Chương 26: Soul On Fire

Ronner Ronner sauntered through the hospital's hallways, carrying a crimson bouquet. Fearful eyes followed his steps, feeding his growing ego. He winked at the nurses, making them shiver with his mere presence. He halted in front of Magenta's room, combed his hair, and pushed the door. A smirk spread across his face as he witnessed Magenta's malnourished figure. She was sitting on the edge of her bed, painting her nails black. She ignored his presence, her expression unreadable.

If there was one person who didn't tremble before Ronner, that was The Lady.

"I bought you these," he said, offering the bouquet to Magenta.

"Why don't you shove that up your ass?" Magenta replied in a casual tone as she stretched her fingers to check her finished work. Ronner chuckled and left the bouquet on a desk. He eased himself next to her, a smile dancing from ear to ear.

"Did you come here to enjoy the sight?" she asked, glancing at him.

"I already enjoyed the sight too many times, but I admit I never thought you could look so sexy covered in blood."

"Yeah, that's the only way you can get an erection."

"Ouch!" Ronner observed the gifts Maria had left for Magenta on a nightstand next to her bed.

"Did you know your maid tried to escape?"

"Can you blame her?"

"What if I told you we have her? Skado is eager to test that brand new body of hers."

"I'd tell you that you are a fucking idiot for thinking I'd believe that. If you have her, bring her to me." Ronner giggled.

"It's just a matter of time. She won't make it far, and then you will regret not cooperating with us."

"I already regret too many things, but not pleasing you is not one of them." Magenta looked out her window into the morning sky.

"Yeah, you've always been really bad at pleasing me. That's why I needed fresher meat, instead of a used one." He ran his fingers along her neck.

"You clearly needed it." Magenta smirked, slapping his hand away.

"Unfortunately, the one you wanted never wanted you."

"Big talk for someone whose boyfriend dumped her like a trash bag." Magenta's eyes gleamed with a spark of hatred.

"Do you actually believe that bullshit?"

"C'mon, Magenta. You've always been Marcus' bitch. You should be glad I freed you from such a burden." His lips twisted into a sneer.

"You'll always be half the man Marcus ever was." Magenta turned to him and scanned his body with contempt.

"Even in death, he's still much more than you."

"You think so? Even after he abandoned you? Twice?" Ronner sniggered.

"Let me remind you he dumped you after you lost his baby, am I right?" Magenta glared at him.

"He went for a healthier, better woman who could give him children." Ronner shot her a disdainful look as a smirk deformed his face.

"Instead of a failed shell like you, who couldn't even breed properly." Magenta's upper lip twitched, her black nails digging into the sheets.

"Ah, Ron... Your diminutive brain would never allow you to understand our story. As I said, you can only dream of being half the man he was. He earned everything he had, unlike you."

"Yes, he earned a pathetic death, like the dog he was."

"He earned the love of many, while you, lesser man, have lived a life of rejection. First, Karx expelled you from their army because you were a failure as a warrior. That's why you sought refuge under my wing, like a scared puppy." Ronner's smile slowly fell apart.

"As if that wasn't bad enough, the girl you fell for, Brisa, rejected you." Magenta giggled, gazing at him with a hint of amusement.

"You are such a little man that you had to rape her in order to feel her warmth. The warmth no one ever gave you, not even your parents. Only your dear dead grandma—" Runner snatched Magenta's neck, burying his fingers into her skin and pinning her down against the bed. His eyes narrowed in an intense glare.

"And yet, here you lie, dumb bitch. I'm the owner of your life. Your dear dog is dead, your maid will soon be destroyed, your empire... All mine. What you have left, Maggie?" Magenta grabbed his wrist and smirked at him, her eyes turning red.

"At least I had true love..." She gasped for air but still managed to spit her words like daggers.

"Everything I have, I earned it myself, not being someone else's dog when my army dumped me like trash!" Her nails cracked as she tried to hold his arm in a futile attempt to push him away. Ronner's face became stone as he increased the pressure against her neck. Magenta's skin turned purple as her glistening eyes fixed on Ronner in a death glare. He released her neck. Magenta coughed and fought for air with all her remaining strength.

"When we find Maria and Marcus' family, you'll be begging me to cooperate." Ronner stood up and adjusted his suit. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"You'll never own what I built..." she mumbled as the color returned to her face.

"Never!" Ronner sneered.

"There are other ways to force you to speak. Your butler, Ricardo, seems to have a sick obsession with you."

"Do whatever you want, pathetic jerk. Your pitiful methods confirm my words!" Magenta kept coughing and curled up in bed. Ronner stared at her for a moment, his hands shaking and his eyes burning with bloodlust.

"You'll be out of here soon, so you might want to get in shape. I heard he's rough with sluts like you." Ronner's smile darkened as twisted ideas invaded his mind. He would get her to talk, no matter what. His cruel methods could destroy the strongest spirit. He winked at her and walked away. * Remnya Remnya leaned on the marble railing of her balcony, her stare lost in the garden. Dizziness lingered in her head. She still could feel the pain from her last blood test through her veins.

Every morning, six needles attached to her arms drained her life like vampires of steel. The torture lasted for one hour until six tubes were filled with her blood. Sagan had told her she needed to feed properly to recover energy, but food was the last thing on her mind. However, if she wanted to control her fire, she would need to stay strong. Remnya bit her fourth lemon pie and scowled as she remembered that tragic night. That intense feeling in her body ran through her veins like lava.

A feeling she had never felt before. How could she recreate such a horrible sensation? Remnya sweated at the mere thought of his gaze. She wanted to forget about that monster forever. Persen is dead. He can't harm me anymore, she repeated over and over. Her brain refused to remember, terrified of the outcome, yet it was the only way to save Zeo and Brisa and escape from Ronner's hands. However, even if she managed to do it. What was next? What would she do with her skill?

Burn Ronner the same way she did with Persen? Remnya shuddered. As much as she hated him, she didn't want to kill him. She wasn't a murderer. Her doorknob clicked, and someone stepped into her room. A smile drew across Remnya's face when she saw Magenta standing by her bed. The lady had just left the hospital and came to see her as promised.

"Magenta!" Remnya shouted and darted to Magenta, wrapping her arms around her in a tight embrace. The lady brushed her hair and regarded her with a weak smile.

"You've gotten taller," Magenta said, her voice as thin as a thread.

"Yes! I turned fourteen yesterday!" Remnya beamed at her, trying to share a bit of her brief joy.

"Happy belated birthday, my dear."

"Thank you!" Remnya grabbed Magenta's hand and invited her to sit next to her on a wide couch. She scanned the lady's downcast eyes and face; no trace of makeup on her.

"I'm glad you recovered, Magenta. You look as pretty as always!"

"Thanks..." Magenta let out a deep sigh, her gaze fixed on the marble floor.

"How have you been, my dear?" Remnya stared at the bruises on her arms and wrists.

"I'm alright. It could've been worse." She shrugged and smiled.

"Indeed, but remember, bad times will soon be carried away by the tide." Magenta lifted her eyes to her in a deep stare, then caressed her face.

"There's something I need to tell you, Remnya." Remnya nodded.

"What is it?"

"Please, don't blame Brisa or Maria for not telling you. They were following my orders."

"What are you talking about?"

"You need to know this before it's too late." Magenta wrapped her cold fingers around Remnya's hand.

"Ronner lied to you about Marcus." Remnya's heart skipped a beat as a knot closed her throat.

"About what?" she mumbled.

"Marcus..." The lady hesitated as tears welled up in her eyes. Her silence lasted for long seconds.

"Marcus... Is dead." Remnya's face lost its color. Her whole body felt light and cold as if every joint disconnected from her brain. She blinked, trying to process her words.

"I'm sorry, my dear. It happened the night before I took you away with me. I was trying to fulfill his last will, but I failed..." Crystalline tears trailed down Magenta's cheeks.

"Ronner and Skado killed him when he returned to the mansion. He tried to save you. You need to know that, Remnya!" Magenta's voice cracked.

"No... This cannot be true." Remnya's eyes burned as she searched for lies in Magenta's face, but there were none. Her tears revealed the only truth.

"That's why he didn't come for me that night..." Remnya's body trembled as she tried to fight her will to scream.

"This can't be!" Magenta narrowed her glistening eyes and grabbed Remnya's hands tightly, her frozen fingers shaking.

"Listen to me, Remnya. You need to be strong. For him, for Zeo, for everyone! Now, your fate is in your hands." Magenta wiped Remnya's tears with the back of her hand.

"You gotta fight! Be the lioness you're supposed to be!" Magenta's voice echoed in Remnya's brain, filling her body with her fire, which burned hotter than her own. Remnya took a deep breath. The pain was ripping her insides apart, but she held her own. There was no time for weakness. There was no time to cry.

"Yes... Magenta... You're right," Remnya mumbled, her tears boiled, and her whole body felt on fire.

"They'll pay for this... They will pay for everything!" Her voice echoed throughout the room. She sprang from her seat and rushed to step away from Magenta, fearing her body could become dangerous. Magenta witnessed Remnya's tears turn to steam, drying on her eyes.

"Remnya... I need to tell you one more thing." Magenta kneeled in front of her and lowered her head.

"I'm sorry... I'm truly sorry! I caused all this! If I hadn't been so stupid to listen to Ronner, perhaps Marcus..." Magenta covered her face with both hands, muffling her sobs. Remnya widened her eyes and fell to her knees. She pulled Magenta into her arms.

"Magenta, it's okay." The fire in her chest calmed down; she couldn't hurt Magenta.

"I already forgave you..." Remnya's tears were gone, but she could feel Magenta's pain against her chest. The powerful lady she admired so much was kneeling before her. She could not fail. Everyone's fate was in her hands, in her fire. The Crimson Fire wasn't meant to kill; it was meant to protect. Remnya finally understood that. It wasn't supposed to burn and destroy. It had to flow through her body and protect the people she loved, the ones who needed her the most.

They remained together for long seconds as silence accompanied their pain. Finally, Magenta lifted her eyes and rushed to wipe her face.

"There's something I need to give you." Magenta sniffled as she slid her hand under a pocket in her dress, drawing a key from it.

"Room 125, that's where my most precious memories are. Get there, and you'll understand a lot of things." She pushed the key into Remnya's palm and wrapped her fingers around it.

"Magenta..." Remnya tightened her grasp on the key.

"Why do I feel like you're trying to say goodbye?" Magenta smiled, the most genuine smile she had ever seen on her face. She wasn't looking at The Lady anymore, but at a simple woman with weakness and strengths, hopes and dreams. Perhaps a friend.

"My dear, there are many people who need you right now. Zeo, Brisa, Maria... Marcus' family." Remnya felt an electric shock traveling throughout her body.

"It's not me, the one you need to protect. I can take care of myself." Magenta chuckled and caressed her face. The lady's eyes looked more beautiful than ever, as if her words had freed her from so much pain.

"Magenta, even if you tell me that..." Remnya swallowed, her heart obstructing her chest.

"What will happen to you?"

"Remnya, remember these words." Magenta's eyes pierced her soul like a powerful lance of hope and strength.

"You need to fight, you need to be strong! You can't hide what lies inside you, embrace it, and never walk away. Be the lady and be the lioness!" At that moment, Magenta shone as The Lady Remnya admired. That was her true self, and she was more powerful than ever.

"Protect those who need you the most! Wake up your fire!" Magenta's words cut the air like sharp swords, slicing Remnya's doubts forever. Remnya narrowed her crimson eyes and bobbed her head.

"I will save them, Magenta! I promise!" For you, and for Marcus.