Power

My body stirred as if reacting to the word. I felt my vision begin to blur into the familiar mess of colours I had seen so many times before. 

The colours vibrantly danced across the dull grey stone of the floor of the cell.

I lay still, still hung up by the chains as I gazed into the colours. The mesmerising display threatened to pull me into that same state of madness I had experienced on the battlefield.

I felt my mind lurch from one idea to the next to the next. My mind fixated on the colours simply ignoring all other things. I had to preserve this beauty. I surged forward towards the colours before being cruelly plunged backwards as the chains yanked at my wrists. 

The pain was overshadowed by the endless beauty. My mind felt lost in the sea of colours. 

Why would I ever want to leave this room? This is where the colours are. Why would I want anything to change? Ill just sit here and enjoy them. 

A few minutes passed of pure ecstasy as I sat transfixed in the flowing sea of blues, reds, and greens. 

I felt weird. 

Like a thought was desperately trying to push through and into my mind. 

I focused on the thought slowly attempting to will it into existence. 

Twangs of pain pinged throughout my head as I paid attention to the minor thought. 

I recoiled at the pain. 

Why would I ever want to think about anything but the colours? 

But it feels like there was a reason I had to escape this room. 

Well, maybe that was before I saw them. 

A feeling of comfort gently soothed my head as I stared back down into the sea of colour. 

Ecstacy flooded my body. 

Why would I leave? 

"Fight"

The words unconsciously slipped out of my mouth. 

It was my voice yet it seemed twisted like it was in pain. Why would I be in pain? 

I stared down at my body to see my legs once solid rat paws had begun to dissolve into the colour. Where once snow-white fir gently wrapped around my legs now had made way to join the endless flow of violets and pinks. 

Fear wrapped my mind. 

What's happening? 

Hmm, probably nothing. 

Maybe it's good the colours are taking me. 

I will become part of the beautiful display. 

"Fight"

The words slipped out again. This time louder and more twisted than before. I felt more of my body slowly dissipate. It felt good. Why would I want to fight? 

"Devour"

The word rang through my ears as It rolled across my tongue. Memories burst back into my mind as the thought that had been being buried finally emerged. 

I had to escape. 

I stared down realising already half my body had merged into the colours. 

I have to control it. 

My mind began forcefully willing the colours to disperse. No changes were made. Panic began to seep into my brain as the colours slowly devoured more of my body. 

I watched as the once-beautiful sight faded in and out of existence. 

This was not a sea of beauty. It was the characteristic itself. It was devouring me. 

I struggled against the hunger pushing it back as best I could. It felt impossible. The endless hunger was going to take me. 

My memories were fractured however I desperately searched through them. Lorath had instructed me on what to do if my powers awaken again. 

"Huh, how do you control your characteristics? Well, it changes from characteristic to characteristic. For most, it's a show of dominance. You must dominate the power for it to lend itself to you"

Loraths voice was like a rope dangling down into a dark cave. Hope. 

I reassessed my situation now thinking far more rationally. I could not die before I killed that goblin trickster bastard. 

This time with more vigour and force I willed the colours to return to their places. Its rapid devouring began to slow. I fought tooth and nail to keep going with a deep burning pain now ringing in my head. 

I could not stop. Death is the only outcome if I stop now. I continued pushing. The pain I felt was nowhere near the unimaginable pain Skulk had forced upon me. 

The once stunning facade slowly receded. The madness now beckoned to my call. They flowed how I wanted them to flow and devoured what I desired. 

It took several more minutes but eventually, the colours fully receded and gently nestled into my body. 

I could still feel that primal power now buried inside me awaiting my commands. 

"Devour"

I said it confidently and resolutely. There was no chance left in this. I had dominated the characteristic. It would do what I say. 

The colours returned however now under my own control. I willed gently for them to approach the thick iron chains. They flooded over the chains dispersing them into the endless flow. It felt good to finally be in control. 

I willed the colours to recede back into my body. Upon their disappearance the place where the chains once hung now left empty air. They had been devoured. However, strangely I still felt them somewhere deep inside me. It seems a part of the power I would have to study more once I had escaped this shit hole. 

My arms were now free I was finally able to stretch my broken muscles. A heavenly feeling. 

However, I could not celebrate yet. While out of my bindings, I was not free of my cell. 

I slowly made my way up to the door and peeked through the small hole. A long corridor lay in front of the door all made of solid stone. At the end was a spiral staircase going upwards. That would be my way out. 

I got to work gnawing through the door. I would have used my new powers but decided id rather not test the boundaries of how much I can use it while stuck deep in a prison. I may only be able to use it a few times before my stamina runs out. Id rather use those times in fights rather than on this door. 

I left my questions about my new power for later as I finally finished gnawing out a hole large enough to squeeze through. 

Pushing myself into the corridor I crept along listening out for any signs of activity above me. Nothing but the occasionally dripping sound could be heard. 

I passed many cells most of which were empty on my route to the staircase. In the occasional one which was not empty sat a lonely-looking corpse or a goblin whose eyes reminded me of those I had seen in the village. LIfelless. 

It seems Skulk uses his torture method on all the captives rats and goblin alike.

I seized my opportunity after listening out for a while and began climbing up the stairs. 

Upon reaching the top I stared up to see a trapdoor of sorts blocking the top staircase. I pushed gently at it however it stayed steadfast. I assume there's a lock on the other side. 

Nothing a handy tooth and claw can't fix. I got to work munching my way through the trap door. It took a while but eventually, I created a large enough hole to peek my head through. 

I looked into the next room to see familiar wooden flooring and wooden walls. Most likely a goblin building of some sort. Hopefully, still within the city. 

The trapdoor was not only locked but also hidden behind a few pieces of furniture and a rug. 

I gently looked around the room locating a small window in the corner. Judging by the light levels it was likely nearing midnight. 

Perfect. 

Clambering out of the small hole I began walking around the room. The window was most likely trapped using the same bell mechanism which made it impossible to sneak out of them. 

The walls were a much thicker timber so gnawing through would take too long. It seems ill have to take the actual way out this time.