Chapter Fifteen: Temple of Torment
Southern de'Arnise lands, 7 Hammer, 1370 DR
Nalia blinked, and groggily opened her eyes.
She lay in a massive chamber, with a ceiling that extended for about twenty metres into the solid earth. The ceiling was crafted from heavy black marble, with veins of glittering gold. Massive pillars reached down, painted with the images of dying children, soldiers being bent backwards over racks of hot iron, of bleeding, torn bodies all screaming in constant pain.
The images and the aura of hopelessness that surrounded each painting on the pillars made Nalia shiver. As she did so, her eyes were drawn to the centre of the room, a massive red altar, on which a painted whip of black, with nine strings, could be seen.
Loviatar… Goddess of Pain and Torment…
Her skin feeling more cold than it had before, Nalia struggled against the heavy chains that bound her to one of the pillars.
Naughty, naughty, little child… don't try and escape me… you won't get very far…
The voice that stirred through her mind was lazy, effortless and seemed to thrill with vice and corruption. Nalia gritted her teeth, because she could feel the intent of this voice to cause her as much pain as possible.
Yes, little one… I do want that…
A shadow appeared in front of Nalia, quivering and swirling like smoke. The shadow slowly gathered around itself, solidifying, becoming more and more corporeal… slowly, the figure gained shape.
It gained the shape of a tall woman with ice-white skin; lurid scarlet lips and glittering feral eyes of amber. Nalia could see the lethal tips of pure white fangs, and felt an itching conjuration of fear slam down her spine.
Don't be afraid, child… soon you will be experiencing the pleasure of my pain… you will be close to my mistress… you will eventually embrace her teaching, and march into the Realms as my ally… and what a glorious day that would be…
Nalia shook her head. "No! I will not serve Loviatar!"
The vampire's eyebrow rose. No? Such strength of will is impressive… it is a pity your Captain of the Guard and that annoying fat priest do not share your commitment to the forces of goodness… look at them… see how they enjoy dealing pain…
Inadvertently, Nalia turned to look at the altar, and saw Cernick and Andrew wearing dark robes. They were laughing at a young woman who lay bound to the altar, and every so often they could stab her with tiny needles that left blistering black marks on her skin.
"Lies! Illusions!"
The vampire chuckled, and moved closer towards Nalia, her shimmering black dress moving lightly across her body, revealing the curves, hinting at everything yet revealing nothing.
Pretty little child… how easily you deny the simple truth…
She was too close, Nalia decided. Her eyes were far too close, and the scarlet lips were almost touching her own. Nalia tried to move away, but she was held by the gaze of the vampire. Slowly, with a caressing care, the vampire kissed her, and then with shocking speed moved back.
Nalia felt sick. She could smell the decay on her, she could smell the death!
Nice?
Shaking her head, she cried, "No! Leave me be creature! Leave this place!"
With a piercing laugh, the vampire advanced towards her again. You cannot command me, little one… you have not the power, and even if you did, no-one commands Velissa but the mistress… you are stuck here, child… stuck here, with me…
Tears, salty, ran down Nalia's cheek. "Why did you draw me here?"
Little one… I do not have to tell you anything…
Rage snapped within her breast, and Nalia tried to move her fingers to cast a spell. If the children vampires had not surprised her, she would be in a far different position now! Damn her slow reactions!
Her lips moved in a simple spell, and somehow her fingers managed to move in the correct way, despite the shrieking pain within her broken hands. Five magic missiles leapt from her pointed hands, striking the vampire with force.
A snarl, and the vampire's face transformed into something just as beautiful, but far more horrifying. The fangs extended until they were the length of dagger blades, and the eyes crackled with fury.
You will regret that! You will lie in languishing pain unimagined until you renounce your soul, and turn to my darkness!
Nalia spat in her face. "Not your darkness, creature. Loviatar rules the darkness, you are her mindless slave. See how easily you obey her words? You are a pawn, nothing more!"
The rage disappeared from the vampire's eyes, until they flickered with barely contained amusement. I do not care. My mistress gives me great power, which I use for my own ends, unless she commands me otherwise. But all routes lead to inflicted pain, and that is what I live for… there is nothing greater…
The wizard glared at the vampire, "I have killed hundreds of your kind before this, and I will kill you just as easily as I killed Bodhi and her foul minions!"
A hysterical laugh. Little baby! I could almost take offence… you liken my power to that of Bodhi? That weakling is not worthy to stand at my side. My beautiful children could defeat Bodhi within seconds… I, Nalia… I am so much more than Bodhi. No… you will not kill me easily… in fact, you will not kill me at all…
Nalia nodded. "Believe me, I will."
I seem to see a teeny flaw in your reasoning, baby. You are my prisoner! You are going to serve me, not kill me! You had better get used to this!
The amber eyes of the vampire drew closer, and Nalia felt the hypnotic power of the eyes starting to take control of her mind. A grey mist extended around her vision, until all she could see were those twin orbs of terrible allure.
Her jaw dropped slightly, as her mind prickled. All she could feel was the prickling… and through the prickling, whispered… obey… obey… obey… bow before me now… obey… obey…
Every utterance of the world sent more prickles throughout her body, and Nalia felt strangely warm. A stupid smile crept onto her face, though she was unaware of it, and slowly, she bowed.
No!
Perhaps it was her training in magic that gave her the strength to resist, but suddenly she straightened. The mist evaporated, and the yellow glow dimmed somewhat. Nalia smiled weakly, "Well, looks like your hypnotism didn't work. Got any more party tricks to throw at me?"
Bitch!
Nalia reeled at the anger, but remained standing upright. If the vampire could get so enraged over her resistance of the hypnosis, then obviously her victory was not assured. This gave Nalia hope, and again, fighting the pain she chanted a quick spell.
Fire leapt from her fingers, striking the foul beast, who screamed for a moment and then incanted a dispelling magic that caused the spell to fade away. Why will you not just give up? It is useless!
Nalia nodded. "It may be, but if there is a chance to kill you, then I will take it."
You fool! You are too ready to give your lives for the 'greater good'… you do not understand anything!
There was a note of panic creeping in amongst the seductive whispering of the vampire. Nalia frowned. Obviously her victory was far from completion… interesting. She tried to move her hands to cast another spell, but the pain was too much…
And then she had a spark of inspiration.
Silently, she called on Kathryn to heal her. Nothing happened. Desperately, she tried again, sending a plea of dire need to her friend who resided in the heavens. Again, nothing happened.
Your prayers will not work here, baby… not in my temple…
Gritting her teeth, Nalia shouted her prayer out loud, "Kathryn! Heal me! Heal me, so that the music of my life may continue without perversion and corruption! Aid me, Goddess!"
And a low rumble shook her teeth.
Dimly glowing, a pink light surrounded Nalia, and she felt her bones re-knitting. At the same time, something struck the vampire, sending the creature flying through the air. Nalia knew she had bare seconds to act.
Chanting a quick spell, she snapped the chains around her, and moved as fast as her tired legs would carry her, behind the pillar. Activating her contingencies with a series of complicated movements of fingers, she leapt out to face Velissa.
Rolling colours lashed from her hands, striking the vampire, sizzling into her pale flesh. Following that, a massive lightning bolt sizzled through the air. Calling on one of her most powerful spells, Nalia unleashed a finger of death, which struck the vampire directly on the forehead.
She screamed, but did not fall.
Narrowing her eyes now, Nalia held out her hand, palm out and fingers spread wide. At the same time, with her free hand she reached into her robes and through out the precious dust of a ground rogue stone. A rapid succession of words later and the vampire who was almost upon her simply stopped.
Everything went silent.
Nalia ran as fast as she could behind the vampire, and cast a shimmering improved alacrity spell. Feeling the magical power built up within her, Nalia uttered spell after spell. With the alacrity spell, words of arcane might tumbled with near-supersonic speed from her lips.
Lightning flashed… ice pressed inwards… fire whipped and lashed… red green and yellow globes of energy span from her hand… they all built up around the vampire, who struggled to move against the time stop spell.
Exhaustion rising within her, Nalia released more spells, flinging her spell components. Finally, she wilted, completely drained. She had no more spells in her memory, and no more components to cast them with…
Slowly but surely the time stop crumbled, until the vampire leaped at her.
All the spells Nalia had cast struck Velissa.
Her primal shriek of rage echoed through the temple.
In the confusion of wildly flickering lights of so many colours, Nalia shielded her eyes. The shattering display of power lasted for about three minutes, and when it faded, all Nalia could see was smoke… she held her breath…
She waited another two minutes, and then she started to smile in relief. The vampire had been killed… or not… Within the smoke, a dark shape could be seen, moving forward towards Nalia, limping and slow, but still moving.
Nalia cursed.
Gleaming amber eyes fixed upon her. The vampire looked a wreck. Flames still smouldered on her dress, blood dripped from multiple lacerations, ice dragged at her hair, and lightning flickering along her arm. But she was not dead.
That… that was an education indeed, baby… I almost regret standing against you now, little one… such power… such… will… but know this… it has not availed you in the slightest… you will still die…
Nalia punched the vampire as it wrapped cold arms around her waist. Velissa grunted, but smiled, and tenderly brushed her lips across Nalia, grinning. Such a fighting spirit… why don't you close your eyes, child… it won't be so terrible then, the loss of your will and soul…
The wet, warm tongue of Velissa touched Nalia's neck, and the wizard flinched. Fear was rising in her throat, and she struggled, but the vampire was holding Nalia's arms by her side, stopping her from moving with her vice-like grip.
Agony!
Fangs bit into Nalia's neck, and she moaned with fear as blood from her body started pumping through the mouth of the vampire. Nalia could feel every ounce of her strength fading with every passing second…
The light in the temple faded, and Nalia could stand no longer, leaning in against the vampire, who supported her almost carefully, hands stroking and touching Nalia almost passionately, in a mockery of a lover's embrace.
Lovely, sweet Nalia… you taste like honey…
Then the pain was gone, and the vampire shrieked with pain. Nalia fell to the hard stone floor heavily, and looked towards the doorway, where a flash of light had struck the vampire.
Standing, with the pulsating Crom Faeyr, was Anomen. Behind him, stood Keldorn, with the crackling Carsomyr. Nalia chuckled weakly. They had come to save her… they had come to help…
But a look at the vampire, who appeared to have replenished her strength by feasting on Nalia's blood, told her that her hope might be short-lived…