(Yes, yes. Short chapter, I know. But I've been busy. :p)
Meanwhile, in the Inner Sanctum, a giant of a man stands with his back to twin iron doors. He paces across the diameter of the circular room, moving as if he were gliding above the cold floor. His attention is drawn to the doors behind him as they whip open. The man of gold kicks and struggles against his captors.
"Get off of me!" he demands. A swelled hand slaps over his mouth.
"You're lucky I haven't killed you yet," the shadowy man says calmly. "Don't test me."
Stephano's expression loosens, but in protest he clenches the grunt's finger between his teeth. It pulls away and makes a disapproving noise.
"What do you want?" Stephano boomed. "There were so many other times you could have dragged me in here, so why the heck now?"
Silence filled the room for a few long seconds. "I can tell you everything you need to know," the man answered. "But for now, you will tell me everything."
The gatherers dragged Stephano forward, and he reluctantly cooperated. If looks could kill, Stephano's would have the same destructive power that his scimitar might, if he ever used it.
"Stephano, I can show you the truth," the figure said. Upon being closer, Stephano tried to analyze his captor's face, but something about the man put him off. He made an effort to avoid eye contact. "You are a vital piece in my puzzle…" At that, the man pulled out a long cloth bandage and grasped Stephano's arm, jerking it upwards. He winced, having forgotten about the wound in his shoulder. At a single touch from his kidnapper, the rough sleeve of Stephano's cloak ripped at the shoulder, and the bloodstained sleeve slipped off and fell to the floor.
"Stranger things have happened, I guess," Stephano admitted, thinking aloud. His captor began to wrap his open wound in the cloth. Stephano didn't bother to mutter a 'thank you'.
"Now then," the man said, taking Stephano's chin in his hand and tilting it upward forcefully. "About this friend of yours…"