Fractures of Eternity

The best way to gather information was to make the enemy believe they had all the advantages.

“You keep saying vids. Won’t they track them?” I asked, knowing full well that any broadcasting device used Sun elf magic, which was highly traceable by any magic-user.

“Nah, I laced every corner of this place with an anti-magic crystal. By the time they think they have our location, it will be done, and I’ll be gone.” Jin announced, tapping his hand on the metal bars before turning towards the exit.

“Wait! Does that mean you got yourself some phoenix crystals? Doesn’t Cerberus have all the small samples found to date?” I allowed personal information to flow—one only known by my father’s spies.

He turned to me, humming. “Hm, you really are smart! I think I’ll enjoy having you as a thrall. Perhaps I won’t send you back to your prince and keep you with me.” He smirked.

So, you have no intention of killing me, but to use me to hurt Loki.

“There isn’t a vault in the world a warlock like me can’t break. Though that was a tough job to accomplish to remain undetected.” He shrugged, walking away before the door closed behind him.

Crap… That wasn’t enough… But if they are phoenix crystals, that means we need to get out of their range.

There were two men left with us, and one held a tranquilizing gun aimed at Thea, who had little choice but to remove her clothes, too. Before she did, though, she asked Gerta to take Luna away from her. The old woman shielded Luna while we dressed in the white rags they brought. Which barely covered anything at all. At least, the little Luma’s dress was better than ours, which the old woman quickly helped her with. Once we were dressed, one of our foes cast a burning spell, triggering the clothes on the floor to combust, as it was a shame to see that beautiful dress turn into ashes.

“Turn around while we come in!” One of our captors huffed.

I placed my brooch on the rag I wore, taking off the hairpin my father had given me, allowing my hair to fall on my shoulders and back as I gazed at Thea, who responded by narrowing her eyes. Softly, she nodded her head as I turned my sight onto the wall in front of me.

I have no choice but to be a monster.

The moment the two men came into the cell, I straightened myself up. One pointed the weapon at Thea, leading her to a corner while Gerta held Luna behind her, whispering to keep her head down.

Sorry… Rem… I’ll steal your daughters’ innocence today.

One guard headed for me before grabbing me by my shoulder. “Hey, it’s time to go.”

Not one more man will touch me today…Without paying the cost!

In a snap, I spun around to face him, jabbing my hairpin into his throat, triggering blood to gush into my hand as I pulled it away, leaving the man gargling before falling onto the ground. The suddenness of it all caused the other one to turn to me, as Thea used the opportunity to punch him in his temple, knocking him out cold, ensuring his body hit the ground soon after. It wasn’t enough, though.

You’re soft, like Loki, when he went to save everyone from the demons, but I’m not.

I knew if he regained consciousness, he would be another foe we had to take down, and we were already outnumbered. Without hesitation, I slammed my foot on the man’s throat before using my weight to crush him.

I won’t be a victim of them any longer. No… I’ll be hunting them for once!

“Vivian!” Thea gasped as Gerta picked up Luna from the floor, pushing her little head against her shoulder.

“Foolish girl, don’t hesitate to end someone who will do it to you without a second thought! It’s your life or theirs for now!” I declared, glaring at her incompetence.

Even though she was still a minor, she was only nine months younger than I, which meant I wouldn’t go easy on her if we were to survive and get out without the celestial plane knowing of my existence.

“I…” She stumbled, voice trembling.

“Oh. Please.” I rolled my eyes, “Don’t look at me like that. Lycans kill for lesser reasons. Now, if you want to survive, I suggest you don’t hold back because they won’t, and rescue isn’t coming for us unless we move out of the crystal’s zone.” I informed, grabbing the stone from the ashes where my dress used to be.

It would be a mistake to leave it here.

Thea appeared shaken by what I said, but she knew I spoke the truth. Her father, more than anyone else, probably taught her life and death scenarios. Next to us, a man was bleeding out, gargling as I had jabbed my pin into his vocal cords and trachea. He squirmed, holding his neck, as he was another who needed to be finished.

The fewer of you pigs to deal with...the better.

Slowly, I walked over to him to grab the knife from his body.

“Well, if you’re so shaken about taking a life, I’ll finish them if it makes you feel morally right, little wolf.” I sighed, slicing his neck open as blood splattered over the wall and part of me.

A pin and a knife were all I needed to be deadly, thanks to a certain elf.

“Vivian,” Gerta called out to me, holding onto Luna.

I turned to her to see her eyes wide open.

Hah… It’s time to let the real me out, and that’s fine. Even if… You all think I’m revolting.

“You said I was going to do something big, didn’t you? Well, now, I’ll show you how scary a mere human can be to these fools.” I smirked, prompting her to nod lightly.

Unlike the wolf, the old woman was aware of how survival took place.

“So, what’s your plan? We can’t just murder everyone we see.” Thea argued.

A sigh left my lips.

Argh… This girl is trapped in a bubble, which is a good thing when you aren’t being hunted.

“No, just those who cross us and get in our way, or do you want your sister to become a toy for that man?” I frowned.

“What? Of course not, but there has to be another way!” She clenched her hands into fists.

“Well, Thea, we need to get out of this anti-magic dome that warlock set up, and that will probably require us to remain in one piece. If you have any better ideas, I’m up for it.” I huffed, searching for keys on the dead bodies in the room.

Luckily, one had them, as I also looted the tranquilizer gun from them. Sadly, they only had three shots, which meant we had to be precise.

“I…” She mumbled.

Standing up, I walked towards the open cell gate, gazing towards the door out of there. Although what lay behind it was unknown to me, it was exciting at the same time, leaving my heart drumming loudly in my chest.

“If one of us makes it out of the zone, then Lilith or Oswald will find us, giving them the leverage needed. That’s all it’ll take.” I clutched the knife tightly in my hands.

“How do you know of Grandma?” Thea asked, joining me outside the cell, as Gerta with Luna in her arms followed her.

Luckily, the little Luma hadn’t opened her eyes since she told her to close them.

“Oh, please, who doesn’t know who your grandmother is?” I cackled, shaking my head.

Lilith, who shared the same name as the elf who had helped raise me, was the witch who used to be the vessel for the soul cairn in which a hex was holding her death over everyone, until. Well, my mother killed Stella before ripping a part of the gate out of her grandmother’s. Though that never canceled out her connection to the realm of the dead gods. Her story was better told by her eyes, though.

“Does Loki know you’re like this?” The black wolf asked.

Her question triggered a flare of heat to rush through me.

Argh… This girl…

“Your brother knows better than anyone what I’m capable of. Thea, he isn’t a brainless fool, although, at times, I feel like he makes one out of me.” I breathed.

How… I wish you were here with me right now.

The thought of my prince accepting me as I was comforted me.

Hey, are you worried about me right now? Doubtful… You know I’m capable. That reminds me, have they found Tania yet, and does she remember me? Argh… No time to worry about that, Vivian. Focus.

“I don’t know if I can do this.” Thea confided, her hand gripping her chest.

I couldn’t help but scowl at her before shaking my head.

No… It’s foolish of me to think you’d be able to flip the switch easily. After all, this is a normal reaction, as not everyone wants to be a killer. Not everyone has to be, but I have to be to live.