A/N: WARNING DARK CONTENT AHEAD. Torture is the name of the game in this chapter so proceed at your own risk. If that is something you don't want to read it does not pertain to enough of the plot for you to need to read this, what you may or may not need to know will be revealed as it becomes relevant.

Chapter 5

Amira could feel her eyes open slowly, almost as if swollen, to see nothing but darkness. Her body felt heavy but suspended. She tried to move only to feel the shackles restraining her wrists and ankles. They were tight and unyielding. She wanted to cry out into the darkness but her throat was so swollen she couldn't produce a sound. What had happened? The last thing she remembered was talking with Parsine about some diplomatic party that the company was holding, and then nothing.

She tried swallowing and nearly cried out at the pain. Was this a poison? Was she dying? No, it felt more like something was wearing off. Then she heard muffled noises and realized that her ears were affected too. The noises were voices and they were the first sounds she'd heard despite pulling on her chains. A heavy door opened and suddenly there was light; and a face she recognized. Malum Inferos. He was one of Scheherazade's trusted advisors. So this was the traitor?

Memories came flooding back to her as she remembered the prick of a dart in her neck and then Knell showing up. She had said she didn't want to fight, but there was a malicious gleam in her eyes. It was then that the poison took effect. Amira didn't even remember hitting the ground.

"Now, now my child; there's no need to fight," Malum said in a calm voice, though there was a poisonous sting in his words. Amira tried again to form words, but her throat was still too swollen. She looked up at him, her eyes demanding answers, and then she saw it. The look in his eyes stung with secrets unspoken. He had a look that made her wonder just how many people he'd killed. He smiled at her, "You'll get your answers in due time. We haven't had any fun yet." And…that grin… she realized with that malicious grin he'd probably lost count long ago.

And with those realizations he turned to leave and closed the door leaving Amira in complete darkness once again. For the first time in probably ten years she felt the true feeling of fear grip her deep inside. Malum had been a friend, a confidant; he'd helped train her before she'd gone off to acquire her first dungeon.

Amira felt as though she might cry if it weren't for the swelling of her eyes. But she'd like to think she'd been through worse and managed to come out the other side okay. This was just another test destiny was throwing at her. She tried to meditate and regain some of her strength; after all it had been what she had been doing for the last few weeks.

She kept up her meditation for what felt like weeks but could only have been a few short days before Malum returned. When the door opened Amira could tell night had set, it wasn't nearly as bright as that first day. Another person was with him this time though, a man in a hood. He pulled Amira's chains from the wall and then proceeded to drag her from the room by them.

"Why are you doing this?" Amira asked, "You know I'm no traitor."

Malum smiled, "Of course you're not," was all he said before they reached another room.

Her chains were then strapped to a rotating table. Knell entered the room next, "You summoned me, Master?"

"We must be gracious hosts to our guest, should we not?" Malum replied, "Show her only your best and sharpest toys, my dear."

Amira winced as her chains were pulled taunt. And then the mystery man and Malum left. "What information do you even want?" Amira pleaded, "I don't even know why I'm here."

Knell appeared to browse a table with all sorts of torturous devices set out, "I wasn't told to ask you anything, just to treat you well. So if you ever feel like you might actually die let me know and I'll stop," she smiled, "Don't worry it'll be lots of fun!"

Hours passed as Knell tortured Amira. Precision cuts ensured that she never bled too much, just felt the pain. And then seemingly out of nowhere she stopped. Amira's cheeks were stained with tears as she sobbed alone and bloodied in that room. What was the goal here? To break her spirit? To toy with her until she physically couldn't take it anymore? Why? What was Malum's goal?

She winced as she heard the door creak open. Malum entered and loosened her restraints. It was enough to give her some slight relief but not near enough to feel comfortable. He brushed a hand against her cheek, "Are you already done fighting for today?" His words stung deeper than any cut she'd endured thus far, "I expected more from a dungeon capturer."

She spat at him, "I don't know what you want but you're sure as hell not getting it from me this way." She wished she could lash out at him but he was too smart and hadn't given her anywhere near enough slack for that.

"I like that you still have fight left in you, it means we're not done yet," the look in his eyes cut her down to her soul. If he planned on continuing this way how long could she really hold out?

Over the next few days she spent equal time in a cell filled with just enough water to keep her body temperature down, and time in the torture chamber. There was always someone new with a hood on doing the torture, never Knell. And it was the same routine after every torture session where Malum would come in and test her resolve. After a full week she had barely any resolve left.

"What purpose do you have for me?" She finally asked, "Have I wronged you in some way?"

Malum looked almost surprised, "Oh no child, you haven't done me any wrong." He loosened her chains until she slumped to the floor. He held her then, pulled her in tight in an almost comforting embrace. "You don't have to keep fighting. Haven't you been hurt enough?" Amira was shocked what was this? He caused her so much pain and now he was what? Trying to take it away? Trying to make it better? She wanted to pull away but didn't have enough strength. He was stroking her hair now, "Shh, shh. You've fought enough, just give in and all will be better."

Amira wanted to fight, she wanted to tell him he was crazy but something inside her insisted that it would be better to submit, "I just don't know what you want from me." Her voice held barely enough strength to get above a whisper and hearing how defeated it sounded made tears well up in her eyes.

Malum rocked with her as she cried, "Sweet child. I don't want anything from you. I just need you."

Amira was confused, what could he possibly need her for? But she couldn't find the strength to think about that right now; all she had the strength to do was cry. When her tears were all but cried out she barely had the strength to stay awake, and as she dosed off she felt Malum pick her up and carry her out to another room.

Her dreams were filled with nothing but nightmares that she could never seem to escape. But she came to a realization in all of those dreams. Malum hadn't killed anyone, let alone lost track of his body count. He'd tortured people, so many that he looked forward to the next victim in his clutches. She wasn't sure which idea scared her more; the thought of him killing her or the idea of enduring more torture.

The sun woke her the next morning. Knell was there, but she looked a lot kinder. She was dressing the wounds caused by the shackles on Amira's wrists and ankles. "You're going to get a good meal today," Knell said in a happy tone.

Amira was suddenly more afraid of this child than she'd ever been in battle with her. Was this some new torture technique? Put a friendly face on to gain her trust then stab her in the back? "What's going on?" She finally drug up the courage to ask.

Knell laughed, "The master is happy with your progress. He's satisfied that you're no longer a traitor and he's welcoming you back home."

No longer a traitor? I was never a traitor to begin with. Amira couldn't stop her head from spinning. What was all that torture? Was it just his idea of conditioning? Was she now some sort of sleeper agent who might attack given a trigger word?

As if to add fuel to her fear Malum entered the room carrying rather expensive looking cloth, "If you're feeling up to it today, I'd like you to come join me for breakfast," he said, "You too Knell. This should be a family meal." Something in his tone told Amira this wasn't a request, it may have even been a test but Amira still couldn't wrap her head around the situation. "Oh come now, give us a smile Amira. It's a beautiful day outside!"

She cringed internally, beautiful day? Outside? She was still a prisoner and it was obvious. But never the less, fearing more torture she put on her best smile and accepted the clothes that he handed to her. And with that he was gone again.

Knell helped her put on the new dress. It was a beautiful lightweight dress that fell softly over Amira's curves. The sleeves were soft and billowed out but narrowed down into cuffs at her wrists which reminded her of the shackles. A gorgeous purple belt came with it to accentuate her waist. "You really are quite lovely," Knell commented as they both slipped on some typical sandals and headed out toward the dining hall.

The meal was peaceful enough; though Amira could hardly eat after the weeks she'd gone with minimal nourishment. It was something that Malum commented on two or three times as if gorging her on food was the answer to all her problems. Knell was like an entirely different person now. It was as if simply by Malum stating that she was no longer a traitor was the only resentment that she'd ever harbored against Amira. To anyone on the outside they all would have actually seemed like a happy family enjoying a meal together.

When Malum was satisfied with their meal he dismissed Knell, telling her that she could go out and enjoy the garden. By the time she'd disappeared he was standing over Amira and it filled her with dread. "Come with me. There's something I wish to discuss with you." She stood on somewhat shaky legs and followed him. She figured it was best not to say anything unless he asked her a question, and she didn't trust that she would keep the fear out of her voice either.

When they entered what must have been a study, he motioned for her to have a seat, "You know Scheherazade has been using you like a tool, yes?" Malum asked. Amira was confused, a tool? What did he mean? He must have noticed the confusion on her face for he continued, "She sent a mere child off to a dungeon, which she knew full well could kill you. When you came back wielding a metal vessel she saw power and chose to send you off to gain more; furthermore she knew you were a Parthevian child and gathered you had resentment toward them. You see, she's been grooming you to become a country killer. But where will she stop? Certainly not with Parthevia alone. Do you see why I had to pull you out of that?"

Amira could feel her blood boil as he continued, "You couldn't have started with that instead of drugging me? Instead of torture? Are you serious? Malum, we were friends once!"

He seemed unshaken but Amira could see a fire in his eyes that made her uneasy, "I had to wipe away the brainwashing. I'm so sorry that it was so painful but you were so set in your ways, you wouldn't have even listened to me when I brought you in." He walked toward her and set a hand on her shoulder, "I worry that it may still be affecting your judgment." His grip tightened on her shoulder and she winced.

Sure he was trying to what brainwash her out of being brainwashed? She was going to have to play along, but unconditional surrender was out of the question. He was already suspicious so she'd have to play something between brainwashed and converted. The words weren't coming to her fast enough and the pressure building in her shoulder was increasing with every passing moment. "I think it might be," she finally said, "If what you're saying is true… then I may not know if I'm still under her influence."

He seemed pleased with her answer, "Don't worry, child. If you are able to admit you don't know, it has even less power over you than I suspected."

"I'm sorry; my mind is so jumbled over this new information. I don't know what to think about anything. You and I have always been friends, right? You can help," Amira hoped she wasn't relying too much on her acting abilities. They were dismal under her best circumstances and she was fighting on her last bit of mental energy, he'd broken her.

He smiled, "Of course. Let's start at the beginning. You were a child born in Parthevia, and your childhood couldn't have been considered the best chance of growing up successful. But you were sold one day, a hope for redemption I'm sure you were told," he paused, "and you escaped becoming a slave, correct?"

Amira nodded, "Are you telling me I dreamed up my whole childhood based on this brainwashing?" her head was beginning to spin again.

"No, no child. It is just that you thought you were being sold for your best chance, when in fact that innkeep sold you to the Reim Empire in hopes of gaining favor. Scheherazade orchestrated the whole ordeal just to gain your trust. Didn't you ever wonder why you weren't chained the day you were purchased? Why the streets were so full allowing you to escape?" he had her cornered. How long had he been planning this speech? Everything he was saying made sense, but Scheherazade was like a second mother to her. There was no way that it could ever have actually happened that way. "True, when she purchased you it was with the intention of using a higher born child as leverage in negotiations. She never originally intended to send you out to a dungeon; but those negotiations failed and she had to find a way to get rid of you without seeming too suspicious."

Amira's head was spinning. What if he was right? What if everything she thought she knew was in fact a lie? Suddenly it was hard to breathe as if the room were closing in around her, "It was so strong you had to torture me? To reset me?"

Malum leaned down next to her, "I'm so very sorry. You have no idea how hard it was to watch a fellow countryman go through all of that." He stroked her hair as she gasped for air, "But you're safe with me now."

Tears welled up in Amira's eyes, what he was saying couldn't be true. The last few years couldn't have all been lies. The people she'd met, the things she'd done… the torment she'd endured. "I don't want it to be true," she finally admitted, "Is that because of the brainwashing?"

Malum pulled her into his lap as he cradled her, "No, of course not. Who would want any of that to be true?" He pulled her head into his chest as if she were a small child that needed comfort, "I would have to assume that you were still brainwashed if you wanted it to be true."

Amira cried for what seemed like the hundredth time in the last few days. Malum held her, comforted her and rocked with her. But something never felt right. Was it meant to be comfort or was he testing her? She knew she needed more information before she believed him but he was so convincing. Had her tormenter really found a way to convince her everything was for her own good?

When she finally was able to break through the tears and calm herself down he helped her stand up, "I think that's more than enough to put you through for one day. Why don't you go find Knell in the garden and enjoy the sun?"

Amira was numb but she nodded and left the room. He was letting her walk free; without supervision, without an escort, without watching her. She wanted to run but her legs were too weak and she didn't want to leave her metal vessels behind, wherever they were. So instead she went to the gardens and found Knell.

Knell was such a happy child playing in the gardens. It brought hope to Amira. Especially seeing how much she lit up when Amira joined her outside. "You're outside! YAY! That means everything's better!" Knell ran and hugged Amira. It was easy to tell there was something wrong though and Knell picked up very quickly that Amira wasn't smiling. "What's wrong?"

Amira thought about telling her the truth that she was looking for everything wrong with Malum's words but try as she might without proof she couldn't poke holes in his truth. She wanted so badly to ask Scheherazade to explain it to her but she knew that wouldn't happen unless she got out, so instead she just said, "I learned a lot today and it's just all sinking in."

Knell smiled, "Don't worry. A good night's rest will help."

Amira watched Knell play in the garden all afternoon hoping to gain some joy by being with the child but there was a nagging feeling that she was being watched. Was Malum still testing her? I mean she couldn't blame him but she also wished he'd stop torturing her for one day and let her rest. One day was all she needed to gain enough strength to keep fighting.

But she decided Knell might be right, a good night's rest might be all she needed. In the morning things would either clear up or come to light. So when the day came to a close she was off to sleep in a bed. It was soft and warm compared to the accommodations she'd gotten used to and in a way it was almost more uncomfortable.

Her dreams were again filled with nightmares but now it was the people she'd trusted filling her dreams with terrors. She was so exhausted that even in her dream she fell to her knees sobbing. "You're stronger than this," a warm voice urged her, "Keep fighting and WAKE UP!"

Amira was startled from sleep to find that she was no longer in the room she'd fallen asleep in. Malum was there sitting across the room from her. Her scalp hurt as though someone had been pulling at her hair. Malum had a knife in his hand and when a beam of moonlight gleamed off its sharp surface Amira's blood ran cold.

When he stood she had to keep herself from falling into tears again, "What more could you do to me?" she asked, more strength in her voice than she'd felt in a week.

Malum laughed, "I don't want anything more from you. In fact, that whole show was for Knell's sake. I'd planned to torture you until the day you left but now I have to come up with a reason that she'll believe on why I had to punish you."

Amira was terrified but with her newfound strength she kept pressing, "So none of it was true after all? You just wanted me to stay down?" Amira tried to stand to meet him only to find the familiar bite of the chains around her wrists and ankles.

"Now, now… struggling will only cause you more pain," Malum didn't have the look of murder in his eyes but he definitely harbored ill intent. He grabbed her chin and pulled her face up towards his, "What if the lovely lady were to lose her hair?" Amira pulled what little strength she could find and spat in his face. His sick mind games could have worked if he'd played the long game but now she was in it for the long haul.

"Hit me with your best shot. Gotta make it look good for the kid right?" she growled.

Malum landed a solid blow across her face. She'd expected it but that hadn't made it hurt any less, after all she still had a week of torture that she was still recovering from. Then she felt it, the splitting in her hair as he cut through it. Of all the pain she expected, she hadn't expected a haircut to hurt. It was like each hair was being split from her scalp and as hard as she tried she couldn't keep the tears away. And as if to add insult to injury he "slipped" a few times while sawing away at her hair only to leave a few gouges in her arms.

When he was finished he left her to cry in a pool of sweat and blood, in the dark, alone.

When the morning dawned Knell was beside her, "What happened? You were doing so well yesterday." It was genuine concern that Amira heard in her voice.

Bloodied and defeated she looked up at the girl, "I don't know. I woke up here last night and he said I had to be punished. Knell, I really don't know what I did wrong."

And then Malum walked in, "Sleep well Amira? You won't be getting that chance again."

Knell stood up and placed herself between Amira and Malum, "Explain yourself."

Malum didn't even hesitate before he slapped Knell. She looked hurt, but not shocked. "Know your place!" he hissed.

Amira watched as Knell lit up, almost as if she were engulfed in flames, but upon closer inspection it was more like gas clouds. She landed a few good blows on Malum before he knocked her down. "STOP! Leave her alone!" Amira shouted, "You wanted me! You have me, leave the child alone!"

With Knell lying on the ground Malum walked over to Amira and grabbed her chin again, "You should also know your place." Again he hit her before walking away to wipe blood from his hand. "You know Barbarossa thought at one point that you could actually be useful. I told him he was foolish but when you have absolute power and a plan no one can talk you down, right?"

"What are you saying?" Amira growled back.

"That we were going to use you and your metal vessels to take over Reim and hand it directly to Parthevia. You being so close to Scheherazade it might have worked too but apparently it was taking too long. I got the order two days ago to dispose of you. But where was the fun in that? You must know by now how much I enjoy torture. Tell me, did you enjoy any of it?"

"Why would you think I enjoyed any of it you sick bastard?" Amira howled watching Knell, almost lifeless on the ground.

"Don't you remember those dark lonely nights? Do you not remember my presence? When no one else in the world was there for you, I was." Amira shook, from horror or from anger she didn't know, but she was ready to take action.

And then in the blink of an eye it happened. Blood covered the room as Knell cut Malum in half. She moved so fast it was hard to see. He screamed in agony while writhing in parts on the floor. It was a horrifying sight.

"The poison in your system will make sure you feel every bit of suffering as each part of your body dies. As long as that lasts," Knell murmured as she walked away and unlocked Amira. "Your hair," Knell commented as Amira stood up.

"It's fine. It's only hair," she replied, "Now let's get out of here before something else happens. We'll be safe at the Temple."

As if she'd known what had been happening Scheherazade was waiting for them when they arrived. Amira didn't know it yet but Knell was her first household member, and it was only going to get more interesting for them from here on out.