"I'm headed back now." A young woman held her phone to her ear, while tucking her dark colored hair behind her left ear. "Yeah… I'll be fine. I walked here, didn't I?"

Her phone crackled as the person on the other side spoke. "Are you sure?"

"Don't worry, I'll be fine." She shook her head.

The phone crackled again. "You have water with you?"

"Of course!" She laughed, "I can take care of myself, y'know?"

The phone crackled and a sigh was heard, "Just don't overheat."

She sighed, "Don't worry. I'll see you when I get home—Bye." She ended the call and stared at the screen as it glitched and flickered. "What is wrong with you?" She sighed and rolled her eyes, still walking. She turned into a shaded alleyway, hoping to get a break from the sun. So hot…She shook her head and kept walking. Maybe I should call for a ride or something…Yeah, I should. It should be charged by now right? She opened up her phone's messenger and stared at the blank, glitching message screen. It's getting worse…What's wrong with you?

"Huh?" She looked up from her phone when a burst of air hit her and spotted a gently swirling vortex in front of her. "What… is this?" She glanced back at her phone but it was unusable. "What the hell?" She looked back up as the vortex quaked and started spinning violently. "Oh…No." She turned and tried to run away but her feet began to skid across the ground as she was being sucked in, she struck the ground and dropped the device.

She tried to get up, clawing at the ground, bits of gravel collecting under her nails. It felt like the air around her was being sucked out. She reached out to anything to grab onto but she was pulled from the ground. She watched as the ground got further and further from her then she tumbled over and into the vortex. She watched as the world around her faded into blue then into nothingness as she closed her eyes tight. The world she knew faded away, replaced with a rush of wind past her ears. She opened her eyes to the sight of a broken platform below her, she was falling. She summoned a cube shaped shield around herself to break her fall. She hit the platform and her shield absorbed the shock. It flexed slightly and shattered, landing her on her back.

She groaned, rising from the ground. "Where…Where am I?"

She spun around taking in her surroundings, all around was floating islands. Nothing like her world. Even the sky, if you could call it that, was strange. Filled with swirls of light and color, she looked around and spotted what she thought to be a sun, bright and fiery in color. Surrounded by many rocky and jagged landforms. She looked around the platform she was on, there were piles of rubble. Looking up, she spotted another landmass. She took a few steps forward toward the rubble, her shoes crunching on the dirt below her. What is this place?

As she got closer to the rubble, she noticed that it seemed to be part of a marginally bigger building. Where am I? Her ears flicked when she heard something or someone land on the other side of the wall, followed by another and footsteps. She quickly ducked behind the structure and listened closely. From the sound of the steps, she guessed that whatever or whoever was walking was getting closer.

"Even with all your fears, you still couldn't beat me." The footsteps stopped short of the structure, "Pathetic."

"You Elyos…" The spiritmaster struggled. "All the same, arrogant pricks…" The spiritmaster slowly started to push herself up from the ground.

The man walked over to the spiritmaster, placed his foot on her back and pushed her back down. "You think you're so bad, don't you?" The Elyos man laughed at her.

The girl slowly got up and peeked over the wall.

The man before her was clad in full heavy armor, sliver in color with a large sword braced on his shoulder. Pinned under his foot, a woman in a maroon colored dress decorated with feathers.

"Now, tell me everything you know."

"Fuck you!"

The man stepped down harder on her. "I'll ask once more, tell me which fortress are you furbacks planning on attacking?" He stared down at the woman, with a serious and stern face.

"I'm not telling you anything!" She tried to push up off the ground, her eyes glowing with hate.

He pushed her back down, the woman lifted a hand and started a spell but the man kicked her, interrupting the spell. "You're stubborn." He laughed. "And useless."

He pulled his sword from his shoulder, the girl watched as he brought his blade down and pierced the woman in the back. The woman's eyes went wide in pain. Her eyes went blank and her body started to fade away into embers. Fear struck the girl like ice and her blood ran cold. It felt like time itself had stopped until he looked down at her. They stared at each other for a bit, reality feeling unreal. He could see the fear on her face, he smiled.

"Well, what do we have here?" He swung his greatsword over his shoulder and started walking towards the structure. "A spy?"

She backed away then stumbled and watched him hop over the edge of the wall. The girl quickly pulled herself together and ran. He smirked and spread his wings, pursuing her. He landed down a few steps in front of her and without stopping she turned on her heel. He watched her before spreading his wings and taking flight once more. He had his eyes locked on her, he was set on catching her. He had no clue on how long she had been watching but he was set on getting information from her. She kept running until she reached the edge of the small island, almost falling over the edge. She could see another small island below and below that, a vast nothingness. He landed behind her and began to approach, she knew she had to act. She could either be caught by him and possibly killed or try to make the jump, she took a deep breath and jumped.

She hit the ground and the air was knocked from her but she made the jump. He looked down at her as she coughed and wheezed before staggering to her feet. Pain creeped onto her face, she turned and kept going albeit, slower than a full run.

"Hurt are we?" He glided down, landing on his feet.

He pulled his greatsword down from his shoulder and threw a cleave at her, knocking her back down. She grunted as she fell to her hands and knees then got up and felt a tugging on her as she tried to move. She looked down at her feet as vines appeared around them, rooting her in place.

"What the hell?" She breathed out.

"You certainly are fast but not fast enough." He approached her from the back.

She looked over her shoulder at him, still rooted to her spot.

"Strange attire you have there. Is this some kind of Asmodian trickery?" He looked her up and down as he approached.

"Leave me alone! Let me go!" Her hands started to glow a fierce pink. "Stay away from me!" She yelled out. "I saw what you did to her!"

He raised an eyebrow. "Hmm? Strange language there."

The vines that once bound her feet dissipated and she turned to him and brought her fist up, attempting to make herself seem like a threat.

"Be careful of what you do, girl. The last person to attack me…Well you saw what happened to that furback."

She watched him get closer and closer to her, confusion on him.

"Can't understand?" He laughed.

She took a step back.

"Tsk, enough of this." He pulled his greatsword down from his shoulder.

"I'm warning you…Stay away from me!" She started backing away, hands still glowing.

He ignored her and charged.

She formed the energy coming from her hands into a spinning cube and launched it at him. He lifted his greatsword in front of him and blocked her attack. The cube landed onto the blade and spread across it and into the hilt, transferring the glow to him. His eyes widened as he looked at his blade, the glow was mesmerizing. It looked almost like stars falling off the blade. He could feel a strange power coming from it, he felt stronger.

"What is this? Some strange new magic?" He looked back at her and smirked, then launched another cleave at her. A wave of pink energy came out with the cleave. She summoned a shield to block it but the force of the imbued cleave was enough to break the shield. Her feet slid across the ground.

She shot a confused and shocked look at him. …I messed up…

He looked up at her and smiled. "Seems like you're not immune to your own power, huh?"

He launched another cleave at her and before she could summon another shield, it landed on her. She grabbed herself as a sharp pain arose in her stomach. It took her breath away as she stumbled back almost falling onto her back.

"What happened to your bravery?" He charged at her again.

She weakly began to summon another shield but the shield flickered in between her hands as it failed to maintain and gain form. She stepped down and formed a circle around herself. Along the circle crystal-like formations formed and pushed up from ground, blocking him off on all sides. Without stopping, he spread his wings and took flight, flying over her border. She looked up at him as he hovered over her before plunging down on her. She lifted her hands and managed to summon a new shield over herself. The shield cracked and her knees buckled a bit when he landed on it. He grabbed his greatsword and stabbed it down onto the crack, making a hole. She dodged the tip of the sword as it came through just a few inches from her face. He pulled his blade back up and struck the shield again and again until it shattered, the pieces falling down like glass then flickering out. Time came back to her when his full weight came down on her. She felt paralyzed as he grabbed her by her shirt and pulled her up from the ground.

"You're coming with me." He struck her in the face, she tried to stop his fist. He hit her again before she knew the world went black. He dropped the girl but she didn't move at all, he was convinced she was out. He squatted, leaned in on her and examined her closely, Brown skin… but the shade is too bright for an Asmodian, clawless hands but pointed ears. Half maybe? He pushed her over to her side to examine her back. He grabbed the back of her shirt and pulled it up slightly. He slipped his hand up her back. Maneless. He pushed her back over and grabbed the front of her shirt, it was a black and white shirt with a white cube emblem that formed a maze.

He narrowed his eyes, he had encountered many Asmodians but none with magic like hers, Was it even magic? What are you? He frowned, You have to be half and raised by Asmodians too. An Elyos wouldn't attack one of their own. Whatever you shot at me gave my cleave more power, I even felt empowered by it. How? He had many questions, too many. He summoned his cube, pulled from it Aether blocking rope, and bound her hands. Daeva or not, I'd prefer for you to not have access to Aether.

"General Daryk!" Shouted a daeva landing behind him. "We took care of the other Asmodians after you went after the spiritmaster," He adjusted his tunic and dusty colored hair as a small group landed behind him. "Did you get anything from her...General? Who is that?" He spotted the girl on the ground with her hands tied. "Another Asmodian?"

Daryk spotted the bag on her and pulled it off of her. "Adonis, here." He tossed the bag to Adonis.

"What is this?" He lifted his hands up and caught it. It was fairly lightweight and felt empty.

"A bag, check it. See if you can find anything." He bent down and picked her up, tossing her over his shoulder. "We're taking this one with us."

~x~

Adonis stood on the other side of the cell, his green eyes trained on her. He slowly tapped his foot, replaying his general's dialogue in his head. Once we return, she's going to be placed in a cell and searched. Make sure you look through her bag, she could have variable information. I'm not sure if she is Asmodian but she's definitely at least half. He couldn't figure out what he could want with her, she didn't look like an Asmodian soldier. She didn't look Asmodian at all. But he did encounter her in the Abyss, a civilian wouldn't be out there. Maybe she is a daeva. He shook his head. No, she has to be a daeva there's just no way she'd be in the Abyss if she wasn't. She could be rogue. He thought, looking down at the bag he was holding. What would make him so suspicious of you that he felt the need to capture you? He was snapped out of his thoughts by a sudden groan and movement from the girl.

She rolled over onto her other side to face the bars of the cell then looked up at him. He stared at her for a moment before quickly walking away from the cell, leaving her alone. She tried to move her hands but found them bound tightly with rope. Her body ached as she rolled and pulled upright onto her knees. She looked around her small wooden cell then down to her hands, and tried unsuccessfully to pull them free. She listened as two sets of feet rapidly approached the cell, then stopped. She looked up at the two people in front of her then shot an angry look at Daryk then glanced over at Adonis.

"Nice to see that you're awake." He looked down at her and said, "I have questions for you. Since your bag had nothing to give us." He grabbed the item from Adonis and tossed it through the bars. She kept tugging at the ropes, ignoring them as they stared at her.

"You are…Strange." He looked at her with a serious look. "What are you?"

She kept pulling at the ropes. He narrowed his eyes and frowned.

"General, I don't think she understands you, let me try." Adonis approached and squatted.

She stopped pulling at the ropes and glared silently at him.

"Can you understand me?" He spoke first in Elysian. She continued to stare, giving him an annoyed look. He asked again in Asmodian, no response. He sighed and finally asked in Ancient Atreian, "Can you understand me?"

She stared at him and shook her head, I don't understand you…

Adonis frowned. "Well, at least she isn't deaf…"

Daryk looked down at him. "She can't understand us, she might as well be."

He stood, "My Asmodian is…rough at best but she didn't react at all, I don't think she is Asmodian."

Daryk shot an annoyed look at her. "Then what is she? I don't sense any Aether from her and she doesn't look like a Balaur."

"I don't know, she looks…like an Elyos but doesn't understand us." Adonis knelt and reached into the cell. She pushed back from him and watched his hand then looked back up at him. He pointed to himself, "Daeva."

She gave him a confused look.

He said it again, "Daeva. I am a daeva." He spoke slowly, hoping she would catch on. "What are you?" He pointed at her.

She spoke quietly, "I don't understand you…"

Adonis stared at her for a moment, her speech was strange. Her language was nothing he had heard before. He sighed, realizing that there was no chance of him understanding her.

"We are going to get nowhere with this." Adonis shook his head and pulled a paper and ink filled pen from his Cube. He scribbled down a crude drawing of a winged figure and an unwinged figure then turned the page around and showed it to her. He pointed the winged figure then to himself, "Daeva."

She slowly nodded.

He pointed to her then to the paper and tapped it, "Which?"

She stared at the page then slowly lifted her hands and pointed to the unwinged figure.

He smiled, "She's a human."

She quickly reached out and snatched the paper and pen then quickly drew the basic shape of a house and handed the items to him.

"House? Home… Where is your home? Elysea? Asmodae?" Adonis looked at her, still speaking slowly.

She shook her head then grabbed her bag and pulled out a dark blue book with gold astrological symbols. She flipped through the pages, landing on a bookmarked page and pointed at a blue and green planet with four continents. She said, "Saris."

Adonis leaned back and slowly looked up at Daryk, "That's not Ateria…" He spoke with disbelief.

"Saris!" She spoke again and tapped the picture of the planet again.

"Saris?" He looked back at her, she nodded. He stood and turned to Daryk, "General, I know you said that you found her in the Abyss but she clearly isn't Aterian."

"That explains her magic then." He looked down at the girl staring at him.

"Magic?" Adonis turned his eyes back down to her.

"She fired some magic at me that made me stronger," He smiled. "We could use her."

"Use her?"

"You'll find out more, but first…We need to figure out how to communicate easier." He pointed at the pink wings on the sides of her head, "Magic?"

She lifted her bound hands and touched the right one and blushed.

Adonis squatted back down and lifted his hand then summoned a small wind spirit in his palm. "Magic."

She leaned forward and stared at the small creature, amazed at it. She had never seen anything like it before. The small creature stared at her and swayed in his palm.

"Magic." He spoke again and pointed to her.

She looked at him and tilted her head, What is that? Magic? Is that what he is saying? "Magic…?" She repeated the word to him, slowly.

He smiled. She lifted her hands and formed a small glowing pink ball, she looked at it then back up at him.

"Magic?" He asked, she slowly nodded.

Daryk laughed behind him, "We might not understand her but we should be able to use her." He summoned his sword from his Cube and stuck it through the bars at her. She hopped to her feet and backed away. He pointed to the blade, "You." then pointed to her. "Magic." He pointed back to the blade. She slowly approached and softly touched the blade with a glowing hand, transferring the energy to the blade. He smiled, "Good."

She shook her head. I don't know what you want but I'm not doing it.

He stared at her for a bit, studying her face. "You can be useful."

She reached down, grabbed the book, and pointed at the globe again.

"You can forget about home." He gave a cold smile to her. She approached the bars and screamed at him. Daryk grabbed her face, snatched the book from her and pushed her down.

She hit the floor and coughed, and slowly looked back up at him.

He pointed to the globe and shook his head. "You're not going home. Forget about it."

She watched him as he threw the book down the ground.

"Adonis."

The spiritmaster stood, "Yes, General? "

"Keep trying to teach her, at least get her to the point that she can understand."

Adonis took in a nervous breath and looked at him. "What are you thinking..."

Daryk interrupted him, "Her magic is useful, she can give us more power. Keep trying to teach her." He walked off, leaving Adonis with the girl.

Adonis looked back at the girl as she pulled at the ropes. He could see the ropes as they got tighter and rubbed against her wrists, turning this a slight red. She bit the ropes and tried to rip them off but it was no use. Adonis tapped the bars to get her attention. She looked up at him and let the rope fall from her mouth. He beckoned her closer with a gentle wave. She looked at him suspiciously then slowly approached him. He grabbed the ropes and untied her hands. She quickly snatched her hands back and rubbed her wrist. He stared at her as she started picking her nails and pacing.

He looked down and picked up the book then flipped through the pages and pages of words he didn't understand and diagrams of stars and the planet itself. Some of the pages were marked with lines and notes, he didn't understand any of them. He flipped to the front of the book and saw that something was written there, something that resembled a name.

"Hey." She stopped and looked at him. He showed her the name and pointed to her, "You?"

She slowly nodded, "Rhea Langley."

"Rhea?" He asked, she nodded. "Good." He slipped the book back through the bars and extended it to her and waited. She didn't approach him. He waved the book up and down.

She looked at the book and then him. She walked up, snatched the book from him and pressed it up against her and gently held it there.

He lifted his hand and showed her the orb on the back of his hand. She watched as he pulled it off and it floated between his hands.

She wanted to touch it but didn't want to get closer to him. Ball? She gave him a confused look and tilted her head.

"Orb." He brought it closer to her. "Go ahead, orb."

"Orb." She repeated.

He pointed to her and then back to the orb. "Your magic."

She shook her head and backed away.

"You understand?" He pointed to her, "Understand?"

She sighed and nodded then wrapped her arms around herself, hugging herself. She stared at him with sadness painted on her face.

"You want to go home, don't you?"

She dropped her head.

"I wish I could help you…But I can't even talk to you." He sighed, "I don't know how Daryk expects to use you. It's ridiculous." He watched her as she started pacing around in circles again and talking to herself. He shook his head and pulled out more paper and scribbled out more drawings and the associated words. "Okay." He snapped his fingers to get her attention. She stopped and looked at him.

He turned the page around to her and pointed to the image of a figure with black wings. "Asmodian." He pointed to the word, next to it. "Bad." She tilted her head. "Asmodian, bad." He repeated. She nodded and repeated. He smiled and pointed to a figure with white wings, "Elyos." He pointed to the word next to it. "Good," then to himself. "Elyos, okay?"

She nodded and repeated the words, "Elyos, good." She slowly pointed to him. "Elyos?"

He nodded then pointed to the image of two swords crossed then to the words next to it, "Battle, war."

She nodded slowly then spoke. "War…Asmodians, Elyos, war…" She began to get the picture but it was one she didn't like.

He scribbled more and showed her. "You." He pointed to a drawing of two people shaking hands, "Help, alliance."

She nodded slowly.

"War."

She gave him a suspicious look.

"Your magic."

She shook her head. No. "War…" She shook her head again.

"No?" He asked, she nodded her head then frowned at him.

She opened the book again and pointed at the planet again, a silent and desperate plea.

"I know you want to go home but…"

She tapped the book again.

"I'm sorry." He dropped his head.

She rolled her eyes and huffed, trying to make it clear to him that she was frustrated. He could understand her frustration, dealing with Daryk has always been a bit of pain. Especially when he gets an idea stuck in his head but whatever this "idea" of his is. It's reckless. We could use her. He shook his head then looked back at Rhea, who now was sitting with her back turned to him. "Hey." She shook her head and didn't look back at him.

"Fine." He sighed and quickly left the brig and made his way through the ship and up to Daryk. "I talked to her and she doesn't want to help."

Daryk laughed and turned to him. "She doesn't have a choice, her magic is something we haven't seen before and the Asmodians for certain haven't. They won't be able to counter."

"You cannot be serious." Adonis furrowed his eyebrows, "You've had some crazy ideas but you're going to put her in war? She's just a human, she doesn't belong in war."

"She won't be in war but her magic will."

He frowned, "We have to help her, we have to tell someone about her."

Daryk crossed his arms. "Absolutely not."

"This isn't right."

Daryk laughed, "There is no right or wrong in war, Adonis. The only thing that matters is defeating the enemy and we have something that just might give us that edge."

Adonis clenched his fist. "But..."

Daryk interrupted him, "Have I ever led you astray?"

"No but…"

"You have to trust me, Adonis, remember?." Daryk patted his shoulder.

"Yes but this isn't the same." Adonis cringed.

"Just trust me besides you shouldn't question the people above you. It isn't a good look."

~x~

Hour after hour passed, she paced and sat, paced and sat. How the hell did I end up here? Imprisoned. She slowly stood up. I gotta get out of this. Whatever this is… Whatever this place is...Wherever this place is… She looked around. I have to think of a plan. Any plan, but where to start? She looked down at her bag and nodded, Okay. She reached for the bag laying on the ground. She reached in and pulled out a black leather bound journal, a pen, and a small container of mints. She shook her head, grabbed the journal and pen and started to document the things she had experienced so far.

She sighed, I can at least document this insanity. Though hard to write in this low light. She closed the book, replaced it and the other items back into the bag and slung it across her body. That's done. She gave it a pat. Second, gotta find a way out. She looked around once more. She approached the back wall, it was a thick wood. Parts of it were scratched up, like someone had been clawing at it. The rest of her containment was thick iron bars. Hmm. No points of weakness I can see. She walked up to the gate and pulled then pushed on the bars. Strong. Won't be easy to break.

She stuck her head out between the bars and looked back and forth. Only one guard was walking past the cells further down from her with his back to her. She pulled her head back and re-gripped the bars then leaned back. She took in a deep breath, a glow formed on her arms, giving herself more strength as she moved her left foot behind herself and started to pull on the bars. The gate creaked as she pulled with all her strength, she exhaled and let the bars go. She shook her hands then grabbed the bars again and pulled. The gate still didn't budge. She exhaled and tried again. Let go and tried again, and again, and again. She let go a final time and threw her hands up in frustration, the glow on her dissipating. The guard came to the cell and scowled her in a language she couldn't understand before continuing his patrol.

She stepped back to the back wall, slid down it and sat. I'm tired… She placed her hands on her head and leaned it back against the wall. Looking at the watch on her wrist, she noticed the face was glowing despite being cracked. No signal. It read. Now you don't glitch out… And you don't work…She rolled her eyes. Shouldn't have expected you to… She sighed, slowly laid down on the floor and fell asleep.

The next morning she was woken up by a slight tapping on the cell bars,

"Hey."

She groaned and rolled over.

"Wake up,"

She heard the same voice again.

"I brought you some water and bread."

Rhea sat up and rubbed her sleepy eyes.

Adonis lifted the bread. "Food, bread."

She groaned, stood and walked up to bars. She yawned then repeated the words. He handed her the bread. She gently took it and took a bite. It was hard and stale but better than nothing. He watched her as she ate the bread, she looked like she was starving. She coughed and wiped her mouth as she finished. He looked down at his hand and realized that he had never given her the water. You must be parched.

"Hey."

She looked up at him.

He lifted the canteen and waved it at her "Water."

She looked at it with suspicion then at him. He stuck it through the bars at her. She grabbed the canteen and pulled it from him, keeping her eyes on him. She slowly opened the top and sniffed it then drank from it.

"Adonis." He pointed at himself, "I am Adonis."

She finished the water and stared at him for a bit before speaking. "Adonis."

She handed him back the canteen. He stored the item into his Cube. He pulled out another paper and drew an X and a check mark. He pointed to the X then to the word beside it. "No."

Rhea nodded and repeated.

He pointed to the check mark then to the word beside it."Yes."

Rhea nodded again and repeated.

"Understand?"

She nodded.

"Repeat, understand?" He pointed to her.

"Understand." She spoke quietly, barely pronouncing the word.

He smiled then dropped it when a hand landed on him.

"Adonis, how long have you been down here?" Daryk patted his shoulder. He turned and bowed slightly.

"Not long, I taught her some new words and fed her."

"Good, good but I need you to ask her to help again." Daryk smiled at the girl on the other side of the bars who glared at him.

"I don't think she will truly understand what you're asking her to do." He shook his head.

"She understands the bases, yes?" Daryk kept his eyes on the girl.

"Yes but…" He rubbed the back of his head nervously.

"Good, that's all she needs to know for now." Daryk patted his second-hand on the shoulder again, "Now ask her, she seems more accepting of you than me."

Adonis looked at her as she fiddled with her thumbs, her eyes darting between them. "I highly doubt that she would agree." Adonis shook his head.

"Don't worry. I have ways to make her agree." He glanced at him.

Adonis stared at him then sighed, "Okay. Rhea." Her ears flicked when she heard her name called and tilted her head. Adonis took a breath, "You."

She nodded.

"Help, war?"

She frowned and shook her head then crossed her arms.

He looked back at Daryk, "See?"

He frowned and hit the bars, "Hey!"

She hopped back from the bars and dropped her arms.

"You, help!"

She shook her head again. "No…" She timidly spoke.

"I see you taught her how to say no." Daryk looked at Adonis then summoned his greatsword and pointed at her. "Help." He dropped his voice and glared at her.

"No!" She shouted, her eyes darting between the blade and him.

"Adonis." Daryk kept his eyes on her.

"Yes?"

"Tell her: If you help, we may let you go." Daryk pulled his blade back.

"Are you serious?" He stared at him, confused at his assumed change of mind and heart.

"No, but if we tell her that then she just might be more inclined to help."

Adonis turned to her, "Rhea." She looked to him, "Help, war…" He pointed to her, "Go home." Her ears flicked. "Understand?" Adonis questioned.

"Home?" She repeated the word, it was messy but understandable.

"Only if you help in the war." He spoke slowly, placing emphasis on the only words she knew.

She stared at him, appalled. Are you trying to bribe me? "No!" She yelled and crossed her arms again.

Daryk glared at her through narrowed eyes. "I'm getting tired of her refusal…Adonis."

"Yes? " Adonis nervously replied. He had a feeling that he knew what he was planning on doing, it was something he had seen many times from him and he didn't like it.

"Open the cell."

Adonis took in a nervous breath. "I implore you to reconsider your decision. She's not a soldier...You shouldn't―."

"Enough." He interrupted Adonis. "Open the cell." He frowned, still looking at the girl.

"General, I don't think you should do this, at least not this time."

"Adonis, you weren't brought here to make suggestions."

Daryk glared at him from the corner of his eye.

Adonis closed his eyes and sighed, "I know why I'm here."

Daryk grabbed and gripped Adonis' shoulder, giving him a silent order. Adonis looked nervously at Rhea but she didn't notice. He fumbled with the keys for a bit before successfully opening the gate.

"Thank you." Daryk stepped in and closed it behind him. The girl stepped back from him. "Leave us." He waved Adonis off. "I have work to do." He kept his eyes on Rhea.

"Yes, General…" He bowed slightly, glancing once more back up at her, before turning and walking off quickly.

She looked at him fiercely and her hands and arms started to glow again. He noticed this and kicked her, knocking her back against the wall. The glow in her hands dissipated as she hit the wall. He reached out, grabbed her by her hair and pulled her head down, connecting it to his knee. A burst of red erupted from her forehead. He threw her down to the ground, pulling strands of her hair out as he did it. She grunted, rolled and started to get up. He kicked her again in the stomach, knocking her over. She spat out blood as she writhed on the ground, gasping for air.

He approached her and kicked her over again as she slowly got up then leaned over her.

"Will you help?"

She shook her head, trying to speak. He kicked her on the side of her face, knocking her out again.

"You will submit, eventually." He looked at her. "Healer!" A healer quickly appeared at his command and bowed.

"Yes, General."

He walked out the cell. "Take care of her, make sure she doesn't die."

"I will."

He turned and left, leaving her in the hands of the healer. She entered the cell and knelt down beside Rhea. "I'm so sorry he did this to you." She rolled her over to her back and started a simple healing spell. Adonis was right getting me here. She sighed, Enemies are not, General Daryk shouldn't be allowed to do this to anyone. Especially some defenseless human. She locked her eyes on her when Rhea groaned and moved slightly. "Please, don't move."

She heard a soft voice and froze. She looked over and adjusted her eyes, leaning over her was a cleric with soft hazel eyes and dark brown hair.

"You're quite injured, so please let me heal you." The healer looked at her with a worried expression, her hands glowing with a soft greenish-blue light.

"Who are you?" Rhea weakly spoke.

"I'm so sorry but I don't understand you…" She frowned. Rhea tilted her head away from her. "Adonis sent me. He told me what Daryk was going to do to you." She finished healing and stood, "I'm deeply sorry that you are caught up in this and I'm sorry that I can't help you more." She exited and locked the cell door behind her. Rhea slowly sat up, groaning as she did. The healer spoke sorrowfully. "Rest. Your body needs it." She turned. Rhea looked out the bars and watched as she walked away.

"Milla…"

She heard a familiar voice as she exited the brig. "Adonis?"

"How bad is she?" He had concern in his voice.

"She's okay."

"Good, she might not be Atreian but I don't want her to die."

She stared at him, "She isn't Atreian?"

"No, she's from another world, Saris, she called it."

"We have to tell someone."

Adonis shook his head, "We can't, no one will believe us besides, Daryk won't allow it."

"Adonis, please we have to tell someone when we arrive at the fortress. If she isn't Atreian and is really from another world, we have to help her!"

"Yes, of course but again, he'll never allow that… He wants to use her."

"Use her? How?" She started walking again, trying to keep up with him as they walked through the ship.

"Her magic, she has some kind of power. I haven't seen it myself but he's convinced that her magic is useful."

"But she doesn't belong here."

He shook his head, "I've tried talking to him but He is stubborn…but I can talk to him again for your sake but I doubt."

"Adonis…You can't be afraid of him."

Adonis dropped his jaw, stunned for a moment. "I'm not afraid of him, it's just…" He averted his eyes from her.

"I know. He got you out of trouble but you just can't blindly follow him." Milla crossed her arms.

Adonis sighed. "Alright, I'll talk to him, okay?"

She smiled.

"Thank you."

He nodded and left her. As he walked up to Daryk, he thought back to the incident. It was just a accident but if it wasn't for Daryk he'd still be in it. Though, he still had that on him. "General, I think you should reconsider." He approached him as he stared over the deck.

"And why is that?"

"She isn't Atreian, if not for that alone, we don't know anything about her magic."

Daryk crossed his arms and smiled. "That's the benefit."

"I know but, it just isn't right, especially if you think you can beat her into submission." Adonis argued.

"She doesn't have many choices, she can't break out." Daryk laughed, "Hell! She can't even communicate."

"So, you're just going to keep her prisoner?" Adonis stared at him, disgust painted on his face.

"No, if we can't use her then there's no point in keeping her." He turned away from him.

"Wha…What do you mean?" Adonis dropped his voice, a deep concern rising in him.

"Don't worry about that now, Adonis. You'll see in time."

"You're going to kill her aren't you?" Adonis asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

"I said don't worry." Daryk glared back at him with a sinister smile.

"General, I have full faith in you but if you're planning on killing her then you are crossing the line."

"Crossing the line? Adonis, I don't think you are aware of your situation here."

Adonis clenched his fist, he hated having this hanging over him. "She's just a human. We were chosen to protect humans, not harm them. I'm learning that lesson the hard way."

"Adonis, there's no reason to worry, just yet. I'm going to give her ample time to change her mind." Daryk reassured him.

"And if she doesn't?" Adonis frowned.

"We will have to see." Adonis sighed and rushed back to the brig and up to the cell. He had to try to convince her, this could be her only option. If he couldn't convince him then he had to convince her. He stopped in front of the cell and looked in.

Rhea was sitting up against the wall, hugging knees. I need to figure out how to get out of here. She groaned, If I get out, how the hell do I expect to survive?

"Rhea."

She looked up at Adonis beckoning her closer. She got up and walked over to the bars,

"Listen to me good. Die." He made a neck cutting gesture with his hand. "Understand?"

She quickly nodded, fear rising in her.

"You. No help. Die, understand?"

She stepped back, staring at him, her voice shook. "Yes…"

"You have to help." He begged her.

"No." She shook her head.

"Please…" He put his hands together in a begging motion. She shook her head again. "I know it isn't right but you don't want to die, do you?" He sighed, "Die?"

"No."

"Then help in the war."

"No!" She shook her head.

"Please."

She crossed her arms and turned away from him. He called out to her but she ignored him and walked away from him then sat back against the back wall. "Fine, you want me to leave then I'll leave." He sighed and walked away.

Rhea watched him as he left, I don't care how much you try to convince me, I'm not helping you in a war.

~x~

Daryk and Adonis returned the next day, and gave her the same offer, which she promptly turned down. She shot him an angry look.

"Will you help?" He asked again, his smile shifting into a wide grin.

Rhea crossed her arms, "No."

"Fine," Daryk's smile vanished from his face. "Adonis."

"Yes…" He stammered.

"Leave us." He opened the cell and walked in. Rhea hopped to her feet and began to gather her power to form a shield but before she got the chance, he kicked her in the chest. Her eyes went wide as she fell onto her back. Daryk stepped over her and pinned her down, she threw her arms up and blocked a punch. He grabbed her by her neck and lifted her slightly. "You must be feeling brave today." She formed a construct and fired it at him, missing him completely. It punctured into the ceiling then flickered and dissipated. "You must be feeling really brave." He gripped her tighter and pinned her back to the ground. She grabbed his arm and gripped tightly onto his gauntlet, she couldn't breathe. Her vision started to blur as she tried to scream but couldn't. He held her until she stopped moving. He let her go then stared down at her, "You will submit." He got up and left her.

Adonis watched Daryk as he left the brig, "Come on." He grabbed Milla and went down into the brig. They stopped at the cell and Adonis quickly opened the door, letting Milla in first.

"Oh…Sweetheart." She spoke sadly, under her breath then knelt and started casting a healing spell.

"Is she okay?" He knelt down.

"Not good. Her breath is shallow and wheezy." She looked back down at Rhea and spotted the hand shaped bruises around her neck. "I don't know how much longer she can survive this, Adonis." Milla looked up at him with sadness in her brown eyes.

"I know, I've tried to get her to cooperate just for the sake of staying alive, but...She just won't...I've tried to tell her but…It's hard to get her to understand." He sighed, "Doesn't help with language issues." Milla looked at him, "Adonis, something has to be done." Adonis could hear the sadness in her voice, he knew how much it pained her to see this.

"I know…" Adonis glanced down at Rhea as she groaned and slowly opened her eyes. She tried to push herself away.

"Rhea." Adonis grabbed her hand and pointed at Milla. "Safe, good."

She glanced at him and then at the healer next to him, uncertainty painted on her face. He pointed again at her, "Good."

Rhea nodded slowly. Milla gently approached and pulled a blanket from her Cube then wrapped it around Rhea's shoulders, giving her a soft smile.

She looked at Adonis and tilted her head.

"Milla, She is Milla."

Rhea looked back at the healer, staring at her. "Mi…Milla…?"

She smiled and nodded.

"You have to help, Rhea."

She looked back to Adonis and shook her head.

"Come on, please."

She shook her head again, "No understand…"

Adonis groaned, "I know…come on, Milla." He stood. Milla stood as he grabbed her hand.

"Where are we going?"

He pulled her out of the cell and shut the door. "If I can't convince her then we can try again to talk some sense into Daryk." He locked the cell gate and left the brig quickly, dragging Milla behind him. Adonis and Milla made their way quickly through the ship.

"I thought you already talked to him?" Milla pulled free from him.

"I did but he won't listen." He looked back at her.

"Then why try again?"

"Because she needs someone to defend her." They slowed as they approached and Adonis walked from Milla and up to Daryk. "General, I'm not going to let you kill this innocent girl." Milla looked stunned at him, he hadn't told her that.

"Still trying to change my mind? Her power could end this war with the Elyos as the victors, we have been at war for centuries. Don't you want this to end?"

"Yes, who doesn't but she's just a human, one not even from this world. You can't do this, there might be dire consequences to these actions."

Daryk glanced back at him. "You want to talk about consequences? Adonis, if it wasn't for me you'd be locked up."

Adonis was taken aback by this, he didn't like having this rubbed in his face over and over. "That was an accident, what happened wasn't supposed to happen."

"Then what was?" Daryk turned to him.

"It was a mistake, the kid got in the way. I didn't mean it and this isn't the same as that!" Adonis clenched his fist.

"Don't get up in arms, besides no one even knows that she exists." Daryk turned back from him.

Adonis looked back up at him then looked as the warship got closer and hovered over the fortress. "I'll tell someone at the fortress. Anyone, anyone that will believe me."

Daryk laughed, "Do you think that anyone would believe you?"

"What makes you sure that they won't?" He stared at him.

"A girl from another world being held prisoner on an Elyos warship, do you hear how strange that will sound? They'd either think you're gone mad or think that you're on about an Asmodian. No one will believe you."

Adonis stared at him and for a moment, he considered that he might be right but he shook it off and turned away from him, "Let's go." He grabbed Milla's hand and pulled her along as they departed the warship, weaving between deavas and supplies. "Hey," Adonis went up to the nearest daeva.

He turned and saluted, "Is there something you need?"

"I need to report something in." The guard nodded. "Abroad the Hypnos warship there is a young woman being held against her will, General Daryk intends to use her as a weapon. She..."

He stopped Adonis, "As a weapon?"

"Yes."

He gave him a questioning look, "Is she a daeva?"

"No." He dropped his eyes. "She is a human."

He gave a small chuckle, "A human as a weapon? A human in the Abyss? I think you've been on the warship too long." The daeva turned and started to leave. Adonis shook head, he realized quickly that this did sound ridiculous.

"I know this sounds inane but at least, have someone inspect the ship."

The daeva turned back and sighed. "This will have to be approved by the Captain and General first."

Adonis nodded then felt a hand come down on his shoulder.

"What needs to be approved?" Daryk patted Adonis on the shoulder again.

"An inspection of the Hypnos, apparently there is a stowaway."

Daryk glanced over at Adonis, who kept his eyes on the fortress guard in front of them. "Well, the captain is handling business off ship but sure, I'll approve it but give me time to clear out the ship."

"I will gather a group for the inspection." The guard nodded, saluted and turned.

Adonis froze when he felt Daryk's grip tighten. "Seems that I underestimated you." He patted his shoulder and let him go. "Stay off board until the inspection is over, I'll come get you when it's done."

Adonis wanted to run after him and reboard before he could board, he knew that he was going to hide her or lockdown the brig, anything to keep her a secret. Adonis turned to go back aboard but he was cut off by the people disembarking the ship. He tried to squeeze between the people but he couldn't. Milla grabbed him and pulled him back, fearing that he'd get injured. He gave her a look but she just shook her head. He sighed and just stared at the ship, hovering just off the side of the fortress.

~x~

Rhea slowly opened her eyes and rubbed them when she heard the cell door opening. Within a second a black cloth was thrown over her head. She felt her hands being tied and felt herself lifted and carried. Confused and barely awake, she muttered out a half spoken sentience. "Keep quiet." She heard someone say, she heard Daryk say. Where is he taking me? Why can't I see? What's happening?

Daryk opened the door to his personal quarters and placed her down on the ground. Rhea blinked as he snatched the cloth from her head. She stared at him, fear painted all over her face as he passed her. She fell to her back and rolled over onto her stomach, watching him as he unlocked a chest on the other side of the room.

"Listen." He spoke, turning back to her. "I'm putting you in here." He pointed to the chest that looked just big enough for someone her size if they were to ball up. Rhea gasped and rolled over, trying to get to her feet. "Calm, you won't have to stay in there for long." She pulled herself up to her feet and tried to run but he grabbed her and tied rope around her arms. She opened her mouth to scream but he covered her mouth and gagged her. "Now be a good girl, and stay quiet." He lifted her and shoved her in the chest of items. They were sharp and uncomfortable. She looked up at him, trying to push the gag from her mouth. He shut the chest and the world went dark and muffled. She heard the door open and someone enter, they spoke something that she couldn't make out. She listened as they left the room then shut and locked the door.

Rhea tried to move in the chest but the space was too tight. Her breath got fast, panic filling her. What's happening? The air in the chest started getting muggy. Stop. Calm down, slow breaths or you'll suffocate. She took a deep and slow breath. She felt items poking into her back, sharp and stinging into her skin. She tried to move her arms and push the chest open but her arms were tied too tight and the lid was too heavy. She closed her eyes and tried to focus. A small glow appeared on her hands as she tried to form a construct but it flickered and faded out. She couldn't fire a construct in here, it was too tight. She couldn't even breathe. Tears started filling her eyes. I'm going to suffocate. She took a small breath. Stay calm.

The door to the quarter unlocked and opened as a group of people entered. She could hear them as they searched about the room. Could they hear me? She tried to scream but the gag was too tight, no sound could escape her mouth. Even if any sound could escape, would they hear it outside the chest? Would they even help her? She tried again to make a sound. She heard one of them speak and then listened as they left the room. She started to weep, they didn't hear her. No one was coming to save her. The air got thicker, no. Not air but CO2. She didn't take care of her breath. No… Her head got light. No…I can't breathe…

~x~

Adonis paced around the fortress, keeping his eyes on the ship. Hopefully they found her, they had to have found her, right? Suddenly, Adonis felt a tap on his shoulder, he spun around and found Milla standing there. She could see the concern on his face.

"Come, the inspection is over. We can reboard."

He turned around and watched as Milla walked past him.

"Come." She grabbed his hand and pulled him along.

As soon as they reboarded, he pulled from Milla and went to the brig. He ran up to the cell and looked in. Rhea laid on her side, facing away from the bars with a blanket laid over her. She was sleeping. Adonis stared at her, it didn't make sense. He didn't try to hide her? Or did they not come down here?

"Are you happy now, Adonis?" Daryk walked up to him, while he stared astonished at the girl laying on the ground.

"How?" His voice shook, "How did they not find her?" He looked at Daryk, who gave him a sly smirk. "What did you do?" Adonis stepped from him.

"I did nothing, they came, inspected and left. Nothing unusual was found." Daryk turned to leave him.

"Nothing unusual?" Adonis questioned.

"Yes, 'Just another Asmodian', nothing unusual."

Adonis watched as he left the brig then turned his eyes back to Rhea. He went to bars and grabbed them and leaned in close. She was breathing, slow and steady. Maybe she was just sleeping the whole time and they didn't notice that she isn't Asmodian…Yeah, that has to be it, right? Adonis stayed by the cell for hours, occasionally pacing and just staring at her. She hadn't woken up and it was becoming concerning. Sleeping spell? He thought. There had to be some reason for her to sleep so long. He was tapping his foot when suddenly she coughed and groaned. He brought his eyes up and looked at her.

Rhea sat up and coughed more, wheezing slightly. He quickly tapped the bars to get her attention. She looked at him and shifted her knees. He could see tear streaks on her face. Had she been crying?

"Adonis…?" She stumbled over his name. She wanted to tell him what happened, what Daryk did but she didn't know the words.

He sighed, "Ah, you're awake finally…Good." She tilted her head, not understanding him. "Right, you can't understand me."

She stared at him, she could tell from the tone of his voice that something had happened.

"I convinced them to check the ship but…something is wrong…Daryk did something, I don't know yet but Rhea…" He put his hands together. "You have to help."

She shook her head, "No."

"He isn't going to stop, please you have to help in the war." He spoke slowly, trying to get her to understand.

She shook her head.

He put his hand on his head, "Why are you so stubborn?" He looked at her, her sky blue eyes trained on him. "You can't understand me but… no one is going to come save you. Daryk hid you, I know it but you just can't tell me. You have to help or you will die. Please, Rhea."

She stared at him then dropped her head, "No…Understand."

He sighed, "I know…I know…" He turned and left her.

She watched him and sat back down. I don't want to die…but I don't want to help. She grabbed the blanket and wrapped herself up then laid back down.

Daryk returned the next day, and the same scene played out the same as yesterday and the day before. The offer...if you could call it that... the beating, and the healing. Soon everyday became this vicious cycle, with each day just getting more and more intense but Rhea was stubborn, she was not giving in. Adonis heard about the aftermath from Milla and the other healers, he even went back to Rhea to try to convince her and again she didn't change her mind. He knew that she was cracking. She was going to break eventually. After a week-long stalemate of beatings, he had decided that she had enough time to change her mind.

"Adonis." Daryk spoke in his normal boisterous voice.

"Yes, General?" Adonis quickly turned to him and bowed.

"Come with me, we're going to see the girl again." He spoke with a sinister smile.

"I don't think she can handle more of this." Adonis spoke, trying to deter him from beating her again.

"That's why I'm going to give her an ultimatum. Either she cooperates or we get rid of her."

Adonis looked at him. "Get…Get rid of her, sir?"

Daryk nodded, not looking back. "We have no need for her if she doesn't want to help, so we kill her and be done with her."

He slowed, "Maybe you could give her more time to think about this?" Adonis sped up his walking to catch up.

"I've given her enough time." The small party stopped in front of her cell.

Adonis looked inside, Rhea was sitting against the wall. When he saw her the last time, she was battered and on the verge of breaking but now she was even worse. Her hair was tangled and dirty and her clothing was stained with patches of blood and dirt and ripped in multiple places. He wanted to speak to her, plead to her once more to cooperate but she was out of time.

"Wake up!" Daryk shouted at Rhea.

She lifted her head slowly to look at him then at Adonis, she looked exhausted.

"I'm giving you one last chance, an ultimatum. Either―."

"No." Her eyes darted over to Daryk, he stood beside Adonis with two other men behind him. Daryk looked at her with a slightly surprised expression. He wasn't pleased with her attitude.

"Open the cell." He frowned.

"I implore you to reconsider―."

Daryk lifted his hand in a stopping gesture. "I've given her a chance." He sighed. "If she doesn't want it then she dies."

Rhea stared at them, her eyes full of terror.

"General, please. She might just need more―."

"Enough." Daryk interrupted him.

"I've given her enough time, open the cell."

Adonis looked at him, he wanted to speak out but couldn't, he mouthed the words I'm sorry to Rhea before opening the cell and stepping back.

"Thank you." Daryk and the two men stepped into the cell. Rhea weakly tried to get to her feet but one of the men grabbed her by her hair and the other forced her down to her knees while holding her arms. Daryk summoned his sword from his cube and started to approach.

"You…You're mad!" Rhea yelled and struggled, tears welling up in her eyes.

"If you wish not to cooperate then we have no need for you." He pointed the tip of the blade at her neck.

Rhea looked at Adonis with pleading eyes that quietly said: Please, help me. He pressed the tip of the blade up against her neck.

"Hold her head up." He ordered the man holding her hair, "I want to get a clean cut." He lifted his sword.

Adonis opened his mouth to speak but before he could Rhea cried out, "No!" Her voice boomed in the tiny space. "I…Help…" Her voice broke and tears started flowing from her eyes.

"You will?" He glared down at her,

"Yes…"

Daryk pulled the blade back and ordered the men to let her go,

"Yes…" Her hair draped down around her face, she leaned over and placed her hands and head on the ground.

Daryk squatted down in front of Rhea and patted her head, "You finally came to your senses." He smiled. "I told you. You would be a great resource to the Elysean military." He stood and left the cell and the two men followed. "Adonis."

"Yes...?" Adonis continued to stare at Rhea.

"I will send Milla to check her condition." They started to walk away. "Stay and wait for her here."

After he left, Adonis entered the cell and knelt down beside Rhea. "I'm sorry. I sincerely am." He placed a hand on her back. She reached out, grabbed his tunic, looking up slightly. "It's okay." He pulled a small handkerchief from his cube. "At least he won't beat on you anymore." He took the handkerchief and wiped her face. After a few moments, Milla came rushing down the hall.

"Oh, great Aion." She entered the cell. "What happened? I was only told to check her condition." Milla knelt and started casting a simple spell.

"He didn't kill her but he was going to." Adonis looked at Milla then back at Rhea. "She agreed to help."

She sobbed, gripping tighter on Adonis' tunic.

"She's okay at least physically, maybe a bit weak but mentally...I can't be sure." Milla spoke, the green aetheric glow on her hands dissipating. "She needs rest." Milla looked at her with her soft eyes.

"Yeah, we are going to head into a battle soon and knowing what he wants with her, he is going to try to use her however he plans to." Adonis wiped her face again.

"For what? She's not a soldier."

"Her magic…whatever it is."

Rhea reached out to the orb on Adonis' hand and a glow of energy traveled down into her hand and into the object. Adonis looked down at the shimmering orb.

"It's… like a godstone?" Milla spoke, staring at the object.

"That's what he meant by 'She can give us more power…' " Adonis thought out loud.

"What?"

Milla blinked, "She's not a weapon."

"I've tried to tell him that."

Milla shook her head, "This is madness, Adonis."

He sighed and looked over at Rhea. "I know."

"Home…" She sobbed.

"Please sleep, you need it." Adonis spoke softly.

Rhea nodded as Milla and Adonis got up and left the cell. "Adonis, what is he going to do with her?" Milla quickly walked behind him.

"It's not good nor right. Milla, get some rest. We have a fortress to defend."