Betrayal (1)

The moon hangs high in the sky, casting an ethereal glow over the empty streets. Trinity feels the pressure of hard cobblestone as Sinae carries her on her back, each step jostling her sore muscles. The battle against the gang boss and his minions has taken everything out of them. Shi too sleeps soundly within her amulet, far too drained to be of any help to them now. Trinity shifts slightly.

"Trinity, you're awake!" Sinae's voice is a mixture of relief and fatigue. "How do you feel now?"

Trinity struggles to move, her body still heavy with exhaustion. However, she can tell Sinae is struggling to maintain her strength carrying her. "Sinae, you can put me down now. I can walk."

Sinae hesitates, trying to maintain her bravado. "No way! I've got this. You just relax a while."

Despite Sinae's confident words, Trinity feels the slight tremors in the sinner's legs. She knows Sinae is just trying to look cool, but it's clear she is struggling. "Really, Sinae. I'll be fine. Besides, you don't even know where I live. Do you?" Caught, Sinae wears a sheepish grin.

"Okay fine, I'll let you down. But only because you asked so nicely." Gently, Sinae sets Trinity down, and they continue walking side by side. The silence between them is comfortable, a testament to their growing bond. After a while, Sinae breaks the quiet with a playful tone. "So… Trinity, don't you think I deserve a reward for saving you and Shi? I mean, I did well, right?"

Trinity smiles, appreciating Sinae's attempt to lighten the mood. "A reward, huh? Well, you did do a wonderful job, and we'd be in a bad situation now otherwise. What did you have in mind?"

Sinae's cheeks flush a deep red, her usual confidence wavering. "How about a kiss? Maybe…?"

The request is so innocent and earnest that it makes Trinity's heart soften. She stops walking, turning to face Sinae. "A kiss, you say?" Sinae nods, her bravado slipping just enough to show her nervousness. Trinity chuckles softly. "You're cute, Sinae. I'd like that, but a kiss is something special. I don't want to take your first experience just because of your excitement from tonight." She smiles. "That said, you do deserve to be rewarded for your bravery, so how about this?" She leans in and places a gentle kiss on her tan cheek. "Will this do for now? It's still a kiss, isn't it?"

Sinae pouts, but there is a glimmer of acceptance in her eyes. "I guess it'll have to do…for now."

They continue their journey, the cityscape slowly transitioning to familiar surroundings. They take the elevator up, and outside of the apartment, a tall figure stands by the door, pacing anxiously. Geralt rushes over as soon as he spots them. "Miss Trinity! Thank the heavens you're safe!" His voice is a mixture of relief and reprimand. "Look at the state of you two! What happened? Actually wait, let's get you cleaned up and refreshed. You two look quite dreadful."

"We were ambushed by a gang leader and his thugs. I should've seen it coming, but they still got me good. Shi exhausted herself to help save us, and Sinae here, she saved us all to be honest."

"Oh my! Come." He ushers them inside, fussing over Trinity and offering a glass of water. "You need to be more careful, Miss Trinity. You worried me to death with your reckless behavior."

Trinity accepts the water gratefully, feeling the cool liquid soothe her parched throat. "I'm sorry, Geralt. I should've listened to you. You obviously knew better. Seriously, it was a tough fight."

As Trinity begins to explain the night's events to Geralt, Sinae wanders around the apartment, taking in her surroundings. She never dreamed she'd see such an expensive, luxurious place.

Geralt's voice, though stern, is filled with concern as he listens to Trinity's account. "You must promise me you'll be more cautious in the future, Miss Trinity. We can't afford to lose you."

Trinity nods, understanding the depth of Geralt's worry. "I promise, Geralt. I'll be more careful."

She drinks the water Geralt gives her as she recounts the night's events. But as she speaks, a strange feeling creeps over her. Her vision blurs, and her limbs grow heavy. She feels woozy, her energy rapidly draining. Panic rises in her chest as she looks up at Geralt, who appears concerned yet wears a crooked smile. She staggers backwards, struggling to keep herself from collapsing.

"What's wrong, Miss Trinity?" he asks, his voice laced with a mischievous tone. "Are you ill?"

Realization dawns on Trinity. Geralt must have put something in her drink. "What did you do?" she demands, her voice slurring. " I trusted you! Amlith trusted you! Why are you doing this?" She glares at him as she speaks with a spiteful tone. "I thought we could trust you. Why Geralt?"

"Oh Trinity, that was a big mistake right there. I told you, didn't I? No one can be trusted here."

Her head spins, and she staggers towards the stove. Desperation fuels her as she turns the burner to high and presses her arm down on it. The searing pain cuts through the haze, jolting her system partially back into commission. She screams from the burn, the sound echoing through the apartment. Sinae rushes into the kitchen, her eyes wide with panic as she sees the chaos.

"Trinity! What's happening?" She quickly goes to her side, wanting desperately to help her. Focused on Trinity, Sinae doesn't notice Geralt approaching from behind. A sharp pain explodes in her side, and she looks down to see a dagger buried in her flesh. She looks into the sadistic, wicked eyes of Geralt, who licks his lips with glee. She turns back to Trinity, her expression a mix of terror and agony. Trinity's heart shatters as she sees Sinae collapse and fall unresponsive.

Geralt sneers, pulling the dagger free. "It's a cursed weapon that can kill sinners with ease. Quite a rare prize to obtain here. She was an unexpected variable, so I had to dispose of her quickly."

Trinity's scream is one of pure despair. She feels a rush of guilt, believing this innocent girl has been killed because of her. "Why, Geralt? What did I do to you? Did you set us all up earlier?"

Geralt's eyes glint with malice. "You bet I did! You were never supposed to make it back from the gang hideout. I was going to report you for desertion of your throne. That would invalidate your status as Queen and declare me the winner, allowing my Lady to become the new Queen."

As he speaks, a tan woman with white hair walks in, her presence commanding attention. Trinity recognizes her immediately, just as her eyes meet with the silver eyes of the beautiful, sly vixen.

"You…I remember you. We met back then, just before Amlith took me in. You're behind this?"

She steps forward, her gaze fixed strictly on Trinity. "Ah, Trinity. It's a pleasure to finally meet you properly," she says with a voice as smooth as silk. "I am Symone. Ring any bells for you?"

Trinity's eyes narrow, trying to make sense of the situation. "Symone...so you're the one Geralt mentioned earlier. I wish I could say it's a pleasure, but it's really not. Why are you doing this?"

"That should be obvious," Geralt answers in her stead. "Our Lady will become the new Queen."

Symone smiles, a calculating glint in her eyes. "I've been waiting for such a long time to officially meet you. You see, I am a Hellion Overlord who has been watching over the domain of Limbo for centuries in an informal capacity, even when your late mother, the old Queen, ruled."

Trinity's confusion grows, but she listens intently. Symone continues, "I may not have the title, but I have the knowledge and respect of the people enough to officially rule them. However, as long as you are alive and uncontested in battle, I cannot take over the throne. Since you cannot be killed, I could only invalidate you by a battle loss or by reporting desertion of your throne."

"I thought only Sinners were eligible to rule over the nine circles? You're a Hellion, right?"

She steps closer, her presence overpowering. "There are exceptions to every rule. Understand, it's nothing personal. I know I can take care of Limbo best, and it's time for a stronger hand to rule."

Trinity feels a mix of anger and helplessness. "You think you can just take the throne like this?"

Symone nods, her expression unwavering. "Yes. And with Geralt's help, it will be done. You see, Trinity, ruling isn't just about power, it's also about the willingness to do what is necessary for the greater good. Your father made a mess of this city and you refused to take action back then."

"Back…then? Have we met before in the past? I don't remember you at all from 100 years ago."

"No…we never met…officially. However, I did attempt a diplomatic approach during that time, but you weren't open to it. You were too angry and bitter with life, and my proxy lost his life."

Trinity suddenly recalls a key memory. "That man…you were the Lady he was advocating for?"

"Yes, that was me. I've had my eyes on you for quite some time Trinity. Amlith's not the only one." She sighs. "You have no idea the hell you put that little girl through. Do you even care?"

Trinity's eyes well up with tears. "Yes. Ever since the memory returned, I think of it every day." Trinity struggles to remain conscious, the effects of the drug still strong in her system. She looks at Sinae's lifeless body, back at Geralt, and finally Symone. "This isn't over, Symone. I will fight you with every ounce of strength I have. I've failed them before, but I won't fail them again!"

Symone's smile widens. "I wouldn't expect anything less from the daughter of the late Queen."

When Trinity doesn't reply, Symone nods at Geralt and he quickly steps in to check her. "She's out cold my Lady." He looks over to Sinae, who's body remains still. "Should I toss that one?"

"We don't need any extras, so please do. She should disintegrate any time now. I'm a bit surprised it hasn't happened yet. But no matter, we have bigger things to do. Toss her out."

"Gladly, my Lady." Geralt swiftly lifts Sinae's limp body and steps out onto the balcony. He tosses her over the side with little remorse and returns inside, rubbing his hands as though he's clearing off the dust. "Now, where will we put her? We can't count on the Diablos anymore."

"I'll take her. I have a place where I can keep her. She'll be well taken care of but will never be able to escape it. Carry her and let's go. We'll report her desertion in a week to make it official."

Geralt nods, lifts Trinity up and slings her over his shoulder. He begins to follow his lady, but then a loud crackle can be heard from outside the balcony, and lightning illuminates the night sky. The two freeze and turn their gazes towards balcony, just as the crackling intensifies. Then suddenly, a strong grip grabs the railing, the sparks jumping around the conductive metal.

"Let…her…go…." The previously light and youthful voice has become stiff and cold. She climbs back over the railing and stomps down hard onto the balcony floor, sparks sizzling under her feet. She snaps her gaze at Geralt who still holds Trinity firmly. With a low growl she shouts, "I said to let her go!" Her lightning snaps and the windows shatter in every pane. "Right now!"

Geralt raises a curious brow and grins with amusement. "Oh? So you weren't dead yet? Shame."

Sinae narrows her dark, scornful eyes, which are also charged up, indicated by the sparks. "I'm not going to ask you again. Let Trinity go and leave here…or I'll have to kill you." She pulls out a pistol from the back of her jeans. "I saved this on a whim, but I bet it'll come in handy now."

"How adorable, the little girl has a gun. What exactly do you think you'll do with it though?"

"Put Trinity down and I'll be happy to show you." She cocks the gun and aims it straight at him.

Symone remained silent as they spoke, but finally decides to speak. "Hmm, so I was right then?" She seems to ponder deeply. "Interesting. So very interesting. Her mother couldn't even do this." She observes her even more closely from a distance. "So she can pass on power to these sinners, but how does she do it exactly?" She shuts her eyes and sighs. "Trinity, you are simply perfect."