The Mother of ShadowsCold.
771 Words
That was the first thing Alexa felt.
Cold that crept into her bones like whispers crawling under her skin.
She opened her eyes slowly.
“Ariella…” she whispered.
“I’m here,” Ariella replied softly, squeezing her hand.
They stood on black stone that stretched endlessly beneath a sky swirling with dark clouds and faint streaks of unnatural lightning. Towers rose in the distance like jagged teeth, wrapped in drifting shadows that seemed alive.
Alexa shivered. “Where are we?”
Ariella’s voice was quiet. “Home… or what she calls it.”
A low echo of footsteps approached.
Slow. Deliberate.
A voice — smooth, powerful, chilling — filled the air.
“So… my daughters finally stand before me.”
Alexa’s breath caught.
From the shadows emerged a tall woman draped in flowing black — smoke curling around her like loyal servants. Her eyes glowed faintly with ancient power.
Isolde Duchannes.
She smiled — not warmly, but with satisfaction.
“Ariella,” she said softly. “You’ve grown.”
Ariella stepped slightly in front of Alexa. “Stay away from her.”
Isolde tilted her head, amused. “Protective… how touching.”
Alexa swallowed. “You’re… our mother.”
Isolde stepped closer, studying her face. “And you are more magnificent than I imagined.”
Alexa frowned. “Why did you take us?”
Isolde’s smile widened. “Because the world trembles when my bloodline stands united.”
Ariella said firmly, “We’re not joining you.”
Isolde laughed — a soft, echoing sound. “Oh, child… you misunderstand. You were never meant to resist.”
Alexa’s eyes flashed. “We choose our own path.”
Isolde’s gaze sharpened. “Such fire.”
She circled them slowly.
“You have both felt it, haven’t you? The surge… the call… power beyond measure.”
Alexa said quietly, “We won’t hurt anyone.”
Isolde stopped — her expression darkening slightly. “You were born to reshape this world.”
Ariella shook her head. “No. We won’t.”
Isolde sighed dramatically. “Always so stubborn.”
She raised a hand — shadows stirred — forming a throne behind her.
“Tell me,” she said calmly, sitting, “how is Arcadia? Still hiding behind its fragile barrier?”
Alexa said firmly, “They’re stronger than you think.”
Isolde chuckled. “Of course you would say that. They raised you.”
Ariella stepped forward. “Why send creatures? Innocent people were hurt.”
Isolde waved a hand dismissively. “Collateral curiosity.”
Alexa’s voice hardened. “That’s not funny.”
Isolde leaned forward, studying her closely. “Ah… compassion. Your weakness.”
Alexa shot back, “Or my strength.”
Ariella smirked slightly. “She’s right.”
Isolde laughed softly. “Yes… yes… I see now why Arcadia fears you.”
Alexa frowned. “They don’t fear me.”
Isolde’s eyes gleamed knowingly. “Don’t they?”
Ariella asked quietly, “What do you want from us?”
Isolde stood slowly.
“I want you to understand what you are.”
She extended her hand — energy swirling — creating visions around them.
Scenes of storms bending to will.
Mountains shifting.
Oceans freezing.
Firestorms blazing.
“You are not ordinary,” Isolde said softly. “You are evolution.”
Alexa whispered, “We don’t want this.”
Isolde smiled gently — almost motherly — yet unsettling. “Power does not ask what you want.”
Ariella said firmly, “We will not help you.”
Isolde’s smile faded slightly.
“Then perhaps… you need persuasion.”
Suddenly —
The ground trembled.
Chains of shadow rose — circling them.
Alexa ignited flames instinctively.
Ariella summoned frost.
They stood back to back.
Isolde watched with pride. “Magnificent.”
Alexa shouted, “Let us go!”
Isolde tilted her head. “Soon.”
She stepped closer — placing a hand lightly on Alexa’s cheek.
Alexa flinched.
“You carry both light and destruction,” Isolde murmured. “Just like me.”
Ariella snapped, “Don’t touch her.”
Isolde smiled faintly. “So fierce.”
She turned away.
“Rest,” she said calmly. “We have much to discuss.”
Alexa called out, “Arcadia will come for us!”
Isolde paused — then laughed quietly.
“I am counting on it.”
As she disappeared into shadow, the sisters stood together — hearts racing.
Ariella whispered, “We’ll find a way out.”
Alexa nodded slowly. “Together.”
Far away…
At Arcadia…
Preparations had already begun.
Because when the daughters of Duchannes were taken…
The world would not remain still.
- Writer
