Chapter Twenty-Four

Mhenlo had to admit this was a bit of a switch. For all the time he had known the feisty Surmian, this sort of scenario had played a handful of times. Mhenlo would be concerned for whatever outpost or people they were leaving, and Cynn would be dragging him by the arm, assuring them that those left behind would be fine, they would survive, and all would be well the sooner all the tasks set before the heroes were completed.

Yet, this time, the roles were completely reversed.

"Cynn… we should report to King Adelbern as soon as possible. We can't do that when you stop and turn around every three minutes." Mhenlo said patiently, his arm looping under the elementalist's shoulder.

Even that action didn't even stir Cynn's volatile temper, she continued to look back towards the shrinking gates of Atal Ra. "I… just don't know if it's a good idea to leave Devona alone."

"She's not alone." Aidan interjected. "Prince Coran is there, the Asurans are there… I'm sure they can handle any lingering problems our leader may have."

Cynn remained unconvinced. "I… know how it feels to be shattered; to feel helpless and broken; to have no hope that your life will ever get better. Wounds of the soul are a lot like wounds of the body. They can leave gruesome scars."

Her eyes clamped shut forlornly, Devona's plight bringing back the horrid smells and sights of her own trials. Buried underneath the ruins of her home… no escape… trapped in a small space with the dead remains of her mother… watching as each day the woman who gave Cynn life and the only one who had ever loved her unconditionally at that point slowly rotted away. Even now, every so often, Cynn would see the faces of those she now new going through that same necrotic transformation.

"I'm just afraid that they don't understand what Devona is going through, that's all." Cynn said grimly, yet allowed herself to be turned once more to the task assigned to them.

* * * * *

Devona knew this wasn't happening. She even knew it was an illusion at the time it happened. But the memories were still so powerful, still so painful…

"Yes, livestock… let's see how you fare on the inside." The Seer warbled. It blinked, and for a moment, Devona felt sensation in her arms, felt control of her body start to return to her. If she acted quickly enough, perhaps she…

But before the warrior could even complete the thought, the Seer had full control of her once again. "Thought you could get away? Oh no… I just love seeing the last shine of hope disappear from my meat. Now… cut yourself open."

Devona knelt down and picked up her father's Rinblade, a mere spectator in her own body as she grasped the mighty weapon in her right hand, used her left to steady the massive blade, and with one quick slash, opened a clean, deep gash in her abdomen.

Blood started to flow from the wound as the Seer reached out, and to Devona's horror slid its hand right into the opening. Had she control of her stomach, she would have likely vomited; for while she had no control, she felt the pain of the slice in her belly, as well as the Seer's hand probing her innards, squeezing her intestines in various places. It was a horrific experience and sensation that Devona had never even imagined.

"The intestinal tract is normally considered 'unclean' for our kind, not fit for consumption." The Seer smugly said. "But… I find the smaller tract to be an occasional delicacy if prepared correctly."

Disgust, pain, anguish, helplessness, and terror all flooded Devona's mind at once. If she could have, she would have cried. A second hand joined the first, exploring her innards with great curiosity. This was unreal… surely she should have passed out from blood loss by that point. Grenth take her, she should be dead right then… being completely honest with herself, she would have preferred that fate.

"Or perhaps…" Her torturer noted thoughtfully, "You'd be more useful for breeding first… yes… you appear to be of fine stock… you could bear many succulent morsels before you are parceled."

Its hand then slipped into a very uncomfortable spot. "Would you like that? I can assure you only the finest specimens would be allowed to mate with you."

"Miss… are you of sound condition?"

Devona's eyes flashed open as Yunda's voice coupled with the knocking on the stall door broke her remembrances. The warrior was on the verge of hyperventilating, curled up in a ball against the southwest corner of the S.H.O.W.E.R.S. enclosure.

Taking two deep breaths, Devona stood, wiped the tears from her eyes, and said with surprising conviction, "Yes… I'm fine. I was just lost in thought for a moment."

The Asura on the other side didn't sound terribly convinced, but wasn't inclined to force the issue. "Very well then… I just recommend you don't crumple up like that, it prevents a proper, thorough cleaning."

"Yes, of course. Again, my apologies."

Forcing herself not to shiver, Devona resumed her cleaning per Yunda's instructions, this time forcing her eyes to remain open save for blinking, no matter how uncomfortable the buffet of barely audible sound was on her. How long was this damned process going to take?

"Just a few more seconds, Miss. Raise your arms again for a little bit more, and we should be… oh!"

Devona paused, wondering what had caused Yunda to cut off. Her internal question was answered quickly, as the Asuran operator again spoke, "Miss Yue! What are you doing here?"

"I'm scheduled for a cleaning." The dour assassin grumbled. "I recall you insisting on such particulars."

"That's not for seven more minutes."

"Oh come off it. I smell like a wet Charr, and I noticed Vekk prowling about, so he clearly is not using his scheduled time."

Devona started when she realized what was happening, especially as she saw the blurred outline of a vague Yue shape through the clouded window. Yunda's protest became more forceful as a result, "Miss Yue, the S.H.O.W.E.R.S. is currently…"

At that moment, the sliding door to the stall whisked open, and with a yelp, Devona modestly sought to cover herself as the blurred image gave way to a very sharp vision of the Vanguard assassin, wearing nothing but a towel and a sour frown.

"… Occupied." Yunda finished with a resigned groan.

Yue appraised the situation with darkening chocolate eyes, and her lips pursed tightly before she grumbled, "So… mostly armor, huh?"