”More water for the table.” A male servant muttered as he made his way around the dinner table, refilling everyone’s glass.

The man made his way to Octavio last. Delicately, he leaned in close enough to whisper into Ocatvio’s ear as he refilled his glass of water.

”Little runt, little runt. Not like the other pups.” The man whispered into Octavio’s ear.

With Octavio’s glass now full, the man retreated. Head bowed, the servant hurried his way out of the dining hall and into the corridors beyond.

A drop of water speckled the outside of his glass the way sweat dripped down a forehead. Octavio’s fingers pressed around it as if it were his own throat he was crushing. This at least explained their asinine behavior earlier. Svephraey had just transformed Lord Ru’Tev’s manor into the world’s most depressing dollhouse. It irked him on an aesthetic level that she would pick such a sparsely furnished building for such a plan. Then again, he didn’t expect much taste from a woman who harassed people underground for entertainment.

“Excuse me!” he shouted. He beckoned to another servant. What difference would it make? “I had some doubts regarding today’s meal.”

The sudden power inversion was not lost on him. She should’ve let him speak through his own illusions, in the name of tasteful theatrical behavior. In a way, his own weapon was being fashioned against him. He’d play along for now. As the servant drew ever closer, a small crack in his composure formed.

“What exactly do you want,” he hissed.

The servant stopped hesitantly as she approached. She gave Octavio a confused look. “What I want?”

She blinked and turned her head to look at another nearby servant who merely shook her head and shrugged.

Frowning, the servant turned her attention back to Octavio and bowed her head. “My apologies, Master Octavio, but as a professional, I only attend to my needs after my work is done. Now if there is anything else that you need, I would be happy to supply it. Wine? Utensils? Anything within reason.”

The words rushed out of him. “Ah, no, that’s fine. There was just something I wanted to figure out about this place.. but I do believe you answered my doubts.”

He took a moment to savor the new complication. Employees of flesh and blood meant he couldn’t go unrestrained with his illusions. People wouldn’t just sit there and accept having several new coworkers with no prior notice. He spotted the original male servant once more, half-expecting the man to return to his ordinary duties.

Instead the servant from before arched an eyebrow in amusement and beckoned with his head for Octavio to follow. He then disappeared down the hall again.

Octavio tidied his area and left. Any announcements of departure would be met with questioning, and he had about as much of the answers as they did. There were too many strong personalities involved, too many ways trust could weaken. He shot a look at his plate as he left for the hall. Could Svephraey not have let him enjoy a nice meal for about, say, ten minutes?

The male servant gave a predatory smile as Octavio approached his hallway retreat.

”Subtle.” He said with clear amusement.

He glanced down at Octavio’s metal bracelet. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly. ”Orange.” He said, noting the color of the bracelet. ”Interesting color to wear in a prison, don’t you think?”

He looked down at the accessory as if he were aware of it for the first time. “Could’ve been worse. This entire manor is hard to look at, really. You’re not helping either.”

The man’s smile widened, at the words, in an almost secretive way. His eyes lingered on the bracelet for a half a second longer before meeting Octavio’s gaze.

There was no attempt to play along now that no one else was near. His treatment of the servant was akin to an artist judging a rival’s work. “This one should’ve had a mark on it or something. Perhaps then I wouldn’t have made a fool of myself at dinner.”

Tempting as it was to point out how inorganic the man’s smile seemed, she was probably doing that on purpose. He almost wished he had a parchment to keep track of his critiques.

“This had better be a pressing matter. This thing doesn’t eat, but I do.”

”This… thing?” The man tilted his head to his side innocently. Again his smile widened in a knowing way. But this time there was almost a coldness in his eyes with perhaps a hint of blood lust.

”It sounds to me like someone seems to know way more about the master’s capabilities than they should… Should I kill him?”

His fingers twitched eagerly as if ready to pull a weapon out of nowhere. He waited for a second as if anticipating a reply. He then blinked. His smile grew colder but his fingers stopped twitching.

”No? Alright then.” His gaze seemed to refocus on Octavio.

”The master seems to be okay with you having guessed her identity and with you being aware of the whispers surrounding her. How fortunate for you.” He said, insincerely.

Not exactly a secret when you start playing surprise tag with strangers underground. It was tempting to blurt that out, but it revealed an interesting detail to the man. The servant didn’t, or at least feigned not knowing the details of him and Svephraey’s encounter. Were these illusions of hers not just light constructs made by a psychopath? From any other person he’d assume it was a subtle way to sow doubt, but Svephraey didn’t do subtle. She did nursery rhymes and threats of bodily harm.

”Speaking of which, we’re glad to see you still alive and well. Tell us… love…-” His grin deepend with the last word. ”-how many attempts on your life has Ophelia made since we last spoke?” His tone had a sort of hunger to it. His eyes seemed to twinkle, almost as if he already knew the answer to the question. ”Surely more than one.”

Another piece enters the board. It could’ve been a status report from monitoring her, it could’ve been a rumor. There was even a good chance Svephraey had just made an educated guess, tailored to Octavio’s insecurities. It wouldn’t be the first time she laid it all out. But those conclusions were too neat. Where was the theater in playing audience and not actor? It led him to the worst possible conclusion. Some sort of alliance or mutual agreement between the two.

“You’d think the amount of times isn’t quite a concern. It’s one of those things in life you just have to get right once, you know.” He wondered if his words would be relayed to her somehow. “I suppose I’m not surprised at her shenanigans. There’s not much appreciation for the arts in that woman. Or the talent for them.”

”Talent?” The servant chuckled softly, his accent morphing to mimic the melodic rhythm and tone of Sveprhaey's own accent, though it was done with an intentionally heavy hand, as if meant to confuse and mislead. ”No. She failed that test the first time she tried to take your life all those years ago… love. Perhaps that’s why I… take such interest in a pup like you.”

The servant let the comment sink in before continuing, ”But perhaps it is best not to dwell on the past. Afterall, it’s not like I… wanted you dead; it’s more like we needed her to prove that she could do it. Not to mention it was her choice to accept the job in the first place, love.” The man smiled tauntingly.

”Regardless, I can make the attempts on your life stop, but it’s going to require you to do a little something for me in return… A little something that I haven’t quite decided on yet.” The man smiled maliciously.

”You’ll hear from me soon, love. Please do try to stay alive until then.” A hidden knife appeared in the man’s hand. ”For now, though, I do apologize for the clean up.”

The man’s expression suddenly changed to confusion.

”Clean up?” He repeated. This time he spoke with his initial accent.

His confused look turned to a horrific realization as he raised the knife to his own neck.

”No! Wait!” He panicked.

His expression returned to that of a calm smile as the very tip of the blade dug into his neck. ”Just remember, love,-” He was back to using Svephraey’s accent. ”-The Marionetteer is always watching.” His smile widened in a twisted way as the knife dug deeper. ”From anyone, anywhere. Anybody could be one of my little knives.”

The man grabbed the knife with his other hand. ”I’m still useful! I have more to give!”

Whatever had gotten into him didn’t seem to pay any mind to his pleading.

”Sleep tight, little pup.” He said in Svephraey’s voice.

The blade sliced through the man's throat, and his lifeless body crumpled to the ground. Instantly, he was no more.

It was a strange death. Typically, a wound of that nature would prolong a person's suffering, but in this case, the servant remained eerily still. No gasps for air, no desperate struggle for life. No additional blood pooling from his body aside from the blood he spilled from the initial cut. The man simply lay there, life extinguished.

---

Svephraey opened her eyes, keenly aware of the blood trickling down her neck. Normally, when killing one of her Splinters, Svephraey would simply sever the connection. It was quick, easy, and not at all messy. More importantly, it avoided having the Splinter’s wounds from scarring her own body.

This time, however, she needed to send Octavio a message. A fortunate thing it was that her powers allowed for such warnings to be sent. For a Splinter’s wound took time to fully transfer onto its master. By cutting off the connection shortly after slicing the splinter’s neck, she had avoided taking on the wound in its entirety.

With a sigh, she rose from her meditative position and took a moment to gaze upon herself in the nearby mirror.

Her blood had made a stain on her white elongated turtleneck. With a tsk, she removed her sweater revealing her naked body and all its scars underneath.

Every one of those scars told a story. Tales of assassination attempts by her own splinters. Stories of careless acts while out on a job. Some were even records from the time before she usurped the previous Marionetteer… A time when she herself had been a splinter. A time when she was forced to act according to her master’s will. Funny how that had barely changed even after the Kharu-Natjier intervened on her behalf.

Svephraey pulled out a new set of clothes and dressed herself. Now was not the time to reminisce. Afterall, the Marionetteer now had an empty slot for new Splinter. Exiting her room, she headed out into the night, ready to look for the poor soul whose life she was about to end.

In the dimly lit corridors of Lord Ru'Tev's manor, an unsettling hush settled over the air. Shadows clung to the tapestries, and the crystal jade candles cast an eerie glow on the faces of those who gathered in clandestine corners.

In a corner, a group gathered around a warped-looking map of the manor, hastily drawn on tattered parchment. Fingers traced unseen paths and strategic points, marking the locations of the unsuspecting in the guest wing. Plans were whispered in hurried tones by the people in servants' clothes, ensuring every member knew their role in this attack.

Nods were exchanged and in a flash, the group dispersed. The once serene hallways erupted into a frenzy as servants, veiled in the guise of deference, darted in disparate directions, transforming the manor's corridors into a kaleidoscope of chaotic motion.

*

Nia sat upon a high back. cushioned chair within an extravagant library. The blindfold was once against pushed up her head as she flicked through the pages in a book. She couldn’t read well. No, Nia had never been given a proper education. Instead she admired the intricate illustrations decorating the occasional page.

She felt awkward, out of place even, wearing pilfered clothing far more lavish than anything she had worn before. Adorned in a soft gray tunic, dark pants and boots of fine quality leather, she could almost pass for a noble lady. Indeed the outfit, she had been told, once belonged to one of Lord Ru’Tev’s distant nieces.

She had just finished browsing the book and was midway to returning it to the shelf when the door barged open and a crew member garbed in the attire of a servant barged in.

“You!” he barked, waving her over “You’re needed. New orders”

She paused for a moment, a wave of icy anticipation coursing through her. If she was being called upon that could only mean she was expected to use her abilities.

She pulled down the blindfold and scooped up her falchion, sheathing it at her hip as she crossed the room.

“Where?” She asked, trying to disguise the nerves in her own voice.

“You’re with me” came the reply. “We have one loose in the halls. We’re moving into position to intercept in case the first group fails.”
Her only response was a stiff nod as she fell into step at his side. Together, the pair strode through the halls, Nia almost having to jog to keep up with the other Crazed. After only a couple of minutes they heard a commotion ahead. The pair upped their pace, rounding a corner in time to see an unfamiliar man facing off against another of their crew.

*

Chres cursed, pushing himself off the ground, and rolling into an empty room off to the side. The beast charged passed. Its image blurred, dancing in swirling blaze, as if it were flame itself. It didn't, however, turn into the room.

Okay, so at the very least this magic wasn’t precise. And at best, the creatures “didn’t think for themselves.

Senses! Why wasn’t his magic working? He could sense his energy stores. He could touch it even! It just resisted. It just…

Chres felt a trickle of power flow into his hand. So, he could still use magic. Something was just interfering.

There was a loud crash. A stony clawed beast burst through the wall bordering the room Chres was in and the hallway. Having completed its job, the beast collapsed into a pile of liquid.

“Knock, knock” said the Craze.

A trickle of power. Not enough to shape or weave. Not enough to do anything really intricate. But, if Compressed…

A Pea sized ball of energy formed between Chres’s thumb and forefinger of his free hand. It’s glow, a dull red.

With a flick of his wrist, he flung it into the man’s face. It exploded in a burst of tiny energy. The man’s head flinched backwards. He stumbled a bit. It wasn’t enough to knock him out, but it had to have felt like a back hand slap.

Chres took advantage of the moment of weakness. He dove in, grabbed the man by the throat, slammed him against the wall and finished him off by stabbing him in the heart. He made sure to twist the knife just to make sure.

He pulled out the knife, letting the attacker collapse to the floor. Chres looked to his left. Two more had arrived. A man and woman.

“What are you standing around for?” The man said to the girl. “Kill him!” He made to push her forward.

*

Nia stumbled a little as she was pushed. Blindfolded as she was, the detail was indistinct but she could see the man before her wrench a knife from one of her former companions. She disliked fighting but she felt as though if he wasn’t stopped this man would kill her and any other like her.

‘Click, click click’ the sound she emitted would be beyond the hearing of anyone else but it refreshed the view before her, bouncing back to her strangely shaped ears. In the same moment she raised the falchion and drew upon the innate energy within herself targeting the man with hallucinations, her curse.

The sound of whispers filled her ears, subtle and indistinct but noticeable. Trying to be so precise as she was would drain her sanity quickly. Without the blindfold it was likely the scene before her would already look vastly different to her eyes.

“Drop the weapon and surrender” Nai ordered, trying to keep her voice as level as the sword held before her. If the man made a move for her she was prepared to shape his perception for an advantage. Or, at least she would try. She had never killed before and now adrenaline mixed with fear in her chest. Her heart pounded but she was determined to stand her ground. She would prove now she wasn’t a liability.

*

The hallway warped and shifted.

“Chres,” came a voice. A voice he knew too well. A woman with a full belly appeared before him. Her once beautiful face beaten to a pulp. Her womb bloodied by multiple stabs wounds.

Sillensia. Chres’ wife.

Her image glitched and distorted; Jumping from one place to the next. “You killed our child Chres.”

Chres’ eyes widened. How?

He looked to the girl, her image shifted like the hall around him. This… this clearly wasn’t real, but how did she know about his wife?

Chres’s brow furrowed. ”Who are you?” He growled, his hand tensing on the knife.

With a flicker, Sellinsia’s image jumped and reappeared to his left, just at the corners of his peripheral. “Did you do it on purpose? Did you not want to be a father?” She continued. “Would you rather I ripped it out?” Her hand plunged into her womb, ripping out a gasping fetus. It’s heart beating rapidly like the rhythmic pattering of raindrops on the rooftops.

Chres took a step back, his resolve weakening. ”No…” he whispered. ”Stop…”

“Did you not want me? Did you not love me?”

”That’s not how it happened!” He yelled at the blindfolded women ”She abandoned me! She didn’t love me! IT WASN’T EVEN MINE!”

’No. You don’t understand.’ His wife’s protests reverberated in his ears. What? What didn’t he understand?!?!?!

“What are you standing around for!” Said the crazed who had grabbed Nia earlier “KILL HIM!”

*

Nia stood frozen as she heard the scene play out before her. The blindfold protected her from the sight itself but she heard everything in graphic detail. The pain in the man's voice cut her as real as any knife would and her morale wavered. She took a step forward silently begging the man to simply surrender. To drop his weapon so that this could end.

The whispers in her ears, the cost of her ability grew, They echoed the other Crazed’s words over and over.

“Kill him, kill him, kill him”

She grit her teeth but even so her voice seemed higher than usual as she spoke once more.

“Drop the weapon and I’ll end it. Please! Don’t make me do this to you!”

*

Another Sillensia appeared to his right. “ME?!?! I abandoned you???”

A third appeared “YOU!” They screamed in unison. “YOU KILLED ME!”

Chres took another step back.

”I-I didn’t want… I didn’t mean…”

“Have you gone fully crazed?! He’s a Normie. Kill him, you fool! KILL HIM!” They man yelled.

*

Nia drew back the falchion and prepared to strike at Chres. However, even indistinct as it was to her, the expression on his face and the voices she could hear caused her to pause.

She could almost hear Milaine’s voice in her head ”You might be more of a liability than an asset” She wasn’t a liability! She wasn’t! She...

Nia lowered the sword defeated, already dreading her aunt's disappointed tone. If she found out what Nia had done then she would surely be furious. She was always told how useless she was and now the words rang true.

The growing negativity caused her concentration on the magic to waver then slip. The words in her ears became laughter and jeers, mocking her for her failings. She fell to her knees clutching her head.

“I’m sorry!” she moaned, repeating it over and over “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”

*
Chres collapsed to one knee; hand to his head. A bead of sweat dripped from his forehead. His breath came out labored. The voices had finally quieted. The room had turned normal once again.

”I-it wasn’t like that…” He whispered to himself. ”It wasn’t… Sense, please! Just tell me it wasn’t…”

Chres! Chres, what’s wrong? Sil said through their link.

The other Crazed gave Nia a flat stare. “Sorry? Scratch out my eyes girl! You showed mercy to a Normie! A Normie who just killed one of our own, aaaaand… you’re sorry…” with a shake of the head, he tsked and pulled out a blade. “Save your apologies for the others… I’ll kill the Normie.”

The Crazed drew a few steps towards Chres.

”It wasn’t… I wasn’t”

Chres! Answer me!

”I… I…” His vision began to focus.

The man was a foot away from him. Blade thrusting downwards.

Chres’ eyes widened.

No. Not yet.

He kicked off with one foot, and rolled to the side. His grip on his knife tightened as he brought it down and skewered the man’s foot.

The man fell with a scream, hands cradling his foot. His blade now abandoned on the ground, ripe for the picking. Chres swooped it up and brought the flat side of the blade down on the man’s head. He collapsed unmoving but still breathing.

Withdrawing the blade, Chres drew his gaze on the girl huddled before him. This girl… she knew Sillensia… She… She was the key! She had to be!

Chres made sure to close the gap between the two of them least she try to attack his mind again. ”You.” He said in a half growl, half whisper. He raised his blade to the girl’s head. ”Start talking.”

*

The cold point of a blade brushing her face pulled Nia from her fugue state. She felt confused and disorientated but her body reacted instinctively to the apparent threat and she froze.

Not daring to touch her blindfold, she fired off a series of echolocation clicks to map out the area before her. The impressionist view she received in return confirmed her fears. The other Crazed lay as an indistinct pile of the ground nearby and the unknown man, the enemy, now stood with a sword leveled at her.

She ran through some possible responses. If she tried to attack or use her powers she would likely be dead before she rose to her feet. If she told him what he wanted, he’d probably kill her immediately or the others would likely kill her later for the betrayal.

The only option was to delay and hope someone else would turn up in time to rescue her.

“..Did you really kill her?” Nia asked at last, inclining her head a little to look up at him. She cursed herself, her voice was shaky.

*

Chres' eye twitched involuntarily in response to the question, a lingering effect of the accusatory words echoing in his mind from the illusion.

‘YOU! YOU KILLED ME!’ The declaration echoed sharply in his mind.

The girl knew. She was toying with him. She had to be!

His sword hand trembled, caught in a storm of fury and anguish that threatened to consume him. ”Why d-” Chres’ voice faltered, the weight of suppressed pain rising to the surface, now impossible to ignore. The raw agony laid bare.

”Why did she do it?” He whispered, the words a struggle to articulate. ”Why? Why lie? … about us… about sneaking around with him behind my back… about… about…” Chres found himself almost unable to speak. ”The baby’s true parentage?” The question hung heavily in the air. The depth of betrayal was too much for him to grapple with.

”Why?” He whispered. ”Why?”

*

The blindfold over her eyes face hid Nia’s surprise. She had been sure from Chres’ reaction that he had been about to plunge the sword right through her head. Now he simply seemed pained.

She had to keep him talking, but saying the wrong thing here would lead to her death. Her isolated upbringing had keep her oblivious to the struggles of a romantic relationship but even she had overheard the occasional argument between the couples.

Drawing on her limited knowledge she cautiously ventured “Maybe because you were always busy. She felt you didn’t love her anymore?”

*

This. This he knew, but the same could be said of Mercaido. He literally worked for the man and followed him around.

That didn’t explain everything though. The gift she left him. A metal glass pendant with a custom made familiar in her image. And then the other identical pendant. The blank pendant…

Sillensia was right. He didn’t understand. But maybe, through this girl, he could understand more.

Chres could make out distant shouts behind him. The three attackers from before.

Lowering his blade, he looked at the girl.

”What’s your name, girl?” He asked.

*

Voices in the distance, she was almost safe.
Nia slowly rose to her feet without taking her covered eyes off Chres. She kept her hands raised defensively in front of her body.

“Nia” she replied cautiously.

*

Chres nodded. The sounds of the others were getting closer. Chres frowned. What was he to do with the girl? There were so many questions he wanted to ask. So many questions he had not the time for.

“Over there! I heard him over there!” A shout came from down the hall.

He didn’t trust the girl, not for a second. She had tried to kill him. Granted she was unable to follow through, but still… However, considering the situation, the girl’s knowledge could be useful in more ways than one.

”Nia.” Chres repeated.

Behind him, the man Chres knocked out, shifted and groaned. “What this? You two are on a first name basis?!”
*

She froze, eyes growing wide as she looked down at the prone man.

“No!” she gasped, horrified. “No, no! That’s not… He just…” Her words were cut off abruptly.

*

“Traitor!” The man yelled, “WE HAVE A TRAITOR!”

The accusations rang down the hall as the other three attackers turned the corner.

Chres looked to the injured man, the attacker and back to Nia. He pursed his lips. Mind made up.

”Well Nia,” He said, grabbing her hand. ”seems like if you want to keep your head, then you better come with me.”

And with that he took off at a run.

”WAKE UP! CHRES IS IN TROUBLE!!!” Sil screamed directly into Tayla’s ear.

Tayla bolted up right in her bed, ears ringing and heart pounding. “Pierce my eardrums,Sil!” She cursed, her left hand leaping to cover her ear. She had awoken next to Octavio and Lynx. The two did apparently sleep together. New development or no, it was fair to say the bed was quite crowded.

“What the hell is your problem?!”

”Lots of things actually.” She replied back merrily, completely oblivious to the pain and probable loss of hearing that she just caused. ”-or at least that’s what Chres likes to tell me, but I like to think it’s part of my charm.” She said, hands clasped behind her back and head tilted to the side. She looked up to Tayla and gave her an innocent smile.

Tayla groaned. Was the fairy really so clueless, or did she just get a kick out of torturing others while feinting ignorance. “Why are you here, Sil?”

”Oooooooooh, no reason, really. I was just doing my nightly hobby of watching you sleep is all.”

Tayla’s jaw dropped. “You… were watching me sle-” She cut off abruptly and shook her head. Her mind doing a mental double take. ”I’m sorry did you say this was nightly hobby?”

”Hmmmmmmmmm…” She hummed contemplatively. ”Would it be weird if I said, ‘yes’?”

“Um… yes?”

”Then of course not, silly,” She scoffed, trying to downplay the situation, ”-this is hardly an obsessive hobby which you should definitely lose sleep over! Tonight was only a one-time affair.”

“Riiiiiiiiiiiight…” Tayla shifted in her sheets uncomfortably. She shifted her gaze around the room. Strange, the door was left open.

She rubbed her eyes for a second and tried to clear her head. She could make out strange scuffles and grunts coming from elsewhere in the guest wing. She eyed the night stand next to her, and the place where she had left her twin blades and bag of swabs. One of the blades was missing.

Tayla’s back stiffened. “Sil… what was it that you were yelling about again? Something about Chres being in trouble?”

”Oh, that? Just a minor detail. He went out for a stroll, and got into a little scrape, is all.”

“A… little scrape?”

”Yeah, something about, ‘Magic’s not working -blah, blah, blah- Servants trying to kill me -yada, yada yada- Princess Lys is kidnapped -etc, etc’ ...”

Magic not working? Murderous servants? Lys, kidnapped?!?!?! Shit! Tayla’s eyes darted from the open door, the missing blade and the seemingly empty room.

“Sil.” She whispered. “Are we alone?”

”Alone? No, of course not silly. Someone is playing hide-n-seek under the bed!”

Tayla’s eyes widened. The bed?!

”But hey, back to the important stuff - did you know that you puddle from your mouth when you sleep? In fact, you still have a little bit on your chin over there-”

Tayla leapt out of the bed dressed in nothing but her sleepwear, just in time to avoid a blade piercing through the mattress where she had just been.

The woman under the bed cursed. She was now in a vulnerable position. Her chance to strike, lost. Tayla swept up her remaining blade in one hand and a bag of her swabs in the other. Then in one fluid turn she thrust the blade into the woman’s side and through her gut.

The woman let out a dying cry. Her form changing and shifting in the process. The servant… was she one of those Chameleon Crazed that Lord Ru’Tev showed them?

Another servant entered her room. More? Was this whole thing just a ploy then? This whole time?

Tayla made a dash for the new foe. Swung her sword and-

The new servant took a deep breath. Tayla’s sword burst apart into a gaseous blur and slithered away like a snake into the man’s nasal cavity.

Tayla abruptly stopped her assault and dashed backwards. The man took that chance to charge at her. Swinging his arms, he then breathed out. Tayla’s sword reappeared in his hands.

”Ah, fuck me!” Tayla cursed; crude as ever. She dove under the wild attack and shot past him. Fortunately for her, the man clearly wasn’t familiar with how to properly swing a blade.

Sliding on the floor she kicked the back of the man’s knees. The man collapsed to the ground screaming in pain.

”Sil!” She cried. The whole incident seemed to have frightened the familiar. Tayla could barely make Sil out in her winged ferret form. Hiding and shivering under the bed. “Warn the others, Sil!”

”I-”

“Warn the others!” She repeated. “And for senses sake, go find Chres!”

Sil yiped. Though she needed no further prodding. She flew off, out of the bed and into the guest wing. Screaming warnings for the others.

The man she had kicked laughed despite the pain he was in. “It’s too late. That Normie, all on his own? He’s probably dead already.”

Tayla shrugged. Honestly she didn’t care. From what she had seen thus far, the drunk fool was pretty useless anyway. Sil, however…

She thought back to the poor thing, shivering under the bed. Too scared to move. Too scared to do anything. She had been that girl before. Chained up and cowering under her father’s shadow. A runaway teen, homeless and balled up on her side, as the imperial patrol kicked and beat her for stealing bread. A broken woman, locked as a prisoner in a cell. The closest thing she had to a friend now dead because of her stubbornness.

No. She didn’t care for Chres. But this other feeling she had… This was new.

She looked at her opponent, as they both regained their posture. Just to make sure, she put one of the swabs in her mouth and frowned. Her magic also wasn’t working. The trigger for her power, and the power itself was there, but it felt like there was a wall of resistance in between.

She exhaled, She could make out the sounds of others in the guest wing. Things certainly looked bleak. If she died here, so be it. At the very least she could ensure that she wouldn’t die as that girl, crying in a corner.

Her attacker closed in.

Chres sprinted down the halls, firmly guiding Nia by the hand. Despite the blindfold, she navigated effortlessly. Was she a Sight adept? An interesting thought, but one for later contemplation.

Their immediate concern was evasion. Chres abruptly halted, his senses alerted by the murmur of unfamiliar voices approaching from up ahead. The urgency of the situation prompted a hushed curse as Chres assessed their options. There was a shadowy room a few steps away.

”This way.” He murmured. He gave her a gentle tug just in case she couldn’t see, to assist in directing Nia to the darkened room. Leading the way, he scanned the room looking for a hideout spot until the people ahead passed.

Options were limited—a cramped broom closet to the right and a pair of expansive curtains draping down to the floor a few paces away. The broom closet seemed uncomfortably tight, leaving the curtains as the more feasible choice.

As if on cue, the curtains crashed to the ground. Its support beam inexplicably snapping in multiple places.

“What was that?” Echoed a voice down the hall.

Seriously?! For once, could the Divergent’s ceaseless misfortune cut him some slack?!?!?!

He turned back to the broom closet. ”Broom closet it is.” he whispered, ”Hope you're not claustrophobic.”

With a swift quiet motion, he ushered Nia into the cramped closet with him and shut the door. The tight quarters left little room for comfort, but to Chres, it seemed a far more decent option than facing down whoever awaited them up ahead.

*

Nia felt dazed. Part of her felt it would be best to deliberately get them captured. If she could just explain the situation… Her aunt at least would listen, wouldn't she? She could convince the others.

Now she found herself crammed in a confined space with a man who only moments before had been her enemy. Chances were if she revealed them, the man, Chres, would kill her. She'd have to bide her time for a better opportunity to escape. He was the enemy after all. The only reason she could imagine he hadn't killed her yet was likely interrogation. That probably meant some kind of horrific torture. She'd heard the stories from Milaine.

Nia stood silently as the Crazed, her people, entered the room. She edged up the blindfold and peered through the gap where each door met, quickly realizing the danger they were in. There was no way they wouldn't search the closet. It was the obvious hiding place!

“What now?” She hissed to Chres, keeping her voice low.

*

Chres frowned. What now indeed. He wasn’t sure he could trust that she would have his back in a fight. Unless he could garner some trust…

”I…I’m sorry.” he hesitated. ”Perhaps… I shouldn’t have grabbed your hand back there…” he whispered, ”If I were to guess, I’ve only made things worse for you.”

*

She lowered her gaze to hide her expression though the darkness of the closet made it near impossible to read either way.

“Why are you apologizing to me?” she asked, her hushed tone sounded more snappish than she intended. This man was her enemy. A few pleasant words and an apology couldn’t change that.

*

”Why?” Chres repeated. He looked at her and frowned. ”Well… why did you spare me back there?” He asked instead of answering her question.

*

“I didn’t spare you” she replied a little waspishly before adding “I was planning to capture you.” She deliberately left out that she had never killed someone before and had been too scared to try.

*

”Capture. Hm.” He said not quite convinced. Her comrade didn’t quite seem like he was looking to take captives.

”You can still fix this, you know. It wouldn’t be too hard.” His eyes lowered to her falchion. ”Confuse me with your illusions. A few quick stabs to the gut.”

He didn’t mention the part about his death vanquishing his existence from everyone’s memory. He needed garner trust, not further motivation to betray.

Outside the closet he could hear the other Crazed slowly entering.

”You would kill two birds with one stone. Revenge Sillensia and get back on their good side. Why don’t you do it?”

*

“Revenge who?” She asked, her expression growing confused. “Look- it's just.. I mean..” she struggled to articulate what she wanted to say. There was just too much going on to think clearly.

“I don't know what I'm doing yet," she finally admitted. “I’m worried they'd kill me before I could explain and I don't know what to do about you either”.

*

His eyes met hers uncertainly. Was she not out for vengeance? She must have known Sillensia. Must have been friends with her. Otherwise, how could she have made those illusions so personal?

”Well…” He said. ”Seems like you’re in good company then. I wasn’t sure what I was doing either when I grabbed you earlier. And for that, I am sorry.”

Outside the closet, the Crazed drew in and examined the broken curtain pole.

“What in the senses?” One of the Crazed said. He looked at the others confused. Things like this weren’t uncommon in a Divergent, but given the circumstances… They looked to the closet.

”Here they come.” He said. ”Time to roll the dice. One way, or the other.”

*

Nia let out a soft sound of frustration as she watched the Crazed in the room beyond. Why was she even considering this? It was madness!

As she teetered on the edge of decision, a thought arose within her.

‘These people don’t really care about me’.

Melaine had said they thought she was a liability and didn’t trust her. They called her a traitor without even so much as a moment's hesitation. An ugly ball of resentment began to well up inside her stomach as she considered how they treated her, how they made her an outcast among outcasts.

With one hand she slid the blindfold down once more. This wouldn’t be her final decision but it would give her more time to think.

Focusing on the others in the room beyond she reached out and played with their perception. They froze in place, then looked to each other in alarm before rushing from the room as one.

The exertion of such a controlled hallucination on multiple people at once sent a shiver through Nia and she almost fell over drunkenly inside the closet. She felt suddenly… Elated. Yes, this was the right thing to do! How had she ever doubted herself? If they wouldn’t trust her she certainly couldn’t trust them. It was only right that she proved just how powerful she was.

At once she pushed open the doors and turned to face Chres, a somewhat unsettling and manic grin now on her face.

“What now?” she asked, her tone unsettlingly light.

*

Chres blinked. His brow furrowed. He wasn’t quite sure what had just happened or why they had left.

He glanced toward Nia, the sudden change in attitude somewhat unsettling. She had used her magic, hadn’t she?

Chres exited the closet hesitantly. So, she was Crazed then. Senses, they probably all were. What had Sillensia been thinking of making friends with a Crazed?! Scratch out his eyes! What was he thinking?

Lips pursed, he swallowed his doubt and concern. She was the only lead he had. And so it was time for him to roll the dice.

”I don’t suppose,” He started, ”you know where they might have taken the princess?”

*

“Hmm” She tilted her head thoughtfully, tapping a finger to her chin “I miiight have heard them say something?” She shrugged her shoulders in a helpless manner “But I’m not sure why I should tell you. Perhaps if you gave me a good reason..?”

If he wanted her help he’d better offer her something good. Afterall, being as powerful as she was, she couldn’t be expected to help people for free. Especially someone who might turn on her at a moment's notice. Nia found herself eyeing him suspiciously. What was he planning?

*

Chres arched an eyebrow. Her attitude had changed entirely. He glanced towards where the other Crazed went.

Chres shrugged. ”That’s twice now you’ve spared me. I understand that your actions may not sit well with your associates. Perhaps, it might be mutually beneficial if you lent us a hand, or at least for the time being.”

*

“My Associates?” Nia let out a soft chuckle and set her hands upon her hips. “I care as much for them as they do for me. That is to say, I don’t”.
‘A lie’ Some distant part of her thought.
She moved one hand to her forehead for a moment and grit her teeth. Why did that feel like a lie? She didn’t need them. They needed her. Just as this man now needed her. So powerful was she that others would beg for her aid.
“I‘ll help you for now I suppose, just until I decide what’s best for me”

*

Chres gave her a nod and a smile. That worked for now, but he needed a way to keep her around after. He still had questions he needed answered. It was a problem for another time. For now, he had other matters to focus on.

”Well, let’s go find the Princess then.” He said.

Lys frowned as she looked to her fellow caged individual. It was the first time she heard the man speak. What did he mean test subject?

Doofus chuckled dismissively at the man’s words. “Big words for a useless piece of meat.”

“He wasn’t useless.” Fidget interjected, still nonchalantly flicking the tool in his hands. With each flick, it morphed and twisted. It… It was a fork… Definitely a fork… “His… procedure… was actually informative, Sid.”

Flick. The tool was a knife! Undeniably a knife!

Doofus frowned, eyeing Fidget with unease. Hesitantly, he stole a glance at the knife.

“Right. His… procedure…”

Fidget smiled softly, seemingly amused by Doofus’s discomfort.

“Of course, if you would like to see it keep talking to the woman that way, we will see who gets to have a procedure of their own. Come come come. Come Sid, We will get to have fun if you do.”

The man’s cheek was pressed against the wood of the door, his lips and eyes going between so that he can either see through or just talk through. He stared at them, and he grew malicious in his thoughts.

“If you come here, I’ll show you what I am thinking, if you see that, you’ll go and sit down somewhere and be calm, you wont think think like we do sometimes. You wont have all that spite in you, maybe you’ll enjoy the company in front of you. After all she seems nice for someone whos is normal.”

Lys arched an eyebrow. Nice? Normal. She smirked. Those weren’t exactly the words she would use to describe herself. This guy got all the wrong first impressions.

They will underestimate you. Try to hold you back. Her mom’s words echoed in her head. Words drilled into her time and time again. Words of a mother seemingly paranoid that every man was out to get her and Lys. They will stand in front of you. Treat you as if you are the weaker gender. The world is not fair El’Lysael. You must perform twice over to prove yourself their equals.

As much as Lys liked to roll her eyes at her mother’s overload of ‘life lessons’ she wasn’t exactly wrong. However, she did not agree with her mom’s stance that all men acted this way, and certainly not intentionally. She never fully understood. Never fully understood all the scorn the woman seemed to hold beneath the surface.

She thought it best not to correct him. There was no need really. Particularly right now, when there were people threatening to remove her appendages. She was quite attached to those and didn’t intend to change that anytime soon.

“Normal!” Doofus shouted. “NORMAL!”

Fidget eyed Doofus with a distasteful frown.

“All of you Normies. Deafened by stupidity! Never considering to offer a helping hand to those who need it most! Only for those like your own.”

“Sid.” Fidget warned with a low growl.

Doofus, however, ignored Fidget. “You look down on us. Think you’re better than us! Well, Normie, keep talking and maybe you will convince my friend here to put you back under the kni-” -Flick. The tool was a spoon.- “-uh… spoon…” Doofus paused. A moment of confusion crossed his face. As if puzzling out his own choice of words. “Spoon?” He muttered the word questioningly. “Put you back under the… spoon?”

Fidget smiled to himself. As if partaking in an inside joke.

”You alright there Doofus?” Lys asked.

“It’s Sid! My name is Sid!”

Lys shrugged. “Sid. Doofus. Same same.”

Doofus got up from his chair, face red.

“Sid.” Fidget said in a dangerously cool voice. “Perhaps it would be best if you sit back down before you actually start looking like a doofus.”

Doofus shot Fidget a look, but reluctantly returned to his seat.

The man stared at the lights further down, and he slowly leaned back, he was being ignored as usual. But with that, he decided that he wanted a bit harsher of tones. He slowly moved around and placed his hand upon the wooden door as he relaxed, pulling the door.He violently shook it for a moment. Then stopped, letting wooden raddles silence themselves as he kept the door closed.

“If you come here…I wont tell them what you did to the poor girl, forced her into the room with the one they locked away, the one they experimented on. Would you rather have that fate, yes, yes, that fate. You would rather have that fate as someone who does dirty things.”

Peytr stared at the door and he placed his hand through the little slot, “Come here, I bet you have something good… If not, I’ll come over there and show you what’s inside my head. I’ll show you what the others wont, you two look strong enough, you two look like you want to see everything.”

Doofus laughed and tossed a cup at the man’s cage. “You think we care how you Normies look at us? Us Crazed are already looked at as ripe manure by all you Normies. But hey, if you’re looking for another beating by my club over there, then fine. Allow me to oblige.”

Yet, again Doofus rose from his chair.

Flick. It was a fork.

Fidget slammed the fork downward, piercing the wooden table at which they sat. The prongs seemed to twist and elongate, and for a second they appeared to pierce through the stone floor.

The table sank half a foot… or, had it always been that low?

Lys shook her head and blinked. When she opened her eyes, her gaze fell back onto the table. Something about the table suddenly felt terribly wrong. It had a strange chaotic pattern of brown gray, that somehow Lys had never noticed before. The pattern weaved throughout the table with the two shades clashing with each other, as if…

Her eyes widened in realization. The brown and gray were not two shades of color, but rather two separate materials of wood and stone with no clear demarcation between the two. This chaotic tapestry of disparate materials carried throughout the entire table and into the stone floor.

She found herself unable to fathom the seamless blend of discordant elements. The table before her became a source of discomfort, its very sight evoking a sense of unease. Contemplating its existence doubled the distress, akin to a collision of ideas forcefully melded, yet persistently yearning to unravel. The experience induced a dizzying sensation in her mind and an unsettling churn in her stomach. And it seemed that she wasn’t the only one affected.

With a shout, Doofus took a step back from the table. His face shared a look of equal confusion and discomfort as Lys.

“Sid.” Fidget said in a dangerously quiet voice. “If you stand up from your seat one more time, then I promise you I’ll make the chair and your ass one and the same.”

Doofus’s eyes widened. Clearly terrified of the notion. With a shudder, he looked at Fidget. “I-”

The door to the room opened in a sudden motion. Three people in servant garbs entered.

“Xyrlos, it’s time.” The lead servant said.

Lys frowned, Xyrlos… where had she heard that name before?

Fidget -Xyrlos- raised his emotionless gaze to the newcomers but said nothing, as if waiting for them to say more.

The three exchanged glances nervously “We- um… have begun our ambush on the uh… remaining Normies.”

Lys’s heart raced. They were ambushing her companions now? Could they not use their magic either?

Xyrlos, nodded at the others' words and rose from his seat.

“Sit down Sid.” He said warningly. “And do not think for a second about getting up until I get back.”

Xyrlos and the other three left the room. With only Doofus left behind, still standing there and staring at the door.

Chres followed Nia’s lead cautiously. He still wasn’t sure how much he could trust her, but at the very least he felt as if she wouldn’t turn him over to the other Crazed.

There was an echoing silence as they walked. The only sound coming from the tread of their footsteps. This quiet wouldn’t do. If he wanted to build trust with Nia, then he needed to maintain some sort of dialogue.

”You know, it occurred to me that with all the chaos back there, I skipped properly introducing myself.” He said after a moment. ”The name’s Chres.”

Nia looked across to him, a hint of a frown on her face.
“Don’t try and get familiar with me” she replied waspishly

Chres shrugged. ”‘Hey you’ it is then.” He said nonchalantly.

*

“I know you’d try and turn on me the first chance you-.”
A sharp pain like a knife in her brain cut off her words. She hissed air through her teeth and clutched at her head. She remained still for a moment as the pain gradually subsided before straightening once more.
She groaned, massaging her temples before dropping her arms back to her sides and looking at Chres once more with a scowl.

He eyed her with a frown. ”I could have done that in the closet. Could have killed you before that even. I didn’t though. Nor do I plan to.”

”I doubt it” came her brisk reply before she began to walk once more. “Then you would have had to deal with even more of us”
She didn’t look back again, cutting that conversation off there, her head was pounding and she didn’t want to waste her time arguing when she knew she was right.

*

Chres sighed softly. Perhaps it would be better to move on to a different topic. Something… not too ‘familiar’.

”So…” He started, ”You say they are keeping the princess in the basement? Any idea why?”

*

”Weeeell” She hunched her shoulders as she had before “I might have heard a thing or two but I’m kept out of the loop a lot”.
She slid the blindfold off her eyes and spun to walk backwards without losing pace.
“I never heard anything about a Princess until a little while ago though so I guess she was a late addition to the plans. I do know that these bands are what keep you from using your powers though among other things”
She winced as another stab of pain ran through her head. “Ugh, but If I had to guess, the basement is where she’ll be”.

*

These bands? Chres stared down at the orange bracelet locked around his arm. His eyes widening in realization.

These towers, The Nation of Hearing call them transmitters. Lord Ru’Tev had said. -they will transmit a signal to special objects within a perimeter. The receiving objects will create the magical effect being carried over- but the kinks are still being worked out.

”Senses.” Chres breathed out. Lord Ru’Tev… Was he in on this too? Or was all this going on without his knowing?

A loud clang rang out just up ahead. A suit of armor collapsed, landing just in front of where Nia was about to step.

”HEY! Watch where you’re-”

*

Nia tumbled backwards over the collapsed and scattered pieces of armor eliciting another loud clang. She came to a stop in a sprawled heap on the ground where she remained for a moment assessing herself. The elated sensation she had felt since leaving the closet abandoned her at once and she was left dizzy and deflated.
She sighed dejectedly.
“...So, what were we talking about?” she asked, still on the floor.

*
Chres winced. Walking backwards was never a good idea in a Divergent. He bent over and offered her a helping hand. Would this be too ‘familiar’ for her, he wondered.

”The basement, if I’m not mistaken.” He reminded her.

*

Nia looked at his hand for a moment before cautiously extending her own to take it. The last few minutes now felt indistinct to her, like she had just woken from a dream. A side effect of using her powers. At least she didn’t seem to have hurt Chres or to have done anything too stupid.
“Right” she mumbled, clambering awkwardly to her feet and sliding the blindfold back down her face to hide her eyes.

*

Chres arched an eyebrow. So then helping her up wasn’t too familiar then. He frowned as she slid down the blindfold.

”Considering we are in a Divergent, might it be safer if you keep the blindfold up.” He suggested hesitantly. He wasn’t entirely sure if this topic was hazardous territory.

*

“I'm fine” she looked off to the side as though avoiding his gaze. “It helps with the...'' she trailed off, then gestured to her head.
Why did she feel awkward now? She'd never really interacted with a ‘normie’ before. It made her self conscious to think of herself as even more of an oddity than usual.

*

He pursed his lips in a gesture of comprehension. Talking about one’s inevitable descent into insanity was undoubtedly a delicate subject to approach with care.

”Come on.” he urged gently, accompanied by a subtle smile and a nod. ”Let’s proceed.”

*

She returned the nod and continued down the hallway towards the basement entrance. At first she was content to walk in silence but as they progressed onwards she grew more curious. She rarely spoke to anyone aside from her aunt and never a ‘normie’.
“So how did you end up here?” she asked at last “Why did you come?”

So ‘familiar’ topics are okay now? He eyed her and smiled.

”Thaaats… a long story.” he admitted. He pondered for a minute wondering how to broach the subject. ”Perhaps you heard about the Shimmertown-Cult incident a few weeks back?”

“I’ve overheard a few things but not really any details” Nia admitted, awkwardly ruffling her hair with one hand “I don’t really talk to other people”.

Chres nodded. “Well, let’s just say I’ve kinda wandered into the mess with the other ‘normies’.” -or not considering how The Being had played them.- ”Everyone excluding the princess, that is. We all kinda wandered in… And fortunate for us, we all managed to wander out.”

He frowned as he thought back to that time not so long ago. His goal had been simple then. To tarnish his name and to die doing it. A proper punishment to fit his crimes. Now though…

Again Sillensia’s words fluttered through his head. You don’t understand… He had to know. Had to know if he deserved death. But… what if it was far worse than he thought? The idea made him shudder. So he suppressed it for another day.

Instead, he gave Nia a sidelong glance. The girl was a ray of hope for him. She could finally be the key he needed; the key to finally understand!

”Because of that incident, one thing led to another, and now we are all here, working for the Empire of Touch’s military.”

”They sent us here to speak with Lord Ru’Tev, yet…” He gestured, with a sweep of his hand, to emphasize their current unexpected circumstances.

He dared not mention the specifics for why they needed to speak with Lord Ru’Tev. He had a feeling it would work against his goal of cultivating trust.

*

Nia nodded along, semi following Chres story.

“I… see? I think? It sounds like you’re caught up in some pretty big stuff working for the military” She looked thoughtful for a moment, then added “My aunt and I… Our whole group I suppose, we made our way here recently to join this whole thing” She gestured just as Chres had.

Chres eyed Nia, weighing her. Once again it seemed like her personality had completely changed. Was it part of her symptoms then? Could he learn to detect her personality shifts? Wouldn’t hurt to try. In fact, it would probably be useful.

Dropping her hand back to her side she walked a little further in silence. This was almost enjoyable, talking with someone who seemed genuinely…Nice. She just had to ignore their current circumstance and she could almost pretend she was normal. At that, a thought occurred to her and she began to speak.

“Chres.. About Lord Ru’Tev, he’s…”

She cut herself off abruptly mid sentence. That was too far. Was she really so desperate for a friend that she would betray the secrets of her own people? She chided herself mentally and cursed her damaged mind. This was exactly why she was a liability.

Running a hand through her hair again she glanced away.

“Uh… Never mind”

Chres gave Nia a half second glance. So there was something there. Lord Ru’Tev he had been involved, hadn’t he… or had they gone and killed him?

He kept his ponderings masked. Digging too deeply risked setting off red flags. So instead he let the topic rest.

”Chres? And here I thought you didn’t want me getting too familiar.” He teased with a bemused smirk.
She frowned remembering her earlier words but feeling a disconnect between saying them and feeling them. She massaged her temples feeling embarrassed by herself from minutes before.

He held up his hand to show he was only teasing. ”Soooo…” He said after a moment; his expression thoughtful. ”You came here with your aunt? What of your parents?”

The girl was obviously old enough to take care of herself, but the question still had merit. Why travel with her aunt and not her parents.

“My parents?” She quirked a brow at that “I’m not a kid you know, I can’t be much younger than you”

He gave her a lopsided grin.

Realizing that in itself made her sound immature she quickly added “Well uh, they’re not around… You know how it is for Crazed. I mean. I assume it’s common knowledge? I don’t exactly know how normal people live ”

He frowned at that. ”I’m sorry.” he offered softly, ”I figured that you were going to travel with family, then... I didn’t consider…” His hesitation was evident as he attempted to articulate his thoughts. ”I guess... I don't know how it is. For your kind I mean.”

What must it feel like, being ostracized and viewed as a threat to society? Constantly evading capture, living in perpetual fear of persecution? Always concealing one's true identity, haunted by the terror of one day losing sanity entirely?

In response Nia simply exhaled in a deflated manner. It seemed ridiculous that people like herself were exiled over something they had no control over. Her silence spelt the end of their conversation and together they soon arrived at one of the basement entrances.

Chres eyed the basement door with hesitancy. ”So, this is it then.” He said. ”Any idea what to expect?”

She didn’t respond for a moment as she considered. The time to pick a side was fast approaching. She quite enjoyed her short time with Chres but she couldn’t put her own loneliness above her people. It was one thing to simply run away but another altogether to actively help people who she’d been ordered to kill.

“Why don’t you join us, Chres?” she asked, trying to keep the fast growing despair from her voice as she realized how this would likely go “You seem reasonable, there’s nothing stopping you from helping us right? We could explain the situation, I’m sure they’d listen.“

Chres paid her a glance and smiled softly. ”This… is bigger than just a small group of Crazed just trying to find a way to survive. Isn’t it, Nia?” He said regretfully. ”If this is the start of what I suspect it is, then I think you know as well as I that you’re friends won’t let me live.”

He looked ahead at the door pensively and muttered. ”And if that happens… no one will remember me...” His… everything, gone. Exiled from existence. All without ever learning the truth.

Suddenly, he felt disgusted with himself. This woman- however she had been connected to Sillensia- had a family to go back to. Perhaps some of the only family she had ever known. And here he was, trying to manipulate her to betray that family and tag along with him so that he could fulfill his own selfish desires.

Chres approached the basement door. ”It’s okay.” He said gently. ”Go back to your Aunt. Tell them I took you hostage. Or that you killed me, or whatever lie they need to hear. But… I can’t join your friends… I-I’m sorry.”

He opened the basement door.

Nia cast her gaze aside and nodded “Chres… I don’t, I mean, Yeah… i…” She hung her head and fell silent then nodded as though agreeing with herself and continued. “Right, yes. Good luck”. She winced and corrected “I mean, try not to kill anyone, they’re not truly bad, really”

”I-” He hesitated. Normally he didn’t think twice about killing if someone was threatening his life, but… ”Okay.” He agreed after some deliberation. ”I will try.”

She turned herself away awkwardly and began to pace back the way they had come.

With a grim sigh, Chres entered the basement.

Lys frowned. They had to get out of this cage. “Hey, prison buddy.” She called over to her fellow prisoner. “You sound like you’ve been here quite some time. Do you think Doofus’s ass is even small enough to fit in that chair, or do you suppose it requires a chair specially crafted for its magnificent dimensions?”

“I can’t see that far down, only lights and shadows. I don’t have bars because of what happens when I touch people who aren’t prepared.” Peytr said with a bit of a glee, “this is the fifth one along with the other. The other is smarter, much smarter than he seems. But this one is as dull as the others, but he seems to listen to his orders more. But he’s new, and dull. No fun, no. No fun at all, none too fun to play with.”

Lys cast a discerning gaze towards her prison buddy’s pen. With every word this one spoke, she felt less and less at ease. What was that Xyrlos said about that procedure?

Peytr slowly slipped a finger or two through the little grate and started at it as he sighed a bit. Then he listened as the others there left. They left the new one alone, and his cell was open. He slowly let the door open with his fingers playing with the little hatch that creaked back and forth.

Out stepped a thin and boney man as he slowly made his way into the light behind the man, one touch. One touch was all he needed, he stared at the man with almost pure hatred, pure anger and agony that filled his dark, and sunken eyes.

“I don’t think… his ass is meant to fit the chair, I think it is meant to fit the hole he has dug himself in.”

Lys sat up from her reclining position; a cold shiver washed over her as her gaze fell on the gaunt man. Something felt terribly off about this man, but she wasn’t quite able to put her finger on what that was.

With a swallow, she pushed down the feeling of unease. This man, sane or not, was her best way out.

Forcing a confident smile on her face she looked to their a opponent, “Hey Doofus.” she started, “Remember that time you tossed a cup in this one’s direction? Well, I’m thinking now that you might not have wanted to do that.”

Wide eyed, Doofus’s gaze darted at Lys, the initial surprise wearing off. While his face turned predictably red, to Lys’s surprise, Doofus seemed smart enough to redirect his attention back to the immediate threat.

Doofus’s shadow began to bubble and give off a strange darkish glow.

“You know what,” He growled in a surprisingly soft voice, “I don’t care what Xyrlos says. After I’m done with this one, I’m coming for you next.”

The bubbles in Doofus’s shadow popped. From within, shadowy chains shot out and launched themselves in Peytr’s direction.

“Oh yes, chains… something to bind two people together.” Peytr said as his body moved forward, his hand reaching out towards the chain, his eyes focused on the man’s torso. He reached for the chain and started to move forward at a quicker pace. Reaching further and further until his hand connected with the the chain.

“Here today.” the gaunt man said, “We will get to see the union of two very similar souls, who have lost everything to the point of becoming willing to do as they desire to get as they see most in their eyes. One in the moment of, and the other in moments prior.”

He felt the first chain, and then the second as his hand started to move around in front of him as if he was hammering them with one arm to collect them. “The son of a blacksmith, and the bastard of a whore meeting slowly together bound by the darkness that fills their heart.”

The chains seemed to come alive on contact. Compressing and coiling around the man’s arm like tattoos made of shadow. With a jolt, they became taunt.

Doofus picked up his club and began approaching Peytr “That’s right. Chains.” Doofus said with a smirk. “Did you honestly think they would leave somebody with a useless ability guard Princess El’Lysael?”

“Psst, Buddy.” Lys said, “You did have a plan other than getting captured again, right?”

Immediately the man pulled as he felt the tattoos take hold on his arm, and he kept coiling it around his arm as he felt them grow tighter and tighter. And within several seconds, he was in range of the man. His body did seem slightly more fleshed out a bit.

“Yes, chains… and do you know what happens when to people are bound together?” he asked the man as moved his other arm up, and his upper body lower as he pushed his body up as his body up. “I would tell you, but… we will both find out in a moment.”

With that, the man’s right hand bound by the chains, touched the man’s off hand. He immediately felt the man in his body, and since he didn’t know what to expect, they both felt a lot. Five souls worth of memories flooded one way as a soul flooded the other. He gritted his teeth for a moment as his body began to limp a bit. “Grab his keys when we are down.” he said as his other hand moved to the man's right side, and he pulled them down to the right closer to the cage.

On contact the shadowy chains disintegrated like dust. Doofus screamed as he fell close to Lys’s cage. Eyes wide and mouth agape, Lys found herself hesitating in the moment.

“Damn Bastard!” Doofus screamed. With effort he began to raise his club.

Lys! Wake up! She snapped at herself.

Lys shot her hand through the opening in the cage and grabbed the key ring and gave them a strong jerk. The motion pulled Doofus off balance, forcing to lower his club in order to catch himself with his hand.

With the immediate threat of injury to her… ally… negated. Lys got to work and unclipped the key ring. Now she had five keys to try from.

First key didn’t work.

“I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you all!” Doofus screamed.

Second key was a dud.

Doofus raised his club again.

Third key gave a satisfying click. The cage door swung open, and with it, so did Lys’s right foot straight into Doofus’s uninjured eye.

Another scream. “I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you! I’ll-”

“Relatively resistant to it. Most people drop to the floor, or have a heart attack like the last four.” he said as he seemed to bulk up just slightly to grab the man's other wrist, “Maybe I wasn’t trying that hard.” He said before pulling them both again to the right side in hopes of bringing more contact with the man's skin so that they may both go catatonic finally.

Doofus screamed louder and lost his grip on the club. His eyes rolled back. Saliva drooling down his cheek.

Senses! They were making too much noise! Lys took the club and swung upside Doofus’s head. The screaming stopped. Doofus was alive, but unconscious.

Lys’s breaths came out labored. Her gaze cautiously fell upon the unusual man. What was he?

“Nice work.” she said, careful not to show any of her unease. This man was the closest thing she had to an ally right now. Best not to upset him. “Name’s El’Lysael. But my friends call me Lys.”

She offered the man a hand to help him up.

The man stared at him, and he shook on the ground as he stared up at the man, pressing his lips together, “I would not touch me unless you wish to be like him, on the ground screaming.” he said as he slowly began to stay, “I do not know how strong your mental fortitude is, but it is likely not enough to touch me. So, I am sorry I have to refuse, but I do not wish to hurt someone else unless if it is to protect you.”

He looked at the door, “There are quite a bit of those from the west in here, not too many besides prisoners. I am useless in a fight without a weapon, well I can take one or two people down with me, but besides that, I don’t know how many minds I can touch at a time.”

Lys lowered her hand and raised an eyebrow. “Preciated, but… I think you’ll find me more than capable… Though maybe a little less so than usual…” If only her magic was working.

“Here. You can use this.” she said, tossing him the club. “I got my own stuff.” She headed over to the nearby cabinet where she saw them deposit her equipment. After testing out the keys, she opened the cabinet door on the second try and started rummaging through its contents.

“Oh my, they got some nice stuff over here too- ah, here we go!” She retrieved a belt with small canisters, a pair of gloves, and what appeared to be some kind of large baton.

She put on the gloves and belt and then examined her baton, then with a flick of the thumb. The baton extended outward, revealing thinner metallic sections that slid out and clicked into place. She rested the butt of the baton, turned quarterstaff, on the floor, and leaned against it nonchalantly.

“So, Mr. Knight in shining armor. Ya got a name or should I just call you Jim from next door.” She smirked while nodding over to the cage next to hers that the man had been locked within.

“Peytr…” he said as he looked at her, looking a lot more fleshed out after moving a bit, he stared at the baton and slowly just stared at the door, “and I am not a knight… I do not know what I am anymore.”

“Peytr, eh?” She repeated with a lopsided smirk.

He looked at his hand, and at the man, before he gave him a good final whack or to on the back of the head out of spite, and then a kick for good measure, getting frustration out was likely therapeutic at that moment, wrong type of therapy, but it works.

“Alright one down, plenty more to go between us and freedom.”

“Hear that.” She said with a smile.

She absently rubbed the side of her forefinger with her thumb on the Aromance fabric sewn into the gloves she retrieved. The aromance released an ambery perfume scent into the air. With a smile she grabbed the scent trail and, with effort, shaped it. Tethering one end of the perfume to the wall and the other to herself.

The tether solidified into a dull greenish glow, barely visible to the untrained eyed. And then, it extended. She could feel a force pushing her away from the tethered wall, and-

The tether snapped. With a sigh Lys lowered her gloved hand. “Seems my magic is still F’ed though. Come on. Guess we’ll have get out of here the old fashioned way, but first, I’ve got a pitstop I need to make.”