Prisoner of Achilleus
: Beginning
This is just a Short Chat story
Evelyn
Groggy
Where… am I?
[her body is cold. The stone floor is unforgiving beneath Her. Her wrists are bruised and bound in iron cuffs.]
Evelyn
Why are my hands covered in blood?
[A door creaks open. A guard steps in, glaring.]
Guard
On your feet, Lady Evelyne D’Arvane. The detectives await.
Evelyn
Evelyne…?
heart races
That name… why does it sound… familiar?
[She's dragged down a hall of iron and stone. Her mind races. Images flash—books, a glowing screen, a tear-streaked finale…]
Evelyn
(thinking):
Wait.
This isn’t a dream.
This is the ending… of Crimson Bloom.
I’ve reincarnated… as Evelyne?
But this is the part where she dies!
[She was shoved into a cold interrogation room. Two figures sit at a desk.]
DETECTIVE 1
Lady Evelyne. You have one chance. Tell the truth, and maybe we’ll consider mercy.
DETECTIVE 2
Or stay silent, and let the guillotine fall.
Evelyn
I don’t remember… everything. But I swear… I’m not who you think I am.
[The detectives exchange a look, unimpressed.]
Evelyn
(thinking):
They think I’m guilty.
I have to survive. Even if it means exposing everything.
Even if it means betraying him…
Evelyn
Fine. You want the truth?
DETECTIVE 1
We’re listening.
Evelyn
The one behind all of this… isn’t me. It’s Duke D’Arvane.
My father.
[Silence. Even the quill pauses mid-scratch.]
DETECTIVE 1
What are you saying?
Evelyn
Everything I did… all those crimes…
He ordered me. Trained me. Controlled me.
[She lift her sleeves slowly. Faint scars crisscross her arms.]
Evelyn
He used me. Experimented on me for his dark magic.
There’s a hidden chamber under the estate. A sealed dungeon.
That’s where the spells were cast. That’s where I was… made.
DETECTIVE 2
What… kind of experiments?
Evelyn
Blood-binding. Mind control. Soul branding.
That’s how I got these scars. That’s why I obeyed.
Because I couldn’t say no.
[Detective 2 stands, shocked. Detective 1fingers tighten on her pen.]
[The air shifts. Cold. Uneasy.]
DETECTIVE 1
Are you saying the Duke… used his own daughter in forbidden rituals?
Evelyn
Yes. And if you don’t believe me…
Then dig. Search under the manor.
You’ll find the truth buried in blood and chains.
[She stand in chains in front of the Empire’s Grand Court. Crowds gather. Whispers and judgment fill the air.]
Announcer
By decree of His Majesty… Duke D’Arvane shall be executed by sundown for high treason.
Lady Evelyne D’Arvane, for her part in the crimes, shall be stripped of her title and exiled indefinitely.
[The crowd gasps. You close your eyes.]
Evelyn
(thinking):
So this is the price of survival.
I live… but not as Evelyne.
2:“A New Name, A New Life”
[That night, under the cover of moonlight, the guards unlock your cell.]
Guard
This is as far as we can take you.
You’re on your own now.
[She step out into the dark forest road, wearing a tattered cloak and boots too large.]
Evelyn
(thinking):
No money. No name. No plan.
Just breathe. One step at a time.
[She walk for hours. Trees stretch tall, the road silent but for crickets.]
Evelyn
(thinking):
Maybe I can reach Solare Kingdom. Maybe I can start over.
[Suddenly, she spot something in the trees—a horse, tied loosely, and nearby… a man.]
[He’s slumped under a tree. Handsome, in a rugged, war-torn kind of way. Tousled raven hair, sharp jawline dusted with stubble, and cloaked in black with blood at his side.]
Evelyn
Oh great. The one man I meet is half-dead.
[She rush to him, checking his pulse.]
Evelyn
Still alive… barely. What did you get yourself into?
[For two days, she shelter in a small ruined hut nearby. She clean his wounds, try to feed him water, but he grows weaker.]
Evelyn
C’mon, mysterious dying man. Don’t make me a murderer by accident.
[That night, under the pale moon, a warmth spreads through her chest. Herr eyes glow an ethereal blue. Her hair lifts slightly as light surrounds her hands.]
Evelyn
(gasping):
What… what is this?
[She press her hand to his chest instinctively. The light flows into him. His wounds… close.]
[He gasps awake.]
Mysterious Man
Where…? Who are you?
Natasha
Uh… I mean—
coughs dramatically
I’m Natasha.
Your benefactor. Miracle worker. Random woman in the woods. Take your pick.
[He blinks, stunned, then sits up too quickly and winces.]
Mysterious Man
Did you… save me?
Natasha
Well, your horse mostly just watched. I did the actual work.
Mysterious Man
Do you always glow like a divine carrot when you heal someone?
Natasha
I—I don’t even know how I glowed!
It just happened!
Mysterious Man
…So you're saying you’re a glowing woman who talks to unconscious strangers in the forest, calls herself Natasha, and has no idea how she healed fatal wounds?
Natasha
That’s the summary, yes.
Add “recently unemployed noble criminal” and it gets better.
[He smirks, chuckling for the first time.]
Mysterious Man
Well, Natasha.
You’re definitely the strangest blessing I’ve ever had.
Natasha
(thinking):
I don’t know who he is…
But maybe this time… the story’s not already written.
3:“Take Me to Solare”
Mysterious Man
So… you’re Natasha. The glowing forest angel.
Natasha
Since I saved your life…
dramatic pause
You owe me. Take me to Solare Kingdom.
Mysterious Man
Raises eyebrow):
Excuse me?
Natasha
It’s only fair. You were practically a corpse. Now you’re walking, breathing, and still handsome. The least you can do is give me a ride.
Mysterious Man
*Sighs*
Alright. Hop on, benefactor. Solare’s three days away. Try not to fall off.
[She ride behind him on the horse, arms crossed and grumbling.]
Natasha
Do you always smell like pine and mystery, or is this a forest special?
Mysterious Man
Do you always talk this much?
Natasha
Only when I’m bored, hungry, or suspicious.
[She ride through streams, argue over who gets the last piece of bread, and she somehow convince him to name the horse “Potato.”]
Natasha
So what’s your name, anyway?
Natasha
Callen…?
*thinking*
That name… and that face… why do you feel familiar?
[Later that night, while resting under the stars:]
Natasha
(thinking):
I’ve seen him before. Not in this life. In the novel? Or a history book?
No…
Wait—
Could he be—?
Natasha
I’m trying to figure out if you’re a lost prince, a secret noble, or just really good at surviving.
[She finally arrive in Solare Kingdom. The city is vibrant, glowing with life, and the people greet her with warm smiles.]
Natasha
Guess this is goodbye, Callen.
Callen
Take care, Natasha.
And… thank you. For everything.
[He rides off. She stare after him for a long time.]
[Later, walking through town, she see a woman being harassed by three drunk men in an alley.]
Ms. Liz
S-Stay away from me!
Natasha
Hey! Over here, creeps.
man1
Who the hell are you?
Natasha
(cracks knuckles):
Someone who knows martial arts.
In heels.
[She take them down one by one. Fast. Clean. Graceful.]
Ms. Liz
(wide-eyed):
You—You saved me! Thank you so much!
Natasha
It’s alright. Really.
Though if you know a place to stay… and maybe work… that would be great.
Ms. Liz
(smiles brightly):
Actually… I own a coffee shop. I’ve been looking for someone to help with baking and serving. Would you be interested?
Natasha
Lady, you had me at coffee.
[She's in the kitchen, decorating a strawberry cake when her friend calls from the front.]
Friend
Natasha! Someone’s here for you!
Natasha
Me? Who even knows me here?
[She walk out, wiping your hands, and freeze.]
[Standing by the door is a tall man in elegant clothes—gold embroidery, a sigil of the sun on his cloak. His raven hair is tied back neatly, his posture noble…]
Callen
(smiling):
Hello again… Natasha.
Natasha
(gasping):
You’re… wait....You’re the Emperor of Solare!?
Callen
Well, you did ask me to take you here.
Figured I’d check in on my benefactor.
[Her heart races. Her life just got a lot more interesting again.]
Natasha
(grinning):
Want some cake, Your Majesty?
Callen
Only if you made it.
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