Chapter 23 Room XVII

Dimitri straightened his back at the guard's words. "You have found him?" His voice lowered dangerously, like a blade about to be unsheathed.

"Yes, Your Majesty. He was found at the northern border between Northhelm and the Land of Skulls." The guard's voice cracked at the mention of the Land of Skulls.

Dimitri took one last drag from his vape, the smoke flowing out from his nose and his mouth. He dropped the vape on the table beside him.

His expression was unreadable. "Prepare the soldiers." He said. "Kill him on sight."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The guard bowed one more time before he dashed out of the room.

Dimitri's gaze lingered on the door where the guard had disappeared. "Doom of Star… We'll finally meet." Dmitri muttered to himself. "I'll do what my father failed to. When your blood spills, history will kneel and I'll be the most reverent Mage the world has ever seen." 

...….

(Back in the Al'Morthal's cave.)

The ceremony was over, but the air still felt thick, like smoke that never cleared. Raven stood in the center of the cave, her clenched fists loosening, her breath becoming calmer, as if she had found the redemption she didn't know she was searching for.

Phoebe's lips curved into a sinister smirk. "Come with me."

They walked toward the right corner of the cave, the other members parting for them. Their eyes lingered on Phoebe like she was a lamb in the midst of wolves.

After they had left the main chamber of the cave, they walked through a tiny pathway. The torches on the wall flickered as Phoebe walked past them.

Raven's small steps hurried to match hers. She looked at the carvings made on the wall; the air felt cold and moist. The walls almost seemed like they were black, like coal. The further they went down the path, her instincts told her something was wrong.

"Where are we going?" she asked, pushing down the fear she had for Phoebe. Phoebe was the most dangerous and crazy member of the Al'Morthals. She took pleasure in inflicting pain on her victims; she rarely gave them a quick death.

"You'll know when we get there," she hummed.

"My brother… Can I see him? I was promised that I would be able to see him if I… I killed the man."

"Yes, you were, but on second thought…" Phoebe stopped in her tracks before turning to face her. "…I don't think you are ready yet." She smiled at her.

"You lied," Raven barked, her hands clenching tighter, her eyes glowing light gold.

Phoebe rolled her eyes at her. She sighed, and in the next moment, a groan echoed through the air as she slammed Raven against the wall. The wall shook, the vibration traveling a few meters away.

Blood splattered from Raven's mouth. She clawed at Phoebe's hand that was pinning her neck against the wall.

Phoebe's long black nails dug slightly into her skin. Raven's eyes stung with pain and tears, but she did not let them fall.

"You… lied to me," Raven screamed, and the torches lighting the path went out from the gush of wind that came out of nowhere.

"You will not talk to me in that manner." Phoebe's eyes glowed red, and the torches lit up again.

Before Raven could utter another word, Phoebe grabbed a fistful of her hair, pulling her along as she continued walking, as if she wasn't about to yank someone's hair off their skull.

Raven's feet dragged along the rough path, pain shooting through her skull. Her tiny hands grabbed Phoebe's hand to make her stop, but it was a futile attempt. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She cried, but it was like music to Phoebe's ears.

Raven hardened her face, swallowing her cry. She wouldn't give her the satisfaction of crying in pain. 'When I grow up, and when I get my brother back, I'll end the Al'Morthals, and I would personally drive a knife into your heart, Phoebe. I'll pay you back tenfold.' she chanted in her head.

Phoebe stopped in front of a wooden door. She glanced over her shoulder. Her smile widened when she noticed Raven had stopped crying. "We are here," she muttered.

She took a step toward the door, and it creaked open on its own. Behind the door, another world existed. Phoebe let go of Raven, who fell to the ground soon after.

Raven scrambled to her feet. She scanned her surroundings, confusion smeared on her face at the tiny bridge connecting to the other mountain. The cold stung her skin, but it was nothing compared to what she had endured. The white landscape made her gasp in awe. She had been in the dark cave for so long that she had forgotten what the real world looked like. She gazed up at the grey sky. Although it wasn't like the blue skies she had always been used to, this was worth more than gold to her.

She raised her dirty and bloodied hand up to the sky, catching a falling snowflake between her trembling fingers. It melted instantly against her warmth, vanishing as quickly as her hope. All the emotions she thought she had locked away came crashing down on her, but she did not shed a tear. Not when Phoebe was watching her.

A woman with red hair and blue eyes walked toward them from the other side of the mountain. Phoebe moved forward toward her. "Seraphina."

"Phoebe," Seraphina called out with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "She's the one?" she glanced at Raven.

"Why would she be here if she wasn't?" Phoebe said with a mocking smile.

Seraphina's eyes flickered with an unreadable glint, but she mustered the nicest smile she could. "Little one, come with me." She turned around, heading toward the bridge.

"Where is she taking me to, Phoebe?… Does this mean I won't be seeing you anymore?" Raven's voice cracked. 'What about my brother?'

Phoebe patted her head. "You are going to train. When you are ready, I'll come to pick you up. Don't worry, I'll take good care of your brother," she whispered into her ear.

"But Phoebe, I don't want to go."

"You don't have a choice." Phoebe pressed her lips into a thin line.

Before Raven could protest, a golden rope wrapped around her waist, and before she could tell what it was, something pulled her, lifting her off the ground. Phoebe's face became distant, her figure fading into the mist.

"Nooooo!" she cried. But her voice disappeared into the cold gust of wind.

Phoebe waved lazily. "Grow stronger, little raven."

Phoebe clicked her tongue. "What a clingy one," she muttered before turning toward the door. She passed through the pathway she had taken before, but she turned down another left corner. After minutes of walking, she arrived in front of an iron door.

She opened the door with the flick of her hand. She entered inside, and there she appeared in a ward-like world. She walked along the corridor, ignoring the passersby. She stopped in front of a room with the Roman numeral XVII. She opened the door, and a boy no older than one turned toward her, his brown eyes bright with innocence. When he saw her, his tiny lips curled into a smile.

He dropped his toy and stumbled forward, arms wide.

Phoebe knelt, gathering him into her arms. A smile graced her lips, almost motherly. But her eyes… they remained cold and empty.