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There stood Vira and Yoltzin in that dark, secluded spot surrounded by shadow.
She was too frightened, completely frozen and completely dominated; in this moment, she wished she could be like Slace and defy this horrible man.
Yet she couldn't as she slowly turned, walking towards Yoltzin, Yoltzin taking out his hand as Vira took it, submitting to the nature king once again.
As they began to walk, it looked like a father walking with his child, but that was because Yoltzin was so much taller than Vira.
Yoltzin seemed glad that she had come back to him, reprimanding her like a child but with no hint of ill intent, just a calm lecture.
"I suppose you enjoyed your journey? I'm glad; just tell me when you run off next time, my child."
Vira said nothing, simply nodding as she looked down at the ground, disgusted. at Yoltzin and herself, she couldn't believe that even after all this time, she wasn't strong enough to disobey this man.
She felt ashamed of herself, embarrassed even.
They went over to the castle, and Vira looked up; she was going to be imprisoned once again… and because she faltered, she couldn't fight against Yoltzin.
Yoltzin let go of Vira's hand and clapped, the tree opening up as they both headed inside, Yoltzin taking off his shoes.
"You should know your way around here; we'll have you stay in the guest room before I can arrange a suitable room for you." Yoltzin explained much like a teacher.
Vira didn't nod; all she did was listen, taking off her shoes and leaving for her room; she just wanted to get away from that man.
He treated her like a kid; every one of his subjects he experimented on he treated like kids, his children, so to speak. It disgusted her to the core.
She went into the guest room. In a sort of way, despite the predicament and the atmosphere of the nature kingdom, the nature-like aesthetic of this room offered her a strange comfort. She missed this place, even if only a little.
And a deep part of her knew she also missed Yoltzin; after all, he was her father, her creator.
She ignored everything floating in her mind and decided to just sit down on the bed, her vision blurring as she fell asleep exhausted.
Yoltzin knocked on the door, silently coming in after a few knocks. He had a mug made of wood in his hands as he put it down on the table, herbal tea.
"Welcome back, my daughter. I hope you will stay this time." He said with a slightly sad look, disappointed she left before.
After that he left hoping for the best, hoping that Vira would stay this time.
The next morning Vira awoke to the smell of food; it smelled delicious, to say the least. She got up and saw the herbal tea. It was from Yoltzin, but she just couldn't resist the allure of drinking it, gulping it down; it was clearly tasty to Vira.
Vira placed the mug down, ashamed. Was she really falling into this trap again?
"Why can I never truly escape it?"
She walked forward, opening the door and looking around. Following the scent of the food, she found herself in a room with Yoltzin and a buffet of food meant for three people.
Wait, three people? Vira thought as she looked around, noticing someone running up to her. They were little and elven.
"Father told me so much about you, Elder Sister Vira! Please join us!" The little girl had a huge smile plastered onto her face; this was all so strange.
Vira sat down and began to eat; she couldn't resist since Slace and Kisei had kind of run out of rations during the trip.
Yoltzin spoke, welcoming as always, but Vira didn't trust it at all.
"How do you like your new little sister Elfaria Vira? I always try to set her on the right path." He said, praising Elfaria.
Elfaria looked up with star-like pupils, glee filling her whole face as she ran over to Yoltzin, sitting in his lap, looking up at him.
"Thank you so much, Father!"
Yoltzin chuckled before poking Elfaria's cheeks.
"I mean, she is adorable, isn't she?" Yoltzin asked, ruffling Elfaria's short green hair.
Elfaria looked annoyed, pouting. "Father! I put a lot of effort into my hair for Elder Sister Vira!"
Yoltzin looked down at Elfaria clasping his hands together and apologizing. "I'm terribly sorry, darling! I'll make sure to get you candy next time we go out."
Elfaria still kept that pout, but she seemed happier now.
"I suppose I can forgive you for now..."
Vira looked onward, saying nothing.
Yoltzin laughed her silence off. "I had forgotten you were the quiet type, Vira; it is quite alright. Enjoy the food; it's a gift for you after all."
Vira looked at the food, not exactly surprised; Yoltzin was the type of person to do this after all.
"I'm only eating because I'm starving." Vira remarked, simple yet rough.
"That is fine too; it pleases me that I'm satisfying your hunger." Yoltzin remarked, seeming happy to do anything for his daughter.
One thing raced through her head as she ate, though: Yoltzin had a biological daughter; it was the one thing she never expected from him.
She seemed relatively innocent too, like Yoltzin didn't tell her about his experiments, or maybe he changed. Vira couldn't be sure yet; she had to find out.
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"Why did you create me? What's your actual reason?" Vira asked
They were standing there in a corridor a few steps ahead. He turned, looking surprised before going back to his calm look.
"You were meant to end that boy named Slace, yet I now see you as different; you are a better version, the perfect version."
He walked up to her, kneeling down and fixing her bangs with his finger.
"But you are more than that to me, daughter; you are your own individual too." He said with a warm smile.
Vira knew it; he was just teaching her, not comforting her, and that's what shocked her. He really saw her as an individual?
Vira slapped his hand away as she spoke, demanding he'd do something.
"Show me that you've changed; that's what I want from you." She said before walking away.
Yoltzin just bowed respecting her wishes "of course daughter."
He stopped bowing as Elfaria ran up to him, hugging his leg, a look of childlike curiosity all over her face.
"Father! What happened?" She asked.
"Just a little fight is all Elfy." Yoltzin explained picking up Elfaria and putting her around his shoulders and head.
"How about we go get some candy, like I said I would?" He asked her with an inviting smile; it was hard to refuse Yoltzin.
She nodded excitedly. "Yes, Father!"