Shattered Light: A Queen's Vengeance

“I woke up back in my old novitiate room. The sunlight was weak, my head ached, but it wasn't physical pain. It was the crushing weight of a whole life, stolen, crashing back into me. Years of sacrifice, of pouring my heart into others-Ethan, Maya, Mr. Henderson-all ripped away. My deepest devotions, twisted by a dark ritual, a "Charm of Transference," meant to siphon my spiritual credit to my sister, Seraphina. She was lauded for my true work, celebrated for my love, while I was publicly shamed, exiled, and left to die, broken and alone. Now, I' m back, and the game is already in motion. Alistair is setting the stage for Seraphina's rise, forcing me down familiar paths of betrayal. I tried to change things, to build something real with Kai, to honor Mr. Henderson. But again, Seraphina claimed every ounce of my effort, my love, my sacrifice as her own, leaving me stripped bare, exiled, deemed "unworthy." Each repeated betrayal, a fresh cut, compounded the rage that had settled deep within me. How could they keep stealing my life, my essence, transforming my pure intentions into their glittering lies? The injustice was a living thing, purer and more potent than any "Grace" they pretended to embody. It burned away the last vestiges of the hopeful girl I once was. No more. I died once, broken and alone, with anger as my only companion. This time, my pain is my power, my rage a crucible. On the eve of Seraphina' s coronation, I won' t just endure. I will shatter their illusion, severing the very source of their stolen power, even if it means destroying myself in the process. The game has changed. I am back, and this time, I play to win.”