Chapter 74: Manipulation

"I’ll be only at the backline." Isaac kept his tone casual. "Please thank the Titan Edge Guild for helping us with the search mission."

"You are thanking us? I thought you and Selene had bad blood between you two."

"There were some disagreements, true. But she is still the sister of Alice. I would never wish any harm to come to her."

Celia and others heard Isaac’s genuine tone and saw his serious expression.

Knowing he was risking his life by joining the mission as an awakener who awakened only a week ago, they felt their heart move.

None of them thought Isaac had any hands in Selene’s kidnapping. Those who had believed differently before now no longer thought like that.

"Stay safe." Celia shook hands with him and walked away.

Leora emerged from the tent and joined Isaac. "Time to move."

Isaac nodded.

They headed for one of the waiting vehicles. Tyr transformed into a smaller, compact form and climbed into the back. Leora and Isaac took the front seats.

The doors closed with a mechanical click. The engine hummed to life.

Isaac watched the stronghold slowly vanish behind them as the vehicle sped off toward the Akaza Ruin.

They would go as far as the vehicles allowed them and then move on foot.

Since not everyone had spatial rings, the resources like food and extra weapons were kept on the vehicles, and this was why vehicles were used as transportation instead of carrying everything on back and risking losing stamina.

...

Selene POV

Everything was dark.

Not the kind of darkness that comes from a lack of light, but the kind that feels like it’s pressing in from all directions.

Selene couldn’t see anything.

She couldn’t move.

She couldn’t speak.

And she couldn’t hear.

Her chest tightened. Panic crept in.

She didn’t know where she was or how long she had been there. Was she unconscious? Awake? Dreaming?

Her body wouldn’t respond. Her limbs felt like they were detached. Her lips wouldn’t part. Even her ears seemed sealed. Like she’d been stuffed inside a shell of flesh that refused to function.

The panic grew.

A memory surfaced—one she had long tried to bury. That day from childhood. The kidnapping. The silence. The isolation. The fear.

She had thought she’d moved past it. But now it was all back.

Her breathing—or whatever sensation mimicked it—became erratic. Her heart pounded in her chest.

Still, there was no sound.

Just the darkness.

’This can’t be happening. It has to be a mistake. I’ll be rescued soon. Dad will save me. He will send guards, and make these people regret their actions.’

Minutes passed. Or maybe hours. Time had no meaning here. She couldn’t count her breaths or the beats of her heart.

’Why isn’t the rescue team coming? Where are they!? They let me be kidnapped, and now they can’t even rescue me!?’

Her thoughts grew erratic.

Time continued to move, and the fear she was hiding behind the anger slowly began to show.

’Is dad not going to rescue me because of what I did?’

’Please no.’

’Save me.’

’Please... dad... sniff... please...’

’It’s dark.’

’I’m afraid.’

She would give anything to go back. She would never talk behind Alice’s back again. She would apologize to her father. She would—

She suddenly remembered her father’s words.

"I’d rather be dead than see you act like this for power."

Maybe this was what she deserved. Maybe this was justice.

Her fingers were numb. Her legs felt cold. Her lips couldn’t part. If this was how it ended, maybe it was for the best.

Just like the stories her dad used to read to her during her childhood, the princess – Alice – would live happily ever after with her prince, and the witch – Selene – would suffer for everything wrong she had done.

It was what she deserved.

A long, hollow moment passed.

And then, just as quietly as it had left her, her hearing returned.

It was a dull buzz at first. More faint, and muffled, then it became sharper, and more distinct.

Footsteps. The low hum of electricity. The scrape of a chair on hard ground.

Sight returned in flickers.

She blinked and realized she could move her eyelids again. She tried to lift her head and saw the room.

A bright, sterile, empty white room.

She was sitting on a chair in the middle, strapped down.

Godric sat across from her.

His presence felt out of place in the room, like someone had painted a shadow on a blank canvas. He leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed, studying her.

"I apologize," he said. "The dosage was higher than I intended."

Selene could barely hear him. Her body trembled uncontrollably, her breathing shallow. Her mind hadn’t caught up yet.

If she were in a better mental state, she would have noticed the intent.

The increased dosage of poison that stole her senses, and the forced isolation. It was all done to break her. Shake her enough so that she would be easier to control.

But right now, she was too shaken to think.

Godric tilted his head and continued, "But you’re awake now. That’s good. I was getting worried."

She didn’t respond.

He smiled, patient. "I know what you’re thinking. But please, understand—I’m not your enemy."

His tone was relaxed, and friendly.

He wasn’t mocking her or showing signs of aggression.

He leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees.

"To be honest, if it wasn’t for me, the others here would’ve let the poison eat you up from inside. My boss... she enjoys pain. If she were here, she’d torture you for days, then kill you just before you broke."

Selene’s lips finally moved.

"W-why..." Her voice was hoarse, and weak. "Why... are you... telling me this?"

Godric’s smile widened. "Because I’m your friend."

That word echoed inside her. Friend?

"I want to help you, Selene. I know what happened at Calloway. I know you lost your position. I know you’re alone right now. No allies. No influence."

He leaned back again, voice soft and persuasive. "But I can fix that. I want to help you regain your power, and your place. The place that rightfully belongs to you."