"Betrayal doesn’t just break you—it forces you to question everything you’ve ever trusted."
Notty stormed into her family’s estate, her boots echoing sharply against the polished stone floors. Every thread of her being felt pulled too tight, fraying at the edges. The confrontation with Lirien still burned in her mind, each word cutting deeper the more she thought about it. The realization that someone she had trusted so deeply was working against her made the air feel heavier with every breath.
The grand halls of the house looked the same as always—immaculate, with curtains of velvet and chandeliers sparkling like trapped starlight. But to Notty, it all felt wrong now, like a mask hiding the rot underneath.
“Where is she?” she demanded, her voice reverberating through the hall. The servants, startled by her abrupt entrance, exchanged nervous glances but didn’t respond. “I said, where is Lirien?” Notty’s voice cracked, raw with frustration and anger.
Her father appeared at the top of the grand staircase, his usual composed demeanor replaced with something colder, more calculating. “Notty,” he said, descending slowly. “What is the meaning of this? Barging in here like a—”
“Like someone who just discovered her own family is trying to destroy her?” she interrupted, her hands trembling at her sides. “Don’t bother pretending, father. I know.”
He paused mid-step, his expression faltering. “Know what?” he said carefully.
“That Lirien’s working with the entity,” she spat, her voice rising. “And from the way you’re looking at me, I’d wager you knew all along.”
The silence that followed was deafening. Her father’s face hardened, the faintest flicker of guilt disappearing as quickly as it had come. “You don’t understand, Notty. There are forces at work here that you cannot begin to comprehend.”
Notty laughed bitterly, a sound that echoed through the hall like shattered glass. “Don’t patronize me. I’ve faced those forces. I’ve seen what they can do. And I know exactly what they’re after—me.”
Her father descended the last few steps, standing just a few feet away from her. “It’s not that simple,” he said quietly. “The entity is more than you realize. It’s not just a force of destruction. It’s a balance—a necessary one.”
“And you think sacrificing me is part of that balance?” she snapped, her voice trembling with barely contained rage.
“It’s not about sacrifice,” he said, though the words rang hollow. “It’s about ensuring that our family’s legacy survives.”
“Legacy?” she repeated, her voice breaking. “You’d trade me for power. That’s what this is really about, isn’t it? All the talk of destiny, of protecting me—it was all a lie.”
Her father’s silence was answer enough. Before she could say more, a familiar voice rang out from behind her. “Notty, you’ve always been so dramatic.”
Notty spun around to see Lirien standing in the doorway, her expression calm and almost bored, as though this was all a minor inconvenience. The sight of her made Notty’s stomach twist, the betrayal still fresh and raw.
“You,” Notty hissed, taking a step toward her. “How could you do this? After everything?”
Lirien raised an eyebrow, her hands resting casually at her sides. “Because it’s what had to be done. You think you’re the only one burdened by this magic? By this family? I’ve been fighting to keep us afloat long before you even knew what the astral plane was.”
“You’re not keeping us afloat,” Notty said, her voice shaking with fury. “You’re drowning us.”
Lirien’s expression hardened, her calm facade cracking. “You don’t understand what’s at stake, Notty. You never have. The entity isn’t just a curse—it’s a force we’ve relied on for generations. It’s the reason our family has power, influence, wealth. Without it, we’re nothing.”
“Then maybe we should be nothing,” Notty shot back. “If this is the cost, it’s not worth it.”
“Easy for you to say,” Lirien said coldly. “You’re the one it chose. You’re the one who can wield its power. Do you know what I would give to have that kind of strength?”
Notty stared at her, her heart breaking even as her anger surged. “This isn’t strength, Lirien. It’s a curse. And it’s killing me.”
Lirien hesitated, a flicker of something softer passing across her face. But it was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by a steely resolve. “Then you should embrace it. Use it. Because if you don’t, it will destroy you—and us along with it.”
Notty shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “I can’t believe you would do this. I can’t believe you would choose them—choose this—over me.”
Lirien stepped closer, her voice quiet but firm. “Sometimes, Notty, survival means making choices you don’t like. And if you won’t make them, I will.”
Before Notty could respond, Lirien raised her hand, dark magic swirling around her fingers. The air crackled with energy, and the walls of the estate began to shimmer, threads of shadow weaving together into an impenetrable barrier.
“What are you doing?” Notty demanded, her voice rising in panic.
“Ensuring you don’t interfere,” Lirien said, her tone devoid of emotion. “This is bigger than you, Notty. Bigger than any of us. And if you won’t accept your place, then you’ll stay here—where you can’t cause any more damage.”
Notty’s heart raced as she watched the barrier grow, its threads pulsating with dark energy. She reached for her own magic, desperate to counter it, but nothing happened. Her powers were still too weak, drained from this place and the curse.
“Lirien, stop!” she shouted, her voice cracking. “You don’t have to do this!”
Lirien paused, her expression unreadable. For a moment, Notty thought she might listen. But then she turned away, her voice cold and final. “Goodbye, Notty.”
The barrier snapped into place with a deafening hum, cutting off the outside world. Notty stumbled back, her chest heaving as she stared at the shimmering wall of shadows that now surrounded her. She was trapped.
As Notty fell to her knees, the weight of her family’s betrayal crashing down on her, the barrier shimmered, and the faint image of the entity appeared within it. Its cold, hollow voice echoed through the room, sending chills down her spine.
“Your family has chosen well, Dreamweaver,” it said, its tone mocking. “But your story is far from over.”
Notty clenched her fists, determination flaring within her even as tears blurred her vision. “This isn’t the end,” she whispered. “I’ll find a way out. I’ll stop you.”
The entity’s laughter echoed around her, reverberating...