Alexander was back in the dark cell. The smell of rot and filth was disturbing his senses.
He paced slowly, eyes narrowed in thought. I've still got things under control. But having a backup plan in case things go wrong was a solid move.
Ren leaned lazily against the cold stone wall, arms folded behind his head as he eyed the beast chained in the corner.
Its growls were getting louder again.
"Just shut the hell up for once!" Alexander snapped in irritation. His eyes flared crimson for a moment, power rising from within.
The beast whimpered and shrank back in fright.
Staring at the beast with a raised brow, Alexander muttered to himself. "Huh? That worked?"
Ren chuckled. Then asked in his normal casual voice.
"So... what's the plan? Break out tonight or let things play out?"
"Force our way out? No." Alexander finally sat beside him. "We're not doing that. We wait." He replied calmly.
Letting out a soft sigh, he rested his head against the damp wall, expression unreadable.
'I wonder what Freya's doing now? Did I place all my cards on her? Is she trying to betray me?'
No. He shook his head. 'She won't do that. But I know finding out the truth will break her. But not to the point of killing her brother.'
He knew she had just said that to protect him. But he didn't mind. Once the truth was out, she would finally have to decide what to do.
Closing his eyes, he decided to rest.
Down here, they were unable to tell if it was night already or if they were still at midday.
The cell was drenched in silence with time flowing swiftly.
The silence was broken by the soft rattle of iron bars.
Alexander's eyes snapped open and instantly turned towards the noise. Rubbing his eyes he was shocked to see a figure standing before them.
No, he wasn't really surprised. He had thought about various probabilities on what could happen next and this was part of the scenario he had thought of.
Though the place was dark, he was able to see her face clearly. Her pale golden hair glowed under the low lighting. Her face was covered with a determined expression as she stepped closer.
"I'm getting you out of here," Freya said with a firm voice. "I don't think you planned for this to happen."
"Things have become dangerous."
"Huh? Too dangerous?" Alexander replied. Rising from the ground, he brushed off dirt from his shoulders. "Things are going just as planned."
Walking towards the bar, he finally stood before her. They were just a few feet apart with only the iron bars separating them. Yet Alexander could hear the steady beat of her heart.
"Were you able to find out... the truth?" He asked softly, staring at her.
Her expression hardened for a moment as she stared away. Then staring back at him, her normal unreadable expression was back.
"No," she said, locking gaze at him. But... he knows I've been digging. Her eyes tightened. There have been warnings... masked figures with threats.
"... But I dealt with them."
"See... you're on the right track," Alexander said with a pause. "I told you but I knew you didn't fully trust me. Not until you found out the truth yourself."
"So go on. I know you need time. We'll try and give you enough time you need. Maybe two days at best." He said. Then glancing at Ren for a moment, he said to her.
"Just unlock the gate and leave us. We'll find our way out."
"Leave you guys? Freya frowned. "You won't make it out on your own. The enchantments have been activated and the guards doubled just to keep you guys from escaping."
"You'll need a guide. She said, raising her hand. Little sparks seemed to go off as her sword materialised in her hand from thin air.
With one fluid motion, she cut the lock in half.
The door creaked open as Ren slowly rose from the floor.
Alexander pointed his hand out as if gesturing for him to stop. His expression darkened.
A slow, mocking clap rang out through the corridor.
"Touching." A voice echoed.
"To think you would betray your brother and work with this western mongrel..."
"Truly disappointing, sister."
Arkan stepped forward from the shadow, two figures beside him.
"Lu... And? Who's that guy?" Alexander thought with a frown.
Arkan continued forward, his guards following him closely. Lu's face was pale with dread.
"I don't know why you would act so stupid just for the death of one man. One fucking man! Dammit!" He muttered loudly in frustration.
"Act stupid? You call that acting stupid?" Freya fired back. "That man... that man... he loved us so much. Wished to see us grow and accomplish our dreams."
"That man was your FATHER!!" She screamed as the temperature plummeted rapidly. The very air froze as frost slowly formed on the stones beneath her feet and was spreading.
"It's just as you said! Right now,wherever he is..." Arkan said with a pause, raising his hands and dropping them back.
"... He would be proud of us. You... becoming a general. And me... me... the king leading Drakarhold into new heights.
"What do you expect again? How do you want it to go again?"
Groping her sword tightly, Freya stepped forward. "Just answer me... d–did you kill... Father?" She finally gathered the courage to ask, her heart, racing wildly.
Alexander calmly watched as the situation unfolded. He had sensed them. He knew someone had been hiding but couldn't really pinpoint them. "Mostly likely the power of the man beside him," he thought.
"You've been listening to that idiot ramblings, haven't you?"
"Just answer me... I want only the truth. Did you kill Father?" she asked again, taking another step forward.
"And what if I did? What are you gonna do, huh? Kill me? What would that solve?"
"Not that you can do it. Even commanding a legion of soldiers, you're still that same little soft–hearted girl."
"I tried to warn you about the consequences of knowing the truth. Yet you where so fucking adamant. Gods!"
"Well now this is it. You wanna know the truth? Yes... I was the one who poisoned him. I killed our loving father." He said, walking further, just a few steps away from Freya.
"Just so you know... some truths are better buried."
"Why..." Freya muttered softly. Tears streamed down her cheek. "He loved us... loved you so much. He believed you would make a great king."
"Why? Why?!" Her voice rose as her breathing hitched. Her hands gripped her sword so tightly her knuckles were white.
"Why? He never had vision. He always wanted to remain small. But I've got grand plans for this kingdom. And I won't let anyone ruin it..."
"Not even you." He snarled, his breathing uneven. "Too bad you won't be here to witness it."
His jaw hardened as he stared hard at Freya. "I killed him, and... I don't regret it."
He turned to the figure beside him. "Do it."