Captive

『 ???'s POV 』

Ian's heart pounded in his chest as the maids led him away from his twin. With each step, he felt the protective presence of Ivan fade, leaving him vulnerable and exposed. The corridor stretched endlessly, the walls pressing in like a sinister embrace. He clenched his fists, trying to quell the rising tide of fear that threatened to drown him.

This will be the first time he separated from his brother for only stars know how long.

The maids led him to a door at the end of the hallway. It creaked open, revealing a dimly lit room. A tall man stood in the center, his back to Ian. The man turned slowly, a welcoming smile on his face that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Welcome, Ian," the man said, his voice smooth and calculated. "My name is Mr. lockwood. I will be overseeing your... training."

Ian mind was racing. He remembered Kal's instructions: Don't resist, don't draw attention. But if they lay a hand on you...

Mr. Lockwood's smile widened, his eyes glinting with a hint of something sinister. "Good. It's important that we establish trust from the beginning," he said, stepping closer to Ian. "You'll find that cooperation will make this process much easier for you."

Ian's instincts screamed at him to flee, to go find his twin, but he stood his ground, his gaze unwavering. "What kind of training?" he asked, his voice edged with suspicion.

Mr. Lockwood's smile grew, a predatory glint in his eyes. "A very special kind of training, Ian. One that will unlock your true potential."

Ian's skin prickled with unease. "And what does that mean, exactly?"

Mr. Lockwood chuckled, a sound that sent chills down Ian's spine. "You'll see soon enough," he replied cryptically. "For now, all you need to do is follow instructions and trust that we have your best interests at heart."

Ian's fists clenched tighter, his mind racing with thoughts of escape and resistance. But he knew Kal's warning was still relevant. He needed to bide his time, gather information, and find a way to reunite with Ivan.

Mr. Lockwood gestured to a chair in the center of the room. "Please, have a seat. We'll begin shortly."

Reluctantly, Ian moved to the chair and sat down, his muscles tensed and ready to spring into action if needed. Mr. Lockwood moved to a table against the wall and began preparing something out of Ian's line of sight.

"So, Ian," Mr. Lockwood began, his tone conversational, "tell me about your relationship with your brother."

Ian's eyes narrowed. "Why do you want to know?"

Mr. Lockwood turned, holding a small vial filled with a dark liquid. "Understanding the bond between you and your brother is crucial to our training process," he explained, his tone almost too pleasant. "It helps us tailor the program to your specific needs."

Ian's mind flashed back to the conversation with Kal and Ivan. They had to stay strong, stay united, no matter what. "Ivan and I are close," he said carefully. "We've always looked out for each other."

Mr. Lockwood nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer. "Good, good. Now, let's see how strong that bond really is."

He stepped closer, holding the vial up to the light. "This will help you unlock parts of your mind you never knew existed," he explained. "It will bring clarity, strength, and a deeper understanding of yourself."

Ian's instincts screamed at him to run, but he forced himself to stay seated. "What is it?" he asked, his voice tight.

Mr. Lockwood's smile was almost kind. "Think of it as a key," he said, his voice soothing. "A key to unlock your true potential."

Without another word, he opened the vial and handed it to Ian. "Drink this," he instructed. "And let the transformation begin."

Ian hesitated, his mind racing. He knew he couldn't trust Mr. Lockwood, but he also knew he couldn't afford to resist outright. Taking a deep breath, he took the vial and brought it to his lips. The liquid was bitter, burning as it went down.

Mr. Lockwood watched him closely, a satisfied smile on his face. "Good," he said softly. "Very good."

Ian's vision began to blur, his head spinning as the room seemed to tilt around him. He felt his body growing heavy, his thoughts slipping away into a dark, consuming void. The last thing he saw before everything went black was Mr. Lockwood's smile, cold and triumphant.

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When Ian woke up, he was no longer in the room with Mr. Lockwood. He was strapped to a table in a dimly lit chamber, the smell of antiseptic and decay thick in the air. Panic surged through him, but he forced himself to remain calm, to think clearly.

"Good, you're awake," a voice said from the shadows. Mr. Lockwood stepped into the light, his expression unreadable. "Now we can truly begin."

Ian's heart raced as he struggled against the restraints, his mind a whirlwind of fear and defiance. But as Mr. Lockwood began his work, Ian's thoughts turned to Kal and Ivan. He had to survive, had to find a way back to them.

No matter what it took.

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Meanwhile, Ivan's journey through the orphanage took a different turn. He was led to a similar room but found himself alone. The walls seemed to close in around him, the silence oppressive. He couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was happening to Ian.

Ivan thoughts a whirlwind of worry and determination. He knew Ian was in danger, and the anxiety gnawed at him. He had to stay calm, stay focused. He had a gift, a power that could help him go to his brother. The shadows seemed to dance around him, responding to his growing agitation.

"Calm," he whispered to himself, forcing his breathing to slow. "Stay calm."

The door creaked open, and a maid stepped inside, her eyes wary. "Mr. Lockwood will see you now," she said, her tone devoid of warmth.

Ivan's eyes narrowed. "Where is my brother?"

The maid's face remained expressionless. "You'll see him soon enough. Come with me."

Ivan followed her out of the room, his senses on high alert. The corridors seemed even more oppressive now, the weight of the building pressing down on him. He could feel the shadows whispering around him, their presence a constant reminder of his power.

As they walked, Ivan's mind raced. He needed to find Ian, to protect him. He couldn't afford to be distracted, even though his thoughts often drifted to Kal. Despite his stoic exterior, Kal's influence was growing on him, and that made Ivan even more determined to keep them all safe.

They reached another door, and the maid gestured for Ivan to enter. Stepping inside, he found himself in a stark room, similar to the one he had left. Mr. Lockwood stood in the center, his expression cold and calculating.

"Ah, Ivan," Mr. Lockwood greeted, his tone smooth. "I've heard a lot about you. Please, have a seat."

Ivan ignored the chair, his gaze fixed on Mr. Lockwood. "Where is my brother?"

Mr. Lockwood's smile didn't reach his eyes. "He's safe, for now. But that depends on your cooperation."

The shadows in the room seemed to pulse with Ivan's rising anger. "What do you want?"

Mr. Lockwood's eyes gleamed. "I heard that you are blessed. I want to see your gift, Ivan. Show me what you can do with it."

Ivan's fists clenched at his sides. "And if I refuse?"

Mr. Lockwood's smile widened. "I wouldn't recommend that. Your brother's safety depends on your compliance."

The threat was clear, and Ivan knew he had no choice. He closed his eyes, focusing on the shadows around him. He felt the mana within him, the power thrumming just beneath the surface. Slowly, he extended his hand, and the shadows responded, swirling into a tangible form.

Mr. Lockwood watched with keen interest. "Impressive," he murmured. "Very good. You'll be a valuable asset"

Ivan's eyes blazed with defiance. "I'm not your asset. Now, take me to my brother."

Mr. Lockwood's smile faded, replaced by a cold, hard look. "You don't give orders here, Ivan. But since you've been cooperative, I'll allow you to see him."

He gestured to the maid, who led Ivan back into the corridor. They walked in silence, the oppressive atmosphere growing with each step. Ivan's mind raced, planning his next move. He couldn't trust Mr. Lockwood, but he needed to be patient.

The maid stopped in front of a heavy wooden door and pushed it open, revealing a dimly lit room. Ivan stepped inside, his heart pounding in his chest. There, strapped to a table in the center of the room, was Ian. Relief flooded through Ivan, but it was quickly replaced by anger and worry as he saw the state his brother was in.

"Ian!" Ivan rushed forward, but the maid blocked his path, her expression stern.

"Stay back," she warned, her hand resting on a hidden weapon at her side.

Ivan stopped, his hands clenched into fists. "What have you done to him?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

Before the maid could respond, a shrill siren blared throughout the orphanage, cutting through the tension in the room. Ivan instinctively glanced toward Mr. Lockwood, who sighed with irritation.

"Lucy isn't paying me enough for all this," Mr. Lockwood muttered under his breath. He looked pointedly at the maids and then at the twins. "Someone is in the orphanage. We need to move to a secure location. The experiment will be postponed for now."

Ivan's heart raced. He remembered Kal's warning and he knew they had to take advantage of this distraction. With adrenaline coursing through his veins, Ivan knew this was their chance.

In a split-second decision, Ivan focused his mind on the shadows around him. The emergency lights flickered as darkness seemed to coalesce and swirl around Ivan, responding to his will. With a swift motion, he commanded the shadows to surge forward, enveloping Mr. Lockwood and the maids.

Mr. Lockwood and the maids struggled, but the shadows held them fast, immobilizing them. Ivan stepped forward, his eyes blazing with pure anger. He moved swiftly and silently, closing the distance between himself and Mr. Lockwood.

Without a word, Ivan's hand shot forward, darkness constricting around his arm like a living snake. With a swift, decisive motion, he struck at Mr. Lockwood's throat, cutting off his ability to speak or to move. Mr. Lockwood's eyes bulged in shock and fear as Ivan's shadowy appendage tightened its grip.

The maid who had blocked their path earlier attempted to draw her weapon, but Ivan reacted swiftly. Shadows lashed out from his other hand, wrapping around her weapon and disarming her before she could fire. She stumbled back, fear etched across her face.

Mr. Lockwood gurgled and struggled to free himself, but Ivan's hold was unyielding. Ivan's eyes bore into Mr. Lockwood's, a silent promise of retribution for the pain and suffering he had caused to his brother.

In a matter of moments, the struggle ceased. Ivan released his hold, and Mr. Lockwood crumpled to the ground, gasping for breath. The maids stood frozen in shock, unable to comprehend the swift turn of events.

With a final, decisive motion, Ivan's shadows tightened their grip, crushing the life out of Mr. Lockwood and the remaining maids. Their bodies went limp, falling to the floor in lifeless heaps. Ivan took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his actions, but knowing it was necessary to protect his brother.

He rushed back to Ian's side, his brother's pale face and labored breathing ignited a fierce protective instinct within him. Ian was in pain and clearly injured, blood staining his clothes. Ivan's first instinct was to use his blessing to teleport them away, but he remembered Kal's instructions to find the knights if anything went wrong.

Closing his eyes, Ivan focused on sensing the shadows around him, stretching his awareness beyond the confines of the room. He couldn't sense Kallous' shadow, but he didn't have time to ponder why. Instead, he concentrated on locating the knights Kal had mentioned.

After a few tense moments, he felt the distinct, steady presence of several shadows that seemed to belong to armored figures. These had to be the knights. With his mana nearly drained, Ivan summoned the last of his strength and used his ability to teleport himself and Ian to the location of the knights.

Darkness enveloped them for a split second, and then they reappeared in a different part of the orphanage. Ivan staggered, nearly collapsing from the effort, but he managed to stay on his feet. The knights, startled by the sudden appearance of the twins, drew their weapons instinctively.

"Help... us..." Ivan gasped, struggling to keep his vision from blurring. He held Ian close, his brother's unconscious form a dead weight in his arms. "There... are others... children... need saving..."

Sir Aric, the leader of the knights, stepped forward, his expression shifting from surprise to determination. "Secure the area and find the other children," he commanded his knights. He then turned his attention back to Ivan and Ian. "We need to get you to safety."

Ivan nodded weakly, his body trembling with exhaustion. "Please... save my brother," he murmured, before the world went dark and he finally succumbed to unconsciousness.