Chapter 2: Terrielle

1

By the time her torture ended, it was night and Ares was bruised and bloody all over again. When she was finally unstrapped from the ropes, she was in too much pain to react to much. Her muscles had cramped and her whole body was in agony.

Now she was in the blackness of her cell, with very little light seeping in from a torch down the hall and the moonlight shining in through her window. It was cold and damp in the cell, as she lay down on the dirty floor.

The girl didn't understand it. Something inside her had just snapped and reacted to the danger when the Warlord rose his arm for the strike. Something inside her told her to drop the bottom and sink into herself- to her jewel. It felt so wonderful to be reunited with direct contact of her Jewel, that she hadn't realized she had been building power. It was almost as if she were watching from far away as some other being threw the bolt of her strength at the Warlord. And once it hit him, she realized she had done it.

Once a strike had actually made contact with her skin, it was almost as if the driving force that lashed out against her tormentor had just vanished. And when she tried to scramble up the energy to hit him again, she couldn't find a trace of it.

What happened? She asked herself. It was almost as if she had temporarily drained her jewel with that one attack.

And now she was really paying for it. All of it. All of the attempts to escape and contact others. Even retaliations for the floggings she had received. She had never been hurt this much in her entire life.

Of course her mother had taught her the Black Widow's Craft, but she didn't know how to use it in this situation. And she hadn't had time to construct a Tangled Web. She was watched by her captors and constantlymonitored by Roselv. He must have been lighter-jeweled than she was. He always seemed to be one step behind her, not anticipating her next move. But then he would be there, more furious than ever because she had out-smarted him.

That caused Ares to grin a little. Stupid Ass. She thought wryly.

On a some-what pleasant thought, she allowed herself to fall victim to the fatigue that nagged at her.

2

Sometime later, Ares heard the clatter of keys and then the turning of the lock. She opened her eyes a little, but it didn't help any. There wasn't enough light in the cell. Then she heard footsteps follow the creaking of the door being opened. She turned her head a little and saw the silhouette of a man. Then he stepped into the moonlight, and she recognized the brown hair.

Roselv.

What is he doing back now? She asked herself, as fear crept back into her spine. Finally, she moved, as if his presence had suddenly awoken her. "What are you doing here?" she asked hoarsely. Her voice was strained considerably from her earlier punishment.

All she heard in response was a bitter laughter.

And then before she knew what was happening, he was on top if her. She gasped at first and then tried to struggle to get away, but he clamped a hand around both of her small wrists and held them above her head. All of her muscles were stiff and everything was sore. It was agony to try to move so quickly.

Then she felt his free hand work feverishly to pull off her dress top. It was already ripped in several places from the lashings she had received, so Roselv just tore at the holes.

She began to scream. She knew no one would stop this man from doing whatever he pleased.

No! No! She screamed in her head. Out loud, she only screamed wordless cries.

She feverishly grasped for her sapphire strength, but couldn't grip it. She was too afraid to think clearly. She couldn't concentrate.

Then Roselv's hand worked around her chest, running over her small breasts, and then down to her hips. Now she screamed in utter fear.

"NO!" she shrieked.

No matter how she screamed, the Warlord never stopped. He only laughed mockingly. She felt the fabric of her dress being pulled upward.

Then she felt his hand brush her inner thigh, and she whimpered, and cried out.

Ares was waiting for the worst to happen. To be violated by this sickening bastard.

But she never did.

Instead, the pressure of the man's body was suddenly off her, as she heard something contact with bone as Roslev yelped in pain. She looked up and saw the Warlord by the back cell wall, on his hands and knees, gagging and convulsing.

Then a shadow fell over her.

She looked to her left, and up. A huge looming figure stood above her, glaring at Roselv.

A torch had been lit outside of her cell and now she could see the men in the cell a little better.

When Ares looked into her savior's face, she scrambled to sit up, backing towards one of the farthest walls. Mother Night.

Oh, Dear Moses. What is this new drama I'm throwing in!

Yes, um...

Thank you to my reviewers...

And to Archer of Darkness & Callie!

I always get excited whenI get reviews and feedback. I have never written a story quite this 'graphic' for lack of a better word, so I hope you (all of my Legions) like it- to an extent.

Thank you again!