Hello there!

So, I'm not sure if Stella's specie in the show has been confirmed, but here at least, let's say she's a swan x)

Warning for this chapter: torture

Chapter 6 – Ordeal

The portal illuminated the bedroom as Stolas walked through it. He waited until it was completely closed, going as far as to glance behind him to make sure no one from IMP could see him anymore, before he let himself fall to his knees with a wail of pain.

Oh gosh, did it hurt! Of course, Stella had barely waited a day after Octavia was back with her before she came back to torment her former husband, and she sure as hell didn't go easy on him, in many ways. If they had used a blessed weapon this time, he'd have ended in a worryingly similar state to his condition after Striker's torture, probably even worst. Even without the angelic knife, it still hurt as hell.

But that, he could handle. After all, he was expecting something like that, and he didn't have anything planned for the day. The problem was, timing was also a bitch, because when Stolas checked his phone after Stella's departure, there was a message from Blitz, saying he needed Stolas' help as soon as possible. Since Stolas being tortured meant the imp was in danger, he simply couldn't deny him, especially since it concerned his work.

Which meant he had no time to recover from the beating, let alone rest, and he had to tend to his wounds quickly. Even if he had taken the pain med first thing, by the time he was ready to visit IMP's headquarters, it hadn't fully kicked in, and it certainly didn't make things easier.

Nothing has been easy today, really. At least he was so stressed knowing she would come back any time now that Via wasn't around, barely sleeping again and not eating much either, that he was quite productive to avoid thinking about what was coming, but it didn't make going through the torture any easier. He even had to somehow hide a broken arm, along with his other injuries, and he was lucky he had this old outfit with loose sleeves, because he would definitely need more of these in the future.

Despite all of that, he managed to stay composed while he was with Blitz, and for once he wouldn't have tried to spend more time with the imp even if said imp hadn't pushed him away. He was still a bit sad and worried over the assassin's behavior, and hoped they could talk to each other soon, but today wasn't the day for that. Stella's hellhounds didn't use blessed weapons yet, but he was quite certain it wouldn't be long before they did, and even without that, he would need more than a few hours to heal from the damage done this time.

Stolas sighed, deciding on going back to his study to keep practicing healing spells since he had wounds to train on for the rest of the day, but first, it would be wise to check how his visit just now had affected his injuries. But as he was checking on the bandages, wincing as he moved, he couldn't help a half smile at what he had achieved during today's session, though it was a bit lessened by what it cost him.

After drinking coffee as breakfast, Stolas tended to his plants before going to his study, where he was planning to spend the rest of the morning. After all, he had managed to find healing spells he could use, but he knew he would need more practice if he wanted to be able to cast them on himself once hurt. Sadly, working on it must have acted as a kind of bad luck, because he had barely begun that one of Stella's hellhounds came from the door.

"Here you are. She's asking for you in your bedroom", the hound, the chihuahua like, told him with a neutral tone.

Stolas tensed upon seeing him, and for a second he couldn't help but imagine knocking the hellhound out since he was alone, before turning that idea away and closing the book he was working on.

It would only delay the inevitable and put Blitz at risk. It wasn't worth it.

So he stood up to follow the henchman. As he approached him to get out of his study, the hellhound cast him a smirk.

"You wanted to avoid me, huh? Better warn you: don't try to hide or harm us when we're wandering alone to get you, she monitors us and that wouldn't end very well for your little friend, got it? Same goes if you try to hurt her directly, but you probably already knows that."

Stolas simply nodded, but winced internally. He was definitely glad he had stopped his impulse quickly, but the fact it showed enough for the hellhound to realize what he was thinking was definitely not a good thing. He tried to put his mindset in one that would fit what was going to happen, that was the best thing he could do since he couldn't dissociate. Sure, this was useful information he had just been given, but if Stella had heard that, then she was definitely going to make the start a harsh one.

He led the way back to his room and was greeted there with the rest of the group, which meant Stella had probably told the other two to come back as soon as the one with the owl had found his target.

"Hey, Stolas, it's been way too long!" She mocked him as the door was closed and locked behind him. "I heard you weren't too keen on seeing me? I hope you're not having stupid ideas, unless you want someone dead, right?"

She shot a glance to the wrinkled hellhound who extended his arm toward Stolas.

"Give me your phone", he commanded.

The Goetia obliged, only then realizing he hadn't left it in his study as he should have, and immediately hoped it wasn't going to be a problem. Since he was usually reminded about it by Stella, he forgot this time, and he had to refrain from starting to freak out at the possible outcome.

But the hellhound immediately started typing on it, which made the owl frown before a finger on his cheek forced him to turn his face to Stella.

"You should focus on me, stupid", the swan smiled threateningly. "He's not going to sent anything to anyone, calm down, just installing a small tracking app so I don't risk coming here when you're elsewhere, and they don't have to search for you in the whole place like today. Don't pry into it, and of course don't remove it, understood?"

"Yes."

"Good! Now, you!" She added for the hellhound who bought Stolas in. "Do whatever you like to him to punish him for ever thinking he could escape this. Then we'll be able to get started."

"How hard should I go on him?"

"It wouldn't be fun to go too hard so soon, but I don't want this to become a habit and for him to think it's ok to search for a way out, so… Find something… Striking, perhaps?"

Stolas did his best to stay neutral, putting all thoughts aside but still paying attention. It was the best way to go that he could think of at the moment, if he could maintain it through the whole session.

He knew better than to move as the hellhound walked on him. Until now they were quite professional, so to say, but this one was starting to show a sardonic smile, probably encouraged by Stella's words.

"Bend", he ordered.

Stolas obeyed, guessing whatever he wanted to do to him would target his upper body if he wanted him to get near eye level.

"Give me your hand."

The owl was doing as he was told, trying not to wonder about it. But he couldn't help the panic he felt when a hand grabbed his wrist and the other the elbow, and he saw the hellhound raise his knee to strike the middle of his forearm like one would do to break a stick.

He remained still, only his eyes betraying the pain he felt as a loud crack resonated, but that didn't prevent his torturer from smirking.

"Will this be enough?" He asked toward Stella.

The prince could hear her scoff.

"That should do, yes!"

The hellhound released him, and Stolas had to refrain from touching his broken forearm with his other hand. Even if he did, it wouldn't have lasted long, since the third hellhound, the watchdog, nodded to him with the blessed handcuffs out.

Repressing a sigh, Stolas put his hands behind his back, and couldn't completely hide his wince as he felt the cuffs clap roughly on his wrists, the action sending a spark of pain in his injured arm.

He really wasn't looking forward to what was coming next, when suddenly Blitz's face popped in his mind, and his breath hitched before he forced long, calm breaths in and out.

This was not about him. Well… Kind of, he was still the one being tortured, but it wasn't only about him. He wasn't the one in the most danger. He had to remind himself that, not let himself get distracted, and it should go by just fine… As fine as it could anyway. Why did he feel like he was repeating himself?

He met Stella's disappointed gaze, and braced himself for whatever would come next.

"Trying to be brave, now? Very well…"

As he was watching ahead of him, he suddenly felt a fist punch his broken bone and he let out a shriek at the intense unexpected pain that resulted.

"Aaah, that's better! See, you don't need to put some kind of strong facade, I know that's not really you, and that's not what I'm here to see anyway!" Stella commented, smirking again.

Stolas only panted with small pained hoots in response, daring to glance back to see which hellhound had hit him in the back.

It was the tallest. Not only he didn't step back, but he firmly gripped the shoulder connected to his broken forearm and nodded to someone else.

Stolas took his attention back before him in time to see the shar pei hellhound punch him in his stomach, knocking even more air out of his lungs.

"Hold where his arm is broken, it will be more fun!" Stella said with a wide smile.

Stolas stiffened, eyes wide, before he felt the pressure on the already painful area and he hooted louder in pain, a wince twisting his features.

"There, perfect! You can continue."

He was only able to contain the first hit, all the following got some kind of pained sound out of him, sounds that got louder the more time passed, until both hellhounds stepped back and his injury was finally released.

"Still standing I see", Stella observed. "Then, let's spice things up, shall we?"

Stolas raised his head to stay focused on what was happening around him, since he had spaced out a bit during that part, and he made a point not to think too much about what his ex wife had just said. But no one was advancing on him yet for a new form of torment. Instead, the swan continued:

"Now pay attention, I won't say that again. They will resume their treatment with an upgrade. I don't care if you need to step back or aside to keep your balance, as long as you stay up. If you fall too soon, your imp dies. If you hold long enough, he won't die, they'll just keep going with you on the floor like the other times. But if you manage to stay standing until the end, you'll earn your plaything a warning shot, only for if you make a small mistake need I remind you. Did you hear me?"

Stolas' four eyes had widened during her explanation, and he nodded at her question. She didn't ask him to voice his understanding, only smirking as she saw the new brightness in his eyes.

"Now, let's see if this is enough motivation for you not to be as pathetic as previously!"

First, the three hellhounds simply resumed their beating, but without holding him and with only one of them hitting him at a time, which was probably the closest he would get of an easy start.

Well… As easy as it was probably meant to be, all the hits weren't equals in strength, and one of them had Stolas almost drop on one knee before he pushed himself up in a flash. Stella eyed him for a moment before smiling.

"I'll be nice and count this as a nice save, since you're trying, but please try to focus a bit more, there's still a life on the line!"

"Thanks", he mumbled, and that had her beaming.

"Good, you're learning fast! I should have done this when he were still married, maybe that would have knocked some sense into you! I went too easy, obviously."

Stolas was almost glad the hellhounds were back at hitting him, anything felt better than hearing her spill such nonsense and having to pretend to agree.

They kept going like this for what felt like way too long for the prince. He doubted he had entered the bedroom much more than thirty minutes ago at most, but it felt like hours already, and she seemed far from done.

As time passed, the beating changed. He didn't have as much time to recover between each blow, sometimes they would be two to strike at a time, and they were targeting near his injured arm more often. Somehow, Stolas still managed to stay standing, though panting heavily and not bothering anymore with trying to cover his pain and exhaustion. As much as he didn't enjoy giving Stella what she wanted, he couldn't let the opportunity to earn that warning shot pass, and for that, he needed his full focus. Also, it probably wasn't a good idea to keep away what she wanted to see, that was only a way to sustain more injuries until she was satisfied, and the more the injuries, the harder it was to hide them.

It was already hard enough to keep his balance like that, until there was a blade again in one of the hellhound's hand. He only needed one step to be at hitting range, and soon enough Stolas saw the knife dash toward him. He braced himself, stubbornly staying in place, until he felt the sharp pain grazing his side.

"Not even trying to escape! You really are so desperate to keep your fuck toy safe? You know, if you fall now, he don't die, but I guess you're going for the warning shot?"

Stolas could only nod before the same hellhound who stabbed him punched him in his fresh cut, earning an angry bird noise from the owl.

Staying focused was getting harder with every new hit and stab wound. Some were superficial, like during the first session, but some were deeper, like the one Striker had inflicted him, and despite his head being mostly spared, he knew he wasn't going to last much longer.

Finally getting stabbed in the leg only made matters worse, as he now had to put his weight on only one leg, the injured one only helping with his balance. He still had to use both on some occasions not to end on the floor, but he knew he wouldn't be able to do it much, even his uninjured leg seemed ready to give out under him at this point.

Finally, there was a break, and Stolas managed to lift his head to meet Stella's gaze, still out of breath, eyes half closed.

"Don't look at me like that, it's not over yet! But I must say, I didn't expect you to last this long. Keep standing until the end of this round, and I'll be willing to give you this warning shot!"

He didn't know yet if he could trust her on that, but he still had to try. Until then… He feared that last part would be way too much to handle, but he still steeled his resolve as the three hellhounds stepped around him again.

Then, there was only pain.

Stolas would be absolutely unable to explain how he managed to stay up through the whole thing. Maybe the fact that their hits were throwing him back and forth between them kind of helped, but he was still surprised his legs hadn't given out. Pain was pulsing in his whole body at the rhythm of his heartbeat, and he was deaf to Stella's voice, despite faintly hearing her in the background. It seemed to be mainly enjoyment sounds, so he needn't to pay attention, instead fully focusing on his task at hand.

Keep standing.

He didn't even have the energy left to scream, only hoot softly in pain whenever he had more than two seconds between two blows. Then there was a punch to his stomach, harder than all the previous hits, or it was his exhaustion speaking, that sent him stumbling backwards until his back hit a wall and he hissed in pain at the feeling it caused in his broken forearm.

He hadn't even noticed they moved from the center of the room to one of the walls, nor did he have the energy left to look at the hellhounds to brace himself for what would arrive next. His already blurred vision slowly faded to black, and he didn't even realize he was sliding to the floor until numbness finally overcame the pain.

Sadly, the reprieve didn't last. Before his brain could go completely blank, a sharp pain brought him back, startled.

"Oh, you're conscious! Technically, you passed out before I said it was over, but since you fainted after the hit and not directly because of it, I'll still earn you that warning shot. Ain't I too generous? I hope you won't waste it stupidly!"

Only a moan of pain answered the swan, as the hellhound who woke him by removing the cuffs turned him on his back so Stella could have a better look at him. She simply grinned, looking pleased with what she was seeing, even scoffing at the sound he made.

"I'll take that as a thanks. Well, see you soon!"

Please no, Stolas silently prayed as the group left. He tried to focus on his breathing, not even appreciating his small victory, but the world turned black again.

He was woken up by the sound of an incoming text. It took him a moment to get in bearings back, then to be able to sit to magically bring his phone, left on his bedside table, to him. Everything hurt, more than ever before, and his broken arm looked bent and radiated pain even when he wasn't moving it.

The Goetia then looked at the text, and couldn't help a moan of despair to escape his beak. That was literally the worst timing ever. Ok, not the worst – he could have texted during the torture – but still. He was in pain, struggling to come back to his usual state of mind and quell the darker feelings still lingering in the back of his head – one of them caused by the guilt of not thinking to check up on Blitz's wellbeing before passing out – and he couldn't bring himself to try to find a way out of this. Going to earth without disguises was dangerous for them, they were lucky it went unnoticed until then, but it wouldn't last forever, and with Stella watching them, it was best it they were as flawless as possible. Which meant, he had to get ready and quickly.

Sighing painfully, Stolas answered the message, then went to treat his injuries as best he could.

Which then led to his visit to IMP, to now, after changing his bandages because of course his blood had started to turn them blue, but at least he didn't need to change his clothes yet.

He had managed to get back to his healing spell training, but didn't manage much. He felt too drained, exhausted, light headed even while sitting, and he didn't know if he should blame his injuries or the medication, or the use of magic, until he received a new text.

It was Blitz again, asking if he could drop by in the evening to chat. Stolas grumbled but still accepted. He had waited long enough for an answer, he wasn't going to sent the imp away now that he was finally reaching out!

But the spells weren't really efficient on healing him quickly, or he wasn't casting them right. Either way, he felt he had tried enough. His broken arm was still sending waves of pain even when resting, and Stolas probably should have got it checked with all the hits it took, but he knew his healing abilities would manage now that it was secured in a straight position. It wasn't a cast, only a home made splint, but it would have to do.

There was nothing he needed to do today, he had been productive enough previously, so all that was left was for him to get back to bed and try to catch up on sleep, and maybe, just maybe he wouldn't feel too sore for tonight.

20/03/2024

If you don't like torture scenes, you should be glad to learn next one won't be soon ^^

See you next week!