Elsword kicked his legs and flailed about but it was futile. The guards grabbed him and chained him onto the altar, his back pointing to the sky. "Hmmmmm," said Aisha rubbing his back, "I'll taint this perfect back of yours~ Hope you don't mind~" She grinned from ear to ear and picked up a whip. The whip contained small glass fragments in it so it would cut Elsword's back. Elsword saw her pick up the whip and braced himself for the pain.
BANG! The whip impacted Elsword's back causing blood to squirt out.
BANG! Elsword winced in pain.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! Blood streamed onto the wooden floor of the platform. Elsword clenched his fists and closed his eyes, trying to resist the burning pain on his back.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! Elsword was biting his lip to not scream in pain and agony. He did not want to make the crowd satisfied, least of all Aisha. He prayed to Lady El to rescue him.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! Elsword was close to his limit for pain tolerance. His back burned like hell and the glass fragments dug into his skin. "Sis… sis…." Elsword whispered in his quick breathing.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! Elsword began to whimper. "Stop… Please stop… Please…" begged Elsword as the whip hit his back harshly. "Hmmm?" replied Aisha," What was that?"
"PLEASE STOP!" Elsword pleaded. Aisha laughed and the crowd cheered.
"No chance~" And Aisha brought the whip down again on Elsword.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! This time, Elsword screamed in pain. His shrieks pleased Aisha, making her want to hear him scream even more. "Awwwwww~ Your screams are so cute~" mewed Aisha, satisfied.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! Elsword could feel his consciousness ebbing away like the waves withdrawing from the sea. The searing pain on his back began to disappear; his vision blurred and he blacked out.
Yesterday night, at Rena's room
Rena was thinking hard. "Damn it," she whispered to herself," I have to save Elsword somehow." She thought for a whole hour but to her misfortune, came up with nothing. A knock sounded throughout the room. "Who could be knocking this late at night?" she wondered. "Come in!" A raven haired man opened the door. Rena immediately recognised him as Raven, who was originally a test experiment for the Nasods. His left hand was now a black claw.
"Hello Raven," Rena greeted him," Why come here so late at night?"
"Rena…" Raven said softly, "you know I love you right?"
"I know…. But it's forbidden for priests to be in love…." Raven snarled, he had always loved Rena but she always refused him. "I have a deal for you Rena," Raven said, trying to calm himself down," I'll do anything for you as long as you will love me too. But don't make it something ridiculous like I'll love you if you go away."
A plan suddenly formed in Rena's mind. It was ludicrous and it might make Rena's life miserable but she knew she would get fired from her job as a spy if she didn't save Elsword. She also knew that if the Damasus somehow found out she loved Raven she would be sacrificed like the others. "Alright then Raven," Rena replied shakily, knowing the consequences, "I have two favours for you actually."
"I can do two as long as they're not surreal." Said Raven, feeling happier.
"Okay, the first one is that you have to keep the relationship a secret and the secret that I'm actually a spy for Velder." Raven gasped, shocked but he nodded. "Good and the second one is that you have to save this red haired boy called Elsword Sieghart. He is probably going to be sacrificed tomorrow."
"Are you in love with this Elsword person?" Raven asked angrily.
"No I'm not," replied Rena," he's just the younger brother of a general in Velder." Raven nodded.
"Alright then…. Honey." Rena blushed at his statement.
"I love you…. Darling." Raven blushed too and they leaned towards each other and embraced. Raven pushed Rena onto her bed and he pressed his lips onto her cheek causing her to turn red. "Raven…" whispered Rena into her lover's ear, "sleep with me tonight okay?"
"Sure honey." Raven pulled his lip off Rena's cheek and placed it onto her lips. He nibbled on her bottom lip and flicked his tongue into her mouth. Rena lifted her tongue and they touched their tongues together. Raven pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. He stroked Rena's emerald green hair and inhaled the smell of her. "Good night." Whispered Raven to Rena.
"Good night." Replied Rena back to Raven.