Chapter 4; Anita's POV
"Anita…you have to eat something!" Ghirahim glared at me from across the table, my arms tightly crossed under my chin as I rested against the table-top. I shook my head hearing his aggravated sigh across from me. "She's been like this ever since that boy…"
"Calm yourself, Ghirahim…" Master was glancing at me as well. "No, don't get up…" he halted Ghirahim as he made a move to leave the table, "finish your own meal; we don't need two of them wasted. I'll deal with her afterwards."
I almost felt compelled to eat after that statement, knowing exactly how he intended to 'deal with me'… but not enough… I stared at the tiles on the floor, the patterns becoming blurry, and interlacing with one another if I looked at them hard enough. "Y-Yes Master…" now Ghirahim was the one picking at his food.
Master glanced at both of us before sighing, getting up from the table. "Bring her to me once she's finally finished…"
"Yes, Master…"
I kept my eyes on the tiles…
….
"Are you going to do this all day?" Ghirahim grimaced finally getting up from the table once Master was out of earshot, placing his chair beside my own to sit next to me.
Forgive me for being upset… It had been nearly an hour past my meeting with Link… all those thoughts still haunted me… I'd just… shut down… it happened every once in a while. I'd be so upset I just felt… well… how to describe this… numb… I didn't want to eat, sleep, talk… I never talked… I didn't feel anything, and didn't want to feel anything… these moments came and went, and anything could trigger them, and the problem was that I never knew exactly what I was upset about… this just happened…
I was trying hard not to break down into tears like usual, for fear that might make Ghirahim do something rash…
He sighed beside me, placing a small piece of fruit to my lips, but I didn't take it. "Anita, please… don't do this…" I rolled my eyes, and reached my hand for the goblet, hoping to at least appease him… I could at least pretend to drink it… his hand fell over mine and I looked up to see him glaring at me. "You need real food. You can't survive on mere blood alone; not yet… you thought you could trick me." He smiled accusingly as I hung my head.
"You poor girl…" Ghirahim took me into his arms, setting me in his lap. He stroked my back softly, and I could feel the pain lessening… I pushed him away before he could heal me further, not wanting to risk him getting in trouble with Master. Besides, he was angry enough at me already… Ghirahim glared, pulling me back to rest against his chest. "Then at least eat something."
I shook my head and he sighed irately, glaring at my breakfast. I'm not hungry…
"Alright, how about this: if you eat, I'll make sure the boy gets something as well. Do we have a deal?"
He should get something whether or not I'm feeling upset. I glared at him.
"All right, all right…" he sighed, pushing the plate away. He glanced from me towards the door that Master had left through, holding me closer. "I believe Master can wait just a few more minutes… don't you?" he smiled at my confused gaze, "I know what will cheer you up." We were suddenly transported to my bedroom, Ghirahim lying me down against the mattress where I quickly and happily snuggled into the blankets-warmth enveloping me.
I heard him laugh above me, felt the bed shift as he climbed in next to me, planting a kiss on my forehead. I smiled, nestling into his embrace.
"I have something for you…"
I gave him a quick annoyed glance. I wasn't really annoyed; I loved getting gifts… especially from Ghirahim… but he gave them so often… nonetheless, I found myself smiling despite myself, curiosity and excitement taking over. They were never presented only on special days, mostly random, or, more often whenever I fell into states like these. I still hadn't spoken a word…
He smiled back at me, snapping his fingers, and a red box appeared in the palm of his hand. "Close your eyes…"
I obeyed, cringing slightly when I felt the touch of cold metal against my skin a few seconds later, feeling a rather heavy object pull down on what I assumed to be a chain, resting lightly against my collarbone... Ghirahim? Whatever motion behind me had stopped, and I felt his hands stiffen against my shoulders.
It was then that I heard the door open, footsteps moving towards the bed before they stopped suddenly… "Am I interrupting?" No… not him! Please, not Link!
Ghirahims tone was harsh, as I knew it would be. "What are you doing here? I told you to stay in your room…"
"Unless you or your Master allows it." Was his quick reply-which was just as harsh as Ghirahims had been. "Which, he did…"
"I don't believe that for a minute and if you think…"
"It's about… her…"
What is he talking about? I hesitantly opened my eyes, turning to look at Ghirahim, then at Link, who was standing by the still open doorway. They were both staring at me… not now… not now… I felt tears coming for no reason at all… quickly I looked down at the object hanging at my neck-towards Ghirahims gift-trying to distract myself.
I gasped. It's beautiful! It was about the length and width of my palm, a solid gold oval pendant encrusted with patterns of leaf covered vines that surrounded a large ruby which sat in the center. Oh Ghirahim… I watched as the candlelight flickered in the reflection of the gem. It seemed to catch on fire itself… I smiled at him, kissing him happily and I felt him relax slightly. I love it! I didn't even need to look at Link to know that his expression wouldn't be very cheerful... absentmindedly I placed my hand against the necklace, feeling the smoothness of the stone against my fingertips. Link must have noticed.
"Collaring your dog?" once again his tone was harsh, directed towards Ghirahim.
I gulped nervously at his tone and what he had implied with his words, shutting my eyes tighter, wishing that I could simply dissolve into the darkness that surrounded me. Link… had he really just called me his… his dog? I felt myself on the verge of tears again, and I gripped the bed sheets tightly.
I felt Ghirahim tense once more behind growling angrily. I placed a hand on his own to calm him down. You held back once, you can do it again… there was an awkward pause as silence surrounded the room. Ghirahim didn't seem to know how to respond besides acting in anger…
He hadn't meant to hurt me… I told myself. I was trying to see it through his eyes-his point of view… in his own way Link was trying to "help me"… trying to get me to see "reason". It mustn't be easy for him to see me reduced to… this… and the fact that I had fallen for his enemy well… that heated things up a little… so while his words hurt, they were for the better…
"Are you ok, Anita?" he sounded suddenly panicked, and I heard his footsteps move towards the bed.
"Don't come any closer!" Ghirahim gripped me tighter, in what I hoped to be restraint on his part not to lunge at him. "Anita…" he whispered softly at me, "It's alright…"
"What did you do to her?" he came closer…
Just go away!
"Must I always be the one to harm her?" he let go of me but I gripped his arm before he could do anything. He sighed and placed his arms around me again. "I won't fight you boy, though the Goddesses know how badly I wish to…"
This time it was Link who didn't seem to be able to respond… it must have been confusing for him to also have to face his enemy with barely little vengeance to be granted for either of them… Ghirahim in hatred for the pain caused to his-our-Master, and Link in hatred for the pain caused to Zelda… I preferred Link's reasons-highly approved-however, while things couldn't be forgotten easily, it would best for the time being for both of them to simply let it go… they could try for now… I knew they were glaring daggers at each other…
Link sighed, trying again, "Anita…"
I didn't want to hear it. I got up from the bed, shoving Ghirahim away from me as I sat on the edge of the mattress. A quick glance in their direction and they exchanged glances, both reaching for me. "Anita…" apparently they both felt entitled to console me…
I gritted my teeth, trying not glare at either of them as I moved further away. Ghirahim sighed behind me. "I believe Master has waited long enough…"
Link's eyes grew wide, "What?"
I looked right back at him, my gaze saying it all, and he averted his eyes. "Anita… please… you don't have…"
"It will be worse for her if she doesn't, boy. I've kept her away long enough…" he looked at me apologetically. Just let it be." Ghirahim had hung his head, hands shaking.
I looked from one to the other, fighting the urge to flee from the room, or to go back to Ghirahim… I couldn't tell if he was shaking from anger or something else… I certainly didn't want him feeling either emotion. Link didn't seem to know what to think at all, once again looking as if he was trying to place his gaze on anything else in the room besides me.
"Just go. Master will kill us both if you don't…"
I nodded, looking once more at Link-who didn't even meet my gaze before I bolted. The tears fell once I had left the room…
I never bothered knocking anymore, just letting myself in Masters Quarters as usual. I curtsied nervously under his scrutinizing gaze. "You're late…"
I gave no reply.
He glared, motioning me over towards the bed. My breathing quickened as it always did, and I jerked backwards (it was almost a reflex now) before I forced my feet forward, forcing away the thoughts of running from the room as fast as I could. Running always made it worse as I'd learned early on… "I suppose part of it is my doing… I won't blame you entirely." I hated it when he talked so casually at times like these… I knew what was coming. Master seemed to study me for a while before continuing, chuckling slightly; "I take it from your current state that the boy didn't help you?" I was still crying.
"Couldn't" for a better term… no matter what Ghirahim did, nothing worked… but things hadn't been made worse so… I shrugged, looking away and wiping at the tears fitfully as he closed the door still bothering to lock it after so many times.
He smiled, and my heartbeat sped up as he made his way towards me. Don't run. Don't run. I gripped the bed sheets forcing myself to stay still as he climbed in on top of me, starting to run his hands along my body-light at first like always-teasing me. "Not talking today?"
I turned away.
"Very well… You choose to be silent now, but I'll have you screaming in a few moments." He chuckled, tugging at my clothes.
I tried to force myself to stay quiet-fighting wouldn't help… but when his hands roved lower down my body I heard myself cry out; "Don't!"
Master gave me a warning glare. "Fighting me again today?" he rolled his eyes.
I shook my head. What good would it do me? I'd already come to his room, to his bed… so many times now… fighting wouldn't make any difference…
"Good girl… I should think that you've learned by now…" I could tell he didn't believe me… why should he? We went through this every time…
I nodded, glancing towards the door. I couldn't help it… I didn't want this! I never wanted this! Yes, earlier-when with Link-I'd told myself that I had accepted it. When it wasn't happening, perhaps I did… but when I entered this room, or saw Master looking at me or making suggestive comments… I was scared… terrified… I wanted to run, but there was nowhere to go and running would only make things worse… knowing he could do so much to me-and me being so… weak… I was scared of what he would do if I didn't comply-things I didn't want to have to repeat… the image of a whip appeared clearly in my mind and I cringed.
Master smiled at me, starting to pull at my clothes. "Don't you want it? You enjoy it don't you?" a clawed hand made its way down to one of my breasts… I closed my eyes like always wishing I could escape this, shaking my head… I heard his voice, laughing down at me; "But Anita…don't you want more?" I shuddered feeling his other hand move even further below again…
I didn't want it.
I didn't enjoy it.
I didn't want more.
I tried to imagine it was Ghirahim doing the touching… tried to block out his words. They were never anything more than profanity anyway and telling me to enjoy myself, or how good it felt to him…
I tried to be brave-always-tried to tell myself that I should be fully used to this by now-it had happened so many times how couldn't I be used to it? I tried not to beg-knowing that would only please him and would get me nowhere. Like always I lost my own battle, beginning to panic despite myself. I heard the rip of fabric and grabbed at his arm desperately. "Master p-please..."
"Shut up." He was tearing at my skirt…
"Master please! NO!" he grabbed me and I struggled in his grasp.
He grinned at me, and I could see he wasn't angry with me… a little more… thrilled?
Holding my wrists tightly in one hand, he grabbed my belt undoing it to tie my wrists to the bedpost. He hadn't stopped grinning at me… it was making me uneasy… "Must we do this every time?" I cringed as the belt was tightened, pinching my skin slightly. Master smirked down at me; "If you keep resisting, I just might have to tie up your legs as well…" his hand made its way up my thigh making me shiver.
"Pl-Please…" I shut my eyes, turning away, "B-Be gentle…" just once be gentle with me…
"Did I hurt you last time?" his tone was mocking. "Were you in pain afterwards?"
I nodded, whimpering. It always hurts…
He laughed. "You owe me today, my daughter… need I remind you of the boy?" he'd started tearing at my clothes again.
I shook my head, trying to think of anything-anyone-but Link at the moment… Master wouldn't allow me that kindness.
"You know I actually considered having the boy attend… what would you think of that?"
My shirt came off… now he was once again tugging at my skirt… don't think about that! I gave no reply. Master was only saying that to discomfort me… I knew how much he preferred these sessions to be private-save for the few times when he would bring others to have me-and those were rare… besides, what would he even gain from Links attendance besides the fact of my embarrassment and shame? Nothing…
I felt goose bumps travel up my legs as my leggings and boots were finally removed after the skirt. I trembled upon feeling Master climb back over me, fingers tracing along and inside of my body… preparing me above and below. Master would chuckle anytime I accidentally let a small moan or whimper escape my lips, shivering or crying out at the feeling… after a few minutes of this torment he finally asked that dreaded question; "Are you ready?"
I shook my head, feeling him position himself below to my horror. I gasped for air, fighting the tears, begging him again-knowing it was useless. "M-Master… please… don't-AH!"
Ghirahim's POV
Well… finally, once again, I had the boy completely alone-all to myself to do with as I pleased-and once again I could do nothing about it! I tried not to think about it-how easy it would be to simply draw my blade and pierce his throat… his cries of agony, begging for mercy… I got up from the bed, punching the wall, trying to release at least some of my anger.
"You're… really holding back, aren't you?" he seemed surprised and confused all at once.
I groaned, closing my eyes, placing my head against the wall. "Believe me, if it weren't for the girl, you'd be writhing, becoming deaf at the very sound of your own screams…" ah, what a wonderful fantasy… "But what about you?" I pressed.
"Me?" he seemed defensive.
I rolled my eyes, looking at him, "You haven't made that many advances on me… a few, yes, not to mention some threats, but have you taken any real action against me? No. This must be amusing for you, isn't it? Seeing me in such a state as this-and yet, I don't see you making any moves against me…"
"I…" he glanced backward, as if checking for a sheath or more possibly a blade before shrugging. "Considering the circumstances…" he shrugged again.
I smiled despite myself. At least the boy knew when he was outmatched… his next question caught me nearly off guard.
"Why do you let him do those things to her?"
I knew very well who and what he meant nonetheless I asked of him-just to see how much of it he knew-"Who boy?"
"Your Master?" he looked at me as if it were obvious, "Anita? Come on, you're seriously telling me you don't know what he-"
"I know what he does!" I growled, placing my head back against the wall. "You think I'm stupid?-Don't answer that! Yes, I know what goes on when he calls on her…"
"And you just let him?" he laughed at me then-mockingly, "Yeah, you really love her then."
"I have no choice! Don't you understand? I have no power over my Master…" I paused, trying to find the right words... I was suddenly at a loss for what to say though I gave myself many excuses during the day already-so coming up with an answer should have been easy…
"She thinks you don't know anything about it."
"Yes, I know that too…"
"Does she ever talk to you about it?"
"Don't interrupt me!" Did this boy ever shut up? I was used to him being quiet-not so talkative. It was annoying… why all the pressing questions? He seemed to be studying me-trying to form some kind of answer to an unspoken question… I shook my head. Anita never spoke to me about it, though I knew what went on… it was better for her to pretend nothing happened than dwell on it… I smiled, mostly out of pity for her. "She tries to be brave, acting if nothing goes on… the only comfort I can offer her is simple ignorance… how do you think she would feel otherwise?" the boy shrugged. I decided to give him an answer; "No longer worthy of me if you can believe it. I see it in her eyes-she already feels that way… as if she's betrayed me… she shouldn't feel that way at all-feeling as if she is the one at fault… but she has no choice…" I paused, deciding not to dwell on such things.
He rolled his eyes, glaring at me as he crossed his arms. "Like I should even believe anything you say."
"And why is that?"
"I saw what you did to her earlier this morning. You enjoy what happens to her-you treat her like an object just like your Master!"
"Object?" I gritted my teeth, backing further into the wall. It was all I could do at the moment not to kill him then and there. "You have no idea what you're talking about boy!"
"About the fact that you have her whenever you want? I got proof earlier-you can't deny it!"
I chuckled at that, "That was merely for show…" besides Anita had enjoyed it as well… "You might as well save your breathe I know what you assume. You can put your mind to rest I haven't bedded her yet." sadly…I hated admitting such a thing-especially when I had used it against him earlier-but this simply couldn't go on any longer!
The boy looked at me hesitantly-almost relieved actually. "You mean… you really haven't… had… sex…" he literally forced himself to say the word, "with her yet?"
"Today would be the closest I've ever gotten to such an act with her. Do you think Anita would lie to you?"
He looked shocked at my statement, "… N-no… but… wait-you heard everything?"
"I promised the girl I wouldn't go in with her-I never promised not to listen." I glared, shaking my head at him, "So many accusations… I could hardly believe your brutality… you had to see she was hurting." Calm yourself…
"She had to realize what I was saying was true! You can't love her! You play all of these mind-games, manipulating her, and that's all you're doing! You use her just for your own sick pleasure!"
Goddesses he was persistent… I shook my head, making my way to the door. I'd had enough of all this. But I wasn't about to be undone-I'd still have my final say. "Believe whatever you wish boy, but trust me when I say this; the only "pleasure" I take out of any of it is the fact that I'll be the first to have her willingly." I smiled at the sudden discomfort that took over him.
"You're sick…" he turned away, glancing towards the door. I could only guess his intentions. He meant to go after her… all this talk about it was setting even me on edge-worse than usual.
I paused unable to keep myself from pointing it out; "I am no worse than you."
He turned abruptly back to me, anger blazing in his eyes. "What do you mean?"
Did he honestly just ask that question?! I turned on him, my emotions taking hold of me. "I certainly don't remember hearing any protests on your part-nor from your little Sky Maiden I might add-when the deal was struck! You simply let her go! You could have stopped her if you wanted to!"
He shook his head, unable to contradict me, grunting as I shoved him against the stone behind him.
"On the other hand, why wait so long for a rescue? I assume that was your intent…" the look he gave me suggested that was exactly what he'd had in mind, "Tell me boy, which is worse? Simply setting the trap? Or fully allowing the prey to simply walk right in to their own demise-need I add when there were numerous ways to prevent it? Hmmm?"
Why had I been so angry? It was really a blessing that he hadn't stood in the way of things when Anita had mentioned trading her soul for Hylia's... If he had where would I be now? Perhaps dead (perish the thought!) along with my Master and as for Anita… well…
I supposed I blamed him for all the pain she went through down here… if he had been strong enough to overcome such obstacles in and along the Temples across his journey, if he could have saved so many-an entire land and above-why couldn't he have saved one simple girl from her torment?
"I… I…" he paused, considering my words.
"You see boy? It's exactly the same. Certainly my Master has his way with her-in more ways than one-but it was you who simply handed her over. Not a single thought for her well-being or…" I was completely caught off guard as I suddenly found myself pushed against the wall, his hand balled into a fist, rearing back as if to actually cuff me. Oh the nerve of this boy! Insolent and annoying as always! I didn't flinch, merely looked right back as he stared hatefully into my own eyes.
"I am nothing like you!"
I laughed unable to help myself. "On the contrary… we both have one thing very much in common, you and I."
"I'm nothing like you!" he repeated, almost as if trying to convince his own self of it. How cute…
"Ah, but what about Anita?" I questioned. Once again I had him right where I wanted him!
"At least I actually care for her. At least I don't allow her to be used. At least I-"
I shook my head, "But you're allowing it right now…" I smiled at his shocked face, "You see boy? No matter how hard we try, each of us simply ends up hurting her in the end."
He got defensive as I knew he would; "I haven't done anything to hurt-"
The boy was making this far too easy on me! "You know… I've often found over the years; that words can cut far sharper than the sword, if you catch my drift." I smirked at him, feeling his grip lessen as his puny little brain made the connection.
He stepped away, averting his gaze back towards the doorway. "What do you expect me to do?"
I shrugged-not that he could see it- "I don't know, and I don't really care." He gave me a blank look and I rolled my eyes, sighing. "All this hostility-back and forth, back and forth-is getting us nowhere, Skychild… I believe it's time to let bygones be bygones as it were…"
"What?"
"All that Destiny and Threads of Fate are over and done with now… I see no reason for it to continue." I had basically won anyway… My quest was to revive my Master-and though he was cheated out of the power he craved-he still lived… we had both gotten at least a little of what we had desired. "At least I can say that I've tried."
He frowned at that looking back at me as astonishment crossed his face. I couldn't blame him-even I was shocked at my own words…"You really think it's that simple?"
I could tell it wasn't going to be… both still angered, fueled by hatred, and now even the girl had become an obstacle between us… whatever truce we were now constructing would only last until dawn-I was sure of that fact… and it would hold very loosely. Besides, I'd held back enough for the girl now… it was time I got something out of it… and I knew just the way to do it. "Not at all… believe me; I still want to rip every single bone from your body (to my delight he cringed)… but… I think I have a solution…" I made my way to the door, holding it open simultaneously gesturing out towards the hallway-not at all surprised when he hesitated. "Follow me."
Link's POV
By what I had seen, Ghirahim was still the same as always-vain, pompous, and that never ending desire to kill me-though he wasn't acting on that desire very much lately... The routine seemed to stay the same as well-lengthy over dramatic monologues with subtle little hints before finally just coming out and wounding me-this time it seemed with words rather than a sword…
Anita… his words made me think (I hate to admit it) had I really been so cruel to her? True, back in Skyloft she had always been sensitive… but could anyone really blame me? I had expected one out of two things when coming here;
One: She would be dead, and my rescue attempt long since overdue.
Or Two: I would find her locked away down in some torture dungeon-I didn't put it past these two, having their fun before a killing (Ghirahim had done it many times with me)-and I supposed I was right about that-though I never saw any visual signs beside the marks on her back that she'd shown to me earlier… Goddesses, that image would haunt me for a long time…
I hadn't expected…. This. Her becoming some…. Sex Slave-Demeaning as it was to call her that-that was the truth of it. There was no other name I could call it by… or the fact that Anita was actually becoming one of them…. I saw those fangs-far sharper and longer than any normal canine teeth- those claws on her hands-she didn't seem to act any differently, but how could I know exactly what she's turned into? For all I know she could have just been acting for me… no… I remembered the tears she'd shed at my words-numerous-she certainly wasn't acting…
On top of that, she really believed that this creep loved her… I couldn't even imagine him being capable of such an emotion! It was maddening! The fact that he said he loved her in return just made it worse… couldn't she see he was only playing with her? All he cared for about her was her body-I'd seen a very clear example of that earlier as well… true he hadn't done anything further to her yet but… was I just going to wait for it to happen? I had to get out of here as soon as possible-I couldn't take it anymore!
Why had she even come down here in the first place? I couldn't remember any "deal" being made back then… but of course I hadn't really been paying attention… my thoughts had all been for Zelda… The last time I remembered hearing about any deal was before my departure from Skyloft. Zelda had gone back to the Surface to the Sealed Grounds and when she returned, of course I'd asked her what she had been doing. To my horror she said she had met up with Demise-the freak who had tried to kill her! Devour her soul and destroy the Surface and Skyloft all together!
It had actually just been a few weeks since Anita had left… it hadn't really made a difference to me-ok, don't hate me for that, of course I was worried a little bit-but the fact was that it didn't really make that much of an impact on me…
I had only known her for three years, and I'd known Zelda since early childhood. When Anita had first arrived in Skyloft she'd simply…. Appeared. That was the best way to describe it… of course, now I supposed she could have used a Bird Statue in order to get above the Cloud Barrier, but at the time that was the only explanation. Even then, however, that was mostly it… She was admitted to the Knight Academy where we all attended classes together, but she kept to herself, flying off alone on her Loftwing to distant islands surrounding Skyloft-doing Goddess knows what. She always seemed to like it better being alone…
When Anita had asked to come along on my quest I was shocked. I barely learned as much as I knew about her along that journey… Her past wasn't something she liked to talk about, mostly being a listener. Nonetheless, she was still a friend… the second reason I hadn't gone right away and waited so long to help her-almost two full years… how could I have been so heartless?-was because Zelda wouldn't let me. The words she said to me when I first mentioned it compelled me to stay;
"Anita made her choice… she's not coming back! There's nothing you can do for her now! I lost you once, Link; don't make me lose you again!
I felt the same way… I couldn't leave her… but at the same time guilt and never ending confusion nagged at the back of my mind. It tore at me every single day once I actually started caring… fully caring… not just a brief thought like usual. Anita had come along with me-risked her own life alongside me-when I had barely even known her- … and once again she put her life-worse her soul- on the line for both me and Zelda… for all of the Surface… and she hadn't even had to… how could I have not cared for so long? I just couldn't understand it… It was my destiny to fight Demise- my destiny, to save Zelda-but somehow Anita had upset all that… upset the balance as cliché as it sounds… but was the cost of it all truly worth it? If she had simply let things happen-let me kill Demise-then none of this would have had to happen! We would all be together, and she wouldn't be stuck down here and… there had to be something about all this that I wasn't seeing… why did it all have to come down to this?
"We're here." Ghirahim's voice shocked me back to the present. We had reached a dimly lit hallway-candles handing from the walls almost completely out-standing before a giant steel door. I suddenly regretted coming along… I should have known this was supposed to be a trap! I didn't even have a blade… I stepped back. "What is this?"
He chuckled softly, "Just a surprise… I thought I'd give you a tour." He opened the door, beckoning me inside, "Shall we?"
I glared at him stepping further back.
"Oh, come on now Skychild. You trusted me this far. Why so hesitant now?" he smiled.
I could think of one thousand good reasons why I was hesitating…
Again he laughed, "Calm yourself, boy! Remember how I spoke of such hostility?"
I nodded. "Your point?"
"Well, we have to release that anger somehow don't we? Come in and have a look! I'm sure you'll be pleased!"
It was more curiosity than trust that drove me to follow him through the doorway. What stood behind the door surprised me. It was a large stone balcony looming above a giant pit. Angry Bobokins were crowding at the sides-filling the entire perimeter of the pit below-screaming up at us. Ghirahim laughed behind me. "Hello my pretties! I brought you a little toy!" his hand came down hard against my shoulder.
"What is this?" I asked for the second time, glaring at him. Reason one thousand and one…
He smiled, to my surprise handing me a sword. It was old and rusted… barely more than a dagger really… "You see? It's that sort of anger I'm talking about! Don't take it out on me! Take it out on them!" he pointed to the Bobokins screaming below. "Oh, and try not to get killed in the process…" he laughed, looking back down at the creatures, grabbing my arm tightly as I attempted-and failed-to slice him with the blade. I hate it when he does that! It was annoying the past and even more annoying now! "My pretties…" he announced dramatically to the Bobokins beneath us, eyeing me happily before roughly pushing me down to the horde below, "breakfast is served!"
Anita's POV
It had been a couple of hours later and Master still hadn't released me… any time he would recover from having "finished" with me it would start all over again like always… I was already hot, horribly sore down below and a few places above, not to mention downright exhausted, wanting it to end…
When at last he untied my wrists I remained still-always expecting something more-but he simply smiled, turning me over onto my side and held me close to his chest as I wept. "Poor thing… I wasn't that rough on you, was I?" Master laughed at me. It was sickening that he was even trying to be comforting as he held me… but I supposed I could deal with it… Master knew I would never go to Ghirahim for such comfort…
Comfort… I hated it… hated needing it so often… I hated being so weak, so easily broken, so easily used… I hated begging, being at the very mercy of anyone who wished it… I hated this life, this life which I so quickly and willingly brought back upon myself after finally earning my freedom… I hated the tears, the hopelessness, the fear I felt nearly every waking moment… I promised myself every day that it would be different, but it never was… someday it would be. Someday I wouldn't be the one groveling for mercy, for redemption from any sort of pain, be it physical or emotional… No one would ever take advantage of me again… I'd be the one people would fear. I'd be the one people would beg upon. Once Masters Time was over and my Father someday dead I would never be weak again. I would never again beg for mercy from anyone! I would be the Master and none would ever dare go against me…
"Yet another gift from your Lover?" Masters words interrupted my thoughts… his eyes fell on the necklace at my neck-the only item he hadn't removed from my person.
I nodded silently, closing my eyes and held the red jewel close to me. "L-Link called it a "collar"…" I don't know what made me say that… Master, nonetheless, was humored by it-laughing as I lowered my head.
"Did he now? I wouldn't hold it against him… you know those two were always at odds… I'm surprised my Sword hasn't done away with him yet." He laughed softly.
"He's holding back for me…" I had to say it… had to make myself believe it… whatever Ghirahim did, he did it out of love for me… I had to still convince myself of that fact… yes, there were times I doubted it- times when it seemed Ghirahim only seemed to care for my body, for his own amusement, or for his own simple gain… I was certain he had doubts about my own affections. That I was doing it only because I was desperate-in need of love where I could get it. That I was trying to use him as a replacement for all that I had lost. After all, I only had my words and slight bodily affections that I could grant him-no real gifts to give. Besides, what do you give a Demon Lord that literally has the world at his very fingertips? One solemn wish and it's his…
Master shrugged behind me. "Perhaps…" he paused, and I could tell he was deciding whether to keep me here or not… "Do you want to go back to him?" a hand was working softly against my back, the other still down below, toying and teasing, still relishing in my small forced gasps of sin filled pleasure…
I nodded, not knowing if my answer would mean anything to my Master or not… to my surprise-and great relief-his hands retreated and I hesitantly moved away from the bed, cringing in pain that greeted me upon standing, before scampering quickly towards the door to his amusement.
"Go on then." He got up himself, making his way to the door and unlocking it. "I believe I've kept you away from them long enough… You'll return here to me before and after supper-understood?"
I nodded, hurrying to put on my clothes (Master always had a second set prepared for me for afterwards) and hardly paying attention, panic gripping me again. It wasn't the thought of him having me again-not this time.
It was that one word that had stricken me: Them. He'd said them!
I remembered Link coming into the room, Ghirahim angered at his words, and me running for my life just to get this torture over with! Like an idiot I'd left Link and Ghirahim alone together! How could I have been so stupid?! "Yes Master." I curtsied, hurrying from the room. Oh, Goddesses, please don't let me be too late!