What Lies Beneath ✅

Peal 23

I opened my eyes then realized I was in a bubble of some sort. The room was dark as well. I hit the bubble then screamed as it sent a terrible shock through my body. I writhed in pain.

I managed to get some strength back and took in my surroundings once more. I was alone in the room, so they had probably put Youngjo in a separate room. The door opened and the lights came on. I watched a well dressed woman walk in with two teens clinging to either side of her. She stopped in front of the bubble then smiled sweetly. What was she trying to do?

I couldn't help but notice she dressed in all white from head to toe, with the exception of her jet black hair. I looked over the teens as well. The one on the left was in all black, with the exception of a white bow tie and a section of their hair dyed white. The one on the right was the exact opposite.

"So you're the Geonhak everyone's talking about?" she said in a high pitched voice.

I didn't expect her voice to be so high. I thought it would've been a few octaves lower.

"If you already know, why are you asking?" I said while crossing my arms. "And what are you three?"

She handed her wine glass off to the teen on the right who made it disappear instantly.

"What am I? Wouldn't you like to know. But, you won't. Phoenix. Umber." she said then the two teens moved over to my bubble.

I was soon being carried by the both of them with ease. We left the room and traveled down a shiny hallway. She had to be rich.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"To your friend. I'll let you watch him in his final moments." she said then laughed heartily. "Oh, by the way, name's Mammon. Remember it."

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I silently watch as Phoenix and Umber strapped Youngjo down to the table. Was I really just going to let her have her way? What could I even do? I tried escaping before and nearly injured myself terribly. I thought about magic cancellation, but would my reflexes be fast enough? Suddenly the teens fell to their knees, gasping for air. I looked at Youngjo who looked worried to death. I decided to chance it despite being susceptible to Youngjo's power.

The door opened and Mammon had come in before I could make a move. She then clapped. The teens were no longer gasping desperately for air.

"I guess we should prolong this. You're lucky, boy." she said then looked at me. "You're coming with me. Umber, carry Geonhak to my room. Phoenix, you watch this one."

Umber picked me up and carried me out the room. I sat quietly as I thought of an escape plan. I felt myself being situated into a space then noticed the floor had gotten farther away.

"So beautiful. What do you think, Umber?" asked Mammon as she stroked Umber's hair.

"If master believes it to be beautiful, then it is beautiful." Umber said in a loud voice.

Did she have problems controlling her volume or was she naturally loud? I looked at Mammon who shook her head then led Umber out. I was up pretty high and falling seemed less inviting. I then remembered how we had gotten here, sort of. Were Dongju and the others looking for us? I was able to get out of most of my problems with minimal help, but this one seemed far too great. We really needed them.

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The door opened and Phoenix had walked in carrying some bread and water. It was then sent up to me.

"Wait!" I shouted without thinking.

"Don't bother me." he said in almost whisper as he approached the door.

"I know you probably don't like me and want nothing to do with me, but it's a bit lonely in here. So can we...chat?" I asked nicely.

It wasn't a lie at all. It was no fun being stuck somewhere with literally nothing to do. He sighed then walked back over to me. I smiled a bit as he wasn't completely heartless.

"I'd rather swallow nails than become acquainted with you." Phoenix said before turning to leave again.

"Wait..." I said, but he had already left.

I sighed heavily as it seemed as if he wouldn't be easy to crack. I decided to try it out with Umber then remembered her booming voice. "Yeah...no." Mammon was definitely out of the question, so the only option was Phoenix. He didn't seem like a bad guy. At least on the outside.

The door opened and Mammon had stepped inside. She snapped and a rack full of nightwear had descended from above. It felt as if I was invisible to her.

"This one seems nice..." she said in a sing songy voice.

I watched as she started to undress in front of me. I frowned then sat back. My mind drifted to imagining Dongju being bashful while undressing. I squeaked and quickly dispersed the thoughts. My face felt as if it was on fire. How could I think of such a thing, especially about a man?

"Oh, you're still awake. I figured you'd be asleep." Mammon said as she approached me in a sheer nightgown.

Naturally, I would've felt thrilled at the fact a pretty woman in such an outfit was approaching me, but given the situation, it wasn't ideal. Or maybe it was something else. I didn't know, so I didn't dwell on it.

"Well I'm not. And could you not undress in front of a man like that?" I scolded. "It's unladylike like."

She laughed then snapped. My bubble started to lower and hovered just above the floor. She placed her hand against it and my entire body was soon being shocked.

"You, a disgusting iome*, had the nerve to say something I did was unladylike? Do you not realize the situation you're in?" she said with a shrug of her shoulders.

She moved her hand and I was thankful the terrible electric shocking had ended. I couldn't even prop myself up to look at her. She giggled then walked away. What could I do to get away from her and free the both of us if I couldn't even tolerate these shocks?

a/n: iome - a magic user. yeah, i finally decided to give magic users a name after like, chapters