TCoE: BB Pt. 4:1 (Cythia)

Cythia Backstory Blog

By Mel E. FurnishPublished 3 years ago • Updated 2 years ago • 8 min read

Cythia - "Fire" by Jordan Ivey

Now that you've met Cythia and have glimpsed into her painful past, you might wonder how she came across Evaleana in the first place?

After publishing my short story, Suam Novam Vitam, I revealed that Cythia was a member of a secret cult among the Sithmora - this is how she became connected with Evaleana's story.

A ringing roared in his ears as he carried her down the corridors of Sinro Prison. Footfalls and gasps from nearby Sithmora that witnessed the sight echoed around him. He swallowed back the lump forming in his throat as they approached a cold and quiet dungeon. He stopped dead in his tracks as he noticed two Sithmora standing guard by the cell, designated for the little girl. Inside, low growls erupted from the shadows. He frowned as he looked at the two Sithmora that waited for him to carry her closer. The one on the left was young, about eighteen years old.

Long crimson curls rolled down over her shoulders and to her hips as she locked gazes with Trinth. Her emerald gaze pierced his soul as he watched them glisten with hate but soon fade to pity for a moment when they skimmed over the little girl's limp body in his arms. "So, this is Princess Evaleana, correct?" she asked with a hand on her hip as she narrowed her eyes at him.

"It's her. Once she is with the beast, it will prove it when it penetrates her mind. Now," he grunted as he rested her inside the cell on a small cot. He turned to face the other Sithmora, an older woman with dark skin and long silver hair. She was half-elf; her pointy ears and distinct high cheekbones stood out to Trinth as his body shook with fear. Her purple irises glistened as her strange thin pupils enlarged like a cat's.

"Pazia." He grinned. "You asked me to bring her to you, now that I have," he paused as he leaned in closer. "Where is my family?" he demanded as his anxiety promptly diminished.

Her lips curled in a smirk as she slowly pressed a hand on his chest. His eyes narrowed as she abruptly shoved him backward. As he crashed to the cold, hard stone floor, she swiftly locked the cell with him inside.

Trinth quickly scrambled to his feet to throw himself into the bars towards her. His nostrils flared as his heart raced. "Where are they?" he screamed.

Pazia grinned as she shrugged. "Don't worry; you will see them again when you join Demise in the Abyss. He will honor your service, and they too will contribute to this great cause our glorious leader has ordered us to begin."

"Where are they!?" Tears started to stream down his face as he crashed to his knees, his muscles weak as his blood ran cold. He began to shake as he covered his face in his hands.

Abruptly the memory of killing the little girl's mother replayed in his mind. He screamed as he kept his eyes sealed shut, rocking back and forth as he tugged on his hair. He lunged from the ground and slammed his body against the bars again. His blue eyes flared as he glared at Pazia with a menacing fury. "You will pay for this," he growled as she started to walk away. "You hear me? She-devil!" he spat. "You'll pay for this! All of you monsters will pay for what you've done!"

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"Trinth?" a girl's voice called. He jumped awake in sheer panic as he scanned his surroundings. The young girl they ordered him to kidnap, Princess Evaleana, was gone. He frowned as he turned to see the young crimson-haired Sithmora staring at him from behind bars. He groaned as he rolled over.

"What do you want?" he grumbled.

"My name is Cythia. I know you don't trust me, but if you wish to live, to escape and start over, I need you to promise me something."

Trinth froze as he felt his heart pound against his chest. For nearly a year, the Sithmora cult had kept both him and the princess locked away, half-starved and beaten. The cold of winter seeped in through the cold stone walls as he slowly lifted his head to look into her green eyes. "Promise you what exactly?" he grilled with narrowed eyes.

Cythia smiled as she anxiously readjusted her leather choker with a large emerald in the center. She sighed as she looked toward the end of the corridor. "You must swear on your life that you will help me save Evaleana."

"What?"

"A chance of redemption, to help ease your soul on what they manipulated you to do to save your family... Sithmora are ruthless, and this secret cult, in particular, is all the more vicious. They will break her and turn her into one of them. She will become a servant for Demise, and he will use her to bring destruction and suffering to Trindavin. Her destiny is to become the next Enchantress and bring an end to The Dark War. The Divine have spread the word that there will be another she will work with to bring balance back to our world."

Trinth froze as he remained silent, deep in thought. Cythia smiled as she watched him rise to his feet with a determined expression. "I promise. So long as you promise not to betray me. If I help you, you help me. What is the plan? While you're at it, what's the plan for her? I can't just raise a child on the run."

Cythia grinned as she shrugged. "I'll help you. Look, we can find her a better home or figure something out. No matter what, she deserves something better than this. I promise I won't betray you."

Trinth nodded. "Let's get this over with then. You help me get out of here with her, and I'll help you get her somewhere safe."

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Their leader, Pazia, had convinced the others that Demise wishes for them to wipe Evaleana's memory and train her to become a Sithmora. She threatened Trinth to bring Eva back to them, or she would torture his family and hunt him down if he tried to hide.

Cythia was a member of this cult to gain information and had close access to the young princess. Cythia first met Trinth that fateful night, and after nearly a year passed, she finally heard the news that promised the best oppourtunity of escape.

The young huntress could've left Trinth behind, but she knew she could use all the help she could get. After learning what Pazia was doing with his family over the year, Trinth was easily convinved to betray her. Cythia pitied him and couldn't resist seeking a solution for their problems.

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Cythia's next several years briskly filled with adventures and dangerous missions she encountered while protecting Evaleana. From tragic childhood trauma to becoming one of the most loyal and compassionate guardians, Cythia's character developed several positive traits, despite her dark upbringing and training. Age twleve, she witnessed her mother and little sister brutally murdered by her abductores. After seven long years of torment and indoctrination, she swiftly became one of the best hunters among the Sithmora.

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