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Waking up the first thing Anna felt was the coldness in the air. A whimper escaped her lips, as she tried to move but found her limbs still heavy. With whatever the people did to her when they took her from her family. If she could even call them family. They had sold her off because of a debt to the new cruel ruler or Prythian, Amarantha. But what scared her the most at the moment was that she couldn't open her eyes.

She was stuck in darkness. It took her a moment to calm down before she was able to open her eyes. She found herself surrounded by metal bars. Anna was in a cell. Taking a deep breath she tried to now move her arms and legs. Her movement seemed to be coming back slowly.

After waiting she was able to sit up slowly. Rubbing her arms Anna whimpered as she looked around. She was on the cold stone floor. It was so cold to her. Hugging herself she rubbed her arms trying to stay calm and warm.

She was still looking around when she heard a sigh not that far away. Looking over she was met with a male in the cell with her. He had blondish brown hair and brown eyes while looking pale and sick. He was sitting back against a stone wall looking at her with sympathy.

"You alright kid?" He asked sadly. He had sadness in his eyes seeing her. He couldn't believe that they would take a child and put her down here with him. But then again Amarantha was a cruel thing.

He sighed again with sadness, wishing he could do something to help her. But in reality he couldn't do anything about it. He was stuck just like her. Having been caught not long ago. He was trying to help people escape from Under the Mountain. He helped a few but the others were killed. As for him he was captured.

Which led to him being forced into the cell. The thing keeping him in the cell being the door was spelled. But after seeing what he truly had inside him the people wanted to see and study him. Which was what they were trying to do now. They wanted him to hurt her but he wouldn't. Not him nor the creature inside him. So, he thought he would do the next best thing by being there for her as much as he could.

"Yeah I think so. Ummm are you?" Anna answered him, before asking. She wanted to be nice to him. The male chuckled hearing her question. He could hear the laughter of another in his head. It has been a long time since someone has been nice to him. He couldn't help the smile that took over his lips.

"I am. I'm okay. What's your name sweetheart?" He asked her, as he crawled over weakly to be closer to her. So, he could talk to her. Anna was hesitant to talk to him. But she felt like she could trust him. So with a gulp of air and gathering some courage she sighed. Crawling a little closer to the male but keeping a little distance between them.

"I - I'm Annamarie. But everyone c - calls me Anna. What's your name," she introduced herself to him. He smiled at the girl weakly before groaning in pain feeling a pain in his abdomen. He could feel the hunger eating away at him. Which made him curse under his breath. But he pulled himself together because he wouldn't hurt Anna. But seeing him in such a state caused Anna to gasp hearing him. But he was quick to wave it off with a pain filled smile.

"I'm okay Anna. My name's Edward. But I go by Eddie," he smiled with a chuckle. Anna giggled hearing him. After introducing themselves to each other led to the two fae to begin chatting about random things and about their lives in Prythian.

Anna learned Eddie was a traveler from all over Prythian. While Eddie discovered Anna was from the Spring Court. As time went by they learned more and more about each other. And the two grew closer together. They grew a sisterly brother bond. They told each other everything. But there was one thing Eddie was keeping from Anna. He was too afraid she would see him as a monster if she found out. So he kept it to himself.

It has been weeks ago since the guards threw Anna into Eddie's cell. The two had very few visitors only when people showed up to give them food. If you want to call it food. They were waiting. Waiting to see if Eddie would hurt Anna. But he didn't do such a thing. Instead he befriended her.

Since the two have met Eddie has made Anna giggle on more than one occasion. Hearing her laughter made him smile, not having heard something so pure in such a long time. He found it endearing. But in the back of his mind he was filled with pain and sadness. Knowing that nothing good was going to happen to her with her being in such a place. But he tried to keep her mood up.

But one day the two were quick to become quiet when they heard heavy footsteps coming closer to their cell. But the footsteps were different and there were many more. They sounded like guards.

A fearful gasp escaped Anna's lips as she crawled to Eddie. She knew nothing good came when guards came to their cell. Which caused Eddie to try and cover her. As she curled up into herself Anna shook with fear as she saw people stop in front of the cell.

Eddie was soon sighing sadly with a growl. As he scooted next to her with a pain filled smile. He soon whispered the same thing he's said many times before to her, "I'll say it again I'm so sorry you're here Anna. But know that we'll always be here for you Anna no matter what. We will be there."

"I - I'll be there f - for you too Eddie," Anna whispered to him. As tears fell down her cheeks while she whimpered. She was about to ask him what he meant by 'we' because this was the first she'd heard him say such a thing. But she wasn't able to. She was interrupted by a voice.

"Well what do we have here? The monster still hasn't eaten his snack. Such a shame. We were being nice giving you something to munch on," a guard taunted Eddie. Causing the guards around him to laugh. Which led Eddie to growl with anger. As he covered Anna more and glared at the guards.

"Fuck off," Eddie snapped. He didn't like the way they were talking about Anna. Nor did he like how they were looking at her. He didn't want anything to happen to Anna. She was just a child to him. With her being in her early twenties. He wouldn't let them hurt her. They were stupid to think he was going to hurt her. He was going to protect her. He soon heard the deep voice in his head agree.

"Would you look at this... he seems to have a soft spot for his snack. Hm I wonder what would happen if we took her away and had some fun with her," the guard snickered with a smirk. While the others laughed and chuckled along.

"I dare any of you to touch her. We will bite every single one of your heads off if you touch her," Eddie retorted. His strong glaring gaze on them all. Even though Anna was terrified, she felt protected by Eddie. Which caused her to scoot closer to him. But she was still confused by hearing him say 'we' again.

"I'd like to see you try you piece of shit," one of the guards laughed with a grin. As he looked at Anna. Who was now crying and holding onto Eddie tightly. She didn't know what to do. But she would rather stay with Eddie than go with the guards. Even though she met Eddie weeks ago she felt safe with him.

Anna knew she wasn't in a good place. She knew she was Under the Mountain. She knew how cruel this place was, also knowing about the new horrid ruler Amarantha. She knew because she paid attention to the rumors from everyone in Spring Court. She then heard even more from her so-called family. Anna wasn't really one to talk so she would observe. And would learn a lot while doing so too. But right now she didn't like what she was hearing and was terrified.

"Lets get her and have some fun shall we boys," the head guard exclaimed. The other guards were soon chuckling, agreeing with him as they were getting ready to fight. As the head guard began to open the cell door. A deep loud growl was heard from Eddie as he stood up weakly. Still in front of Anna. Who was now crying as she curled into herself.

"Anna sweetheart, close your eyes and cover your ears for me. Whatever you do, keep them closed and covered. We're going to keep you safe. I promise," Eddie ordered softly before promising. Hearing him, Anna was hesitant to listen. But seeing him send her a kind smile over his shoulder caused her to nod.

Before turning and covering her pointed ears with her hands and closing her eyes tightly. She hoped she was doing the right thing by trusting him. Soon after Anna turned she was hearing muffled screams, loud growls, roars, and loud crunching noises behind her. She didn't know what was happening nor what some of the noises were. Which caused her to whimper and flinch as she curled into herself. But she did as Eddie told her to.

After some time which felt like forever for Anna, she felt a gentle hand on her back. Even though it was a gentle touch it caused her to flinch. But she was soon being turned around. Looking she was met with Eddie who had a small hopeful smile upon his lips. Looking around she was met with no one there. But the cell door was open. Which led her to become hopeful. Eddie was soon taking her hand and pulling her up with him and out of the cell.

"Come on sweetheart we're getting out of here," Eddie declared as he pulled her after him. Making it to the cell door he looked both ways down each hall. Before guiding Anna out of the cell. As the two ran they heard many other creatures and people crying out and screaming. Which Anna tried to block out as she ran with Eddie. Running down the halls. There were many the two had passed and ran down. But Eddie used his enhanced sense of smell and hearing to guide him. He was going to get Anna out if it was the last thing he did.

Soon the two were going down a long hall. As they were trying to be quiet going down the halls, the two suddenly heard the yelling of guards and soon there was running. Which led Anna and Eddie to run as well. But in the heat of the moment Eddie didn't pay attention. And it caused them to come to a dead end. Which led Eddie to curse at himself as he heard the guards come closer. He was soon pulling Anna behind him and growled loudly when he saw the guards with their weapons.

"You. Do. Not. Want to do this. Just let us leave right now," Eddie tried to reason with the guards. But in answer the guards just raised their weapons at Eddie. Which caused Eddie to sigh before sending a look to Anna. He didn't want her to think of him as a monster... but he knew there was nothing else he could do.

But in that moment, in that split second... so much had changed. So much changed and so quickly.

Turning he watched as one of the guards threw a dagger at him. But his eyes widened when a scream escaped Anna as she quickly used all her strength to push him out of the way. Causing him to stumble to the left. He watched as she took the dagger to the chest. A yell escaped him as he caught her in his arms. He knew then and there that he should have told her instantly. He should have told her about the creature within him. He should have told her about Venom.

"No! No! No!" Eddie repeated, holding her in his arms with tears in his eyes. As he looked down at her in his arms a onyx substance escaped him and made a shield. It covered the two quickly and protectively. And Anna saw it as she looked up at Eddie. It amazed her. But she soon looked at Eddie and sent him a small pained smile. Hearing him repeatedly say 'no' and 'I'm sorry' to her as he pushed her long dark curly away from her face.

"It's okay E - Eddie. I - I'm okay," Anna stuttered out over her words. She was in so much pain. But she could feel herself beginning to go numb as her vision began to darken. She didn't know what to do or how to feel. But she knew one thing: she didn't regret saving him.

The thought caused her to smile. But soon her smile fell when her vision started to go blurry. Blinking, she tried to focus on Eddie and tried to speak to him. But it seemed he was talking to himself. Shouting at himself even.

She didn't know what was happening to him. But she knew it had something to do with something within him. She had heard snippets of conversations about him having some sort of monster. But she had also heard him whispering to himself when he thought she was asleep.

She was curious but her curiosity started to fade away as she began to feel tired. She suddenly heard the last words Eddie had said as he pulled her up. He was now speaking to her and he had tears in his eyes as he looked into her dark brown eyes.

"I am so sorry I should have told you. I am so sorry I couldn't keep you safe. But Venom will keep you safe sweetheart. I promise," Eddie vowed. He was then leaning down placing a firm kiss upon her head. And as he did the onyx substance suddenly resided and went back to Eddie. But soon the slime-like moving substance seemed to transfer to Anna slowly.

As it did chaos erupted.

Many of the guards came at the two vigorously. None was holding back. As they did Eddie shouted as he started to fight off the guards as best as he could. He was weak but resilient. Without Venom though the monster Eddie had within that now was merging with Anna. He knew he couldn't win the fight.

But he wanted to save Anna. She was quick to jump in front of a dagger coming his way... then he could do this for her. It was something he promised to himself. He would protect Anna if it was the last thing he did. Plus he had lived such a long fae life with Venom he just felt it was his time.

Eddie knew his time was coming to an end now. As he fought and felt himself begin to become weaker and weaker by the second. While it was time for Venom to move on. He knew Anna and Venom would be the perfect pair. He knew the two would look out for each other.

But as a pain filled scream left Anna he was quick to deflect a sword coming his way, with a sword he stole from a guard. Then he ran to her. He knew what she was going through. It was what he called the merging process. It felt as if something was welding itself to your bones, to your very being, to all of you inside. It was a very painful process.

Eddie wanted to be there for Anna. To let her know she wasn't alone. But as he was running to her he was stopped by a stream of fire that hit him in the back. The stream fire belonging to an Autumn Court guard. Which led Eddie to scream in pain along with Anna. Falling onto the ground not far from Anna.

Eddie wasn't going to let Anna go through the pain alone. He was determined as he got up with a grunt and crawled his way to Anna. Who was crying as the dagger in her chest was slowly being pushed out. He didn't get far because he fell forward to the floor. He was in so much pain.

Someone was then kicking him over. But he didn't look at them; he had his gaze on Anna. Who still cried as she looked into his eyes. She watched as he sent her a smile. She tried to send him a smile back but she was in so much pain. She felt like her skin was boiling. She was then reaching out to him. He did the same with a smile upon his lips.

Anna knew she had only known Eddie for many weeks now. But she couldn't help but feel like she was losing someone important to her. And he was important to her. He was the brother she always wanted. The family that she longed for. He told and showed her what family was supposed to be like in the little time they had known each other. He was her family, he was her brother, and she didn't want him to go.

She didn't want them to hurt Eddie. Anna wished and prayed to the Mother that she would help. But she knew there was nothing she could do. She knew what was going to happen. She suddenly heard a deep gravelly voice in her head whisper.

Goodbye Eddie

She then saw the guard on top of Eddie raise his sword. She had reached a hand to stop him. She then let out a cry as the guard slammed the sword down into Eddie. A deafening cry escaped her. And then suddenly she felt herself being engulfed by darkness.

Anna didn't know what had happened or what was happening to her. But she was soon finding herself awakening when it seemed that she was biting the head off of a guard. She felt her body was heavy but stronger than ever. She then screamed but soon shushed when she heard the deep voice shout 'shut up'. She was scared. She has never had something happen to her like this before. It was like something was controlling her.

She was then biting another head off and throwing another guard. But out of nowhere she stopped and whipped her head around. She saw a male with wide violet eyes standing looking up slightly at her with his hands raised. To show he wouldn't hurt her. But soon he was looking around cautiously as if to make sure no one was coming. Before he began to speak.

"Look, I don't have much time to talk... I am not going to hurt you. I can't get you out of here, it would cause too many heads to turn. But I can help you in some ways. All I ask is that you hear me out and help me when I ask for it. That is it ," he attested. As he kept looking around, he then turned his attention to her.

"Why should we believe you? You haven't showed up before. I can feel your magic or power and it smells delicious. You could have saved Eddie!"

"Shhh! I am sorry I didn't get here in time. But I am here because I've only heard rumors about you. And now that I am witnessing that you are very real and here. I want to help you and that girl," he maintained. Taking a step back when she stepped forward with a deep loud growl.

"Hm, why do you want to help us, boy?"

"Because if I can help someone in this place even if it's one person, I will help. It is up to you but... just give me the chance to help you," he implored. His eyes held nothing but kindness. Which Anna could see and it gave her a little sense of hope.

"Please let him help," Anna found herself whispering in her head. She didn't know if this creature or monster could hear her but she was hoping that he did. Which he did.

"Are you sure you want his help, little one?" The creature was heard speaking by male which confused him. But he didn't think much on it at the moment as he looked around. Keeping watch.

"Yes please. There is nothing else I can do. He's my only hope. Please," Anna muttered trying to reason with the creature that was controlling her. She still didn't know what it was and was clueless as to what was happening to her. But she did know this creature was from Eddie. So she thought maybe, just maybe he would help her like Eddie did.

"Very well. You're lucky little Annamarie wants your help. Or I would have eaten you. Because you do smell quite delectable."

"I'll uhh take that as a compliment. So um thank you. Anyways you're going to have to let her um I think take control. Or however you hide. You need