22 Chapter 21 No Regrets

Once upon a time, I thought that if I ever took a life, I would feel great remorse or regret. Life is such a precious gift and what right do I have? To rob something so important from someone?

But then at that moment as I watched the decapitated head roll next to my feet as the bleeding boy looked up at me with broken eyes, I realized then that I feel no regret. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

My ears were ringing loudly and the faded voices in the background started to sound clearer than ever. The Zakerians were screaming.

Good. Because they cheered when a mother was being burnt to ash.

I lifted my sword once more, holding onto the feeling of rage.

I do not recall learning how to fight but my body moved on its own. I took down another warrior, as my blade pierced him just between the ribs.

Before I could pull the sword out someone knocks me down, grabbing me by the hair.

I growled and grabbed their wrist, a white energy glows again and I can hear a snap.

I twirled around and gave this warrior an uppercut and saw him go flying towards the entrance.

My eyes were wild as I turned around to reach the sword once more.

Seconds before my fingers made contact with it a large hand blocks my vision and takes hold of my wrist.

My heart stuttered.

In my fit of fury, I completely dismissed that he was there. I forgot that he was sitting on that throne and was watching everything unfold.

My body began to tremble.

I slowly looked up and met Azreals piercing green gaze.

For the first time, there were no signs of the calm stillness that he carried around him at all times. I could see his fury threatening to burst just underneath the surface and it was all directed at me.

"Aurora" He growled.

My instinct acted up again. I tried to summon the white energy like I did before. White electricity zapped around my wrist but to my shock I watched Azreal mimick me. His dark energy collided with mine.

I started to struggle. I kicked and squirmed as I realized whatever power I had was fading away slowly.

"Let me go! You monster! I hate you-"

My only warning was his glare as I heard another crack.

Excruciating pain ran up my hand as I realized he snapped my wrist.

I let out a scream of fury as I felt myself get lifted off the ground. I was dangling by my broken wrist.

I looked up and met Azreals furious gaze with equal fire in my eyes.

He throws me across the floor and I go rolling towards the middle of the throne room next to the remains of the dead mother. Hitting my head in the process.

I tried to get up but then another snap echoed.

I screamed in agony.

Azreal's large feet came into view and I saw his metal-clad boot pressing down on my ankle. It was bent at an odd angle and it took me a second to realize it was broken.

I tried to scurry away with whatever strength I had.

"Azreal." I whimper out as he grabbed me by my hair and proceeded to rip my dress clean off my body.

I screamed and struggled. Hoping for the pain to stop. I vaguely noticed that the room had gone quiet at the display but my nudity is not something I cared about right now.

"look at the mess you've made Aurora. You truly choose the worst time to be disobedient." He says as he snaps my other ankle and I continue to scream.

I looked up at him once more and to my horror, there was excitement in his gaze. As if he were expecting this from me.

My eyes widened in realization.

"Hold her down."

"NO!" I screamed and struggled as two guards grabbed me and made me kneel in front of this monster.

Where was my strength? Where was all that energy I had before?

I looked back at Azreal and saw a sharp whip with a tiny sharp blade sticking at the end in his hands.

I started to hyperventilate as the fear set in.

"I've been very tolerant Aurora, this is the last time you disobey me." He says with excitement lacing his voice and I begin to tremble.

I hear his footsteps come up from behind me.

"I will never sit back and watch you hurt my people." I gritted out. Soon after, I started coughing blood and my blurry gaze saw it stain the floor

"let's reward your valiant efforts shall we?"

Then I heard a sound that would scar me forever. The sound of a whistle as the metal on the whip bit into my back, tearing my skin out. At that moment I was taught what real pain feels like.

I screamed until my throat was raw. I couldn't stop sobbing as Azreal brought the whip back onto my flesh. I can feel the bones in my back break. I can see the awe on the Zakerian faces as Azreal shows them what it is like to conquer the lesser race.

The whip bites me again and I meet the eyes of the scared boy and realized this would have been him.

It's okay. At least it's not him.

I'm alright.

I dont regret anything. I feel another blow on my chest and my sobs continue. wishing my death would come soon because by all the blood splattering on the floor I knew I wasn't going to survive this.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of pain the guards let me go and I fall forward on my face. My cheek against the pool of blood on the floor. I can barely make out Azreals figure kneeling in front of me.

I tried my hardest to keep my eyes open.

he was gazing at me intensely. Studying me as he takes in my broken body.

I wanted to say stop but all I could get out was a pathetic whimper.

Narrowing his gaze he gets up and turns his back to me.

The Zakerians start to cheer. I can hear them snickering at my broken form. I guess everyone was wondering how foolish I was to play the hero.

I can hear Azreal says something to the people and they start to cheer loudly. Despite them being enemies I suppose they find common ground by treating us humans like trash. They love to watch us suffer.

I watched his back and tried not to cry as I realized He was leaving me here to bleed on the floor. Before I could make sense of anything else blissful darkness embraced me and somewhere deep in my mind I wished to never wake up to this nightmare.

* * *

When I came back to consciousness I was inside a giant tube. Something that looked akin to the tubes Azreal had back on his ship, where he kept all of his experiments. I was floating in the turquoise water.

"You're awake."

My tired eyes found Ragnar. He was standing before me dressed in his usual armor and braided hair.

I don't know what came over me but I started to chuckle as he stared at me intensely.

The water drained out and the tube opened. I fell onto my knees.

"Don't worry. This state-of-the-art technology can heal any injury. He ordered for your full recovery so you are good as new." He wants my full recovery huh? I suppose he wants to break me again in the future.

I couldn't help but giggle and Ragnar continued to stare.

"Don't tell me he broke you already. It's such a shame, I was just starting to like you."

I stood up on my wobbly feet smiling at him.

with one last stern look, Ragnar turns around and starts rummaging through the lab looking for something.

"I didn't expect him to do such a number on your body. He timed it perfectly and got the help you needed before any permanent scarring. If he waited a bit longer you wouldn't be as you are right now."

"I was at the brink of death."

"Yes, but I doubt he'd let you die on his watch. What's the fun in that?"

Ragnar stood before me, taking in my body. I realized I wasn't wearing any clothes but who cares. The entire race saw me beaten down without any.

I could feel myself becoming hysterical but I don't let it show. I try to keep it down.

"Is this yours?" I looked at him and realized he was holding the liquid vile Eden gave me. I started to panic. Ragnar gave me a toothy grin before filing it away in a compartment. Showing me the digits on how to unlock it.

"he'll find it if it's on your body. you can get it from here if you wish."

Why was he being nice to me? Tears began to well up in my eyes and Ragnar started to look uncomfortable. He took a step forward and carried me off the tube and set me down on my feet.

He put what looked like a large shirt over my naked form.

I didn't know what came over me. perhaps it was everything I've been through. I would have never dreamt of hugging a Zakerian but I did. Any source of comfort would do. I'd take anything.

Ragnar put his large claw-like hands on my back, patting me as if I were a child.

"Look at the bright side human. At least you're alive."

There is nothing bright about that.

I looked up at Ragnar and noticed that he was looking at me with a confused gaze.

"You're not what I expected," he mumbled to himself. After catching me staring at him, he shook his head and gave me another grin. His vampire teeth seem less intimidating the more I look at him.

Just as I opened my mouth to thank him, I heard the doors open and the room temperature dropped immediately.

Oh God no. A familiar Chill runs up my spine.

He's here.

"Aurora."