Avarice Twilight

by R. A Davidson

  "Then, you found another secret to make them dependent on the dreams,” Aryn interrupts.

  A pressure begins to radiate from Consul Artuitus. It’s not of murderous intent or intimidation,almost as if it’s the desire to consume all.

  “Well, there are many ways to use it. Making them addicted is just one of many," Consul Artuitus responds.

  My head begins to throb in pain; it's bearable, but annoying.

  "Couldn't we just report this to The King?" Aryn asks. "I'm sure he would be more than happy to reclaim the power he lost."

  Consul Artuitus lifts his hand, two guards start rushing us. I use my magic to send one of them crashing into the ceiling, while Aryn grabs the other's head and pushes him into the ground. The pain in my head worsens, and I lose concentration, dropping the guard. He falls to the ground with a thud.

  What is this? It feels like something is piercing my head. I glance over at Aryn, his face is twitching. If it's affecting Aryn as well, then I can assume it's magic of some sort.

  "My guards told me about your group. They said three capable men and two lovely girls. I have had my guards watching all of you since then," Consul Artuitus states. "I think we will use the two girls tonight after the rest of you fight for our entertainment."

  The Senators and guards laugh and jeer at Consul Artuitus's words.

  "I must admit, your body is simply marvelous." Consul Artuitus says as he approaches Aryn. "It is as if you were molded by the battlefield!" he exclaims.

  The pain intensifies to the point where I collapse to the ground. I manage to turn my head towards Aryn, who’s as still as can be. Consul Artuitus walks up to Aryn and proceeds to examine his body.

  Kill him Aryn…why now of all times do you do not kill someone.

  Aryn's body begins to shake; veins pop up beneath his skin. "Look at you…so strong yet rendered useless by such a simple item." Consul Aruitus comments with a laugh.

  The guards approach Aryn and me. Damn… I have to move! My vision starts to go blurry. I don't know how long I can remain conscious. I think I see the guards put shackles on Aryn.

  "Have a good nap," one of the guards says as his foot comes at me.

  I'm waken up by the chilling sensation of cold water.

  "Wake up!" a man screams.

  He gets in my face; my vision is still too blurry to see things clearly. I look around to see where I'm at… all I see are stone walls.

  "You and your friend have gotten into a lot of trouble," the man states. "Yep… seems like Senator Artuitus wants me to take good care of you two."

  He punches my nose, breaking it. If my memory is accurate… that's the fifth time I've had my nose broken.

  My hands are bound to a chair, so are my legs. I concentrate on building mana to no avail.

  "Wondering why you can't use any magic?" the man asks. He leans in close and rips my shirt. "You should be aware of the pain by now; if not, this will make you notice," he sneers.

  He slaps my chest.

  "Gggrrrhhh!" I wince in pain.

  I look at my chest… blood? My breathing becomes erratic as I see what has been done to me. The runes for dispelling magic have been carved onto my chest.

  The man grabs my hair and jerks my head back. "You see… I'm what some would call a professional. My profession is to hurt people, to hurt them badly," he states with a malevolent smile. "I like to hurt people, to see the look in their eyes as they slowly slip from reality and enter the reality I make."

  I headbutt him, he staggers and falls into the wall.

  "When I get out of this chair, I'm gonna show you just how good at my profession I am!" I exclaim.

  The man stands, "And what profession is it that you are employed in?" he asks.

  I smile. "The kind that involves killing,"

  The man starts laughing maniacally. “I asked your friend the same thing. Know what his reply was?" he asks. "He looked at me and said, "Death." The feeling that came over me when he answered me… I shudder even now recalling it."

  He walks over and bends down in front of me. "I truly cannot wait to utterly break the two of you, him even more so," he says, licking his lips.

  He stands to leave.

  "Where's Aryn?" I question.

  The man stops at the door. "Oh, don't you worry… I started taking good care of him yesterday."

  He opens the door and leaves.

  I need to figure out how to get out of here and free Aryn. The restraints on me are tight, but I could find something to cut the straps. My feet can move around and I can drag myself around in the chair. My eyes have adjusted to see the room better; there's a small window near the top of the ceiling. Enough light can enter to just see around the room. For a torture chamber, it's spotless. Though, I've only been in ones after the torturing was over.

  I lean forward to get on my feet; the front chair legs still touch the ground, but I'm able to shuffle about. I make my way to the door and ease the chair back down. I tap the door with my foot. If I'm taking a guess, the door is about a foot's length thick. From the sound it made as it closed, it's on metal hinges. I doubt I can break through the door without my magic.

  "AAAAHHHH!" someone screams in pain.

  Are they torturing someone? It didn't sound like Aryn from the tone.

  I can make out a loud door slam. I shuffle back to where the chair used to be. I have a feeling that someone is making their way to this room. This will be a first for me, getting tortured was bound to happen to me eventually. I've experienced some severe wounds, but those were from beasts and men just trying to kill me. I've never had someone methodically hurt me.

  The door swings open, and the man stomps in.

  "That son of a whore!" he screams.

  He grabs my chair. "What the fuck is your friend!? He is not human!"

  Did Aryn do something? Is he trying to get out of here too? If it's Aryn, I'm sure he can tear this whole place down.

  The man punches me straight in the nose again. "Something amusing you?" he snarks. He gives me a friendly smile. "Why, I don't think I've introduced myself. I'm Folter," he remarks.

  His fist hooks my chin with a thud.

  He leaves the room, then returns with another guy.

  "This here is a good buddy of mine, Jek. He needed work, so I got him a job as my assistant," Folter states.

  He pulls the other guy over; he looks like he can barely stand.

  "Look what that monster you brought did to him!" Folter yells.

  Folter shoves the guy's arm in my face… or what's left of his arm. "That monster crushed and ripped it off with just his fingers! What is he?" Folter questions.

  I chuckle. "Lost your nerve?" I ask.

  Folter lowers his head. "Did you move your chair?" he asks. "Did you move this damn chair from where I placed it!?"

  He throws the other guy on the ground.

  I remain quiet and stare at him. It seems his good buddy isn't as important as this damn chair.

  "I seem to have lost my wits, given the events that have occurred, but I'm sure you can forgive me," Folter remarks. "The other three that entered the gates with you two… where are they?" he questions.

  Did the others escape before danger approached them? Part of me is pissed at them for leaving us, but I'd prefer only two of us go through this. Barin's with them, so there isn't any need to worry about them.

  A cart is brought into the room and placed next to me. Knives, shears, pincers, and picks. A bucket of coals is brought in next. I guess the torturing is about to begin. I'll have to tough it out. Most likely wanting the locations of the others. Really unfortunate that I couldn't say if I wanted to.

  Folter grabs my pinky and snaps it.

  I writhe in pain. I won't voice any pain; I refuse to give this bastard any satisfaction from this. But fuck me if it didn't hurt.

  Folter grabs another finger. "Gonna break another?" I smirk.

  He grabs a knife and slowly put the tip of the blade under my fingernail. "I'm sur
e I don't have to tell you what's happening," he answers.

  He slowly pushes it further and further under my nail. I start breathing heavily, the pain hurts, but I can bear it. He jerks the knife up, ripping my nail with it.

  "Damn… not a peep?" he asks.

  He seems annoyed that I'm not wailing with pain.

  "I think I know the level of pain you can endure. Let us step up the level of foreplay." He grins.

  He opens the door. "Get in here," he orders.

  Three men enter with a rope. One of the men throws the rope over the single beam going across the ceiling. The other end is tied around my neck. Folter doesn't say anything, but I can put two and two together.

  Folter motions up with his hand. The three men start to pull on the rope, hoisting me off the ground.

  "Gak."

  I choke from lack of air. My eyes begin to tear up. I feel the blood rushing into my eyes.

  Folter walks up to me and throws a punch into my guts. They release the rope; the chair and I land on the ground. I cough and gasp for air.

  Folter lifts my head up. "You've got a handsome face, makes me jealous," he sneers. He drags the knife across my face. I feel layers of flesh separate as he cuts me. I still don't give him the pleasure of my pain. I've been sliced up too many times to be unnerved by this. I just glare at him.

  He pulls the knife away. "You have a nice look in your eyes… full of defiance and pride," he mocks.

  He places the knife down. Standing over the table, he dances his fingers over the tools, debating which one to use.

  Folter grabs a pick and pliers from the tray.

  "Gonna stab me now… maybe pull out my tongue?" I jeer.

  He slaps me. "Afraid I can't rip your tongue out," he responds. "Senator Artuitus really wants to know where your friends are, and all about your group." He slaps me again. "I did my damndest to make the other one talk, but none of my tools can pierce his body." He hits me yet again. "So, I sent for a specialist to bring tools imbued with magic… that should inflict some pain."

  Folter snaps his fingers, and two of the men restrain my head. I jerk to break free.

  "What are you gonna do?" I question.

  "You really do have a good look in your eyes; reminds me of this fella I used to know some years ago," he remarks. He leans in. "He always had such a brazen look in his eyes, always so sure of himself, always better than me." Folter puts his forehead against mine. "One day, I broke his knees. He was so confused as to what was happening. I took his eyes that day… ripped them from his sockets as he screamed."

  He pulls the pick from the coals. "I'm gonna take your eye now. You can try and hold the pain in, but I can guarantee; you will be feeling this." he states.

  He starts cackling, and the two guards start chuckling in my ears.

  Folter approaches me with the pick; the end is searing red hot. He slowly moves it towards my eye, letting the tension build. I panic and try to break my head free again. The two guys keep my head secure; the pick gets closer. Folter's grin widens and becomes more sinister as he moves it closer to my eye. I can feel the heat of the metal as the pick gets in front of my eye.

  I clench my teeth and brace myself.

  The point of the pick pierces my pupil, causing my eye to sputter. I scream in agony as the metal slowly goes further. I feel my eyeball melt into liquid and sizzle, and the pick touches my skull. The pain is unbearable. I scream and I scream. Folter shimmies the pick in a circle before pulling it out.

  I'm just conscious enough to see the remains of my eye seared onto the metal.

  Folter bends over and blows into the cavity… I feel the air swirl around in the hole.

  "Don't worry, you're not bleeding." Folter laughs.

  I begin to pass out when Folter slaps me. "No fun if you fall asleep," he scolds.

  He puts the pick back in the coals, while the smell of my eye being scorched permeates the room.

  Folter takes the pliers from the coal next.

  "Will you please tell me where your comrades are?" he asks.

  I look up at him. "Go fuck yourself!" I respond.

  He has the two guys hold me by my shoulders; I'm in too much pain and shock to resist.

  Folter puts the pliers around my nipple and clamps down. I hold in most of the scream this time… losing my eye was more painful.

  The smell of cooking flesh fills our noses; Folter and the guys seem to enjoy it. He pulls and twists, tearing my nipple off. I hold in the scream. I might break the chair arms by clenching them so much.

  Folter grabs my face and makes me look at him. He puts my torn nipple in his mouth and starts chewing. He swallows, then opens his mouth to show me he actually ate it. The sick bastard.

  "You sick fuck!" I exclaim.

  Folter chuckles. "Sorry about that. This job makes me a bit peckish from time to time. Good thing there's no shortage of meat in here!" he cackles.

  This twisted bastard… he actually eats the people he tortures!?

  A rush of energy and adrenaline swells within me. I jerk my head hard enough to free myself from the two guys' grips. I bite the hand of the guy on my left. I clamp down as hard as I can and yank. His thumb comes off in my mouth. He falls to the ground, screaming in pain.

  Folter starts to strike me when there's a loud banging on the door. He turns and swings the door open.

  "What!" Folter yells.

  A senator is at the door. "Consul Artuitus wishes to watch a fight," he states.

  "Fine… we'll bring him up," Folter responds. He slams the door. "That damn Consul, ruining the fun. Though… the fights are enjoyable in their own ways," he muses.

  Folter snaps his fingers, and I'm struck in the back of the head. My head slumps forward; I begin to blackout. I go in and out of consciousness as my body is jostled and dragged. The last thing I make out is a metal gate.

  "My esteemed colleagues, we have a magnificent match in store for you this evening!"

  A voice wakes me up. I've been placed against a wall; my hands and feet are unbound.

  "It would seem one of the fighters has risen from their slumber!"

  My head is still groggy from getting hit; having one eye doesn't help my vision. I'm in an arena of sorts. It would seem we have an audience to watch too. I think I see Consul Artuitus seated at the focal point. Is he the one talking?

  "We have two excellent specimens for our enjoyment!" Consul Artuitus bellows. "One is a seasoned adventurer, from a life of braving the untamed world and slewing terrible beasts."

  I find the strength to stand after he finishes, which makes it looks like my introduction; the crowd cheers.

  Consul Artuitus quiets the crowd.

  "The next combatant… I am almost too afraid to even allow such a monster in this arena," he somberly says. "This man has already killed a man and injured numerous more in the span of a single day! Will he prove his might and survive our arena?!" Consul Artuitus yells.

  The crowd uproars as the gate next to me opens.

  Ten men enter, pulling chains. Behind them… Aryn. He has been wrapped in chains and has spears lodged throughout his body.

  "We will be leaving this one chained, so as to give his opponents a chance of winning," Consul Artuitus announces.

  "Now… release their first advisory!" he exclaims.

  The gate on the other side slowly opens.

  I make my way towards Aryn and try to help him. "It seems the others got out safe; just have to worry about us," I tell him.

  "You look like shit… just leave it to me," Aryn coldly replies.

  18

  ISLA

  Asteria and I lie in bed; the silence in the room almost drowns out the outside noise. The audacity of that fool to demand us to leave. I had far too many questions to ask Mister Jen regarding the circumstances of the city. He did not mention how the drug was forced on the citizens. I can assume it is not released via air. If that were the case, then Mister Jen and ourselves would be affected. I sigh… there is so muc
h to think about. Is dealing with this situation in the stipulations of the contract put on us?

  "Hey, Isla?" Asteria calls.

  I turn on my side to face her. "Is something bothering you Asteria?" I ask sincerely.

  She rolls over and looks at me. "Do you think Aryn is a monster?" she asks. Her expression and voice seem almost sorrowful.

  The fool a monster? I wish I could laugh at such an idea, but I have seen his strength firsthand. Both the brothers have tremendous strength, though they possess a different kind of power. Whereas Barin's magic is awe-inspiring, the fool's is most dreadful. The murderous aura he is able to permeate is truly horrific… masked by his aloof personality. I doubt Asteria wishes for me to say something such as that.

  "I believe he is a boorish man who simply does what he pleases due to the strength he has," I respond.

  "He killed two men on our way here. He didn't need to; he could’ve scared them away… or something besides killing," she responds.

  "Did you just use informal language?" I chuckle.

  "I don't think this is a matter to be concerned with how I speak, Isla," she sternly states.

  I am a bit shocked that Asteria is beings so assertive. Usually, she is so formal and polite when addressing me. I hope this means she is warming up to me and is seeing me as a friend, not a princess.

  "Are you afraid of him?" I ask.

  Asteria is quiet. She grabs her pillow and embraces it. I assume that it is a way to comfort herself.

  "I don't know if I'm scared of Aryn… I don't want to be. He can be such a caring person, but he seems to see people as irrelevant beings," she explains.

  I fail to understand how the fool is a caring individual. However, I also get the impression that a person's life is of no significance to the fool. That seems to apply to those he has no emotional attachment to, though. The fool has shown immense love for his brother; he has even shown some compassion towards Asteria, Mister Utrix, and myself. If the fool is just pulling a ruse to make us lower our guards towards him, I cannot say.

  "And now there's the situation involving the city. I think Mister Jen told us the truth, and if that's the case, I think we should solve the matter," Asteria states.