Chapter 42 - Psychological Vivisection
Isabella laughed and grabbed Idris’s hand. “Come on! We have to help Eamon!” she called out as they both joined the fray.
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I darted behind a large oak tree to catch my breath and peeked around its trunk just in time to see Fenris tag Eamon with a swift tap on his back. “Tag! You’re it!” he shouted triumphantly.
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“Not again!” Eamon groaned dramatically before turning to chase after Isabella with renewed vigor.
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“Good luck catching her!” Daleyza called out from her vantage point near the picnic spread. “She’s too quick!”
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I couldn’t help but laugh as I zigzagged through the trees and dodged low-hanging branches. My heart raced with exhilaration as I glanced back to see Helios gaining on me, determination etched across his face.
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“Come back here!” Eamon yelled playfully at Isabella.
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Just then, Eamon spotted an opening between two trees and made a break for it. “Tag! You’re it!” he exclaimed as he dashed past Isabella.
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“Catch me if you can, Isabella!” Idris suggested, laughing as he stumbled slightly over a root but quickly regained his footing.
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As I ran deeper into the woods, I could hear Fenris shouting directions to Eamon. “Go left! She’s heading toward that clearing!”
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But just as Eamon turned to follow Fenris’s advice, he collided with Helios instead. “Whoa!” Eamon exclaimed as they both stumbled back into a patch of wildflowers.
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“Sorry, Father.” Eamon laughed as he helped him up. “You okay?”
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“Just fine,” Helios replied with a grin before tagging Eamon and taking off in the opposite direction.
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In that moment of distraction, Fenris tagged Lily as she tried to sneak around him. “Tag! You’re it!” he declared triumphantly.
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“Oh no!” Lily gasped playfully before turning her attention back to me. “You better run fast!”
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With laughter echoing through the trees and adrenaline coursing through our veins, everyone joined in on this delightful chaos—each new tag sparking fresh bursts of laughter and playful banter.
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“Don’t let her get away!” Helios shouted at Lily as she sprinted after me with surprising speed for someone so regal.
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“I won’t!” Lily called back confidently, determination lighting up her face.
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As I dashed through the underbrush, I could hear Lily and Eamon strategizing behind me. “Let’s corner her near that big rock!” Fenris suggested, pointing toward a large boulder that jutted out from the ground like a throne for nature’s royalty.
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With every step, the thrill of the chase intensified. The sun filtered through the leaves above, casting dappled shadows on the ground as laughter filled the air. I could feel my legs burning with exertion but refused to slow down; this was too much fun!
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Suddenly, I spotted an opportunity—a narrow path leading deeper into the woods. With a burst of speed, I veered off course and sprinted down it, hoping to lose my pursuers in the maze of trees. But just as I thought I had gained some distance, I heard footsteps pounding behind me.
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“Not so fast!” Eamon shouted playfully, his voice echoing through the trees.
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I glanced back to see her gaining ground alongside Lily. “You’ll have to be quicker than that!” I teased over my shoulder.
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As I rounded a corner and ducked under a low branch, I nearly collided with a startled deer that bounded away into the underbrush. My heart raced not only from running but from the sheer thrill of being so close to nature’s beauty amidst our playful chaos.
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Just then, I heard Lily’s voice calling out from behind me. “I can see you! You can’t hide forever!”
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With renewed determination, I picked up my pace again, weaving between trees and leaping over roots like an agile sprite. The sound of laughter and shouts filled my ears—this was more than just a game; it was a celebration of life and freedom in this enchanting place.
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As I approached a small clearing bathed in sunlight, I could see Helios waiting there with an amused smile on his face. He raised an eyebrow at me as if daring me to make my next move.
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“Tag! You’re it!” Lily shouted breathlessly as she dashed past me before I could react.
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Suddenly, I found myself as one of the catchers alongside Eamon. We exchanged a quick glance and nodded, silently agreeing on our next targets. Our eyes locked onto Idris, Isabella, and Lilith, who were now scattering in different directions.
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"After them!" I called out to Eamon, pointing towards Idris who was making a break for a dense thicket.
Eamon grinned and took off after Isabella, who was darting between the trees with surprising agility. "You can't outrun me forever, Isabella!" he shouted playfully.
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I set my sights on Lilith, who was moving with grace despite the uneven terrain. Her royal composure seemed momentarily forgotten as she zigzagged through the forest, occasionally glancing back with a mischievous smile.
"Trying to escape, Your Highness?" I called out, closing the distance between us.
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Idris, hearing the commotion, shouted to Isabella, "Quick! Over by the fallen log!" He pointed to a massive oak that had toppled some time ago, creating a natural barrier.
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Isabella dove behind the log, her laughter echoing through the trees. "You'll have to be faster than that!" she challenged Eamon, who was hot on her heels.
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Suddenly, Lilith changed direction, darting towards a cluster of large boulders. "Not so easy to catch!" she called back, her voice filled with playful defiance.
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Eamon momentarily lost track of Isabella as he navigated around a thick patch of bushes. "Where did she go?" he muttered, spinning around.
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I was gaining on Lilith, my steps light and quick. The forest floor was a maze of roots, fallen leaves, and hidden dips, but we moved as if dancing, each step calculated yet wild.
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"Idris!" Isabella called out, "Help me!"
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Idris, caught between helping Isabella and avoiding being tagged, hesitated for a split second. That moment of indecision was all I needed. With a burst of speed, I lunged forward.
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"Tag!" I shouted, my hand just grazing Lilith's sleeve.
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Lilith spun around, mock horror on her face. "Oh no!" she dramatically exclaimed, before quickly tagging Idris. "Your turn!"
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The game continued, a whirlwind of motion and laughter. Eamon was still searching for Isabella, who had somehow managed to find another hiding spot. Idris now became a catcher, his eyes scanning the forest for potential targets.
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"This is getting intense!" Fenris called out from somewhere in the distance, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
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As Idris became a new catcher, his eyes scanned the forest for potential targets. Isabella remained hidden, her breath controlled as she listened for any approaching footsteps.
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"Queen Daleyza's next!" Fenris shouted from a distance, adding another layer of excitement to the game.
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Idris, now hunting for Isabella, moved cautiously through the undergrowth. "I know you're around here somewhere," he called out, trying to draw her out of hiding.
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Suddenly, Daleyza entered the fray, her regal demeanor replaced by a competitive spark. "Where's Isabella?" she asked Idris, scanning the surrounding trees.
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"Haven't caught her yet," Idris replied, pointing towards a cluster of dense bushes.
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Isabella, hearing their conversation, held her breath. She was crouched behind the bushes, her heart racing with anticipation of being discovered.
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Daleyza moved with surprising stealth, her eyes carefully examining each potential hiding spot. "Come out, come out," she sang softly, a playful challenge in her voice.
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Idris circled from the other side, effectively creating a pincer movement to flush out Isabella.
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The vibrant energy of the celebration suddenly shifted as I noticed Helios's absence. "Where'd he go?" I wondered, my eyes scanning the crowd for his familiar face. Just as I turned to search in another direction, my world spun, and I found myself forcefully pressed against the rough bark of a nearby tree. The impact knocked the breath from my lungs, and before I could regain my composure, I felt my wrists pinned firmly above my head.
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My heart raced as I looked up into the fierce, piercing eyes of Fenris. His grip on my wrists tightened, causing a dull ache to spread through my arms. I could feel the heat radiating from his body, so close to mine, and the scent of pine and something wild filled my nostrils.
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"What's your relationship with him?" Fenris growled, his voice low and threatening. His eyes bore into mine, searching for answers I wasn't sure I had.
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I fought to keep my expression neutral, despite the fear and confusion swirling within me. "Whom might you be referring to?" I asked, my voice steadier than I felt.
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Fenris's jaw clenched, his frustration palpable. "Who else besides, that Valentinian?" he spat, his words dripping with venom. "That son of a b*tch that keeps following you everywhere you go."
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The vulgarity of his words caught me off guard, but I refused to show it. Instead, I felt a spark of defiance ignite within me. "Why does it concern you where he chooses to be?" I retorted, my voice taking on a mocking tone. "Planning to adopt him?"
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I saw a flicker of surprise in Fenris's eyes, quickly replaced by anger. He opened his mouth to respond, his grip tightening even further, causing me to wince involuntarily.
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But before he could utter a word, a booming voice cut through the tension like a knife. "Fenris, what are you doing?"
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I felt Fenris stiffen, his head whipping around to face the source of the interruption. I peered around him to see the imposing figure of the King of Domino, his regal presence commanding attention even in the dim light of the forest.
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Fenris's demeanor changed instantly. He released me so abruptly that I nearly lost my balance, stumbling slightly as I regained my footing. "Oh, umhh......nothing at all," he stammered, his earlier bravado evaporating under the King's stern gaze.
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The King's eyes narrowed, his voice laced with authority as he ordered, "If so, then be on your way."
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I watched as Fenris seemed to shrink before the monarch, his head bowing slightly. "Of-of course, Your Majesty," he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. Without another glance in my direction, he turned and fled, disappearing into the shadows of the surrounding trees.
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The King's eyes followed Fenris's retreating form, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "He's still onto you, huh?" he remarked, his voice tinged with amusement.
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I rolled my eyes, brushing off my clothes with exaggerated motions. "Do I look like someone who cares?" I shot back, my tone dripping with venom.
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The King turned to face me, his piercing gaze sending an involuntary shiver down my spine. "So, your questions?" he asked nonchalantly, as if we were discussing the weather rather than the aftermath of a tense confrontation.
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I glanced around at the bustling celebration, my nose wrinkling in distaste. "You wanna answer it in such an open place?" I questioned, injecting as much disgust into my voice as I could muster.
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His eyebrow arched, a challenge glinting in his eyes. "Yes, why? Are your questions inappropriate?" he countered, his tone mockingly scandalized.
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"No," I muttered, averting my gaze from his intense stare.
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"Then go ahead," he insisted, his voice carrying a hint of impatience.
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I hesitated, my heart pounding in my chest. The questions I'd been holding back for so long suddenly felt too heavy on my tongue. Finally, I blurted out, "Why- why do you have so many concubines?" My hands fidgeted nervously as I stared at the ground, unable to meet his eyes.
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"What else do you want to ask?" he prompted, his voice unnervingly calm.
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Confusion furrowed my brow as I looked up at him. "Hmm?"
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"What other questions do you have?" he clarified, his patience wearing thin.
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The dam broke, and words tumbled out of me in a rush. "Did you ever like mother? Why did you choose to appear the day dad disappeared, I mean, the day I was born? Why did you use black magic to begin with? Why-"
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Before I could continue my barrage of questions, I found myself slammed back against the tree trunk, the King's hand gripping my throat. His left arm rested above my head, caging me in. The sudden proximity was suffocating, his presence overwhelming my senses.
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My mind reeled. When had he closed the distance between us? How had he moved so fast? One thing was painfully clear: these men, be it Fenris, Cillian or the King himself, seemed to know only one language - that of force and intimidation.
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The world around me faded into a blur as the King's grip on my throat tightened, his face looming above mine like a storm cloud ready to unleash its fury. I could feel the rough bark of the tree digging into my back, a stark contrast to the suffocating pressure on my windpipe. The festive sounds of the celebration seemed to dim, replaced by the thundering of my own heartbeat in my ears.
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"The answer to all your questions," the King growled, his voice a low, menacing rumble that sent chills down my spine, "is just one word. Manipulation." His breath, hot and heavy, ghosted over my face as he leaned in closer, his forehead now resting against the tree bark above me. "It's what I've gone through, from the moment I was in my mother's womb."
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I struggled to turn my face upward, desperate for air, my vision starting to blur at the edges. The exhaustion of the past few minutes combined with the lack of oxygen was making my head spin.
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"Man-man-ipulation?" I choked out, my voice barely a whisper. My hands clawed frantically at his iron grip, finally managing to pry his fingers away from my throat.
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As his hand released me, I gasped loudly, gulping in air like a drowning man finally breaking the surface. "Hah... hah... hah..." My upper body sagged slightly, my legs trembling with the effort to keep me upright.
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The King sighed, a sound filled with centuries of weariness. To my surprise, the same hand that had been choking me moments ago now gently cupped my jaw, tilting my face up to meet his gaze. The sudden tenderness was almost more terrifying than his violence.
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His eyes—oh, those eyes—they weren't just looking at me. They were dissecting me, peeling back layers of my existence with a gaze so penetrating it felt like psychological vivisection. Each second under his grip was an eternity of suffocating revelation.
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The King's eyes, once ablaze with fury, now glimmered with a haunting sadness that seemed to stretch across eons. His voice, when he spoke, was barely above a whisper, yet it carried the weight of countless unspoken horrors.
To be Continued...
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