Aries slowly opened her eyes, groggily taking in her surroundings. She was in a strange room,with walls painted a soft blue and a bed far too comfortable. But something felt off, she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
As she sat up,a wave of dizziness washed over her, forcing her to clutch the bed frame for support.
Her mind foggy,her thoughts muddled, she looked around the room, searching for clues but everything seemed foreign. Panic began to set in as she realized she had no idea of who she was. Her name,past and memories all gone. A blank slate stared back at her from the mirror on the wall,hung directly opposite where she sat. She ran her fingers through her hair and for some unsettling reason, wondered if her hair had always been white.
A soft knock at the door eradicated the silence, followed by the entrance of a middle-aged woman with a no nonsense demeanor, she checked Aries pulse,her eyes scrutinizing the young lady's every move.
" You are making good progress". She said, her voice soft but firm.
"Erm...umm." Aries began stuttering.
"Who are you,I mean, do you know me?, what happened to me?" Aries demanded, her voice rising.
The woman hesistated, glancing around the room,as if searching for unseen presence.
" You were brought to me by Lady Xylara ". She said finally.
" She found you in a compromised state and requested my care, you should be thankful, you would've been dead if it weren't for her spontaneous action and help ".
Aries forehead twisted in confusion .
"Lady Xylara? Who is she and what does she want from me?".
The woman's expression turned guarded. " I am not at liberty to discuss that. My role is to nurse you back to health, not to divulge confidential information ".
Aries became more apprehensive, something is definitely not right. Who was this Xylara and what has she done to her?.
Voices could be heard just outside the room, Xylara and Malakai were approaching. The physician's eyes glanced towards the door, she had an intense expression on her face.
"Ah ,it seems Lady Xylara has arrived".
Aries shuddered as the door opened, she watched as a very strange looking woman walked in, she wore a dark robe and her hair was tied up in a glamorous style. Aries instinctively knew she was a witch, above her shoulders stood a man built like ten men and he didn't have a very pleasant look on his already terrifying face.
The physician curtsied and Aries heard her say my Lord,my Lady.
" I see that Kyla is awake and looks well, how wonderful". Xylara said looking at the woman with satisfaction.
Aries had an unsettling feeling, she knew she had to be careful around these people,her memories remained shrouded in fog, she couldn't recall why she feared and loathe Xylara, only that she did. And that name 'kyla' something felt off about it, she knew deep down that that wasn't her name at all.
"Why Kyla?". She demanded, her voice firm despite her fragile state.
Malakai's gaze turned cold and calculating.
" Because Kyla, you are a new canvas, waiting to be shaped and moulded, trust me you really don't need your old name".
Xylara laughed " Oh please Malakai, don't scare the child, can't you see she's already having a hard time". She moved closer to the bedside were Aries sat and tucked some strands of hair behind her ears.
" Listen Kyla,I know you are already thinking we are bad people but trust me,we are only here to help you forget your past and forge a new future, one that will serve our glorious cause". Her expression turned syrupy sweet.
Beneath all the sweet voice and a convincing tone, Aries saw it all, she wasn't going to fall for that cheap lie, now that she has realized the true extent of their plans, her mind raced. They aimed to erase her identity,her memories and her very true self, but why?.
Xylara moved to where Malakai stood and whispered.
" I told you to trust in my plans, you see we got her on a platter". She said with a tone that sounded like she was waiting for an applaud.
Malakai let out a grunt and said." You've done well, but we're far from done ".
" Oh,I know my Lord, don't worry,I have every intention of seeing this through to the end. We now have the key to unlocking the secrets of the ancient ones right here with us. That power you so desire to have is gradually looking like a dream come true, isn't it?. Xylara's eyes were gleaming with triumph and Malakai only gave her a slight nod.
Aries on the other hand tried so hard to make out what they were saying. What secrets? What ancient ones?.
Suddenly Malakai's gaze turned towards Xylara, his expression unreadable. " See to it that she's prepared for the ritual, we've wasted enough time already".
"Yes,my Lord". Xylara said briefly. Malakai turned towards the exit to leave but was halted by Xylara's voice.
"Erm.... Wait my Lord". Xylara began. Malakai stood still waiting for her to say something.
" Am quite disturbed about one thing".
The word ' disturbed ' made him turn his gaze to her, that wasn't something he wanted to hear because he knew anything that worries Xylara has to be serious and he's not cut out for that now that his plans is coming to pass.
" What is it?".
She moved closer to him and whispered yet again.
" Her hair...I don't think I.....". Malakai cut her short before she could even finish her statement.
" What about it?". Malakai was a very impatient man and that's one of his traits Xylara detest the most.
" As far as I recall,it used to be golden brown but not it's white all of a sudden,I don't know what it means".
Malakai's eyes turned cold.
" So you think it's going to be a problem?".
" Well..I don't think so I just hope it wouldn't be a threat in the future ".
Malakai let out a quiet grunt.
" It's just hair, that should be the least of our worries now, come on let's go,we have a lot on our hands ". He walked towards the door. Xylara turned towards the woman and said" keep a close eye on her ". With that she left hurriedly,her steps echoing down the hallway.
The woman bowed slightly until Xylara's footsteps were no longer heard before she turned to face Aries.
" Are you hungry?". She asked but got no answer.
Aries lay down back on the bed and curled herself up like a child in its mother's womb, she had no idea what the future holds but one thing is for sure, she's never going down without putting up a good fight, she may have lost her memories but she's never going to let them take away her identity.
The woman stared at Aries and felt pity for the girl, she's only but a child, she didn't know if she felt that way out of sympathy or the fact that Aries reminded her of her long lost daughter.
She jolted herself back to reality, this is not the time to be sentimental.
"Of course,you should be hungry I guess,I will be right back, just give me a minute". She said softly and left, closing the door gently behind her.