Analina

I woke up in a dark cell with just the floor to comfort me, a mildewy smell hanging in the air. The cell was worn from years of use and had only one small barred window shining in light from up above. The bars looked rusted and brittle, almost tempting me to break out.

"Analina honey, why don't you go fetch Azura so she can get us out of here?"

It was the aunties. They were resting in the cell next to me. Margie was sticking her head through the bars, begging the guard to let her out. How did they end up here? There was no way I'd let Zuri rescue them. Would Zuri even rescue me? She said she would. She said I was safe. 

I heard a faint rattling overhead, and suddenly the window bars went flying across the cell. I looked over at the guard. He was passed out on the ground. I swear I saw him talking to Margie a couple of minutes ago. 

A rope ladder dropped from the window above, unraveling as it fell.

"Climb up! I'm getting you out of here."

That was not Zuri's voice, but a guy's voice. Who was rescuing me? I climbed up the ladder and out of the cell, eager to get away from the aunties.

"Woah dude. You're a child. Nyx didn't tell me about that," the mysterious stranger said.

I looked up and came face to face with a prince. At least, he looked like one. He was so pretty. His long black hair faded to sparkling gold at the ends like they were dipped in glitter, matching his golden wings. But it was his eyes that made him beautiful, a haunting greenish gold staring into your soul. I approved. He turned away from me and gestured towards the east wing. 

"Do you want to watch a fireworks show? Nyx's about to absolutely wreck cell block 1 in a few sec-"

Boom.

The entire left corner of the east wing exploded outward in a burst of purple magic, debris flying through the overcast sky like shooting stars. When the dust had settled, there was only one remnant left in the sky. A winged prisoner, bruised and dripping purple sparks, was slowly flying over to us. Zuri looked like she had just fought a war.

"That girl sure knows how to put on a show," the prince laughed, "Her father's going to be pissed. You don't know how much she is risking to keep you safe, child."

By the time Zuri made it over to us, she looked gaunt and pale. 

"Alexei, they drained my blood this time. Can I have yours? I'm not sure how much longer I can go before the monster takes over," Zuri said. 

"Yeah, sure. Don't take too much, or I'll end up looking like you!" he turned to me, "Look away, child. Nyx can get a little... feisty."

How could I look away? Zuri looked like she was on death's door. I covered my eyes, but I made sure to leave a crack so I could peek through. 

Zuri wrapped Alexei in a hug and pushed his shirt off his shoulder. Then she bit him, her body fixing her wounds as the fresh blood entered her system. Within a few seconds, she looked just as I'd seen her earlier today with her father, the scars from the firewhip still present on her skin. Alexei kissed the top of her head as she finished taking blood from him, his expression relieved that she had mostly recovered. 

"Distraction successfully created. All guards should be checking out the explosion. I have to head back to Rolf's before he notices I'm missing," Zuri said, "Now Alexei, can you bring Analina to the castle? I hope Milo is okay with children. Tell him I'll be back later tonight."

Zuri turned to me, a concerned look on her face, the first drops of rain hitting her singed wings.

"Analina, two of my bestest friends are going to take care of you while I'm gone. I have to go on a business trip, so I should be back in a couple of days. Don't worry, these guys make the best waffles in the world."

And with that, she flew back over to the ruins of the east wing, ready to play the victim to a father hungry for vengeance.

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Narrator

"Oh handsome stranger, please rescue us!" Margie called out as the ladder retreated back out of the window, "We are just two innocent shopkeepers unlawfully accused of tax evasion!"

"Sorry dude, my instructions were clear. Get the child, then get out," a voice said from above.

"Darling, how ever are we going to get out? We will be stuck in prison for the rest of our lives! Xennia, do something! I didn't marry you for you to sit around all day!"

Suddenly, the ground rumbled, shaking the flimsy floor grate. Margie had an idea.

"Xennia, can you pry off the grate on the floor? I think I read a book about a hero escaping through the sewers. Apparently, it's a real thing. Mark my words, that man will regret leaving us to rot!"

Xennia wrapped her fingers around the grate bars and pulled at them, but the grate did not break. 

"Keep pulling, Xennia!"

Rain started flowing in from their small window, flowing temptingly through the grate. The rain was coming down hard now, drowning out Margie's voice. 

With one last tug, the grate detached from the drain and flew across the cell, clanging as it hit the bars. Margie looked down the hole. Sewer water flowed about 6 feet below her. It would be safe to jump. Marjorie jumped down, wincing when she landed on the squishy sewer floor.

"Xennia, let's jump down this hole and escape from the sewer! Am I not the smartest person alive?"

Xennia rolled her eyes and hopped down to meet Margie. Rain was pouring down fast and the sewer water level was quickly rising as the aunties treaded through raw sewage. Soon it was up to their chins and they were forced to swim through the sewer water.

"Margie, are you sure this is a good idea?"

"I can't hear you, darling. What did you just say?"

"Margie, aren't you afraid that we might get some sort of disease?"

"Darling, we're fine. This is emperor excrement right here. No diseases present."

The water level was still rising. Now, only the aunties' heads could fit between the water and the sewer ceiling. 

"Just- keep- swimming! I see light up ahead!" Margie huffed out.

Now, only their faces could fit above water.

"Margie, I have sewage in my mouth! This escape plan is absolutely disgusting!"

Both their heads were almost completely submerged, save for their mouths.

"Help! Xennia, I'm drowning!"

Xennia had reached the exit and was not looking back. She let herself float down the waterfall and out of the sewer system, safe from harm.

Marjorie Chapman was not so lucky. The sewer water absorbed her drowning body like a common piece of trash as she took her final breath and let herself go. 

Imperial soldiers found her body two days later in a ditch outside the capitol.