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My mind went to past memories in which we were happy, just me and my daughter. Her father... I even refuse to call that man my husband, he... betrayed us. He was never the loving partner I had hoped for, always scheming, always focused on his own ambitions. His cold eyes and cruel smile haunt my dreams, a constant reminder of his treachery.

I remember the day he revealed his true colors. He wanted to sacrifice our daughter to gain favor with the elder council, to harness her latent powers for their nefarious purposes. The look in his eyes that day was one of pure calculation, devoid of any fatherly love. He saw Raven not as his child, but as a pawn in his quest for power.

My heart ached as I thought of the moment I had confronted him, standing in our chamber with tears streaming down my face. "How can you do this to her? She's your daughter!" I had pleaded, my voice breaking.

His response was cold and unfeeling. "Sentimentality has no place in the pursuit of power, Naethasa. Raven's potential is a resource we must exploit."

I knew then that I had to protect her at all costs. So, I did it... I killed him... I killed the demon king so brutally that even the very walls of our chamber seemed to weep with blood. His eyes widened in shock and fury as my blade found its mark, piercing his heart. I remember the exact moment life left his eyes, and a strange mix of relief and horror settled over me.

The weight of what I'd done was immense, but it was a necessary evil to protect Raven from his monstrous plans.

I fled with Raven, but it was only a matter of time before the elder council discovered his demise and our escape. We were hunted relentlessly. Eventually, they captured me, but I made sure Raven was hidden far away, in a place they would never think to look.

The cell door creaks open, snapping me back to the present. A guard enters his expression a mixture of boredom and disdain. "Get up," he barks. "The elders want to see you."

I rise slowly, my muscles aching from months of confinement, but my mind is sharper than ever. The guard cuffs my wrists with enchanted manacles that sap my strength, making it harder to focus my magic. As I'm led through the dimly lit corridors, I mentally rehearse the spellwork I've been devising for my escape. I will find Raven, and we will be free of this nightmare.

We enter a grand hall, where the elder council is gathered. Their cold, calculating eyes fix on me, assessing, plotting. At the center stands Elder Malachai, the leader of this vile assembly, his long silver hair and piercing blue eyes giving him an air of ancient malevolence.

"Naethasa," he begins, his voice dripping with false civility, "it's been quite some time. We have a proposition for you."

I looked at every face present in the hall but failed to find my allied elder, Lyriana. The absence of her reassuring presence made my heart sink. Had she been discovered? Or worse, had they dealt with her already? I couldn't afford to show my concern, though. I kept my expression neutral, my eyes locking onto Elder Malachai's.

"Are you looking for someone, Naethasa?" Malachai's voice cut through my thoughts, his tone almost too smooth, too knowing.

I forced myself to look him in the eye, masking the anxiety gnawing at my insides. "No, Elder Malachai. I'm simply here to hear your proposition."

"Ah~ no need to be so formal, and by the way, she's been dealt with. My Cerberus chewed her whole body into pieces. The traitor's end was as fitting as it was necessary."

My heart sank at Malachai's cruel words, but I forced myself to maintain a composed facade. The loss of Lyriana, if true, was a blow, but I couldn't afford to let it show. My daughter's safety and my own freedom depended on my ability to navigate this treacherous situation.

Malachai's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed my reaction, but he made no further comment on Lyriana's fate. Instead, he shifted his focus back to the matter at hand. "You'll find the Heart of Eternity in the Old Kingdom," he continued, gesturing to the scroll on the pedestal. "Retrieve it, and we'll discuss the terms of your daughter's future."

I nodded curtly, my mind already racing through the implications of the task ahead. The Old Kingdom was a place of ancient magic and danger, known for its treacherous landscapes and powerful guardians. But it was also the key to ensuring my daughter's safety.

"Do you have any further questions or concerns?" Malachai asked, his tone seemingly indifferent but with an edge of challenge.

I shook my head. "No, I understand the task."

"Excellent," Malachai said with a cold smile. "You will have access to some provisions and equipment for your journey. Use them wisely."

"And before you even think about running away, Remember that seal we branded on your soul," Malachai continued, his smile turning sinister. "It ensures that you cannot escape our grasp without facing severe consequences. We have placed powerful enchantments around the seal, making it nearly impossible to break free without incurring immense pain or worse."

I met his gaze without flinching, though my heart tightened at the reminder of the binding magic. The seal was a constant, oppressive presence—a cruel reminder of the control they held over me.

"Do not underestimate the difficulty of this task," Malachai added, his voice growing colder. "The Old Kingdom is not a place for the faint of heart. Even with the equipment we provide, you will face trials that will test every ounce of your strength and will."

"I understand," I replied evenly. "I will complete the task."

With a final nod, Malachai signaled for the guards to escort me out. As they led me back to my cell, I mentally reviewed the contents of the scroll and the map. The Old Kingdom's labyrinth was legendary for its deadly traps and ancient guardians. To retrieve the Heart of Eternity, I would need every bit of skill and cunning I possessed.

Back in my cell, I began to prepare. I studied the map carefully, noting key landmarks and potential hazards. The enchanted tools provided were minimal but necessary: a set of warding stones, a compass that could detect magical anomalies, and a few protective charms. I would have to use them wisely.

As night fell, I took a moment to reflect on the situation. The cell, once a place of despair, now felt like a temporary refuge compared to the perilous journey that awaited me. My thoughts turned to Raven, and the image of her sweet face kept me focused. Every step I took in the labyrinth would be for her—her safety, her future.

In the early hours of the morning, the guards came to fetch me. They escorted me to a hidden gate, obscured by powerful illusions. As they unlocked it, I took a deep breath and stepped into the dense, mist-covered woods of the Old Kingdom.

In the early hours of the morning, the guards came to fetch me. They escorted me to a hidden gate, obscured by powerful illusions. As they unlocked it, I took a deep breath and stepped into the dense, mist-covered woods of the Old Kingdom.

The air was thick with magic and the scent of ancient forests. The path ahead was obscured by twisting branches and shifting shadows. I activated the compass, which began to glow faintly, guiding me through the tangled underbrush.

I moved cautiously, aware that the Old Kingdom was known for its shifting terrain and deceptive paths. The compass's glow was my only source of certainty in this land of illusions. As I ventured deeper, the forest grew darker, and the whispers of ancient magic filled the air.

Hours turned into days as I navigated the treacherous landscape. Each night, I used the warding stones to set up protective barriers against the malevolent spirits and creatures that prowled the Old Kingdom. The nights were filled with strange sounds and shifting shadows, but my determination to find the Heart of Eternity kept me moving forward.

Eventually, I arrived at the entrance to the labyrinth. The entrance was an imposing archway carved with runes that pulsed with dark energy. I could feel the magic radiating from it, a foreboding reminder of the trials ahead.

With a deep breath, I stepped through the archway and into the labyrinth. The air inside was cool and filled with a sense of ancient power. The walls were lined with glowing symbols and traps, each one designed to deter intruders. I used the protective charms and warding stones to navigate through the traps, moving carefully and with purpose.

Hours turned into days as I delved deeper into the labyrinth, my sense of time distorted by the magical enchantments. The labyrinth was a maze of illusions and hidden dangers, but I remained focused. The compass guided me closer to the Heart of Eternity, and my determination to find Raven gave me strength.

"Don't worry, Baby. Mommy will come for you."

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[To Be Continued]

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