Chapter Text
Chisa's POV
"ANSWER ME, SLEIGH BEGGY! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!"
I was petrified, fear flashing in my eyes as I stared at his stormy orbs, shaking uncontrollably. Sure, he's been mad at me before...
But never like this...
"SPEAK! YOU HAD PLENTY TO SAY TO THAT MAGE!"
Suddenly, Joseph yanks me closer to him so that our noses are almost touching. His eyes are still blazing with fury, and I desperately tried to get away. But his other hand strikes, catching my neck and squeezing in warning. My breathing hitches and I struggle in his grip. my shaking hands clawed at his hand around my neck - I truly believed he was going to kill me.
Maybe death would be a kindness...
But Joseph releases my neck, and through my blurry vision I see him raise his hand. Then, he moves so fast I have no time to react. He backhands me across the face with so much force it sends me sprawling to the floor. Pain erupts from my cheek and I swear I can taste blood. I'm too stunned to speak, but tears fall like rain from my eyes. That really hurt...
I shriek as his foot connects with my rib cage. The force causes me to tumble across the tiled floor until my head slams into something hard and cold. I hiss at the unwanted contact. Something warm and wet trickles down the side of my face. I swallow uneasily, gingerly lifting my hand up to my head. I wince, feeling a large gash just above my right eyebrow. I groan at the pain, bringing my hand in front of me. It's red. The sight alone makes me queasy.
That's when I notice the large cage in front of me. No wonder I'm bleeding, it's rock hard. I hear whimpers coming from the cage. I look closely in the dim light, and my heart freezes. Inside the cage in the same tight, black bindings, are the dragon hatchlings, shaking in fear. Tears gathering in their terrified eyes. I grip the metal bars tightly, my knuckles turning white. Fresh tears pour down my cheeks - they just want to go home...
Unexpectedly, Joseph wraps his hand around my hair, twisting the strands roughly before yanking my head back. I yelped at the intense sting. He started dragging me away from the cage, which I immediately released. I couldn't turn around because of his grip on my hair; I stumbled, not used to walking backwards. Joseph pulled harder, my hair millimetres away from being ripped from my scalp. It hurts... He gave me no time to recover, and I scraped my knees painfully on the tiled floor as he continued to haul me along.
Abruptly, he let me go. I sigh in relief, allowing myself to fall to my knees. My relief was short lived... Joseph's hands creeped underneath my arms, lifting me effortlessly. I struggled and shrieked, but it was hopeless. I slapped his chest with my flailing arms... He growled, shoving me away from him. I fell backwards, but my back met a cold surface quicker than it should have. The impact knocked the breath out of me, a dull ache creeped up my spine.
In a flash, he was on top of me. I screamed bloody murder, thrashing beneath him as he straddled my waist, trying desperately to get away. His good hand caught my wrists, while his poor hand clamped over my mouth. I stared at him fearfully, my chest heaving.
The look he gave me could have killed me on the spot if it were possible. Again - what a kindness that would have been. His eyes burned unnaturally, a sneer etched on his face. It struck enough fear within me that I stopped moving completely. That's when I realised... I was on the same metal table where he sliced my arms... I couldn't stop the horror that showed on my face, and I started hyperventilating, my eyes widening.
What's he going to do? Please, someone help me!
At my horror-stricken state, Joseph took the opportunity to tie me to the table. I didn't even realise until it was too late. I just lay there pathetically, terrified of what is to come.
When he had secured my arms in the leather straps, he reached out and touched my face. I flinched away, traitor tears escaping my eyes. He persists though, pressing his palm firmly against my cheek. I reluctantly look at him through narrowed eyes, his sadistic smile sending shivers down my spine.
"My little puppy. You know I care for you, a lot more than I do your sister. But your actions make me want to hate you. Rest assured, I do not, but I don't know how to teach you to be obedient to your master anymore. Perhaps..." He's calmed down a lot from earlier. However, his tone becomes considerably darker. "Perhaps if I show you the pain I go though day after day, you may learn. No one knows suffering like mine - not even you."
My breathing quickens again, and I struggle against my bonds. "What do you mean? Joseph, please stop this, you're frightening me!" My struggling escalates, until Joseph firmly wraps his hand around my neck, applying pressure. I instantly still, anxiety eating me alive.
He leans down, forcing our foreheads to touch. "You should be afraid, Chisa. I won't stand for your disobedience any longer. I warned you that the consequences would be dire. All you had to do was stand there and lure the dragons into the trap! But no! You decided to interfere, again!" He yells at me, as silent tears stream down my cheeks.
I shut my eyes tightly, as though I could protect myself from his wrath. The table starts to clatter from my convulsive shaking. I'm terrified. Whatever he has planned is really going to hurt me. Pain he feels everyday... Is he really always in pain? If he is, he hides it well. But that doesn't mean I want to feel it!
Suddenly, he hops off the table. I snap my eyes open, trying to see what he's doing from my restricted vision. His back is facing me. His white hair shines in the bright light. The familiar sound of metal scraping against more metal fills my ears... No. He can't do that... Not again! Flashes of my previous injuries caused by that dreaded scalpel go through my head like a slideshow. I blink them away quickly, not wanting to be reminded of the excruciating torment he caused me. I jerked against the bonds holding me down, willing them to give way. But they don't...
Soon, Joseph turns around, a smile plastered all over his face. In his good hand he clasps...
A saw...
Its shiny silver surface glistens in the light. The serrated, pointy edges make my blood run cold. I hyperventilate again. I can't help it. I tug at my restraints again, but it's a lost cause.
My agitation grows when Joseph starts stalking towards me slowly. It's like he's taunting me, swinging the weapon backwards and forwards so I can see just how dangerous it is. I don't even want to think of the suffering it will make me feel... But I'm about to find out... and that scares me more than anything...
He climbs on top of me again; the saw grazes against my leg and I flinch. My heart is hammering in my chest, my eyes are puffy from crying, and my head is pounding from earlier. I'm really scared... is he going to hack off my limbs? Cut me until I die? Each scenario I think of sends more fear into my heart. My breath comes out in short little pants. Joseph looks at me through hooded eyes, and in one swift motion, he ripped the fabric of the black dress, leaving my the flesh of my stomach exposed to him. My breathing hitched - he's really going to do it...
Then it hit me. Cartaphilus... he could reason with Joseph, couldn't he? He may not be very strong, but he can still influence Joseph, can't he? They share the same mind...
I'm pulled from my thoughts by the saw being run lightly over my exposed flesh. A shudder ripples down my spine at the sensation, my anxiety mounting. Then, before I can stop myself, I shout:
"Cartaphilus! Please, help me!"
The saw halts, pressing into my skin.
Silence...
I know why... Joseph warned me over and over not to call him that...
And I just did... in the hope of Cartaphilus hearing me...
I force myself to look Joseph in the eye, and I promise I almost screamed. His grey orbs emitted danger - he had a murderous glint in his eyes which chilled my bones. He didn't say anything - he didn't need too. The sight tremor in his arm said it all...
He was infuriated...
And I knew it...
I struggled against the restraints, my heart beating wildly. However, my actions only made the saw press deeper against my skin. Joseph was still. I relaxed a little, maybe I've bought myself some time-
And then it happened...
So quickly...
Joseph moved as fast as lightning, positioning the saw on the right side of my body, just where my ribs ended. Immediately, the saw tore into my skin at Joseph's command, cutting deep.
Instantly, I felt the excruciating, white hot agony. My screams and shrieks soon filled the room. I writhed against the blade, only making things worse for myself. It was unbearable, the jaws of the saw bit into my flesh like razors. Tears blurred my vision and I squeezed my eyes shut tightly.
This is the worst kind of pain I've ever felt... I want to die, please let me die...
Agonisingly slowly, the blade stopped moving, settling deep in my flesh. I opened my heavy eyes, sobbing pitifully as blood poured out of my wound. My sobs were uncontrollable, and with each shudder and movement, my pain only grew. He had stopped in the middle of my stomach, and I knew instantly, that he wasn't finished...
"I TOLD YOU TO NEVER CALL ME BY THAT NAME! I control Cartaphilus! He does exactly what I tell him to! When he met you in your dreams, I told him what to say!" Joseph has to yell loudly to be heard over my cries.
But his confession shocks me enough, to halt my cries for just a few seconds. He told me all of those things in my dream? Why? I lock eyes with him, immediately regretting it. His face is splattered scarlet with my blood, which he seems unfazed by. He smiles at me sadistically, enjoying my current state.
"That's right, puppy. I was so happy that the beautiful lie of hope was enough to wake you from your coma..."
I lay there whimpering. Why didn't I see that before? Why didn't I realise that it was Joseph all along? Of course he can control everything about his counterpart, and I fell for his trick...
Without warning, Joseph suddenly starts hacking away at my flesh again, causing a new chorus of screams to erupt from my mouth. It hurts so bad... I can't take this... someone please end this!
"Tell me, Chisa! Tell me how agonising it is! I put up with this everyday!" Joseph shouts, his anger returning. I can feel his anger as he hacks into me without mercy.
I can't speak, it's so unbearable. Every movement of the saw sends another wave of white hot agony into my core. My throat is raw from screaming; I'm becoming lethargic from blood loss.
"Please... kill me..." My voice comes out as a whisper.
At this stage, Joseph has reached my left hip, and I can feel the serrated edge of the saw gnawing at my bone. I shriek harshly, before slumping against the table, my head rolling back. Sweat coats my body, mixing with my blood. My vocal cords feel like they could snap, and my head is hammering against my skull. But my stomach... it feels like I'm being burned alive. I moan weakly, helpless. Tears continue to stream down my cheek like a waterfall - there's no other way I can express this excruciating pain right now.
Joseph roughly removes the saw from my hip and I wince. He quickly unties my wrists, which are now rubbed raw from all my thrashing. He traces my large wound with his fingertips, I jerk away, only aggravating it more. I hiss sharply, screwing my face up.
Joseph leans down, pressing his forehead against mine. But this only adds pressure to my wound. More blood seeps out of my severed skin, and a broken sob leaves my throat.
"Please... make it stop... I'm... sorry..." I whisper hoarsely, hoping that he would show a shred of mercy.
His hands move to my face, coating my cheeks with blood as he wipes away my tears. The metallic smell irritates my nose, but I'm too weak to move. His lips press against my forehead, and I shiver.
"I know you're sorry, puppy. This is the agony I feel everyday because of my Curse. My body is forever rotting. But you... you make it better. You're my key to a painless life. You won't die, nor will I kill you. You will suffer through this, as part of your punishment. I can only hope that after this experience, you will now obey me. Never challenge my authority again, Chisa."
With one final caress of my cheeks, Joseph clambers off me, careful not to touch my wound. He heads over to the table filled with medical instruments. I turn my head away, not wanting to see anymore.
The pain is still intense, it hurts to breathe. My eyes feel so heavy too. I want to escape this burning agony, if only for a few hours. I wait patiently for the inevitable sleep to overpower me. I want a taste of peace...
Suddenly, I feel hands, numerous hands, slip under my back, lifting me up with care. I cringe as the movement causes white hot agony to spread across my abdomen. I groan at the sensation, not having the energy to scream anymore. I struggle to open my eyes, I can't even see who's carrying me.
I feel myself being pushed up against a chest - it's not Joseph's. It's not cold, the way Joseph's normally is. My head lands on a shoulder. Again it's not Joseph's. This one feels softer somehow. It's strange though, the blood loss must be going to my head; because I can feel two pairs of hands holding me...
"Who are you!? Release my Sleigh Beggy right now! She's mine!"
I instinctively flinch at Joseph's voice, and bury my head into this, mysterious stranger's chest. He smells like sand. So someone else is holding me. No wonder Joseph is mad...
"Foolish child. Have never heard the term 'respect your elders'?"
The voice sends a shiver down my spine - not the kind that Joseph's voice sends, though. Its deep, but sounds older, like a Grandfather's voice. It's like I can sense this person's power, and there's a lot of it.
"Do not insult me, for I am no child. Put. Her. Down." Joseph spat, his tone full of threat. I start shaking - it's impossible for someone's voice to send this much fear into my heart. But this is Joseph - with him, nothing is impossible.
Gently, I feel the person's hand cup my cheek and I'm surprised that I can easily open my eyes now, any drowsiness has completely vanished. I'm still shaking, but a little less than before.
Unfortunately the first thing I see, is Joseph's furious face. His eyes are hard like stone, boring into my own. I turn my face away quickly, choking back a sob. My hand grips the brown, baggy cloth that this person is wearing. My other hand is resting on my large wound, which is still burning in excruciating pain. My tears keep flowing and I find myself leaning into this stranger's hand.
"Foolish child. Can you not see what you've done to this delicate Starling? I have come to help her, for I could hear her cries from miles away. You're actions are greatly displeasing to the Ancient Fae such as myself."
Ancient Fae?
Timidly, I look up at his face for the first time. I gasp softly, suddenly slightly afraid of him. Brown cloth from his hood obscures his eyes, while a cream cloth covers his other features. A soft breeze flutters the veil covering his eyes, revealing them to me for a few short seconds. My breath catches in my throat as my green eyes meet spiralling white eyes surrounded by black. All of a sudden, I am very wary of this being - this Ancient Fae...
"Who are you!? Fae should not be able to get in here... why would you care about my Sleigh Beggy anyway? Why are you here?" Joseph asks, clearly frustrated.
"Calm yourself, Cartaphilus..."
I freeze, snapping my head up to gaze at the stranger, shaking my head frantically. But my actions only cause me more pain as yet more blood oozes from my wound. I hold my wound firmly, hissing at the intense discomfort. I suddenly remember what the stranger said and my gaze snaps to Joseph.
I gulp. I can see the dark aura around him and his eyes have darkened considerably. His orbs hold fury, and his expression is murderous. I notice him gripping his right shoulder harshly and I involuntarily tighten my grip on the stranger's clothes.
"Do not... call me by that name! I am Joseph!" He rages, his arm exploding into the monstrous limb. "This is your final warning... unhand my Sleigh Beggy!"
Joseph suddenly lunges at the stranger, his large hand raised, ready to strike. My breathing accelerates and I brace myself for his claws...
Only they never hit us.
Abruptly, two of the stranger's hands stop holding me, and just before Joseph can strike him, a wooden staff blocks his limb. The stranger is the one wielding the staff.
Joseph's eyes widen and shock captures his features. My face mirrors his as the stranger goes a step further; he swiftly pushes Joseph back with so much force, that he flies through the air, slamming into the hard wall behind him.
Joseph cries out, falling to the ground in a heap. I gasp. Immediately, Josephs face turns a ghostly white and his breathing becomes laboured. He pushes himself up into a sitting position, leaning heavily against the wall. He looks... Weak.
I snap my head towards the stranger, my mouth agape. How did he do that?
He notices my stare and chuckles, bringing his staff to his side:
"There now, I told you to respect your elders, child. But rest assured, I mean you no harm. I come here on business. For you see, to my kind, both of you are wonderful specimens! The way you express your pain and suffering is simply beautiful!"
I shiver in his grasp, instantly wanting him to put me back on the table. His words unnerved me... wonderful specimens...
"What... are you saying? ... You still... haven't told me your... name..." Joseph struggles out, his breathing still causing him problems.
"Ah yes. How impolite of me. I am Ashen Eye. The distress of this Sleigh Beggy called me here. I can tell you that it is quite shocking to discover that the young Bird Mage has a twin. When I met her, she told me that all of her family was deceased... But she never mentioned you, little one."
Shock. That's what I felt. Even this Creature has met my sister...?
A wave of sadness and disbelief washed over me... she never mentioned me... has she truly forgotten me? A lump formed in my throat and my vision became blurry. Silent tears streamed down my face and my body rocked with my sobs. The pain in my heart was worse than the agony of my wound.
"Haha! What a beautiful display of emotion! Yes, you are a pretty one," he breaks off to hold my cheek with his hand that is not holding me. "I have also come to heal her. As you know, Joseph, she is a fragile little thing who should be treated with care."
Tears still escaped me, but I was surprised by his words. Everyone I have encountered since being with Joseph has called me fragile. I know it's because I'm a Sleigh Beggy. I wonder if Chise gets called that too. My heart clenches as I think about her. She can't have forgotten about me, can she?
Joseph's voice pulls me from my thoughts:
"I know fae... they don't just help others for nothing... what do you want, Ashen Eye." His voice was laced with malice.
Ashen Eye laughs. "My, my. You are quick to catch on, young one."
Out of the blue, Ashen Eye's hand appears on my stomach, his large hand covers the gaping wound better than I can. Immediately, a soft glow surrounds his palm and he presses lightly on my wound. I cried out in agony, a burning sensation overwhelming me, but then the pain subsided. It felt... cool, as though water was being doused on the flames, eliminating the pain. I looked down, watching in fascination as my skin mended itself with the help of Ashen Eye's magic.
Eventually, his hand stopped glowing, and he moved it away. The only trace that remained of my torture was a fresh scar, starting from the middle of my rib cage to my hip; right to left in a diagonal line. I should be used to scars by now, he's given me more than I can count. This one will haunt me though, because this one almost killed me.
I was in awe of Ashen Eye's power. He made healing me look easy. But the best thing was, it didn't hurt anymore. I felt nothing - no discomfort, no cramps, nothing. And it felt... good.
"Thank you... very much." I said, slightly breathless due to my disbelief.
"You're most welcome, child." His hand moved to the top of my head, which he proceeded to stroke gently.
"We had not decided upon payment! How dare you heal her without my consent!"
I wince at Joseph's angry tone, turning my head towards him. He was livid. His eyes were dark and his teeth were bared, making him look like a dangerous predator. I quickly averted my gaze, my heart stuttering in my chest.
Ashen Eye merely chortled again. "Calm yourself, Alchemist. All I want is return, is a deal..."
My eyebrows rose in confusion...
A deal...?
*****
Hi readers!
Again... sorry for the heavy chapters... I promise though, they do get happier
I still can't believe how many reads my story has gotten! So thank you again for giving it a chance 😊
I know what some of you have been here since the beginning, I'm giving you extra credit!
Until next time
ilovemanga19💕