flies: Flickers when I get the chance. I know its been a while, and the next chapter is way overdue. Sorry about that!

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend and stay safe! I can't wait to see you again soon!