The needle slid into my arm for the seventh time that day. I didn't flinch. The pain was familiar.
The Apothecary worked in silence, her movements were precise and almost mechanical. Thick gloves covered her hands. White Linen masked her face and around her neck hung the Oxen-Whirl, a twisted bronze charm that pulsed faintly with magic and a repellent against people like me.
When she was done, she carefully sealed the vial of my blood in her cooling box. Then, she took one careful look at me. I flinched. That was forbidden. Humans weren't supposed to look at me. They didn't if they wanted to live.
My heart lodged in my throat when I heard her thoughts loud and clear : "They're planning to sell you."
A loud bang on the door interrupted us both. I felt his presence before he entered.
General RedWave.
He sauntered in quietly, his Sentries trailing behind him in their polished crimson armours.
"Have you taken the sample?" He asked the Apothecary who responded with a quiet nod.
He dismissed her with a wave and turned to me, his red eyes, flashing. "You read her mind, didn't you?"
He asked me a question but I didn't speak. I never do. I'm not allowed to. There will be repercussions if I ever do.
He reached the bed I was strapped to, grimacing like I was the dirt underneath his expensive shoes. "I loathe creatures like you. I'm glad to see you gone."
"I…" I tried to speak but pursed my lips. I shouldn't. I should never speak.
"Take him." RedWave gestured to one of his Sentries.
They were actually going to sell me off?!
I struggled against their hold. I tried to run but there were too many of them. My attempts to escape ended up with me being pushed to the Grand Phoenix Hall. The same hall they slaughtered my family 8 years ago.
"Here he is, Your Majesty!" RedWave announced to the Red Emperor.
"On your knees!" A guard kicked the back of my legs and I dropped to my knees.
I trailed my eyes forward, at the grand expanse of the Phoenix Hall and the bastard who sat the Crimson Throne. Draped in imported red robes, hands donned with Kidane jewelry, abominable lips sipping the richest wine of the East — Emperor Jai.
He lifted his painted index finger lazily. "Lift the boy."
A Sentry moved and grabbed me by the arm. By the time I was on my knees, I was out of breath. I hadn't been fed in 5 days. Well, if the Apothecary's stale bread and fish counts as food then 4 days.
"You won't be my responsibility anymore, child." Jai announced with a chuckle.
I didn't lift my head when he spoke but I was itching to. I wanted to make him have a taste of the Riddler's powers but if I did that, the Sentry would attack and I was too weak to defend myself so I'll die. I don't want to die.
"I'm sure you've heard of him," Jai continued. "Killian of the North."
My blood ran cold.
No, it can't be. He can't come here.
I've heard whispers about him from the Sentries. They say Killian of the North kills gods for sport and topple kings like toys. He's a hound of war that singlehandedly destroyed an army of a thousand warriors without breaking a sweat. The man was an uncontrolled beast no one dares to challenge and he was coming here for me.
Footsteps echoed behind me, each one heavier than the last and my body began to tremble.
He's here.
My hair stood on all ends, my knees wobbling even when I was on my knees. I tried to exhale but my lungs refused to work. Sweat broke out from all over my face and I couldn't lift my hand to brush them away. I was… I was terrified. The magical iridescence enveloping the air was preventing me from moving.
"The boy?" A hoarse voice called out questioningly.
It was Killian's
"Right there." Jai replied, not moving from his throne.
I tried to move but my body felt too heavy.
Damn it!
I sucked in a breath as he stopped right behind me. His hand as heavy as a metal descended on my shoulder and squeezed.
"Too thin." He murmured like he was inspecting livestock.
"You wanted him alive. There you go." Jai said nonchalantly.
"His name." It didn't sound like a question. It sounded more like a demand.
Jai rolled his eyes before replying. "He doesn't speak."
"Why is that?" Killian asked in a calm voice that sent a shiver down my spine.
Jai placed his wine goblet on the tray beside him and rose to his feet. "He's the Riddler. We both know what happens when he speaks."
"That's the old law," Killian chuckled. "You still believe that?"
"Yes," Jai scoffed. "He is a cursed one."
"Is he now?"
"Yes. That one cannot be looked at with normal eyes. Didn't you notice the Oxen-Whirl put in place?!" Jai hissed.
Killian's grip on my shoulder tightened. "I will be getting my money's worth, Jai. Show me what you can do, Great Riddler."
"You're making a mistake!" Jai barked.
"You're free to leave the hall then." Killian smirked.
"This is my throne room! I suggest you leave!" Jai was raising his voice.
Killian tilted his head, an amused smile playing on his lips. "And if I refuse?"
Jai clenched and unclenched his fists as if indecisive. He looked at me for a few seconds before heaving a defeated sigh.
"Fine! Don't say I didn't warn you!" He climbed down the throne. "The Riddler's curse follows those who hear it."
Within a few minutes, the hall was emptied till it was just me and Killian.
Killian stepped in front of me and dropped to one knee, bringing himself to my level.
For the first time, I saw the face of the God destroyer. He had hair as dark as the night sky and a pair of grey eyes piercing into my soul. His lips were drawn in a curled grin, like he had something dangerous planned.
He stepped right in front of me and tilted his head. "Riddler huh."
I didn't answer.
"Tell me your name." He said.
The weight around my throat loosened and I gasped. The Oxen-Whirl was gone. Was he insane? Why was he here without protection?
"I…" I choked out.
"Go on…" Killian's eyes darkened. "Your name."
His eyes met mine and I nearly crawled backwards. The Oxen-Whirl was gone. His magical iridescence saturated the entire room and was still emitting from his body. How powerful is this man?
"Go on!" He ordered impatiently.
"Ivan," I whispered before I could stop myself.
"Son of who?" He asked.
"Son of the Goddess Avalora." I muttered.
"What are you?"
"The Riddler."
"And what does the Riddler do?"
That question thrust me into the past, into the golden room where mother braided my hair as she spoke about my powers.
She would always say : "The Riddler's tongue holds life and death… riches and poor… creation and destruction itself. You weave reality into being with your whispers and bring it down with your cries. Choose wisely, my son, what purpose this power will serve or it will condemn you."
I blinked back to the present when I felt a cold hand on my cheek.
"Ivan?"
"S - sir?" I blinked again.
"What does the Riddler do? Show me."
I couldn't show him my powers. He could die. Everyone could die. But his eyes didn't fear me, instead they dared me. So I closed my eyes and whispered.
I exhaled softly as the words flowed freely. "Nightmares... will fall and fall… until earth and land is no more. So says the Riddler."
For a moment, silence descended… until the screaming began. It was distant at first then it became louder, closer and … everywhere.
I didn't wait to open my eyes to know the spell had already been cast, the scream told me that. Outside the hall, the world was already burning with chaos.
When I looked at Killian, I flinched.
Killian was smiling, then slowly, he began to clap. "Magnificent!"
He extended his arm to me. "You are indeed worth every coin."
I stared at the man who hadn't tried to kill me the first time we met, and for the first time in my life, I didn't feel like a monster.
I took his hand and together, we left the Crimson Nation leaving behind the emperor, the men, women, and children, all screaming in agony, all still bound to the Riddler's Curse. And yet, even as they screamed, their cries sounded like music to my ears.