Chapter 2

Aurelia's POV

I couldn't help but scream from the pain that I'm feeling, there was something about this glass room that they locked me in. I tried breaking free from my restraints, trashing madly to get away from that steel chair that makes me feel like I'm being stabbed by thousands of knives.

With half lidded eyes, I could see the snow storm all around me, it's the exact same thing that I did years ago that made us captives in this nightmare. The only difference however, is that back then, the cold didn't hurt me, but now it feels like I'm also being attacked by the coldness.

"Help..." I managed to croak out the words despite the pain.

Across the room, inside another glass room I could see Axel being held on both arms with a knife on his neck. Tears swelled up in my eyes, I'm always so useless. I couldn't even save nor help my little brother.

"Finally, the moment I've been waiting for!" My midnight eyes focused on the man in front of me, Dr. Drul stood in front of me wearing a body suit that's unaffected by the ice all around us.

"Who knew that only a little bit of pain from your brother can trigger such powers? Now that I know your weakness, there's no escaping now." He literally purred with that same crazed look in his eyes.

"Please... Don't hurt him. I... I'll agree to what you want, just don't... Don't hurt him!" I couldn't help but sob.

I've already long accepted my fate here in this underground laboratory, I'll never be able to see the outside again, I'll die here as their guinea pig.

"We can't have that can we? Just like you, Code A08W04 has many more to show us, according to our research about his clock eye, his powers have something to do with... Time. Do you know how many centuries we've been researching in order to manipulate time? Now that we have it in our hands why would we give it up?" With a cruel smirk on his face he gripped my jaw with force making me wince. "I don't have to agree with any of your conditions, because whether you like it or not... We will continue the experiments on the both of you."

"Not on my watch." A deep husky voice from someone foreign suddenly rang out behind Dr. Drul.

Before I could even blink, Dr. Drul was already flying across the room because he was hit with such force. I could only stare in disbelief as the glass wall broke from the strong impact of his body.

"Don't worry, I made sure my kick isn't as strong to actually kill him."

I let out a shaky breath as I slowly raised my gaze to see who was in front of me. He wore strange grey clothes that's unusual to my eyes, I've only seen white lab gowns all through my life. He has jet black curly hair and a strong jaw. His silver eyes met mine, it feels like the whole room had stalled because of his intense eyes that I've never seen before.

He's different from the people I always see in the labs. Surprisingly, he looked good, the only good thing I've ever seen since forever. Strangely enough, someone as good looking as him doesn't suit to be here on the underground.

Feeling the shift of the atmosphere, he looked around for a minute before returning his silver eyes on mine. "You've finally calmed down."

I didn't understand what he meant until I noticed that the blizzard was no longer to be seen anywhere. Instead, there's a small snow falling everywhere softly.

I immediately flinched away when he moved towards me, his brow slightly furrowed at my actions. He removed my restraints with ease, surprising me. Why would he let me free? Or are they actually taking me away to a new laboratory to experiment on since the whole place had been destroyed? Is he going to use me for his own gains?

"Relax, I won't hurt you." My body froze at his words. He's looking straight into my eyes. What is he talking about? He won't hurt me? Lies. I've long since known not to trust anyone. I won't fall for such sugar coated words.

"Captain! I've successfully taken the boy, he's unharmed and well. He just passed out from exhaustion, apparently he's weak." The man who's called as Captain moved to the side. That's when I saw Axel in the arms of a woman who's also dressed on grey clothes similar to the person called Captain.

"A... Axel.." I croaked as I tried to stand with shaky legs, but immediately fell on the ground.

The woman with brown straight hair that stopped at her waist with strange purple eyes looked at me worriedly. "Are you alright? Don't worry he's safe. You're safe. We'll get you out of here."

My heart warmed at her words, she's asking if I'm alright. It's been years since someone asked me how I am. There's a twinge of hope inside of me that's hoping that her words are true.

For just this once, I hope that she's not lying like the others. Please... I beg you.. get us out of here...

As if hearing my thoughts, she smiled at me, the first genuine smile I've ever seen besides Axel. I'm used to their cruel smirks and taunting smiles that it's unusual for my eyes. "We're here to help you and your brother. No one deserves such cruelty."

Another girl approached beside her who looked younger than the rest. She had black wavy hair with bangs, she also wore glasses and the same grey outfit like the rest of them. "Captain, I've gathered all the information on Code A13W20 and Code A08W04 and so as the other data on the lab."

Gathered information on Code A13W20 and Code A08W04? Those are our codes! What are they planning to do? Are they going to transfer us to another hell much worse than here? If so I'll make sure that Axel escapes from here even if I have to die.

The person they call Captain nodded his head, "Good. Make sure everything's settled. Burn this place down, we will guarantee that no one will suffer the same faith again. Patricia, you know what to do. Tell Lucas to send an illusion to the Government that a failed experiment happened that caused a great explosion that destroyed this whole place down. Inform James to ready our transportation. We will return to Viradale at once to get these two taken care of."

The both of them nodded, "Yes, Captain."

"Samantha, take care of that boy while I settle her down." The girl named Samantha carried Axel on her back with ease while the one named Patricia went towards me.

"Don't worry, you can finally rest now." Before I could flinch away from her touch, the world around me had gone dark and I could feel myself falling but before I could lose my consciousness, I felt strong hands that catched me from my fall.

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Patricia's POV

The mission was a success, we managed to get the two of them out of that hell. Luckily, we were able to get them easily, the distraction from earlier was enough for us to have things under our control. Without a doubt, Zavian burned that place down to ash until nothing came out of it. Of course, the Government was furious with the report, but they couldn't really do anything against us. After all, it was one of our people that they held captive there when it was against our law, one wrong move and the alliance with the humans could've gone downhill.

Healing her bruised form as best as I could, I can't help but pity them. Years of being forced to stay on that hell must've been a nightmare. The things they forcefully did to them are enough to lose my appetite.

After making sure she's alright and that she won't feel any pain when she wakes up I silently left the room we had for her.

"How are they?" James asked as I walked down the stairs.

"They're fine for now, I don't know what will happen if they wake up so we better prepare ourselves. Their mental state isn't stable at the moment."

"Of course, who wouldn't after becoming those sick bastards guinea pig?" He scoffed at the thought of those Scientists.

"Yes, especially Dr. Drul, he's kinda off." Lucas further on commented. "By the way Captain, what happened to him?"

All eyes went towards Zavian who's standing over the window with a far look in his eyes, "He's held as a prisoner, he committed a grave sin against our kind. What he did is far beyond injustice."

"Suites him right." James said with a snort.

"Samantha, what have you gathered in their lab?" Zavian questioned from his spot on the window.

I sat beside James on the couch while Lucas leaned on the table not far away from us, wiping his beloved Divine Weapon's blade.

Samantha cleared her throat before speaking. "Code A13W20 means Aurelia Winter, date of birth on February thirteen. She was taken in by a woman who sold the both of them to the auction house where her Element was first known. Apparently, something happened on the auction that triggered her to use her hidden Element, she too didn't know such a thing existed inside her. After that, authorities took hold of her and arrested her for her supposed 'crimes' of murdering everyone in that room when it was simply self defense. She wasn't given a proper trial of some sort because of her innocence; she didn't know how things worked around her thus, the Government took advantage of this. Thinking that the two siblings were a way for them to somehow win against us if things went downhill, they tried to learn of their supposed Element. However, only a little progress has been made through the years because of Miss Winter's refusal to use her Element."

Pushing her glasses back at her nose she continued on, "Code A08W04, Axel Winter, date of birth: April eight. He was still a year old when they were brought to the auction house. All the responsibilities fell on his sister's shoulders. The Government didn't know if Mister Winter also possessed the same Element as her sister yet they decided to bring him to the laboratory along with his sister until signs of his Element arose. It was a simple sign that made the Scientists realize that he wasn't different from his sister, his left eye started to painfully change through the years and the scientists made close inspection to it until it became the golden clock eye it is now. Their research concludes that his Element has something to do with time despite not seeing it themselves. His lack of progress with his Element made them focus on her sister more since she's clearly capable of using it. It was also Dr. Drul that started this whole research team for the siblings."

James growled, "Those fuckers!"

I nodded, "This is a severe offense that they had done, I don't bet the Council will let this pass just easily."

"I agree," Zavian's cool voice rang out strongly through the room. "The Council will take immediate action for this, the Government will pay deeply. They might be eliminated if the results are positive."

"What results?" I questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Tests if Aurelia Winter and Axel Winter are the missing Zaveri." Samantha commented nonchalantly.

"No way!" The three of us exclaimed at the same time.

"The missing Royalties?" Lucas asked while his jaw dropped slightly.

"Yes, but this case must remain confidential at all costs. No one is to know what they really are. Things are only starting to get better for them, if news came out that they're alive..." Zavian trailed off already knowing what he meant.

Gulping the slump on my throat, the idea of everyone finding out is indeed a bad one. I don't think those two can handle those things yet.

"Now that you mention it, their last names are Winter and the girl also possesses the Ice Element. We all know the only person that could possibly have those."

"Yes, Queen Alisandra Winter. The Winter Family, the only Water Element users that can turn their water into ice. The blessing of the Water Goddess."

"If their last names are Winter, wouldn't people start to put two and two together if they see her use her Ice Element?" James questioned with furrowed brows.

"Yes, that indeed is quite a problem. But the Council has already thought of a solution to that problem. Whatever it is, it's still unknown." Zavian finally removed his gaze from the window, looking at each and one of us.

"But one thing is certain, they're to study under Viradale Academy."

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