"No..." Islinda’s voice was a barely audible whisper, her breath misting in the frigid air. The sight of Maxi, looking so lifeless, filled her with a cold dread that not even the freezing air couldn’t match.
Panic surged through Islinda. "Maxi!" she called out, her voice cracking with fear and desperation. She tried to move closer, but the binds from the Boku tree held her fast.
"Oh, that one...." Elena said with no remorse, finally noticing the figure slumped on the chair, bound and motionless.
"What have you done to her?!" Islinda growled aggressively, anger surging through her. How much she hated Elena!
Elena explained nonchalantly, "I did not intend to do anything to her, however, she is quite stubborn and wouldn’t let go. She followed through the portal and left me no choice."
"So y-you killed her?" Islinda’s voice was edged with pain, unable to even fathom the thought of Maxi being dead.
Elena rolled her eyes. "She’s not dead... yet. I told you she’s a tough nut to crack. Not to mention, I had my hands full with you. I couldn’t exactly kill her and handle you at the same time. And in case you haven’t noticed, I’m running out of juice." She gestured to her face.
It was then Islinda took a good look at her and noticed the changes. Elena’s once vibrant red hair was now dull, streaked with gray. Deep wrinkles lined her face, marring the previously smooth skin. Whatever wretched ritual she had performed to reach this point, it was now taking its toll on her, rapidly aging her.
But even the deterioration wasn’t enough to dim the gleam of vengeance in her eyes. If anything, Elena was filled with desperation and it made her much more dangerous.
Elena’s lips twisted into a bitter smile, as if reading Islinda’s thoughts. "Surprised? This kind of magic has a cost, Islinda. A cost I’m willing to pay to see you suffer." She added, "And don’t even get any idea because even at my weakest, I’m still more than a match for you. You just can’t win, Islinda." She threatened her.
But Islinda was not moved by the threat, she was more concerned about Maxi. Although Elena said Maxi was okay, she couldn’t trust her words. She needed to see it for herself. As for her, she was indestructible — a fact Elena doesn’t know yet. Or so she thought. A little pain wouldn’t hurt until she figured out a way to get out of this and get back at Elena.
Mustering every ounce of strength, Islinda began to crawl across the ice towards Maxi, each movement agonizingly slow and painful. The ice creaked ominously beneath her, threatening to give way at any moment. But she didn’t care. She had to reach her friend.
Elena watched her struggle with a cruel smile. "Great, you don’t believe me. Fine, go on ahead," she mocked. "Crawl to her like the little ant you are. See if you can save her. Not that it will make any difference. In the end, I’ll make sure she accompanies you so you don’t get lonely in hell"
Islinda ignored Elena, her focus entirely on Maxi. She reached the chair and with trembling hands, touched Maxi’s cheek. It was cold, but there was still a faint warmth, a small sign of life. Islinda’s heart pounded with a fragile hope.
"Maxi," she whispered urgently, "Wake up. Please, wake up."
Maxi’s eyes fluttered weakly, and she let out a faint groan, but that was all. Her features were deeply etched with pain as she was experiencing something agonizing.
Anger and despair welled up inside her, mixing with the pain and cold. Islinda turned to Elena and demanded, "What did you do to her?"
Elena laughed, "I told you she was a tough nut to crack, nearly out besting me. So I trapped her in her subconsciousness." She smirked wickedly as she announced, "In her most painful memory."
Islinda didn’t know how she managed it, but the surge of anger propelled her to her feet. Fueled by sheer rage, she charged at Elena, her heart pounding in her chest. She was close, just a few meters away, when Elena uttered a spell. Islinda’s body seized up, halting her in her tracks. She strained against the magical force, her veins bulging, her face turning red from the effort, but it was futile. Exhaustion set in as she realized she couldn’t move.
Elena’s laughter rang out, hollow and cruel, echoing across the icy lake. "Touching, really. I swear to the gods, this is the most entertaining day of my life." Her eyes gleamed with malevolent amusement.
Islinda’s voice trembled with frustration. "I don’t understand. Why are you doing this? Why me? I never did anything to you. Is it because of Aldric? I’ve seen the way you look at him. Fine then, you can have him. Just let Maxi go. Let’s settle this together, woman to woman."
Elena’s sneer deepened. "Seriously, you think I’m doing this because of some male? How dimwitted you are, Islinda. I quite had high expectations of you."
"Then if it’s not Aldric, what do you want? I don’t remember wronging you. You simply hated me. Why?"
Elena’s expression twisted with bitter contempt. "Because you’re the architect of all of it. If it hadn’t been for you, Dorcas would still be alive."
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