All Rights Reserved

∞ | Chapter 16 - Influence | ∞

Streets, Sage Cliffs

"Darius," Adrastea breathed out as she caught sight of the man she had deemed as a traitor in her mind.

"What the fuck are you doing here, you stupid girl?" he hissed, a familiar scowl adorning his features as he rapidly made his way to her. Without her explaining her problem, he began hauling the bricks off her leg and all she could do was simply gape at him.

In no time, her leg was free and she got to her feet shakily. "You've been shot?" he asked roughly, eyes on the bandage on her arm.

Without waiting for her answer, he tugged her by her other arm and began dragging her away from the ruins. "Where are we going?" she asked warily but continued to allow him to lead her away.

"Unless you want to die, let me know so I can leave you behind," he snarked as he continued leading her into a building.

Reluctantly, she followed after him, pain shooting from her wound in her arm but she ignored it. It could wait. "Up here," he instructed roughly as he gestured to the opening on the third floor. Warily, she entered to see that it was a passageway. "Where does this lead to?"

"Somewhere away from the army that is fast approaching," Darius snapped in annoyance and she glared at him before following him. The sound of the approaching army increasing and she entered.

The passageway was dark and if she hadn't been holding onto Darius' arm, she was sure she would have been lost. Surprisingly, it wasn't damp but the walls were rough, she had already scraped her palms on the stony jagged surface and she knew that they were bleeding a little.

"Would you care to explain what the fuck you're doing here when Rhydderch told you to stay away?"

Adrastea was definitely not going to mention the paper she had found nor her suspicions that he was a spy. Not when they were alone and he could snap her neck.

Truthfully, she didn't really know if Darius was the spy any longer. The man had rescued her instead of leaving her to die. Surely it would be easier to get rid of the rebellion if you removed the leader and the members of the inner circle of the equation.

But, there was an alarming amount of evidence stacked against him and she had to consider it. No longer could she trust anyone just because she thought that they were innocent, that had been a lesson and she had learned from it.

"Rhydderch's in danger," she finally said and in front, Darius scoffed. "Of course he is. He's the rebellion leader. Obviously, he's going to have a target painted on his back," he scorned and she ignored him.

"Have you seen him?"

"Yes, he's most probably heading to the citadel. Most of us got split up."

She stared at him mulishly. "Where does this passageway lead?" she questioned and Darius glared at her - not that she could see it but she could definitely feel it.

"To the west side of the city square. It's where most of our fighters are. If everything turns out well, Jarek would be with Rhydderch now."

She blinked, that was the most she had heard Darius speak without animosity. Perhaps it was because of her display of experimenting on a man a few days ago. "Why aren't you with him then? Aren't you Rhydderch's right-hand man?" she questioned.

"Well, would you trust someone inadequate like your brother to be in charge of the contingency plan or the large group of our fighters?"

At the mention of her brother, her face fell. "No," she replied coldly, wanting the subject of her brother to be dropped.

Adrastea still couldn't wrap her mind around the fact that Edmond - her brother - had left her to die while she had saved his earlier.

"Here."

She blinked to see the passageway ending and a wooden door appeared. Even though she could see a bit more, Darius still held onto her arm and tugged her out.

"Sir," a young man greeted and Darius acknowledged with a nod as they left the walkway.Glad to see the sky even though as lightning flashed across it, she breathed the air in and noted that it was tinged with smoke.

Now that they were mostly safe, she took a look around her surroundings and saw large groups of Affluents and Valiants huddled in corners with people from the rebellion standing over them, weapons pointed in their direction to prevent them from doing something reckless.

She could only see both injured men and women who had volunteered to fight being carried off to base camp to be treated.

Turning to her right, she stared at the bodies they had gathered up before quickly glancing away.

She had recognised some of them.

"Reports?" Darius demanded and a woman appeared by his side.

"We have gotten the city but there are still small groups of people rebelling. We daren't send our fighters to help in fear of the subdued ones rebelling as well. Most of the Medials and the Destitutes have stayed out of the fight."

Darius nodded and glanced around. "How many are injured and what are the death tolls?"

The woman replied stoically, "There are about a two hundred and fifty dead while four hundred more are injured. That was data from an hour ago."

"Have you seen Rhydderch? Jarek? The twins? Ava?" Darius continued without any hesitation and the woman shook her head. "I'm afraid not, sir."

"Thank you, Zsana."

The woman nodded curtly and walked off and unceremoniously, Darius dragged her to a corner. "How is the arm?"

"It's fine," she lied, blood had seeped through the bandage and right now, it was hurting awfully bad. But they all had more important things to worry about. They hadn't really conquered the whole of the Sage Cliffs and it would be unwise to be arrogant to think that they had.

"What about your leg?" he questioned dryly, ignoring her lie. "What about my leg?" She countered and Darius rolled his eyes. "You're limping. You have been since I got you," he pointed out. Adrastea looked down at her leg to see that she had been leaning heavily on the other.

"Oh," she murmured and clenched her teeth when she rested her injured foot on the ground.

The sound of marching sounded and her blood froze in her veins.

However, instead of the feared sight of Valiants approaching them, she was surprised to see Jarek approaching with some members of the rebellion but what stunned her the most was to see Circe Moreau, Regnant of the Sage Cliffs walking with them, hands bound, a murderous expression on her face.

Looking at the group, she could see Rhydderch and her breath sagged in her lungs. He was alright, yes he looked worn out and he was covered with soot and grime and there was blood on him but he was alive and well.

Feeling the weight of her stare, Rhydderch focused his gaze on her and the look on his face was downright furious when he spotted her.

She sighed, they were definitely going to be having words about this later on.

The group stopped at the centre of the city square and Jarek led Circe a little further away. Despite having her city ravaged, Adrastea noted the Regnant didn't seem worse for wear. Her hair was bound into tight braids and overall, she looked immaculate.

"Are you going to throw me to my people to be killed? I heard what you did to Draven in Deserra," Circe began defiantly as she glared daggers at the Rebellion leader who didn't give a second glance to her.

Circe could feel the disdainful stares thrown her way but she didn't care. She knew she would die today but that didn't mean she couldn't try to twist things into her favour.

Adrastea turned to her side to ask Darius what was going to happen when she realised he had already walked off, leaving her alone.

"No, you have a choice," Rhydderch replied, facing her with a charismatic smile on his face. "Truth to be said, you weren't that bad a Regnant. Hence, everyone has voted to give you a choice on how you are to die."

"And what are my choices?" She questioned bravely, facing the Rebellion leader straight in his face. She wasn't afraid of him, no. He was just a man who thought he had the world spinning on his fingertips.

Rhydderch smiled, resenting the knowing glint in his counterpart's dark eyes and he allowed Jarek to speak. " Death by poison or by fire."

"You won't kill me," she declared, eyes glaring hatefully as she looked up at him and Jarek.

"Why ever not?" he asked patronisingly, head tilting to one side, eyes dark.

"You need me," she hissed and a few titters and laughs ran through the crowd around them. "And why would we need you?"

"Medeia! You're just playing into her hands! She wants all five cities and you're helping her get rid of all of us!" She shouted, hoping that they would see sense.

Now, there were more sneers and mutterings and Adrastea could see Darius and Jarek try to control the crowd as Rhydderch regarded her calmly.

"That is not true and you know it," he replied nonchalantly. "Grasping at straws when you have none is quite a desperate move that wouldn't buy you time. Now, choose, poison or fire?"

Circe glared venomously at all of them before leaning closer to him. "I know everything," she said, her voice low enough so that no one else could hear them.

Rhydderch arched a brow, ignoring her words and choosing not to react. "I would advise you to choose quickly or we'll rescind our most gracious offer," he said serenely, eyes dark.

Circe stared at the young man in front of her, hands clenched. Above her, the sky flashed threateningly. "Poison."

As if on cue, a vial of clear liquid was brought forward and Jarek handed it over to her.

"You'll regret killing me, I'm the only one who knows how to stop Medeia! I'm the only one who could possibly help to get rid of her!" Her shriek was piercing and her eyes wild but they were focused on him and him alone.

"I highly doubt that," Rhydderch replied flatly.

"Do you really think that you and a large group of people who can wield weapons can stop her?" She mocked, giving up her facade of being calm.

"Maybe, maybe not. But none of us really want to hear your opinions."

Circe looked around with one last venomous glare before downing the whole vial in mere seconds.

In less than ten minutes, she collapsed on the ground, eyes staring blankly at the dark sky as it began to rain.

Circe Moreau was dead.

* * *

Citadel Himmel, Sage Cliffs

"What the hell were you thinking?"

She looked up to see Rhydderch storming towards her, a familiar dark scowl on his usually stoic face as he neared her.

"Apparently, I wasn't," she snapped gesturing to her arm and her leg that was injured in the skirmish.

It has been half a day since the rebellion had added Sage Cliffs to the cities they controlled under their belt. Things had been hectic and once she had cleaned up and gotten her injuries treated, she had been back to helping the wounded.

The rest had been restoring order to the city, that included grouping the Valiants, Astutes and the Affluents to see if they were willing to join the new society they were building. It also involved having trials.

Everyone had also been busy mourning the dead and members of the rebellion had formed groups to search for the missing among the ruins of the city.

Valia and Vyctor Tchovosky were few of those who were missing.

The job wasn't made easier due to the fact that buildings had crumpled to the ground because of deadly explosives planted around the city. It seemed that no matter how Circe Moreau claimed that she was not prejudiced as the other Regnants, she was no better than them.

"I would just like to say that you were a complete fool to go rushing in! What the hell were you thinking?" he raged and Adrastea glared at him before shutting the door to her study shut.

"I was there because of you," she hissed before shoving the piece of paper into his chest. "I found this outside Darius' tent," she said, arms crossed as she leaned against her desk so as to not put pressure on her leg.

Rhydderch raised a brow but scanned the paper and she took the momentary silence to study him. She hadn't seen him since Circe Moreau died and now that he was right in front of her, she could see a gash on his forehead that was already stitched closed but she knew it had to hurt.

All in all, Rhydderch was alright and well despite the bruises on his body and the small scars from blades and she was immensely relieved.

"You found this outside Darius' tent?"

She didn't know how to describe the tone that Rhydderch had used and she nodded.

His eyes flicked towards her and he frowned. "Sit down, you are supposed to stay off your leg." Obliging him, she sank onto one of the chairs, once more surprised by his show of concern for her. "Did you know he was a spy?"

Her soulmate furrowed his brows. "Yes. No one was supposed to know about this except the both of us. But since you found out about this; Darius is a double spy."

"What?"

"Darius has been a spy for the Regnant of the Cavernsland for years, Vlad Durant. But he reports false information because his true allegiance is to us. However, no one is supposed to know because there is another spy here as well."

She gaped at him, surprised and stunned by the information she was given. "Well, who is this other spy?"

A muscle ticked in his jaw. "That, I don't know. But whoever it is, reports the ongoings of Darius' actions along with little bits of information in the rebellion back to him. That is why only Darius and I know about it."

"Well, that is... more complicated than I thought," she breathed out softly.

Looking up, she noted the tense expression on his face and she bowed her head a little. "I'm sorry for going against your orders but I had to make sure that you weren't being trapped."

A pained expression flickered on his face and she frowned in concern. "What's wrong?"

"We found the twins and they were trapped and killed when an explosive nearby went off."

She paled and slumped against her chair. She didn't know the twins very well but Valia and Vyctor had shown nothing but kindness to her and the thought of them dead made tears prickle at the corner of her eyes.

"I..." she trailed off, unable to explain how she was feeling.

Rhydderch sighed and leaned against her desk. "Circe doesn't use explosives. She thinks that they are unseemly as compared to her method of chaining people on the cliffs to drown when the sea comes."

Adrastea's eyes widened as she leaned forward. "What does that mean?"

"It means," Rhydderch paused as he arranged the pens on her desk into neat horizontal rows. "that the twins weren't killed by the Valiants but were corned and trapped in the building. Our spy seems to know quite a lot about explosives."

She lowered her eyes and focused on a spot on her table. The thought of the twins' fate happening to Rhydderch made her sick to the bone.

"So? What happens next?"

Rhydderch waved the paper. "This other spy seemed to have failed in ending the rebellion and he would be sure to attempt his given mission over the next few days. So, be aware of your surroundings."

She nodded, face pale and stared at the wound on his forehead. "I'm just glad you're okay."

The hard look on Rhydderch's face faded and his eyes softened. "As am I," he said softly and she offered him a tiny smile.

"But, I wouldn't have to say it if you weren't off running around the city." A mildly irritated look appeared on his face as he regarded her.

At that, she scowled. "That was because I was worried about you! I saw that note and in no way did I want you to be in a trap and die like the twins!"

The look on his face disappeared at her confession and she didn't know she had stood up and was glowering up at him fiercely.

Rhydderch's stance relaxed. "I was horrified to see you there, blood on your dress, arm injured and you looking lost and harried," he admitted quietly.

She debated on what to say but instead chose to circle around the desk as best as she could before burrowing herself into his arms tightly. She was just glad and immensely relieved that nothing had happened to him despite her fears.

Used to her showing her affection in this manner, Rhydderch remained silent and angled his face so that his chin rested on the top of her head giving her the opportunity to burrow her head in the crook of his neck. His fingers dug into her, assuring him that she was alright and alive in one piece.

* * *

Antro Tower, Carvensland

"Circe and 'er city had fallen," Vlad Durant spoke, eyes set into a deep scowl as he regarded the remaining Regnant. "I received word just recently."

"I know," she said, eyes gleaming satisfactorily into the flames of the furnace. It had gone even better than she thought it would have.

With Circe Moreau gone, no one was around to stop her from getting her way. She was the only Regnant left. Vlad was well under her thumb. No one could stop her or foil her plans from becoming the only Regnant in the whole country.

All five cities would belong to her. Just as they should have from the very start.

She shut her eyes, breathing in the heady rush of the idea. Power was so close that she could almost feel it coursing through her veins.

"My spies 'ave failed to stop the Rebellion," Vlad grumbled, fist clenched tightly as he brooded into the flames.

"You have spies?" Medeia echoed, a doubtful expression formed on her face.

"Yes, why do you sound so skeptical?" Vlad demanded shortly, also noting that his counterpart didn't seem that upset that the rebellion was another step closer to getting rid of the last remaining Regnants.

"In order to have spies, you have to be charismatic enough to gain their loyalty till the point where they would be willing to die for you. I hardly ever thought you were charismatic enough, Vlad." Medeia smiled, a shark-like grin appearing on her face.

Used to her thinly concealed barbs, Vlad ignored her and waved his hand dismissively. "Yes, I do have spies. Would you even consider yourself charismatic enough?"

"No, not to people who do not share the same goals as me. But to gain people's loyalty, fear is a good enough replacement," she replied nonchalantly, gliding around the room as though it belonged to her.

"But I have sent an assassin and he hasn't returned. Obviously, he failed but I have word that he had managed to slip past their defences without anyone noting for about an hour," she revealed thoughtfully and Vlad leaned forward in interest.

Medeia smiled, noting that he had gotten the bait. "It means that the Rebellion is getting arrogant. Three wins in a row without a loss, they are bound to slip up and what better way to catch them unaware when they come for you?"

Vlad began nodding, mind already coming up with ways to combat the rebellion.

She regarded her counterpart with well-concealed disgust. Vlad was easy to manipulate and control but she had little to no respect for people who had no minds of their own. Yes, they made things easier for her but after a while, Medeia longed for a challenge.

"Obviously you can beat them," she continued. "You were one of the greater generals in the war years ago. Able to single-handedly fight off men without tiring. What else can you not do?"

Medeia began circling around the study belonging to Vlad. "The rest of the regnants were fools to think that the Rebellion was not a threat and after all the warnings you gave them, they still didn't listen. You were right all along but no one believed you except for me."

A frown formed on Vlad's face and she hid a smile. "But it doesn't matter now. By defeating the Rebellion, history will write you as the Regnant who managed to defeat them when no one else could," she added soothingly.

And according to Vlad's reaction, he had fallen for it. "We have to start planning," he announced as he got to his feet, already pacing.

"You don't have to worry about anything, I will get rid of them," he declared firmly, fist pounding on the table.

She smiled at her easy manipulation of him and nodded her head graciously. What Vlad wouldn't know wouldn't kill him.

* * *

A/N: Hi all! Here is the next chapter and please let me know what you think and leave a comment and a vote! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! <3

Chapter dedicated to @sunriseuntildayends :)