Xyioms ruled over the humans with an iron fist. Although they had left the humans in their World and returned to theirs, there was still no means of escape and every year, the Xyioms returned to choose the humans as tributes.
Xyioms had a great hunger for blood and an urge only the female human bodies could satisfy and every year they came, they selected the finest females they would take with them.
The village of Rivenwood was silent.
It was the kind of silence that suffocated one. It was that time of the year again, the day when Xyioms came. Every year, they took what they wanted. And every year, families were shattered, forced to watch their daughters disappear into the darkness.
Selene could feel the day drawing close and closer.
She knelt in front of the small mirror and steadied her fingers as she wrapped the binding cloth around her chest firmly which flattened her figure.
She wore her brother's tunic that hung loosely over her frame, masking the curves of her body.
Her hands were rough, hardened from years of working the land and her shoulders were strong enough to pass for a boy's. She had trained for this moment—perfected the way she moved, the way she stood and the way she spoke.
Today, Elias would live again.
A knock at the door startled her. "Selene," Lyra's voice was barely above a whisper. "They're coming."
Selene inhaled deeply, letting the last of her fears burn away. When she stood, she was no longer Selene, the older sister. She was now Elias, the eldest son of the house.
She pulled open the door, meeting Lyra's wide, frightened eyes. "Stay behind me," she said firmly.
Lyra hesitated, clutching her hands together. "You don't have to do this."
"Yes, I do." Selene softened her voice. "I won't let them take you."
Before Lyra could argue, the heavy toll of a bell rang through the village, and the silence shattered.
The Xyioms had arrived already.
********
The town square was filled with people. Their faces were pale and their bodies were stiff with dread. The enforcers stood at the center, towering over the villagers like gods among men.
Selene had heard stories of them—warriors bred for battle, their strength was none like any other and their speed was unnatural. Their skin shimmered under the sun, dark as polished stone with their silver eyes glowing with an inhuman intensity. They were clad in black armor and looked more like shadows than men.
One of them stepped forward. He was taller than the rest. His presence was commanding. His gaze swept across the gathered villagers like a predator surveying its prey.
"Bring forth the tribute." His voice was deep, smooth, and without any trace of emotion in it.
No one moved after he had spoken.
Selene could feel Lyra trembling behind her. The enforcers were growing impatient. One of them began to walk toward the crowd, his silver eyes scanning for their next victim.
Before he could get any closer, Selene stepped forward.
"I am the eldest," she declared, her voice strong and unwavering. "Take me."
The lead enforcer turned his gaze to her. His eyes lingered on her face, sharp and assessing. For a moment, she feared he saw through her disguise. But then, a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Brave little prince," he mused.
A murmur rippled through the crowd. The enforcer took a slow step forward, closing the distance between them. "What is your name?"
Selene lifted her chin. "Elias."
The smirk deepened. "You offer yourself willingly?"
She didn't hesitate. "Yes."
A gloved hand shot out, gripping her jaw with surprising gentleness. The enforcer tilted her face up, his silver eyes searching hers. "You don't look afraid."
"I'm not," she lied.
The enforcer chuckled. "Interesting." He released her, turning to his men. "Take him."
Lyra gasped. "Wait—"
Selene turned sharply. "Lyra, stay back."
But Lyra wasn't listening. She lunged forward, grabbing Selene's arm. "Please, don't take him! Please—"
One of the enforcers shoved her aside.
Selene's blood ran cold. Fury surged through her veins, and before she could stop herself, the words were out—sharp and reckless
"Touch her again, and I'll kill you."
A dangerous silence followed.
Slowly, the lead enforcer turned back to her. His smirk was gone and was replaced by something unreadable.
"Take him," he ordered.
Selene was grabbed roughly, her hands bound behind her back. She struggled for a brief moment, but her efforts were futile. The Xyioms were too strong for her.
Lyra screamed her name.
Selene clenched her jaw, forcing herself not to look back.
This was the only way she could save her sister. She didn't want to think of the things they would do to her sister when she had been taken away.
*****
The journey back to the Xyiom's kingdom was brutal.
She was thrown into a cage with other captives. Selene spent days in darkness, the rocking of the ship made her stomach churn. The Xyioms spoke little, treating their prisoners as nothing more than cargo.
She had expected this. She had prepared for it.
But nothing could have prepared her for Obsidian Keep.
When they finally arrived, Selene was pulled from the ship, the sudden brightness made her blink rapidly.
And that was when she saw it.
It was a fortress unlike anything she had ever imagined. There were towers of black stone that seemed to pierce the heavens, walls so high that they disappeared into the clouds. The place was built not just to keep outsiders away, but to keep something far worse within.
The other prisoners were led in one direction while Selene was pulled in another.
She frowned. "Where are you taking me?"
The enforcer holding her chain didn't answer.
Her heart pounded against her chest. She had assumed she would be thrown into a dungeon or sold at auction. But as they passed through the massive iron gates, she realized this was something else entirely.
A set of grand doors loomed ahead, guarded by two imposing figures. As they approached, the doors swung open on their own, revealing a vast hall.
And at the far end, seated upon a throne of onyx, was him! The Xyiom King.
Selene barely had time to take in the sight of him before she was forced to her knees.
The room was eerily quiet.
Then—
A deep, rumbling voice cut through the silence.
"Rise, little prince."
Selene's breath caught in her throat.
The moment she lifted her head and met his gaze, she knew.
She had just stepped into the mouth of the beast.
And there would be no escaping it.