Ice Goddess Luna

Episode4

As Hadley opened her eyes, they were met with the flickering glow of a torch. Blinking in confusion, she surveyed her surroundings and realized she was confined within a railing. Panic gripped her as she wondered if Master had managed to capture her once again.

Memories of the events leading up to her unconsciousness flooded her mind—wolves, darkness, and the sensation of falling. Was she dead? Had she been condemned to hell? But the pain coursing through her body assured her that she was very much alive.

Sitting up, Hadley winced as she felt the agony of her wounds. Despite her fear, she couldn't shake the overwhelming sense of quietness surrounding her. It was as if she had been admonished to remain silent, left to ponder her fate in solitude.

Realizing that Master couldn't have been responsible for her current situation—she had taken a different route to escape—Hadley's mind raced with questions. Who had captured her? And why had they locked her up?

The sound of a key rattling in the lock broke the silence, growing louder with each passing moment. Anticipation and dread coursed through her veins as she watched two figures approach her railing. Their imposing stature and elegant demeanor marked them as significant individuals.

As they opened the door, one of the figures entered with a container in hand. Setting it down in front of her, Hadley recognized it as food and water. Without a word, the figure turned to leave, leaving her alone once more with her thoughts and the faint flicker of the torch.

"W-wait..." Hadley's voice trembled as she spoke, halting the figure's departure. In the dim light cast by the torch, she could see that he did not welcome her words, but she pressed on despite her fear.

"Where am I? W-who are you? Why did you lock me up?" Her questions spilled out one after another, her apprehension palpable beneath his scrutinizing gaze.

"You are a trespasser who entered our territory," he replied in a deep, ominous tone.

"Territory? What do you mean? I-I don't understand. P-please, let me go," she pleaded, her voice wavering with uncertainty.

He scoffed at her plea, his demeanor unwavering in its severity. "Ha! You're a fool. Do you think we'll let you go? You're going to die here," he declared, sending a shiver down her spine.

"I haven't done anything wrong! P-please, let me go, and I promise I'll—" Her words were cut short as he swiftly approached, delivering a harsh slap across her cheek. She recoiled, pressing herself against the cold wall.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she touched her numb cheek, his threat echoing in her ears. "Speak more, and that won't be the only punishment. Be grateful you're still breathing. Your demise draws near," he warned before exiting the chamber, ensuring the door was securely locked behind him.

Left alone in the suffocating silence, Hadley wrapped her arms around herself, the chill of the cement floor seeping into her skin. Despite being far from the Master, she found herself imprisoned once again, swallowed by darkness.

What sin had she committed to deserve such a fate? The weight of despair settled upon her, tears streaming down her cheeks as she longed for release from her torment.

Closing her eyes, she prayed for an end to her suffering, wishing for nothing more than to be freed from this cruel existence. And as sleep enveloped her once more, she could only hope that her prayers would be answered.

As Hadley stirred from her uneasy sleep, she was abruptly jolted awake by the clamor of the metal door to her cell swinging open. Instinctively, she tensed as she felt strong hands grasp both of her arms, pulling her upright. With a mixture of confusion and apprehension clouding her thoughts, she allowed herself to be guided out of the dimly lit confines of her jail cell, her senses gradually sharpening as the cool air of the corridor enveloped her.

"W-where are you taking me?" Hadley's voice quivered with uncertainty as she addressed her silent escorts. Despite her inquiry, they continued their journey down the dark and narrow path, carrying her with each of their arms as she struggled to walk.

Surveying her surroundings, Hadley noticed numerous prisons similar to the one she had been confined in. However, her attention shifted to her captors—no longer the men from before. Clad in gray tops adorned with unfamiliar embroidery and black bottoms, they resembled palace soldiers.

Palace?

She scoffed at the absurd thought, dismissing it as a fanciful notion. But as they emerged from an iron door into a wide hallway, her skepticism wavered. The corridor, triple in size compared to the one they had traversed earlier, was adorned with dazzling lights and exquisite paintings.

Who resided in such opulence?

Though eager to inquire, Hadley held her tongue, certain her queries would fall on deaf ears. Pressing on through the labyrinthine passages, they eventually reached a wider hallway, where uniformed figures bustled about. Among them, a woman in a gray vestment with a black sash caught her eye—an assistant, perhaps, to the opulent life they served.

As they continued their journey, Hadley's apprehension grew, culminating in the sight of two colossal doors. With a trembling heart, she watched as the men by the doors swung them open, revealing the vast expanse beyond.

Stepping through, Hadley gasped in awe at the grandeur that greeted her.

In the grandeur of what seemed like a bygone era, Hadley felt transported to ancient times, where kings and queens held court in opulent halls. More uniformed men lined the corridors, their stoic presence adding to the sense of formality that permeated the air.

"Your majesty, before you stands the woman spotted in the eastern reaches of our land," the man holding Hadley declared, his voice echoing in the vast chamber.

Despite her nerves, Hadley lifted her gaze to meet the eyes of the two figures seated before her. One, seated, bore the marks of age, yet exuded an undeniable strength. The other, a muscular man, stood with regal poise, his attire befitting his status. Though his features bespoke a captivating allure, his gaze was piercing, sending a shiver down Hadley's spine.

"What is your name, young lady?" The baritone voice of the elder man broke the silence, compelling Hadley to respond truthfully.

"My name is Hadley," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.