Chapter#16:Failed Escape.

Luciana rose quietly from the bed, careful not to disturb the child sleeping soundly beside her. Nemesis, the nameless boy Erebus had taken in, had finally drifted off into a peaceful slumber. She reached for the glass of water on the bedside table and sipped carefully, the liquid cool against her lips. A shiver coursed through her as she set the glass down and moved to the wooden chair near the fireplace.

The chair's metal accents were worn, their once-bright sheen dulled with age. She settled into it, pulling her worn cloak tighter around her shoulders. The warmth of the flames was comforting, though the room itself was modest—a stark contrast to the grandeur she had once known. Yet, it was the warmest space she had been given in this cold, imposing citadel.

Mina, the ever-cheerful maid, had taken pride in explaining the peculiar warmth of the Stygian palace. "It's built over a volcano," Mina had said, her voice alight with excitement. "The stone comes from the depths of hell itself." A fanciful tale, no doubt, crafted by storytellers to explain the heat coursing through the granite walls. Still, the warmth had been a rare comfort to Luciana in this strange, hostile place.

She glanced back at the child on the bed. Nemesis lay curled up beneath the blanket, his small frame barely making an impression on the mattress. He had no family, no past, no name—only the one Erebus had given him. Nemesis, Erebus had declared with his usual bluntness, as if the name alone could forge a destiny for the boy.

"I am your family now," she had whispered to Nemesis the night before, cradling him in her arms.

Her gaze shifted to the small bag she had prepared, made of patched fabric from Erebus's discarded clothing. Inside, she had packed a modest supply: food, water, and a spare set of clothes for herself and the boy. Her eyes lingered on the folded contract on the table, its presence a sharp reminder of the arrangement forced upon her. A marriage in name only, meant to bind her to Erebus's protection—a protection she neither wanted nor trusted.

Her decision was made. Luciana rose from the chair, draped the oversized cloak around herself and Nemesis, and moved silently toward the door. The child stirred briefly but settled again, his small fingers clutching her sleeve.

The halls of the citadel were eerily silent. The torches lining the walls had burned out, and the only light came from the pale dawn filtering through stained glass windows. The morning sun cast vivid hues onto the cold stone walls, momentarily transforming the fortress into something almost beautiful. But Luciana had no time to admire it.

She crept cautiously, her steps light as she turned each corner. The fortress seemed deserted, its inhabitants either still asleep or hidden in the shadows. Mina had once mentioned that the people of the citadel avoided sunlight, believing it a curse. Their strange customs mirrored their appearance—inhuman traits like sharp teeth, elongated limbs, or pale, corpse-like skin were common among the inhabitants. Others bore dark or bronze complexions, slit pupils, or white irises devoid of pupils entirely.

Luciana couldn't help but find Mina an odd exception. The maid's bronze skin and curly black hair seemed almost human, save for her white pupils. She had been unfailingly kind, eagerly obeying Luciana's requests and offering cheerful chatter to fill the silences. Yet Luciana had never let her guard down. Mina could easily be a spy, sent by Erebus or the imperial palace to monitor her every move.

Reaching the citadel's main hall, Luciana hesitated. The massive wooden doors stood open, revealing a bleak grey sky beyond. The world outside was cloaked in cold mist, and the air carried the sharp metallic tang of blood. She stepped forward cautiously, clutching Nemesis closer.

The boy stirred, his teary eyes meeting hers. She stroked his silky hair gently, whispering, "We're almost out of here, sweetling."

But as she stepped into the threshold, the sight before her froze her in place. Blood stained the ground outside the citadel, the dark crimson smears fresh against the pale dirt. The stench was suffocating, so thick it made her gag. She felt something wet on her shoulder and turned sharply, half-expecting to see someone behind her. There was no one.

"It might snow," she murmured, glancing at the heavy clouds gathering overhead.

Before she could take another step, a voice called out from the training grounds. "What are you doing here?"

Luciana turned, her blood running cold as Erebus emerged from the shadows. He was a terrifying sight—drenched in blood from head to toe, his war axe clutched in one hand. His sleeveless black shirt revealed muscular arms scarred from countless battles, and his black leather gloves and boots completed the grim ensemble. Trench blades attached to the leather belt tied around his thigh gleaming , their edges wickedly sharp. His dark eyes locked onto hers, their icy intensity freezing her in place.

Luciana cowered instinctively, clutching Nemesis tighter. The boy had fallen asleep again, oblivious to the danger. She tried to speak, to offer some explanation, but the words died in her throat. Erebus approached with measured steps, his gaze unyielding.

"Master, it is time for—" Jafar's voice cut through the tension as he stepped out of the hall, but he stopped abruptly at the sight before him. His sharp eyes darted between Luciana and Erebus, immediately understanding the situation.

"This is bad," Jafar muttered under his breath.

Erebus's expression remained unreadable as he raised his axe. Luciana flinched, bracing herself for the blow. But instead of striking, he slid the weapon into the scabbard strapped to his back.

"The child is tired," Erebus said coldly, his voice devoid of emotion.

Jafar stepped forward, offering a reassuring smile. "Come, little one," he said softly, carefully taking the sleeping Nemesis from her arms.

Luciana watched in stunned silence as Jafar carried the boy back into the citadel. The hope she had clung to—the dream of escape—shattered in an instant.

Erebus remained where he stood, his gaze fixed on her. His presence was a wall she could not climb, an unspoken warning that escape was futile.