"The gem of Arsivik. Legendary amulet, sought by armies and great monarchs. Official sponsor of either a very fortunate or a very grievous fate on your end. Activating its power center appears to have a large range of effects, but how can it be predicted?" lectured the foe, in a pensive tone.
"How humiliating", said the vivid, sparkling voice of a child, coming from the table where the reptilian mage was standing earlier.
"H-How did you get there? The gem! Someone protect the gem!".
"Your breed is fragile. Is this how they came to control this world? By using miniscule tools fabricated by ones that are greater?", Yin appeared on a further spot and went on calmly, observing the necklace which was levitating above Mao hand.
"Give me that, harpy. Where are those sodding guards?" he shouted, walking furiously towards Mao.
"Your subjects have been removed from this plane of existence" Yin paused and, over the child's frantic giggling of anticipation, added: "Please remain still, human. Your incessant motion is making me nauseous".
Thorny vines came out of the ground and stabbed his feet and calves, as he screamed in agony.
"In some of the dimensions I have visited, nightmares walked among mortals, skewering victims in plain sight, laying their fears out for everyone to see. This to make us laugh. I have forgotten how to laugh. Now... now I am trapped under one roof, in this time and this space with an unstable elf who drinks too much wine and regards me with condescension".
"What is it you want? Can't we talk this out? I have coin, you can take all my coin, just let me go!",
"You cannot pay us in brass chips, little king! Yum yum, eat the soul!", tittered Mao playfully.
"You aim to become a survivor, unclouded by conscience, remorse, or delusions of morality. You are a pitiful shadow lost in darkness, a damned soul wallowing in sinful karma, and for that, you must pay the price".
The mage liberated himself from the vines' grasp and went straight for a blow in Yin's direction, who fell on the ground from the impact. He cheek was bruised, but she showed no sign of pain.
"I see you got cheap tricks, doll, but I do too. This skin – turns out its regeneration and hardness are quite phenomenal".
"Yin, get up! Foul mages, so absorbed in their need for power. I will end you if it's the last thing (...)", bawled Fenris.
"Ah I see, so that's how it is. Yes, feel free to watch as I eviscerate your little special friend here, as well as the annoying bratty half-pint, for you will be the next in line", interrupted the monster.
"Mister Raiden speaks out of turn. He's a bad example and will have no cakes today", spoke Mao from afar.
The man tried to answer but his lips had now been tied together. He was initially confused, but then started screaming silently, incapable of releasing his voice. He dropped on his knees and tears of pain rolled down his cheeks. He was immobilized – Yin had liquefied his bones and implanted them underneath the surface of his scaly skin into some kind of exoskeleton.
"Finish him off already, and let us out! Just kill him!" shouted Hawke, who felt a slight discomfort. He's seen a fair share of extremely morbid things in his life, but that had to top everything off.
Yin looked briefly at Hawke with an air of annoyance, ripped her robe open and let it drop. She placed her hand on the snake man's chest and somehow absorbed his scaly exoskeleton, forming a suit of armor with it and leaving the creature skinless.
"Ugh... I'm gonna be in therapy 'til I'm 40" Isabela gasped.
"Your physical suffering will never cease, it will make you mad and will alienate you, but you will not die. Seize these moments, however, as it will be even worse after you die", Mao smiled.
"Who... What are you?", asked Hawke, traumatized.
Yin turned her head in their direction and said, in a flat voice devoid of any form of joy or hope: "I am vengeance".