ShadowBound: The Need For Power

"Ember?" Mystica echoed, her voice low and skeptical. "She's turning herself in?"

"If you ask me," Dove drawled, reclining back with lazy indifference, "it's a trap. Pure and simple. And for the record, this has nothing to do with my trust issues." She flashed a devilish grin. "Still, nothing's stopping us from locking her up, right?"

Mystica rose from the couch, her eyes narrowing. "Is dissecting people the only thing you ever think about?"

"What?" Dove said innocently, feigning offense. "I never said anything about dissection."

"It's written all over your face."

"Pfft. Semantics." Dove waved her hand dismissively. "And let's be honest—calling her a person might be generous. She is a hybrid. And from a purely scientific standpoint, she'd make an ideal second subject. A perfect control for—"

"Enough," Lucy cut in sharply. Her voice silenced the room like a blade through silk. "We'll settle this when we speak to Ember directly. Now, let's go."

"We can't just leave Liam unattended," Mystica said, her tone laced with concern.

"He won't be," Lucy replied coolly. "My guards will maintain the perimeter. And one of my Royal Corps will remain inside."

"Mabel."

At the sound of her name, a figure shimmered into existence mid-air, cloaked in a sleek black uniform. Her dark hair was tied into a high ponytail, with loose strands framing either side of her masked face. Only her sharp, almond-shaped hazel eyes were visible. A long, black-hilted sword rested sheathed across her back.

Landing silently, Mabel dropped to one knee. "At your service, my Queen."

"Watch over the boy," Lucy ordered, her tone firm. "Report to me immediately if anything happens. No matter how small."

"Understood, Your Majesty."

Lucy turned to the others. "Alright, ladies. Let's move."

With that, Lucy, Mystica, and Dove swept out of the room, leaving Mabel to stand watch over the cocooned Liam.

"No one enters or leaves this room," Lucy said as the guards closed the heavy doors behind them.

"Understood, Your Majesty," the two guards responded in unison.

And with that, the three women made their way toward the chamber where Ember waited.

Within moments, they reached the doors of the waiting chamber. Two elite guards stood at attention, clad in enchanted armor etched with faintly glowing glyphs. One saluted with a gauntleted fist to his chest.

"She arrived ten minutes ago," he reported. "Unarmed. Surrendered without resistance."

Dove raised an eyebrow. "Either she's suicidal or very sure of herself."

"Or both," Mystica muttered.

Lucy lifted her hand, and the door creaked open with the grinding groan of ancient stone. The air inside was still. The chamber was circular, silent, and in the center—on her knees—sat Ember.

She looked up as they entered.

Her hands were folded calmly in her lap. Her expression was unsettlingly serene.

"You came," she said simply.

Lucy stepped forward, each click of her heels like a tolling bell. "Speak."

Ember's gaze drifted from Dove's smirk to Mystica's narrowed eyes before landing on Lucy's unreadable stare. "I'm not here to fight. I've come to stop something. To stop him."

Mystica took a step forward, her eyes faintly glowing violet. "You mean Sylvathar?"

Ember nodded. "Yes. And if you don't at least hear me out, Amthar will fall."

Dove crossed her arms. "So now you're suddenly our ally? After working with Sylvathar? After trying to steal the princess of the Crescent Kingdom? Sounds a bit convenient."

"I never wanted to serve him," Ember replied, her voice cutting through the doubt. "Sylvathar doesn't offer choices—only commands. I followed him because I had to. But now…" She met Lucy's eyes, firm and unwavering. "I won't keep running from what I've allowed. I'm here to make it right."

Lucy watched her, her expression unreadable. "Then make it right. Talk."

Ember drew a steady breath. "Sylvathar's plan is to reduce Amthar to ashes and build a new realm from its ruins. I never wanted any of that. All I wanted was to be with Regulus."

"So you did like the silly guy after all," Mystica said with a smirk. Ember blushed faintly.

"But now I know," Ember continued, "I can't live the life I want in the world Sylvathar is creating."

"Hah. Is that what he told you too?" Dove muttered, sounding already bored. "Is Sylvathar planning to destroy Amthar or just turn her people into more of your kind?"

"What? What are you talking about?" Ember asked, confused.

"Nothing. Keep going," Lucy said evenly.

'What was that about?' Ember wondered, but pushed it aside. 'I need them to believe me enough to tell them about Morbuan's approach. But I can't—not while Sylvathar watches through my eyes.'

"I can give you intel on Sylvathar—his location, how many hybrids he's made, the identities of his top generals, his current power level, and… any weaknesses."

"Current power level?" Dove asked, intrigued. "You make it sound like he's growing stronger."

"That's because he is," Ember replied.

'Since he wants me to be convincing, he won't mind me sharing this much,' she thought, hiding a smirk.

"I can give you almost everything you're missing about Sylvathar. But in return, I want one thing."

"And that is?" Lucy asked.

"Regulus. I want him safe—no matter what happens."

Dove rolled her eyes. "I don't know who this guy is, but I already hate him."

Ember ignored the jab. "I know Regulus is one of the Tempest Kingdom's best knights. But I still want your word that he'll be protected."

Mystica's eyes softened, just a little. "So you're trading your loyalty for his safety."

"No," Ember said softly. "I'm offering everything I know… for a chance to fight back."

Lucy stepped closer, towering over her. "And if we believe you… what do you expect in return?"

Ember lifted her chin. "A cell—for now. Ward it. Bind it. Reinforce it however you want. But let me help. Let me earn your trust. Let me help you burn his empire from the inside."

A long silence followed.

Then Dove whistled. "Damn. Either she's telling the truth… or she deserves an award for a superb acting."

Lucy stared at Ember for a long, silent moment.

Then she turned to the guards. "Take her to Dungeon Seven. Surround it with a full suppression field. She's not to be left unguarded for even a second. Mystica—you'll handle the binding personally. Dove, I want a full mental integrity scan. If she's compromised, we'll find out."

"And if she's not?" Mystica asked.

"Then," Lucy said, eyes cold and sharp, "we've just gained a weapon Sylvathar never intended to lose."

She gave a final nod. "Take her away."

The guards moved without hesitation, each seizing an arm as they escorted Ember out. She didn't resist.

As the doors shut behind them, Mystica turned to Lucy. "As much as it pains me to say this… I hope she's telling the truth. And that she can actually help."

"I hope so too," Lucy replied evenly. "But we can't let our desperation to stop Sylvathar blind us to a trap waiting in plain sight."

Just then, a soft pulse of light flickered from the crystal embedded in her bracelet. Lucy tapped it.

"What is it, Mabel?"

"My Queen... the boy is awake."