Converging Destinies: Part 1

Chapter 131

       Author's Note/TW: There is a character who is explicitly transphobic in the following chapter.  This is a trigger warning for transphobia.  

       Ara' Sei's eyes drifted open. Opening them felt difficult, and was accompanied by a sore pain. Her hands and fingers were bound tightly within restraints.

       "Well crap, there goes basically all my magic." She whispered to herself. She was in a cell, her hands were restrained behind her. Her feet were chained together, and she was on her knees.

       Even through all of the pain and discomfort, she felt that feeling of resilience and power. She was stronger than she was before.

       She was obviously in a prison, but where? Her cell was located in a hall, and on one end was a stairwell that led upwards. In the hall was a total of eight cells, she could vaguely see about three forms in the other cells. She quickly recognized them as the remaining church guards.

       Time went by. There was no daylight anywhere near this cell, and the only light came from two torches near the stairs. Ara' Sei would have been able to create light, but the necklace she used to focus her magic was gone.

       Soon, she heard footsteps descending the stairs. She looked towards the stairs. Was one of her other friends caught, or was this someone else? The person who emerged wore blue robes, and carried a spellbook in his hands. From his belt hung a familiar wand, and he had a handsome face.

       Ara' Sei attempted to shift herself away from Aaron as he approached the cell.

       "Hello, Ara' Sei, it's time we finally got to know each other." Aaron said with a smile. Ara' Sei didn't try to hide her disgust upon seeing him. Aaron took out a keyring, and unlocked the door of the cell before stepping in.

       "You know, it's amazing that I was able to get you. Had I been left with Roya, I would have had to go for the kill. The citizens of this city would kill me if they saw Roya dead. But you, they don't care enough about you. I can kill you as publically and as brutally as I please." Aaron said, circling Ara' Sei.

       "What do you want?" Ara' Sei asked.

       "I want a conversation, unfortunately Eris took away one of my best conversing partners. He's got-"

       "They." Ara' Sei corrected firmly.

       "Ugh, keep doing that and I'll have to put a gag on you." Aaron said. Ara' Sei didn't respond.

       "Well, anyway, Eris has gotten better with assassination, if I let him get to me, I'd surely be gone. But you are far more dangerous. When I interrogated him, he told me you were the most powerful mage he'd ever seen. When I saw what you were capable of, and I believe it. I heard reports of what happened to one of the guard captains, so I know what you can do." Aaron explained.

       "Why did you send all of those guards our way?" Ara' Sei asked.

       "Oh, it's fairly simple. I just put my most powerful enemies in a situation where they had to fight one another, thanks to you all almost half the guard forces were dead, and with the wand I got from you, the rest were easy to finish off. You all have been so very helpful, and you'll continue to be for a while, thank you." Aaron said.

       "If you think you've already won, then you're not nearly as smart as I thought you were." Ara' Sei snapped.

       "Oh, make no mistake, I have more than enough resources to deal with you all. You're down to five people, and I have you as leverage. But, don't worry, this'll all be over for you soon enough, farewell Ara' Sei, I have loved having this conversation." Aaron said before exiting the cell. He locked the door behind him, and gave Ara' Sei one final, mocking glance as he left up the stairs.

       Ara' Sei tried to move her fingers, but they wouldn't budge. Each was specifically held in place. Almost all of her access to her magic was gone.

       Almost.