"Hey there Duna. You didn't really think I was just gonna give you up did you?" She grins, her teeth gleaming in the dim light. There's a cruelty in her expression that I haven't seen before. "No, you see, I have other plans for you. Much better plans." She closes the book and sets it aside, her eyes boring into mine. "You're going to be my personal slave, my pet. I've always wanted one, you see. Someone I can train, someone I can break. And you, my dear, are going to be that someone." She stands up, towering over me, and walks slowly around the bed. I can feel the weight of her gaze as she studies my body, imagining all the ways she's going to use me. My heart races in terror, but I refuse to show her any fear. I have to stay strong, somehow. "Now, you're going to help me get undressed. I'm very tired, and I think a nice, warm bath is in order." She says, her voice smooth and seductive. "You may start with my shoes." I frown at her feeling my old self start to creep behind my mask, that I've been wearing since the day I was bought by Alden. "You're pretty possessive aren't you?" I say back to her in a normal voice. She raises an eyebrow, clearly surprised by my comment. "And what do you mean by that? "You don't know what "Possessive" means? I ask coldly. I step forward, my anger and fear making me stronger. She's never seen me like this before. "I mean," I continue, "that you're treating me like I'm yours. Like I'm some object that you can use and throw away. But the truth is, I'm not yours. I never was." I say with a confident voice.Her eyes widen and she takes a step back, clearly unsettled by my words. "What do you mean?" she hisses. "I bought you." I frown at her with a face of pure hate. "Yea, and now you're going to regret it." I say as, I start I walk towards her, my body tense.She takes another step back, her eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape. "You don't understand," she whispers. "I can do anything I want with you." She licks her lips nervously. "And I'm not the only one." 

"What's the matter brat, unsure of what do to?" I say in a low voice as I grab her by the collar of her shirt pressing her onto the wall. "Slave!" She screams, trying to push me off. "Get away from me!" She struggles, her face turning red with anger. I glare at her, my eyes burning. "You think I'm afraid of you?" I growl. "You think I'm some weak little thing that you can just push around? You don't know me." I lean in close, my breath warm against her ear. "And you're going to find out why that's a mistake. "I tighten my grip on her shirt. "MOM!" she screams. "HELP!" But no one comes. I look around, making sure she's trapped. "You want to play that game?" I ask, my voice cold and hard. "Fine." I grab her by the throat and start to squeeze. Her face turns purple and she kicks and claws at me, but I don't let go. "Let me go!" she gasps, her voice weak. "I'll do anything you want!" I squeeze harder, not replying. I can feel her struggling grow weaker, her body going limp against mine. Finally, she goes still. I let her body slide to the floor and take a step back, my chest heaving from the exertion. I look down at her, unsure of how I feel about choking her. I look to door.

MEANWHILE AT THE CASTLE:

Alden stirs and slowly wakes up noticing Duna isn't in her bed. Alden assumes she's already up in the kitchen, and makes his way over. The castle hallway is quiet, as usual. The servants are all busy with their morning chores, and the guards stand at attention, their breath visible in the cool air. Alden's steps echo down the marble floors, his thoughts already on the day's business. As he approaches the kitchen. "Good morning Alden." Lady Thorn chirps siting at the head of the table eating already. Duna isn't there. Alden frowns, feeling a knot form in his stomach. "Where's Duna this morning?" he asks, his voice sounding more anxious than he intends. Lady Thorn's eyes flicker to the side, a worried expression crossing her face. "Isn't She sleeping with you?"Alden shakes his head, confusion and worry mixing together. "No, she's usually with me in the mornings. She's not in my room either. Have you seen her?" His eyes scan the kitchen, searching for any sign of his beloved slave. Lady Thorn hesitates, her expression troubled. "I... I'm not sure. I haven't seen her since last night. She was with you, wasn't she?" Alden's heart sinks. "No, she wasn't." He says, his voice strained. "I think something's wrong."Suddenly A loud noise is heard of the castle Like glass breaking, and a girl screaming in terror. Alden and Lady Thorn both run toward the source of the noise. As they open the door marik jumps down from the ceiling. "I'm back bitches, and this time, he licks his lips you're dead." Alden draws his sword, but Marik swiftly disarms him. Lady Thorn gasps in horror as she sees the sword clatter to the floor. "I've been planning this for a long time," Marik sneers, his yellow eyes glinting with malice. "And now, you're going to regret ever crossing me and my sister." He grabs Alden by the throat and pushes him against the wall, his strength unparalleled."Where is she?" he demands, his voice cold and menacing. "Where is my sister?" Suddenly, the guards show up surrounding Marik, One of them lunges for marik's arm forcing him to let go of Alden, Marik dodges and looks back with a twisted smirk "Jim, draws his sword, that's as far as you go, kid." The guards tense and look to Lady Thorn for orders. Alden, still struggling to catch his breath, glares at Marik."Let him go," Lady Thorn says, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes. "We can reason with him." The guards hesitate, glancing between their queen and the crazed boy before them. Marik laughs, a cruel sound that sends shivers down Alden's spine. Marik, pulls out a small sword and smacks Jims sword breaking it in half with a light blow. Jim, looks back in shock. "Did you not notice I switched you're swords with fake ones?" He smriks and starts to chuckle "Poor, poor guards how do you plan to stop me now?" Marik stabs one of the guards with his small sword, dropping him as blood starts to stain the floor. Lady thorn motions for the guards and Alden to follow her "Run!" she commands as she sprints down the hallway. The guards and Alden follow, Mariks stands still and watches a bit surprised, but doesn't show it past his poker face smirk. They race through the castle halls, their footsteps echoing loudly in the silence. Lady Thorn leads them a small empty room, "You, pull that rope when he walks in" she says addressing one of the guards. "Well I guess I did disarm them." Marik smirks as he slowly walks towards them. "I would go and run off with Duna now, But I wasn't able to find her. I'm sure the queen will tell me where she is if I ask "nice" enough though Marik grins as the stands outside the door they ran into. "Get ready" Lady thorn whispers to the guard by the rope. The guard nods. "Well, well ,well ain't that the damnedest thing, I smell a bunch of rats coming from behind this door." Mark mocks as he opens the door jumping in with his blade drawn." The guard pulls the rope, and a trapdoor beneath Marik swings open, revealing a pit. "Aw, shit" Maik curses and tries to grab onto something, but his fingers slide uselessly over the smooth walls. He falls into the pit with a sickening thud, disappearing from sight. The guards breathe a sigh of relief. "Go, and pull him out of there, then throw him into the dungeon." Lady thorn commands." But my lady, he's not dead yet." One of the guards protests. Lady Thorn raises an eyebrow. "Do not question me, DO AS YOUR TOLD." she yells back at the guard.The guard looks at the floor, ashamed. "Yes, my lady." he says softly before going to retrieve Marik's limp body. The guards, pull Marik out putting him restraints and carry him to the dungeon. "Now, we need to find Duna." Alden runs out of the room, starting search for her.

"She mostly likely just ran away." Jim says walking out of the room."Well, we should at least try to find her. She could be hurt or scared." Lady Thorn says, starting to pace the hallway. "Perhaps Alden should start by checking with the stable master, to see if she's taken any of the horses." The guards nod in agreement, and Alden hurries off to find the stable master.They search and find no sign of Duna. The stable master informs them that she didn't take any horses, and the guards report that the gates to the castle have not been breached. Alden suggests they search the castle grounds, starting with the garden. As they walk through the neatly trimmed hedges and flower beds, they notice a small, overgrown section that doesn't seem to belong. Alden leads them to it, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Perhaps she found a place to hide," he says.The guards clear away some of the overgrowth, revealing a small, hidden door. Lady Thorn motions for one of the guards to open it. The door creaks open, revealing a secret passageway. "It looks like it leads deeper into the castle," the guard says, peering down the dark corridor. "Shall we investigate further?" They carefully make their way down the passageway, the silence pressing in on them. The air feels thick and oppressive, as if the walls are closing in. After several twists and turns, they come to a dead end. In the center of the room stands a pedestal, upon which rests a small, ornate box. "What do you suppose this is?" one of the guards asks, curiosity getting the better of him.Lady Thorn approaches the pedestal and carefully lifts the box. As she opens it, a soft, golden light spills out, illuminating the room. Inside the box, they find a small, ornate key. "This castle is ancient, it's most likely belongs to someone whos dead." Lady Thorn says "Put it back."The guards nod, returning the box to its place. They leave the secret passageway, carefully closing the hidden door behind them. Alden and Lady Thorn share a knowing look, realizing that the discovery of the hidden room and the key might have far-reaching implications for the kingdom. They decide to keep it a secret, at least for now, and continue their search for Duna.They start to walk back inside to lady thorn's room before the door opens revealing Vergo. "Um, My queen?" She says. "I saw The head guard acting suspicious last night, while stealing food." Lady Thorn raises an eyebrow at Vergo at the confession and the remark "My Queen?" but lets it slide. "Continue." She says, intrigued. "The head guard jim, was acting suspicious, and was walking with some of the other slaves.""And what made you think that this was suspicious?" Lady Thorn asks, narrowing her eyes."Well, My Queen, he was taking them into parts of the castle that they normally wouldn't go. And they were talking in whispers, almost like they were plotting something." Vergo explains."Very well. Let's gather up Jim and the others. We'll question them separately," Lady Thorn says. "Alden, please see to it that they are brought here." Alden nods and leaves the room.Lady Thorn turns back to Vergo. "You have done well to come forward with this information. Your loyalty does not go unnoticed. I will see to it that you are rewarded for your courage." She pauses, considering her next words. "However, for now, it is best if you remain in your quarters. You have already taken a great risk by speaking out. Do not put yourself in further danger."Alden returns, leading Jim and the other slaves into the room. Lady Thorn motions for them to sit down on the hard wooden benches lining the wall. She takes her seat on a throne-like chair at the head of the room, her expression stern and unyielding. "Jim," she begins, "Vergo has accused you of acting suspiciously and plotting with these others. Is there anything you wish to say in your defense?"Jim looks nervously around the room, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallows. "My queen, I admit that I did take the others into parts of the castle they shouldn't have gone, but it was only to show them a... a secret passageway. One that my family has known about for generations. I only wanted to share something special with them.""He's lying." One of the girls speaks up. Lady Thorn narrows her eyes. "And why would you say that, girl?"The girl swallows hard, looking at Jim with disgust. "Because he was busy tying up Duna and selling her last night" The room falls silent. Alden's eyes widen in shock as Lady Thorn's face darkens with anger. She leans forward, fixing Jim with a steely gaze. "Is this true?" she demands. Jim's face turns red as he realizes his lie has been exposed." Yes, my queen." he finally admits, his voice barely above a whisper. "I apologize for my treachery. I was desperate to find a way to escape this place, and I was promised a great reward if I could sell Duna. I never meant for her any harm." Lady thorn turns to the other guards glaring. They nod and pull Jim dragging him and the three other slaves out of the room, towards the dungeon. Lady Thorn sighs, rubbing her temples. "This is a sad day for Castle Darkmoon. To think that one of our own would betray us so. " Vergo, do you know who Duna was sold to?" she questions."The noble that visited us before, one of the knights that was with the royals took her."The moment Vergo finishes speaking Alden bolts out of the room running for the front of the castle "Son, wait" Lady thorn runs after him, but she's too slow. The day was already bright when Alden reaches the front of the castle. He jumps on a horse heading back to the castle his father and him made the trip for.

Lady Thorn, sighs and walks back to Mariks holding cell.

Marik smiles back at her. "That wasn't a half bad stunt, my Lady.""I did what I had to, Marik. But I am glad that you weren't harmed in the process." Lady Thorn pauses, considering her next words carefully. "I have given this much thought, and I believe that you should be given a second chance. A trial of sorts. I want you to redeem yourself and prove your loyalty to Castle Darkmoon." Marik laughs "What a lame name, is that what you call this place?" He smirks "You're nicer than I expected, I mean I did just kill one of your guards, aren't you a bit oh I don't know, upset?" Lady Thorn's expression hardens. "You are correct. It is a lame name. And yes, I am upset that a member of my household was killed. But I believe that you can make amends for that. "You see my head guard is about to be killed for treason that means, that the position of head guard will be open." Lady Thorn pauses, watching Marik's reaction carefully. "I want you to take that position, Marik. You will report directly to me, and you will be answerable only to me. You will have full authority over the guards, and you will be responsible for their training, discipline, and well-being. In return, I will grant you your freedom after one year of service. If you succeed, if you prove your loyalty, then you will be free to leave this place and live your life as you see fit. Do we have a deal?""How about, You hand over my sister, and I"ll gladly be your head guard."Lady Thorn arches an eyebrow. "Your sister, Marik? I don't believe we have anyone of that relation in our household." She pauses, narrowing her eyes. "Unless... you mean your sister..""Duna Nitches, the girl you brought."Lady Thorn's expression softens, her eyes distant for a moment. "I see... I suppose that is one option. But I must warn you, Marik, Duna is no ordinary girl. She has been through much in her short life, and she is very special to this castle. I will not give her up lightly." She pauses, taking a deep breath before continuing. "Very well, if that is what you truly wish, I will consider your offer. But know this, Marik: if you betray my trust, if you hurt her in any way, I will personally see to it that you suffer a fate worse than death."Marik looks at her with a shock/surprised expression "She's my sister, your highness, and she's the reason I started breaking into this place in the first place, you think I'd harm her?" Marik laughs."Very well, so it's a deal then?" Lady thorn asks, a hint of hope in her voice."Yea, sure, whatever I'll be your head guard I've got nothing better to do anyway." Marik laughs again." Very well, then. I will have the necessary paperwork drawn up immediately. Once it is signed and witnessed, you will be set to begin your training. In the meantime, I suggest you spend some time with your sister. I will have her brought here shortly." Lady Thorn turns to leave, then pauses, looking back at him over her shoulder. "Oh, and Marik?""Hmm?""Call me 'my lady' when we're in public, understood?"Marik smirks, "Sure, My lady."As Lady Thorn turns to leave, Marik speaks out "Hold it My lady, can request something?" Marik smiles. "Oh?" Lady Thorn raises an eyebrow, tilting her head slightly to the side. "And what is it that you would like, Marik?"Marik grins, "I couldn't help but over hear that "jim" guy, sold Duna to some other guy..." Marik pauses "Would you mind letting him sit in this cell, with me?"Lady Thorn seems taken aback by the request, but then nods slowly. "Very well, Marik. I will have him brought to you. But understand that this is a special favor, and I expect you to behave yourself while you are here. No more attempts at escape or acts of violence. Do we have an understanding?" Marik smirks "Yes, boss." Several guards enter the room, leading a man in chains. They roughly push him to his knees in front of Marik. The guards lock the door, behind them and leave. "So, you like selling my sister to a brat huh?" Marik smirks as he grabs jims throat squeezing it." Jim tries to speak but only manages a gurgle. "She's not my sister..." He gasps. "She's just some girl I picked up...""MY sister, you dumbass." Marik shows a sadistic smile as he slowly chokes the former head guard, his grip getting tighter.Lady Thorn's voice echoes through the chamber, "Marik, that's enough!"Marik smirks looking back at jim's face. "Whoops" he says sarcastically as a noise comes from Jims neck, Jim falls to the floor motionless."Well done, Marik. I see you're taking your new duties quite seriously," Lady Thorn says, her voice laced with sarcasm as she leans against the bars of the cell. "But remember, I only allowed this because I wanted you to understand the consequences of your actions. Do not think that you can continue to act in such a manner and expect to retain your position.""Sorry, my lady. I couldn't help myself, I follow orders from now on." Marik gives a sincere smile back. Lady Thorn eyes him for a moment, then nods slowly. "Very well, Marik. Let's hope you've learned your lesson. Now, I'd best be getting back to my duties. A member of my staff will be by shortly to escort you to your new quarters. Rest well, and I'll see you tomorrow." With that, she turns and leaves the chamber, the sound of her heels clicking on the stone floor fading quickly.

BACK TO DUNA's POV:

I open the door leaning into the hallway, my eyes darting around I walk down the hall slowly trying to act normal.Suddenly, a voice behind me makes me jump. "What are you doing?" I turn around to see Stephanie's mom standing there, looking at me with a mix of confusion and anger. She looks me up and down "You're a slave?" she questions then turns to her daughters door putting two and two together. She goes to open the door. "Wait" I say in a loud voice. "Yes?" she replies, her expression still confused. "She's sleeping and doesn't want anyone disturbing her, mistress." The woman glares at me before taking a step back. "Fine. You'd better not let her out of your sight." She pauses, thinking for a moment. "You'd better get some rest too. You look exhausted." I nod, feeling guilty for a moment. As she walks away, I turn back to the door, realizing I jumped the gun and tried to leave without a plan. I look down at my shackles then open the door sitting waiting for her to wake up.Time passes slowly as I sit there, growing more and more anxious. The room feels close and stuffy, and my back begins to ache from sitting in the same position for so long. I try to think of a way to free myself, but my mind keeps going back to the conversation with Stephanie's mom. If she finds out about this, there will be serious consequences. Stephanie slowly wakes up, pushing herself up from the floor then eyes me sitting.Stephanie stares at me with a confused expression, "W-hat you're still here, Why are you sitting?" I look back at her with a blank face. "Sorry, mistress."She glares at me for a moment before slowly standing up and stretching. "Well, looks like someone remembers their place, I think you need to be punished. You'll be wearing these tonight." She pulls out a pair of shackles and binds my hands behind my back. "Now, she grabs my hair and slams me into the floor. "Duna have you ever heard the saying "Don't bite the hand that feeds you?"I nod, feeling tears welling up in my eyes. "Yes, mistress."She laughs, a cruel sound that echoes through the room. "Because, you choked me out, you're not getting any food or water tonight.""I'm sorry, I'll be good, Please let me eat at least something" I ask in a low voice She laughs "You're strange Duna, how do you go from threatening me and choking me to this, it's like you have a split personality."She kneels down beside me, running her hand through my hair. "You know, I've always found that fascinating about you. I've never met anyone quite like you before. It's like there's this wild animal inside you, just waiting to break free." She pauses for a moment, her breath warm against my ear. "It's a shame really, that you have to be like this now."She stands up and walks away, leaving me lying on the cold, hard floor. I feel a stab of hunger as my stomach growls loudly. I try to ignore it, telling myself that it's only for a few hours. The hours seem to drag on as I lie there, my body growing weaker with each passing moment. Eventually, she comes back into the room carrying some food. She sits on her bed and beings to eat. "Oh did you want something to eat too?" I nod, my throat feeling raw from the effort of swallowing saliva. "Too bad, slave. this is what you get for defying me she kicks my head. "Now, you're going to lay there until I say you can move." She finishes her meal and then retires to her bed, leaving me on the floor. The pain in my back from sitting in the same position all day begins to radiate through my body. I try to move, but I'm too weak. I must have drifted off to sleep at some point, because the next thing I know, she's shaking me awake. "Time for bed slave, I'll start training you tomorrow, and soon you'll forget all about Alden and be MY pet."She undoes my shackles and helps me to my feet. "Now, pick a spot, She points to the floor and you're not getting a blanket or pillow so don't bother asking." I find a spot near the foot of the bed and lay down, thankful to finally be able to stretch out. Stephanie turns off the light and crawls into bed, leaving me in the darkness. As my eyes adjust, I can just make out the outline of her form beneath the sheets. The air in the room feels cold, and I start to regret my actions, I shiver and curl up trying to stay warm as I drift off to sleep.