For a few seconds, Keltherion kept staring at me, as if savoring what he saw — as if my suffering was, to him, an irresistible spectacle.
— The truth is, you piece of trash, you should have known your place from the beginning, and you should never have dared to speak to my daughter.
— Now, you'll pay for thinking you could get so close to her...
And then, he resumed beating me.
Having recovered some of his energy, Keltherion began throwing punches, kicks, and blows for several more minutes, without an ounce of mercy, until finally, once again tired, he stopped.
— Huff... huff... THIS... THIS IS WHAT A BASTARD LIKE YOU DESERVES! HAHAHA! THIS IS WHAT YOUR FILTHY SPECIES DESERVES!
At that moment, I was done for.
I had been beaten so much, without even being able to lift my arms to defend myself, that blood was pouring from my nose and mouth, dripping to the ground and forming a puddle beneath me.
Even so, despite the beating, not a single bone or tooth had broken. Probably, this was simply because we were gods — and as such, our physical structures didn't follow the same rules as mortal creatures. Bones, muscles, organs… everything in us was denser, more resistant, forged to withstand forces that would destroy any ordinary being.
But that didn't lessen the pain.
At times, I lost consciousness with blows that caused precise knockouts, as if each blow was calculated to shut my mind down. Even so, when he finally stopped, I was still conscious.
Breathing was torture. Thinking took unimaginable effort… and yet, my mind remained strangely lucid. Calm in that moment.
While he continued his hate-filled speech, I was thinking, coldly. Various strategies ran through my mind at that time — hypotheses, risks, flaws, opportunities, ways I could possibly get out of there.
And then, one specific thought caught my attention. A simple idea, based on a basic fact: Keltherion couldn't stand being provoked. He was a proud god, impulsive… and above all, emotional.
So, with tremendous effort, I began to put my plan into action.
I needed to get out of there. At any cost.
— Cough… cough… ha... haha… haha...
I began to laugh, even with difficulty.
The laugh came out weak, almost a moan, but enough to catch Keltherion's attention.
— You know, Keltherion… cough... I really don't care what you think of me… or of my race...
— I don't care about… your opinion… or your empty words...
— But if there's something that truly fascinates me here… it's the fact that someone who claims to be so powerful… needs to chain up a teenager just to beat him… Tying him down, just to have a chance.
— You're actually… a weak god. Aren't you?
— What did you say?
Keltherion narrowed his eyes. The rage on his face was evident, even in that dim chamber.
Even among other races, Keltherion was known for his childishness, and an ego too inflated to withstand even the most insignificant of provocations — and that was exactly what made my plan more viable. His overwhelming pride would be the key to getting me out of there.
— Aren't you? Well… that's how it looks to me... cough... cough...
— But… what's even more impressive… is that the great Keltherion, the so-feared king of the light dragons… is stupid enough to waste the golden opportunity he has in his hands...
— You could throw me into a fight with one of you. Show your people how superior your race is to mine. Make an example out of me.
— But you're so dumb… cough... cough... that you chose to keep me chained up… to beat me while I'm defenseless… just to feel better… hahaha… That's hilarious.
— You damn brat...
He clenched his fists, furious, while a small, enraged grin crept across his face.
— Cough… cough… You talk so much about our weakness… but the truth is you're afraid of the Void Dragons.
— That… that's even more hilarious...
And then, with a simple snap of his fingers, the chains unraveled.
Without strength, I collapsed to the ground, exhausted. My muscles screamed in pain, and my entire body trembled.
Keltherion approached. When he got close, he crouched down, grabbed my neck with one hand, and lifted me off the floor with ease — as if I were nothing more than a broken doll.
His eyes were locked on mine, burning with fury.
— Listen closely, you little shit… you're nothing compared to me. And your race? It's garbage. Always has been.
— I kept you locked up to make sure you wouldn't try some stupid trick to escape, because that's what your kind is good at, right? Running. Hiding. Deceiving. Never facing anything head-on.
— Cheap tricks… that's all you know.
Then, suddenly, he slowly opened his mouth. From within, an intense light began to shine — so strong it illuminated the entire chamber in seconds. It was clear: he was about to unleash a devastating attack directly at me.
But once again, before he could release it, someone knocked at the door.
…Dry knocks echoed against the wood…
The light filling the room began to fade, little by little, until it vanished completely. Keltherion clenched his teeth and shut his mouth, turning his gaze toward the entrance.
— Enter — he said, still holding me by the neck, with narrowed eyes.
The door slowly creaked open, and Edgar stepped in, bowing respectfully.
— My lord, forgive the interruption… but Lady Lyssandra demands your presence at dinner. She said the only one missing is you… and made it clear she's not happy about it.
Keltherion remained silent for a few seconds, watching Edgar. At last, he sighed and closed his eyes.
— Sigh… It's already time for dinner, huh?
His gaze returned to me. The pressure of his grip on my neck seemed to increase — almost as if he wanted to kill me right then and there.
— You… really are lucky, you bastard...
Then, suddenly, he let go of me.
I hit the stone floor with a dry thud.
— Agh… huff… huff… — I murmured, struggling to breathe.
— But… maybe this way it's more fun — he said, wiping the blood-stained hands and face with a white cloth Edgar had handed him.
— Things were starting to get boring now that you're all broken. Tomorrow, when you're at least a little recovered… we'll talk again.
He turned to leave, but before walking out, he threw one last taunt:
— Oh, and one more thing… since you complained so much about the chains, don't worry anymore. You're free from the seal and the bindings. Now think carefully about how you'll try to escape, you brat… Surprise me. Make the show worth it. The more you try, the more you'll realize how useless you are… and how not even the universe thinks you deserve to exist.
— HAHAHAHA… Come, Edgar. I'm looking forward to tomorrow…
— Yes, sir! — Edgar replied, casting me one last look of disdain before closing the door.
…The door shut with a muffled thud…
And then, everything returned to silence. Only the blue-flamed torches crackling, the shadows in the corners of the chamber, and my thoughts kept me company in that place.
— Ugh… cough… cough… huff… huff… — I groaned, trying to draw breath.
— Tsk… bastard…
But then I forced myself to focus.
— Calm down, Kyrion… this pain is part of it. Everything is going as planned. Keltherion will let his guard down at some point… and when he does, he'll pay… for every drop of blood.
I sighed, leaning my head against the nearest wall, seeking some relief.
— Ha… do something against him tomorrow? No way. My body is shattered and my energy is nearly drained. I need to rest… I need to recover my strength. Only then can I continue the plan…
Keltherion's last words echoed in my mind. His arrogant tone… his provocations…
— Tic-toc, Keltherion… your time is coming… — I thought, with a weak smile on my face as I dragged myself to a corner and let myself slide down the wall, seeking some comfort.
Meanwhile, in another wing of the castle, Keltherion was heading to the main hall, where his wife, Lyssandra, and Aurëalis were already waiting for dinner.
…Sound of the grand dining hall doors slowly opening…
— Keltherion… you finally decided to show up for dinner… — said Lyssandra with a cold voice, not lifting her gaze from her wine glass, though her expression clearly showed irritation.
— Ah… m-my love, my sincerest apologies for the delay. I got caught up in… more urgent matters. — Keltherion replied, visibly more docile now, scratching the back of his neck with an embarrassed smile.
— Uh-huh… sure. Whatever it was, sit down. Dinner is served. — Lyssandra said dryly.
— O-of course… — he replied, quickly settling at the table.
As he served himself, Keltherion glanced sideways and noticed his daughter, Aurëalis, eating in silence. Her presence felt strange that night: she looked visibly downcast. The light that usually radiated from her now seemed like a dim spark, flickering like a star on the brink of extinction.
— My daughter… are you alright? — he asked, frowning slightly.
Aurëalis looked up, trying to recover some liveliness in her face.
— Hm? Oh… of course, father. Everything's fine. Why do you ask? — she answered with a forced smile, trying to mask the evident exhaustion.
— It's just that you look… worn out. Are you sure you're okay? — he insisted, watching her more closely.
— Yes, father. You don't need to worry. — she said, averting her eyes.
Keltherion nodded, though his gaze betrayed his doubt. Still, he knew his daughter well: if it were something serious, she would say what it was, and that made him more relaxed.
Soon after, Aurëalis finished her meal.
— Thank you for dinner, it was wonderful. If you'll excuse me… I'm going to retire. — she said, rising gracefully.
— Already? You barely touched your food… — her father remarked, surprised.
— I ate enough. I'm satisfied. — she answered firmly, trying to maintain her composure.
— Are you sure about that? — he questioned, but was interrupted.
— Keltherion, if she said she's satisfied, then she is. — Lyssandra cut in firmly.
— Go ahead, daughter. — she added, giving the girl a knowing look.
— Thank you, mother. Good night to you both. — Aurëalis said, slightly bowing in respect.
Keltherion watched her with some hesitation, then raised his hand.
— Wait, Aurëalis… Edgar, escort her to her room. Make sure she's alright.
— Father, that's not necessary… — she protested, clearly uncomfortable.
— Please, my daughter. Just accept it. — he said with firm yet gentle tone.
Aurëalis sighed, defeated.
— Sigh… very well. Mr. Edgar, if you would. — she said, glancing at the butler.
— With great pleasure, miss. — Edgar replied, bowing before silently accompanying her down the corridors.
And so, the two left the hall, leaving only Keltherion and Lyssandra behind.
Silence lingered between them for a few moments until Keltherion leaned back in his chair, pensive.
— Sigh… I don't know why, but I have the feeling she's hiding something from us. — he murmured while cutting a piece of meat on his plate.
Lyssandra, having already finished her meal, gently swirled her glass of wine made from the fruits of the Tree of Life, watching the ruby liquid's reflection.
— Maybe she is. But… it doesn't seem serious. She's probably just dealing with missing school, her friends… her freedom. — she replied with a serene, almost motherly tone.
— Yes… maybe… but even so… — Keltherion began, still uneasy, but was once again interrupted.
— Darling… Aurëalis has always been strong. Ever since she was little, she showed she can face her own challenges. If she needs us, she'll ask for help. Trust that. — Lyssandra said, now placing the empty glass gently on the table.
Then she shifted her tone, looking directly into her husband's eyes.
— But more important than that right now, Keltherion, is that we talk about what you've been doing all day down there… in the cells.
She leaned back slightly in her chair, crossing her legs with elegance, her gaze now sharper.
— So… how are things going down there? — she concluded, with a smooth voice.
Title of the next chapter:
"The Final Confrontation (Part 1)" - So... Keltherion really fell into my trap, huh?