Chapter 1: It’s Her

Isis felt numb. So numb he couldn’t even feel pain. He had lost count of how many lashes had struck his back while his hands and feet were chained. He knelt in the center of the punishment hall, silent, motionless, yet fully conscious.

Why hadn’t he passed out? What had he done wrong this time? He couldn’t remember the rule he broke. His mind was full of pain, anger, guilt, and confusion. Madness crept in slowly, taking his sanity bit by bit.

He wanted to scream, to call for help, but he didn’t. He had been taught never to beg. He was taught to be above everyone.

Another punishment would come. And he was tired. Tired of being punished for simply existing. Tired of being an obedient dog. Tired of trying to be a good brother. Tired of being a monster. Tired of pretending.

“I’m just… so tired… of living,” he whispered.

His lips moved, but no sound came as the last lash struck his back.

“I’m sorry,” he heard Colter say softly while removing his chains. “I’m just following orders.”

Isis didn’t answer. Bloodied, he stood and grabbed his jacket to cover his back, walking toward the door.

His feet moved on their own, as if they had a mind of their own, guiding him toward the exit. His head hung low. His body swayed with each step. His mind screamed for the people he loved to come save him, but no one came.

Caius. His brother didn’t care anymore.

“I’m tired…” he whispered, staggering as if drunk.

He didn’t know where he was or how far he had walked from Head Quarters. He could hear voices and footsteps, but he was too weak to lift his head. He kept walking until his body gave out.

He collapsed and lost consciousness.

From time to time, he felt a soft hand on his back and heard a gentle voice. Everything was hazy. He couldn’t see who it was. Was he hallucinating? Was he dying?

If he was dying… maybe that would end his suffering.

He wanted to give up, to be selfish, and die. But Caius… what would happen to his brother? He couldn’t die hated by him.

“I can’t… I can’t die… I can’t…”

But he was tired. So tired of living.

“Someone… please… someone… save me…”

He had been taught not to beg. But now he begged silently, to die and to live at the same time. To die because he had enough, but to live to protect the people he loved.

How could he protect them if he wasn’t there? How could they survive if he disappeared?

“Save me… please… please…” he whispered.

Isis didn’t know if God had heard him. Then a soft voice whispered into his ear, so gentle it felt like an angel:

“It’s okay… you’re going to be alright.”

He wanted to open his eyes, to see the face of the person who spoke. He wanted to hear the words again, but it felt as if he was falling into an endless void. His lungs gasped, and his eyes opened.

White walls. The smell of antiseptic. IV fluids. A hospital gown. He froze. He was in a hospital.

“It’s okay… you’re going to be alright.”

His lips parted in confusion. Was it a dream?

He tried to sit up, to investigate, but Ajax entered the room.

“My Lord!” Ajax shouted, rushing to his side. “Lie down! Your wounds could reopen!”

Isis froze. His back still hurt.

“What… what happened?” he asked weakly.

“You were punished again for breaking a rule. I was in Taiwan when I got the call from the hospital,” Ajax said, sitting beside him. “I’m listed as your emergency contact, so they called me. The doctor said you lost a lot of blood. You were unconscious for three days.”

Isis clenched his fists. “Did anyone come for me while I was out?”

Ajax shook his head. Of course. His friends were busy.

“Don’t worry. I’m the only one who knows you’re here, and I’ve kept it quiet,” Ajax said.

Isis stared at the ceiling. “If I lost so much blood, why am I still alive? I wasn’t brought here by the hospital.”

“They brought you,” Ajax said.

Isis’ eyes widened. “Who?”

“Two old men,” Ajax explained. “They gave you first aid before bringing you here. They stopped the bleeding just enough to save you.”

So it wasn’t a woman. But the soft voice repeated in his mind: “It’s okay… you’re going to be alright.”

Isis exhaled sharply. “Did anything happen while I was unconscious?”

After a pause, Ajax said, “Your father is here. He arrived this morning.”

Isis’ body went cold. Anger or fear? He didn’t know. “Why is he here?”

Before Ajax could answer, the door opened. His father entered, face colder than ice.

Isis knew what was coming. He forced himself to stand, despite the pain.

“Father…”

A hard slap hit his face. Then another. And another. He lost count.

“Is this how a noble acts? You’re the boss of Asia! Act like it!” His father hissed. “Be careful! Hospitals are forbidden! Mind your surroundings, imbecile!”

Isis didn’t flinch. He was used to it. “Lo siento, Pap. I’ll take responsibility.”

“You better!” His father turned to Ajax. “You will be lashed fifty times for letting this happen.”

Isis wanted to beg for Ajax, but he knew it would only make things worse. “I accept any punishment, sire,” Ajax said, bowing.

Isis let Ajax guide him out of the room. He had no strength to pretend he was strong. In that moment, he felt weaker and more useless than ever.

“Your brother, Caius,” Ajax said quietly, “has been posing as you for the past three days, following your father’s orders.”

Isis stayed silent. “I’m slowly accepting that I may have lost him,” he whispered. “I’ve searched for him for five years. I did my best, but maybe it’s not enough. I’m tired… so tired.”

“My Lord…” Ajax started.

“I have friends, but they don’t know the real me. If they did… I don’t think they would accept me.”

Ajax stayed silent. Isis exhaled, letting himself sink back. “Go. Leave. Prepare for your punishment. I’m sorry I can’t protect you. Forgive me.”

Ajax nodded. “There’s nothing to forgive. Whatever punishment I face, I accept fully. It’s an honor to serve you.”

Isis smiled faintly as Ajax left. Then the voice again: “It’s okay… you’re going to be alright.”

Was it real? A dream? Hallucination? Why did it calm him so much? He had to find out. But for now, exhaustion took over. He slept, finally able to rest.

Hours later, he awoke, sensing someone at the edge of his bed. Lunatic? Ajax? No. He realized…

It was Caius.

Before he could open his eyes, his brother left. Isis wanted to stop him, to explain, but what could he say? That he was still weak? That nothing had changed even as leader of Asia? That he was still a loser in his father’s eyes? Caius already knew.

“It’s okay… you’re going to be alright.”

The voice haunted him. He had to know who it was. Something must have happened before he was taken to the hospital. He had to find out… fast.

Two days later, Isis confirmed with the old men that no woman had been there. Disappointment washed over him, but the voice remained in his mind.

His feet had unconsciously walked toward Bachelor’s Village. Maybe home. He stopped at a newly opened café, hoping for cake to ease the disappointment.

“Good afternoon,” said the woman behind the counter. “Welcome to Brew Haven’s Café.”

Isis nodded, expressionless, eyes scanning the cakes. Chocolate. Mocha. Vanilla. Purple Yam.

Just as he was about to order, he heard children begging nearby. Dirty, thin kids asking for food. He was about to call Kane when a woman appeared from the “Authorized Personnel Only” room.

Tall, tanned, beautiful, with a radiant smile. She knelt to meet the children’s gaze.

“It’s okay… you’re going to be alright with me. Do you want some cake?”

That voice. Isis’ eyes widened. He whispered:

“It’s her.”