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[[Yuuki x Zero]]

Shido listened to what she had to say, as she indeed had confirmed what he had thought to be true. In fact, it helped her in the little game they were plaing, or rather... didn't hurt her cause as a non-virgin might have. He watched as Summer finally came into the room, allowing him to for now dodge the question of why he asked if she was a virgin or not. Well, wasn't it really that important for him to just avoid it? "Simple, you're less suited to be my bride if you're not pure, at least in that regard. Of course, I may have any woman in this court that I want, but one whose bloodline only stays with mine is considered especially delitcate." He told her before he waited until Summer finished and she turned to him.

He sighed again, finding himself doing that a lot more recently before he placed a hand on Summer's arm. "Yeah, I've decided that if you really want to know the harsh realities of the truth, I'm not going to keep them from you. The Summer elves killed both your mother and your father, one more indirect and the other very direct. Once they found out your mother was not only living with a dark elf, but was in love, they couldn't bring themselves to accept it. So they killed your father, and mindwiped your mother into believing you were nothing but a rape child. The only reason why she died was because of the shame, and possibly some of the insanity associated with doing such a comprehensive brainwipe to erase something as strong as an emotion. If the Summer's had just let you two live in peace, you would most likely have just had your choice between courts. After all, us Dark Elves did not go and slaughter your mother. In fact, I do believe the village welcomed her in open arms, and was happy that Tarvish found love." He told her, knowing it was quite a mouthful as his grey eyes looked straight into hers, however there was no magic being used. He was giving her what he believed was the total truth, and from what he knew. After all, the dark elves did try to contact her mother once or twice after the incident, but were met with nothing other than anguished cries.
 
Summer listened to Shido's story. At first, she did not want to believe him. To think that the Summer Court would do such a thing to her mother, it truly was unbelievable. Even Rika found it pretty difficult to believe. But soon, acceptance came but it didn't mean that it hurt any less. Summer firmly believed that her uncle had no direct hand on the matter. He would not have taken care of her if he hadn't felt guilt from the death of her mother. She still could not believe that he let it happen to his own sister. He could have stopped it all, after all he was the crown prince. "I would like to be alone for a while," Summer told Shido. "If you need me for anything, I'm sure you would call."

~*~

Beira threw her wine glass at the wall as she heard of the Summer Court's recent attack on one of her major cities. For weeks, When she used her mirror to contact Niall, all Niall told her was that he was doing it to save his niece from Shido. She had hoped that it would not have to come to this but if she wanted this war to end, she had to take it into her own hands. Shido's death would solve all her problems. She'd take Summer into her court to use as leverage against Niall so he would stop attacking her court. And with Shido's death and lack of an heir, the Dark Court would be no more.

"You called, m'lady." A girl, looking so much like Rika, entered the room and knelt in front of the Winter Queen. Her face was like a mirror of Rika's but she was a few years younger. They were the same height but while Rika had a more muscular frame, Selene had a softer, more delicate frame. Her silvery hair was left loose on her shoulders, long and reaching the just above her bottom.

"Are you ready, my dear?" Beira asked, patting the girl's cheek.

"As promised, Queen Beira, I would only go after my sister once you gave me your permission." She smiled. "Are you giving me your word, m'lady?"

"Yes, dear. Shido's head on a plate, Summer shackled and your sister's freedom as a reward. How soon can you get there?"

"I'll be there the moment I stepped out of your room."

~*~

Summer stood near the windows, looking out of them. Shido had given her the time that she needed, only calling her when he actually needed her around. She had done a lot of thinking and she decided that she would begin her life anew in the Dark Courts. First, she had to stay to play the game. She had already agreed to the game and Summer took pride in keeping her word. She'd also like to learn more about her father and the only person who knew him the best and that was Shido. Sighing, Summer found that her breath fogged on the windows. She touched it and found that it was so cold.

Frowning, she went out of her room and saw the guards outside, sleeping soundly. She ran towards Rika's room and opened the door, finding Rika asleep. "Rika," Summer shook her awake. "Rika, something is wrong. It is too cold outside. Winter Court cold." Rika was quick to jump out of bed. She took her sword and ran towards Shido's room. Summer followed but held back.

Selene stood in Shido's bed room. The sleeping spell had worked on all the guards but she had not anticipated. The cold she had let go just for an added effect. The snow would come pouring down any second now, providing a beautiful background to the tragic death of the Dark King. Drawing the athame that she hid under her robe, she walked silently over to the king. Placing a curse on the sword, she leaned forward to leaned forward, running the blade across Shido's cheek not pressing too hard to cut him just yet. She wanted to relish this moment. She wanted Shido to awaken to witness his death.

The door slammed open and Rika was in the room, knocking the knife out of Selene's hand and pressing her sword at Selene's neck. "I knew it would be you. Beira has always been one for the melodrama and I must admit the snow would be a perfect touch, sister."

"Oh... please, you can do better than that." Selene smirked at her sister then with a ruffle of her robes, was gone from under her sister, re-appearing with her athame in her hand. "Step aside, Rika. I didn't come this far to lose you."
 
Shido woke up quickly however, only after the door had slammed open and the knife dropped upon the floor. He stood up suddenly as he pressed himself against one of the walls, as he narrowed his eyes. "Rika, who is this?" He asked, seeing that she was a winter elf, whom seemed to know Rika... but he couldn't really tell whom it was. He had missed her first sentence when she mentioned that she was her sister... although he had no such information of this. After all, Rika was the last of her warrior bloodline, why would she have any kin?

"Summer, warm us up and stay by me." He ordered as he narrowed his eyes at the stranger. "Well well, an assassin from Beira huh? To think she would send someone so quickly" He said as he murmered in order to allow the darkness to enguph the room and begin to seep magic away from all but the dark elves. He wasn't going to fight against her, since he wasn't sure what she was capable of. But with his little cloak overing the whole room, they would both gain a power boost, while it would take a hit upon this new girl.
 
"Go ahead, Rika. Tell him who I am. That symbol on your neck obliges you to." Selene laughed. Shido's cloak bare affected her powers. Selene had spent a good amount of time studying the magic of the dark and the summer fey. Given the right protective gear, Selene was not affected by Shido's cloak and the warmth that Summer radiated. It did surprise her, however, that Summer's Summer Court powers seemed amplified now that she lived in the dark courts. It was something that she had not encountered before, mostly because not many of the Fey switched courts and those that did, did not live long enough to show powers that both Summer and Rika now had.

"That, my lord, is Selene Neigeux, the Winter Queen's most powerful sorceress and my sister," Rika spoke, glaring at her sister. She knew that it was not a wise move to have her sister come here especially if the queen intended to keep her most powerful sorceress. Beira had already lost her best warrior. She could not stand to lose her best sorceress as well. She also worried that Shido might have some interest on her sister and make her join the game which Rika did not want her to be a part of.

Selene bowed, laughing lightly. "At your service, my lord." She said sarcastically. "The Winter queen sends her regards, although, she is not too happy with the way you've turned the Summer Court against her. No worries though. Once I'm done here, Queen Beira will be the ruler of all Fey." Not one for wasting time, Selene said a simple spell which locked Summer inside a cube of ice. Normally, Summer Fey would be screaming in pain but the ice did not seem to hurt Summer. It did, however, keep her locked up. Battling with Rika was the most difficult she could ever think of. Rika knew all her moves and Selene knew all of hers, mostly because they went into battle together and often worked in tandem.

"I am obliged to protect the Dark King with my life." Rika pointed out, her sword poised to swing at any moment. "If you want to kill him, you'd have to kill me first. You do not want to kill me, sister."

"Oh... of course not," Selene giggled. "I did not come all the way here to kill you, dear sister. I came here to rescue you. If I kill you in the process, then it is not really that much fun anymore. Of course, I can always get Summer to heal you but I don't really want to go through all that trouble. The only person dying her tonight is the Dark King."
 
He was observent enough to see that the darkness surrounding the room to seem to be unaffecting her, and he withdrew it as soon as he saw that since it took a little bit away from him every second that passed by. As the two spoke, he was unable to conceal his surprise that she was her sister, however the Winter Queen sending her best sorceress was quite unnerving. And since Selene was not aiming for her sister, whom could fight her back but at the half-tired and now undermatched. However, he also did want her alive, although that might cost him quite a bit.

"Take her alive." He spoke simply as the ground underneath Rika began to surge with dark magic. Around her a dark aura began to build, quickly filling and energizing her. He was providing her a constant flow from the well of power he retained. And while the two may have been evenly matched up when they used to fight with each other, this time they were both in his court, and only one of them under the dark elven nature. She would gain much more than magic with what he was providing her.

Her senses and muscles would all be enhanced, as well as a small dark shield which was now slowly forming around her. The winter elves were known to be elegant and thorough, however now as a dark elf, he would be infecting her with a small bezerk. The dark elves always fought with themselves, greed bloodlust and manalust always within them, their warriors keeping themselves in check. He was giving her a small taste of this power now, allowing it to surge inside her as she would soon let go of certain shackles that might have once held her down. Recklessness with her body, the loss of certain morales. What she lost in her mind she would gain two fold in her strengths, agility and quickness, and with it, even her shadow now would seem like another attacker.
 
Selene watched as the dark magic that permeated the room depleted until there was no more. However, the king provided Rika with a dark aura that would make it more difficult to battle with her. For some reason, the king wanted her alive. Although her curiosity peaked at this, she didn't plan on finding out what he wanted with her. She sheathed the cursed athame, not wanting to hurt her sister with it and kill her in the process. Instead, she would rely solely on her magic, knowing her sister usually relies on her physical capabilities.

Rika's purple-tinted eyes seemed to glow as she looked at Selene. She could see the powerful aura around her sister. It had a bluish color but it radiated power that Rika never realized she had been jealous about. She wanted that power, craved it so badly. Selene saw the crazed look on her sister's eyes but knew that was only typical with dark elves. The only thing Selene wasn't sure of was how effective it would be when combined with Rika's natural warrior talent.

It began to snow outside as Selene thought of her game plan. She could attack her sister but with what? She did not want to do anything to drastic, fearing that it would hurt her sister. Meanwhile, Rika was not thinking. The slight craving of power was there and the obligation to protect her master also rang true. Rika dropped her sword, knowing that if Shido wanted her alive, she could not use the weapon and risk seriously injuring her target.

A large wall of clear ice sprouted around Summer and Shido's bed. One would think that it was Rika's doing to protect Shido when in fact, it was Selene who created the wall. She did not think it would cut off Shido's supply of power that he was letting Rika borrow but it would separate Rika from them. If she managed to trap Rika on this side, Selene would be free to end Shido's life.

Instead of using ice like she did when they fought two weeks earlier, Rika used dark elf magic to combat with her sister. Vines, like the ones Shido used on her, sprouted around her sister and began swiping at her, trying to get a hold of her. But Selene danced away from the vines and when one touched her, she used froze it then yanked, breaking it into tiny pieces. She continued to do so until all the vines were frozen and Rika had none left.

"I'm sorry, Rika, but this is for your own good." Selene reached forward and touched Rika's arm, trying to temporarily freeze her. Unfortunately, Shido's dark shield protected her and Rika used the chance to grab Selene's wrist then her neck and slamming her against the wall. Selene began to choke and she tried to kick at her sister, trying to get free. "Rika, Rika... please don't." Selene begged, "I'm your sister, can't you see that? Rika, it's just me."

A moment of clarity showed in Rika's eyes, nearly turning blue again, and her grip on Selene's neck loosened. This also meant that Shido's shield had gone down momentarily. Selene took it as her opening and temporarily froze her sister. Selene hopped over the wall of ice and continued freezing it until it touched the ceiling, cutting her sister off. Selene drew her athame again and faced Shido. "No place to go, Dark King. I'm afraid it is time for you to die."

Selene drew forward, holding the athame in front of her. But out of nowhere, Summer tackled Selene, causing both of them to tumble onto the bed. Summer had melted the ice box without anybody noticing and now, she was on top of Selene, trying to grab the athame. Using the remnants of her Summer magic, Summer burned Selene, causing her to scream and let go of the athame which Summer grabbed and held at Selene's throat as she was pinned in place. Any wrong move and Summer could cut her neck and she'd be dead in 10 seconds, not long enough to say the counter-spell that would cure her.
 
Shido became quite tense as he watched the Winter Sorceress cut off Rika from him and Summer, as she came at him with the knife. He was exhausted now, having expended most of his energies upon Rika, and only to have it fail when those shackles came back in place and she hesitated. He backed up just a little before Summer jumped at her, unfroze the ice as she moved and pinned her down and held the knife to her neck. Although he didn't want such a dangerous weapon to her neck, he decided that perhaps it was necessary as he walked over to her and looked upon her, attempting to see what was upon her body which was helping her.

"Rika! Drink up, her mana is all yours." He told her as he decided not to really give her a choice, allowing the dark shield still about her now to begin draining the mana from her and forcing her the drought inside of her. Her sister was plentiful, and since they did have a bond, he felt that slowly sapping her sister's mana away would be something that she didn't expect. After all, he was prepared here to deal with dark elves, but what he was asking of Rika was drawing upon now her kinship to Selene. It would be likely the excess of Winter magic might revert her body to something similar to when she was a Winter Elf... and perhaps, he may use that to fool that poor Beira, when the time came.

"Tie her up and take her away. Summer, get the guards, make sure she's ... uncomfortable in the dungeon. You both did well today." He told them, but said nothing else as he sat upon his bed now and looked out, unhappy at the snow which was outside but was now too tired to do anything about it. He would pay her back, but not tonight.... not tonight.

~*~

The next morning came, and Shido got up quite slowly. He scolded the soldiers whom arrived and apologized, but was not extremely harsh upon them. The sorceress was the perfect assassin for them, as he told them to guide Rika and Summer to the banquet hall for their feast, and allow them to roam the castle, allowing the library and other rooms to them as he decided to go himself down to the dungeon in order to meet with Selene. Hopefully, they had removed all her weapons and armor, put her in peasants clothing and placed her upon the wall for him, with a dark circle behind her. After all, a cage would be too much room for such a dangerous sorceror. No, eagle position to keep her limbs and her hands from doing anything, and the circle to sap away what would remain of her magic.

He arrived and ordered the guards to toss her with warm water, hopefully to wake her up and make her uncomfortable as he watched her carefully, before ordering the guards outside and to make sure no one came in, especially Rika.
 
Selene began struggling when he heard Shido order Rika to drain her mana. Summer had to pull the knife slightly away to keep from hurting Selene by accident. Rika, taking most of the mana that Selene had and draining her completely until Selene was too weak to fight against Summer who was comparably much smaller than her, was able to break up of the temporary freeze that Selene had placed on her. She also shattered the wall that separated them with a single touch, surprising even herself. Rika's eyes returned to the same ice blue hue that they were before she was sworn in as part of the Dark Court. The warrior tattoos on her back remained and the seal of the Dark Court was still upon her neck.

Rika moved forward, nudging Summer away from her sister and Summer obliged, dropping the knife and using the powers that she had remaining, melted it until it could do no more harm. Selene did not fight or was too tired to as Rika tied her hands up with vines that shot out from the palm of her hand. Summer rushed off and returned with guards who brought Selene down to the dungeon.

~*~

Rika had wanted to visit her sister but she knew she'd have to ask permission from Shido first. The guards had informed her that he had some business to attend to and must not be disturbed so Rika had no choice but to go to the feast and have dinner. The nobles of the Dark Court had gotten used to Rika's presence on the table and was genuinely surprised when Summer joined them. Summer had been eating in her room for the past few weeks after she had asked Shido to be alone.

"How is your sister?" Summer asked, curiously as they ate.

"I don't know." Rika shrugged her shoulders. Rika worried about her sister and she could only hope that Shido would not harm her in any way.

"I'm sorry," Summer mumbled, looking down at her plate. "I knew you had to follow King Shido's orders because you were bound to him. But I'm not and I could have let your sister go. But she would kill King Shido and he's the only one who knew my father well enough."

"I understand." Rika replied dryly then quickly finished her food so that she could go outside to have a walk around the castle. Summer, on the other hand, still could not leave the castle because of the collar that remained around her neck. Instead, she contented herself with staying in the library, looking for anything written about her father.

Meanwhile, Selene had awakened from the warm water that had been tossed at her. Her arms and legs were spread wide and the circle behind her took all her energy away, making her quite tired. Selene had been a sickly child when she was younger and she did not have any powers. It was partly the reason why Rika was so protective of her. However, when her powers came, Selene became much stronger. Now that her powers were drained, her skin paled considerably and her entire frame was slouched.

The peasant's dress that she wore was itchy and vile. But she could not use magic to restore it. She looked up only to see Shido and she sneered at him. "If you think I will join this court of yours, you are mistaken. You may have tricked my sister into joining your court and that Summer was too naive to resist, but I will not be fooled. I'd be dead sooner than you can make me join your court or bind myself to you." Even talking took too much out of Selene and she had to fight to remain conscious.
 
He watched Selene carefully, finding her very different than the confident strong girl whom was in his room just hours earlier, threatening to kill him. Oh no, she seemed much weaker now as he moved close to her, watching as she sneered enjoying her clear defiance despite the position he put her in. "You're putting up as much as a fight as your sister did you know. I didn't trick her though, she fell and succumbed all on her own. She was too confident of her own powers as a warrior, but you won't be making such a deal with me now would you?" He asked as he placed his hand on her skin and raised it up a little, his smile very clear before he slapped her hard on the face.

"Of course, a girl like you wouldn't do at all. All your magic is bound to the ice isn't it? A sorceress, even worse than your sister a warrior. Tell me, what sorts of secrets do you hide within your body hmm? How many spells of death, deep veins of magic are within you? It's been a long time since we've had a prisoner in this castle as potent as yourself. Would you believe me, if I told you that even the deepest spells within you can be tapped by us Dark Elves?" He asked, wondering what she thought of that. He knew that her very own Winter Elves were the most feared of sorcerers. From a young age their bodies themselves bound to their magic, as it flowed through them in a density and power like no other. Rumor had it of course, that it was they within their own bodies created new strains of magic, and were able to perform 'miracles'. Just a rumor of course, but he intended to see if he could tease such a confession from her.
 
As a sorceress, Selene had always been able to protect herself even from physical harm. But with her powers blocked, the pain of Shido's slap felt like it would bruise. "I will not make a deal with you. I will never make a deal with you. And once I get out of this place, I will finish what I started and I will kill you." She laughed weakly. "I don't know if you noticed but Rika had a moment of doubt and your power over her lessened. All I had to do was remind her who I was. Are you going to push it that hard, Shido? If you try to break me, do you really think you'd still have power over her then? She will fight you and this time, she'll be smart enough not to accept another duel with you."

Selene was half-bluffing and half-telling the truth. She wasn't entirely sure if her bond with her sister was strong enough to surpass the magical oath that Rika took but she had hope that it would. Her doubt, however, did not show in her voice as she glared at Shido. She had many spells and powers that she had learned through the years. Spells that would be dangerous when placed in the wrong hands. It could spell disaster and even the end of the world that they knew. If Shido was able to acquire this, Selene could not be assured that he would not use it to be the end of the Summer and Winter courts, along with the human aspect in the world. Selene's magic was one of the most powerful for it was born from their mother's bloodline and came about with years and years of study. It was true that she could do magic that no one in any of the courts could do but she would not let Shido in on that secret. "Why don't you ask my sister?" She taunted him. "You can bring her down here. Let's see who she will side with."

It was a trick. Selene knew that Rika would not reveal the secrets that they had kept. Like their parents, the Halestorms were sworn to be the protectors of the Neigeux. They were bound to this promise as Rika was bound to her oath to Shido. However, Selene and Rika's bond were much stronger which meant Rika would keep the secret no matter how many times Shido orders her to tell him.
 
He chuckled a little as she continued to tell him her secrets, even if she was just bluffing, he was learning more and more about her with every word she spoke to him. He listened as she continued to taunt him, asking him to bring Rika down and to have a little test of power. However, if she was so confident about this, then he was quite wary. After all, she must know something he did not, and since it was until a couple of hours ago that he had leanred that Rika even had a sister, it bothered him she was able to keep her a secret from him. "You know what? We'll bring her down soon enough, when we start with you. But I'm not going to give her a choice on who to side with. If you two have such a strong connection, I won't need to coerce her to bond with you."

He smiled as he ordered the guards to find Rika and bring her down. Sure, he doubted that she would want to see, or hear what he was about to do to her poor sister, but currently, he was going to do anything possible to make Selene uncomfortable, and he had the perfect dark spell himself, although mostly useless in many cases, would work perfectly if the two sisters were in sync. After all, their relationship would be much different now that Rika was a Dark/Winter hybrid. Of course, it would put her oath to him to the test, but he had confidence that what he would ask of her would not cross the line.
 
Rika had been roaming the grounds aimlessly until one of the guards found her, telling her that Shido was calling for her in the dungeons. She found her way down there, entering the door as soon as the guards let her past. She thought that Selene would be kept in the cages like she and Summer had been but she found her sister, shackled to the walls and in a weak state. She stopped short, looking at Shido then back at Selene. An urge to take care of her sister took over her but she held back, glancing at Shido.

"My lord..." Rika stared at Selene, unsure why she was called. She drew closer to Selene, touching her sister's cheek. "I'm sorry. I want to help you but you know I can't. The oath..."

"The oath is like any other you've taken. Remember, you took an oath with the Winter Queen and it broke the moment you left the court. You can break it or it can be broken by an outside force." Selene knew that what she was saying was applicable to both oaths that Rika took, one with Shido and one with Selene. She was treading on dangerous waters, knowing that it could be fully possible that the promise to keep the Neigeux secret would be broken and she would be done for.

Rika stepped away from her, knowing exactly what Selene was talking about. "King Shido... my sister..." She turned to Shido with a desperate look on her face. "Please... it is the one thing I will ask for. Please, let her go."
 
He watched as Rika came in and went over to her sister and they spoke quietly, speaking of Oaths and how she would be able to break his somehow. He didn't like that they were talking like this, not at all. However, he wasn't going to really be asking her to break any oaths. He didn't want to intrude upon any secrets between the two, nor was he going to coerce anything out of her. Rather, he was just going to administer punishment, and it would be poor Rika whom would be doing the administration. Too bad, that desperate look on her face almost made him change his mind but instead he held steadfast.

"Rika dear, your sister tried to kill me last night. No honorable fight, no nothing. She was going to slay me in my sleep, an assassin. Letting her go is no option, and you know that. In fact, her stay here is going to be long and painful, and the only way she'd to be let go, is to the afterlife. Now, I want you to follow my instructions very carefully understood?" He told her before he moved and pulled her away from Selene as he now only whispered to her.

"Synergize with your sister. Allow and open bond, share your magic and your feelings." He whispered to her, before he moved to allow her back towards her sister. He was sure if Selene realized what would be going on, she would attempt to get her sister to stop, but he wasn't sure that Rika knew what he was planning. After all, Synergizing was quite common for those attempting to enter battle together, and kept their minds linked, and made them more effective. However... now that Rika was a dark elf, and her oath to him was absolute... the Synerization would allow him to abuse such a link between the two.
 
"But she can become a member of your court. You will do that, Selene, won't you?" Rika turned to her, panic in her eyes as she touched her sister's cheek. "We can fight together again... like we used to, remember?"

"I won't do it. Not ever." Selene growled, then nodded her head at her sister. "Do what he says. You know you have to. We've done it before. You know exactly how to do it."

Rika sighed then stepped away from her sister, standing next to Shido. She opened the connection with her sister. The weakness seemed to overpower Rika's own strength and she faltered. Releasing a bit of power, she fed it to her sister. She needed to be strong for what was to come and she saw Selene straighten from where she was bound.

Thanks. Selene's voice seemed distant to Rika. It was different from what they had before. Maybe it was the fact that Rika was different from who she was before. Whatever it was, it was unsettling how weak her inner voice was.

"My lord, please..." Rika begged once more. "Don't make me hurt my sister."
 
"You won't even need to touch her if you don't want to." But of course, he was giving her a little look ahead to what was to come. He watched as Selene straighened up a little, as he smiled. Oh yes, feed her a little of your magic, because now that they were together.... He watched as they soon became quite attuned with each other, even moreso than normal because of their kinship and their actual relationship with each other. However, this only meant what he was about to do to Rika would affect Selene so much more, as he moved right behind Rika, and placed his hand upon the top of her head.

He began to whisper now, as he began to turn her invert and activate her normally passive dark magic. Many dark elven warriors were able to do some of this, it was almost like shooting adrenline directly into themselves, and letting them let go of certain morales and such in order to do what needed to be done. However, since he was an outside party, and was doing this extremely rapidly... her whole body would soon be brimming with this active dark magic, turning her into a savage, reverting her to primal instincts and to perhaps forget the sister in front of her, but see nothing but that which could bleed.

Of course, this synergization would also affect Selene quite a bit. Although the madness might only be trickledown from Rika, her body would quickly attempt to reject the dark magic which would overflow into her system, as it would wreak havoc upon her.
 
Rika looked at her sister, knowing that somehow she would be hurting her sister. But as Shido placed his hand over her head and the dark magic that had been growing ever since she became part of the Dark Court suddenly felt like they were coursing through her veins. Her eyes glazed over and as Selene looked at her sister's eyes, she hardly recognized her anymore. The trained, ruthless Rika had been changed into a woman that would go berserk at a snap of a finger.

It wasn't long before Selene's last worry was the crazy look in her sister's eyes. The dark magic began to slowly seep into her system and the Winter magic in her tried to expel it, causing her so much pain as the insides of her body felt like it were exploding. Selene's screams were horrendous. The guards outside were tempted to look inside to see what was happening but knew better than to interrupt what the king was doing. Minutes passed and Selene's screams continued until her voice grew hoarse. Her body shook with the pain that she was feeling inside and she struggled with the shackles that held her until her wrists began to bleed as she was pulling on the shackles so hard.

"Rika, Rika, STOP! Please stop." Selene shrieked at her sister but Rika didn't seem to be listening. She couldn't cut her sister off because she didn't have any powers that could. All she could do was beg her sister to stop. "Rika, I can't..." She started screaming again as Rika reacted to Selene's voice, as if recognizing it.

"No... no..." Rika's hands went to hair as she seemed to be trying to pull it out. She fell to her knees and Selene stopped screaming. Rika had cut the connection between her and her sister. "I can't, I can't. Shido, please..." She touched his feet, begging him to stop. If he ordered her to re-connect with her sister, she'd be forced to do it again. She looked at Selene and she was slumped over, sobbing softly.
 
He watched as Selene continued to scream and as he increased it, enjoying every minute that the poor girl was being tortured by him. however, it was very unsatisfying to see Rika continue to react to her sister's pleas, as Rika pulled at him and begged him to stop. He watched as even she began to sob, and he rolled his eyes. "Oh? And I suppose you have a better punishment for her... she is a murderer Rika, and she's not going to be allowed to get away with it you know. Remake the connection." He told her as he awaited Rika to obey, so that he could continue to torture her.

Of course, this was really only the beginning. There was much more and different methods of getting things from her to come. He hoped that she had some information to trade with him, perhaps for a day's worth of no torture, or perhaps for some of her freedoms back. But if she didn't, and continued to say that she would never join his court, and to insult him then... he would give her nothing but the treatment of a prion er and one whom has committed the highest evil, assassination attempt.
 
Rika sobbed but got to her feet. She couldn't see her sister's face but could see the tired demeanor... like she had been tortured for days and not for just a few minutes. "I was a murderer too, much worse than her. I should be punished more than she does. She never succeeded in killing you. Is this truly the price she has to pay for a failed attempt?" She knew she had no choice. The mark on her neck required her to re-connect with her sister. And that she did... tried anyway. Rika could not find her. "She's gone."

"She's... dead..." Rika put her hand over her mouth, fighting the tears that now came to her eyes. Her sister had died and it was because of her. Rika rushed forward, gingerly touching her sister's pale skin but was relieved to find that she was still breathing in shallow unnoticeable breaths. Suddenly, Selene lifted her head. Her eyes glazed over. It seemed that the mixture of powerful dark magic and powerful winter magic within her had a strange effect. Selene cackled and Rika, terrified, went back to Shido's side, staring at her sister. She had never seen her sister look like that.

"The Dark King truly has put himself in a strange predicament. Three women to choose from. Three women that hold great power in her hands." Selene laughed once more, throwing her head back as she did. "Choose the wrong ones and it would bring us death. Choose the right one and it would bring us peace. But who will the Dark King choose?" Selene's shoulders shook uncontrollably as she chuckled. She spoke again in a sing-song voice, not looking at anyone in particular like she was talking to herself. "Who is the right one? Nobody knows... nobody but me..."

Selene's head slumped over once more and Rika stepped forward, seeing her sister's head fall to the side. Her eyes were closed but she was still breathing. "Do you still want me to re-connect with her?" Rika asked softly. Selene seemed to be lucid again and she turned her head to look in their direction but she did not speak. Her eyes were trained on Shido like she was trying to figure something out.
 
He watched as she looked like she was going crazy, but he had a feeling that what was happening was no crazy talk. When he spoke to him as the dark king, and began to laugh and cackle, he listened to what she had to say. one will bring upon death, and the other peace? No no... she said three... does that mean the prophecy counted her? That was a little strange of course but... there wasn't a doubt that he could possibly decide if she was the most powerful of the three. He looked back to Rika when she asked if he wanted her to reconnect before he shook her head.

"No no... however, I would like to hear what she has to say for herself. After all... she knows whom would bring peace hmm? Or perhaps you'd like me to choose a girl whom would bring death." He asked as he moved closer to her as his hand moved to grip her chin, pinching her cheeks a little as he watched her carefully. He hadn't heard a prophesy in a long time, much less be in a room where one was being given.
 
Rika also moved close, curiously peering at her sister. She looked exhausted and the cuts on her wrists didn't look pretty at all. Selene gazed blankly up at Shido, her eyes gazing up at him. Rika put her hand on Shido's arm, not really trying to pull her away from Selene but more on forcing him to look at her. "She's never done that before. If it truly is a prophecy, she may not understand it herself. She's tired and it's not gonna help if you keep her like this." Rika gnawed at her bottom lip as she glanced at Selene. She was still staring at Shido with unbelieving eyes. "She can stay in my room. She won't leave my sight. You can trust me."

Selene spoke before Shido had his answer for Rika. "I am not stupid, King Shido. Allowing you to choose death would mean I, and everybody else on this world, will perish. Nobody would survive, especially not you. You will be the first to go." She smirked though her face looked extremely exhausted. "As for the identity of the right bride, I only have clues to her identity and I have not seen either of them in Rika or Summer. I believe these clues have yet to happen but I will know after I've seen them."

"What are these clues?" Rika asked.

"I will not dare say." Selene looked at Shido with satisfaction in her eyes. "The identity of the right bride would be mine to keep secret. I will only share this information for a price that I have not determined yet. My first demand, however, would be my freedom from this dungeon." She paused then addressed Shido. "You may torture me if you wish but you'd sooner kill me than break me into revealing this secret and therefore, increasing the chances of you choosing the wrong bride. What would it be, King Shido?"
 
He watched as now that she had something to attempt to leverage him with, she began to use it against him. However, this was one subject that he and the Winter Queen were very solid upon. He didn't enjoy having things used against him, however he looked to Rika now as she continued to attempt to get Selene out. However, he wasn't going to just take this. Even if it were a true prophesy, Selene had as much to lose as him... and because she's the only one with the information, she could just be bluffing him.

"I think that you're going to stay down here and that nothing is going to change. Knowing what's in the future is quite nice, but it is in fact my choice in any case. You're not going to get your freedom, in fact... I'm going to make sure you continue to just get more uncomfortable. If death is what it's going to come down to, it will be you whom has not saved this world with your premonition, not me." He told her as he moved in order to exit the room. "Come Rika, leave her alone here. Guards, make sure she stays uncomfortable hmm?" He asked before he left, and the guards moved aside and waited for RIka to exit before beginning some 'therapy' upon Selene, including shocks and other torture attempts, only to hurt her nor for information, but just to hurt her.

~*~

It was the nighttime, after he had once again sent both Rika and Summer to their rooms before he went down to the dungeon again, this time since he was without Rika, he'd perhaps, have a chance to strike a deal with the Selene. After all, he was a little interested, but she would not be able to change his mind so easily.
 
"You think I would lie to you, Shido." Selene chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You think I can lie to you with my sister standing next to you. She knows everything. She's the one person I can lie to you. You can ask her. She knows that I'm telling the truth." She sighed then looked at him, directly in the eye. "Very well, Shido. Keep me here for as long as you like. But if you're guards kill me, even by accident, you will never know."

Rika trailed back, looking worriedly at Selene. Selene only smiled weakly at her sister, "Go ahead, Rika. I will be fine. You don't have to take care of me." Rika sighed and nodded her head, stroking her sister's cheek before running after Shido. Wordlessly, they walked back up to the main floor of the castle.

The day flew by with Rika mostly sulking in her room or around the castle apart from mealtimes. Summer spent most of the day in the library. She hadn't found much on her father but she did find a good book that she read. She set it aside so she could return to it at a later date. At the dinner feast, Rika ate quietly and quickly. Summer's mood had changed since she had started joining them during the feasts. She tried to talk to the people around them but they weren't too receptive, only nodding politely to indicate that they heard her. After dinner, everybody retired to their beds, including Summer. Rika, on the other hand, had no choice but to stay in her room. She could not sleep and spent the entire night, tossing and turning. She knew she wouldn't get a good night's rest without knowing her sister would be safe.

~*~

Selene knew that it was Shido before he entered the room. His power was palpable and even in her drained state, she knew that it was him. "Have you come to hurt me again, Shido? I see you did not bring my sister with you. I'm betting she's not really happy with you right now."

Selene was still chained to the wall but the guards had moved her from place to place earlier. The dress she wore had been tattered, looking worse than it already was. She had several cuts on their back from where they whipped her. Her wrists and ankles also had numerous cuts and the color had turned purple from bruising. The shocks were what drained her the most. Her muscled ached and her voice was hoarse. They left her alone when she passed out but kept coming back whenever she woke up. This was the first time she woke up that the guards did not come by to torture her again.
 
Kai found her to be as he wished. Her tattered clothes and cuts along her body as he had wanted it, as he moved close to her before he also touched her cheek. "Well, I guess that depends on what you mean by that hmm? No, I decided to leave Rika behind this time, she's unhappy only because you're choosing to be so stubborn. Now, why don't we speak about this prophesy of yours hmm? I'll even let you off of your chains." He told her as he moved and released her, allowing her to fall to the ground before him, hoping that she would be okay.

He wished he could have Summer here and heal her bruising and such, then again... he bet if he fed her a little magic she could heal herself... but that was a little dangerous indeed. "You spoke of three, I'm guessing that means that yourself was included in the prophesy no? Now, that would mean that either I'd have to force you to be my bride, or you're going to do so yourself hmm?" He asked, attempting to illicit a reaction fro mher.
 
Selene fell to the ground as he released her. She pushed herself up, groaning as she felt her muscles ache as she did. She sat up and leaned against the wall behind her, uncaring that she was still pressed up against the seal. Even if the seal didn't hinder her magic, it would be too dangerous to attempt anything in her weakened state. "My sister is used to me being stubborn. After all, she is as stubborn as I am. But you found your way around that, making sure she'd obey you. But you saw earlier today that you don't have complete control over her. She can stop if she wishes it badly enough."

"If you were to pick me as your bride, I would not need a premonition to tell me that I am the wrong choice. I will go through great lengths, even to the point of killing every single elf on this word, just so I would not share my bed with you." Selene sneered at him. "But yes, the third person I saw was myself."

Selene looked up at him, frowning slightly. There had been three clues that were given to her about the identity of the right bride. All of them so difficult to imagine. The first clue of all was the most difficult to think of. She didn't tell him about the clues though. Instead, she talked about the outcome. "Choosing the wrong person would anger another. And since you've been feeding Summer and Rika with great power and I have powers of my own to speak of, I only saw the world of Fey wiped out. I did not know how. I did not know why. It was just gone. If you choose the right person, I foresaw peace. The end of the war and a start of a new chapter in the land of they Fey."
 
He chuckled down to her before he patted her on the cheek as he now moved and pinned her against the wall. "Oh Selene dear, I don't need to marry you to get you to share my bed. Now that you're so weak... I'm not even sure you'd be able to resist." He told her as his fingers began to slowly flow magic into her, however this time it was turning into something similar to what he had used on Rika during their fight. This wasn't just some spell that would just affect her body though. Oh no, he knew that she could very easily dispell something like that. He was now actually feeding it into her, so that her body would flow and eminate it.

"Don't worry. I have plenty of time to choose a bride. maybe you can see a clue in this hmm?" He asked as he continue to force it to flow through her. He wanted to see how good her will was. Whether she could continue to reject him, or rather... how much tim euntil her body overrode her. Hopefully, she might turn that magic to heal herself too, but whatever the case may be, He was going to have Selene tonight, and he knew that that would be as bad as any other physical torture he could give her.
 
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