Heart Of Stone - Episode 11&12

 

HEART OF STONE

Heart Of Stone - Episode 11&12

 (..Sold•To•The•Pit•Of•Hell..)

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No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or reposted in any form, or by any means without a written permission from the author.

Copyright © 2025.

By: Naomi Cindy B.

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

The arrival of the old chef was what made Ryker step away from the door.

He had brought Granny Jojo's breakfast in two portions like she had ordered, but the moment he set eyes on Ryker, he smiled.

Ryker's eyes rolled away from him, but the old chef kept standing there, staring at him.

Ryker stayed stiff.

"Aren't you gonna go in?" Sage told the Old Chef, and that seemed to wake him up.

He placed a gentle knock on the door to announce his arrival before wheeling the food trolley into the chamber.

Granny Jojo's laughter stopped, but Shayla's eyes widened with satisfaction.

She didn't expect the meals to be this much, but here it is, looking like it was brought for ten people.

She touched her stomach, stylishly asking if it's ready for the upcoming devour journey.

"A good morning to you, Grandmother." Old Chef bowed, but the old woman stayed the way she was—unimpressed.

He began settling the food on the wide table, making sure to set it on two sides.

Turkey sandwich, fried turkey, congee as the main dish, and stewed fish. The meals all look too good, and Shayla's mouth was already watering.

"Dig in," Jojo told her.

"Thank you" she politely smiled and took a spoon...

"You should use a fork, it's easier to eat the turkey with it." Jojo said.

"I've never used a fork," Shayla looked up. The old woman blinked.

"When I was in my dark room cage, we weren't served with spoons, so I ate with my fingers, and when I came here at the slaves hall, I ate custard with a spoon." Shayla explained.

"I was thoughtless to say that, go on...eat." Jojo gestured at the food, her pity obvious in the way she's looking at her.

Shayla digged into the food, starting with the congee before the turkey, but despite her roots, she's gentle with it. She eats really gently.

Jojo was smiling as she watched her eat. She was so invested in staring that she didn't realize Old Chef is still in the chamber with them.

Ryker finally made his entry with his knights, and when Cheyenne set eyes on Shayla eating in the chamber, her nails grew angrily. 

She was already rushing to her with intention of tearing her to pieces when Granny Jojo stood.

"Stay back!" She ordered.

"Grandmother, she's dirty! You've been in coma for two months! Her presence is enough to send you back to coma! Entertaining her here might endanger you!" Cheyenne raised her voice.

"I wouldn't raise that voice higher if I were you." Ryker warned with a growl.

She looked at him, finding his glaring eyes on herself.

"I'm sorry, my Lord, but—"

"It's her chamber, and I won't stop her from taking your head if you say anything else. Raising your voice at her? It's dirtier!" Ryker snarled.

Sage touched Cheyenne's arm, urging her to do the right thing.

She went on her knees, interlinking her fingers in front of herself.

"Forgive me" she apologized, but the unfriendly look is still on her face as she sideyed Shayla.

And Shayla herself?

She knows what's going on, but she chose not to look up from her food. Labor Camp opens at 9, and it's some minutes to 9 already, so she can't afford to waste any time.

She's gotta eat every bite she can take before she'd leave.

"You will behave yourself the next time you enter here. I'm a Granny, not a play toy to be messes with." Granny Jojo said.

"I'm sorry, forgive me once again." Cheyenne replied.

Jojo sat with a heave.

"Stay outside, you and Sage." Ryker ordered.

Cheyenne got up, leaving the chamber with Sage.

"You should take your leave, Old Chef. I'll call you if I need additional dishes." Jojo told the man who has been standing speechlessly.

"I understand," he bowed, looking at Ryker deeply before leaving, his reluctance obvious.

Ryker took his seat, but Jojo didn't even look at him. Her eyes already returned to Shayla.

Seeing that, Ryker turned his neck a bit too, giving the foodie a gaze across the room.

"Isn't she so adorable?" Jojo said.

"You hated slaves and didn't want to have anything to do with them. You even refused to visit the Slaves Hall because of it, so what's so special about her?" He replied, bringing his eyes back to Jojo.

"I wanted to take a stroll earlier, but I didn't know it was too early to walk. I nearly passed out, but she guided me back here." Jojo explained.

"Take maids with you whenever you're going out, what part of that isn't understandable? There are cleaning maids in the main castle and just a telephone call would bring them running, why going out by yourself?" Ryker scolded.

"Maybe I love it when you scold me?" Jojo said intentionally.

"You're silly" Ryker scoffed, making her chuckle.

"I'm..I'm full." Shayla's voice interrupted them, but this time, only Jojo looked at her.

Ryker's face remained unturned.

"Thank you, and I won't take it for granted, Granny." She said, not bothering to use tissue on her lips before rushing out of the chamber.

"Just look at her, she's cute. I can only imagine how much cuter she'd be if she's not a slave." Jojo said fondly.

"Stop imagining the unimaginable, and talk about the West Palace boy." Ryker said.

"Shayla told me to help free him, and I won't talk to Azura or Zeke about it. Talking to them or begging them just boosts their ego. I'll visit the thunder arena myself by 10." Jojo said craftily.

"You have a plan?" Ryker asked.

"No I don't, but I trust you have one already, so I'm just gonna follow your lead and do whatever you say. What should I do?" Jojo asked.

--

[Outside]

Cheyenne is still sulking, and Sage is still trying to calm her down when Shayla came out of the chamber.

Cheyenne's nails grew. She walked few steps to Shayla, raising her nails and bringing it down to her arm, tearing her skin with four long lines.

Before Shayla could scream, Cheyenne covered her mouth with her palm, thudding her back on the wall. Tears welled in Shayla's eyes.

"You will not scream cos you're not entitled to scream. You're a slave, so behave like one! First was entering Lord Ryker's Groove, now you're entering Grandmother's chamber? Are you crazy? Who do you think you really are? Huh? I'm asking you!" She demanded, preparing to tear her second arm too.

"Cheyenne!" Sage tried pulling her away from the poor girl, but Cheyenne refused.

Shayla's torn arm has started bleeding now.

"And I knelt in that room, but you sat there and was eating like a slut! A slut that you are!" Cheyenne continued.

"I'm...I'm not a slut." Shayla sniffled.

Cheyenne would have torn her face apart immediately she said that, but Sage quickly pulled her away, putting space between them.

"Go! Run!" He faced Shayla.

Shayla ran out of the building, and Cheyenne pushed Sage away from herself.

"What do you think you're doing? You've always been on my side so what's going on!" 

"Stop it already! Why acting overprotective of Lord Ryker? You think he'd say thank you if he hears about this? You know how much he hates when we act without telling him first, so I'm warning you... don't get him angry, I don't want him to hurt you!" Sage slammed, and Cheyenne nearly laughed.

"Hurt me cos of a dirty slave? You deserve a knock on the forehead right now." She hissed, readjusting her hat on her head.

With a broom, she cleaned up Shayla's blood from the ground, doing it as smartly as possible.

Ryker came out of the chamber with Jojo, the old woman is holding his arm for balance.

They waited for Ryker to move forward before they followed behind, but Ryker suddenly looked back.

His eyes landed on Cheyenne's nails. Though they're back to short form right now.

"Is there a problem, My Lord?" Cheyenne asked innocently.

Without a reply, Ryker continued his walk with the granny.

Cheyenne looked at Sage, smiling wickedly as they followed.

--

[Slaves Kitchen]

Xena nearly screamed out her lungs when Shayla appeared with torn, bloody arm.

Even Old Chef looks shocked.

"What animal did this to you!" Xena gasped.

"It's not an animal. You don't know the only person with long nails weapon in this place?" Old Chef said.

"Wait... Cheyenne?" Xena blinked.

"I dunno," Shayla wiped her tears before continuing. "She's the beautiful female who always follows Lord Ryker around."

"That's Cheyenne" Xena muttered.

"She must have gotten angry cos she knelt, and she took it out on you." Old Chef said, and Shayla nodded.

"Father arrived from the chamber and told me he met you there. I was already so happy that you're clicking with Grandmother, but Cheyenne had to do this? I've never liked her. I bet she likes Lord Ryker, and why did you call her beautiful?" Xena scoffed.

"Cos she's beautiful?" Shayla said.

"Beautiful my foot! Who's interested in her beauty? Geez, what do we do about your arm? You have to go to the camp to work. You can't go like this" Xena muttered.

"I have leftover capsules though," she said further.

"And I have a short bandage, though it's rough but it's still a bandage." Old Chef said, digging out of one of the kitchen old pots.

Xena got the capsule remnants, cleaning blood from the wound before capsuling it.

She wrapped it with the bandage, making sure the knot is secure.

"You should be fine till the end of the camp today, that's if they don't overwork you." She said.

"I'll manage, thank you. Thank you, Old Chef." Shayla said.

"It's fine, you should go now." He nodded.

Shayla stood, pulling two turkey portions out of her skirt pockets.

"Oh my Shaylaaa" Xena gushed, taking them from her.

"You can share it with him, I'll see you later" Shayla waved, rushing off.

"When last did I eat meat! Finally something to eat instead of custard!" Xena brought the wrapped turkeys to her nose, sniffling the aroma.

"Father...great breakfast" she winked, and the man smiled as they entered the kitchen together.

--

[Main Castle, Lobby]

Jude had slept here till daybreak. 

He didn't go to his room. He wasn't even aware of when he slept off last night cos of the pains, but now that he woke up to a fresh morning, he feels better.

He sat up on the couch, wiping the lingering sleep away from his eyes and then flashing back to when he healed Shayla last night.

He smiled coolly, standing to his feet. His eyes caught the lobby wall clock.

9:50, meaning Blaise's punishment is in ten minutes.

He's gonna have to go shower before then, so he began strolling up.

The twins and Mercury met him by the wide staircase. They're dressed for school already, but not in uniforms.

The Ballet School don't do uniforms, they just wear any black outfit and it's okay.

"You look more handsome this morning, Jude. I believe you should spend more time at the lobby, you might become more powerful too." Sadie talked first as usual.

"No. A loser is forever a loser, Sadie. Don't give him hope." Soren said, and Mercury grinned out.

"I'll have fun mixing your faces with sand anytime I get the smallest hold on you two. Just wait." Jude replied.

Soren came closer, leaning into his ear to whisper...

"You'd break your own neck before you'd be able to reach our faces. Stop dreaming, you might get crowned as the king of delusions at this rate." 

"Let's go, Soren. We can't miss the thunder punishment" Sadie said behind, smiling mockingly at Jude.

The twins left with their friend, and Jude stood there helplessly too long before resuming his journey to his room.

--

[Thunder Arena]

As a spot designed for punishing offenders with thunder, it's situated not far from the bamboo groove, and there's no single chair for the audience to sit.

Everyone watches punishments on their feet, including Azura and Zeke who're currently standing close to the middle where there's a pinnacle.

Kasia, Astor, Winona and Faye are also here from the West Palace. Here to watch Blaise's doom.

Kasia looks weak, same as Winona. They had cried till daybreak.

Astor is the one giving them useless consolations, and as for Faye, her tongue is still frozen, so she could do nothing but watch.

Cheyenne and Sage are present, but Ryker and Granny aren't with them.

The twins arrived, and Mercury's laughter started when she saw the ready pinnacle.

"This is my first time watching a thunder punishment, thanks for inviting me here peeps!"

"You haven't even started witnessing the punishment yet, so keep calm and await the climax." Sadie said.

Xena and the Old Chef came too, but they had to hide beside a pillar to watch from there.

Thanks to the numerous pillars in this place, watching things from hiding is easy.

"Seems like he's really gonna die" Xena muttered.

"No one can tell..." Old Chef replied.

Blaise was dragged in by the servants from the quarters, and the moment Kasia saw him, she broke down in tears again.

Astor placed an arm on her shoulder,, but it's never working.

Winona nearly entered the middle, but Faye pulled her back, shaking her head and telling her no.

Blaise was dropped in the middle pinnacle, then his wrists were raised up above his head, chained up to the crossed-metals on top of the pinnacle.

The gag is still on his mouth, now damp with his saliva. His hopeless eyes settled on his father and sister.

Jude strolled nonchalantly into the arena, hands in his pockets and gum in his mouth which he's chewing softly.

He looks even more hopeless than Blaise as he awaited the punishment with the others.

Mercury already set her phone camera, ready to capture the moment and broadcast it.

"There are rules that binds citizens in this city, and at the same time there are rules that binds the palace!" Zeke started his speech.

Silence took over the arena.

"Low royals from the West Palace will eat dirt if anyone from this East Palace tells them to. They dare not object, so why do you think you have the right to fight back if Sadie touches you! You should kneel and even thank her!" He continued.

"And that's right" Azura took over, standing beside him. Her red robe moved with the breeze, and her nose ring dangled from her nose.

"Now take a look at what happens when you decide to go against the rules. Watch closely, and carefully" she finished up, connecting her mind to the sky.

She's the thunder controller.

The clouds blackened in a whim, no silhouette in sight. It threw the arena into darkness, void of all light as the skies rumbled with anger, ready to start releasing the strikes.

Blaise was shaking on the chains, and Kasia dropped on her knees, shaking too as the light returned, then the thunders started coming from a hollow space in the clouds, hitting the arena and targeting the pinnacle.

The first one hit Blaise, and his eyes rolled back, arms straining against the chains and bones stiffening.

He should start bleeding right from the first strike, but nothing happened.

The second strike followed, he didn't bleed.

The third strike shook the arena turbulently with the energy of a starving tsunami. It cracked the ground in several places.

Blaise still stood strong on the pinnacle, and Azura's eyes widened.

She doubled the striking power of the thunders, her face shooting up to the sky, eyes glaring to the clouds.

The thunders turned harsher, harder.

Nothing still happened to Blaise.

Zeke looks confused too, and Kasia is up from her knees right now, wondering like everyone else.

"What's going on?" Mercury lowered her phone camera.

The twins couldn't talk, but Jude is looking around, knowing this can only be the work of someone.

Someone is repelling the strikes of the thunder.

"Lord Ryker?" Cheyenne looked around too, even Sage.

"I don't understand, at all." Xena said behind the pillar.

The fiftieth thunder sounded, giving the metal pinnacle several cracks too, but Blaise didn't get affected.

His chains were released from his wrists, and he fell on the ground.

Kasia and Astor rushed to the pinnacle, both kneeling with him.

Kasia hugged him, and Astor covered them.

Zeke tried walking into the pinnacle, but Winona blocked him.

"Grand Supreme, I think it's over now. The 50 is over and he's still alive. You must stand on your words and leave him alone." She said.

Zeke stopped, eyes rotating tentatively between Blaise and Winona who's in front of him.

"He didn't die, but his hair is still to be shaved" Azura spoke up.

"This red hair is the only weapon he has to defend himself with, you can't take it!" Kasia stood.

"Says who?" Azura pulled out a long scissors, but before she could climb the pinnacle, Granny Jojo entered the arena, and the silence returned.

Most of the clansmen weren't aware that she woke up, so shock mixed with their reactions.

"What are you doing here, Granny?" Zeke went for her.

She brushed him aside and took the scissors from Azura.

"Mother?" Azura snapped.

"Let him go...he's just a kid. Whatever happened, Sadie is at fault. Sadie is probably the most hateful girl in this city. You know that, so why so bent on destroying him?" Jojo said sternly.

Sadie walked fast into the center, getting in front of Jojo.

"You can never support me, can you? You've proved that again and again! You hate I and Soren, but you hate me more! You treat the bastard like your son, but now you're even saving the boy from West Palace who blinded my one eye? Look at my eye!" 

"Go to school, Sadie. I'm not gonna talk to you." Jojo said.

"I hate you!!" Sadie yelled at her face petulantly, storming off afterwards.

"You love disappointing us, it has become an habit. Go back to coma!" Soren added before following her with Mercury.

Zeke and Azura left the arena after shooting laser looks at Jojo too, then the arena began emptying as people began leaving one by one.

Faye suddenly spit out water, and she was surprised that the ice on her tongue is gone.

Ryker probably decided to finally let her go.

She rushed to Jojo, giving her a kowtow. "Thanks for your help." 

"You should thank Ryker instead. If he hadn't repelled the thunders, it'd have been ugly." Jojo said.

"Ryker did?" Winona said surprisingly.

"For his own good though. He might wanna use Blaise in the future. Ryker wouldn't do anything that's not gainful for him." Jojo smiled.

She faced Kasia and Astor who're still with Blaise on the pinnacle.

"Keep him safe, it's not over yet. He might have escaped this, but you know how the twins are... especially Sadie. She won't let him go." She advised.

"Thank you, Grandmother." Kasia knelt halfway.

Jojo left the arena in the company of some maids.

--

[Main Castle, Orb Hall]

Ryker's eyes are stilled as he placed his bleeding palm on top of the orb, wetting it silently.

His knife is in his second hand, wet with his blood too.

He had stood here during the thunder punishment, and he repelled the thunders from here, so he's expecting the tyrant couple to burst inside very soon.

The orb light reflected in his eyes, indicating that it's enough.

He immediately stopped wetting it, then he closed his eyes and connected with the city.

He was roaming in his imaginations, trying to pick the scent of ginger and garlic and lemon according to what the warehouse boss said.

That scent should be on Xena's twin body right now, and if she hasn't masked it again, he should be able to find her in his thoughts.

For minutes, he roamed the city in his imaginations, but nothing happened.

No ginger, garlic or lemon.

No one smells like that in the city.

He opened his eyes, slamming his fist on the orb table.

Did she switch scents again?

Azura and Zeke broke into the hall like he expected, and before he could even turn to them, they both attacked him, striking him at the same time.

The flashes of their strikes missed his stomach cos he changed positions, then he gave them his strike back without holding back.

They didn't escape it. 

Both Azura and Zeke got hit severely on the chest. Their hearts ruptured internally, and they had to hold the walls as blood soaked their mouths, pouring out to the ground.

They both groaned out at the same time, their chests feeling like it's being slashed with an axe repeatedly.

The hit was cruel, and even their eardrums felt it. They're bleeding water from their ears too.

"You're playing with Xena's life, and you know it! She's dying! I'm killing her!!" Zeke roared, his bloody teeth making him look cannibalistic.

"No you won't." Ryker said flatly, walking slowly from his spot, steps so clean. "You won't kill Xena yet. You need me to find my partner so you can use her, and till I find my partner, you'll continue threatening me with Xena. So you can't kill Xena yet." 

"Now don't act too arrogant" Azura faced him.

Ryker frowned. "Arrogance is like my trademark, aren't you used to it now? Don't get smart with me, and yes...I repelled the thunders. You should look forward to more, maybe I'll take the slave I bought next...who knows?"

"Ryker!!" Zeke yelled.

"It is 150 billions, Zeke! One fuckin fifty! You really think I was gonna let her be for the family? Especially now that Grann took a liking to her?" Ryker smirked, his eyes shadowed by his lashes.

"Watch out, and double the spies you always send after me. Be more hardworking in watching me." He said, then left the hall smoothly.

"Cut Xena's lifeline, now!!" Azura yelled at Zeke's face.

"It's the only thing keeping him down in this palace and you know it! Cutting it means you want him to destroy this city completely! We need his partner first. By the time we get the partner, then Xena's lifeline, Ryker himself, and the Old Chef would be gone. We just need to find his partner first." Zeke said.

"You know how much I hate when he acts arrogant like this... He's intentionally riling us up, and Granny is even on his side! My twins left angrily earlier, and I hate it! Zeke..." Azura complained.

"Trust me, Zura. I know what I'm doing. Just trust me..." Zeke assured.

"He said something about taking back the 150 billion slave. Are you really gonna allow that?" Azura said.

Zeke sighed, smiling.

"Of course not, her death means he'd be losing 150 billions, so I'll just send a word to the Slaves Labor Camp, and she'd be killed with a push. I'm itching so see how long his wealth is, maybe he'd still stay sane after losing that much money." 

"Good, but now we need to hasten up the search for his partner. Now that things have become like this, we can't let him find her first." Azura said.

"I know, I'll work on that before dusk." Zeke replied, and they both bled from the mouth again, the effects of his strike still in their bodies.

"That bloody bastard" Azura muttered.

--

[Heartless Tower]

Cheyenne and Sage were outside the tower when Ryker arrived.

He went in without giving them a word, and they followed him.

"What happened in the orb hall?" Sage asked.

"Nothing much" Ryker replied, never stopping his steps.

Cheyenne quickly got in front of him, and he responded with a squint.

"My Lord, you know you can't provoke them, right? Xena's lifeline can't be messed with. We can't lose your only available sibling." She said.

"I only told them what they needed to hear, no one is proving anyone. Also, Xena's twin might have changed her scent. I scouted the city in my imaginations earlier, I didn't smell her." Ryker replied, walking past her.

"Seriously? But...why? Why does she keep changing scents? This isn't about fearing the Grand Supreme anymore, maybe she's running from someone else?" Sage said.

Ryker stood below a blue light, the blue seeming to match with his face more than required. He looks damn divine under it.

"I'm pausing the search for her for now, I'm focusing on the partner. I felt her when I froze the city yesterday, so she's close." 

"Seriously?" Sage's eyes lit.

"I wonder who she's gonna be though, the daughter of a billionaire?" Cheyenne smiled.

"Gather more females tomorrow, over hundred this time. And don't just gather rich brats, add maids and servants to the gathering." Ryker ordered.

"Sure!" The two chorused.

"Cheyenne." Ryker faced her.

"My Lord."

"Go to Granny's chamber, and arrange a small room over there, for the...beggar." he said.

"Beggar? You mean slave? Why would she stay with Grandmother?" Cheyenne gasped.

"Do what I ordered." Ryker said.

"But—"

Ryker's hand closed around her neck suddenly, making the words die in her throat.

She wasn't expecting it cos her eyes peered so wide.

"My Lord!" Sage's eyes widened too.

"When did you learn talking back at me? You did it earlier at the chamber, now resuming it here?" Ryker scoffed.

"I'm not gonna say sorry... That slave isn't worthy of being with Granny." Cheyenne said stubbornly, though her neck is still between his palm.

Ryker hardened his deadly chokehold, and water ran out of her eyes forcefully.

"My Lord, please pardon her. She's just being overprotective of you and Granny." Sage said.

Ryker's palm tightened on her throat again. She closed her eyes, ready to die as the coldness of his body wrapped around her neck.

"My Lord!" Sage bellowed.

With a push, Ryker released Cheyenne. She fell back, holding her cold blue neck.

His fingerprints left blue marks instead of red, actually.

"Go to the chamber, prepare that room. You have thirty minutes." Ryker commanded.

"Yes" she bowed reluctantly, leaving the tower with a gulp.

"But... didn't you say the slave belonged to the family?" Sage asked.

"Anything that makes Jojo smile belongs to her." Ryker replied, and Sage smiled a bit.

"I understand. I'll go help Cheyenne prepare the room." Sage rushed out.

Ryker lifted his shirt from his arm, seeing slim ice carpets are starting fo form on his skin again.

He took off the shirt completely, and it's not surprising that the ice is forming on the whole of his skin.

He'd have gone straight to the spring pool to soak again, but he decided not to. He stayed under the blue lights, and the longer he stayed, the more ice formed on his skin till they started falling in small cubes to the ground.

He's freezing madly, but relying too much on the spring pool isn't what he plans to do all his life, so he stubbornly stayed there, allowing the freeze. It's not the first time his ice would be acting up.

The ice formed on his lashes too, and it was hard to open his eyes, but when he did...

His eyes caught the tiny ruby ring in his middle toe.

His late mother had left it on him when he was born. It's basically the only thing he has from her.

His most priceless treasure.

He was still staring when the disturbing voice penetrated into his ears again...

"I'm so tired...if there's another word bigger than tired then I want it."

Ryker's lids went low, his ears going still as her voice resounded.

She's definitely at the labor camp, but why has her voice been sounding in his ears lately?

"Annoying" he muttered deeply, shutting his eyes back.

--

[Labor Camp]

"So tired...too too much." Shayla grunted tiredly.

As expected, she was made to split rocks today again.

She got used to it very fast since she did it yesterday anyways. As a fast learner, it was easier today.

The supervisors just stood behind her with their long canes which they haven't touched her with since she's doing it well without rest.

She's tired, but she's not planning to stop. Cheyenne already tore her arm with her nails, so if the supervisors beat her with canes again, she'd get weaker which she can't afford.

Even the supervisors are looking at her surprisingly, wondering why she's not tired cos Cheyenne specifically ordered them to make her cry if she rests.

Lilith stood beside the supervisors, folding her arms on her chest and watching her with contempt.

"Who knows where I can sell a jacket? I can't go out of the palace as I'm still binded by rules, so someone has to go sell it for me since you supervisors have permits to leave the palace." She said.

"What jacket are you talking about?" One of them asked.

"The studded one from the family store. Grand Prince Jude's own." She replied, and they all gasped out.

"How did you get that?"

A castle maid interrupted their chats by entering the camp.

She handed them a note and left without a word.

"What's that?" Lilith took the note, opening it for them to read.

It's an order to kill Shayla, and it came from Grand Supreme Zeke.

"Ou, I never knew this day would come this soon." Lilith smiled, tearing the note and discarding the pieces before looking at Shayla who's still splitting rocks not far from them.

"Leave this to me, no one will do this when I'm here." She said, cracking her neck and fingers.

"There's a pit down the valley. Just take her there and push her inside. It leads to the woods where there are wild boars. She'd get eaten within a minute, trust me. Make it fast." A supervisor advised.

Lilith picked a thick stick from the ground and moved, going to Shayla who's about to raise the sledgehammer again.

"Stop, and follow me." She ordered.

Shayla's arms went down, she faced the dwarf.

"Where to?" 

"No questions, just tag along." Lilith rolled eyes, leading the way down the valley and dragging her stick along.

Shayla dropped the hammer, her palms full of blisters and bruises again, but she just folded them and followed her.

The other slaves dropped their bowls, wondering what's going to happen.

"Where are we going?" Shayla asked again, unable to shake off her curiousness.

"Just follow me, no questions!" Lilith insisted, her steps quickening when she got closer to the pit.

There's a rock on top of it, so the rock covered the obvious part of the pit.

"Climb up." She faced Shayla.

"Why?" Shayla asked in confusion.

"Climb, are you deaf?" Lilith repeated glaringly.

Shayla climbed the rock. Her eyes popped wide the moment she saw the deep dark pit behind it.

"You little—"

"Happy deathday!" Lilith smiled, pushing her with the stick.

Shayla's barefoot slipped on the rock, but she was damn fast to grab the stick tightly, pulling Lilith with it.

"I'm not dying alone, never." She muttered, dragging Lilith up the rock with herself using the stick.

She slipped back, falling straight into the pit with Lilith.

"Witch! Save me!!!!" Lilith's earthshaking screams pierced the air.

TBC.

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