The Chase Begins - Ariana and Rowan ran—through the gates, past the wards. Lucian didn't scream. He just followed. Everything he touched withered. Trees died. Flowers blackened. The sky darkened. Rowan gritted his teeth. "He's too fast—Ari, stay with me!" Ariana urged, "Don't stop. Don't look back!" But she did. Behind them, Lucian walked—not ran—through fire and ruin, smiling. His voice echoed across the forest, whispering, "Run, little dove. Let the world see what I become when you break me." From the trees, slow and elegant, his coat stained with the ashes of the forest, he added, "You always knew it would end like this, Rowan. She was never yours to save." Rowan glared, "She's not yours to own. I'll die before I let you take her again." Lucian's eyes glinted, "Then die you shall." The fight was brutal. Rowan was fast, burning with love and fury. Lucian was colder—precise, unrelenting. Magic and steel clashed. Blood sprayed the stones. Ariana screamed, "Stop! Please—stop!" Lucian slammed Rowan to the ground, knee to his chest, sword at his throat. Breathing hard, Lucian said, "Say goodbye, hero." Bloody and gritting, Rowan managed, "Run, Ariana. Now. Don't look back." Ariana hesitated, tears falling—but ran. Wind whipped her hair, her scream swallowed by the storm.
The Capture - She reached the tree line—but suddenly her body jerked mid-run. A glowing black rope of energy yanked her backwards—coiled tight around her waist. Ariana screamed, "No—NO!" Lucian's chilling voice came from the distance, "You thought I would let you go again? You lied to me, Ariana. And now you'll pay for it." She was dragged across the ground, sobbing. He caught her like a hawk snatching prey. She trembled in his arms. Rowan faded behind her—bloody and still.
The Dungeon of Chains - The dungeon returned, colder than ever. Iron shackles clamped around her wrists, waist, and ankles—faintly enchanted, glowing with runes. She was bound against the wall like a fallen angel. Lucian's voice was quiet, deadly: "I gave you freedom. You gave me betrayal. So now, you'll stay. Here. With me." Ariana shook, pleading, "Please… I don't love you. I never did. I just want to go home." Lucian leaned in, voice dark and trembling, "You are home. And one day, whether you want to or not… you'll choose to stay." He walked out, slamming the heavy iron door shut behind him. She crumpled, tears streaking her cheeks, staring at the stone floor. But somewhere deep in her chest… her heart beat with rage. And survival.