Chapter 69: A Tapestry
Gabriel’s breaths were heavy, the chains pulled him down, both physically and emotionally.
Across the room, Meylo was standing, calling himself "Daria."
He had that unsettling smile, Gabriel couldn’t really understand him.
"You’ve always been a fool, Gabriel," he taunted again, but this time it was different... like two voices speaking from one person.
It sent a chill down Gabriel’s spine.
"Who are you really?" Gabriel demanded, narrowing his eyes. "Stop using Daria’s face."
She tilted her head, the mockery was licking the lips.
"You really don’t remember, do you? Poor little Duke Gabriel, always so righteous, so blinded by his devotion to Lirian. Let me enlighten you."
She stepped closer, unnaturally fluid, as though her body was being controlled by something foreign.
"I am Baron Meylo," she said.
"The shadow that has remained in the corners of your perfect little world, waiting for the right moment to unravel it all."
Gabriel’s heart sank.
Lord Meylo.
The cunning person who had whispered in the ears of kings and nobles, a man who thrived in the mess of politics.
"That’s impossible," Gabriel said through gritted teeth. "Meylo was sharing some valuable information just recently. He was supposed to die soon...by my hand..."
"Oh, was I?" Meylo sneered, leaning down so his face was level with Gabriel’s.
"Do you really think someone like me could be taken down so easily? No, Duke. I would simply find a new vessel to inhabit."
He gestured to his current body.
"Your dear little Daria. She was perfect—her ambition, her malleability. Such a shame she wasn’t stronger, though. She broke so easily."
"What do you mean?" Gabriel lowered his voice, but Meylo only laughed.
"Do you really think she made it to Winter on her own?" Meylo said, with mockery.
"She never arrived, Gabriel. I made sure of that. I intercepted her long before she could warn anyone of what was happening. She was...useful, for a time. But I needed more. A mortal form is weak, you see. Fragile. So, I found a better way."
Gabriel’s jaw tightened. "You killed her."
"I sacrificed her," Meylo corrected, a grin spread across his face.
"And in doing so, I summoned something far greater than any human could comprehend. A demon, bound to my will, inhabiting this body. And now, with every passing moment, my power grows. Soon, there will be nothing left of this world but ash and ruin."
Gabriel started piecing together Meylo’s plan.
"This is about Lirian, isn’t it?" he said finally, his voice sounded steadier now, his golden eyes burned.
"You’ve always had your sights on her."
Meylo chuckled. "Ah, yes. Lirian. The crown jewel of my masterpiece. You see, Gabriel, this isn’t just about revenge. It’s about destiny. Lirian’s father, bless his naïve soul, was the first piece of my puzzle. He was so desperate for power, so willing to sacrifice anything to achieve his goals, that he didn’t even question my intentions when I offered my assistance. Together, we caused some events that shaped Lirian into the perfect pawn."
Gabriel’s fists clenched, his chains rattling. "You used her father? That man was a monster!"
"Indeed," Meylo agreed, cheerfully.
"And yet, without him, Lirian wouldn’t be who she is today. She wouldn’t have the strength, the cunning, the fire that makes her so valuable. But you—you ruined everything, Gabriel. You saw her not as a pawn, but as a person. You protected her, cared for her, and in doing so, you made her stronger than I ever intended."
Gabriel’s chest tightened as Meylo’s words sank in.
He thought back to the first time he had met Lirian, a fiery young girl who had defied the crown prince to save a village from destruction.
She had been fearless, reckless even, but Gabriel had seen something in her that no one else had.
He had seen her potential.
"You’re wrong," Gabriel said finally. "Lirian isn’t your pawn. She’s more than that. She’s more than you’ll ever be."
Meylo’s smile faded, but only for a moment.
"Such noble sentiments," he sneered. "But they won’t save you. You’re already doomed, Gabriel. Your fate was sealed the moment you decided to stand against me."
Gabriel’s eyebrows lifted. "What do you mean?"
Meylo stepped back, spreading his arms wide as if to showcase the dungeon around them.
"This place is more than just a prison, Duke. It’s a siphon. Every moment you spend here, your life force is being drained, feeding my power. Soon, there will be nothing left of you but a husk."
Gabriel’s heart pounded, but he refused to let Meylo see his fear.
"You won’t win," he said. "I will stop you."
Meylo laughed loudly.
"Oh, Gabriel. You really think you can even save yourself? You’re already too late. By the time Lirian finds you, you’ll be nothing but a memory alone."
Gabriel’s fists clenched.
He couldn’t let Meylo win.
He had to find a way to escape, to warn Lirian before it was too late.
But the chains held fast, and the strength was slowly draining from his body.
Meylo turned to leave, his laughter continued ringing in Gabriel’s ears.
"Enjoy what little time you have left, Duke. I’ll be sure to send your regards to Lirian."
As the door slammed shut, Gabriel slumped against the wall, his breathing labored.
He closed his eyes, summoning every ounce of strength he had left.
"Lirian," he whispered. "I believe in you."
Far above the dungeon, in Gabriel’s castle, Lirian was before a map spread across a makeshift table.
Her hands trembled as she traced the route she would take to find him.
Pedro perched on her shoulder, his small wings fluttered anxiously.
"We’ll find him," she said softly, and confidently despite the storm raging her heart. "No matter what it takes."
The golden ring on her finger shined faintly, as if sending her a message to stay strong.
Lirian furrowed her brow, staring down at the map with intense focus.
Gabriel’s golden butterflies had been a sign, a small hope, but she still had no idea where to find the jail dungeon he was being held hostage.
Pedro, perched dutifully on her shoulder, suddenly flapped his wings excitedly, squawking loudly.
"What is it, Pedro?" Lirian asked, glancing at him, her voice sounded exhausted.
Pedro flapped again and hopped down onto the table, landing right in the center of the map.
His little talons scratched at the paper as he pointed at a specific spot with his beak.
"What are you doing?" Lirian asked, puzzled.
She leaned closer, following Pedro’s beak to the point he seemed to be indicating.
It was a remote mountain range on the far edge of the kingdom, surrounded by signs like "beware" and "cursed land."
"You want me to go there?" Lirian asked incredulously, raising an eyebrow.
"That’s in the middle of nowhere, Pedro. What would Gabriel be doing in—"
"Big vibes," Pedro interrupted, cutting her off in his unmistakably squawking voice.
Lirian blinked, completely taken aback.
"Big... vibes?" she repeated, as though saying the words aloud might somehow clarify them.
Pedro nodded, flapping his wings for emphasis.
"Vibes! Vibes only! Danger zone! Zero chill!"
She stared at him, utterly bewildered.
"What are you even talking about? Pedro, what does that mean?"
Pedro tilted his head, fixing her with a look that somehow conveyed both sadness and pity.
"Sis, you gotta trust the process. No cap!"
Lirian blinked again, her confusion deepened with the wrinkles on her forehead.
"What cap? What process? Pedro, you’re not making any sense!"
Pedro puffed up his chest, clearly frustrated by her lack of understanding.
"It’s giving ’I-don’t-listen-to-my-cool-parrot-energy.’"
"Pedro!" Lirian exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. "You’re just saying words now!"
Pedro hopped to another spot on the map and pecked it firmly.
"Gabriel? Here. For real, for real. Big W move if we go."
She stared at the bird, her mouth slightly open as she processed his strange, almost mystical behavior.
"Big W move? Pedro, are you—have you been spending time with the modern world again? Because you sound like you’re making up your own language."
Pedro let out a squawk, hopping in a small circle before flaring his wings dramatically.
"I’m trying to save Gabriel! You’re here second-guessing the vibes!"
Lirian pressed her fingers to her temples, taking a deep breath.
She was on the verge of losing it, but the parrot was insistent—and, to be fair, Pedro had never been wrong about things like this before.
"Fine," she muttered. "I’ll trust your... vibes. Or whatever it is you’re doing."
Pedro immediately perked up, chirping happily as he danced across the map.
"Yes, queen! Slay! Now pack snacks! It’s road trip time!"
Lirian groaned, though a small smile tugged at her lips despite the absurdity of the situation.
She gathered the map, folding it neatly before tucking it into her satchel.
Pedro fluttered back onto her shoulder, his tone suddenly turned serious again.
"Danger ahead," he said lowly. "But we vibin’."
She sighed, shaking her head. "Let’s just hope these vibes of yours don’t get us killed."
Pedro leaned in, whispering. "Don’t forget the snacks."
Lirian couldn’t help but laugh, a sound she hadn’t heard from herself in days.
"All right, Pedro. Snacks first, danger second."
’Very well, Lirian...you’re smarter than I thought.’