Chapter Five: Acquaintances low places
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Layers upon nothingness, deafening and all too obscuring the absence of this abyss interrupted only by my own intruding thoughts; nothing else dwelled, darkness glorified the reoccurring scene, withering form of my hands, the lacking of power. As all I was became but dust, leaving distant memories kin to visage of undefined dreams. If the pain inside even questioned it. Bound within, I could taste metallic chains-- The mind plays dirty, trying to find reason in delusion. But I knew the art that held my being, the fool who shepherded me here, no matter how many times I denied myself. That's what I thought. Until now...
Tremors disturbed silence. I yearned with each vibration, the weight it bore on me, I swayed as the invisible chains twisted marionetting me. Then came a rhythmic thud, growing in intensity.
...
The grunge, bleak musk of the brick walls felt right. All in place, to the swaying meat-hook still keeping trophies of severed flesh the plaque displaying worn, dull utensils giving any executioner morbid fascination. Morgen wiped his hands any proper professional had to look the part, the lanky man donning a pale white surgical gear. Undecided looks of swayed certainty from one tool to the next what would incur the most pleasant exasperation? Ruffling his burgundy hair back Morgen hummed it was always a delight to play a new instrument' no matter the compensation soft lantern light flickered as the chamber's door creaked open.
The oaf finally made it, Morgen minded not the prattle best ignoring ilk of lower than him. "Beside the chair.' It pained to spell the obvious, as the eye sore sat the water bucket down.. "Boss sai--' Morgan slammed cleaver blade first into the workbench, "Entertain me, the thudding and racket. For the outrageous past half night hmm?' Morgan saw beyond the waste to just the object in hand. A devious latch of gold, idiot resistant it seemed. Tal was it?'
"A lesser man, I-" Morgen paused keeping the, 'relative human with basic motor functions' attention somehow, "See past inherent faults' it is just you. Now Tal, cut the latches with this.. Keep quiet about it." Morgen stressed tossing one of the lying sawblades, turned back to the center point of his owed satisfaction. The bald man spoke falling to deaf ears retreating to a corner of the chamber.
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"Esteemed Guest."
At the center, only the upmost five star elegance was found within these chamber walls, gaudy and secured, spiked cuffs for pleasure and even a back stretcher crank on the chair's side. Rolling over the floor grate the tiny wheels clacked, a small work cart still bloodied with bladed confections Morgen pushed it along reading over the file in his other hand. "Just passable you are, I know I know-' Morgen placed the file and quill down, approached pressing his fingers on the guest's gag. "Sir Asriel, know this hurts you more than me.' Morgen dangled the paper "All you need is to sign, course I know you will I can see the rational in those eyes." Dried blood coated Asriel, like a second set of attire peeled back fingers and torn appendage. More victim than alive, Asriel eye's however remained a fierce glare' "This scrap of parchment needs you to sign of your own volition, which you'll happily comply under no coercion in say another thirty hours?- No ten I'm a generous soul but.. Only if you don't pass out."
By inch and slice an indiscernible amount of time passed, the lantern having gone out twice. A loud clank and thud the latch cracked as Tal dropped the hammer and worn-out saw, a dignified look undisturbed as he opened the box. A puff of air escaped, draped in ragged cloth a broken hilt and blade. "Fancy a look?" Tal jumped back, startled as Morgen sighed from the side' Keep attention you fool, glancing back to Asriel Morgen mused slowly unwrapping the blade with curiosity. A severed claymore just a tattered hilt, guard with a blade best seen it's day an eon ago. Still Morgen took a deep breath, how'd someone stripped of noble backing have an such a sword? Golden runes faded, dancing hues reflected off the chamber's walls it was another class of magic smithery Morgen had never seen. He needed to test it. See for himself
what dwelled within the magical runes.
Then Asriel coughed awake.
...
By the fifth stab, pained groan Morgen's frustration bubbled was it not an action cast type enchantment? By now the consequences mattered not, contrast to that witches offer the sword alone was worth doubly so. Tal handed a rag, as Morgen for good measure stabbed again square in the chest, muffled scorn not unnoticed. "Do what you will with the body as he passes, remain here till I come back. I need to fetch the proper equipment." Footfalls drifted off down the metallic grates beyond, Tal latched the door, splashed water across Asriel splattering the floor red. "Sleep soon you will." Tal smiled, minding the belt buckle tying up his trousers, loosening them quick as his stumpy fingers could manage.
Up and down, Tal eagerly waited soon he'd breathe his last and the voyage would begin.