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The loss of Bright Moon's rulers, who were allied with King Chevalier in the war, was demoralizing – and caused the Arxians on the mainland to become disillusioned with the idea of sorcery. Thus, many prospecting sorcerers in modern-day Delvala do not send their children to magic school. This is something I find utterly moronic.

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The soldiers brought out the judgment block – a large iron cylinder that must have weighed five times as much as Shadow Weaver. Manacles were strapped to the top, with no chains between them and the structure.

Shadow Weaver had witnessed a few of these beatings. They were usually fatal – especially to those with no magical aid. A human or Delvalian body couldn't withstand the blows without broken bones or severe internal bleeding.

But she had never been normal.

The manacles clasped around her hands, painfully tight. Shadow Weaver set her jaw in place and refused to look at Carmen. The felinetta had pushed her to this, hadn't she? It was so hard to tell who was to blame...

It was her. She played on your weakness, the Spell crooned. You should execute her after your own punishment concludes.

Shadow Weaver ignored the voice; she wouldn't live long enough to stay angry at Carmen. Now, she had to ensure that she could rely on the Spell's benefits without letting it master her. But it was so intense –

A baton CRACKED across her back, narrowly missing her spine. Shadow Weaver bit her lip to stop a scream as her head dropped, tears blurring in her eyes.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! She cried out on the third strike. Once, Father's blows had been painful. He'd pushed her into broken glass, struck her across the face, and neglected her for months. But now, Shadow Weaver would take all that misery over this.

More strikes, this one across her shoulder. Shadow Weaver felt a pop as the bone slivered, a minor but painful fracture. Deep breaths. The assaults came louder, faster, and more intensely. She bit her lip, and as her body buckled beneath the agony, her fangs sliced her mouth. Blood ran down her chin, dripping onto her clothes.

Torment. A whine exited her mouth, but surprisingly, Shadow Weaver stood her ground. She remained conscious by force of will.

No one could kill Shadow Weaver. The only hand that could end her life was her own. And as she shouted in pain, as the blows came down faster, as Hordak watched silently with a stoic face – Shadow Weaver clenched her fists.

I was made to suffer. This is my destiny – to be in pain. To channel that pain to destroy.

Hordak...my lord.

You have unleashed the monster that I am.

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Carmen sobbed as they struck her lady. A baton wrenched across her side, and Shads gasped, weeping as they beat her mercilessly. Carmen could barely think. She couldn't speak, couldn't get away. She tried to look down, but the soldier forced her chin toward her lady's beating.

All she could do was watch. Carmen thrashed in the torrent of a meltdown, trying to break free. She loved Shads, no matter what the woman had done. She couldn't...she couldn't let her lady die...

But one could only scream for so long. Carmen keeled over eventually, emotional torment washing over her. She had to run...she couldn't stay here...

But what would that do? What good was it – when her lady kept suffering...

Carmen was defeated. Limp, as she lay on the ground. This was Raiya's doing – sorrow for those who were evil; reward for those who were good.

I...I can't live like this...

The words of the Book of Seran echoed through her mind. God is love.

God is love.

And at that moment, Carmen scowled. She couldn't let her lady be punished for her care toward Micah. She could not.

I ain't yours. Not that you can hear me anyway.

I am not Kryteyan.

Shads let out one more piercing shriek. Then she fell limp against the judgment block, her hair dropping down to her sides. Unconscious.

Carmen loosened the gag. "Stop!" she cried. "I'll take the rest'f it, I swear – don't let her die!"

Hordak regarded her with a curious look. "You would spare her at the cost of your own life?"

Carmen leveled her eyes at him, hatred boiling in her gut. He was Raiya's right hand – or at least he had been before he arrived on Etheria. Hordak was responsible for her lady's suffering. He was responsible for Carmen's pain.

No, a soft female voice spoke in her mind. Do not hate, daughter.

Carmen was shocked by the voice. What?

The mystery woman did not speak again; Hordak stepped forward, and Carmen began to cry again. "I am ready."

More silence from the dark lord. Carmen waited an agonizingly long time, covering her chest with her arms.

Hordak spoke. "Your loyalty to the traitor is admirable, Force Captain. It will be credited to her. Yet Shadow Weaver will be put in solitary. She will lose her mind, as she has stated. But she will be of use to me in...other ways."

"I...I gotcha, my lord," Carmen said softly. "Th...thank you."

Hordak waved his hand wordlessly, and the manacles around Shads' hands unhinged. She dropped to the ground, and soldiers picked her up, carrying her to a small room to the right.

Hordak nodded at Carmen. "You will tell the truth to her wards – Shadow Weaver is no more. And they will never see her again."

Carmen sniffled. How could she break it to Li'l Miss Adora? How? But instead of protesting, she bowed numbly and exited the room. She had spared Shads' life. For now, that would have to be enough.

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Did you know...

- Carmen offering to take the rest of the punishment is a Hunger Games reference. I guess you could say that these past few chapters are just a bunch of rip-offs.

Tell me what you think...

- How will Adora and Catra take the news that Shadow Weaver is, for all intents and purposes, dead?