When Soria ca to her senses, the first thing she noticed was a painful headache and the insistent grumbling of her stomach. That much wasnt anything out of the ordinary, and their presence was comforting, if anything. After all, pain and hunger had been a constant companion for as long as she could rember.
However, her mood quickly dropped as mories started to filter in. Ahh, yes, that was right. She had been sold to the Ember Scar Cartel and thrown into an underground prison. One by one, the mories of the last day ca back to her.
Soria rembered vividly how she had suspected that sothing was amiss ever since that cruel man had started to act nice. And as always, her fears beca reality. When she saw the amount of food he had delivered, she instantly knew that it would beco a problem. Yet, as one of the first to realize the predicant, she had been able to prepare.
Soria had taken her followers to one of the distant caves with a decent amount of food. There, she had urged them to practice the Mana breathing technique. She was certain that it was the only way to get ahead in this place. After all, why else would that cruel man have taught it to them?
Things went well for a while, as she was able to make quick progress. She could feel how much stronger she beca with every session. The sa was true for the rest of her group, who improved almost as much. Thanks to her foresight, they were able to defend against the other groups easily.
Soria even managed to awaken her innate ability. Like her mother, she was able to influence people. However, her ability seed much stronger, working even in combat. For a while, her group beca an untouchable entity, with no other group daring to challenge them anymore.
Yet, the good tis didnt last.
There was a change in her followers as over half of them started to act peculiarly. They beca agitated and aggressive, not only toward their enemies but even against the other mbers of her group. She first assud that it was a delayed reaction to the situation they had found themselves in. But that was proven to be wrong as their condition only worsened.
By the ti Soria realized the extent of the problem, it was already too late. So mbers of her group had ignored her command and eaten all the stored rations. And that wasnt even the worst of it. They seed to have lost all capacity for rational thought as they behaved more and more like beasts.
Soria lost her temper on more than one occasion, handing out vicious beatings. There was nothing she despised more than idiots who hurt the entire group because of their lack of intellect and poor impulse control. Yet, the beatings did nothing to dissuade those lunatics. It was almost as if they didnt feel any pain. If anything, it had the opposite effect.
Soria easily detected the ever-growing spark of lust in the eyes of her most crazed followers. How could those pathetic pushovers think that she would ever mate with them? It was laughable that those weaklings thought themselves in a position to demand anything from her. Yet, this served as the last sign she needed to accept reality: She had lost control.
Not only did the group not follow her orders anymore, but now they had even grown insolent enough to have designs on her.
Well, whatever Soria didnt need them anyway. They had depended on her far more than she depended on them. So, she decided to leave the group before the next feeding. She would survive on her own.
Yet, when she arrived in the central cavern, sothing strange happened. As she gazed up at the tal bars, her eyes caught sight of sothing halfway up the cliff. To her surprise, it was a living person. Thanks to her unique ability, she could now discern the subtle signs of life. In an instant, Soria realized who it was. This could only be him the first Chiroi who had entered the prison, the mysterious man with red skin.
She had wondered what had happened to him when she noticed that he had not appeared during the al.
Just as she was thinking that, she noticed that the figure began to stir. He got up, stretched his limbs, and approached the opening to the cave. However, when the person ca into view, it was not who she expected. The man who appeared had human skin and hair. Soria rembered her surprise at that mont her surprise and then her eyes shot open as she rembered what had happened after.
In an instant, she landed in a crouch, warily scanning her surroundings. To her left, right, and back were solid stone walls with the only opening to her front. And there he was.
The man she had encountered before, the one who had assaulted her, now sat in the center of this strangely symtrical cave, casually enjoying an apple with his legs crossed. As their eyes locked, she noticed their captivating golden hue, almost glowing in the dimness of the cave, emitting an indescribable intensity. It struck her that these were the sa eyes she had observed on the red-skinned Chiroi before.
His movents had frozen mid-bite when she had jumped to her feet. Yet, it didnt look as if he was wary of her. Instead, the emotions Soria read from his gaze were sothing completely different: curiosity, pity, and guilt.
What? Had he done sothing to her while she was asleep? Soria quickly scanned her body, but she felt fine. Aside from a splitting headache, her body seed to be in good condition. Then, why was he feeling guilty? It was certainly suspicious.
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Hungry? the man asked with a nod to the left.
It was only now that Soria discovered the several food items lying on the floor next to him. It wasnt a lot, but certainly enough to survive. So, her guess had been right. He had been up here all this ti, avoiding the fight going on below and sohow taking a small share of the food for himself.
What a bastard and and
How co she hadnt thought of it first? A sudden wave of self-awareness washed over her, and she began to feel how foolish she had been. While she had struggled with managing a group, he had been up here relaxing in peace. Soria couldn't help but recognize that this man probably regarded her in the sa way she had once looked down on the seemingly thoughtless mbers of her group. It was a humbling realization.
Are you hungry? the man repeated.
Soria looked into his eyes again, yet the disdain she had expected was absent. What do you want from ? she asked instead of answering his question.
The man sighed. He looked at the apple in his hand for a mont as if pondering sothing deeply. Then, he took a ferocious bite as if it had wronged him in so way.
I dont want anything from you, he eventually said. The only reason you are here is because you found my location, and I couldnt let you escape after that.
Soria nodded inwardly. What the man said made sense. In his position, she wouldnt have let her go either. But that didnt explain why he had brought her here instead of simply killing her. She had no value, and he would even have to feed her if he wanted to keep her alive.
Why not just kill ? she asked directly.
The man grimaced, the guilt in his eyes growing stronger. I dont kill for no reason.
Soria wanted to scoff. This wasnt the first ti she had heard such words. People who talked like that always turned out to be the worst sort. Fucking hypocrites, the whole lot of them. However, looking closely, she noticed the strange hue of the mans skin. He was pale, paler than any human she had ever seen. There were no Mages like this in Undercity, of that she was certain.
You are not from around here, are you? Soria asked.
The mans lips twitched. It was a subtle gesture, yet it felt like this was the first ti he revealed a hint of his true character. What gave away?
Sorias brows rose. This was the first ti a Mage had talked to her like that. She had been ordered, berated, deaned, insulted, even praised. but teased? No, that was a completely novel experience. You are weird.
The man smiled. Maybe from your perspective.
Silence descended as Soria pondered the aning of his words. The only thing that could be heard were the noises of quiet chewing as the apple slowly disappeared into the mans stomach. Yet, the tension was soon broken by the loud grumbling of Sorias stomach.
The mans smile widened. Hungry? he asked for a third ti, pointing at the small pile of food to his left once more.
Bastard! Of course, she was hungry. She was always hungry. And the man had to know that as well. I have nothing to trade, so what does it matter if I am hungry or not, Soria growled.
His smile didnt waver. I didnt ask if you wanted to trade.
Yes! I am hungry! Are you happy now? Soria yelled, causing the man to look at her as if she was a strange creature.
Why would that make happy? he asked in disbelief. Thats enough of your nonsense. If you are hungry, you should just eat.
Soria didnt move, and her eyes remained glued to his face. The man was becoming more suspicious by the mont. Ill ask again: What do you want from ? Is it my strength? My body?
The smile finally dropped from his face, replaced with a frustrated expression. After a mont of silence, he seed to co to a decision. You think I am after that emaciated body of yours? Dont make laugh. Ive turned down more marriage proposals than you have eaten als in your life. Your innate ability? Even more ridiculous. My enemies use Mind Magic so potent that a re glance does more damage than you could do in a lifeti...
Soria listened quietly, not missing a single word.
The truth is you have nothing that I would even want. So, you can rest assured that if I say that I want nothing from you, that is the truth. But if you insist on a trade, how about this: As long as you are in my cave, you will follow my commands. Do you agree?
Sorias wildly beating heart slowly cald down as she listened to the string of insults. That was right. Such a man couldnt possibly need anything from sobody like her. Paradoxically, this line of reasoning was able to reassure her more than anything else he could have said.
A small part of her realized how frightening it was that he had managed to read her so easily. Yet, a far bigger part was now focused on the large chunk of at at the mans side. Before she even noticed what she was doing, her head was furiously bobbing up and down, signaling her agreent.
His expression beca noticeably brighter when he saw her gaze. Without another word, he grabbed the chunk of at and tossed it into her lap. Soria also didnt stand on ceremony and began tearing into the food. It was delicious. Only now did she realize that this had to be one of the best cuts of the bunch. And today, she had it all to herself.
A smile slowly spread across the mans face as he watched her eat. It was a bizarre sight. Were there really people like that? Maybe, just maybe, he really hadnt been lying. Well, even if he were scheming, at least she wouldnt have to die on an empty stomach.
By the way the man said, causing Soria to flinch. Do you have a na?
Number 23, she replied promptly, rembering the guard's orders.
However, the man wasnt satisfied. I can see the number on your badge just fine. But that wasnt what I was asking, was it?
Soria looked down on the piece of tal on her chest. Was that what those squiggly lines ant? So, this man could actually read? How enviable
Soria, she said.
He remained silent for a mont. What a beautiful na, the man finally murmured. His thoughts appeared to have wandered.
Soria recognized this expression all too well; it was a look she had witnessed often while growing up. It was the very sa face her mother would wear when reminiscing about the past. Back when she still had hope.
Do you also have a na sir? she asked hurriedly. It was a blatant attempt to disturb his musings. Yet, she didnt care if he noticed. Soria didnt want to see this expression again.
The mans gaze regained clarity as his eyes focused on hers. My na is Ezekiel, he said with a genuine smile. It is nice to et you, Soria.
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