Chapter 295: Twisted World
[Music recommendation: Tsubasa Chronicles - I talk to the rain]
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Aliana and Jade felt their hearts plummet straight to their stomachs, as though the air had been violently knocked from their lungs. They stood frozen in front of a chamber whose purpose was sickeningly obvious at first glance.
Before them stretched a vast circular hall built of dark, intricately carved stone, illuminated by dozens of glowing fire bowls. At its centre stood a raised, tiered platform supporting a massive, ornate basin. Looming around the perimeter were towering statues of hooded figures.
At the centre of the chamber hung one particularly large red banner bearing an intricate symbol. A downward-pointing, sword-like shape formed its centre, surrounded by a circular ring of curved lines, while cross-like extensions spread above and around it, giving the design an almost crown-like appearance.
Both women took a step back, staring with wide eyes at a space their instincts screamed was a ritual chamber.
Aliana shook her head in sheer disbelief. "No..." Her trembling gaze swept over the room, tears stinging her eyes. "No! You... all of you... you cannot be a part of this."
The horrific memory of the island’s ritual chamber bled into the sight before her. Her eyes stung as the gruesome image of Vorra piercing Cedric’s heart flashed through her mind.
Jade, though spared from seeing the island’s chamber firsthand, had read enough and seen enough to recognise a cult altar when she saw one.
"I cannot believe this... that all of you are just like..." Jade’s hands trembled as she clenched them into tight fists, her voice cracking with fury. "...just like those monsters!"
"Now, Jade, that is not a very respectful way to us," Nina said smoothly, stepping forward to place a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Jade jerked back before glaring at her mother.
"Don’t touch me!" she hissed, her gaze sweeping over the stone chamber once more. "You would have to be out of your mind to think I want any part of this shitshow!"
"Watch your tone, young lady!" Alec snapped, stepping forward with irritation written across his features at his daughter’s sudden hostility. "Do not forget for one second that this very legacy is what provided you with every luxury and liberty you have enjoyed your entire life."
Jade’s eyes snapped towards her father. "This? You mean to say that all this time... I was born into a family that built its comfortable life by sacrificing innocent people?"
She scoffed with disgust. "You must be fucking crazy if you think I would ever associate myself with this horror show!"
"Jade!" Alec roared angrily.
"NO!" Jade fired back instantly. "You don’t get to speak to me like that! You have no idea what kind of hell we went through on that dreadful island. The horror of seeing innocent people locked inside cages like livestock for slaughter! They..." Tears pricked her eyes as her voice choked up, but her glare never faltered. "They barely had any flesh left on their bones. They were torn apart, and we were served to eat their organs! Do you have any idea what that feels like?"
Jade shook her head bitterly. "Of course you don’t. Why would I even bother asking when you are no better than those disgusting pigs!"
"Jade!" Alec stepped forward, raising his hand toward his daughter’s cheek.
Before his palm could strike, two hands clamped around his wrist, stopping his arm midair. Alec turned to find that one hand belonged to Aliana, and the other to Alester.
Both held expressionless faces, yet the cold fire burning in their eyes gave Alec a sharp warning to back off.
"Don’t," Aliana whispered, keeping her gaze locked on Alec. "Don’t you dare lay a hand on her when you are springing this on us, knowing damn well what we went through."
Aliana let go of Alec’s wrist, but her gaze remained as cold and still as the eye of a storm. Her eyes swept over the others before settling on her father, who was watching her closely.
"We lost our friend there," she began. "I watched him die right in front of my eyes. We’ve mourned his death ever since we came back... and we still are. But we’re trying to move forward while keeping his memory alive."
Her voice trembled slightly, but she refused to look away.
"We did everything we could to get him out of there, but we failed. You know why? Because of what those evil monsters stood for...that demoness they claimed as their goddess. We saw what was done to those innocent people... all for the thirst for money, power and the desire to control others."
Aliana looked at her father with an expression of betrayal and heartbreak.
"You know me, Dad. You know me well enough to understand that I would never accept this, let alone embrace it like you all clearly expect me to. What made you think that Jade or I would ever want any part of this sick, twisted world of yours? Answer me!"
It was the first time Aliana had ever truly raised her voice at Alester, and his eyes widened in shock.
Before he could respond, Aliana shook her head as a lone tear slipped down her cheek.
She quickly wiped it away with the back of her hand before reaching for Jade’s hand. "We’re leaving," she announced firmly.
Just as she turned to leave, pulling Jade along with her, Alester’s voice cut through the heavy silence. "So you just want to walk away without knowing the complete truth, Ali?"
Aliana paused, glancing back over her shoulder. "What makes you think anything you say could possibly justify this in my eyes?"
Alester slid his hand into his pocket, his tone remaining serious. "What if I told you that your birth was the gift we had been waiting for generations to receive?"
Aliana’s brows furrowed as she turned around to face him fully. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Alester took a slow, deep breath. "Would you believe me if I told you that our ancestors belonged to a royal bloodline?"
Both Aliana and Jade stared at him, their eyes widening in disbelief.
"W-what?" Aliana whispered.
"It is the truth," Alester said, meeting his daughter’s gaze head-on. "Let me explain how our family came to be aligned with what you call a cult. But I will only share it if you are truly willing to listen, Aliana."
Aliana remained silent for a long moment, processing his words before answering. "Fine. Tell me. But you should know right now that nothing you say is going to change my mind about this."
"You’re free to reach your own conclusions after you hear me out," Alester replied evenly.