Settling in

Reyna stood in the castle’s courtyard, facing opposite a tall, mature woman with flowing blonde hair, equipped from neck-to-toe in black armour. The woman grinned, stepping forward upon blades of blackened grass as her chest glowed with dark energy. She held out her arm as it became encased in darkness, then slowly dripped to the floor, morphing into a pure-black monster with four legs, a tail, and a large grimace on its face. Reyna began to sweat a bit at how bloodthirsty it looked, especially as it eyed her up, but the woman smiled gracefully as she spoke calmly.

“Okay, let’s put your magic to the test.”

The woman threw out her arm as the shadow creature rushed forward, leaping at Reyna with its fangs wide open. Reyna steeled herself, holding her hand to her chest as colourless magic swirled around. Last time, she reflected Cecilia’s force back onto her, but that same thing likely wouldn’t work with this type of creature. Regardless, she still had to defend herself, concentrating on the thought of not getting hurt as its fangs enclosed on her skin.

The second the creature graced her body, she didn’t feel any pain as she’d expected; instead, the beast vanished, instantly evaporating into nothing. Her eyes widened, a little surprised that she actually did it, looking back at the blond-haired woman to see her sharing the same expression.

“Wow. It didn’t even scratch you.”

Reyna heard clapping to her side, turning to see the fully-armoured woman dubbed ‘Advisor’, applauding her efforts as she walked forward, Layla nervously following behind her.

“Interesting; so it doesn’t just reflect magic, but can also dispel it.”

As she arrived in front of Reyna, she bent down, picking up a small rock off the path besides the patch of grass they were on, tossing it up and catching it back in her hand.

“Alright, now try blocking this.”

She leaned back and chucked the rock forward. As it raced towards Reyna, she steeled herself again, her energy swirling around her chest, focusing on blocking the attack, only for it to wind up smacking her in the face.

“Ow!”

She cried out as she closed her eye and rubbed her cheek, feeling it sting as she did. Both Layla and the blond-haired woman stood there in shock, whilst Advisor simply crossed her arms in confirmation.

“So it’s just magic, then; physical attacks are still just as capable of hitting you.”

“Well, that’s nice to know, but you couldn’t have done that any other way?”

“Not any way that would be as quick or efficient.”

Reyna frowned at the straightforward response, feeling slightly embarrassed at her apparent shortcomings before a loud ringing throughout the courtyard interrupted her thoughts. As she stood on edge, the other three were less alarmed, with the blonde-haired woman showing her enthusiasm.

“Oh, that’s the bell! That means it’s free time for you.”

“‘Free time?’ So, what, I just wander around the castle or something?”

“As long as you come back here when the next bell chimes, yes. I’ll be glad to show you around anywhere you please.”

As nice as that offer was, Reyna didn’t exactly feel comfortable with these strangers. There was only one person here that she at least knew a bit.

“Oh, that's okay, I would prefer to go with Layla, if that’s alright.”

“Ah, alright; I’ll see you later for our next session, then.”

As the two older women stepped back and went on their way, Reyna moved closer to Layla with a bright smile; one that seemed a bit too informal for the nervous girl, trailing her eyes off as she spoke.

“O-okay, where do you want to go first?”

Reyna thought for a minute, crossing her arms before her face turned more serious, making her decision.

“Actually, I think I want to see Zayden.”

The dungeons lurked underneath the castle; rows of iron bar jail cells shaped out the narrow corridor, each one illuminated only by faint candle light. Zayden sat in one particular cell, upon a singular, tattered bed, his face buried in his hands. Gradually, footsteps began to approach; moving his head up, he saw two familiar faces standing on the opposite side of the bars.

“Chosen one; Layla.”

Reyna folded her arms, putting on a thoroughly unimpressed expression.

“I have a name, you know; ‘Reyna’.”

“Right, I’m sorry. I got so caught up with everything in the deadlines I never got to actually ask. So, are Serena and Advisor training you currently?”

“Yeah, we’re discovering more about my magic; I’m sure I’ll be ‘useful’ to them in no time.”

“They’ll take care of you at least; you’re in good hands. Not that I can say the same for my own situation.”

His eyes began to fall as the reality of his circumstances settled in once again. Reyna watched his head turn down in resignation, speaking up in defiance.

“So, what, that’s it? We just wait a couple days and then you’re done? Can you not just escape like before?”

“That was to save Layla. As for myself, I deserve what’s coming; I acted out, and I need to atone.”

“But is this really the way to do that!? Come on, surely there could be other measures before this.”

He looked straight at her, understanding, but still unshaken in his own perspective.

“King Xander rules through strength and authority; they’re what grants him respect, and are important for him to uphold. If someone defies his authority, then examples need to be made.”

“But it’s your life; surely you've got to at least fight for it!”

“Again, I’m getting what I deserve; it’s alright.”

“I’ll talk to Xander, maybe I can persuade him!”

Reyna let her passion speak for her, turning around and dashing off before he could protest. Zayden sighed as he leaned back against the wall, with Layla gripping one of the bars, looking teary-eyed towards him.

“I don’t want you to go.”

Feeling the pain in her voice, it did weigh down on him, causing his calm demeanour to falter just a little bit.

“I know … and I don’t want to be separated from you, but you’ll be okay; Reyna seems like a nice person, and as long as you’re in this castle, nothing will harm you. You’re safe, so I don’t care what happens to myself.”

As much as she hated it, Layla saw that she wasn’t going to change his mind, hanging her head with defeat and turning around and she herself began to walk away. When the pair of them were far enough away, Reyna turned to Layla with slight agitation.

“You can’t be okay with this, right?”

“No, but there’s nothing I can do about it. Back in the deadlands, I couldn’t even save myself; what makes you think I’ll be able to help dad?”

Frustrated, the younger girl stomped ahead. That was when Reyna made up her mind, deciding for sure where she was going to go next, and walking off herself.

“Why not?! He’s your friend, isn't he?”

Standing in the throne room, Reyna lashed out at Xander, who sat upright, maintaining his composure and cold demeanour.

“He’s a member of my army, chosen one; none of us are ‘friends’. Regardless, this isn’t a matter of emotions; he disobeyed me, and that’s that.”

“You need me, don’t you? Let Zayden go, or I’ll refuse to work with you further.”

Xander’s chest began to glow with dark energy, Reyna felt the entire room fill with a sense of danger as the king’s eyes glowed red, and his voice dug at her confidence.

“Oh, so now you’re the one being defiant now, are you? Let me clarify, chosen one. Although your existence is indeed a great asset to us, the niceties we have shown you are a privilege, not a right, and can be taken away at any time; there is more than one way to get you to cooperate.”

Reyna gritted her teeth; not wanting to submit, but not feeling enough bravery to stand up to him either. She stood back and turned her head away before the lights in his eyes faded, and his energy disappeared.

“Good. Now, I suggest you get back to your training. Don’t worry, as long as you do as you’re asked, you’ll be our top priority. Do not worry about Zayden, only yourself.”

Clenching her fists, the girl stomped out without a word, reluctantly resigning to get on with her own business for now.