The Darkness Guild

Cecilia watched intently as Kai and Emerald continued their sparring in the spacious backyard of the Brandon mansion. The practice was lighthearted, a stark contrast to the serious duels she shared with Kai, but Cecilia couldn't shake the feeling of unease creeping into her thoughts. It wasn't just a friendly match; she could see the determination in Emerald's eyes.

Emerald had come a long way since her arrival. What once were clumsy and hesitant movements had transformed into fluid and calculated strikes. It was almost as if she were adapting to Kai's swordplay, learning from each encounter. This growth made Cecilia feel a twinge of inferiority.

'She's just improving,' Cecilia reassured herself, forcing the thought away. 'Once they're done, I'll spar with him and show her how it's done.'

As she watched the green-haired girl deftly block a strike from Kai, her hands nimbly gripping the hilt of her wooden sword, a flicker of jealousy sparked within her. Emerald's thrust forward, a counter to Kai's advance, was impressive.

But before she could dwell on her insecurities further, the Head Butler of the mansion approached her. Gordon had served the Brandon family for over ten years, and his expression was unreadable as he approached. His brown hair flailed in the wind, contrasting with the seriousness of his demeanor.

"Young Mistress," he began, his voice respectful yet tinged with something Cecilia couldn't quite place, "One of your friends is at the gates of the mansion to see you."

Cecilia turned her full attention to him, a smile brightening her face. "Really? Who?"

"It's Miss Lynda," he replied, glancing at the ongoing sparring match. "She seems awfully in a hurry, so I advise you to come see her at once."

"Of course!" Cecilia said, dropping her sword onto a nearby rack. "I'll go see her right away."

With a spring in her step, she moved towards the gates, excitement bubbling within her. As she approached, she noticed Gordon trailing behind her, an unreadable expression on his face.

'It worked,' he thought, his heart pounding against his chest. He knew that what he was doing wasn't right, but he had already accepted the path he was on.

'The Darkness Guild wants her,' he reminded himself, recalling the offer extended to him—a simple yet dangerous task. The criminal guild residing in Biola wanted the Brandon girl, and in exchange, they would pay him a hefty sum of Asura coins—fifty gold coins, to be exact. His mouth watered at the thought of such wealth.

'All I have to do is knock her unconscious, take her to the meeting area, and then flee with my family. We could live like nobles in Asura Kingdom,' he mused, determination fueling his actions.

Greed propelled him forward, drowning out any guilt that nagged at him. 'Only an insane person would reject such an offer!' he reasoned as they reached the gates, which stood wide open. He had taken care of the guards earlier, promising them he would oversee their break.

As they stepped outside, Cecilia's eyes darted around in confusion. Where was Lynda? Had she already left?

"Hey, Mister Gordon, where's Lyn-?"

Before she could finish her sentence, Gordon moved with surprising speed. His hand shot out, striking her neck with precision. Cecilia felt a wave of dizziness wash over her as she collapsed to the ground, the world fading into darkness.

As she lay unconscious, Gordon glanced around to ensure no one had witnessed the act. "Nobody saw that," he muttered, uncertainty creeping in. Doubt washed over him, but the thought of the coins returned with a vengeance. He hefted the girl over his shoulder and scurried away from the mansion.

Cecilia awoke in a dark, musty room. Confusion clouded her mind as she tried to recall how she ended up in this unfamiliar place. Panic surged through her as she realized her hands and feet were bound. She twisted against the ropes, fear flooding her senses.

"Kai!" she shouted, her voice hoarse. "Mom!!"

"Mister Gordon!" she cried, her voice echoing through the dim chamber. Each name felt like a desperate plea, but silence enveloped her, thick and suffocating.

Just then, the door swung open, casting a streak of light across the floor. A figure stepped inside, dressed in a butler's attire. Recognition ignited a flicker of hope in Cecilia's chest, and a smile broke across her face as she saw Gordon enter.

"Mist—"

Before she could finish her sentence, Gordon's shoe crashed against her cheek. The blow sent her skidding back, her body colliding with the cold, dirty wall behind her.

"Be quiet," he warned, his eyes devoid of warmth. They were now icy and filled with a cruelty she never thought him capable of. This wasn't the man she trusted; it felt as if she were staring at a stranger.

Cecilia's heart sank as his words pierced her. "You'll soon get out of here and into Biola Kingdom while I get my money, so be quiet and wait for your new master."

The reality of his betrayal settled in like a stone in her stomach. How could he do this? The warmth she once felt around him was gone, replaced by a chilling truth.

"If I hear any more of your nonsense, I'll make sure you regret it," he added, his voice cold and unyielding. With that, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him, leaving her engulfed in darkness once again.

Cecilia shivered, her heart racing as she struggled against the bindings that held her captive. Panic threatened to overwhelm her, but she forced herself to breathe.

'I won't be a pawn in someone else's game,' she thought, every fiber of her being focused on the promise of freedom. 'Kai and my family will come for me. They won't let this happen,'

Determination surged within her as she began to wriggle her wrists against the rough rope. She needed to escape, to find a way out of this nightmare.

Hours passed—or perhaps mere minutes; time lost all meaning in the suffocating darkness. But one thing became clear: she would not give in. She would fight back, no matter what it took.

Outside, she could hear distant voices and muffled sounds, but she couldn't discern the words. 'I have to stay strong,' she thought, her resolve hardening, 'I will find a way out of here'

With renewed determination, Cecilia resumed her efforts to escape, her mind racing with thoughts of how she would turn the tables on Gordon and whoever had orchestrated this betrayal. The darkness may have engulfed her, but she was not yet defeated.

But all of her motivation died down as soon as the door opened, revealing a masked figure – it was just like she heard.

The Darkness GUILD.