Elvirund | ✔️

Chapter Twenty Three

I couldn't see clearly. I didn't know how long it had been, and whether or not I was going to die here or not. Hopefully I would, as I couldn't take any more. But, considering how my life had been going, odds were I wasn't getting out of here dead.

"Well, well. Just a few hours and you're already more miserable than some of the sickest angels I've seen."

"How long have I been in here?"

"Just over eight hours. Pathetic, if you ask me."

"Well, I don't care anymore. Please, continue. I hope to die in here after all."

Calphys slammed a grime covered boot into my chest, drawing a long wince from me. Their expression of pleasure seemed halfhearted, however, and I almost hoped I could catch a break.

"You're not dying on my watch. Good luck with that, buddy." Well, there went that possibility.

Only eight hours. Eight hours and I was already wishing for death. It sounded like Elite Forces training all over again. I had hated every moment of that training, and in the end I had benefited very little, if at all. I had a sneaking suspicion this would be the same way, and I feared. I feared for what would become of me, and I feared for what I would go through after. I was not coming out of this unscathed, and I knew it.

"Now, since that torch burned out much too quickly for my liking, I think we'll experiment with liquid nitrogen today."

A large bucket swung back and forth in their hand, smoke billowing from it and pooling near the floor. I wasn't averse to cold, but even my reckless brain knew the dangers that liquid nitrogen could pose. I had seen how easily it killed the humans when they undertook experiments far beyond their meager capacities; one had fallen into a large vat of it, and died within minutes. I knew the problems it would pose to my immortal body; with no corporeal matter to eat through, it would sit on my skin until it evaporated.

"So, freezing my mouth shut is the only way you know to keep me quiet."

"Not quite. I just want to hear you scream."

I rolled my eyes and settled into my restraints. I probably would have just collapsed had I not been held up by the chains in the wall. As it was, I already was sagging into them, too exhausted to hold myself up. If this was barely even half a day, then I certainly was not prepared for what was to come.

"Where first?"

"Isn't that kind of sick? Having me choose where you have fun?"

"It's not that fun."

For an instant, hesitation flickered across their face. In a flash it was gone. I raised one eyebrow and glared up at Calphys through the stray hairs in my eyes. They didn't want to do this. It was all a farce, and they had no desire to torture me. I wasn't sure if that was a relief or not, for I wanted this to be over but the only way I was getting out was by death. If they didn't want to hurt me, I would lose my only ticket out.

"Then why do you do it?"

Calphys bit their bottom lip and couldn't meet my eyes.

"I have to. The First Elder is monitoring every move I make."

"Oh, sucking up to him again. Do you really think you'll benefit from this?"

"No, but at least I won't die."

I would have laughed but for the lack of moisture in my mouth, so it came out like a cough instead.

"Do you know how ironic that is?"

"No. I don't want to either."

"How cruel. The one who wants to live has death readily available, and the one who wants to die only has life ahead of them."