Introducing XII

I hope I didn't manage to bore you to death. Thanks for hits and for reviews. (in advance)

Regards,

MS

PS. A small notice. I enabled anonymous reviews feature. I just didn't know they were automatically disabled. Yes I know I'm a genius :) Anyways, one favour - If you don't like the story, do say it, but please be constructive. Constructive critisism is the most welcome.

Thanks,

MS

Fire. It was consuming her whole. She couldn't see anything but darkness. Her chest ached with every move, as if she was inhaling some poisonous fumes. Her body was absolutely powerless, she didn't feel her limbs. She felt like she was drifting upon the ocean of fire. The burning pain just overwhelmed her. She wanted to scream, but she just couldn't make a sound.

Where am I? Is it the Abyss? The afterlife? Why am I in such pain? Death is supposed to be the end of it. Why does it hurt so much?

She tried to blink to clear her vision. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she saw a shape of a person lurking in the darkness. She couldn't see the stranger's face, but she knew his identity once her eyes rested on his hips. Emerald incrusted handgrips. It was Rhys. But why was he wearing her blades? She looked down at herself and found that all her weapons, her armor, all of her possessions disappeared. She was wearing a deep blue outfit. It was damaged upon her chest and arm. Torn material was soaked through with her dried blood. She tried to get up, but the pain just didn't let her. She wanted to call Rhys to help her out, but still her voice just stuck in her throat.

You brought a shame upon me. It's not what I taught you. You became arrogant, self-indulgent. You're no assassin, just a wannabe. I'm taking the blades with me, you don't deserve them…

Nessa felt tears coming to her eyes. She struggled to brake free, to get up and run after him. To explain herself. His respect was the only think that mattered to her. Then she saw a woman's figure leaning upon her. She was strangely familiar to Nessa… It was… it was Nessa. Her face stretched in malicious grin:

Explain? Explain what?! How would you explain your ignorance and lack of basic self- control? You failed Girl. You disappointed him. You disappointed ME.

The face vanished into the darkness leaving her trembling and devastated. The bitter truth hammered into her head over and over again. If it was an Abyss that all priests warned her about, it was worth its name. No peace, just remorse.

Nessa made an enormous effort and tried to break free, ignoring unimaginable pain. But there was something holding her back, as if someone restrained her from getting up. She struggled, twisted and could not brake free from some kind of iron grasp. With all strength that she had left, she managed to scream

" I do not want this!!! Just let me die!!! Let me go!!!"

And then she heard a distant male voice saying "If you will not calm down, I will tie your legs too!!". She opened her eyes and lunged back to reality, as if she stayed under water for too long. …

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Jon slowly opened his eyes. His head exploded with sharp pain, the back of his head was covered in half dried blood. He tried to get up, but his legs just refused to do so. He felt woozy and disoriented. Then he remembered…

Nessa!

"Nessa are you here?" he whispered to the darkness

Jon decided to crawl towards the Mourning Stone. He tried to look around, but with each move he felt his stomach content coming to his throat. His vision was blurry, although it was dawning; he barely saw the rock he was heading for. He placed his hand on sth cold. Very carefully he lifted the object and closed it to his eyes. It was a dagger, Forenar's dagger. Even if blinded, he would always recognize this dwarven work. Jon rested his head on the wet grass. He had a feeling that something went terribly wrong. Nessa always cleaned up. She was extremely sensitive about leaving recognizable tools behind. This dagger meant just one thing. She was not able to take it. That would imply…

She's dead. Mask have a mercy upon me. I've sent her to die.

The wave of pain went across Jon's heart. His mind raced trying to embrace the facts. He started to crawl again. If she's dead, there must be a body. Her's or the white - haired man. Once he finds one he would know.

C'mon you filth. Crawl. Don't fondle yourself.

Jon pushed himself to a limit. Ignoring the pain and nausea, he reached the stone, rested his hand upon it, and with an enormous effort he got up. Breathing heavily, he leaned against the rock, giving his best not to faint again. The world span around him. Very slowly he started to circle the stone staggering all the time. He searched the darkness hoping to see anything. Maybe she was just wounded, just like he was. For some reason he was spared. Perhaps they did the same with her. Jon's eyes desperately scanned the space around him. Increasing amount of light left no room for doubt... No bodies…

Since there is no body, she might be alive. Perhaps she was taken captive… THINK. THINK!!!

Jon's mind was painfully blank. No matter how much he tried, there was nothing, absolutely nothing. He closed his eyes and tried to calm down. Thinking was an extremely difficult activity taking a concussion into consideration. What he had to do now was to return home and heal. If there was a slightest chance, that Nessa was alive, she would need him absolutely fit. These were the basics. He left the clearing staggering.

**************************************

I don't believe this. I'm stuck in a nightmare!!!!

Nessa' s eyes widened in disbelief. As her vision cleared, she saw this miserable white-haired creature leaning upon her. His face was a definition of amusement. His eyes smirked, and his lips were stretched in wide grin.

"Sooo my little fighter is already awake? That's a pity, you really look cute when you sleep. Like a little girl…." He mocked at her blocking her kicks at the same time – "Now quit the kicking or I will tie your legs too." – he threatened restraining her legs

Nessa was half awake. After the dream she had, she was confused and shaken. She ignored Nuada's words and attempted to get up. Then she realized that her hands were tied up to the bed. She struggled for a moment and then returned to Nuada;

"What the hell is this?!!! "- she snapped- "What are you playing?!!"

"What am I playing…. Good question…. " he replied slowly removing a strand of hair from her face, making her grimace with disgust – " I don't know, but I'm convinced, that it will be entertaining…"His face was now an inch away from hers. "What game would you like to play? I'll let you choose…"

The moment he finished the sentence, Nessa's head shot forward and struck hard base of his nose. As he leaned backwards she wrapped legs around his neck attempting to break it. This attack was a surprise for Nuada. His nose exploded with pain, the blood was pouring down his face. She really angered him. No matter how successful this attack would be in normal conditions, now Nessa was exhausted and definitely not well. After a short struggle, Nuada freed himself from her grip. With a growl he threw himself her direction pinning her to the bed.

"DO IT!"- she challenged him – "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR! DO IT!

Their gazes clashed against each other. Suddenly Nuada straightened and positioned himself upon her legs, preventing her from kicking. He wiped the blood of his face and smiled:

"So I see you like it rough…. Just like I expected…. And no I will not kill you. As for this" – he added wiping the blood – "You'll pay for this. But not now. As you can see you're no fun at all… QUIRK!!!" He summoned the fairy- "Bring more rope.. Our guest apparently cannot behave. We'll have a lot of time to teach her manners.."

"Don't you dare to touch me…" a growl came out Nessa's throat – "If you touch me, I'll kill you…"

Nuada grinned. Now she really amused him. Watching her struggle gave him a sort of initial satisfaction. She almost slipped away from him leaving him ridiculed and humiliated. But now, her Gods were laughing. He promised her a lesson. And Nuada Silverlance always kept up to his word. He looked down on her and said

"Kill me?? That's interesting…" – he relaxed leaned backwards and folded his arms upon chest – "and how will you to that? You're funny, human." He tilted his head back and laughed loud – "I've been threatened with death many times. But never by someone who is not able to move his limbs. Again, I must say, that you are either stupid or dangerous to provoke me this way. – then he leaned towards her again roughly grabbing her hair, and pulling her head back– "But I love the smell of your rage, it might be… addictive. The more you fight me, the more I'm convinced that finding you was worth of my time… Ah.. thank you Quirk." -he turned to his servant as she handed him the rope.

"Now, I see that your will to fight is quite impressing. However I don't want you to hurt yourself again. That's my prize to win. Under different circumstances, I'd just break your legs. But then killing you just wouldn't be … fulfilling…" he grabbed one of her legs and tied it to the bed. Nessa tried to fight him, but she was weak. Chest and arm wounds started to ache again. She decided to let go. He was right, struggling wouldn't help right now. She wished to be left alone, just to think. She watched his proceedings with cold indifference. She relaxed her muscles, closed her eyes awaiting his next action. Her mind drifted away, leaving the anger behind. Now she truly realized the importance of self control. Ignoring it led her here. She was not to make the same mistake again. NEVER.

Nuada noticed the change, as she didn't try to free the second leg off his grasp. Her face was now calm, which disappointed him a bit. He wished to revel in her anger and weakness. And she denied it to him. Now the irritation crawled towards his heart. She didn't fear him, and she should be. Golden eyes studied her thoroughly. Then he reached for his nose and wiped the blood. He studied his palm for a moment. All covered in blood Bleeding apparently stopped. His black lips curved

So the first blood drawn…

With a smile he approached her and rested upon the edge of bed. He reached for the strand of her hair, and started to play with it. Nessa didn't react although all her body was overfilled with disgust and defiance.

"I would really like to stay and continue our little game – she heard him speak – "Unfortunately I have to leave for a while, urgent matters calling. I know that you must be truly disappointed.. "his voice became ironic – 'but it's for your own good. You'll have time to heal your wounds and regain your strength. When I come back, we'll return to the point where we stopped. I'm looking forward to it, as there are many things I'd like to show you…"

Suddenly his hand shot forward and clutched her chin. The grasp was firm, not yet painful, but giving a clear impression, that pain may come anytime.

"Now look at me, human!" – he ordered. Nessa slowly opened her eyes and confronted his – "As it would be impolite to abandon such precious guest, I leave you with my servants. They will keep your company. I'm sure you'll like it. ' – the grasp tightened making Nessa's eyes glaze – "I advise you to behave. In case of an escape attempt or any other behavior that would cause trouble to my people, Mr. Wink has my permission to break your legs. Understood?" – now his face was an inch away from hers. Again the grasp tightened making Nessa see black spots

"I didn't hear the answer!!!" Nuada growled

Nessa gently nodded. Her jaw was exploding with pain. She had a feeling that within a moment her bones would shutter to pieces. Nuada abruptly released her jaw letting her head hit a pillow. Then he turned his back on her and called Quirk, to bring him a towel. He wished to wipe the blood off his face.

'I'm glad that we understand each other.." – he started when she interrupted him

"No we don't understand each other.."- Nessa's lips twitched as she continued – "I don't understand how is it possible, that a warrior like you, is afraid of simple rogue like me. What kind of man you are, that you have to tie me up to feel safe? This is amusing you know? Do you fear me your Royal Whateverness? Well honestly speaking, I understand that you are. If it hadn't been for your half – witted servant, you would be dead right now. No matter what you do to me now, it won't change anything. I beat you. You won't change that. YOU WILL NEVER OVERCOME THIS."- she talked to his back in cold emotionless manner.

Nuada took a deep breath. She teased him on purpose. She wanted him to lose it, she already proved that she was not afraid to die. But she forgot one thing. Nuada's will was iron. Once he had planned something, he would not stop until he reached his goal. He turned back and asked:

"Would that be all? I will repeat it for the last time. You will live, or you will die. You will scream with pleasure, or with pain. Now you life is mine. It's only up to me, what happens to you…" he slowly approached the bed and leaned one hand on it's edge. The second one wandered from the hair line, through cheek and neck. Then it suddenly rested between her breasts. Nuada smiled at her reaction. She was afraid, although her eyes remained cold and still. He could feel her body tremble under his touch. That felt good.

"Right now, it's really not me who should weigh words" – as he finished his fingers violently pushed a small fragment of her body, just beneath her breastbone. Nessa's body exploded with sharp, overwhelming pain. Her body stiffened, her eyes opened wide with shock. A strangled scream came out of her tightened throat. Nuada watched her writhe with pain. It definitely helped him release a tension. He removed his fingers the moment he saw a stream of blood coming from her nose. With a sneer he wiped it, and licked it off his finger.

"That gives us a draw for today. And now if you'd excuse me, I really have to go now. But I'll be back soon…Quirk, take care of her!" – he ordered to a fairy, and then he hastily left the bedroom.

Quirk who witnessed whole situation shook her head in disbelief.

First he wants me to save her, then he tortures her, and still I'm supposed to keep her in good shape. This is crazy..