His story began long before the chains, before the cold, and before the darkness that would soon consume him. But this... this was where everything changed. Alone in a forsaken place, shackled and powerless, he was left to contemplate the cost of his choices, the price of his defiance. And with every passing moment, the weight of his regret grew heavier.
Lioren's mind was a storm of confusion and despair as he woke to the darkness. His arms were shackled above him, pulled taut by cold, unforgiving chains. Every small movement sent jolts of pain through his body, the metal biting into his wrists, reminding him that he was powerless. His clothes, his armor—everything had been stripped away, leaving him exposed, vulnerable, with nothing but a thin piece of cloth wrapped around his waist to shield his dignity.
The cold, damp stone beneath him was a harsh reminder that he was alone, utterly alone in this forsaken place. The air was thick and suffocating, carrying with it the metallic taste of blood and the bitterness of something ancient and evil. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat a loud reminder of his helplessness.
The chains rattled softly as he struggled against them, his body aching, his magic—the light within him—dimming to nothing. It was gone, snatched away, leaving him feeling incomplete, like a part of himself had been torn away, and in its place... only fear. Cold, biting fear.
His mind raced with memories—memories of the decision that had brought him here. If only he hadn't been so reckless. If only he had not followed his heart in pursuit of a demon. If only he had stayed away, stayed where he belonged, maybe this would not have happened. Maybe he would not have fallen into the trap, caught by something far darker than he had ever anticipated.
But now, none of that mattered. He was here. In this place. Alone. And that demon will come back to use him again. He was insatiable, voracious, greedy and merciless.
The chains held him fast, and though he fought against them with everything he had, nothing gave. The oppressive silence only deepened the despair. He had no allies, no one who knew where he was. No one would come for him.
Regret twisted in his chest, sharp and unforgiving. What had he hoped to find? What had driven him to defy everything he knew? The answer eluded him, but he knew one thing for certain. He had been a fool. A fool to think he could save anyone—least of all himself.
And now, trapped, powerless, with nothing but the dark for company, he wondered if this was the end. If the price of following his heart would be his life.