“Hng,” I groaned, reluctant to leave the depths of sleep, especially with how I felt the cold biting air against my face. As my consciousness grew stronger and more alert, I noticed a faint light through my closed eyelids.

“May I sleep in today?” I mumbled, believing that it was my personal maid, Eliza coming to wake me like she always did. The warmth of sleep clung to me as I fought to open my eyes.

Silence hung in the air, thick and heavy. There was no gentle rebuttal, no playful banter, and she didn’t start helping me get ready. I started to feel something was off, so I made another inquiry, “You know this isn’t a funny prank, Li-”

I cut off as I opened my eyes and saw nothing but an industrial steel wall in front of me. The light I had mistook as my friend and maid, turned out to be nothing but a flickering candle set into a nook beside a heavy-looking door. I shifted my weight as I checked the rest of the room and as I did, the soft rustle of chains rang out.

I glanced at my wrists and ankles, finally catching sight of the cuffs and chains that trailed behind me. My mind began to race as my situation forced me into full alert at last. What happened? Was I kidnapped?

No, kidnappers wouldn’t be able to have such a sturdy-looking base. Just thinking of how much these people spent on this room and the door alone made my head spin.

An enemy kingdom then? If that were the case, why would they go after the third child of a low-ranking baron? We have no real power or influence in Arcanis. In that case, I think I can safely scratch that off the list. But then who would have the motive?

“Ahhh, I hate this!” I thrashed about as much as the chains would allow as I threw a mild fit, which caused the chains to clang and echo throughout the room. “Why must we humans be so complicated all the time? This is so annoying...”

Now that I have thought about it, I realize that this entire room doesn’t look like it was made by magic. So, who, what, why, and how are the real questions? Wait a minute... “That doesn’t answer anything!”

I turned my thoughts back to my last memories of being free. Several vague scenes flashed before my eyes as I looked through the past. I remembered leaving the manor to head to the tea party of Countess Eliot’s first daughter, but I don’t remember getting there. I was helped into the carriage by... Eliza and then... nothing. It just went dark.

It had dawned on me that I may have been betrayed by the only person besides my mother and sister whom I trusted, but I shook my head. I put a pin in the thought, but I'm not discrediting it yet. I needed more information. What could have been her motive if I assumed she did the deed? The more I thought about it, the more questions I had.

I closed my eyes and played everything in my head. I don’t know how much time had passed, but if my internal clock was right, a few hours had passed when I finally heard the sound of voices behind the door.

I strained my ears to listen, but all I got was a broken conversation.

“How did... project...go?” A male voice with an annoying lilt seemed to be asking about a project.

“It... Poorly... Hope... One.” The second voice that replied was another man’s voice. This one sounded kinda brainy, and a little mad in the crazy way. His tone was almost creepy too.

“You two, with me.” The second voice spoke again, seeming to have addressed two others. The voice sounded much clearer that time as if he was much closer to the door this time.

The first voice spoke up from behind the door, “You know the only reason we kidnapped such a low-ranking noble is because that man told us to. Do you really believe he can see the future? What can a girl who’s barely an adult, have any significance on our objective?”

A loud bang echoed through the air as the door creaked open. The thick stench of iron flooded into the room as the second voice replied, “You should never have questioned that man.”

When the man stepped through the door followed by two armed men, my heart skipped a beat as terror surged through me. That said, I couldn’t let him see me waver. Whatever he wanted from me, he would never have my consent. Then again, there wasn’t all that much I could do in this situation. At best, I knew basic magics and archery, but with these chains binding me, I would never be able to fire off a spell. Not to mention the fact that I lacked a bow for archery.

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“Oh? Now this is a surprise. You woke up far faster than even that man had predicted. Looks like he is still flawed, or are you just exceptional?” The man with the mad scientist vibe wore a long white lab coat, his hair was sandy, short-cropped, and disheveled. His wide eyes seemed sunken into his head as he looked me over.

The man stepped closer as he thumbed his chin, the candlelight cast eerie shadows across his face.

I instinctively pulled back, which caused the cold steel of the chains to cut into my skin, drawing a trickle of blood.

His eyes burned with a manic curiosity that sent shivers down my spine, but I bit my tongue as I stoked the embers of my will into a raging flame, and then I asked my first question.

“Who are you?” My voice cracked from the tremor that I had tried to suppress, but it strengthened as I continued, “What do you want from me? Who is that ‘man’ you keep mentioning?”

“Such spirit! Alas, you are not in a position to be asking such questions.” His grin stretched wider, revealing crooked teeth that were stained yellow.

I wrinkled my nose in disgust as he continued.

“You will find that you have the most honored role in our plans, #724. You will become the one that transcends us mortals! Become the god of a new age!”

I sat there, stunned into silence for a good few minutes as I gathered my thoughts.

“You’re mad.” I stated, my voice grew steady and more defiant, “I will never play your sick game. If you want a god so much, do whatever it is on someone who volunteers. Besides, who the fuck is #724? I am Elara Vale, daughter of William Vale and Evelyn Vale of the Vale Barony. You will treat me with a semblance of respect and allow for some autonomy as is due to a noble, no?”

The madman froze upon hearing my defiance. The silence that followed felt uncanny, but when his jaw opened slowly, with an almost mechanical and forced motion before laughing, was what chilled me to my bones.

The madman’s laughter echoed in the small chamber, a sound that sent ice through my veins. “Foolish wench!” he screeched, stepping forward with a manic gleam in his eyes.

Before I could process his intentions, he lunged. A sharp pain erupted in my jaw as his fist connected, sending me sprawling to the ground. The cold stone floor bit into my back, and I gasped, my heart racing. The world spun slightly as I clutched my throbbing chin, trying to regain my bearings.

“You think you can talk back to me?” he hissed, looming over me like a vulture ready to feast. “You are nothing but a pawn in our game, #724! You will learn your place!”

The two armed men at the door shifted, their expressions unreadable. I glanced up, desperation surging through me. “You think this will break me?” I spat, wiping a trickle of blood from my lip. “You underestimate me.”

His expression faltered for just a moment, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face before his manic smile returned, twisted and cruel. “Oh, how delightful! I do love a spirited subject.” He knelt down, his face inches from mine, his breath hot and rancid. “But you will learn, #724, that resistance is futile. You are destined for greatness, whether you want it or not.”

With a surge of defiance, I pushed myself up onto my elbows, meeting his gaze with fierce determination. “Greatness? You’re a monster. I won’t be your experiment, and I will find a way to escape.”

He chuckled softly; a sound devoid of any warmth. “Escape? From here?” He gestured to the thick steel walls around us. “You might as well be trying to escape from the moon. But go ahead, fight all you want. The more you resist, the more fun it will be for me.”

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the chains as they pressed against my skin. Panic threatened to overtake me, but I forced it down. I had to think. If I could buy myself time, maybe I could find a way out of this.

“What do you want from me?” I asked, my voice steadier now. “Why me specifically? What makes me your go-to?”

The madman’s grin widened, revealing more of those crooked, yellowed teeth. “Ah, such a curious mind you have, Elara Vale. You see, it’s not merely about you. It’s about what you represent.”

“What I represent?” I echoed, my voice steady despite the tremor in my heart. “I’m just a baron’s daughter. I have no power, no influence—just a mundane existence in a world of politics.”

He leaned closer, his breath hot and rancid. “That’s where you’re wrong. Your lineage holds potential that we intend to unlock. You may be the third child of a low-ranking baron, but there are whispers—rumors of untapped power flowing through your blood. A power that can be harnessed and transformed.”

My stomach churned. “You’re insane. Power? What power? I’m just a girl!”

“Just a girl?” He scoffed, his eyes gleaming with fervor. “No, my dear. You are the key to something much greater than yourself. The man who orchestrated this—he sees a future where you transcend the limitations of mortality. A new age, and you shall be its god!”

His words were a twisted promise, a horrifying vision that sent shivers down my spine. I had to maintain control. “And if I refuse? What then? You can’t force me into your madness.”

“Refusal?” His laughter echoed through the chamber, sharp and cruel. “Ah, but it’s not just refusal I’m worried about. You see, it’s all about the process, and I’m quite skilled at persuasion.” He straightened, turning to the armed men, and with an icy voice, gave an order. “Bring the apparatus.”