And he had been playing me all along.
In the cold air of the dungeon, where shadows twisted like specters of the past, I found a grim solace.The truth would come to light.And I would be the one to set it free.
Still frustration boiled beneath my skin—I hadn’t found the flower.
I made my way out, avoiding the only rooms still bustling with life—the kitchen and servants’ quarters.But something pulled at me, a force whispering for me to turn back.
A decision slithered its way into my mind.
I retraced my steps, moving with care.
Up the staircase I went, each step a silent plea for answers.
Back in the study, I stood before the large mirror.
Once, it had seemed ordinary.Innocuous.
But now—now it whispered of secrets.
Its smooth surface gleamed under the fading daylight, waiting.
Daring me to look deeper.
My gaze snagged on an inscription along the frame—“1 - 7”—a sequence begging for attention.Heart pounding, I pressed each engraved number in turn.A chime rang out with every press, the sound soft yet resonant.
One.Two.Three.Four.Five.Six?—
There was a faint click.
Disbelief anchored me in place as the mirror swung open, revealing a hidden compartment.
And there it was.
The Noctyss flower.
Nestled within, its petals shimmered in eerie silver and black, pulsing with an almost unnatural vibrancy.My hand trembled as I reached for it, its significance sinking deep into my bones.
I closed the mirror with a muted thud, sealing away the secret it had guarded for who knows how long.
Then—
“Elizabeth...”
The voice, dark and razor-edged with fury, sent a shiver down my spine.
Through the reflection, I saw him.
Amir.
His skin was shadowed with anger, his eyes wild—a tempest barely contained.
“What are you doing here?”he demanded, his voice a snarl.
I spun to face him, my grip tightening around the mask I had found earlier.The Black Wraith’s mask.
I held it up like a damning accusation.“How did you get this?”My voice was steady despite the fire raging in his gaze.“This mask belongs to the Black Wraith.”
A slow, wicked smile curved his lips—dangerous, knowing.
