Emery spent the next few days coming back and forth out of the Magus Alliance headquarters, tirelessly seeking a way to make an appeal for Annara. Despite his determination, he found himself facing numerous obstacles and being shut out at every turn. Frustration began to weigh heavily on his shoulders, and his friends grew increasingly concerned for him.
They found him sitting on the enormous stairs in front of the building.
Chumo, with a furrowed brow, was the first to speak. "Why do you have to go to such an extent for her, Why?"
Emery didn't answer immediately, his gaze fixed on the ground as he struggled to put his feelings into words. He found himself unable to explain the inexplicable pull he felt toward Annara.
Thrax, always one to bring humor to tense situations, chimed in with a smirk. "Don't you get it, Chumo? Our friend here is a hopeless romantic. That's the secret behind why so many girls like him!"
The attempted joke fell flat, causing Emery's annoyance to show on his face. He was not in the mood for lighthearted banter or the trivialization of his emotions.
Realizing he had misjudged the situation, Thrax quickly backtracked. "Ahhh come on, it's a fair trial, stop thinking about her already"
Emery stood up abruptly, his resolve strengthening. "I am sorry Thrax, but I need to try once again. I can't just give up," he declared, as he made his way back inside the Magus Alliance headquarters, determined to seek an audience once more.
As Emery left, his friends exchanged glances filled with concern. Morgana, usually the quietest of the group, decided it was time to shed some light on the situation. With their bond, Morgana understood Emery better than anyone.
"It's about another girl," Morgana began, drawing the attention of Chumo and Thrax.
Knowing how much Emery values these two friends, she decided to clear the confusion and tell them about the serpent girl who died just a few weeks ago.
"Her death affected him deeply. He became even more protective of the people he cares about, especially Annara who shares the same memories with her"
The news hit Thrax like a ton of bricks, his strong exterior crumbling as tears welled up in his eyes. He couldn't bear the thought of his brother suffering silently and carrying such heavy burdens alone.
In a moment of vulnerability, he shouted, "I am sorry, my brother! I didn't know!"
Still teary, Thrax whispers to the two "What about breaking her out of the prison, let's do this!!"
Chumo heaved a long sigh, he was no longer worried about Emery, but instead about this crazy friend of his.
####
Emery's relentless pursuit for an audience with the judge seemed to yield no results. Despite his efforts, he found himself facing one closed door after another. Frustration threatened to consume him, but amidst the disappointment, a glimmer of hope appeared in the form of Gerri.
"I pulled some strings and managed to arrange a meeting for you," he announced, his voice filled with a sense of accomplishment. "You need to see her now before they transfer her to the Central Prison."
Emery's heart skipped a beat at the mention of the Central Prison. It was a highly secure facility located on a restricted planet, and if Annara was moved there, the chances of him ever seeing her again for the next 15 years would be slim to none. With a renewed sense of urgency, Emery swiftly followed Gerri, eager to seize this opportunity to see Annara.
They arrived at what appeared to be a processing room, where Annara was temporarily held before her transfer. The sight of her behind steel bars caused Emery's heart to sink once again. It was a stark reminder of the dire situation they faced.
However, when Annara caught sight of Emery, a warm smile spread across her face. "What's with the long face?" she teased, attempting to lighten the heavy atmosphere. "You managed to get the sentence down to 15 years. That's a win already."
Emery's expression remained somber as he responded, his voice filled with a mix of determination and concern. "I hope for a better outcome," he admitted. Deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that there must be something more he could do to secure Annara's freedom.
Annara's smile slowly faded, her features turning serious. "I did feel remorse for killing Roran. He didn't deserve it," she confessed, her voice filled with sincerity. "So, I will gladly pay for my mistake."
Emery was taken aback by her words. He could sense the genuine remorse in her voice, and it sparked a glimmer of understanding within him. Annara's admission allowed him to catch a glimpse of her true self, stripped of any pretenses or disguises.
Attempting to reassure him, Annara forced another smile. "Don't worry about it, Emery. Fifteen years is a relatively short time for us Magus. Once I've paid for my crime, I will finally be able to put everything behind me and become a free woman."
Emery couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for Annara's resilience and acceptance of her fate. However, her words also carried a weight of finality, reminding him that their time together would be severely limited.
Annara's gaze softened as she looked at him intently. "Emery, you've tried your best," she said, gratitude lacing her words. "Revealing your identity for me like that... I am truly grateful." A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she continued, "Consider your debt fully paid."
Emery's heart swelled with a mix of emotions before he could find the right words, multiple enforcers barged into the room, ready to escort Annara to her transfer.
Before leaving, Annara said "Now that your identity is known, you should be careful Emery…Don't die"
#####
Hours passed as Annara was transported through multiple teleportation portals and traveled through space until she finally arrived at the fabled Central Prison. The planet itself resembled a formidable fortress, designed to contain and confine the most dangerous inmates of the Magus Alliance.
Surprisingly, the prospect of being surrounded by such individuals didn't intimidate Annara. She had grown up among similar types of people, and their presence was a familiar backdrop to her life.
"Back to the way they were... Me alone against the world," she muttered with a sigh, acknowledging the challenging circumstances she now found herself in.
After undergoing the processing procedures, Annara was led to a different room instead of being taken directly to her designated cell. Her keen observation skill made her realize that something was amiss.
"What is going on?" she questioned aloud, her heart pounding with anxiety. A foreboding feeling settled in, as if something dreadful awaited her.
Before she could dwell further on her worries, the door swung open, and a figure of immense power stepped into the room.
"Did the Harlight send someone to kill me?"
But her fear quickly transformed into shock as she recognized the person standing before her. It was none other than Siliviana, the Queen of the Ouroboros. Confusion and curiosity mingled on Annara's face as she stammered, "My queen... Why are you here?"
Siliviana calmly took a seat in front of Annara, her regal demeanor commanding attention. "I apologize for being late to hear the news. I didn't anticipate the Harlight's eagerness to expedite the process. Fortunately, execution is no longer on the table," she explained.
Annara's mind raced, trying to comprehend the implications of the Queen's words. She struggled to piece together the puzzle until the queen continued, shedding light on the situation.
"It has all worked out for the best. I've managed to strike a deal with the Harlight. For the next 15 years, you will be in service to me once again," Siliviana revealed, a small smile playing on her lips. "No personal secret missions, just your unwavering dedication"
Annara remained stunned, unable to fully grasp the reality of the situation. It wasn't until the guards came forward, removing the chains from her hands, that she realized this unexpected turn of events was indeed real.
Overwhelmed by warmth and gratitude, she hastily spoke up, her voice filled with conviction. "I accept any terms. I will forever serve you," Annara pledged, a renewed sense of purpose flooding through her veins. "Send me on any mission, and I will follow without question."
The Ouroboros queen's smile widened, pleased with Annara's response. "Excellent. As for the mission, I have something else in mind," Siliviana revealed, her tone hinting at a plan of her own.
The Queen asked, "How good are you with kids?"
Startled by the unexpected question, Annara stammered, "I... I can try."
"Good. Let's go home."
####
Author Note
Ouroboros managed to settle a deal with the suffering party, the Harlight faction, and with it came a much easier agreement with the Magus Alliance. This highlighted the importance of having the backing of a powerful faction, something Emery lacked. Of course, without Emery's confession, the Harlight faction wouldn't have been so willing to let go of the matter.
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