Chapter 20: The Forgotten Oath
The carriage rattled to a halt at the edge of the forest, its wheels sinking slightly into the damp earth. The mist hung low, shrouding the landscape in an eerie silence. Isabella sat motionless, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. Viktor and Damien exchanged glances, their unease palpable as the faint silhouette of Alaric's ruins loomed in the distance.
The journey back had been tense, fraught with unanswered questions and unspoken truths. Isabella hadn't spoken since the confrontation, her mind swirling with fragments of her past life and the growing darkness that Alaric had awakened within her. She felt the weight of the revelation crushing her—Victoria, the name that had been whispered in her dreams, was her past self. And Alaric's claim that she was destined to rule by his side felt like a chain tightening around her soul.
Viktor broke the silence, his voice low but firm. "We can't delay any longer. The ruins won't remain dormant for long, not with Alaric's influence growing. If we're going to stop him, we need to act now."
Damien nodded, his eyes fixed on Isabella. "And what about her? She's barely had time to process all of this."
Isabella lifted her gaze, her expression unreadable. "I don't need time," she said quietly. "I need answers. And I need to end this."
Her words hung in the air like a challenge, and for a moment, neither man could respond.
---
Inside the Ruins
The trio stepped into the ruins, their footsteps echoing in the vast, crumbling halls. The air was thick with an unnatural energy, the very stones pulsing with a faint, malevolent glow. Isabella felt a pull deep within her chest, as if the ruins themselves were calling to her.
"This place…" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "It feels… familiar."
Viktor's jaw tightened. "It should. This is where it all began."
Damien shot him a sharp look. "What do you mean?"
Viktor hesitated, his gaze locked on Isabella. "This was Victoria's kingdom. Her throne room. Alaric's influence corrupted it after her fall."
Isabella's breath hitched as fragments of memories surfaced—a grand hall filled with light, a throne of gold and ivory, and a face that was achingly familiar yet shrouded in shadow.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she demanded, her voice trembling with anger and hurt.
"Because I was trying to protect you!" Viktor snapped, his frustration finally boiling over. "I thought if you didn't know, you could live a life free from this madness. But now… now it's too late."
"Enough," Damien interjected, stepping between them. "We don't have time for this. Alaric's influence is spreading, and we need to focus on stopping him."
Isabella took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. "You're right. Let's finish this."
---
The Hidden Chamber
As they ventured deeper into the ruins, the air grew colder, the darkness pressing in around them like a living entity. They finally reached a massive stone door, its surface covered in intricate carvings of battles and betrayals. At the center was an emblem—a phoenix entwined with a serpent.
"Victoria's crest," Viktor said, his voice tinged with reverence.
Isabella stepped forward, her hand trembling as she traced the emblem. The moment her fingers touched the stone, a surge of energy shot through her, and the door began to creak open, revealing a hidden chamber bathed in an otherworldly light.
Inside, they found a pedestal upon which rested an ancient tome bound in black leather. The air around it shimmered with an unnatural glow, and the faint sound of whispers filled the room.
"What is that?" Damien asked, his voice hushed.
"The Codex Umbra," Viktor replied grimly. "It's said to contain the knowledge of Alaric's power—and how to destroy it."
Isabella stepped forward, the pull in her chest growing stronger with every step. She reached out to touch the book, but Viktor grabbed her wrist.
"Wait," he said urgently. "The Codex is dangerous. It could corrupt you, just like it did Alaric."
Isabella met his gaze, her eyes blazing with determination. "I have to do this, Viktor. I need to understand the truth if we're going to stop him."
Reluctantly, Viktor released her, and Isabella placed her hands on the Codex. The moment she did, a blinding light filled the chamber, and the whispers grew into a deafening roar.
---
The Vision
Isabella found herself standing in a grand hall, the throne room from her memories. She was dressed in a gown of deep crimson, a crown of gold resting on her head. The room was filled with people, their faces blurred and indistinct.
At the far end of the hall stood Alaric, his presence commanding and menacing. Beside him was Viktor, his expression one of anguish and desperation.
"You were mine," Alaric said, his voice echoing through the hall. "You were meant to rule by my side, to bring order to this fractured world. But you betrayed me."
"I chose love," Isabella found herself saying, her voice strong and unwavering.
"And look where that led you," Alaric sneered. "To death. To ruin. And now, to me once more."
The scene shifted, and Isabella saw herself standing over a battlefield, her gown stained with blood. Viktor lay at her feet, his body broken and lifeless. Alaric stood beside her, his hand on her shoulder, his eyes filled with triumph.
"No!" Isabella cried, the vision shattering around her.
---
The Awakening
Isabella jolted back to reality, the Codex clutched in her hands. Her body trembled with the weight of what she had seen, but her resolve had only grown stronger.
"I understand now," she said, her voice steady. "Alaric's power isn't just about domination. It's about breaking people, making them lose themselves. But I won't let him break me."
Viktor and Damien exchanged a glance, both silently acknowledging the strength in her words.
"What do we do now?" Damien asked.
Isabella looked at the Codex, its pages glowing faintly. "We find his weakness. And we end this—once and for all."
---
The Oath
As they prepared to leave the chamber, Viktor placed a hand on Isabella's shoulder. "No matter what happens, I'm with you. Until the end."
Damien nodded, stepping forward. "Me too. We'll face this together."
Isabella looked at them, her heart swelling with gratitude and determination. "Then let's make a vow. No more secrets. No more lies. We fight as one."
The three of them joined hands, their bond strengthened by the trials they had faced. The path ahead was uncertain, but for the first time, Isabella felt a glimmer of hope.
They stepped out of the ruins, the first rays of dawn breaking through the mist. The battle was far from over, but they were ready to face whatever came next.