The Captain

Chapter 3- The Emperor

As I come to consciousness, the white, grey and black blotches in my vision together to form a clear image. From what I could see, I was in a grey colored room. There were no windows and no sign of exits, except for a thin tall door like cutout in the corner of the room in front of me.

It was a small room, no decorations or tapestries lining the walls as well as furniture. The only item in the room was a very cold metal table in which I lay, strapped down to. Gold cuffs starting at my wrist, are evenly spaced out across my arm.

The cuffs are about three inches apart from each other. I have them on my arms legs and neck. I cannot see the one on my neck because there are no ways to see my reflection in the room, but the cold object surrounding my neck was no piece of jewelry of mine.

There was no way of knowing what time it was or how long I had been in the room when the door like cutout opened. As the man from earlier entered the lights in the room turned on, leaving the void of darkness completely removed.

However, to be more precise maybe "man" was not the best description, but more like boy. He was shorter than he seemed up on the ledge. Then again, I was also quite far away from him. He looked to be no older than twelve, maybe even a little younger.

He was thin, yet muscular, as pale of a man that I have ever seen. He walked over to the right side of the room and stopped abruptly, making his golden light brown hair get shoves forward as he turns towards me.

I get the feeling from his expression that this isn't going to be a short, kind visit. Well that is, if he had an expression. He just sort of looked blank, no real emotion seemed to be apart of him. His eyes seemed to shimmer from the light in the room, but he looked as though he was a million miles away. His head seemed droop in sadness as another man entered the room, followed by several guards. It didn't take me long to realize who he was.

It was the boy's, Prince Mazxis's, father. I gasp at realizing that the rumors about there relationship must be true. It was said that Prince Mazxis's father, Emperor Zeroth, beat him regularly. I always thought that it was absurd that a father would beat his own son, I mean it was unheard of. But now at seeing the awkward air about them it seemed almost certain that the rumors were true. But why? Why do that to your own first born son? What did he ever do?

I quickly shut my mouth as Emperor Zeroth slowly walks over to me, his eyes still on his son. As Emperor Zeroth stops in front of me he turn his gaze away from his son. Emperor Zeroth inspects me while constantly tapping the brass cane in his hand. Putting so much pressure on the top of it that I thought it would bust.

Emperor Zeroth then proceeds to creepily smile at me, showing his god awful rotting teeth. With it, of course, came the stench of his breath. After thoroughly examining me, Emperor Zeroth moves his face inches from mine. Emperor Zeroth's face lurching into a most insightful sneer. Now, he was so close if I move a muscle I would touch him.

Emperor Zeroth was so hideous, but not physically. Physically Emperor Zeroth was perfect, his complexion, his body, and his hair. They made Emperor Zeroth completely stunning. That's not what is hideous though. Emperor Zeroth's soul, his purpose was hideous.

I'd say if my arms were not tied down I would gouge my eyes out so I don't have to see that hauntingly perfect face of his. Believe me, it was truly haunting.

Clearly seeing that he was making my uncomfortable, Emperor Zeroth moves his face to my ear. Making it so only I can hear him, "Princess Aniea, what gracious company you offer. I'm glad to have you on our side. I'm sure you will be most helpful for us achieving our goals. Now, " Emperor Zeroth stands up and moves away from me. Then his face curled into a smile of pure amusement as he sees me flustered, Not that I am attracted to him in the least. Then Emperor Zeroth offers me a hand as he commands, "Give your soul to me."

I'm wasn't sure if it was a laugh or a scream that escaped my mouth, but whichever one it was I could not tell.

I simply stared at him, not sure if he was being facetious. After a long awkward silence, I decided he was being serious.

Letting out a shy laugh, my body going berserk, I began to mouth off to the stupid man. "Do you actually think that I'm stupid. I may not be a child prodigy, like yourself, but I know enough not to just to hand over my beautiful enriched soul over to some old poltroon perverted man calling himself emperor." By this time he looked rather pissed at me. He snarls at me as I continue, "But then again, I guess to some point you can call yourself a capable voluptuary. I will give you points for that." I gleam a really acidic yet needling smile at him.

"Well," he spat at me, "At least I know you're in good health for right now." He menacingly, wide eyed, eyes scare me a little. He tilts his head as he contorts his body to his left side and places his hands together with force, "Well It will be quite entertaining to watch you lose your insanity. My offer is available to you any time. After all.." He smiles at me kindly, "You'll come to me eventually. You're only trading your soul with me forever." At that point a messenger bursts in quickly spilling a bunch of nonsense into a sentence so fast I couldn't recall any of it. "Well Princess Aniea! It's been fun!" He cheerfully laughs, "Have fun being torchured! I would stay to hear your most lovely screams but it seems as though something has come up." He goes to his normal posture and as he sprints out I hear, "See ya!"

What a joke! Having that man as a leader! No less an Emperor at that! How tactless of them. I notice something in the corner of the room move. When I lift my head to look I realize I had completely forgot about Prince Mazxis, who has been waiting quietly in the corner lifeless.

He walks over to me and coldly states, "No hurt feelings." Before I can even answers he pulls a knife out of his uniform and plunges it into my shoulder. I scream internally with agony as pain reaches all of the nicks and crannies of my body. He releases his grip on the knife and starts circling me, wide eyed, yet not surprised at my reaction. I may be screaming in pain inside but I show no weakness on the outside.

I refuse to scream, I refuse to show any sign of weakness, or I will die trying. I take my last breath before he jerked the knife out of my shoulder. Blood gushing from my newly created wound. The sweet trickle of blood down my neck and dripping onto the floor. It's so quiet. I could hear a sort of shrieking from the outside of the room. Very faint, I can just barely hear it. I don't know why he is doing this but he isn't going to get whatever he wants from me. I look up at him. A cold stoned expression looking back at me, followed by one of the most sincere and saddening faces appearing on him . My face suddenly contorting in confusion of this situation.

I expect some sort of reaction from him as I try to jolt myself from the constriction of the cuffs around my wrists and ankles. But he just continues to stare at me as I slowly lose feeling in my body. As my restless body attempts to escape I can feel the life slowly exiting from my wound making me weaker the more I try to escape. Making me feel extremely bitter inside.

First the feet, followed by my legs, hands, arms. Eventually my whole body just goes numb. I shift my gaze to the ceiling where I can at least feel some comfort to the coldness of the room. My vision blurring in and out like a burning out light bulb.

As my vision is shifting back and forth from a bright white to a light gray, I can't tell what the prince is doing anymore.

Nor can I see him or see anything around me for that mattor.

I can't feel the coolness of the table against my pale white skin, or the temperature of the air.

The world becoming more and more like a blurry whirlpool.

My mind starting to lose the ability to think and the last though I have is that I can tell i've lost too much blood for me to handle.

My body goes limp and I finally- after who knows how long- lose consciousness.