The Hero of Vengeance

Chapter 26: Freedom

For as long as I could remember, I had known only pain and despair.

I couldn't tell how long I'd been down here. I could barely even remember how I got to this place...

This horrible place where hope goes to die...

I'd been starved, dehydrated, cut, stabbed, beaten, whipped, tricked, and mocked.

I had been force-fed partially rotted food and dirty water to be kept alive. I had also been forced to sit in my own filth as a result.

I no longer desired to live.

I knew only pain.

I once believed that I could be saved from my fate, but I had lost all hope.

I tried to shift myself, but my legs didn't work anymore.

She broke them three days ago, after all.

At least I thought that was how long it had been. I couldn't tell time down here.

I looked at my status menu to watch my health slowly tick down as it had been doing more lately.

Any moment now. I'll be free, soon. Tick...tick...tick... Almost at zero... Please go faster... Let me die...I want to die... She can't hurt me anymore if I'm dead.

I wondered once more if I could ever see the sun again... I wondered if Arvild had managed to make Isabella happy.

He had come down many times and informed me that she had fallen in love with him. That they had already been married.

I didn't believe him at first, but she came down and confirmed it herself. She was angry that I even assumed otherwise.

I couldn't be sure if it was really her or not. Cassandra was very good at tricking me. She made me believe I was about to be rescued many times over only to laugh at my despair when she started torturing me again.

I could only believe that Isabella had truly abandoned me and I was glad she decided on someone worth more than me. It was my only happiness down here knowing that Isabella could smile.

I wished so badly that it could have been me... I wanted to be with her forever, but...

I should have known it was too good to be true. A beautiful Princess and worthless trash like me?

Only in fairy tales.

This is reality. Where dreams die and we live in constant agony.

I continued thinking to myself as I heard the faint sounds of footsteps.

She's back again...

My heart began racing as I pondered what terrible things the demon wearing human skin would do to me next...

Cassandra entered the cell and closed the door behind her. She hummed to herself as she picked up a dagger and stabbed one of my hands to get my attention.

I grunted in pain as I felt saliva running from my mouth.

"Hmm...you're really starting to bore me, you know. That would have made you scream a week ago," she said with a concerned expression.

"..." I could only look at her through blurry and swollen eyes.

She had cut and stabbed me all over my body. Everything hurt.

When my wounds began to heal, she reopened them and made more.

She was pure evil.

"Come on...say something! You screamed and begged yesterday... Now you just look dead."

"....Is.....a......la..." I mouthed as barely any sound would come out.

I could only speak the name of the woman I had lost right now. Losing her had hurt nearly as bad as what Cassandra did to me every day and night.

She came down at night sometimes, too. At least I thought it was nighttime...

I would be asleep and she would wake me up just to torture me...

"Are you so delusional that you think she still loves you? You're a fool. She loves Arvild now, Mizik. Hmm..." Cassandra said as she pondered something.

She looked at me and frowned.

For some reason, she seemed angry... Not at me, but at herself. She quickly shook her head and then smiled.

"..."

"Ohhh! I know! Maybe today I can turn things up a notch!" She said cheerfully.

"...haa..."

She reached her gloved hand out and took hold of my chin. She leaned forward and began speaking again.

"I think I'll start by gouging out those pretty eyes of yours. Then no one will ever know you're an Iratus. You'll lose all credibility and become just another nameless commoner."

I started breathing faster in panic.

I don't want to be blind!!!

"And since you just can't stop thinking about Isabella... How about I castrate you as well?" She said with a cruel smile.

"....haa....haaa.... Ple.....ase.... No.... PLEASE NOOOO!!!" I screamed.

Cassandra's face twisted into an even more sadistic smile as she began to cackle like a witch.

She pulled the dagger out of my hand and stepped back.

"I'll start by working on my aim!" She said as she held up the dagger to throw at my eyes.

At that moment there was a loud crash nearby.

Cassandra stopped and looked away from me for a moment in confusion. Panic spread out over her face as she dropped the dagger and looked around.

Suddenly, with an ear-splitting sound, something shattered the bars of the cell.

"Ahhh! W-wait! It's not what it looks like!!! I was-"

A large man that I could barely make out stepped towards Cassandra and slammed her into the wall.

"DISPEL!!! SILENCE!!! YOU WON'T BE GETTING OUT OF THIS ONE, YOU WITCH!!!

It sounded like Walter. At least I thought it did... Cassandra had truly outdone herself with this illusion. She was getting much better at replicating other people.

'Walter' looked over at me and nearly threw up.

"Isabella! I found him! Please don't look!!!"

You won't fool me again, Cassandra. If I can get back at you in any way, I won't cry here. I will not break.

A woman wearing a familiar dress came rushing into the cell and gasped in horror as she saw me.

If I didn't know better, I would say it was Isabella. But Isabella had already seen me. She laughed at me as well.

"M-MIZIK!!! OH, GODS WHY!?!?" She screamed.

"My lady!!!" Walter shouted as he held Cassandra against the wall with all of his might.

"Wait!!! I can...I can explain!! I f-found him like-"

Walter turned and punched Cassandra hard enough to knock her out.

'Isabella' pulled out a longsword and slashed the chains holding me up. I immediately fell to the floor with a hard thud. Somehow, the illusion let me believe that both of my arms were free.

I'm truly impressed with how lifelike this illusion is. Any moment, she'll start hurting me again...

"Mizik!! Please!! Don't die on me!!!" The fake Isabella screamed as she picked me up. She shook me hard to get my attention.

Stop it...enough is enough... Haven't you already hurt me so much...? Just a little longer...I'm almost dead... Tick...tick...tick...

"...away.... Get....away....from me..." I managed to say in a hoarse whisper.

"Wh-what?" The fake Isabella said.

"Get....GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF ME YOU BITCH!!! YOU WON'T TRICK ME AGAIN!!!" I screamed with everything I had left as I squirmed out of her arms and dragged myself into the corner.

I lay on the ground in horrible pain as I propped myself up against the wall. I managed to raise an accusatory finger and glared at the fake Isabella.

"You won't...you won't trick me again....!!!! I WON'T LET YOU BREAK ME, WITCH!" I screamed again.

"Mizik...it's me! Really! I would never lie to you! Cassandra is unconscious now!"

"LIAR!!! YOU FUCKING LIAR!!! JUST KILL ME AND GET IT OVER WITH!!! STOP HURTING ME CASSANDRA!!! EVIL BITCH!!! DEMON WHORE!!!" My eyes were filled with tears and hatred as I looked on at the fake Isabella.

No...it can't be... It can't possibly be... Isabella abandoned me!!!

The fake Isabella began to cry. She began to wail in sorrow as she looked at me.

"She's gone too far this time! She hurt you so badly didn't she, Mizik...? Please! you're safe now!!!" The fake Isabella rushed over and hugged me tightly.

She knelt over me as she cradled my blood-stained face against her chest.

Stop it...you're so cruel... Please make it stop... DON'T DO THIS TO ME!!!! LET ME DIE!!! MAKE THE SUFFERING END!!!

"Let go... Stop it... You won't...hurt me anymore..." I said as I felt the pain in my throat again.

"It's okay, Mizik! Isabella is here. You're safe. Please...please calm down!!! I'm the real Isabella!!!"

"You...can't be... The real Isabella married...Arvild...laughed at me..."

"I would never abandon you, my love! I couldn't bear to marry someone like him! And I could never laugh at someone in pain... Especially not my precious Mizik! So please...believe me!!! I'm not an illusion!!!"

At that moment something in me broke.

It can't be... No way. I want this to be real, but it isn't possible... Please...please be real!

"Are...you telling...the truth...?" I managed.

Isabella looked down and smiled warmly at me. Her face was soaked with tears.

"I am. I've come to rescue you. I said I'd protect you, didn't I?"

I started wailing as I weakly wrapped my arms around her.

I couldn't say anything at all. I could only cry. She held me for a while like that until I heard the sounds of heavy footsteps nearby.

Isabella stroked my hair and held me close. Just before I saw the source of the sound, my health reached the critical state. I passed out.

I could hear the faint sounds of Isabella shouting as my consciousness faded.

* * *

I would fade in and out of consciousness after that. It happened for a while.

At one point, I felt Isabella crying over me.

Another point where she had repeatedly begged someone to do everything in their power to heal me.

I would catch bits and pieces of conversations. I always heard Isabella speaking next to me.

At one point, I remained conscious enough to hear a conversation between Isabella and Arvild.

"What the hell do you want, Arvild!?" Isabella said.

"I want you to drop that trash into a river and marry me! It's your destiny! Just forget about him. He'll be dead soon, anyways," Arvild said.

You bastard... If I survive this...I'll make you pay. I'll tear you to pieces!!! My...my health is normal now. I'm regenerating. Hahaha...I'll live. And when I'm healed, I'll kill you...

[There is no greater sin. No crime has ever come so close! I mark you, false wielder, for death. YOU WILL SUFFER!!! I WILL HAVE YOUR HEAD!!! I WILL HAVE YOUR SOUL!!!]

{KILL THEM ALL!!!}

        BURN IT DOWN!!!}

I heard Vengeance speak, but I couldn't respond to him right now.

And also, I still wasn't sure where that other voice was coming from.

"Walter. Relieve this man of his head, immediately. Execute him with extreme prejudice. He has insulted my beloved Mizik. That is absolutely unacceptable," Isabella said firmly.

"With pleasure, my lady," Walter said as he reached for his sword.

"Tch, very well. I'll be going then. One day, you will love me. Count on it!" Arvild said. I heard him running away.

"Shall I give chase, my lady?" Walter said.

"No. He has the castle layout memorized. Likely, he will circle back around to finish my beloved off if you leave. Stay here and protect us," she said calmly.

"Your predictive abilities are to be admired, my lady. I will remain at your side."

Right after he spoke, I passed out again.

I awoke in the middle of the night, next, and felt a weight on my chest. I heard the loud snoring of Isabella as she lay there.

My entire body was still in pain. I was wrapped in bandages and my legs were put in casts.

I weakly raised a hand and caressed Isabella's hair.

It was soft and silky smooth.

"Nnn..." Isabella made a noise as I continued to stroke her hair. I could see tears flowing out of her eyes as she slept.

I'm alive... Thanks to you, I'm alive. I'm forever in your debt, my beloved.

I kept gently stroking her hair until the sun came up. I have no idea how long it was.

As light filled the room, I could see bloodstains on her dress. She hadn't bothered to change since she rescued me.

She never left my side...

I could feel tears in my eyes again as I thought about how lucky I was to have someone like her.

Isabella started snoring much louder and I smiled.

I think I can get used to this...

We stayed that way for a while and at some point, she slowly opened her eyes.

As soon as she felt my hand on her head, her eyes filled with hope.

She sat up and saw me looking over at her.

Isabella held her hands over her mouth and gasped.

"You're alive!" She looked like she wanted to pounce on me, but instead hugged me gently. She rested her head on my chest and cried for a while.

"Thank you...Isabella," I said. My voice hadn't yet recovered so it sounded like a hoarse whisper.

Isabella looked at at my bandaged face and sat up in her chair. She dried her tears on her sleeve and smiled weakly.

She had dark circles under her eyes.

Somehow, she still managed to be cuter than ever.

"How are you feeling, Mizik?" She asked quietly.

That was quite a question at the moment.

Currently, everything was in pain, but I felt a tremendous relief in my chest at being reunited with Isabella. Even more so to learn that she hadn't truly abandoned me.

More than anything, I was still alive. And I hoped to stay that way.

"Better now," I said, staring at her.

"I'm glad..." She said

"Sorry...Isabella..."

Isabella looked at me with a confused expression.

"What do you have to apologize for? You didn't do anything wrong."

"Said...terrible things...to you," I whispered.

Isabella looked down and clenched her hands as hard as she could. I could see tears falling again as she trembled.

"No...you shouldn't be apologizing. She tricked you over and over again. She made you believe I wasn't real. I'm the one who should apologize..." She said.

"Why?"

"Because I knew she would try something... I was far too naive. I can't believe I actually thought that Cassandra still had any good left in her. My sister is a monster..."

It was something I had often thought about. Wishful thinking on her part, that her sister might still have had a heart deep down. It truly was naive. But I overlooked it because I loved Isabella.

My father had told me a long time ago to be good to those who wrong you. Perhaps I thought that if I tried to be nice to Cassandra, she would stop. It was too hard though... She was evil. Beyond evil.

In the end, Cassandra did have a heart. A black heart full of evil and hatred.

I took a deep breath to clear my mind. Thinking about Cassandra invoked thoughts of extreme fear and rage right now...

"She is...a monster. But you loved her," I whispered.

"We were wonderful friends growing up. I wanted her to go back, but I don't think that's possible."

"Where...is she?" I asked.

I wanted to know. I wanted her to stay put for me.

I couldn't get into my inventory right now, but I could occasionally hear it...

My sword was screaming. Screaming for blood. I wonder what would happen if I killed Cassandra with that blade... Would it get stronger?

I needed to make her bleed.

"She was stripped of her royalty status as well as her names. She's just Cassandra now. The last I heard, she was in the castle dungeon," Isabella said.

Stay put. I'll be there soon.

[I will have her head. I will have her soul.]

"I already revealed the severity of her crimes to father. I held nothing back. I will never forgive her for hurting you, Mizik. If I could, I would kill her myself..." Isabella said gritting her teeth. Her tears kept falling as she spoke.

I reached a hand out to her and she took it gently in both of hers.

"No more...crying now," I whispered.

Isabella smiled weakly.

"By the way, Mizik. I have good news and bad news," she said.

I tilted my head slightly as I looked down at her.

"The bad news is that you can't live at the Diner anymore."

Why? I like being around everyone and it's comfortable... Why can't I live there anymore?

"Good news?" I asked.

"The good news is that since I don't want you out of my sight ever again, you'll be staying with me," Isabella said with a smile.

Like...living in the castle? She'll be right next door to me?

I was curious.

"Where?" I managed to ask.

"Let's just say you'll be close by... That way, I can keep a constant watch on you," Isabella said.

It made sense for me to be close. Although, I wasn't sure how much I believed it. The King probably wouldn't have been okay with me sleeping right next door to her...

"Impossible," I said.

"Father already approved of it on the condition that you respect our boundaries. He's also worried about you as well, Mizik,"

I felt a surge of happiness at the thought of sleeping so close to Isabella.

I promise to respect her boundaries. I will not touch her!

"I'm also not permitting you to move about on your own anymore. By my authority as First Princess. I hope that isn't too much of an inconvenience..." She said.

An inconvenience? That I have to always be at your side? Are you kidding?

I shook my head.

"Looking forward to it," I said.

At that moment, the door opened and Walter came into the room.

"I am relieved to see you awake again, young Master," he said.

"Walter...thank you," I said in a whisper.

He stopped for a moment and turned his head to the side. He rubbed his eyes before turning back to me.

"It was my pleasure to help you, son of Ulysses Iratus. I swear that I shall protect you no matter the cost," he said.

"Walter, without you, we never would have found Mizik. Thank you. Truly," Isabella said.

Walter gave a swift bow.

"Anything for you, my lady. I am here to serve."

Walter stepped forward and pulled up a chair next to where Isabella was sitting.

"I need to ask something rather difficult of you, Mizik..." He said.

I looked over at him.

"If possible, I need you to tell me if you saw Arvild down there. I have ample reason to believe that he was the one who led you to that lion's den, to begin with."

Then that knight who delivered the message was...

Boiling rage enveloped me as I began to understand why Vengeance seemed to despise Arvild, too.

I quickly tried to compose myself and nodded.

"He was...he mocked me... Laughed. Said Isabella fell...for him," I managed.

I could see Isabella's face twist in disgust at my words.

"He went so far as to lie about that? I lost count of the number of times he proposed to me over the past two weeks. To hear that he helped torment you... It makes me sick. I hate him even more now!" Isabella said angrily.

Walter looked over at her with a concerned expression.

"My lady, you should get some rest. Have a bath and a change of clothes. I'll watch Mizik now," he said.

"Absolutely not. There's a bathroom here in the hospital and I can sleep in another bed. I'll have a servant bring me a change of clothes. I refuse to leave Mizik's side!" Isabella responded.

Walter waited a moment before responding.

"Very well, my lady. I will fetch someone for you."

Walter stood up and left the room. And as he did, Isabella sat on the bed and laid her head on my chest.

I relaxed as I felt her warmth over me.

We remained that way for a while until a servant came back with Walter. The servant brought a few changes of clothes and Isabella reluctantly went to go get cleaned up.

She returned within minutes wearing simple, yet elegant pajamas. Just a regular button-up shirt and pants.

"My lady, those shouldn't be worn outside of your chambers-"

"I don't see a problem, Walter. I'm not going anywhere else today and you said I should sleep, right? Besides, it's not as if I'm wearing the long evening gowns that my former sister has," She said.

Walter furrowed his brow and let out a quiet sigh.

"Very well, my lady. I shall have you sleep on the bed behind us."

Isabella smiled and laid down on the bed just next to this one. Walter sat between us.

"Get well soon, okay, Mizik?" She said.

I turned my head and smiled at her weakly.

"Please don't ever die on me," She said.

"For you...I'll live forever..." I said.

That was super romantic. Good job, me!

Isabella blushed and closed her eyes.

Within minutes, she was asleep and snoring.

Walter sat next to my bed in silence.

Eventually, I also allowed myself to fall back to sleep.