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There was no visible door to the building, at least not from where she was standing. Regan frowned, knowing there has to be another way to get in.

She circled the building, almost circled it, because there were more of these monsters she had just fought with. Regan's heart raced as her eyes scanned for any entrance, for any crack. She had to get in quickly, and the less attention she drew, the better it'd be.

She rounded a corner, and noticed a small crack to the wall. The bricks were old, crumbling, with wires coming out. Perhaps that was the weak spot. Regan dashed the sword on the crack and then used it as a lever, slowly widening the opening. It was not easy work, she had to put all her strength into it, plus also minimize the process's sound. After a few minutes, a gap big enough for her to squeeze through was formed.

"Thank God," Regan murmured to herself as she squeezed through the crack in the wall. She was so slim anyway, it wasn't hard for her to fit. Inside, the fortress was dark and eerily quiet, air smelling of a mix of gunpowder and something metallic, something that raised bile up her throat. The thought of her mother alone in this cold, depraved, lifeless place, was terrifying.

She swiftly moved against the walls, trying to blend with the shadows as one, sword ready for attacking someone who was going to stand in the way. The hallways were blank and empty, with no doors or windows. They seemed to stretch on forever. She rounded a corner, and yes, there was another creature. Regan had to be quick, she brought the fiery sword up and slashed it across the creature's face, making it lose balance.

But this made the fortress come to life, more growls echoing through the corridors. Their thudded footsteps were palpable now and Regan turned to run lightly but with speed.

She saw some of them coming from a side of another hallway and hit a burst of fire at their way, trapping them behind a large flame rising up the ceiling. The walls seemed to narrow as she kept going, her heart pounding with fear, emotion and anticipation. Finally, a pair of stairs appeared and they led the way up. Without wasting time, Regan lunged at the stairs, hoping her mother was up there.

As she climbed up the stairs, she felt a strange sensation. A tug on her chest, the same feeling she had felt when feeling Sirius's presence. Shivers ran down her spine, fearing he might be there. "No-no, that's not," she murmured to herself. After all, he couldn't just have stalked her without showing himself once. And she didn't think he'd even let some beasts stand in her way. She didn't think he cared about her, but...

The stairs ended to another hallway. It was similar to the one before. The only difference, there was a tall, metallic entrance in the end, a blank, chilling entrance. No handles or anything. Just a separating line in the middle. The feeling grew heavier on her chest. She tried to shake it off, focusing on the door. She had to find a way in.

She walked to the door, carefully examining it. Placing her hand on the cold surface of the metal, she wasn't sure about trying to burn it.

First, she started banging on the door, loudly. Nothing happened. Summoning her strength, she brought the ancient sword and slammed it on the door sides, again and again. The door started to shake, and then creak. Finally, it slid open with a loud clang.

The room was cold, a prison, with the thick smell of despair. It was dimly lit, with a small arched window above the mess of straws that was a bed. A single candle, near the end of its life, flickered on top of a table, giving off a feeble light. The walls were made of rough stone, the floor damp, dirty, dusty.

But before noticing all that, Regan first saw the lonely woman clutched in that bed, her arms around her knees, long red hair, uncombed, undone, handing over her arms. She was staring at her with wide, wrinkled blue eyes, and she looked pale. She was so similar to Regan, except for the robes she was wearing. They were dirty and torn but they once had been regal, her floral dress in colors of red and green.

"Mom?" Regan blurted out, tears beginning to wet her cheeks. She could see she was her mother. And she was alive. Scared and hurt, but alive. "It's me, Mom. I'm here to rescue you." She took a step forward, her hands trembling on the sword.

The woman's face turned into disbelief and shock. "W-what?" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I'm your daughter," Regan said, stepping closer, her steps shaky. 

"I-I don't have a daughter," the woman whispered, voice hoarse, tears forming in her eyes. "You must be mistaken. I don't have anyone."

"No, Mom! I am Yloria! Your daughter!" Regan protested, almost frantically, stepping closer. She had never met her mother before but she knew it was her. She also realized that what she was feeling before, was the presence of her mother, not Sirius, "Here's my necklace!" she said, pulling out her necklace that was hidden beneath her clothes, "I.... I'm the princess of Avalon. I survived. I did. And you did too."

Not resisting anymore, Regan ran forward, wrapping her hands around her mother tightly. She could feel the woman's heartbeat, fast and frantic. "I'm here, Mom. I'm here. I'll get us out of here," she said softly, burying her face in her mother's hair. Her tears mingled with her smile. "I've missed you so much."

The woman stayed stiff, not moving a single muscle. Regan noticed and pulled a bit back, her features twisted in worry.

"Mom, say something," Regan pleaded, her voice shaky. She shook the woman, as if trying to snap her out of daze. Fear engulfed her, what if her mother didn't recognize her? What if she was mistaken? What if she'd never feel her mother's affection?

"Mom, please," Regan begged, her tears falling from her eyes like a river, "Please."

The silence stretched long, time stopping for both of them, a heavy weight on Regan's chest. She could feel her heart racing, her grip on her mother tightening, demanding a single word or reaction.

Finally, after a while, the woman seemed to come in realization as well and hugged Regan tightly, sobbing into her shoulder. Regan felt relief spread all over her, a warmth spreading through her chest. "Oh, m-my dear, dear Ylor. Are you really her?" the woman's voice was barely a whisper as she pulled back a little and cupped her cheeks with her hands, looking into Regan's eyes, her voice low but full of love. "You... you're so beautiful. I never thought you'd b-be alive." Her mother said as she kissed her cheeks, her forehead, over and over, her own tears falling freely.

"Shh, it's okay, Mom. It's all going to be okay now," Regan said through a beautiful smile, wiping her mother's tears gently. She had so many questions for her, but she knew they could wait. She had to get them out of this hellhole first.

Suddenly, they heard a loud thud and the sound of metal clashing against the stone floor. They both froze, fear gripping them tightly. Then, they appeared. The lion-like men. High in number. They were growling menacingly, ready to lunge at them.

Without wasting a moment, Regan quickly grabbed her sword and took a step forward, in front of her mother. "Get away from us!" she snarled, raising the sword in warning. The lion-like men didn't seem to be intimidated as they continued to advance towards them.

Her mother, seeing this, panicked and grabbed Regan's hand. "No, Yloria! You can't fight them!" she cried, trying to pull Regan back. But Regan wasn't willing to listen to her mom now. And she wasn't willing to lose. She was determined to win.

Without a second thought, Regan charged at them, swinging her sword with all her might. The lion-like men were surprisingly fast, dodging her blows with ease. But she was relentless, slashing them mercilessly. One of them leaped at her, its claws extended, aiming for her chest. She managed to roll out of the way just in time, feeling the wind rush past her as she landed on her feet. She didn't waste any time, and struck them with fire, trying to not throw on where her mom was staying.

"Mom, get out of here!" she yelled, knowing that if she stayed any longer, she wouldn't be able to protect her mother. The lion-like men seemed to understand her words, as they continued to advance, their predatory expression now on her mother.

"Don't you dare!" Regan snarled, lunging forward, her sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. The lion-like men barely managed to dodge her attack, their eyes widening in surprise at her ferocity. She pressed her advantage, pushing them back with a flurry of blows, her sword singing through the air as it met their own swords and claws.

Her mother, watching from the sidelines, felt her heart in her throat. She knew that Regan was fighting not only for her freedom, but also for their chance to be together. She had never expected her daughter to be alive, let alone a warrior princess. 

"Mom, get out!" Regan yelled once more. But her mother didn't shift, she kept staying there.

Regan's fury took over her as she threw spells all around the beasts while slaughtering them with her sword. There were more of them coming and the place was also cramped to fight. Her frustration took place instead, she didn't want them to lay a hand on her mother, not after she'd been through hell for so long.

Summoning up a more deadly flame, Regan sent it hurtling towards the lion-like men, engulfing them all in a fiery inferno. They howled in pain as they stumbled backwards, their fur catching fire.

Then, knowing that she had an opening, Regan turned back to her mom, who was shocked but also relieved, "Come now," she said, taking her mother's arm. At first, her mother didn't move but then Regan's intense gaze made her realize that they had to leave now or they'd never make it.

Without another word, they began to run through the blank hallway until they reached the stairs. Regan held her mom's hand tightly as they climbed down, hearing the growls of the beasts after them. Regan knew that she had killed many of them, but there were still more lurking in the darkness.

Finally, they reached the other blank hall and Regan tried so hard to remember which way she came in. It was hard because the halls were blank, without something to define them from each other. Finally, she decided to go to the right. As they ran over there, Regan saw the opening she had cracked before.

"Mom, here," she urged, taking her mom's arms and pushing her gently towards the opening. Her mother stumbled forward, still in shock and disbelief, but Regan managed to get her out first. 

As her mom finally got out of the fortress's walls, other beasts were on Regan's way. She threw a burst of flames on their way and she pushed herself on the opening as well. Her mother was still there, breathing rapidly. Regan took her hand and they ran together the way back. They passed the monoliths and the chilling ruins, the cold and sharp air piercing their lungs. Regan didn't know where to go, but she was determined to find a way out of this hell. 

As they finally were far from the fortress, they stopped, trying to catch their breath.

"Mom, when I came here, I used a portal."

Her mother looked at her in shock, tears welling up in her eyes. "A portal? How did you find it?"

"I opened it with this sword," she said, motioning at the sword still in her hand. "But now, I don't know how to get back!" she added, panicked and worried. She kept glancing around, fearing that the beasts would catch up with them again.

"My dear, I don't know as well. I've been imprisoned in that fortress for so long that I lost track of time and place." Her mom answered, panic all over her face.

"Oh God," Regan said, glancing around. But they heard a growl from far and there was no time to wonder where to go.

The ran into the cold and dry land, their steps heavy with the will to be free and leave. She had no idea if it'd lead them anywhere but there wasn't anything better to do.

Finally, they meet with some other ruins. The ruins seemed mongolian, with yurts and other asian structures scattered around. Regan was surprised about that, since she wasn't even on earth.

"I don't know where we are..." her mother whispered, her voice shaking.

"Neither do I," Regan admitted, feeling helpless. "But we have to keep going. We have to find a way out of this place."

They continued walking through the mongolian ruins, trying to find anything useful. The air was cold and crisp, and the sky was still grey. The land was deserted and they wanted it better that way, than having someone chasing them again.

Regan's frustration began to rise. She prayed for a sign, for anything that would tell her how to get back. Her mother was tired as well. They knew they needed some kind of help.

"What are we going to do?

We can't keep running forever," her mother said, her voice full of despair. They had been walking for what felt like hours, with no sign of civilization or anyone who could help them. Regan pursued her mother's gaze, noticing the way her shoulders slumped and her steps dragged. She knew she had to find a way out.

The mist hadn't disappeared a little. It was still dense and chilling, making the paths unclear. Regan knew they both were cold and held her mother close, using her magic to keep them warmer.

"I don't know, mom. But we have to keep going. We can't give up," she said, trying to sound more confident than she felt. "Maybe we can find someone who can help us."

They continued walking, the silence between them heavy and uncertain. Regan narrowed her eyes when she thought she saw a figure in the distance.

"Mom, do you see that?"

"I do."

Her mother's voice was barely above a whisper, scared. Regan was scared as well. The figure was standing still, its posture imposing and threatening. It seemed like a shadow, black and ominous, blending into the mist.

"Maybe we should go another way." Regan whispered, drawing her mom closer to her. They were scared and uncertain, hoping the figure wasn't a man. But it seemed like it was. They knew they had to fight again if so.

Suddenly, as Regan and her mother turned away, a hoarse voice pierced through the air, sending shivers down their spines.

"Stop there, kitten."

They both whirled around, hearts hammering against their ribcages. There, standing before them, was a tall and imposing figure. It was a man, his face concealed by a shadowy hood. His robe was regal, billowing in the nonexistent wind, and his hands were folded behind his back.

"Damnit," Regan cursed. Who would it be other than the one and only, the the demon? The one who had made their lives hell, the one who had separated them, the one who had taken everything for them. She knew it was him, after all, it was

his voice and only he called her kitten. But she didn't know if her mother recognized him, or even knew him in the first place.