In a cold dark cell, Zara's arms were chained to a wall. She could barely stand as her leg were numb from standing and crouching for so long. And also from the immense pain, she felt all over her body. Pain caused by constant torture.
However, her pain was not only physical but also an inner one, as she was eight and a half months pregnant. She felt pain in her lower abdomen and her v-area. And to add to it, there were injuries all over her body.
After the war eight months ago, Zara and her people were held captive by King Luther, who defeated them in a war and took over their kingdom.
He brutally murdered and tortured her people, making them slaves in their own home...
Zara felt like she would die any time soon. The pain was getting unbearable. And she felt weak and cold. Even amidst her pain, Zara didn't cry. No, she couldn't cry. It was like her tears were all gone and dried up.
Her first five months in the dungeon, were the worst as she was constantly whipped and starved. And to top it off, she lost her husband, the love of her life.
Almost every day, Zara thought of giving up. However, the thought of her people and her baby, kept her going. No matter the pain she had to go through, the constant torture, she was willing to endure it all, for her people and her baby.
Zara had prayed that Carl would return, and save them from captivity, but after five months and he didn't show up, Zara started to slowly lose hope.
...
The sound of footsteps and the rattling of chains drew Zara's attention. She strains her ears, casting her gaze around the dark room. It's been three days since her last torture section, and she wondered if it was time for another section.
Fear crept into Zara's mind, and she started sweating profusely. Her wounds were still fresh, and sore, and She was not sure if she could take the torture this time.
Although she was grateful because unlike before, the torture had reduced.
Soon, she heard the door to her dungeon opening and she felt a presence in her cell. "Who's there?" Zara mumbled in a hoarse and weak voice.
"I see you're still alive," came a curt reply.
Zara didn't need anyone to tell her, who it was. She already knew the person. The same person whom she had welcomed into her home. The same person whom she cared for, treated like a friend and sister. The same one who betrayed and made her a prisoner
Anger and pain surge through Zara. She could still feel the betrayal like it happened just yesterday. She could feel it almost as fresh as the wounds on her body.
"Zara, it's been a long time. I'd have to admit that I have missed you," Myla said, with a hint of amusement in her voice. Like she was mocking Zara.
"Ohh! the room is so dark, I'll be right back Zara," she added, walking out of the cell.
Seconds later, she came back into the cell with a fire touch in her hand, striding toward Zara.
"Tsk Tsk Tsk! You look terrible queen Zara. No no I mean Zara, you are no longer a queen, but a prisoner."
Zara sneered. A scowl plastered on her dirty yet beautiful face. This was the first time since after the war that Myla had come to visit her, and she wondered why. Or maybe it was to mock her. To remind her of how stupid she was. Maybe if she wasn't so kind, she wouldn't have welcomed a stranger into their home. Then maybe all this wouldn't have happened.
For the first time in her life, Zara felt enormous hatred for someone...it's true what they say, being betrayed by someone you loved and trusted, is one of the most painful things in life.
Zara ignored Myla. She didn't see the need to answer someone like her. A traitor!
"Zara, you don't have to talk to me, I only came here to see how you're fairing in your condition!" Myla let out, touching Zara's protruding stomach.
Zara wriggled in her chains, feeling disgusted by having her enemy close by, touching her baby. Her precious baby, even if it was still inside her womb. But what can she do, she was weak and bound in chains...
Myla left minutes later, leaving Zara alone again in her dark-cold cell. "Where are you, Carl?" Zara mumbled, and for the first time after five months, she felt tears welling up in her eyes.
TWO DAYS LATER
King Luther walked into Zara's cell. His head held up high in pride. After all, he had defeated the great king Carl in battle and locked his queen in a dungeon. What no king has been able to do for years, he did it.
Zara opened her weak eyes to look at him. Finally, after five months, she gets to see the face of the horrible man, who took over her nation and tortured her non-stop, without caring about her condition. Without caring about the life growing inside her. The man who brutally murdered hundreds of her people in one day.
"Queen Zara! I must admit that you're a strong woman, but how long can you carry on? Just look at your condition, you're getting worse by day_But I can end it. I can end your suffering if you choose to fall on your knees, and lick my feet. Beg me to take you as my queen. After all, I have all the power," king Luther bragged.
Zara scoffed. "I'll never bend the knee or lick your feet, never! You think you're powerful because you brutally murder and torture people. You think you're a king because you sit on the throne and wear a crown. No! None of that makes you a king. You want to know what a true king is_one who is loved and respected by his people. The one that has the heart of people. But you king Luther, are not that person. The people don't love or respect you, they fear you."
Words could not describe how angry Zara's words made King Luther. His expression darkened, and his eyes flickered with so much anger. Even in her sorry state, she still remained stubborn and defiant. Or maybe it's because he's e been going soft on her, these past few days. Although he didn't want to admit it, he knew Zara was right. And he hated the fact that she was right.
"Queen Zara, I'll make sure you lick my feet. Even if I have to tear you limb by limb. I'll do just that. I'll do whatever it takes to break you, queen Zara."
Fear engulfed Zara, and her heartthrob fast against her chest. For such a man like King Luther, she knew he would go to any extent to keep his word. And she was sacred. How long does she and her people have to keep suffering? What if she licks his feet? There is no guarantee that he would quit killing and torturing her people.
King Luther's lips curved into an evil smirk when he saw her expression. He knew she was scared even if she tries to act strong. And maybe he needed to start breaking her from now.
"Guards! It's time for another torture section for queen Zara."
Zara's screams echoed all over the dungeon. As they trashed, and burn her with metal. The men showed her no mercy, even though she was pregnant. They hit her where ever they wanted, even in her protruding stomach.King Luther watched the scene with content and amusement. It was like Zara's screams of pain, brought him great pleasure. He was excited.Amidst her pain, Zara was more scared for her baby. She was scared of losing it. And at that moment, she could feel her spirit slowly leaving her body, as the pain was so unbearable. 'No, I can't die like this, I can't,' Zara mulled. She knew she was the only hope her people had, so if she had to lose her pride, in other to save them, she was ready to do just that. Besides, what use is pride, if she lost her life.With tears in her eyes, Zara said, "King Luther, I will do whatever you want, I will lick your feet, please spare my life and spare my people." Then she passed out.King Luther was overjoyed. 'It took only a little effort to brea
IN AZRAEL Eight months earlier Ashira, do you think Carl would make it?""I can't give you any assurance king Alan. If the gods are on his side, he might make it. Otherwise, you'll have to prepare a grave for your son-in-law."King Alan and queen Lyarra were saddened by the news. Carl was the only hope of the six nations. Before it was seven nations, but now that king Luther took over his late son's kingdom(Neptune) and Carl's kingdom, merging them into one, it was now six kingdoms.If Carl were to lose his life, what would happen to his queen and his people? The news of King Luther's brutal torture and killing was everywhere, and they knew it was only a matter of time before he attacked their nation. After all, he was now the strongest king in Mercury, and the three kingdoms who were against him, would not be able to stand him even if they were to join forces."Ashira, please you'll have to do whatever it takes to save our son-in-law. You know
They were stunned and gave Carl a look of disbelief. There's no way they would go to Morana(Everton and Neptune) and come back alive. King Luther was surely going to murder them."Carl, you have to reconsider. You can't just match to Morana with five thousand. It's suicide_ King Luther is not someone you can easily defeat even if you take your five thousand men and the whole of Azrael's force.Carl scowled deeply. "Then should I just sit back and watch King Luther brutally murder my people," he rasped, sending shivers down the spine of everyone present.They could tell that Carl was not the same man from eight months back, he was someone else. Someone with a lot of anger and pain inside, so even king Alan and Queen Lyarra filtered their words before they spoke."That's not what we mean Carl, but now is not the right time to go to Morana. King Luther did not just merge Everton and Neptune, he has Nedal and Crystal-Ville at his palm. They are subject state now, and they answer to him. S
Zara and King Luther's wedding was held immediately after she denounced Carl. To the world, she was the wife of King Luther and the queen of Morana, but inside the palace, Zara was nothing more than a slave. "Zara, although we're married, you're still my slave. You're expected to do everything a slave does. And you will only eat the scraps that fall at my feet," King Luther tells her. Zara let out a sad smile, as she sat on the cold floor beside king Luther with an iron collar around her neck. She glanced around the throne room, which now looked like a whore house with her face wrinkled in disgust. She who used to be a queen has been reduced to a state of nothingness and is now been humiliated. Sad tears trickled down Zara's eyes as she blamed her ill fate. 'Maybe I did something bad in my past life, that's why the gods are punishing me,' she pondered, dabbing her hands over her eyes. Although King Luther, kept his word and stopped torturing and killing her people, he still made t
Cold sweats dripped from Zara's forehead, as she walked to king Luther's chamber. She was scared and wondered why he summoned her so late at night. 'Is it because of Zane, or something else?' Zara was grateful that Zane was asleep, else he wouldn't let her go alone, and she didn't want to infuriate king Luther more than he already is. Taking a deep breath, Zara knocked on King Luther's door, dabbing her sweaty palms on her dress nervously. "Come in," came a curt reply, and Zara walked in, bowing her head as she did. "Y...you asked to see me," she stuttered, raising her head slightly to peek at him. King Luther sneered, remembering how the little boy who looked just like her, spoke rudely to him. "Come closer," he tells Zara in a husky voice. Zara took a step closer, her heart throbbing fast against her chest. Yes, she was scared to be in Luther's presence, but she was more scared, knowing that her son was all alone in their small chamber. 'What if something happens to him?' Lu
"Zane," Zara called, running into the chamber. Her heart was beating fast against her chest as she crouched down looking under the bed if he was hiding like he always does. However, he wasn't there.Zara ignored her pain and ran out of the chamber. She didn't care if her clothes were torn, and she looked disheveled. All she cared about was finding her son.'Please, nothing can happen to Zane,' Zara prayed silently as she ran around, restlessly.She didn't know what she would do if she lost the one thing that kept her going. She feared that while King Luther molested her, his daughter Myla might have used the opportunity to get rid of her son.Tears were now streaming continuously out of Zara's eyes, as she got to the hall...She searched for Zane everywhere, but to no avail, she didn't find him. She asked anyone she came across if they saw her son because by now, everyone was awake and going about their usual routine, but no one saw him.Meanwhile, two elderly women could be seen with
The Neela kingdom(Carl's kingdom)"Your Majesty, I don't think it's wise for you to go to Morana. What if King Luther discovers your identity? If he finds out that you're alive, he's going to wreak havoc," One of Carl's councilmen reasoned."Your Majesty, he's right. You have to reconsider."Carl sighed, shutting his eyes for a second. He knew his councilmen were right, but he couldn't wait any longer. He had already waited for four years to free his people from their captor. To liberate them and give them the better life they once had. And throughout the four years, he made himself stronger and raised a powerful army. He endured the pain of being without his love and his family...Although Zara has a child for the enemy and even denounced him, he was not ready to give up on her. He still loves her as much as he did before, if not more. And the main reason he was going to Morana was to get answers and find a way to free his people.Carl opened his eyes, his well-defined face voi
"King of Neela, or should I say, King...?"I'm King Ryker of Neela," Carl declared, his gaze fixed on Zara all the while.'He's the so-called king of Neela,' King Luther pondered, and for some reason, he felt like the masked king was familiar, but he shrugged and walked toward Carl, while Myla followed suit."King Ryker of Neela, it's a pleasure to meet you," King Luther muttered, studying the man in front of him."The pleasure is mine, King Luther," Carl retorted, tilting his gaze to King Luther.A scowl appeared on his face, and his fist curled into a ball as the image of his people replayed in his head. Carl wanted nothing more than to slit king Luther's throat there and then, but he knew the consequences of doing so. However, it was not the right time."King Ryker, this is my daughter Myla," King Luther pointed to Myla, who walked seductively toward Carl with a huge smile on her face Although the man in front of her was wearing a mask, she knew that he was handsome, seeing as he