Chap 16 – Frozen Blood
"I don't tend to execute punishments myself…" Administrator whispered into Tiese's ear; her grip relaxing upon the red-haired girl. "…but with you, I'll make an exception." Tiese swallowed in fear; for she had no idea what Pontifex had in mind. "Remain stationary throughout all five lashes and your punishment will end there; however, if you falter, even in the slightest of ways, you will incur another five." Tiese's eyes widened beneath her blindfold as she felt the smooth edge of a whip caress her face. She then heard it lazily fall to the ground. "Understand?" Tiese nodded nervously; sweat coating her brow. "Oh and try to be brave…" Administrator glided a slender finger along the ugly bump on the red head's forehead; causing Tiese to wince. "…Thirty-Two will be watching."
Pontifex glanced at the blonde, who was still shackled to his Blue Rose Sword. Eugeo sat quiet, which was a surprise to the Pontifex. She thought he'd be more vocal about what was going to happen to his 'fling.' "Hmmm…" Administrator twisted her lips as she took in the sight of her chained lover. The blonde's face was flushed, his head bobbing up and down. Eugeo's emerald eyes were less alert than usual; his body shivering every so often. Not thinking much of it, Administrator turned back to Tiese. "I plan to make a new Piety Module for him. It'll erase all traces of you."
"Hasn't he endured enough?" Tiese ground out, finding some inner strength to defend the one she loves. "Why can't you just leave him alone?" Angry wet trails dampened her cheeks.
"So many tears over Thirty-Two." Administrator scoffed while reaching for the buttons on Tiese's uniform shirt. "Perhaps you should be more considered over yourself." She gripped the girl's shoulder; holding Tiese in place while her other hand worked on undoing the clasps of the garment. Pontifex then slid the shirt over Tiese's shoulders, stopping it at the girl's bound wrists.
"What are you doing?" Tiese's teeth chattered as she felt the cold air kiss her bare skin. The temperature was deathly cold as she stood in her sheer tank top. Administrator then unzipped her skirt, bringing it just below her hips. She then raised the tank to beneath her breasts, the thin material of both garments clinging to her lithe body.
"I do hope you remember the conditions." Administrator replied coolly while reaching down for her whip. "Because I hate repeating myself." She took a few steps back then lashed out her whip: striking the red head hard across the face. Tiese cried out as her cheek took on a hellish, angry red hue. "It's ironic…" Administrator began, "…you're so against what I did to the Thirty-Two and yet, without my 'manipulations', you'd still be nothing more than a good friend to him."
Tiese wanted to deny Administrator's words but couldn't. As Eugeo's page, the blonde was very respectful of Tiese herself and her noble status. He'd never think about fucking her like he did; especially since he was so focused on Alice.
"You got lucky, girl…" Administrator lashed out again, this time hitting Tiese's other cheek. It felt twice as deep and was sure to leave a mark. The red head cried out again; tears falling fast. She'd never endured this kind of pain in her life. "…but your good fortune has run out." Pontifex narrowed her eyes then whipped Tiese across her stomach. The red head buckled over in pain; her legs wobbling as she fought to remain upright.
"Eugeo…" Tiese bit out; her breathing ragged. "Why? Why won't you stop her?"
"I told you before, you are not to order my knights." Administrator spat while cracking the whip. Tiese instantly froze up from the loud and high-pitched sound.
"Two more and it's over." Tiese told herself. "I can do this. Watch me Eugeo, I'm strong just like you." She tried to mentally prepare for the next lash; however, it was a lot harder than she thought. Although the actual whipping hurt like a bitch, it was the anticipation upon receiving them that was ten times worse.
"Fun fact…" Administrator began, "…repeated blows to the same area on one's body can cause internal damage." A crazed look crossed her face as she readied her whip once again. "I say we test that theory."
"No!" Tiese sobbed; now knowing Pontifex's true intent. "Please! Don't!" She pleaded. "You don't even know if I'm actually pregnant."
"True but why wait? I'll just solve the problem now." Administrator said before quickly lashing out twice more. Their target, the same as the previous lash; her stomach, more specifically her belly. Each lash was more intense than the last, the final strike splitting open Tiese's skin. Blood trickled down her midsection onto her skirt as the red head wept even harder. "If you're fortunate, you'll never have to worry about the burden of children." Pontifex snickered. "I imagine you must be asking yourself, was it worth it?"
"To be with Eugeo…" Tiese forced the words from her shaky lips. "…was more…than I ever could have imagined. But for you… to know that I…a sixth ranked noble…from an no name family… had him…in the same intimate way that you did, made it all worth it. I'd do it again in a heartbeat."
"Stupid girl." Administrator sneered. "System Call: Open Doorway." Tiese was engulfed in a door of light, disappearing from Pontifex's sight.
OOooOOooOO
SPLASH! Tiese fell into a freezing pool. Luckily, the water had loosened her blindfold; causing it to slide off the girl's head. Her hands were still confined behind her back, tangled within her shirt, so Tiese had to rely on her legs to bring her to the surface. When she did, she looked like a mermaid taking a breath for the first time. She then sunk back into the icy waters, her toes seeking the ground. When they did, Tiese let out a sigh of relief, thankful she wouldn't have to be treading water; however, she did have to deal with the frigid water as it came up to the swell of her breasts.
Tiese's hands drifted down to her stomach; the frigid waters continuously lapping at her already chilled skin. "I don't feel anything." She shivered uncontrollably. "Not my fingers, my stomach, not even the lashes Administrator gave me." She raised her hands; noticing the tips of all ten fingers had turned red. "This isn't good." Her breath came out in small puffs of air. "I have to get out of here. My body is near its limit." Her crimson eyes shifted left and right, capturing only darkness with a hint of moonlight passing through a barred section high above her. "Where am I anyways?"
Suddenly a low growl filled the cell. "Whose… the…there?" Tiese hammered out while seeking the source of the unknown sound. Her eyes landed on two golden spheres in the opposite corner of the prison. "Eep!" She paddled backwards; not really getting far before bumping into a stone wall. "Don't hurt me!" The shadow tilted its head, as if in recognition of her voice. It produced some further grunting sounds but nothing Tiese could understand. "Are you tr…trying to…to… communicate with me?" Tiese slowly detached herself from the wall, sliding back into the ice-cold waters. "Are you…an…an ally?" Silence answered but moments later, the shadow walked towards her, stopping mere inches before the moonlight; his silhouette immediately recognizable. "Re..Renly?!" Tiese peered closer. "How is this even possible? I..I saw you…lying…in all that blood…with wings from your back…and then Administrator….she…she…" The boy knight just stood there; silently observing Tiese. "Say something Renly, for god's sake, I thought you were dead!" Renly hissed at her; his temper flaring up from not having any idea who this girl was, nor did he care. He did; however, want Tiese to be just like him.
Taking ahold of Tiese's cheeks, Renly pressed his lips to hers. The red head's eyes widened in surprise; however, she couldn't pull away. Instead, Tiese found herself melting into the kiss, addicted even. It may have started off crude but eventually it turned beautiful; the kiss itself changing from hunger to desperation to want and finally to need. As it progressed, Renly grew more aggressive, running his tongue inside her moist cavern. Tiese met his assertiveness with some of her own; for not only was she happy Renly was okay, but thoughts of freezing to death had thawed, at least for the time being. Seeking more warmth, Tiese wrapped her hands around his neck; drawing him closer; unaware that she had pulled the boy knight into the moonlight.
Things changed once her fingers grazed the metallic loops of something odd. "Huh?' she pulled back and let out a scream. "What the hell, Renly?!" She scuttled back while splashing water onto her mouth. The boy just smiled; his irises completely white; pieces of decayed flesh flaking off from around his mouth.
"I let you kiss me, and you look like that?!" Renly simply shrugged then turned around, heading back into the shadows. "Don't walk away from me!" She called out after him, emotions running high. "Eugeo kisses better!" She blurted out, stopping Renly in his tracks.
"I didn't mean to say that, but you left me no choice. What happened to you?" She begged but got nothing; she did; however, take notice of his skeleton type wings. They frightened her but she pressed on. "Please, talk to me." The boy knight remained where he was, not moving a muscle. "At least give me some type of explanation before I turn into a human icicle." Tiese didn't know if her words were getting through to him, but she was determined to keep trying.
"Damn it, Renly. I cried for days after you died; haunted by how I found you that day. Now, I find you here… looking like you rose from the grave. Are you even human anymore?" The boy knight let out a loud, menacing growl; causing Tiese to jump and turn deadly pale. Renly continued to his corner of the cell, where he blended back into the darkness, waiting patiently for the results of what he did. Teise, on the other hand, remained lost and alone, in the opposite corner, beneath the overhead bars.
OOooOOooOO
"Now that she's been taken care of…" Administrator said while tossing her whip to the ground. "…there's something we need to discuss." She stood before Eugeo; her hands on her belly. "It's about this…" She gave her bump a little rub. "…and how things will have to change between us." The blonde stared up at her; not really seeing anything; his body shivering more often now. "The Taboo Index says that in order for a child to be recognized as a true resident of the Underworld, they must come from a union, approved by the church." She strode back and forth in front of Eugeo; her hands continuously stroking her belly. "I know you've broken the seal whereas I still have yet to do so." She glanced down at the blonde; a sly smile pulling at her lips. "I suppose taking the next step wouldn't be all that terrible."
"What are you saying?" Eugeo's words were barely audible as he fought to stay conscious. He didn't know why he felt like crap, nor did he know the cause of it; he just knew Lady Pontifex expected his undivided attention, and he had to satisfy her regardless of how he just wanted to go to sleep.
"This child, among others that we'll have, won't be coming into this world as a bastard." Administrator looked down on the blonde and narrowed her lilac eyes. "And do you know why?" Eugeo met her gaze, trying to put things together but his brain was in such a fog, he was having trouble connecting the dots. "It's because we're going to establish a legitimate union; right now." The blonde couldn't believe what he was hearing. She wanted to marry him? Is that what she was really saying?
"You look confused…" Administrator mocked the blonde before dropping on bended knees. "…among other things." She placed her hands on his cheeks and tilted his face left to right and back again. "Something's wrong." She stated flatly; noticing right away how warm his face was and how matted his flaxen locks were against his forehead and around his ears. She felt the trembles of his body and saw the sheen of sweat which coated his bare shoulders and upper body.
"I'm sorry, Lady Pontifex." Eugeo spoke softly; his eyes drifting closed. "but I…" His head slumped forward; revealing a nasty rash on his back; just below his neck. It was the size of a small fist, complete with blisters, some open some closed, small bumps, and a scaly appearance.
"What's this?" Administrator quickly pulled up the blonde's Stacia window. 'Unit#: NND7-6361. Condition: Fever Due to Allergic Eczema.' Administrator closed the screen, disgust on her face. "You disappoint me, Thirty-Two. First you fuck someone else and now, you have the audacity to get ill…from one of my decorations?" She used his chains to get to her feet. "You will deal with your earrings. I will not remove them."
She took ahold of the blonde's left hand. "System Call: Metallic Element. Create Form: Wedding Bands." Two beautiful rings appeared in her palm. After taking a moment to admire them, Administrator slid one stunning band onto Eugeo's ring finger. She then placed a matching, more feminine one on her own left hand. "When you wake up, you'll recite the choice words and it'll be done."
OOooOOooOO
"I remember why I never come here." Alice muttered as she, Kirito and Cardinal made their way through the Grand Bath on level ninety. "It's too hot."
"So, what you're saying is that you prefer to bathe outdoors rather than inside a luxurious place like this." Kirito teased the golden knight as they passed alongside the wall of glass with its segregated multitude of individual window-like panels.
"Stop wasting your breaths on silly conversations." Cardinal stated flatly while removing the glasses for the umptieth time. "Damn this steam." She grumbled while wiping them with the edge of her robe. "I can barely take two steps before I'm left stumbling around in a fog."
"System Call: Aerial Element." Alice stated plainly; causing the steam to be pushed temporarily to one side.
"At least one of you is considerate." Cardinal said with a huff.
"What's a Grand Bath without steam?" Kirito gave a sheepish grin.
"As I started to say," The young mage placed her glasses back upon the bridge of her nose. "You should be focusing on the fights ahead, not on giving Alice a hard time."
"I'm just trying to lighten the mood. What's wrong with that?"
"Kirito," Cardinal waved a finger at the raven-haired boy. "…do you think that we're just going to waltz right up to the top floor?"
"Well, we've made it up fifteen floors and no one's blocked our path." Kirito stopped to look at the night sky, its presence reminding him of his own Night Sky Blade and the person who named his precious sword. "Do you think it's possible we defeated all the Integrity Knights?"
"Not likely." Alice said while stepping next to Kirito. "While it's true, most Integrity Knights were lost in the Dark Territory, there's still no way we encountered all the remaining knights left in the Cathedral."
"Then where are the rest?" Kirito glanced at the golden knight. "Why aren't they trying to stop us?"
"Those are good questions." Cardinal replied cooly. "We can only hope the answers are revealed soon."
"What about Deusolbert Synthesis Seven?" Alice asked. "Do you think Selka and Royne defeated him?"
"Do you doubt them?" Kirito asked.
"I know my sister and her abilities." Alice's stated, her azure eyes gazing out at the stars. "She's no match for an Integrity Knight, even with your page's help."
"Don't let Selka hear you say that." Kirito said. "I think she'd be quite upset."
"Kirito, she's a nun…" Alice stated plainly. "…with hardly any experience. I don't mean to speak ill of her but determination and will power alone could only get one so far."
"You'd be surprised what those two things can accomplish." Kirito smiled a cheesy grin. "Especially in dire situations." Suddenly, he placed both hands on her chest and shoved Alice back; hard.
The golden knight's face contorted from one of surprise to one of fluster to one of anger. Alice stumbled back seconds before a series of flame arrows flew past Alice's face; hitting the pillar where she had previously been conversing.
"Deusolbert." Alice grimaced as both she and Kirito turned from the engulfed column to the unwelcomed Integrity Knight. "I'd say it's a pleasant surprise to see you but it's not."
"How'd you get here?" Kirito jumped in, demanding an answer. "The elevator was destroyed."
"Lady Pontifex." Was the knight's vague reply.
"Kirito! Alice!" Two voices called out concurrently from beside Deusolbert.
"Ronye! Selka!" Kirito recognized them instantly. "Are you two alright?" His dark eyes took in the sight of his page and Alice's younger sister. The girls were tied together, back-to-back, with heavy ropes and surrounded by a ring of fire.
"We're fine." Selka answered over the roar of the blaze. "Neither one of us is severely injured."
"Sorry Kirito." Ronye said; her words agitated. "We… couldn't defeat him. We…let you both down."
"No, you didn't." Kirito assured the girls as he withdrew his sword. "You bought us valuable time."
"We will finish this." Alice followed suit; her Osmanthus Blade glittering in the moonlight. "Just hold on."
"So, you like to pick on young girls, huh?" Kirito slid his foot back; ready to unleash an attack.
"They fought as predicted…" Desoulbert answered. "However, they lack the skills to overpower one such as I."
"Kirito…" Cardinal placed a small hand on his lower back. "…I will tend to the girls; you and Alice concentrate on that knight. If we end up getting separated, continue to the top floor. We will rendezvous there." The raven-haired boy gave a sharp nod. Another arrow flew their way, missing Kirito and Cardinal by mere inches. "Go!" The mage called out, splitting the trio into a duo and an individual.
"We have to take out his bow." Kirito stated.
"I'm on it." Alice raced forward; her blade raised to deliver a Snake Bite attack. Once she was within range, Alice consecutively swung left and right, focusing on breaking the Conflagrant Bow. Despite his massive size, the crimson knight was light on his feet and easily blocked her attacks with his bow; proving to be quite the formidable opponent.
"You dare attack another Integrity Knight." Deusolbert said in a rage.
"I only attack those in the wrong." Alice clenched her teeth as she continued to strike him again and again; sparks falling everywhere as the two divine weapons continued to collide.
"Alice!" Kirito called out. "Fall back!" The blonde knight reluctantly compiled; not happy in the slightest. "He may be a distance fighter, but his close-range skills have improved greatly. His movements are so different from when Eugeo and I fought him."
"Are you going to continue to compliment him or are we going to fight him?" Alice was growing perturbed.
"We're clearly at a disadvantage." Kirito frowned; his own thoughts overshadowing the golden knight's question.
"How can you say that?" Alice was taken aback by his words.
"Think about it," Kirito began. "Deusolbert's been training, probably every day for the past three and a half years while we were in the real world, dealing with things not associated nor related to weapon training."
"I still feel the same connection with my Osmanthus Blade." Alice scorned Kirito for thinking her weak. "Do you no longer resonate with the Night Sky Blade?"
Kirito grimaced at her misunderstanding. "What I'm saying is that we to come up with a different way of attacking. We need to use our surroundings effectively."
"I will not fail Lady Pontifex again!" Deusolbert roared holding up another arrow, this one much larger than the previous ones. "Surrender now or pay with your life!"
"Forget our environment." Alice ground out. "I'm going to use my Full Control Arts."
"You can't. Cardinal, Ronye and Selka might get caught up in it." He stole a quick glance at their three allies; Cardinal successfully fizzled out the fire and was currently working on their ropes. Thankfully Deusolbert was too caught up fighting him and Alice that he didn't give his prisoners a second thought. "Buy me some time. I have an idea."
"You got it." Alice swung her blade; an excited smile crossing her face. "Alright Deusolbert Synthesis Seven, let's see who the better knight is." The crimson knight remained silent; his bow raised and ready to fire.
"Vertical Arc!" Alice rushed Deusolbert; her sword held perpendicular to the ground until she was within range. As she closed the gap, the amount of fiery arrows heading in her direction vastly increased; forcing her to change strategies. She slid onto her knees, her momentum carrying Alice where she wanted, just inches in front of the massive knight. Her small size dwarfed by his gigantic one. "System Call: Aqueous Element. Create Form: Osmanthus Sword." Water rushed into her opposite hand, forming into a perfect replica of her beloved weapon. Alice then plunged the watery sword, right between the crimson knight's legs and into his cape; forcing Deusolbert's center of gravity to shift.
"You think that'll hold me?" Deusolbert mocked while standing clumsily on one leg for the briefest of seconds, but that's all the time Alice needed.
"No," the golden knight smirked "…but if I add this, it should. System Call: Cryogenic Element." Light glowed from her fingertips before she placed her hand onto the watery sword instantly changing it from a liquid to a solid; its frozen tendrils snaking up his cape; locking him in quite the comedic pose.
"You disgrace our Lady." Deusolbert's eyes were alight with fury.
"She disgraces us." Alice countered while standing; "By not allowing us to be complete."
"You are no knight." Deusolbert ground out before jamming a fire filled fist into her belly. The golden knight felt the breath leave her as she was caught unaware of this ability. The crimson knight screwed his hand further into the golden knight, crushing her insides, until she collapsed limply around his large hand. This in turn dissolved Alice's arts and set him free.
"Hey, Deusolbert!" Kirito's voice came from somewhere within the Grand Bath. "Did you forget about someone?" The crimson knight tossed Alice aside; her body stopping at the pool's edge; her golden braid floating within its heated waters.
"Show yourself traitor." Deusolbert called out in anger as he prepped for an attack.
"I told you before, I'm not the bad guy." Kirito muttered under his breath.
"What's this?" Deusolbert lowered his bow; noticing the amount of steam had suddenly increased within the room. He waved a hand before his face; attempting to dissipate it but to no aval. The steam was just too thick.
"Howling Octave!" Kirito jumped through the dense steam, landing a powerful eight combo attack. The Night Sky Blade landed five hits on the crimson knight. Kirito then brought his sword in a downward than upward slash into finishing up with a full force overhead move. Eventually the crimson knight toppled over Alice; and felt into the pool. "System Call: Cryogenic Element." Ice instantly surrounded Deusolbert; keeping only his head above water. "I'll have to thank Eugeo for this idea." He smirked before sliding his sword into its sheath.
"Your style of attack…" Desoulbert's voice; chilled from the cold. "…it still amazes me to this day. I don't know if even Lady Pontifex could do something like that."
"That's what I'm counting on." Kirito replied, his lips in a grim line. "Alice!" He looked frantically for the golden knight.
"I'm here." Alice stepped behind Kirito. "It'll take more than a fist to take this knight out." She coughed slightly while placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "I just enacted some healing arts on myself." Kirito shoot her a look full of concern. "I'll be fine in a few minutes." After her coughing fit subsided, she twisted her waterlogged braid. "It was clever how you used all this water to create a thick cloud of steam. Did you know Deusolbert has bad eyesight?"
"Nope. I just know that anyone would have problems seeing through pea soup."
"Pea soup?" Alice furred her brows.
"Never mind." Kirito laughed warmly.
"I didn't see Cardinal or the others." Alice's face turned red; flustered by not understanding his choice words.
"They must have gone ahead. Let's hurry and catch up." Kirito started towards the stairs but was stopped when Alice grabbed onto his arm.
"Do you trust her?" Alice asked quietly.
"Trust who?"
"Cardinal…" The golden knight wavered. "…and her zombie."
"She knows what she's doing." Kirito reprimanded the golden knight, silencing Alice as they climbed to the next floor.
OOooOOooOO
"Hurry up." Cardinal waved Selka and Ronye up the stairs leading to the ninety-fifth floor. "We will stop here for a moment. There's something I need to do." Cardinal placed a hand under her chin; studying the room. "He's around here somewhere." She mumbled under her breath as she drifted away from the girls; lost in her own world.
"I hope Kirito and Alice catch up soon." Selka held onto the railing and glanced down the empty stairwell. "I'll feel a lot better once they are back with us."
"Me too." Ronye leaned over the younger girl. "I have to explain what happened with Deusolbert. I don't want Kirito thinking I'm a failure."
"He'd never think that of anyone." Selka assured a worried Ronye.
"I know." Ronye chewed on her lower lip; her eyes cast downward.
"What do you think she's looking for?" Selka whispered as her eyes followed the young mage around the room. Cardinal drifted around the white marble pillars, the random tables and chairs and past the free-floating staircase that curved up to the ninety-sixth floor. She climbed the five steps to the upper portion of the floor; continuing to look all around with her staff held firmly at her side.
"I'm not sure." Ronye answered quietly. "Maybe we should offer to help."
"Alright." Selka gave a curt nod. "Cardinal, do you…"
"No." The mage snapped. "I don't need your assistance. Just stay where you are. This shouldn't take long." Both girls huffed in frustrated and crossed their arms in annoyance. "Now where'd she hide you?" She bent down to examine the steps, finding the faint gleam of iron. "Aha!" Cardinal got on her hands and knees. "There you are." Cardinal smiled while looking through some iron bars; her chestnut eyes landing on the shadow in the corner.
"This is ridiculous." Ronye grabbed on Selka's hand. "Come on." Both girls snuck quietly behind Cardinal.
"I knew putting a tracker in your collar would prove useful." The mage smirked as she watched the shadow figure in the far corner.
"Who's wearing a collar?" Selka whispered.
"Not sure." Ronye answered. "Some type of animal?"
"I hope you've been a good boy." Cardinal stated flatly. "Because I don't feel like cleaning up after you."
"I'm done playing this guessing game." Ronye marched next to Cardinal then lowered herself to her knees. "Who or what are you talking to?" She quipped while peering through the bars.
"Is this a cage?" Selka asked suspiciously while taking in the iron bars.
"I told you both to stay back." Cardinal grumbled. "I don't believe you could handle what's in there." Selka and Ronye shot a quick glance at each other; their faces wary.
"We can handle it." Ronye nodded confidently.
"Yeah." Selka followed Ronye's example.
Suddenly an aggressive growl was heard; causing the two girls to fall back on their butts.
"What the heck was that?" Ronye looked fearful at Cardinal.
"My partner," The young mage said with a straight face. "…and we're going to free him."
End Chapter 16