warning - some description of 'mild' sexual assault in this chapter

Pitch blackness surrounded him, pressing in on him like a living thing. Stuffing itself down his throat, cutting off his air.

Jason fumbled for his phone, quickly turned the flashlight on.

"Want some zyx?" said Zar, grinning eerily in the dark.

"No. I want a clear head."

Jason tapped Zar's side with the shockrod. He screeched and jolted away.

All fear fled from Jason; all he felt was scorn. As well as disgust that this being had ever touched him. He shook his head. Time to focus. He only matters as a key out.

"So where were you going to take me?"

"There's an amazing, beautiful place at the end of the tunnel."

"Take me there."

"You'll honor your promise?"

"Oh, yes, I'll give you something special."

"Really?" Zar advanced and a trickle of fear slid back into him.

"Yeah."

"Like what?"

"Get going."

"You can't offer me a teaser?"

Jason tapped his back and he yelped. "That doesn't hurt. Now go."

Zar sighed and turned, leading Jason down the tunnel. The walls glistened in the dark; the further they went, the more it looked like a cave. Stalagmites and stalactites appeared, small and thin at first, then larger, less isolated and burgeoning into whole colonies along the edge. He would have stopped to admire them if he hadn't had an urgent mission.

Other tunnel entrances appeared in the walls, some larger, some small. Just thinking about going through the small ones made Jason feel claustrophobic. But he wouldn't have to go through those. Unless Zar wasn't taking him to the entrance at all….

"What is at the end of the tunnel?"

"I couldn't do it justice! I just have to show you."

Soon the tunnel was lit by a soft blueish glow. It grew slightly brighter with each step. The rushing sound that he'd been vaguely aware of grew louder and after a few more minutes turned into a roar—the unmistakable sound of running water.

They turned a corner and the tunnel opened out into a vast space, perhaps two-thirds the size of the Cathedral. Moss covered the walls, shimmering faintly in the dim light. At the mouth of the tunnel a white sheet of light curtained the entrance.

A massive waterfall. Pouring from somewhere above, past the floor of the cavern to somewhere unseen below. Jason realized it was white because it was lit by moonlight.

His heart soared. He longed to dive into it and taste it—but he refrained. Instead he crept closer to the ledge, but not too close; it was damp with the spray from the waterfall. Stray splashes hit his face, sparking into his skin. He reached out to let it mist his hand—the glorious kiss of freedom.

He closed his eyes, letting it sprinkle over his tongue. It tasted like damp stone and pine and something sweet—where had he tasted that before—

Sweetfern.

He reveled in it. Thrills raced over his skin.

"I told you it was glorious," said a voice somewhere outside in the dimness. It only vaguely bothered him. There was a touch at his arm but he ignored it. This vision of freedom was too splendid, too entrancing—

Fingers caressed his arm, gliding a path through the mist on his skin.

He gasped, snapping out of his reverie, and jumped away

He slipped, tried to stay standing, but he fell hard onto the slick rock. He tried to grab the edge of the rock, but the moss was too slippery and he kept sliding toward the waterfall, his heart plummeting.

I'll be free—but to not see Connie again—

A hand grasped wrist and heaved him back onto the flat part of the rock. A few jagged edges pressed into his chest; he lay there for a moment, air wheezing into his lungs. Gratitude poured through him.

A soothing hand caressed his back. "I should've warned you. We lost a slave last year that way."

The terror of almost losing his life pressed him down, kept his limbs from responding; they felt like heavy clay.

The hands flipped him over, dragged him backwards, grains of sand rubbing into his back. He struggled but he still hadn't regained control over his body yet. He was shivering as if he'd plunged into ice.

The back wall of the cavern appeared above him as Zar cradled his upper body in his lap. Stroked his damp hair back from his forehead.

"There, there, it's alright," he said.

The voice froze him, his mind numb. Zar grasped his chin and the fingers burned against his skin like a brand.

"So beautiful…" said Zar, gliding one finger down Jason's cheek. His eyes, upside down above him, gleamed with possessive delight.

Horror blazed through Jason.

I can't be here. this can't be happening. Not again.

Don't let it.

You had the upper hand! You need him to escape!

He struggled weakly, grasping for strength; Zar grabbed his arms and pressed him down against the rock. "Oh, no you don't. I deserve a reward." He straddled Jason's thighs. Pressed one hand to his stomach. "I just—can't stand it. Having you in my power—in this glorious place—I need at least a taste—"

He tried to dredge up hate but with Zar this close it melted away, crushed by overwhelming terror.

The Gold Room superimposed on his mind, overlaying what Zar was doing now. Two times, in sync, layered over each other.

It keeps happening. I'm always trapped. Might as well just… lie back and let it happen… feel it, not detach, because you deserve it—what kind of man just freezes when another man is—

The fingers traced lower; Jason struggled weakly away. Surprised he wasn't bound by ropes, that the sky wasn't prickling with glitter. He slid upwards against the wall, the jagged rock grinding into it.

Zar slithered upwards and seized his waist. "Hey hey hey hey. I won't hurt you."

"I don't want this."

"You owe me, remember?"

"That's moot." Jason fumbled for the shockrod, but it wasn't there.

"You lost it," said Zar. "It wasn't working anyway. Now we're more on an even footing."

I have the knife… I have the strength if I can just—find it—

I thought hate was the best weapon… but perhaps there's something better…

Love.

My beautiful one would want me to fight. With everything that's in me.

He conjured up her face even though it was hard to envision her when Zar was touching him—Zar was the furthest thing from her that existed.

He pulled away; Zar slammed his palm into Jason's chest, pinning him to the wall. Shoved up against him, then yanked his hair back and slammed a kiss into his mouth.

His lips were numb; he could barely feel the warm pressure of the other's mouth moving insistently against his. Darkness swept over his vision and a dull ache crushed his chest. Just a body, just a doll to do with as the other wished…

A hand snaked beneath his shirt, climbing upwards, lifting the shirt to his chest. Another hand slid beneath his belt, exploring

A sword stabbed his heart

He gasped

This can't be happening.

I won't let it.

If I have any strength left—I have to make it.

Get back to Connie.

This thing has no claim to me. Not yet anyway. I'm so close. I won't let him claim any part of me even though he's invading so much of me already—I shouldn't have let it go this far—

Tears pricked his eyes.

He etched Connie's face over his mind, pounding the evil one into the background. Pushing him out of his space even though physically he was growing more insistent each moment

He's not paying attention.

Now's my chance.

Jason's hand dove into his pocket and lifted out the knife

The small golden sword

And plunged it into Zar's stomach.

Zar shrieked and fell back into the vague shadows, writhing

Jason gasped as if he'd been stabbed

But it was the sudden shock of being freed

He'd half-suspected it was merely a dream

But he couldn't falter now.

He grasped for Connie's hand and she took his and they faced Zar together

The slight wormlike thing thrashing on the floor, blood leaking from his side.

Jason forced the world to stand out in sharp relief even though he was reeling from his escape

Zar's hands trembled, creeping toward the wound. He pressed them there, the blood spilling between his fingers. His eyes looked up at Jason, shocked, accusing. "You—you stabbed me!"

"You deserve it." He felt no pity as he stepped forward. He felt the sudden urge to kick Zar and send him tumbling over the edge.

But then he remembered.

He had a mission. Larger than revenge.

Jason knelt beside Zar and angled the knife toward him. He struggled away weakly; Jason grabbed his ankle and pulled him back, then pressed down on his stomach.

Taken aback at how this pathetic being had brought him low.

How I let him.

Slime tracked over his lips. Warmth still wriggled over his skin.

He cut off a large piece of Zar's shirt. Zar struggled, angling perilously toward the ledge; Jason pressed his knee against his stomach. "Don't move. I'm trying to help you." He pressed one piece of fabric to the wound and wound the longer strip around his waist, binding it tightly. Zar cried out in pain.

"Do you want to keep bleeding?"

Zar shook his head vehemently. His eyes sharp with fear.

I should make it so he never hurts anyone again….

But first, I need the way out.

He pressed the knife to Zar's throat. He screeched, terror shooting through his eyes.

"How do I get out."

"W-what—"

Jason grabbed a tuft of his hair, pressing his head back against the damp stone. "Tell me how to get out of here."

"Out of Yavesh?"

Jason nodded.

"There isn't one."

"What."

"There has to be."

"I mean maybe through one of the other tunnels but I didn't want to go down those. There's another way out—"

"Where is it."

"You need the elevator."

"Take me there." His heart sank. He had assumed because it was a tunnel there was an entrance—but the waterfall was in the entrance, no way out unless you could fly. And he'd glimpsed what was below—a sheer drop, darkness beneath, the hint of trees far below.

"I need to go to Med!"

"Take me to the exit." At least Zar had the biometrics. And it was still nighttime. But it'd be harder to get the others out. Jason might have to do it on his own.

"I can't walk!"

"You will walk if you know what's good for you." Jason slid the knife across Zar's cheek, slicing into it a little, unexpected gratification at how it would mirror his own scar. Give him permanent dishonor. How he would be ashamed every time he looked in the mirror. He would think of Jason and remember how he'd been helpless on the floor of the cavern.

In the back of his mind something told him he should be a little concerned by being happy at another's pain, but he had no time for self-examination.

.

At the edge one more time, Jason let the spray of the waterfall baptize him with its breath of freedom. He glimpsed beyond it a hint of stars, the barest edge of a full moon, now sinking toward the horizon. It infused him with strength, lacing into his veins, binding to his bones.

Then he turned from it, facing the darkness.

He pulled Zar to his feet, Zar complaining all the while. It hurt, of course, but it couldn't hurt as much as he whined about it.

He couldn't suppress disgust at himself. He had let weakness overtake him. He'd let that creature stumbling ahead of him paralyze him. Let him do what only his wife should.

It was only the echo of a mockery, but still… he didn't know if he'd be able to shake it once they emerged into freedom.

All of this had sunken too deeply into him. He wouldn't be able to wash the grime off until he could bathe in the beauty of the world for months… perhaps years…

Connie could accelerate his healing, but he didn't know if he could even let her touch him after what had happened. Before, perhaps, but now… he hadn't even been bound. Zar had bound him. Just by his presence.

Shame lanced through him.

But he couldn't let it crush him.

This place needed to crumble by any means necessary.

Every slave here deserved to be free.

And every oppressor punished.

Zar tripped on his own feet and crumpled to the ground in a heap. "I can't go on…."

"You have to."

"Maybe I could just tell you where the exit is?"

"I need your biometrics."

"There's a backup code. Maybe I can remember it..."

"I can't trust you not to lie to me." Jason dragged him to his feet and despite his revulsion supported him the rest of the way. Thankfully Zar was in too much pain to touch him or say anything suggestive.

Zar opened the door to the entertainment room and Jason detested the thought of having to go back through it. The dimly lit, red shiny surfaces gleamed at him like the eyes of demons mocking him just at the edge of his vision.

Zar pressed his thumb to the exit door.

It didn't move.

"What's wrong?"

"It's not working!" He slammed his fist against the door. "I need to get out! I need some meds!"

"Maybe there's some in here. I need you to show me the way out. Then you can go to Med."

"There is some in the cabinet."

Jason headed wearily to the back of the room while Zar leaned dramatically against the door. Then he sank to the floor with a moan, pressing his stomach.

Sure enough, there was a bottle of painkiller in the top right corner among some questionable vials. He raced back over to Zar and fed him two of them. Then checked his bandages. The blood was soaked through, but the fabric wasn't completely dripping with blood. That meant that his injury probably wasn't that serious. At least if he got medical attention soon.

"What's the code?" Jason asked.

"The code is… 1154."

Jason touched the door and a keypad appeared. He input the code.

A bleep.

The door still wouldn't open.