The Empire's Revenge | THE HAUNTED FANFIC

The Empire's Revenge PART 5

DRAKE'S POV

Still stuck down here.

However much I absolutely hate it here, I have to admit, the things keeping my arms completely still are rather..clever. Using any other basic material would have been rather inefficient but easier. But I suppose The Empire doesn't play around.

Ever since The Emperor left me down here to rot until he returned, I've been in a deep trance, almost sleep-like, but I am still fully aware of my surroundings. This is a way to regain mana over long periods of time, if the trance is not broken, mana begins to regenerate slowly. It also helps that I can get scraps of different magical aura and transfer it to my own from apparently different magical items that seem to be in the room I am currently in.

So, in other words, I'm recharging my mana so I can finally break out of here.

With the others, of course.

However, I don't think it will happen any time soon. Maybe within a couple of weeks, if we're all not dead by then.

Another thing has been intriguing me, lately someone else has been coming down here. For small periods of time, but still there nonetheless. I'm not sure who it is for sure, but it seems to be the other magic user. The girl, Alrina that got us in this entire train wreck in the first place. I think she's trying to study me, which is no surprise. I'm probably the only other magic user she's ever seen.

As much as I'd wish he wouldn't come back, he did return eventually.

I sighed irritably, breaking the trance I was in and opened my eyes. "What do you want from me now?" I snapped. "You're annoying me."

"I thought you would learn from the first time not to snap at me like that. However, I am not here to physically harm you, unless necessary. I am here to question you." The Emperor seemed calm as he spoke, completely unphased by my comment. "So I'm asking you to cooperate with me here."

I thought this over, returning his steady gaze. I know that he had probably already questioned Grayson, it would be ridiculous not to, especially after his history here. But I doubt Grayson revealed every last detail. It's probably why he wants to question me. But I have no intention of giving away any information. "No." I replied simply.

"That's not an answer I'm going to take." He replied, his calmness replaced by collected, yet cold anger. "Let's put it this way. Do what I tell you to do or your friends will end up dead. I have no use for the elf, executing her means nothing to me, but it would put on a rather nice show.." He seemed thoughtful as he spoke, letting his voice trail off. "Or you can listen to me and it doesn't have to end up that way. It's all really your choice."

I was startled at his harsh words for a moment, shock replacing my heavy stubborn expression. But then my gaze hardened again. "..If that's how it's gonna work, fine, I'll answer your questions." But I don't plan on giving away every detail unless it's asked.

The Emperor seemed content with this answer, and pulled a chair from the stone table set near the place I was held. He sat down. "Well, let's get started. First, I'd like to know how you..managed to get that way. You look like a freak." He commented in a snarky tone. I didn't flinch at his words. Personally, my looks are not that big of a matter to me. However I would assume it's different with this one. He's royalty, obviously he's gonna have a sharp taste for the finer things.

"I was just made this way." I replied simply. "Really? Hmmm..I never suspected someone could be born so abnormally. Oh well. Do you have any family relations?" He questioned, leaning back in his chair.

"No." "Were they killed?" "No. I just don't have any family."

"I fail to see how that works, are you sure your hearing yourself? Are your family members dead?" He seemed rather interested when he asked that question, but I had to think about that response. Armen was like a brother to me, and I suppose that he is..sort of dead. However at the same time, he isn't.

"..Yes." I finally answered. "How intriguing..how many family members do you have?..-..apologies, did you have?" He asked. "I had a brother, and that's all." "Any parents?" "I would assume they are deceased, but I'm not really too sure or fond of that explanation."

"How..tragically unfortunate for you. But moving on from this topic.." He leaned forward, looking at me with his sharp, interested eyes- sorry, no, not eyes. Eye. Just one eye. "How did you obtain your magic?"

I wasn't really sure how to answer this question, however I would tell him what I assumed was the truth. "I have a belief that the source of my magic comes from the dragon egg, however I'm not sure. It could also have to do with my split species." I answered carefully, trying not to give away the information I already did know about myself.

"Intriguing..so, the rumors could be potentially true..what a shame I couldn't use it in the first place. Oh well. What's done is done." The Emperor murmured, closing his eye for a moment, then it opened again. "What kind of magic do you use? Do you train in any specific type of magic?"

"I learn whatever I can. I'm not a specific magic user." I replied. It wasn't a lie, I wanted to learn everything I possibly could.

"I see..you've met Alrina, correct? The girl that brought you here. She mentioned briefly talking to you before she took all of you."

"..Yes, I talked to her. What does it matter to you?" I questioned. "You must know that she's also a mage. The reason why I want your magic, is so that she could become stronger. Stronger than any mage in the past. She's so close to finding out the new possible source of magic, we have a belief she can't access it because her magic is inefficient." He explained, in a brisk tone.

"..Why are you even telling me this?" I asked cautiously.

"Because I don't think you'll get out of here, alive, anyway. We'll eventually break you, and then we'll kill you. After we obtain your magic, you're worthless and you've caused enough trouble, along with your little friends." The Emperor looked faintly annoyed as he spoke, but his gaze quickly reverted back to it's ice cold stare. I could feel anger beginning to bubble up in my chest, but I held my tongue.

The Emperor stood up from his chair, not bothering to put it back in it's original place. "I suppose my work here is done for the time being. Expect me and a guest to be here within a few days." And with that, he left without glancing back, and closed and locked the door.

I stared ahead, with a blank expression on my face. I'm not sure how much of this I'm going to take, just talking to The Emperor about my friends makes me want to explode. He's the most disrespectful person I've ever known, yet he still managed to make his way to the top. The way he makes people fear him and obey him is flawless, a perfect plan that makes people hate the way he is, which he doesn't seem to mind. His attitude however, is nowhere close to flawless.

I sighed, and closed my eyes again, gathering my thoughts together, and fell back into my trance.

//and so concludes chapter 5.

hoo boy. i hope ur ready.