God Rising: Battle of Atela

"Are you sure about that?" Darren gulped.

Ali stroked his chin, "It's been months and I'm actually uncertain. For some reason, she had weapons with her, and a strange book that would not open. I think there's a chance it might still be in my storeroom."

Darren waited for Ali to return with the book, and luckily he didn't walk out empty-handed, Zircon was with him. Ali gave it book to the prince and he let out a sigh of relief.

The slave master asked, "Do you know anything about this book?"

The prince shrugged, "She said it's her diary. A witch sold it to her. It's not that important anyway, it's just another ordinary book." Darren lied, hoping the slave master would believe.

Ali didn't say a word. He waved, then turned around. He couldn't care less about the dumb collection of papers. Darren wrote him a money statement. It would be easier because Ali was heading East, towards the wolf domain. He'd be able to take the money from his father whenever he gets there. Ali was fine with it.

"I hope you enjoy your new slave Sir Darren."

The Prince moved back to Artemis, then placed a collar around her neck. "Let's go. I hope there's an inn somewhere around here" He tugged Artemis' leash and it forced her to walk.

She was about to climb onto his horse when he cautioned her, "What do you think you're doing?" Artemis gawked, "I'm just getting on the horse."

"Did I give you permission to do so? You're walking until we find an inn."

"But—" before she could utter another word, the stallion moved. She had to walk or else, it would drag her along the rough roses and she'd die in the process.

They followed a strange road lighted by lamp posts on each side. Darren had a feeling they were closing in on a residential area, and once he saw a few houses, a smile appeared on his face. Artemis just wanted to stop walking, she'd been doing so for hours nonstop and Darren didn't bother to check on her ever since. The horse came to a stop in front of a small cottage with a bed drawn on the sign, "This might be an inn."

He got down from the horse and moved towards the door. His hand brushed the handle before he turned back to look at Artemis who was right behind him, "Do you think you're in going here with me? I owe you nothing" He pulled out Reme's book from his bag and slowly hit it on her head "This is your punishment for almost losing Zircon and putting my life at stake. To keep yourself busy, I'll let you hold it tonight. Don't try to run away, I will find you. Killing yourself isn't an option either, so there's nothing you can do to have your liberation." He shoved her back, and she fell, "Look for a dumpster to sleep in. Good night."

The cold onshore breeze blew right through Artemis's rags for a dress and she tilted her head to one side, closing her lashes wet with tears. The wind caressed her skin until it stole the pink blush and replaced it with blue. Above was the beauty of the stars in a clear night.

Her hair fell loose about her face, tousled, tangled, and she balled herself at a corner and tried her best to sleep. The door of the inn opened and closed and voices would escape the busy lounge, scarring her and also serving as a reminder she was in enemy territory.

She woke up to the sound of a slammed door, and she was distracted to not notice the feet shuffling behind her. A chin rested on her shoulder. The intruder was breathing into her ear. Her heart rate sped up, and she vainly attempted to control her breathing while thinking of how to free herself from the stranger's grip. Her eyes darted around for a weapon she could use, but the overwhelming darkness blanketed everything, including the figure that trapped her under its bulk.

"Did you miss me, Rivera?" That was Darren's voice! She didn't need to ask who it was, his voice was all she needed to figure out his identity.

Her legs moved in panic as the Prince's hands tightened around her throat.

"Let me go Darren! What has gotten into you?" She was shivering despite the heat from his body. She tried to slither away, but he wasn't willing to let her go.

"Please let me go" She begged as his tongue licked her skin, and his fingers pulled on her tangled hair. He bit hard on her shoulder, drawing out blood, and the pain cut her breath short repeatedly. His hands landed on her waist, and it slowly moved to the hem of her dress.

"No!!!" She screamed out, and threw her fist at him, but he remained still, unaffected by her attacks. Artemis was too weak to struggle. She didn't stop, but the attacks were meaningless and they both knew it. She clawed on the ground, trying her best to escape, but in the process her nails had been ripped, broken and blood seeped out.

Darren lowered his trousers and pulled her by her waist until he was an inch close to her opening, "There's no escape from me Rivera. This who you are now. You're nothing but my bed slave."

"No!!!" Artemis woke up without warning, her eyes flung so wide each iris took in every ray of light that morning and without a doubt she knew she'd just woken up from a dream that felt too real. A vision, perhaps.

Her heart pounded, and her body shook with fear. Darren walked out of the inn just in time to see her in a state of dread. He yawned as he walked pass her to meet his horse. He fed it a few carrots, then turned his attention to Artemis.

"Thirsty?" Darren asked as he held the bottle in her direction. The smile on his face was serene, and Artemis reached out for it, but he yanked it back "Oops" He turned the bottle upside down, and Artemis watched every liquid fall to the ground. She crawled a bit to the soaked soil and dug her trembling hand into the wet sand. Just a drop could make a difference, but Darren poured it all away and his face showed little to no concern. She wondered why he had to change so much.

Her eyes became watery as she clenched her fist with the sand in it.

Darren pulled her chain, and she forced herself to get up on weak legs that could no longer balance her body weight. Darren placed a large bag of his belongings on her back and ordered her to carry it all.

"But the horse…"

Darren ignored what she had to say and pulled out a snack from the bag around his waist. They all moved while Darren ate, and Artemis was dragged along with heavy packs on her back. Zircon wasn't active, and the healing gem wasn't working. Was it the end of the road for her?

They continued to move down the dirt paths, heading towards the next domain. Since they reunited, he decided to continue his quest for the gems. The truth he sought could wait for the meantime.

"Hey!" Darren yelled as Artemis collapsed.

"You better not be acting" He pulled on the chain but she didn't move "ugh" He rolled his eyes then got down the horse. He moved towards her and poked her a few times with his boots, "Get up already! This is no time for breaks."

Still no response. He crouched, then flipped her over. Her body felt icy. "Hey, Artemis" He shook her a few times, but she still didn't respond.

"Hey! I command you to get up!" He opened her eyes and noticed how vacant and frozen they'd become. He waved his hand across her face, but iris remained still, and her mouth parted as he shook her. "Hey Artemis… Armin?!" He noticed purple marks and lumps on her neck, "what is this?"

He lifted her dress and saw how much the purple had spread over her torso, leaving lumps in places that were meant to be smooth. His heart raced as he placed his ear on her chest and then listened, hoping for a pulse, but he slowly drew back. His eyes throbbed and widened with fear. He gulped as sweat  trickled down his neck, "Did I... Kill her?"

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