We Are Taking Down the Goddess

Shackles That Bind

The cool draft and almost freezing temperatures woke Aiko from her deep slumber. It was the type of cold that reached into her bones as if her body was a door left wide open to an icy breeze. Although it was midday, the prison cells looked darker than a moonless night. Probably because the clouds partly covered the sun outside. The girl immediately felt a piercing pain radiating from the back of her head. The soles of her feet were completely healed from the glass shards she stepped onto, but her head wasn’t doing so well. Her vision was blurry too. Yet, she could see a figure of a woman sitting close to her, resting her chin on her right hand.

-        “Ouch…Kana, is that you?”

-        “Yes.”

-        “Ren! Where is he?” – Aiko panicked.

-        “He is here. He is fine too.”

The young girl brushed her eyes once more. Her vision slightly cleared. She reached for the furry creature that slept on the cold floor, gently lifted him off the ground, and placed him on her warm lap. Then, Aiko wrapped her small hands around him. 

-        “I’m glad. I’m so happy he is well. I’m happy you are not hurt too, Kana. I don’t know what I would do without you, guys.” – the girl cried, then wiped her tears away. “Where are we?”

-        “Royal prison. Under the palace.” – Kana explained with a firm tone.

-        “Really?!”- Aiko stared in shock. “How do you know such things? Have you been here before? It could be any prison. Honestly, I think this place looks quite similar to the punishment chamber we had in Wolfmore. Though the guards didn’t use it much, I’ve seen it once or twice.”

-        “I transferred war prisoners here.”

-        “What?!”

-        “Vernon and Azidora are at war.”

-        “Wait, you mean the half-human half-beasts are fighting the elves?”

-        “Yes. The two kingdoms have been at each other’s throats for centuries. This is a special chamber. Furthest from the exit.”

-        “Wait a minute. If you know the prison and the royal chamber, does that mean you are an Iron-ranked adventurer?!”

The sadness in Aiko’s heart was immediately replaced with unwavering curiosity. Kana didn’t answer. She only raised an eyebrow.

-        “Wait…wait…!” - Aiko loomed over the woman and looked straight into her eyes. Kana could see that excitement bottling up. “I know. You are Platinum. You worked as a private guard for his majesty. William told me all about that! I can’t believe you are THAT strong! I mean, that explains it. You sure did a number on those creatures in Wolfmore…”

-        “I’m Emerald.” – Kana tried to put an end to the loud babbling. But Aiko didn’t seem to get it.

-        “If you weren’t there, those monsters would have made the neighboring villages go poof. You know, I’ve never seen someone with so much power…I thought that adventurers were some glorified…guards…”

Kana’s words seemed to be slowly sinking in. Aiko was sitting on the cold ground white as chalk. Her mouth hung with her lips and her eyes were stretched as wide as they could open. Even her raised eyebrows were starting to shake. She glanced nervously at the women beside her. Then, the young girl started mumbling to herself. The only thing Kana picked out from the jumble of words was:

-        “…You…Emerald…”

-        “Yes.” – she nodded.

-        “But…Emeralds are legends.”

Aiko stood as still as a statue, then mumbled with an unblinking stare.

-        “So, where is your Emerald pendant, then? Every single adventurer I saw wore some kind of pendant. You have regular jewelry.”

-        “I broke it.”

-        “What?!” – Aiko’s face was stuck in a doubtful expression.

-        “I used its fragments to make these earrings, small necklace, and the brooch I wear on my dress.”

-        “But, why?”

-        “I don’t like being branded.”

-        “Branded?! It’s a symbol of power. Anyone who sees it will bow before you. It means you outrank all the other adventurers across Azidora.”

-        “I’m not royal livestock.”

-        “Pff…” – Aiko snorted. “At least you could have given the gem to me, and I would have made it into gorgeous jewelry. This is just too… How do I say it without making it sound like an insult?” – the girl desperately searched her mind for a positive expression. But, she couldn’t find the right one. “Hmm…too plain?”

Kana outstretched her hand and placed it over her mouth, hiding her gentle giggle. That warm laugh softened the room, creating a heartwarming and vibrant atmosphere. Aiko just puffed her cheeks, obviously displeased with Kana’s carelessness.

-        “Never destroy such valuable items! You don’t know when you’ll need them!” – Aiko raised her voice to scold the sorceress.

-        “You remind me of my sister.” – Kana uttered with a smile.

-        “Sister?”

An overwhelming sadness drained through Kana’s body, skating over her skin. Yet, strangely enough, the woman embraced those feelings and let out another warm laugh.

-        “Ichika. You have her eyes, her smile, and you scold me just like she did. She always acted more like a mother, than a younger sibling. She was even a better cook than me.”

-        “Was? Is she…?”

-        “I don’t know. When I was summoned to Elidy, I left her behind. She was captured by bandits. I haven’t seen her since. That was six years ago.”

-        “I’m sorry.” – Aiko lowered her head. Her eyes filled with sadness.

-        “It’s fine. Actually… Aiko, I want to apologize.”

-        “Apologize? For what?”

-        “I couldn’t protect you. We were captured because of me. Without my powers, I don’t stand a chance. If I hadn’t…used the cloaking spell…I could have defeated them with ease. Instead, I chose to trust her. I chose Valerie over my intuition. It is my fault. Everything was my fault.”

Kana’s voice wavered. It was the first time Aiko noticed insecurity in the way she spoke. In her mind, Kana was unshakable…unyielding. Yet now, she felt weak. But, to Aiko, Kana’s heart seemed like a warm light, flickering through the dark chamber. The more she spoke, the more real it felt. The young girl extended her soft hands and caressed Kana’s cheeks. From Aiko’s eyes came a sense of peace, sparkling with happy energy.

-        “Kana! I’m grateful! I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me and Ren. You saved us! You saved Wolfmore. I don’t think I will ever be able to repay that kindness. But, no matter what happens next, we will stand by your side. Isn’t that right, Ren?”

Ren felt a nudge on his furry tail. It immediately sent a shiver down his spine. After all, he hated when people touched his tail. At that moment, the pup’s eyes opened quickly like two flashlight beams. He scratched his head with his paws, yawned, and answered.

-        “What she said.”

-        “Ren? Since when were you awake?” – Kana looked in surprise.

-        “The second Aiko put my face on her lap.” – Ren’s lips formed a mysterious smile and his cheeks turned bright red.

Suddenly, Aiko lifted him up and wrapped him in a tight embrace. Then, she also reached for Kana and hugged her tightly. Her uplifting energy overflowing with joy quickly enveloped the prison cell. She was a humble person that appreciated every moment. And right now, being with Kana and Ren meant the world to her.

-        “Don’t worry guys! We will get through this together! Plus, the longer they wait to come and get us, the bigger the chances of Kana regaining her magic. Then…BOOM! We are outta here!”

-        “That reminds me…” – Kana continued while still being pressed against Aiko’s cheeks. “How did you know I was in trouble?”

-        “Oh…right. I forgot to tell you. It was the runes!”

-        “Runes?”

Then came a flashback. Aiko remembered the burning pain that seared through her body. While she was talking with William and James in Blue Lust, the runes engraved into her skin suddenly started to shine. They created immeasurable heat, leaving behind a constant wave of agony. The girl crouched. In a desperate attempt to take her shirt off, Aiko ripped her sleeves apart. She tore some of the back open as well. The boys staggered and their cheeks flushed red. They never expected Aiko to do such an indecent act in a public place. But, their surprise was quickly replaced with utter shock.

The runes morphed. They shifted and moved until they formed a clear name across her hands and nape. It said:

-        “Kana Nakamura”

When Ren read the name aloud, his jaw dropped. His eyes widened. He kept staring onto those bright yellow runes emanating a powerful heat. That’s when Aiko and Ren immediately realized the meaning behind it. Kana might be hurt and there was no time to lose. The moment the pain subsided, the young girl brushed the sweat from her forehead and bolted towards the hallway. Ren quickly followed.

-        “I see.” – Kana pondered. “It seems your power is slowly awakening. Right now, it reacts to those closest to you. But, since you can’t control it, it hurts you.”

-        “Mhm…” – Aiko nodded. “But, I don’t mind. It helped me save you. That to me is my top priority.”

-        “Well, what now?” – Ren shuffled his way out of Aiko’s grasp. He then hovered in the air. “Should I squeeze in through these bars and get us out of here?”

-        “Wow! That’s an awesome plan!” – Aiko cheered.

-        “Impossible.”

-        “Why?!” – Ren protested. To him, Kana’s words sounded like a bucket of icy cold water being poured over his head.

-        “Every cell here has a magical barrier. If you touch it or use your magic, it will send a shockwave through your body and melt your skin. Chances are, you will die.”

-        “Woah…I didn’t expect that.” – Ren pouted.

-        “So, we got no other choice but to wait for the elves to come for us. Right?” – Aiko added.

-        “Correct.” – Kana nodded.

-        “But, what’s taking them so long? The effects of the cloaking spell will wear off soon. Your powers won’t be sealed forever. Right?”

-        “Yes, Aiko. But, even if I get my power back, I can’t set us free. At least not from the inside.”

-        “Is the shockwave that strong?” – asked Ren.

-        “When one prisoner tries to escape, everyone in the cell gets punished. I will survive. But, I can’t afford to lose both of you.”

At that moment, the iron door to the prison swung open quickly letting in a stream of light. That was the first time Aiko, Kana, and Ren managed to catch a glimpse of their surroundings. They saw some of the cracks in the walls and rat corpses for the very first time.

Then came an elf. His clothes radiated nobility. The bright red and blue colors covered his body in the highest quality silk. His long white hair was tied into an elegant ponytail. At first glance, he looked like a great noble spirit. His broad shoulders, muscular physique, and long slender arms were typical for a handsome elf. But, his eyes proved the opposite. They emanated an evil aura, like the darkest corners of the abyss. The moment he set foot inside the prison, over a dozen guards rushed to his side.

-        “The executioner.” – Kana sharpened her gaze.

She knew. If she were to let him near Aiko or Ren, they would die in a blink of an eye. The woman stood up. She took one last look at her hands to see if she could sense her magic returning. But, there wasn’t even a speck of magical essence emanating from her body. It didn’t matter though. She was still ready to fight.

-        “Not good.”

Ren uttered. He felt it too. That strong desire to kill. For a moment, Ren’s eyes wandered and his thoughts wavered. He was terrified, but he would never forgive himself if that elf harms a hair on Aiko’s head. Instead, Ren bottled all that fear inside and prepared to make a stand. Together with Kana, they shielded Aiko with their bodies. The girl was submerged with worry. She could feel the tension.

In that frozen second right before battle, Aiko saw the enemy’s eyes flick from Kana to Ren. The face of the executioner was completely unreadable, without the invitational smirk or arrogance. Instead, all he did was just slightly raise his right hand towards the ceiling to give his guards a command. They immediately understood, slammed their fists against their golden shields, and secured their feet in place. The loud clangor scared the remaining rats and they scattered across the place. That’s when the executioner approached the cell, while the other elves stayed behind to guard the gate.

He was alone. But, that didn’t make Aiko feel even a little bit safer.

Kana and Ren just stared into his eyes waiting for him to make a move. Aiko could feel their heartbeat; every single pound that banged like a drum. The pounding was loud, and each beat showed a heavy pressure. This pressure left a deep mark in the young girl’s heart. If Kana, in this state, felt threatened by this elf, then he was truly stronger than he seemed.

When the elf came close enough to open the prison cell, he took one last look at Kana. His demeanor changed. A maniacal expression crept on his face. His mouth twitched, stretching from ear to ear, giving her a demented smile. Then, after a snort, he let a giggle slip. His heartbeat quickened and he took a deep breath as if the air around the woman was the only thing he missed. That's when Aiko noticed there was something wrong in his eyes. His pupils radiated possessiveness, savoring Kana from head to toe.  

-        “Finally!” – he moaned. “I will make you mine.”

-        “Hagmar! Stay back or I will kill you.”

By the time Kana pushed Aiko further back, the shadows in the room already started to dissolve. A magical force was pulling them towards the elf at an unimaginable speed. When all the shadows had reached their goal, Hagmar assumed a spectral form. Instead of his gorgeous smooth skin and sharp facial features, there was now a menacing apparition with a face of a skull and a body covered by a long black cape.

Kana focused. Her hands formed a fist when she sensed something approaching in front of her. Something so fast, not even her eyes could register it.

The door to the prison was still closed, yet the elf was now…somehow barely an inch away from Kana’s lips. Then came a powerful gust, like a delayed reaction of Hagmar’s speed. That wind was all it took to send Aiko and Ren flying across the cell. Their backs slammed against the cold wall, and the two puked their guts out. Aiko placed her hand on her mouth to calm her body, but blood immediately started gushing from her nose. Her right hand was broken and her eardrums ruptured. Ren couldn’t move. His small body also took a powerful hit. But, compared to Aiko, he seemed to be in a much better state.

Kana shivered. Her feet froze in place. That was fast. Too fast. He toppled her defenses like they were nothing.

This was the first time she had felt so weak since setting foot on Elidy. Without her magic, she couldn’t even see his attacks, let alone prevent them. A drop of sweat slid down her forehead, while she met his menacing eyes.

-        “The effects of the cloaking spell are lasting a pretty long time. Wouldn't you say? Your powers should have returned by now. But, you have nothing. Don’t you think that’s strange?” – the elf giggled, giving Kana the impression that he already knew the answer.

-        “You…are right.” – Kana mumbled.

-        “You see, Nora’s poison is working perfectly. Better than expected.”

-        “What do you mean?” – the woman staggered.

-        “Prince Folwin found a way to seal your powers for good. A new formula powerful enough to deplete your mana. That way you will never cause us any more trouble. You are lucky that slave came when she did. Or your magic would have completely evaporated.”

-        “What?!”

-        “Don’t worry, my love.” – he ran his dark fingers across her silky long hair. “I will take care of you. Just be a good girl and stay by my side.”

Half of the skull diminished, revealing an elegant smile underneath. Kana’s eyes popped a little wider. She was mortified.