Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 561: A Visitor ()

Lord River sat in the dimly lit cell of the dark dungeon, his back against the cold stone wall.

The only source of light came from a small, barred window somewhere far down the hall, but that alone was not sufficient to brighten the cell and it was not meant to.

The air was thick with musty odors and the sound of dripping water echoed to Lord River’s hearing, the sound seeming to originate from everywhere and nowhere all at once.

Lord River’s mind raced with a thousand thoughts, none of which were pleasant.

A few days ago, he had been the celebrated Lord of the Dune Light Hall, respected by all, but it was already a distant memory now.

Lord River had known this day would come, he had believed himself to be mentally prepared, yet it was only now Lord River knew he had been sorely mistaken, he had given himself much more credit than he deserved.

’The Dragons never show mercy... they are cruel savages...’ Lord River thought, twisting his fingers uneasily.

He was scared, terrified, that much Lord River could no longer deny.

The uncertainty of his future weighed heavily on his soul, filling him with a sense of dread that seemed to suffocate him in the oppressive silence of his cell.

The sound of footsteps echoing down the quiet dungeons drew Lord River out of his haunting thoughts.

His body tensed involuntarily, muscles coiled like a spring ready to snap.

’Was it time already?’ He wondered; ’Had Lord Menarx arrived to make another successful experiment of him?’

The footsteps echoed loudly, but not as loud outside as they did in Lord River’s head and Lord River counted every step.

’One... two...three... five, how many steps would it be before the beginning of his horrors arrived?’

Lord River’s breathing grew shallow and rapid, chest rising and falling with each panicked inhalation.

He sat up slightly glanced around from where he sat.

It was dark, much too dark to see far ahead. The dungeons had been built in such a manner on purpose, with walls that appeared to be closing in and halls that not a speck of light could reach by night or day.

Lord River knew this because he had played a significant role in crafting out the layout of the dungeons, in a way that made it a haunting place to the Fae Kind.

The Light Hall was home to the Fae, only the Fae of the light hall could be imprisoned in these dungeons.

Back then, Lord River had not thought he would be one of the few who would be cast into these dark dungeons, but such a time had come.

Lord River sucked in a deep breath, gathering his wits. He could not show weakness now, it was already too late for that.

"Who...is there?" Lord River asked, his voice hoarse.

Try as he might, he could not keep the tremor out of his tone, nor his hands from trembling.

’Six...seven...eight...’ Lord River’s count stopped right as the footsteps came to a stop, and utter silence dawned once again over the dungeon.

Lord River still could not make out the appearance of his visitor, but he could sparsely catch a silhouette, leaned against the gates of the opposite cell.

Empty of course, as most cells in the Light Hall was. The light hall was a place of interest to dragon kind,

Here in the light hall, they took no prisoners. Death was the only punishment for every offence, it was necessary to maintain the order.

Lord River waited and waited but no response came, and just when Lord River concluded he had all been a figment of his imagination, his terrified mind messing with him as it often had in this darkness.

Another sound broke the silence, a casual shifting of feet, boots grazing over the rough floor of the cell.

This silent intimidation, this unsaid declaration of predator and prey, Lord River had heard of Lord Menarx’s numerous tactics to mess with the mind, and now he would witness it for himself.

"Lord Menarx..." Lord River began, but his words were interrupted by a quiet scoff.

Lord River yelped in surprise as an item was tossed into his cell, landing right beside him.

"What is this... I won’t touch it!" Lord River declared, false adamancy in his tone.

Again, there was no answer, only silence. Whoever had come was perfectly comfortable just watching Lord River overcome with his own fears.

And eventually, Lord River caved. Reaching for the item, he picked it up, his eyes going wide as the gleaming metal of a small blade stared back at him.

"What is... what is this for...?" Lord River stuttered out.

’Would they demand for him to take his own life?’ Lord River wondered.

The thought had crossed Lord River’s mind multiple times already, and he dearly wished he had been able to go through it, to allow himself an easy escape,

But again, Lord River realized too late that he had given himself more credit than he was worth.

Lord River held the blade with trembling hands, and it was only then his eyes caught the small parchment that had been by the blade, tossed in together.

Lord River glanced up at the silhouette and then placed the blade aside, reaching for the parchment.

He opened it slowly and read through the contents, his eyes going wide.

"The target is... Lord River..." Lord River read aloud, his wide eyes moving back to the silhouette.

"You are not from the Dragons...you are...from the Fae..." Lord River murmured in realisation.

"Pray tell, what would a man like you have done to attract such a bounty on your head?" The visitor spoke for the first time.

Lord River registered that it was a feminine voice, but the ease with which the words were said conveyed to him that this was not a person to be trifled with.

"The Fae sent you? Truly?" Lord River asked again, his voice trembling.

"Who else would have the right motives to want you dead? Even the dragons want you alive, for now..." The voice said again.