Chapter 2

She listened as her cell door creaked open, a small glimmer of light and heat lit up her face. The only sense of warmth she's felt since being thrown in here. Even her cloak no longer gave her the security she once felt. Damp and filthy, she used it as a pillow or blanket, just to attempt any kind of sleep she can get. Her eyes fluttered open, ignoring the stinging of blindness the torch gave off and noticed the knight holding it. His sapphire eyes shined with recognition. Good. It worked.

Gideon hoisted her off the floor aggressively by her arm. She let out a groan as she slumped over, practically being dragged by him as he took her away from her prison. Where was he taking her?

As he half dragged her down the corridor, she was able to finally see her neighboring cellmates, or at least what was left of them. Skeletons piled up, some older with tattered clothes being what was left of their identity while others were fresher and still decomposing. She wanted to vomit from the scenery, but she felt too weak to do so.

At last Gideon stopped at the end of the corridor, pounding on the wooden door. She heard soft footsteps behind it before it opened. All she noticed at first was black boots and black leather pants. A slender hand grabbed her other arm and lifted her up with ease. Was she losing weight again or was she always this light?

"I'm glad you're still alive," his voice slithered into her ears, snaking its way through her head and wrapping around her mind, "it would've been quite boring if you kicked the bucket so soon." he smirked, stepping to the side so she could see the room at last. She wished she didn't. Something that looked like dried paint splattered the walls and floor, but she knew better. Blood. So much of it. Fingers, hands, feet. All prints of various sizes decorated the walls of this small room. A wooden book shelf was across from her with a handful of books that still looked legible. Beside that shelf was a rectangular table that had something wrapped up in a red cloth in the center. What terrified her the most though was the table in the center of this room. The sides had wings attached with leather straps, the base also having similar straps attached to it. Plastered on this table was blood. Dark and thick from continuous usage and no proper cleaning.

Rayne took one look at the table and sent her body into overdrive. She slammed her foot into the side of Gideon's knee, making him grunt and nearly crumble, but his grip on her loosened. She freed her hand, grabbing Ravnyk's collar and slammed him onto the table. Now. She needed to do it now. She grabbed his throat and squeezed.

"I should've killed you back then." she said through gritted teeth, pressing her thumbs into his throat. He only stared back though. He didn't fight her. In fact, he was smiling. While his face started to darken with the shade of purple, he continued to smile.

Strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her off of him. She flailed wildly as Ravnyk sat up, gasping for air as he touched his throat. Air he shouldn't even have access to. She slammed her elbow back, but missed Gideon's head. Ravnyk jumped off the table and Gideon slammed her down on it. As she continued to fight him, Ravnyk went down by her feet and strapped her down. Her eyes widened, looking up at Gideon. There was pain in his eyes as he stared back. It looked like he was saying he was sorry. She knew that he had to play along, but this was going too far already. Did he have a reason why he didn't just help her kill him? There must be, or else he wouldn't be doing something insane.

After getting her feet down, Gideon held down her arms next while Ravnyk strapped her in. She continued to squirm, but it was no longer to fight. She wanted to escape before whatever game Ravnyk had planned for her began. Once the last strap was done, Gideon released her, stepping away from the table and moved his attention to Ravnyk as the bastard circled the table. His hand first ran along the table itself until he reached her right side where he blocked Gideon from viewing and unbuttoned her shirt. Panic settled in more. What the Hell did this twisted fuck have in mind now?

"I'm glad you had your bit of fun, but now it's my turn." he smirked as he moved over to the table. She caught Gideon glance her way, his eyes widening at her exposure before going stone faced again. He didn't have a clue how far this bastard was going to go either. She moved her attention back to Ravnyk as he was tampering with something. When he turned back around, her eyes widened. He held a very tiny and slim knife, holding it up to the torchlight. When his dark eyes darted over to her, his lips twitched into a smile.

"I've been wondering. Since I arrived here, taking over everything was probably the easiest conquering I'd ever done. King Abel barely put up a fight once I invaded his mind, it was just a matter of time until his body gave out and I officially moved in." he stepped up to the table, his eyes roaming over her chest and stomach. He rested a hand on her belly, his cold touch sending a gasp to escape her lips.

"The orcs and goblins fight for me with little to no resistance. Even your knight in shining armor was so easily corrupted." Ravnyk brought his other hand around that held the knife and let it hover over her body. She watched it like it was some hypnotist's toy. "Corruption can get boring after awhile though. No one wants to actually put a fight for their lives, and when they do it's short lived." Ravnyk's smile twisted into this sinister jester like smile, "But now I have you here. You've always been a fighter. The last one standing. You are not so easily conquered like most women. Ask Gideon, he would know." Rayne shot a look toward Gideon, and though his expression didn't change, she could see the regret in his eyes. Was he so weak that he gave in to his body's needs?

Rayne's body relaxed as she stared at the knight, recalling the nights they spent together. The nights she would've been lonely, he occupied that space with his warmth and comfort instead. She never knew he'd be so weak. She looked up at the ceiling, ignoring the rise of emotion that threatened to expose her true feelings. Ravnyk settled the cold steel between her breasts.

"Do you remember our promise, Rayne? We would always belong to each other." he pressed the blade into her skin. She inhaled sharply as it stung. He dragged the blade across the surface, just enough to cause her blood to rise and spill over.

"We were children, Ravnyk. You went and slaughtered our master after that." she bit her lip as he dug slightly deeper. She wouldn't give him the luxury to hear her in pain. After a few moments, he pulled the blade away and admired his handiwork. He walked back over to the table, setting the knife back down before returning back to her side.

"He didn't understand. Being locked away on a mountain, away from the world was not how I wanted to spend the rest of my life." Ravnyk rolled up his sleeves as he moved to her head. His hands rested on the sides of her dirty head, his cold touch making her shiver. She felt the blood from whatever he did to her pool and stream down her body.

"He understood the darkness better than anyone. The same darkness that resides in you now." she stared up into the black eyes of her once friend. There was no sign of her temple brother anywhere now. The man she thought she once loved was now gone and replaced by a complete stranger.

"I bet he understands now." his eyes trailed to her chest, "I have to say, I did a fine job with your new decoration." he returned his gaze back to hers, his fingers grazing her cheeks, "Now you are mine. Forever." he moved his hands from her head to her shoulders. She shivered again at his cold touch. She squirmed beneath him as he stopped over the carving, one hand over the other.

"I'll never be yours, Ravnyk. I'll die before you claim me." she growled at him. He inclined his head.

"On the contrary, my dear, you're already mine." he said as a shock of lightning erupted in her chest. Her eyes widened, gritting he teeth. Her hands and feet slammed against the straps. She felt her heart rampage in her chest when he pulled away abruptly. She dropped her hands and feet back on the table. She wanted to cry out, to scream. She wanted to look to Gideon, plead to him to stop Ravnyk. She refused though. She didn't want to give this psycho what he wanted most from her. So she'll take it all until her body won't let her anymore.

----------

Gideon watched as Ravnyk continued to zap Rayne, trying to make her submit, but she refused. She kept fighting against him, so the torture continued. The blood on her chest finally dried, his symbol now a part of her. He was now a part of her. He remembered the look on her face when Ravnyk informed her of his indecencies. Betrayal. The last thing he wanted her to feel. He wanted to tell her that he had no control. That his body wasn't his own, but would she believe him. She knew of his nature prior to this point, bouncing back on old habits wouldn't be so hard to believe.

Ravnyk stepped away after sending one last jolt of energy through her chest, this time Rayne fell unconscious. Her body finally gave up in fighting. The twisted individual rubbed his hands together, a bead of sweat on his pale forehead.

"Take her back to her cell." Ravnyk ordered him, turning his back to him. They were alone. He just needed to take him down, stab him through his heart, and end all of this. Gideon didn't move though, he couldn't. His reasoning may not justify to Rayne, but there was more at stake. Even if he went down, his armies would continued to kill and rampage. His control on the civilians and guards would end, but what could they do? The orcs and goblins have already made this kingdom their home. It wouldn't take them long to level the place. Besides, he didn't think Ravnyk would go down so easily. Gideon needed Aetherius and Xerath in order to defeat him once and for all.

Gideon unstrapped Rayne from the table and cradled her in his arms. She looked lifeless as he carried her from the room. As he walked down the corridor, he tapped Rayne's belt twice. A soft light illuminated their surroundings, making it easier for him. He glanced over his shoulder to the room, but it was shut already and he didn't notice Ravnyk nearby.

He stepped back into her empty cell and laid her down carefully. He rested a hand on her cheek, shutting his eyes as he focused. A soothing wave of energy seeped from his hand into her skin. When he opened his eyes again, her breathing was steady, her cheeks pink with life. He sighed with relief, taking a glance down at the mark. The blood still coated her skin, but the wound had healed just slightly enough to relieve some of the pain.

"Please, just hang in there." he whispered before tapping her belt twice again. The light vanished and he was consumed in darkness. Just a little bit longer.

He returned back to his quarters where a woman barely dressed waiting for him. She was laying back on his bed, her body barely hidden beneath her red silk robe. Her black hair looked like the same obsidian as his armor. She smiled sweetly at him when he shut the door. He didn't want this. Not when he had self control again.

"See yourself out, I'm not in the mood." he grumbled as he took off his armor and tossed it away. Without it, he felt lighter and free. The woman rose up from the bed, but didn't leave. Instead she walked up to him, her hips swaying. The motion would have swayed him easily, but his mind wandered to Rayne's weak state and he held onto it. He needed to be strong for her now.

The woman reached out to him, but he grabbed her hand pushed them away. Something in her eyes changed suddenly and she whipped around, striking him in the face with her... tail? He dropped to the floor, the woman climbing atop him as her features started to change. Her skin that tasted the sun swirled and replaced in a light purple shade. Black intricate tattoos covered her skin. Ram like horns protruded from her head, her silver eyes staring down at him.

"Vixen?"