Chapter 134: The Future Will Be Dark
The silence that had settled in the cell, heavy with both sadness and gentleness, was slowly beginning to dissipate. Elystria still held Mordred in her arms, but gradually, the warmth of this moment began to fade, replaced by something darker, deeper, emanating from the very heart of Mordred.
His tears had finally dried up, and his silent sobs had given way to a tense silence. Elystria, sensitive to every tiny change in Mordred, immediately perceived this shift in atmosphere. She felt his muscles tense slightly, his breathing becoming slower, colder, almost controlled.
With infinite delicacy, she gently released her embrace, moving back slightly to better observe Mordred’s face. Their eyes met again, but this time, Elystria clearly saw in Mordred’s eyes that icy coldness that was slowly but inexorably taking over his battered soul.
The hatred was there, once again, dark and powerful, like an inner storm ready to break out at any moment. Mordred didn’t utter a word, but Elystria immediately understood. She clearly felt this change, this gradual closing of his heart, as if the emotion he had just shared had finally awakened something even darker, even deeper within him.
She sighed slightly, aware that she could not completely soothe this rage that rumbled within him, at least not now. Mordred, sitting against the cold wall of his cell, had his eyes fixed in the distance, his gaze hard and distant.
- "I know what you’re feeling, Mordred," she finally whispered, gently breaking the silence. "But don’t let this hatred devour you entirely. It can give you the strength to fight, but if you let it control you, it will end up consuming everything within you."
Mordred said nothing, his gaze still fixed on an invisible point in the distance. Elystria, understanding that she wouldn’t get more of a reaction, then chose to change the subject.
- "I have news," she resumed in a more composed voice, almost detached. "Important news concerning the kingdom, and especially... concerning Belgaroth."
The dragon’s name immediately had an effect on Mordred. His pupils shone with a cold and threatening light, his entire body tensing slightly with anger. Elystria felt this change, but she continued calmly.