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"This is the city of lights," Artemis said, gazing at the tall buildings, "it's the most popular city in the North.""Yes, it's nice and futuristic," Regan commented, admiring the place, "it's like being in a completely different world from the fortress."As they walked around the market, Regan looked through the clothes, which were suited for the freezing temperatures.Another girl was looking there as well, her appearance slightly different from the locals. She had brown hair, tanned skin and hazel eyes. Her clothes were just the same as other locals, however, her appearance differed.Almost everyone was pale as snow with white hairs and white eyes. The girl caught Regan's gaze with a cheeky smile, "You don't seem northian. What brought you into this dead land?" she asked with a slight accent.Artemis turned to the girl with a frown, obviously not amused. "We're here on a... business trip," she said carefully, not sure how to respond to the stranger's question.Regan instead, wanted to talk to the girl, and as soon as Artemis walked ahead, she turned, "Yeah, I'm not from here. I'm from another realm. What about you?"The brunette smiled, "I'm Iris, I'm from the South, but my land got destroyed. I've moved here temporarily with my family. It's a dried and freezing place, except for the City of Lights. Even here, it's expensive to put your foot in."Artemis looked back, glancing at the two of them suspiciously. Regan ignored her, instead turned to the girl, "Oh, I'm Cornelia. What's it like in the South? Do you miss it?"The girl's expression turned somber for a moment, "Yes, I miss it. It was beautiful, warm... and full of life. But he colonized it. And no one dared to fight back."Regan's eyebrows furrowed, "Who was that? Who was that merciless conqueror?"Iris sighed, a vengeful expression taking over her, "They call him, Sirius, The Ruthless, the tyrant. He's well known everywhere. A cruel sorcerer who seeks power and obedience. He destroys and enslaves many lands. I wish there was someone else who had guts to bring him down....," Her voice trailed off, the anger and frustration obvious in her expression.Regan's eyes widened in shock, "He lives in Silvertide," she voiced out, "I know him.""Silvertide?" Iris asked, clearly confused, "They say he's extraordinarily beautiful. Have you seen him? I'm asking because I've never had. They say that once you lay eyes on him, you either die, or fall in love. But, I don't believe this."Heat crept through Regan's cheeks as she realized she'd just admitted to knowing Sirius, "I mean... not personally, but I've heard of him," she stammered, trying to cover herself, "I know he's a criminal, and for certain, what everyone says, isn't true. He's not that beautiful," Regan said, although she knew the doubt lingering in."Of course he's beautiful, he has such a perfect and defined face. His eyebrows are long and straight and his eyes are a unique shade of blue. His long black eyelashes are more than pretty. His voice is deep and just as beautiful and his straight-wavy raven-like hair, sometimes covers his forehead, sometimes not. And the way he dresses, is so elegant and graceful. I hate him to the core, but I can't deny that. I'm nowhere close to beautiful, nor have I ever seen any other guy," thought herself."Damnit!" Regan mumbled to herself, "I didn't just think that.""Have you been living in Silvertide?" Iris asked, leaning on the clothes rack."Yes, for some time. He's just as cruel. I completely understand you, he destroyed my land as well," Regan vented, clearly frustrated with herself. She felt guilty for thinking about Sirius's appearance. But she couldn't help it, although he was her enemy, he still was gorgeous. She didn't have any intentions relying on that, nevertheless. His beauty was purely perceived by her."Where was your homeland?" Iris continued to ask.Regan's expression turned guarded, and she feared that she had told a lot, "I don't even know," she covered up, "I was raised in the wild, by wolves. I've travelled to different realms, and I've seen Sirius's tyranny."Artemis, who had been observing the conversation silently, finally decided to interrupt. "Well, we should get going. It was nice meeting you, Iris," She gestured for Regan to follow her, beginning to walk away."Wait!" Iris shouted to Regan. She gave her a piece of paper in an unknown language. Regan furrowed her eyebrows and asked, "What's that?""That's where I hang out. So, we can meet each other again. You know, I'm more than willing to make him pay for ruining my home," she whispered in her ear."Really?" Regan retorted, wide eyed, "You really are? That's perfect!" She said in a low voice, "I'll find some way to meet you again."Artemis raised an eyebrow, glancing back and forth between the two, "You two seem to be getting along pretty well," she said, her tone neutral.Iris smiled, nodding. "Yeah, we do. I think we could be a great team, don't you think, Cornelia?""Absolutely," Regan agreed, feeling a surge of excitement and determination, "Together, we can bring Sirius down." She felt a newfound sense of purpose and camaraderie with Iris. Despite their different backgrounds, they shared a common goal.As they left the marketplace, Artemis glanced back over her shoulder, "Regan, what was that? You can't be for real.""Of course I am," Regan insisted, feeling a thrill of anticipation, "Iris and I can make a great team. We both have reason to hate Sirius, and we both want to see him brought to justice."Artemis shook her head in disagreement, knowing the consequences too well, "You're just going to get yourself and us in much more trouble. You know how much Sirius hates us.""I can take care of myself," Regan assured her, but there was a note of determination in her voice, "I won't let you get hurt. But his reign of terror has to end."They continued to walk through the crowded streets, and they turned back. Regan was excited that she had meet someone brave and optimistic to finish their goals. She was bored from pessimism, gloominess, obedience and submission.Artemis led her to the portal and they teleported back to the fortress. The sky had seemed to darken, maybe an illusion or something real. As soon as they entered, Agnar was in the main hall, his creepy gaze placed right in his face, as his eyes roamed around Regan's figure."Well, well, where were you both?" He asked, a wicked glint in his eyes. Regan frowned in disdain, feeling the urge to do something violent, but it wasn't the right moment. She still knew, that if he'd continue that way, she'd unleash something to finish him off, and not care about what her fate would be."Cornelia wanted to see the city of lights." Artemis replied, her gaze falling on the floor."Oh, Cornelia, you seem to be enjoying yourself," Agnar said to Regan."I've seen better," Regan venomously retorted."Like what?" he sharply asked, "Wolves dens? Or Sirius's dungeons?""You're very obsessed with him," Regan snapped, her jaw clenching. Why did Sirius have to be brought everywhere, in everything? "But you'll never have what he has," she added, surprised by her own words. But she shrugged it off, accepting the idea that she was disgusted by Agnar and used Sirius to bring him down.Agnar's face darkened, and for a moment Regan thought she'd gone too far. But then he smirked, a cruel smirk that didn't reach his cold white eyes. "We'll see about that," he growled, "And we'll see who you'll bow to," he threatened."I won't bow to anyone!" Regan sneered, her chin held high despite the fear she felt inside, "I've never had and never will."Artemis watched the exchange in absolute fear. She knew that Regan was stubborn, but she was really passing the limits. Had she been acting that way with Sirius as well? If so, how did he spare her? How did he let her live?Agnar laughed, a cruel sound that echoed through the fortress. "We'll see about that, little firecracker. You'll learn to obey or suffer the consequences." He turned to Artemis, his gaze malicious. "Take her to her room. And make sure she's under close watch tonight."Artemis hesitated for a moment, meeting Regan's defiant gaze. "Come on, Cornelia. I don't want any trouble. You don't know what you're doing," she caught her arm, leading her upstairs. Agnar's stare followed, them, particularly Regan or Cornelia.As soon as they entered, Artemis spoke, "Regan, why do you want to get in trouble? Have you been acting that way all along, even as Sirius's prisoner? How are you even alive?""I don't know....I'm just alive and tired of this," Regan said, sitting down on the bed. "I'm tired of being scared, tired of obeying, tired of living in fear. I want to fight back, and I want Sirius to pay for what he's done. And your husband, he is an asshole , Artemis. He's cruel and twisted but not only that. He's also a creep," she said as she put her knees on her chest, her voice filled with disdain.Artemis just shook her head, "Whatever....you need to calm down, Regan. You can't just act that way. You don't know what they can do to you. You need to think about your safety first." She said, walking to the door. "I'll be outside if you need me." With that, she left the room, closing the door behind her.