Solace and Nox: A New Light

Chapter 29

Raiden felt dizzy.

Whatever spell Moldark had used to knock him out, it had a nasty aftertaste.

Raiden's surroundings were black. He could only see the dome-like shape of his prison cell, and the outline of the door. He felt like he was floating, somehow.

Each minute that passed felt like an eternity. As time passed, his dizziness subsided, but was taking its sweet time doing so. Eventually, Raiden realized that his sore wrists were encased in thick iron cuffs that were hanging from chains, which were attached to the ceiling. he felt like he was floating because he was hanging from the ceiling.

As the the dizziness subsided, he was able to feel the pain in his wrists and shoulders. How long had he been hanging there? It felt like his arms were about to be ripped at the shoulder joints. The pain was bearable, but over time, it would get worse.

His feet were barely off the ground. He tried to reach for the floor with his feet, which were now bare, but couldn't quite reach it.

Suddenly, the door creaked open. Raiden shot a look at the door...

And Cytra was there.

And she was carrying a weapon.

She stepped forward, her face shadowed by the hood of her cloak. Raiden stared in horror as she advanced on him. He was so terrified that he almost didn't notice Moldark watching in the doorway.

Cytra, without warning, jabbed him in the gut. The blunt force behind the blow was intense. He could immediately feel bruising where she had hit, and she literally stopped his breathing for a moment. If Raiden had to withstand brutal torture, he was off to a rough start.

The next blow was to Raiden's left side. He groaned as he swung back and forth. Each blow he tried to withstand took his breath away. He had to gasp for air each time he was hit.

Thwack!

Hit after hit, blow after blow, Cytra slowly tore him apart. What was the point of this? Was Moldark trying to prove that he, and his minions, are relentless? Was Moldark trying to get Raiden to break and suddenly spill information on Lotharius?

Was it even about Moldark?

The blows kept coming. Raiden kept swinging back and forth, to and fro, up and down. Cytra was being relentless. She didn't miss a beat. Once Raiden realized he had been hit, he'd be hit again. The process continued for what felt like an eternity.

The ringing of clanking chains was the only other sound that filled the room. Moldark remained silent, expressionless, as he watched Cytra do her work. He didn't look amused. He didn't look proud. If anything, he looked bored.

Why was Cytra doing this? Did Moldark make her? Or was she mad at him for leaving her? Was she taking out all her anger by using him for target practice?

Was she going to kill him?

Suddenly, Cytra came face to face with Raiden. She had to look up slightly, but that didn't make her any less intimidating. Raiden had no strength left to even look afraid. He was on the verge of losing consciousness.

She pulled off her hood, and Raiden was able to see something in her eyes.

It wasn't anger. It wasn't hatred. He didn't even see the usual darkness in her eyes. In fact, her eyes almost seemed brighter.

Her eyes were full of concern.

There it was again. There was that tiny speck of light that rested inside of her. It was the same light that Raiden saw the first time they met. She had him right where she wanted him. She could have easily slit his throat and be done with him, but she spared him. She didn't kill him because she couldn't.

Or wouldn't?

Raiden, too weak to smile, looked her in the eye. He didn't know how well she could read his expression, but he hoped Cytra would be able to see something. A plea to stop? The look of a caring friend?

Did she see the love he had for her?

It didn't matter. As long as she could see something, he would be okay.

She mouthed the words, "I'm sorry," and then her spear cut his cheek, and with the blunt end of the weapon, she knocked him unconscious.