Chapter 64: Lirian’s Decision
The low, ugly growls filled the dungeon, echoing off the cold stone walls.
Ten monsters loomed over Lirian, glowing and bright eyes focused only on her.
Their jagged teeth glinted in the faint blue light, and the atmosphere turned more weirder with the scent of fear and raw power.
Lirian’s legs trembled, her breath quickened and became more shallow.
She clutched the dagger at her side, though she knew it would be useless against even one of these beasts, let alone ten.
"Stay back," she whispered, though her voice wasn’t very convincing.
The monsters didn’t listen.
They stepped closer, with their massive claws clicking against the stone floor.
She backed away, her heart started pounding faster than she thought it could handle.
Her body was frozen, all she could think was how the certainty of her doom was so close.
But then, something happened.
A faint warmth spread through her chest, chasing away the cold fear.
She gasped as a golden light began to come from her skin, so soft at first but growing brighter with each passing second.
The monsters stopped abruptly, their growls turned into low whines as the light filled the room.
Golden butterflies burst from her, their wings also glowed with an otherworldly radiance.
They flitted through the air, illuminating every corner of the dungeon.
The monsters froze, their bodies stiffened and looked unresponsive.
Then, one by one, they collapsed to the ground, their red eyes dimmed a little.
They looked motionless, their massive bodies curled like sleeping dogs.
Lirian stared in disbelief, her heart still continued to race like a Formula 1.
The dagger slipped from her hand and clattered to the floor.
"What... just happened?" she whispered to herself.
One of the monsters let out a soft whimper, its head rested on its massive paws.
It looked up at her, its glowing eyes now seemed full of submission rather than menace.
Lirian hesitated, her hand hovered in the air.
Then, slowly, she reached out and placed her palm on the creature’s head.
’Please...don’t eat me...please...don’t eat me...’
Its scales were rough and warm beneath her hand, and to her astonishment, it didn’t react aggressively.
Instead, it let out a low, rumbling purr, its massive body relaxed further.
She moved to the next one, then the next, her fingers trembled as she petted each of them.
All of them responded the same way, their once-feral forms now looked so gentle under her touch.
"What are you?" she whispered, as her voice trembled with awe.
"Lady Lirian?" a voice called from the doorway, startling her.
She turned quickly to see Lord Rathian, one of Gabriel’s trusted advisors, standing at the entrance to the dungeon.
His face was white like a ghost, his sharp features etched with shock as he took in the scene before him.
"Lord Rathian?" Lirian asked, her voice seemed still shaky. "What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing," Rathian said, stepping closer cautiously.
"I was helping the survivors escape, but I thought... I thought the monsters had killed everyone. And now..."
He gestured at the massive beasts lying at her feet. "What is this?"
"They’re not dangerous anymore," Lirian said quietly, glancing at the creatures. "I don’t know how, but... they stopped."
Rathian frowned, his eyes darted between her and the monsters.
"Lady Lirian, these beasts are lethal. They’ve torn through armies. And yet, you’re... petting them?"
"I don’t fully understand it either," Lirian admitted. "But they’re not attacking. They’re calm now."
Rathian shook his head, his disbelief went through his face.
"This doesn’t make sense."
Lirian sighed and straightened up.
"There’s no time to figure it out right now. What about the survivors? Did they make it out?"
"Most of them," Rathian said. "I thought the monsters had taken the rest, but... it seems they were safe after all. You dismissed them, didn’t you?"
"Yes," Lirian confirmed. "I told them to gather their belongings and return to their families. This castle isn’t safe anymore."
Rathian nodded slowly, he looked thoughtful.
"It was the right decision. But what about you? What will you do now?"
Lirian’s chest tightened as she thought about Gabriel.
"Lord Rathian," she began, her voice sounded heavy with some emotion she couldn’t exactly explain.
"Gabriel killed the king."
Rathian’s eyes widened. "He did what?"
"He... he killed him," Lirian repeated, her voice faded a little.
"And now the Crown Prince has him. He’s been arrested for treason."
Rathian’s face darkened.
"Treason? They’ll execute him for this. The Crown won’t let him live after what he’s done."
Lirian swallowed hard, her hands balling into fists.
"I know. That’s why I have to save him."
"Save him?" Rathian asked, while raising his eyebrows.
"Lady Lirian, do you realise what you’re saying? The Crown will see this as an act of rebellion. If you try to save him, you’ll be painting a target on your own back."
"I don’t care," Lirian said firmly, sounding more confident now.
"Gabriel didn’t do this out of madness. He did it because of everything he’s been through—everything they’ve taken from him. He doesn’t deserve to die for that."
Pedro suddenly swooped down from the shadows, landing on her shoulder with a loud squawk.
"Danger! Danger!"
Lirian sighed, her lips twitched despite the pressure of the situation.
"Not now, Pedro," she muttered, reaching up to gently stroke the bird’s feathers.
Rathian looked at her for a moment, not being able to understand her fully.
But then finally, he spoke. "You’re serious about this, aren’t you?"
"I am," Lirian said without hesitation. "I don’t know how yet, but I’m going to save him."
Rathian let out a long breath, shaking his head.
"You’re braver than most, Lady Lirian. Or perhaps just more reckless."
"Maybe both," she admitted with a faint smile.
As they left the dungeons together, her decision settled over her.
She didn’t know what exactly was ahead, but one thing was certain: she wasn’t going to abandon Gabriel—not now...
And no one, not even the Crown, would stop her.