Page 58 of Isle of Beasts and Shadows

“Sirius will never leave my side. Not for anyone, or anything. And as for you,” His tone turned chillingly casual, “your internal transformation is far from complete. Brace yourself for unrelenting pain for the rest of this journey.” With a mocking laugh, he strode towards the door. “Now that both you and Sirius are no longer a concern, my power will ascend to unimaginable heights. Stronger than ever envisioned. I had planned to eliminate you both, but this outcome surpasses my wildest expectations.” His laughter rang through the cabin.

“You have a gift for verbosity,” Airella retorted sharply, her voice laced with bitterness as she remained on her knees, defiance burning in her eyes.

With a final contemptuous look, he turned on his heel and strode out of the cabin, each step echoing with an air of finality. As the heavy door slammed shut behind him, a strange, shimmering enchantment seemed to settle over it, sealing her in with an eerie aura of isolation.

Airella’s chest constricted with an unbearable pain, a sensation unlike anything she had ever felt before. It was as though icy tendrils were coiling around her lungs, each breath escaping from her lips in a visible puff of frost. The chill seeped into her bones, leaving her trembling uncontrollably as she fought against the cold that seemed to emanate from within her. Every shiver wracked her body, each one a stark reminder of her desperate situation.

As Airella lay on the creaking wooden floor of the cabin, she felt as though every ounce of vitality had been drained from her. She lay still, her gaze fixed on the ceiling above, her bodylimp and unresponsive. It was a surreal sensation, as if she were merely a shell of herself, devoid of any feeling or warmth. In that moment of profound stillness, all that remained were the haunting echoes of her thoughts, swirling in her mind with a haunting emptiness.

She glimpsed at the shattered mirror propped against the wall. Struggling to sit upright, she observed her reflection—her once rosy complexion now drained to a sickly pallor, icy blue eyes staring back, and her locks transformed into a striking platinum hue. Not to mention the recent additions—two ominous spiraling horns curving from her temples. She resembled a creature plucked from the darkest recesses of a nightmare.

Chapter 34

As the days crept by, Airella’s world grew colder, the chill clinging to her since the day Father had transformed her into this monstrous form. Despite the initial shock, she gradually acclimated to her altered existence. Strangely, she sensed an unfamiliar sensation stirring within her, a subtle shift that hinted at something inexplicably evolving.

While deep in thought, she caught the distant echoes of joyful voices carried by the gentle island breeze. Had the expected guests, long awaited on the isolated island, finally arrived?

Airella’s gaze lingered on the sturdy door, locked by an enchantment that her inner voice warned her not to approach.

Memories flooded her mind—the warmth of sunlight, Arii, Sirius, and Jonathan, all distant echoes in her isolated reality. Since her transformation began, Airella had been trapped in this lonely existence, finding solace only in the fleeting sounds of distant merriment.

As hours passed and the echoes of people’s cheers faded into silence, the door to Airella’s cabin creaked open, the enchantment slowly dissipating. A soldier stood before her, a mocking sneer on his face as he watched her struggle to rise.

“So, you’ve finally found your strength,” he taunted with a chuckle. “You made it sound excruciating.”

Airella met his gaze, sensing the familiar presence of Father, the entity that had taken control of another body once more.

“Cat got your tongue?” the soldier jeered, amusement lacing his words as Airella attempted to respond, only to find her voice stolen by an unknown force. Panic gripped her as she realized her inability to speak, her hands instinctively rising to cover her mouth. A sense of dread washed over her—what sinister fate awaited her now?

“Oh, don’t worry, my child,” he reassured in a calm yet cryptic manner. “Your kind has different ways of communication.” With a subtle shift in posture, he crossed his arms, a gesture that hinted at concealed power. “Welcome back to the isle,” he stated, his tone laced with a hint of mockery as he sneered once more before pushing the heavy door open.

The sunlight poured in, its brilliance almost blinding. Airella instinctively shielded her eyes from the unexpected intensity.

“You will remain at my side, no matter the circumstance, understood?” His words carried a weight of authority, tinged with a veiled threat. “Otherwise, you’ll lose a certain someone that is dear to you,” he added, his voice lowering ominously.

The mention of someone dear stirred conflicting emotions within Airella. She contemplated the concept of caring or loving for another, a sentiment she had long buried during her weeks spent in isolation. In her mind, she pondered the implications. Who could he be referring to? The name Arii surfaced first, a connection tinged with a mix of familiarity anduncertainty. Yet, the mention of Sirius also lingered, casting a shadow of doubt over her thoughts. Jonathan’s memory briefly crossed her mind, a fleeting image that carried a sense of loss. Alas, his presence was no more, leaving Airella with a sense of resignation.

Faced with his commanding presence and the implied consequences, Airella felt a sense of helplessness. She found herself bound by an invisible leash, compelled to comply with his every directive.

Father, still concealed within the guise of a soldier, reached for Airella’s cloak—the same one the soldiers had previously confiscated from her—and draped it over her head. “Wear this. Stay hidden among the humans until further notice. When they realize you’re gone, they’ll assume you’ve fled, prompting a search that won’t shouldn’t interfere with my schemes. It’s in your best interest to comply unless you have a penchant for your death sentence.”

Airella longed to inquire about Sirius but found herself mute, overwhelmed by the inability to speak. The unanswered question lingered in her mind as she trailed Father from the cabin to the upper deck. Enveloping herself in the cloak, she shrouded her features as the shadows veiled her countenance entirely. Her vigilant gaze swept the surroundings—all five ships rested ashore, passengers dispersing onto the sands. They busied themselves with setting up camps and orchestrating plans for the impending events.

“You’ll look suspicious wandering around in the open,” Father stated firmly, his expression unwavering. “So, just like any of my weapons, you’ll stay in my tent until further notice.” His words carried a sense of authority as he continued, “I’ve meticulously laid out plans for the Miscreants living onthis island. As night falls, the humans will find themselves entrapped, destined to live out their days on this land. They will flourish once more, catering to our needs by providing sustenance for us Miscreants.” Glancing down at Airella, his gaze piercing, they both stood on the deck, peering down at the shoreline below. “This moment of solace with you is quite pleasant; having someone to confide in, sharing everything, all the while knowing you are powerless to act. Much like Sirius was after all these years—what a shame that it has to end like this.” With a chuckle, he descended the ship’s staircase, leaving Airella with no choice but to trail behind him.

As they navigated through the bustling crowds of people, Airella couldn’t shake the feeling of a specific pair of eyes tracking her every step. Peeking out from under her hood, she caught sight of Duran’s stern gaze fixed upon her from afar. The tension between him and Sirius lingered in the air, a mystery she doubted she’d ever unravel.

Guided by Father into the tent, he left with a command for Airella to remain inside. What could be brewing in his mind? The uncertainty hung heavy, hinting at imminent events yet to unfold. Airella’s thoughts raced, her anticipation heightened by the sound of approaching footsteps that seemed unnaturally clear to her ears.

Duran’s entrance interrupted her musings, his demeanor oddly unfamiliar. Something about his expression struck her as off.

“Remove your hood,” his voice cut through the air, his eyes fixed on Airella, demanding compliance.

Airella displayed no emotion as she dragged down her hood, revealing her now striking platinum-colored hair cascading over her shoulders like a shimmering waterfall.Duran’s eyes widened in profound shock, his expression a mix of disbelief and concern. Airella’s transformation left him speechless, as if a secret had been laid bare.

“Airella…” his voice quivered, the softness of his tone contrasting with the intensity of his emotions. Awkwardly, he drew her into a tender embrace, his arms encircling her with a mix of protectiveness and anguish.

Airella, her thoughts a jumble of confusion, stood unmoving, her arms hanging limply at her sides, trying to comprehend the whirlwind of emotions surrounding her.

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