Her Heart, His obsession

55. Shock and brutality

The healers were standing frozen in spot as they were staring at the sight that was greeting them just when they left behind the complex maze. They were in the middle of a circular large hall that had small cells around it. That was not all. As the coven moved their eyes up to look at the row of cells that spiralled up multiple levels. This was a multi storey prison with dark and damp cells all around it.

The sight inside each cell was the most shocking. Most of the cells were empty but the scent of blood and death was overwhelming. The cells that were occupied were the ones that the healer coven were concerned with but the sight of the captives was too heartbreaking, no one could move an inch. Each cell that was not vacant held one captive in solitude. All captives without exception were hung upside down from the ceiling in their green uniforms and their piercing screams were haunting the coven. The captives were obviously condemned to endure a variety of tormenting spells on night and day basis.

The cries and screams at least told the coven that those who they were trying to save were still alive. Their worries were to do with captives who were battered to a bloody mess and were left untreated and unconsciousness inside their cells. It was also sinking in for the coven members that they were too late and some captives were moved elsewhere very recently. The waves of pain and suffering were still fresh and radiating off the walls.

The healer coven was still paralysed in place. This was way too much brutality. Aretha was the first one to come out of her state of shock. She used her training to cast calming spells to her coven and painkiller spells towards the cells.

Tatiana let out a deep breath: " Thanks Aretha. Your spells are working. Keep sending calming waves. I know this sight is making most of us nauseous. I wouldn't be surprised if some of us fainted right now but your spells are helping us in pulling ourselves together. You really should run a course for us on working under pressure."

Alexandra sighed " The state of these victims of the Ronas army is the most sickening sight i have ever seen. I say this as an Arkansan. I have seen with my own eyes what my brother was doing to his victims in his division all those years. This is way beyond what we have trained for. We just have to be strong and blank out the waves of suffering from the cells."

Helena spoke "I have seen so much but in all my years as a healer, I have seen nothing like this. All these captives have been in so much pain for days. its obvious that they should have died by now unless they have been treated by some healers assisting the captive head quarters in treating the injured or half dead captives only to condemn them to prolonged torment time. This is outrageous. The tormenting and healing cycle is eternal How cruel could these people be."

Elena spoke with a low voice almost whispering; " I can ...... I can feel it. I recognise the waves of the spells used within these walls. This is horrific."

Eliza nodded " Me too. I can feel it. These people have been through hell. Where do we start."

Mariana spoke; That is a good thing isn't it. At least you can help with counter spells for the torment jinxes you recognise. I can recognise a few as well."

Helena nodded: "Indeed Mariana. We have time for it as well. The guards may not be bothering to visit for hours if they have just condemned these poor captives to horrific spells that makes them scream. Those sick morons are probably listening to the screams through the walls to sooth their thirst for blood shed. But again they will come back soon."

Aretha now was breathing heavily after sending waves of calmness and pain killing remedy jinxes to all around them. She spoke with determination;. " Then what are you waiting for girls. Time for us to do our duty. Lets get to work. Use counter spells, then free the captives and round them up right here in the middle of this circular lobby. Myself and Alexandra would stay down here and guard the captives you bring down here." As Aretha said the words, the rest of the coven started work and began putting counter spells and healing remedies on injured captives and prepare them for teleportation to the middle of the lobby where Aretha and Alexandra were standing guard.

Aretha let out a shaky breath; "Our time is running out. Its only a matter of time before some guards come into this space. No one is expected to get past the maze so there are no guards here right now unless they want to come and acquire some captives for target practice. I have studued the Ronas system. Its twisted and sickening but useful to know. Lets set up a circular shield jointly with our powers around this middle area to defend the captives they round up here until all is done. We have more chance of making it penetration proof if we do it together. I cant wait for this to be over. I just want us to het this deed done and inform Athena by our signals to come back with us."

Alexandra nodded and joined her hands with Aretha. Both healers focused hard and formed a golden circular glass like shield.

Alexandra looked around cautiously " These walls are really teleportation proof. It is really a death sentence automatically when you step into any Ronas captive base. Aretha tell me what you feel about this wjole mission. Do you really think that the jewel of illusion can help Athena change locations and get us out of here?"

Aretha sighed " If that jewel can't, then nothing will. we will be most likelt stuck here fighting for our freedom as well as these captives. something tells me we would be locked up in those cells if that happens. That's an inevitable outcome if Athena fails to keep Dante in his chambers long enough to buy us time and get us out of here. The rest of the girls are doing a great job though. Look, the first captives are coming down here. Lets conjure them some blankets to keep them warm. They must be in shock."

Alexandra spoke: " I can't even begin to imagine what these captives have gone through. Look at them, they are all lying on the ground, with their eyes closed and lips righty sealed. They are just too scared to even move. They are do damaged mentally. They may need months of recovery. I wish we had come earlier now."

The captives were being rescued and brought down one by one. When the number reached to about a 100, the job was done. The exhausted healer coven all came down and held hands forming a line to help preserve their energy and focus hard.

After a few minutes, it was Tattiana who broke the silence. " Girls lets make a stronger circular shield together to deflect any interruptions whilst we try to contact Athena. Our communication with her would attract attention. I am certain that the commanders would take notice of intruders instantly the minute we contact her. Make the perimeter of the shield into the whole circle upto the entrance of the cells. Once we have the shield up, we can cast spells to teleport the captives one by one to our safe zone."

Alexandra nodded "We don't have much time though. I can feel the presence of some powerful beings entering other parts of this building. We have to contact her. This situation won't get any better. It can only get worse. Trust me."

Aretha agreed: " Once we send our signals, there is no turning back. This room may turn into a war zone or not depending on Athena. Lets hope she can do this for us."

As all the healers made eye contact and swallowed hard, they nodded. They took deep breaths and closed their eyes focusing their energy to contact their only hope out of this horrific base.