A/N: The castle of Ludivics.

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"Did you enjoyed it?" the woman asked.

The moment darkness consumed her, Zoe was brought back here, in front of the towering cell surrounded by endless stairs. The more she stared at the silhouette inside the cell the more she got used to it. Still, uneasiness crawled inside her.

"For now, I can only lend you a small portion of my power, but in time, when you are ready--"

"What exactly do you want from me?" Zoe interjected, but her words never reached her own ears.

The figure remained silent for a moment and tilted her head. "Your help," she said. "I am asking for your help."

"Why me? You're clearly from the enemy's side, so why would I even help you?"

"Because they are also after you, Zoe."

The way she pronounced her name sent goosebumps through her body. It sounded so weird and at the same time, familiar.

Zoe opened her mouth and closed it again, knitting her brows as she processed her words. "And who exactly are your enemies?" She licked her lips, shifting in her bare feet. "You must be getting this wrong. I am not an ally of darkness and will never be."

"Mhm," she drawled in a sing song tone and paced the cell, tracing the iron bars with her fingers, creating a sharp echo when her nails hit them. "Young Zoe, do you actually believe that all descendants of light are good and all descendants of darkness are evil?"

The woman stopped and whirled to face her. "Can you really distinguish good from evil?"

"I..." Zoe trailed off, clutching her white dress as she averted her gaze.

She knew there was no such thing as good and bad person, she had read a lot of books and mangas about them. It was as simple as the concept of Yin and Yang. And it was also one of the reasons why the word 'imperfection' existed.

"Being born as a spawn of darkness doesn't mean you can only do evil things," the woman continued. "We always have a choice, whether to do good or bad."

Zoe moved her attention to her, raising her brow to shadows. "So, are you telling me that you're from the dark side, yet you chose to do good things?"

"I am simply asking for your help to save this world."

"And why would you even do that?"

"I will tell you, but now is not the right time."

"Yeah right!" She rolled her eyes. "Then you expect me to believe you?"

"You're still too weak," the figure countered, making her frown deeper. "Not only in body but in mind, heart and... soul."

"You are in no position to tell me that. I know myself better than anyone else!"

"Are you now?" she asked. "Why exactly do you want to be the Heroine, Zoe?"

She flinched and was taken aback, the temperature around them suddenly felt like the middle of winter. Being reminded of her illegibility to be the Heroine made her feel that the world betrayed her. However, it was too grand of a dream and she knew, deep down inside that, she was not ready for such thing. Sacrificing her life for the world she never knew even existed sounds like a work of a martyr.

And she was not one.

"Was it Ego?" Her pale hands slowly snaked around the iron bars. "Is it simply because you wanted to have a meaningful life? Or maybe because you are a caged bird, hungry for freedom? Or..."

The woman paused, causing her heart to waver with each second.

"Or perhaps," she continued, "you're lost."

Zoe gapes at her, unsure how she should answer. For some reasons, all her words hit home. Somehow, it made her question her own existence. It felt so small, meaningless and kept drifting away. She had no idea what her every breath signified.

No, she thought. Pull yourself together. She must be trying to confuse you.

"I shall lend you my powers when you agree to cooperate with me," the woman said, cutting her train of thoughts. "And in return, you will obliterate our enemies."

"I don't need your powers," she answered breezily.

"Don't you think it's too early for you to say that?" She moved closer to the iron bars, her pale, bare feet showing themselves, her nails blending perfectly with the shadows. "Even I can't tell what the future brings. But we have bigger chances of winning if we join forces."

Zoe shook her head, brushing her shoulders with her red hair. "No. I can do it, even without your help."

"I see." Her tone changed, revealing pure disappointment. "But let me warn you, Zoe. Darkness is moving, and each day, they are growing in power. And once darkness became more powerful than light, even the barrier won't be able to hold them."

Realization hit Zoe like a tidal wave. Her brain was telling her not believe her words, and yet, her guts could tell that she was telling the truth. She took another step back, her chest rising and falling in a disturbed rhythm.

"And it will engulf everything into darkness, even your realm."

Her azure eyes shot open and she quickly took a sitting position, the racing beat of her heart washed her body with warmth, yet her fingers were cold. For a moment, she calmed her breathing, taking in the faint scent of cigarette mixed with old wood. Her vision suddenly drifted to the familiar red hair lying on her shoulder, pulling her expression into bewilderment.

"A nightmare?" said by a man's voice.

The bed creaked under her weight as she shifted, facing the man seated on the chair beside the bed. She gazed from his dark blond hair down to his white scarf, suit, and shoes, then to the newspaper spread across his lap before turning back to his face, meeting his copper eyes.

"Who are you?!" she shouted and jolted from the pain of her dried throat. Slowly, she moved towards the other side of the bed. "Where am I?"

Zoe eyed the wooden door just a few feet away from him and felt déjà vu hit her, but let it sink. Although there were two doors in the room, she knew based on its size that one would lead outside and the other to a bathroom.

The man folded the newspaper and got on his feet, making Zoe ran out of bed.

The room was huge enough for four people, but there was only one huge bed. The rest of the space was taken by the two night stands on both sides of the bed, a wooden cabinet, a small bookshelf and a tea table for two.

"Oh dear, calm down," he said, watching Zoe grabbed the nearest lamp and pointed it at him.

"Answer my questions!"

Her hands were shaking, but she kept her weapon leveled with her chest. She could feel her joints protest from her sudden movements, yet she forced herself to focus her attention on the mysterious man. Her feet rubbed on the smooth wooden floor as she backed away to the nearest window, planning her escape.

The man raised his open palms and gently took his seat. "I am Dilinjer," he started, giving her a welcoming smile as he put down his arms. "I am a healer and I've been looking after you for three days. I'm glad you're full of energy."

"Three days," she gasped, her stomach dropping on the floor. Then she gazed on her night gown with horror.

"My assistant, Elijah, dressed you," he said as though reading her thoughts. "Only she attends to you when it comes to that matter."

Her eyes blinked furiously as she absorbed the situation when something dawned on her.

"Darcy," she mumbled.

"Come again?"

"Darcy," she repeated, clearer and louder. "Where is Darcy?!"

As if on cue, the door opened, revealing the young Prince in his full bodyguard uniform - a black suit. Relief washed over her after seeing his familiar face. She bit the sides of her cheeks, suppressing the cry that wanted to escape her throat.

He leaned on the door frame with a smug smile on his face, and bit the red apple in his hand, staring at her before uttering a word, "You called, Lady Zoe?"

She must have remained silent for a long time that Darcy chuckled then spoke again, "You only woke up without me by your side and you can't help calling my name?" He took another bite on the apple and winked at her, her heart instantly somersaulted.

Dilinjer cleared his throat, getting the attention of the two teenagers. Zoe lowered the lamp while the young Prince approached the man rising from his seat.

"By the way," Darcy started, placing a hand on the older man's shoulder. "This is Uncle Dilinjer. He provided us with sanctuary and nursed us back to health."

Zoe set down the lamp on the night stand and pushed back her bangs, hoping she didn't look as haggard as she felt.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mister Dilinjer," she curtsied with her peach colored night gown. "I am Zoe Hanielet Beauprè."

"The pleasure is mine, Zoe." He made the same warm smile, showing the deep lines at the corner of his eyes. "Just call me Dilinjer."

She simply nodded, mustering her most genuine smile.

"I should take my leave now so that you could prepare yourself."

With those last words, he left the room while carrying the newspaper.

"I think I should go too," Darcy said and looked at her, his smile instantly widened. "Unless you make me stay."

Heat traveled to her cheeks and she knew she was blushing.

"Get out!" she shouted, hoping that her reddened face made her look angry.

"We'll wait for you at the garden upstairs." He chuckled and started towards the door.

"Wait!"

He spun as he took another piece of the apple and Zoe saw something flashed in his eyes, but it suddenly disappeared before she could recognize it.

"Where exactly are we?" she asked.

"We're at the continent of Esgarya, the open city," he explained. "You can relax, for now, we're safe here."

He turned and grabbed the door knob only to stop.

"Zoe?" He glanced back, his raven black hair brushed on top of his eyes. "Thank you."

"Wha..." she trailed off, shocked that he could actually utter those words. Her gaze slid to the floor, seeing his black shoes shift uncomfortably. "I should also thank you for looking after me all this time."

"I guess that made us even." He laughed, which came out awkward and nervous. "But you did great back there."

And she felt the heat on her face intensified.

Before the young Prince closed the door, their eyes met, and Zoe found butterflies dancing in her stomach.

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Dedicated to rachellph

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XOXO