Hope's heart raced as she and Ralina stood at the threshold of the imposing multistorey house. The neighbourhood’s reputation preceded it—this was the notorious area her classmates had warned her about. She remembered Lina's hushed tones, advising her to steer clear of the southern end of the merchants' sector, especially buildings with windows marked by red flags or painted stripes. Such signs symbolized the domain of the Burnt Rose, an underworld syndicate that lurked in the shadows of the city. Lina had been scant on details, but the tremor in her voice when mentioning the Burnt Rose was enough for Hope to grasp the gravity of their situation.

The door creaked open, and the dimly lit interior beckoned them inside. The acrid scent of cheap ale mixed with the undercurrents of hushed conversations and nervous laughter. Hope felt the weight of her confiscated Akanam handle's absence and shot a sidelong glance at the warden leading them. This man, responsible for stealing her cherished possession, now introduced himself with a smirk.

"Warden Barkley, at your service," he drawled, his eyes roaming over Hope and Ralina with ill-disguised intent. "You ladies are in for a long stay here. The establishment's recently come under new management and a change in purpose. Welcome to the 'Wilted Rose'. You could say it's a... unique tavern."

Hope felt a sharp sensation, her senses alert. She and Ralina shared a fleeting, anxious look. The cold touch of their iron collars was a chilling reminder of their futility. Watching Ralina's barely contained rage, Hope was certain that if not for those restraints, Ralina would unleash her full Felren power on the wardens. However, the collars not only bound them but also posed a deadly threat. If Ralina transformed, the enormity of her Felren form would strain against the collar, and the unforgiving grip of the iron would crush her in an instant.

As they walked, the plush red carpets muffled their footsteps as Hope and Ralina were led deeper into the heart of the 'Wilted Rose.' Shadows danced on the walls from the dim torchlight, casting eerie reflections of the many closed doors they passed.

Barkley suddenly halted and pulled out a crumpled sheet of parchment. "Seems I have a note here from someone you might know," he said, his voice dripping with amusement.

Hope's heart skipped a beat as he began to read aloud. "By order of the house of Norcas, I pass judgment onto the following three…" He paused, a frown creasing his brow. "Seems we're one short. A shame, really. I was looking forward to the full set."

Rage simmered in Hope's chest as she realized the note's origin. Marcella. The pettiness of their university rivalry seemed so distant now, yet Marcella's spite had forced them here.

Barkley continued, "As I've said before, these three are unfit to taint the hallowed halls of our esteemed University. Given my respected position and impeccable judgment, I hereby place them in a setting suitable for their true status."

Before he could continue, a bone-chilling scream from a girl echoed down the hallway. The warden paused, his twisted smile indicating he relished the sound of suffering. Hope's hands clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms. She had to find a way out. For herself, for Ralina, and for the third member of their trio who had somehow evaded this fate.

Yet with their hands bound by chains there was little either of them could do but wait for the right chance.

Barkley's voice oozed malice as he continued reading, "The good news is that every penny you girls earn will go toward the damages you inflicted on the righteous members of my esteemed sector."

“Every what?” Ralina spat.

“We didn’t even do anything…” Hope added.

Ralina's face twisted with disgust, and she spat defiantly on the plush carpet. In a swift motion, Barkley’s metal gauntlet collided with her cheek, the sound echoing through the hallway. Hope's heart raced; she felt each vibration through the carpeted floor.

“Stop it!” she cried.

But Ralina, displaying her remarkable resilience, maintained her stance, growling lowly in response.

The warden chuckled darkly, his eyes glinting with anticipation. "Oh, you have spirit," he sneered at Ralina. "I can't wait to break you."

The acidic taste of bile rose in Hope's mouth, her stomach roiling with a mix of fear and rage. But she swallowed it down, forcing herself to remain calm. She tries to remain calm by remembering Master Parlin's teachings about the spiritual world, how one couldn't just seize control. Instead, they needed to flow with the spirits, understanding and respecting their nature.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

She wondered if that flow extended to her link with the Akanam handle, and mentally reach out but felt nothing in return.

As the two girls were herded towards a service desk, an old woman sat behind it. Her skin was sallow and sagging, her eyes vacant as they stared out from deep sockets, seemingly lost in some distant memory or perhaps resigned to her current existence. The ambiance of the 'Wilted Rose' seemed to have drained the very life out of her.

Hope locked eyes with the woman, searching for some hint of recognition, empathy, or even a flicker of resistance. Anything that could offer them a sliver of hope in this bleak situation but there was nothing.

Barkley's eyes darted between Hope and Ralina, weighing his options. The predatory glint in his gaze made Hope's skin crawl, and she found herself instinctively stepping closer to Ralina for protection.

Suddenly, an idea sparked in Ralina's eyes, her voice trembling but filled with defiance, she spoke, "If you're thinking of taking us somewhere, we're not going anywhere without each other."

Barkley tilted his head thoughtfully, casting a glance down the hallway where another warden leaned against a wall, watching them intently. "Need a moment, Gregor!" Barkley shouted to him, smirking at Ralina's proposal. "Two at once could be..."

He then turned to the old woman behind the desk. "What room's free, Marge?"

With a sigh that betrayed her weariness, Marge replied, "Third floor, room 312."

Barkley grinned, taking a moment to let his eyes roam over the two girls before him. Marge's voice sharpened as she added, "And remember, Barkley, don't break the merchandise."

His smirk widened, revealing a hint of yellowed teeth. "No promises," he retorted, relishing the terror he imagined was building up inside his two new 'guests'.

The creaky wooden steps echoed ominously as Warden Barkley herded Hope and Ralina up the narrow staircase of the establishment. Each step they took seemed heavier than the last, the air thick with tension and the weight of unspoken threats.

Reaching the third floor, the atmosphere seemed worse, with dim sconces lining the hallway, casting eerie, dancing shadows on the walls. Barkley guided them to Room 312, its door worn and slightly ajar, hinting at many who had been through its threshold. Hope could hear the faint murmurings of voices from other rooms and the muffled cries that sent shivers down her spine.

Pushing the door open with his boot, Barkley revealed a room trapped in time – an ornate, albeit dilapidated, four-poster bed sat in the centre, with faded tapestries on the walls. It might have been regal once, but now it bore the stench of despair.

He gestured with a wicked grin for Ralina to get on the bed. As he focused on securing her, Hope's eyes darted around the room, searching for any means of defence or escape, yet there was none in sight.

Dust motes floated lazily in the weak light. Hope’s mind wandered trying to escape the horror recalling her conversation with Farlen. "There's a disease spreading through the land, one that infects the mind and heart."

Now, Hope could see the truth in his words as she observed Barkley's actions. The warden, embodying the very darkness Farlen spoke of. Barkley tightened Ralina's chains with a predatory gleam in his eyes. Ralina, her usually fierce attitude now replaced with caution, eyed Barkley with silent defiance. Every ounce of her being screamed that she wouldn't be broken easily.

Hope's heart raced as she frantically searched the room for a means of escape.

The warden pulled Ralina’s legs apart and with a smirk unfastened his belt and kicked off his pants haphazardly. Ralina then did something the warden wasn’t expecting. She smiled.

Hope's heart pounded as she lunged, her fingers swiftly grasped the green glinting handle from the discarded pants. It’s cool metal sent a surge of determination through her. Barkley paused, confusion clouding his features. But that split-second of indecision gave Hope all the advantage she needed.

"Ralina," she whispered, her voice charged with urgency and fear. With a quick manoeuvre, she moulded the living metal. A long, shimmering blade sprung forth, its sharpness evident even in the dimly lit room.

Barkley's eyes widened in shock, realizing too late the danger he'd unknowingly delivered to Hope. Ralina used the moment to her advantage, delivering a swift kick to the warden's groin. Groaning in pain, Barkley staggered backward.

Hope advanced, blade gleaming menacingly. And with a ferocity that even surprised Ralina plunged the Akanam blade into his chest.

The warden, panic evident in his eyes, struggled against the blade. As he squirmed gasping for life, Ralina and Hope exchanged glances.

Ralina's voice trembled, "The moment the book touched my skin, I heard a voice."

Hope's attention snapped back to the present as the warden collapsed, his face ashen and drained.

"I heard it too," Hope admitted, her voice edged with wonder.

Ralina's eyes shimmered with emotion. "It was my mother's voice, reminding me that those chosen to restore the balance will always find themselves surrounded by fire."

Hope let the words sink in. Their journey, rife with challenges and hurdles. Ralina’s words made sense, especially Karn's particular habit of getting into trouble. She bent down, swiftly searching through the fallen warden’s pockets for the key – the one thing that could free them both from their chains. Clutching the iron between her fingers, she hurriedly unlocked Ralina's shackles and her own collar.

Ralina, now free, scanned the room, determination burning in her eyes. "Our presence here, in this foul corner of the city... I feel it's no coincidence."

Hope straightened, sensing Ralina's conviction. "So, what's the plan? Burn it all down?"

Ralina met her gaze, nodding firmly. "Exactly."