Chapter 791: The Wolf & the Pup (Patreon)

The trapdoor above Titania squeaked from its hinges. She looked up and squinted as light flooded into the pit. A familiar silhouette looked down at her from above.

“Stryg?” She mumbled, uncertain of whether what she was seeing was real or not.

“Kid,” Stryg sighed in relief and leaped down into the pit. “Are you alright…?” his words died in his throat as he noticed the bruises and scrapes across her elbows, knees, and legs. There were clear hand-shaped bruises around her wrists from where somebody had held her too tight. Even the skin around her fingers was raw and her nails chipped from when she had tried to fight against them.

“Who did this to you?” Stryg asked. White mana flowed into his hands and a soft glow appeared around his fingers as he began to cast a healing spell.

“Don’t touch me!” She pulled her arm back and scrambled away from him until her back was against the wall of the cramped pit.

“I didn’t—” Stryg tried to reach out to her, but stopped himself. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “For everything.”

“I don’t believe you. You’re just a liar like everyone else!” Titania said, her voice raw. Tears formed in the corner of her eyes, but it was anger and pain that fueled her.

Stryg sat down and leaned against the wall, head bowed. “Yeah,” he mumbled. “I guess I am. I’m sorry, kid. You deserve better than this. Than me.”

Titania stared at him, uncertain of what to make of the man who manipulated and lied to her about everything. Though there was only a trickle of torchlight coming from above the pit, she could still make out the blood on his hands. “That’s not your blood, is it?” she asked. She had seen him bleed before, it had not been red.

Stryg held up and inspected his hand, as if only noticing the blood now. “No. It’s not. I, uh, I killed the prison guards while trying to find you.”

“You killed them?”

“I heard you had been imprisoned. Who imprisons a child?” Stryg growled at the thought.

“Why are you here?”

Stryg gestured to her. “I wanted to make sure you were safe.”

“Why should I believe you? Why should I believe anything you have to say!?” she screamed, the anger of the last several hours boiling out from her.

Stryg looked at her with a bitter expression and took her screams in silence. He waited until her panted breaths slowed down and her heaving shoulders stilled before he replied in a soft voice. “...My mother was a liar. She lied to me my whole life. I didn’t even know I was her son until a few years ago. When I found out, I was so angry. I felt hurt, betrayed… small. I felt unwanted. What reason could she have had not to claim me as her own? How terrible must I have been for her not to love me?”

Stryg tilted his head back and looked up at the pit’s small opening above them. “I swore I would never be like that. And yet I have found myself lying to a child who never deserved it.”

Titania stared at him for a long time. “Why did you lie?” she finally whispered.

“I was afraid,” he admitted.

“You? Afraid?” Titania couldn’t believe it. She had seen him face down an entire camp of slavers. He had fought a demon without flinching even once. She didn’t think it was possible for him to even be scared.

“I didn’t know you were in that Clarus caravan,” Stryg said. “I was sent to secure a weapon. I ignited the astral light to protect myself and destroy the weapon in the process. I didn’t realize how many people would be hurt because of it. When you told me you had been in a caravan on the outskirts that had been buried in the sandstorm, I felt ashamed. I didn’t want to talk about it. And then you started looking up to me. And I… I was afraid of how you would see me if you learned the truth about what I had done. It was easier to lie. But I realize now that by trying to protect myself, I ended up doing the last thing I ever wanted. I hurt you. I know you may not believe me, kid. But from the bottom of my heart, I am truly sorry.”

“But you tricked me,” she sniffed and rubbed her eyes. “Why? Why would you say all those things about my magic?”

Stryg furrowed his brow. “What do you mean?”

“That I had ‘potential’? ‘Talented.’ Did you think it was funny? Did you laugh behind my back whenever I messed up a spell?” She looked away and turned to the wall. “No wonder you never wanted to be my master. Who would want to teach a talentless, useless kid like me,” she muttered.

“That’s not true. You’re none of those things.” Stryg inched closer and reached out to touch her shoulder but hesitated and in the end pulled his hand back. “I may have lied to you about the Astral Light, but what I said about you was true. You are a talented chromatic mage, Titania. More so than me.”

“You’re lying,” she mumbled.

“I’m not. Look at me.” Stryg carefully touched her shoulder.

Titania slowly turned her head and looked up at him. Her cheeks were covered with tear stains. 

“I think you’re incredible, kid. I’m sorry I didn’t say it enough. I should have. You’re going to be a great mage someday.”

The light of hope returned to her eyes for a brief moment, before dying out once more as her expression grew dark. “My parents don’t think so,” she whispered, unwilling to believe him.

“Why would you say that?” Stryg frowned.

“They…” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “They sold me.”

“What? They sold you?” Stryg’s voice grew cold.

She gave a small nod and sniffed. “Mother said I wasn’t even really her daughter, just some experiment. That’s why they sold me to Sidus.”

“Sidus is coming here?”

The little girl shook her head. “He’s already here. He’s staying at the castle.”

“Kid, you can’t stay here. Sidus is dangerous, more than either of us realized.”

Titania already knew that. Her father had alluded to the fact that Sidus and his Order planned on killing her. Yet no one seemed bothered with that fact. “Where else am I supposed to go?” Titania shrugged. “My own family doesn’t even want me.”

“You can come with me. I’ll take you away from this place. You won’t ever have to see Sidus again.”

“Why would you want me?” She looked at him as if he were crazy. “I’m just a ‘thing’ to be sold,” she repeated her mother’s words.

Stryg gave her a weak smile. “You know, for a long time I struggled with the realization about my mother’s lies and who she was. I thought her actions were caused by me. That it was my fault. That I must have been such an utter failure that she refused to even acknowledge me as her son. And then one day I realized it never had anything to do with me. It was always about her own perceptions and beliefs. My worth was never in question.” He lifted Titania’s chin, “Don’t let anyone ever tell you that you are just a ‘thing,’ that you don’t deserve happiness and to be loved.”

Titania took a shuddering breath and swallowed the lump in her throat. She wanted to believe him, to believe the words he spoke. But she had been lied to by everyone, even him. Why should she believe him now? “You promised…” she glanced at the dark pit around them.

“You’re right.” Stryg nodded, ashamed. “I promised I would never let anyone leave you alone in the dark again.”

“But you did,” she said with small balled fists.

“I know. I failed you, kid. I should have protected you and I failed. And for that I am so sorry. You have no reason to trust me, I know that, but if you give me one more chance, I will do everything in my power to keep you safe from the monsters that lie in the dark and outside.” He offered her his hand. “I promise you, I won’t abandon you.”

Titania stared at his hand, her bottom lip trembling. She threw herself at him and broke down in tears. Her small hands gripped his shirt as she sobbed.

Stryg’s eyes softened. “Oh, Little One.” He slowly wrapped his arms around her and stroked her back. “It’s going to be okay.”

~~~

As Gale followed Victoria Greymark down the long-winding castle hall, she kept her eye out for any chance to slip away with her companions, but the closer they reached the throne room, the more guards appeared stationed at either side of the hall.

Finally, they reached the throne room. It was barred by a massive ornate gate. Several others, merchants and mages dressed in robes mostly, stood waiting in what appeared to be a line. A man dressed in finer robes than the rest stood at the door with a ledger in his hands. He looked up as Gale and the others arrived.

“Ah, Captain Greymark, you’re late,” said the castle’s herald, checking off her name from his ledger.

Victoria said nothing and simply stood there, waiting for further instructions.

“What now?” Tauri whispered.

“I’m thinking,” Gale said. They needed to get out of here before they came face to face with a dragon lord and her court.

“Lieutenant,” Evander said aloud to Gale. “My apologies, I just realized we left our gift to Lady Clarus back at the manor.”

The others in line and gave them a side-eye in disapproval.

Gale appeared confused for a moment but quickly nodded. “How could you? That was your one job!” she scolded him in a quiet voice, yet loud enough for others to hear.

“I am truly sorry,” Evander bowed repeatedly.

Gale groaned in a loud voice before turning to Victoria. “Our deepest apologies, Captain Greymark. It seems we have left the gift you prepared back at the manor. If you’d allow us, we’ll all run back and retrieve it as fast as possible.”

The undead sune woman simply gave a grunt in acknowledgement. 

“Thank you, Captain.” Gale saluted her. “Come on, let’s go.”

“Right behind you, lieutenant,” Tauri said.

“Hold on. Our mistress expects Captain Greymark’s report,” said the herald. “She can stay here while the rest of you retrieve the gift.”

“O-Of course,” Gale gave a slight grimace. “We’ll be right back.”

The three of them turned and practically ran off down the hall.

“Nice work,” Tauri whispered to Evander.

“Thanks.” He grinned.

“How much time do you think this is going to buy us?” Tauri asked.

“No idea. We have to find Stryg and get out of here,” Gale said.

~~~

Lydira Clarus waited on her throne, chin resting on her palm. She’d much rather be dealing with Sidus and getting this whole exchange over and done with. But there were matters that needed her attention. After her transformation into her true dragon form yesterday—along with several others of her brood—the city was alight with rumors about the dragon sighting. Her rivals, House Lorn, would practically salivate at the chance to cause her family trouble. She needed to quell the rumors as soon as possible and get a better understanding of Olduun’s situation before things escalated.

“Captain Victoria Greymark, here to give a report,” announced her herald.

“Let her in,” Lydira waved them forward.

The herald nodded and the large doors opened wide. Victoria marched into the throne room and gave a salute as the door closed behind her. Lydira frowned and sat up on her throne. 

“Well, what are you waiting for, Captain? Give us your report,” said Argin from the smaller chair beside Lydira.

Lydira glared at her husband. “Are you blind?” She pointed an accusing finger at Victoria, “That thing is not Captain Greymark!”

“What?” Argin frowned and sat a little forward. He looked the armoured woman up and down, and narrowed his eyes, trying to peer through her helmet. He channeled his synchrony magic and tried to get a better read on her. “I don’t sense an aura from her.”

“Of course not, she’s dead, you idiot!” Lydira snapped.

Victoria suddenly drew her sword and charged at the throne.

In a flash, grey mana filled Lydira’s hand and a silver halo of light spun into existence above her palm. She flicked it at Victoria as the undead woman leaped into the air with unnatural speed, sword held high.

The halo bisected Victoria through the waist, then sucked her body into the center of the halo as the latter contracted into an orb of energy before exploding in a burst of light. Sprinkles of ash slowly raining down through the throne room were all that was left.

“We are under attack,” Lydira growled in a deep rumble and stood to her feet. “Find Sidus.”

“And where will you go?” Argin asked.

“To secure Titania.”