[Content warning: scenes of graphic torture and implied sexual assault]
Amelia's body was a canvas of agony, every inch of her skin ached with a raw intensity that threatened to overwhelm her senses. The brutal assault she had endured left her feeling violated and broken, the pain between her legs a constant reminder of the vile act that had been forced upon her. Each movement sent sharp jolts of torment through her already battered form, making even the simplest tasks excruciating.
As she lay curled on the frigid stone floor of the cell, tears mingled with the sweat and grime that clung to her skin. The darkness around her mirrored the darkness within, a suffocating void that threatened to swallow her whole. Her mind was a whirlwind of fear and despair, memories of Cesare's cruel hands and leering eyes haunting her every thought.
The dim light filtering in from the small barred window cast eerie shadows across the rough walls, creating a macabre dance of darkness and light. In this bleak environment, Amelia felt like a ghost trapped in limbo, suspended between the horrors of her past and an uncertain future.
Her dress hung in tatters, barely serving its purpose as it scraped against her bruised flesh like a cruel reminder of her vulnerability. The fabric offered no protection from the harsh cold that seeped into her bones, amplifying the ache in every muscle and joint. She shivered uncontrollably, both from physical cold and emotional turmoil.
Amelia's throat was parched and constricted, each swallow feeling like swallowing sandpaper. The emptiness in her stomach gnawed at her relentlessly, demanding sustenance that was nowhere to be found. Her entire being felt hollow, echoing the desperation and hopelessness that consumed her from within.
Despite the overwhelming pain and despair, Amelia clung to a sliver of defiance within herself. With trembling hands pressed against the unforgiving wall for support, she fought to steady herself against the onslaught of trauma threatening to crush her spirit.
In moments when despair threatened to consume her entirely. "Just breathe." she whispered words of encouragement to herself in a feeble attempt to reclaim some semblance of control amidst chaos.
The memory of Ezio's unwavering protection loomed large in Amelia's mind, his absence leaving an agonizing void in her heart. She longed for his comforting presence, for his strength to shield her from the horrors surrounding her. But as she lay alone in that desolate cell, with only silence punctuated by approaching footsteps as company, she knew she was truly isolated in this nightmare orchestrated by the merciless Borgia.
Each breath felt like fire in Amelia's lungs as she struggled to find solace amidst suffering too profound for words. With every heartbeat echoing through her shattered being, she clung desperately to shreds of resilience within herself while battling against waves of anguish threatening to drown her whole.
The sound of approaching footsteps jolted Amelia from her tormented reverie. Her heart raced as she pressed herself against the cold stone wall, desperate to make herself as small as possible. The heavy iron door creaked open, flooding the cell with harsh torchlight that made her eyes burn.
A tall figure entered, his face obscured by shadow. For a moment, Amelia's heart leapt with wild hope - could it be Ezio, come to rescue her at last? But as the man stepped closer, that fragile spark of optimism was crushed. It was Micheletto, Cesare's ruthless henchman.
"Well, well," he sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "How the mighty have fallen. Cesare sends his regards."
Amelia tried to speak, to hurl defiance in his face, but her parched throat produced only a hoarse whisper. The guards
cruel laughter echoed off the stone walls as he approached, his boots scraping against the rough floor.
"Save your strength, little bird. You'll need it." He knelt beside her, grabbing her chin roughly and forcing her to meet his cold gaze. "Cesare has big plans for you."
Amelia's stomach churned with dread at his words. What more could Cesare possibly want from her? Hadn't he already taken everything?
As if reading her thoughts, the guards lips curled into a wicked smile. "Oh yes, there's still much to be done. The fun has only just begun."
He stood abruptly, yanking Amelia to her feet. Her legs buckled beneath her, weak from hunger and abuse. The guards iron grip on her arm was the only thing keeping her upright as he dragged her from the cell. With nothing to cover her, she did what she could hold her breasts away from prying eyes.
The cold stone floor scraped against Amelia's bare feet as the guard pulled her through winding corridors. Each step sent waves of pain through her battered body, but she gritted her teeth, determined not to give him the satisfaction of hearing her cry out.
They descended a narrow staircase, the damp air growing thicker as they went deeper underground. Amelia's heart pounded, her mind racing with terrifying possibilities of what awaited her. The darkness seemed to close in around her, threatening to suffocate her.
At last, they reached a heavy wooden door. The guard produced a key and unlocked it, shoving Amelia roughly inside. She stumbled, nearly falling, before catching herself against a stone pillar.
As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, Amelia took in her surroundings with growing horror. The room was circular, lined with various instruments of torture. Chains hung from the ceiling, and cruel-looking devices were arranged on tables around the perimeter. In the center stood a large wooden rack, its purpose all too clear.
Amelia's legs trembled as she fought the urge to collapse. She had heard whispered tales of the Borgia's infamous torture chambers, but never imagined she would find herself in one. The reality was far more terrifying than any story.
"Welcome to your new accommodations," The guard sneered, circling her like a predator stalking its prey. "I hope you'll find them...stimulating."
He grabbed a fistful of her hair, yanking her head back painfully. "Cesare wants information, and you're going to give it to us. Where is Ezio Auditore?"
Amelia's heart raced as she stared defiantly into The guard cold eyes. "I don't know," she spat, her voice hoarse but filled with venom.
The guard grip on her hair tightened, sending shards of pain through her scalp. "Wrong answer," he growled. With a violent tug, he pulled her towards the rack in the center of the room.
Amelia stumbled, her weakened legs barely keeping her upright. She eyed the cruel device with growing terror, her mind reeling as she desperately sought a way out. But there was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide from the horrors that awaited her.
"Strip," The guard commanded, throwing her against the edge of the table. She caught herself, barely. She looked back to see him drawing a wicked-looking knife from his belt.
Amelia's heart pounded as she faced the cruel guard, his knife glinting menacingly in the dim light. Every instinct screamed at her to resist, to fight back against this new violation. But she knew it would only lead to more pain. With trembling hands, she began to remove what little remained of her tattered dress.
The guard watched her with predatory eyes as she slowly revealed her bruised and battered body. Amelia felt utterly exposed, vulnerable in a way that made her want to curl up and disappear. But she forced herself to stand tall, clinging to the last shreds of her dignity.
"On the rack," the guard ordered, gesturing with his knife.
Amelia hesitated, her gaze darting between the cruel device and her tormentor. The guard's patience quickly wore thin. He grabbed her arm roughly, fingers digging into tender flesh as he shoved her towards the rack.
"I said, on the rack," he snarled, pressing the cold blade of his knife against her throat. "Now."
With no choice left, Amelia climbed onto the wooden platform, her body trembling uncontrollably. The guard wasted no time in securing her wrists and ankles with thick leather straps, pulling them tight enough to cut off circulation. Amelia bit back a whimper as he cranked a lever, stretching her limbs until her joints screamed in protest.
"Last chance," the guard said, leaning over her prone form. His rancid breath washed over her face as he spoke. "Tell me where Ezio Auditore is."
Amelia's body trembled with fear and pain as she lay stretched out on the rack. She turned her face away from the guard's foul breath, desperately trying to maintain some shred of defiance.
"I told you, I don't know where he is," she rasped, her voice barely above a whisper.
The guard's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Wrong answer."
He moved to the crank at the end of the rack and began to turn it slowly. Amelia felt the tension increase throughout her body as her joints were pulled to their limits. She gritted her teeth, determined not to cry out.
"Where is Ezio Auditore?" the guard demanded again.
"I don't know!" Amelia gasped, tears springing to her eyes as the pain intensified.
The guard continued turning the crank, stretching her body beyond what she thought possible. A strangled cry finally escaped her lips as she felt her shoulders threatening to dislocate.
"Stop! Please!" she begged, her resolve crumbling under the onslaught of agony.
The guard paused, leaning over her once more. "Ready to talk?"
Amelia's breath came in ragged gasps as she fought to endure the pain. "I... I can't tell you what I don't know," she whimpered.
With a snarl of frustration, the guard cranked the rack even further. Amelia screamed as she felt something pop in her shoulder, sending waves of fire through her arm. Black spots danced at the edges of her vision as she teetered on the brink of unconsciousness.
The guard released the tension on the rack. Amelia's body went limp, every muscle screaming in agony from the ordeal. She could barely catch her breath between sobs as waves of pain washed over her.
"Had enough?" the guard taunted, circling the rack like a vulture. "We're just getting started, you know. There are so many more ways to make you talk."
He reached for something on a nearby table - a pair of wicked-looking pincers. Amelia's eyes widened in terror as he approached, the metal gleaming menacingly.
"No... please," she whimpered, trying futilely to shrink away from his touch.
The guard ignored her pleas, roughly grabbing her hand and spreading her fingers. "Last chance. Where is Ezio?"
"I don't know!" Amelia cried out, her voice breaking. "Please, I swear I don't know where he is!"
The guard's face twisted with rage. Without warning, he clamped the pincers onto Amelia's fingernail and yanked. A scream of agony tore from her throat as white-hot pain lanced through her hand. Tears streamed down her face as she writhed against her bonds.
"Where is he?" the guard roared, moving to the next finger.
"I don't know!" Amelia sobbed. "I'm telling the truth!"
Another fingernail was ripped away. Amelia's screams echoed off the stone walls as wave after wave of torment crashed over her. Her mind began to fragment under the assault, desperately seeking escape from the unbearable pain.
As the cruel guard reached for another fingernail, the door burst open with a loud crash. A woman stormed in, her presence filling the room with an air of danger.
"You dare to start without me?" Lucrezia's voice grated like nails on a chalkboard, sending shivers down the spines of those present. She closed her eyes, silently pleading for someone to rescue her from this torture.
Lucrezia stalked into the room, her eyes blazing with fury as she surveyed the scene before her. The guard immediately stepped back from the rack, bowing his head in deference.
"My lady, I was merely softening her up for your arrival," he stammered, clearly intimidated by Lucrezia's presence.
"Fool," Lucrezia spat. "I wanted her unspoiled for my own amusement." She circled the rack slowly, drinking in the sight of Amelia's battered form. "Leave us. I'll deal with you later."
The guard scurried from the room, leaving Amelia alone with the Borgia woman. Lucrezia's lips curved into a cruel smile as she trailed a finger along Amelia's tear-stained cheek.
"My, my. What a pitiful state you're in," she purred, her finger tracing the curve of Amelia's breast.
Amelia shuddered at Lucrezia's touch, revulsion coursing through her. She tried to turn away, but the restraints held her firmly in place.
"Such a waste," Lucrezia mused, her hand traveling lower across Amelia's trembling body. "You could have had everything, you know. Power, wealth, pleasure beyond your wildest dreams. All you had to do was submit to my brother."
"I'd rather die," Amelia spat, summoning what little defiance she had left.
Lucrezia's eyes flashed dangerously. "That can be arranged, my dear. But not before we have some fun."
She moved to a nearby table and selected a long, thin rod. Amelia's eyes widened in terror as Lucrezia approached, tapping the rod against her palm.
"Now then," Lucrezia trailed the rod slowly down Amelia's body, savoring her prisoner's fearful trembling. "Let's see if we can't loosen that tongue of yours."
Without warning, she brought the rod down sharply across Amelia's thighs. Amelia cried out, her body jerking against the restraints. Lucrezia struck again and again, leaving angry red welts in her wake.
"Where is Ezio hiding?" Lucrezia demanded between blows.
"I don't know!" Amelia sobbed. "Please, I swear I'm telling the truth!"
Lucrezia paused, breathing heavily. She leaned in close, her lips brushing Amelia's ear. "Oh, I believe you," she whispered. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to stop."
A chill ran down Amelia's spine at those words. Lucrezia's cruelty seemed to know no bounds.
"You see," Lucrezia continued, trailing the rod along Amelia's trembling body, "this isn't just about information anymore. This is about breaking you completely."
She brought the rod down hard across Amelia's breasts, eliciting a sharp cry of pain. "I want to destroy everything you are, everything you believe in. I want to remake you in my image."
Amelia squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out Lucrezia's poisonous words. But the Borgia woman grabbed her chin, forcing her to meet her gaze. "Look at me when I'm speaking to you," she hissed.
Amelia's eyes fluttered open, filled with a mixture of fear and defiance. Lucrezia smiled cruelly, clearly relishing the power she held over her captive.
"That's better," she purred. "Now, let's see if we can't make you a bit more... cooperative."
Lucrezia set aside the rod and reached for a small vial on the nearby table. She uncorked it, holding it under Amelia's nose. A sickly sweet scent filled her nostrils, making her head spin.
"A special concoction of my own design," Lucrezia explained, her voice taking on a dreamy quality. "It has some rather interesting effects on the body and mind."
Amelia tried to turn her head away, but Lucrezia gripped her jaw tightly, forcing her to inhale the vapors. Almost immediately, a strange warmth began to spread through her body. Her skin tingled with heightened sensitivity, and her thoughts became hazy and unfocused.
"There we go," Lucrezia murmured, watching Amelia's pupils dilate. "Just relax and let it take effect."
Amelia's breath quickened as the drug coursed through her system. Every nerve ending felt like it was on fire, responding to even the slightest touch with intense sensation. She squirmed against her bonds, overwhelmed by the flood of unfamiliar sensations.
Lucrezia's hands roamed over Amelia's body, eliciting involuntary gasps and whimpers. "How does that feel?" she purred, her fingers
Amelia tried to turn her head away, but Lucrezia gripped her jaw firmly, forcing her to inhale the intoxicating fumes. Within moments, a strange warmth began to spread through her body, dulling the pain of her injuries and leaving her feeling oddly light-headed.
"There we go," Lucrezia murmured, setting the vial aside. "That should make things more... interesting."
As the drug took effect, Amelia's senses began to blur. The cold stone of the dungeon seemed to melt away, replaced by a hazy warmth that enveloped her. Even the ache in her joints from the rack began to fade, replaced by a tingling sensation that danced across her skin.
Amelia lost all sense of feeling and time as she floated into a place in her mind where she could block out the things that the woman was doing to her body. She knew that Lucrezia was assaulting her but she pushed it into the back of her mind. She didn't know how much time had passed before Lucrezia grew bored of her and the drug began to wear off. When the assault on her body eased up she allowed her mind to come back to reality.
Focusing in on her body she felt a deep ache between her legs, he shoulder was still dislocated, she had three or four fingernails missing, the wound on her abdomen that had opened in Monteriggioni had been seeping blood slowly, and her entire body was covered in red welts from where Lucrezia had assaulted her with a thin wooden cane.
"Lying will only make this worse for you, Tell me what I want to know!" Lucrezia snarled, bringing the cane down once again. Amelia's body convulsed in agony, her mind reeling from the assault on her senses. The drug still had its grip on her, giving her mind such a fog she had to focus to make sure she didn't tell the truth.
"Please," she sobbed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know anything. I swear on my life, I'm not involved with any assassins."
Lucrezia's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Then you're of no use to me. Perhaps my brother will have better luck breaking you." Amelia's heart sank, at the thought of Cesare coming to join in her torture. "Lucky for you, he is away on business. A doctor will be in to see to your wounds shortly. We can't have you dying before he gets back." Lucrezia told her, throwing the tool down on the table.
"But when he gets back i can promise this will have been child's play for you." Lucrezia's words sent a chill through Amelia's battered body. The thought of facing Cesare's cruelty again was almost more than she could bear. She shuddered, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks.
"No... please..." she whimpered, her voice hoarse from screaming.
But Lucrezia was already turning away, apparently bored with her prisoner's suffering. She paused at the door, glancing back over her shoulder with a cruel smile. "Rest while you can, my dear. When my brother returns, your real torment will begin."
With that ominous promise, she swept from the room, leaving Amelia alone with her pain and fear. The heavy door clanged shut, the sound echoing in the stone chamber like a death knell.
Amelia sagged against her restraints, every inch of her body throbbing with pain. The drug's effects were starting to fade, leaving her feeling hollow and wrung out. Shame and self-loathing washed over her as the full weight of what had just happened sank in.
She had been violated in the most intimate way possible, her body betraying her. The thought of facing Cesare and enduring even worse torments made her want to curl up and die right there on the rack.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly as Amelia drifted in and out of consciousness. Her mind retreated inward, desperately seeking escape from the horror of her situation. She clung to memories of happier times - Ezio's warm smile, the feeling of safety in his arms. But even those bright spots were tainted now by the darkness of her current reality.
The door creaked open once more and her head snapped up. The guard from before came in with a doctor in tow. He came over to her and undid the restraints on her limbs allowing her to fully relax. He went to touch her and doctor smacked his hand away.
"You were ordered not to touch her. Get out." The doctor snapped.
The guard scowled but obeyed, stomping out of the room and slamming the door behind him. Amelia flinched at the loud noise, her body tensing instinctively.
The doctor approached slowly, his eyes clinical as he assessed her injuries. "I'm going to examine you now," he said, his voice neutral. "Try to remain still."
Amelia nodded weakly, too exhausted to resist. The doctor's touch was impersonal as he checked her vital signs and began treating her wounds. She winced as he applied salve to her raw wrists and ankles where the restraints had cut into her skin.
"You have some tissue damage from the rack," the doctor noted dispassionately. "I'll bind your joints to minimize further injury."
The doctor worked methodically, cleaning and treating Amelia's wounds with clinical detachment. His touch was impersonal, but even so, Amelia flinched at each contact, her body hypersensitive after the ordeal she had endured.
"I'm going to examine you internally now," the doctor stated matter-of-factly. "There may be some discomfort."
Amelia flinched at his words, memories of Lucrezia's cruel violations flooding back. But she had no strength left to resist as the doctor's gloved hands probed her, checking for damage. She turned her face away, fresh tears slipping silently down her cheeks.
"You have some internal tearing," the doctor noted dispassionately as he examined her. "I'll apply a salve to promote healing and prevent infection."
Amelia bit back a whimper as the cool ointment was applied. Shame and humiliation washed over her anew, bringing fresh tears to her eyes.
The doctor continued his work in silence, stitches up her side once more, binding her joints and applying poultices to her bruises. When he was finished, he stepped back and regarded her with cold eyes.
"Your injuries are not life-threatening," the doctor stated coldly. "With proper care, you should heal sufficiently to withstand further… interrogation."
Amelia flinched at his clinical assessment, her stomach churning with dread at the thought of enduring more torture. The doctor's impersonal touch as he treated her wounds had been almost as violating as Lucrezia's cruelty, leaving her feeling utterly exposed and vulnerable.
"Please," she whispered, her voice hoarse. "Help me."
The doctor's eyes flickered to her face, a hint of pity crossing his features before his professional mask slammed back into place. "I cannot interfere," he said stiffly. "My job is merely to keep you alive."
With that, he gathered his supplies and moved towards the door. Amelia watched him go, a last flicker of hope dying in her chest. The doctor paused at the door, his hand on the handle. For a moment, Amelia thought she saw a flicker of compassion in his eyes. But then his face hardened once more into an impassive mask.
"Try to rest," he said stiffly. "Conserve your strength. You'll need it in the weeks to come."
As the heavy door slammed shut behind him, Amelia felt a sense of dread wash over her. She was left alone in the dark, cold chamber once again. Her entire being ached from the pain inflicted upon her - physically, emotionally and mentally. She had done everything in her power to protect her friends, but she couldn't shake off the guilt of possibly putting them in danger. Especially Ezio.
The guard returned with two others and silently escorted her back to her cell on a stretcher. Part of her was relieved to be back in the safety of her own cell, but another part of her longed for freedom and resented being confined like an animal. A rough blanket was tossed at her before the door to her cell was closed and she was left in the dark.
Amelia huddled in the corner of her cell, wrapping the thin blanket tightly around her battered body. The cold stone floor seeped into her bones, amplifying the ache in her joints and muscles. She shivered uncontrollably, both from the chill and from the lingering trauma of her ordeal.
Every movement sent shards of pain through her, reminders of the brutal violations she had endured. Amelia squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the memories of Lucrezia's cruel hands and taunting words. But they played on an endless loop in her mind, tormenting her even in the relative safety of her cell.
Shame and self-loathing washed over her as she remembered how her body had betrayed her, responding to Lucrezia's touch even as her mind screamed in protest. How had she ended up here, in this nightmare? Just days ago she had been safe and happy, surrounded by friends. Now she was alone in a cold, dark cell, her body broken and her spirit close to shattering.