The atmosphere at the battlefield was tense as Arthur and Eldarion stood on one side, ready to fight Michael and Scarlett who stood on the other. Arthur activating both his 'Gift of Speed passive increase' and 'Gift of Strength passive increase' held his weapon aloft, poised to strike. Eldarion, stood by his side, an arrow notched and aimed, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Michael, who had the power of Blood Manipulation, stood opposite them, his eyes cold and calculating. He drew his hands back, and with a flick of his wrist, unleashed a torrent of blood at Arthur. The Swordman was quick to react, blocking the attack with his sword, but Eldarion's arrows missed their mark, leaving Michael unscathed. Scarlett, who possessed Earth and Gravity Magic, watched with a smug look on her face. She saw an opening and used her gravity magic to shake the ground beneath Arthur and Eldarion's feet, throwing them off balance.
Michael seized the opportunity to strike, using his power to control the blood in Arthur's body to weaken him. Eldarion tried to intervene, but Scarlett's earth magic made his movements sluggish and slow, leaving him unable to land a single shot. As Arthur stumbled, Michael continued his assault, pummeling him with wave after wave of blood manipulation. Eldarion tried to help, but Scarlett's earth magic created a wall of stone between them, separating them for good.
Arthur fought back valiantly, but Michael's power proved too much for him. The Blood Manipulation User was able to control the blood in Arthur's body to weaken him, and soon Arthur fell to his knees, exhausted and defeated. Eldarion continued to fight, but Scarlett's gravity magic made his movements slow and ineffective. Michael seized the opportunity to strike, using his blood manipulation he shot a line of blood right through Eldarion's heart, killing him instantly.
In the end, Arthur was captured by Scarlett's earth magic, leaving him helpless and at her mercy. Michael and Scarlett had proven to be a formidable duo, their combined powers too much for Arthur and Eldarion to handle. The battle was over, and the victors stood tall over the fallen warriors, their faces showing no emotion other than the satisfaction of their victory. While Arthur sunk into despair, realizing they lost... not only did they lose but Eldarion his only real friend left was killed because of his weakness. He was foolish and paid for it.
"Tried and failed. How pathetic." Michael said after standing over him for a while. 'Why am I still alive? Why not just kill me.' Thought Arthur, he couldn't even mourn over Eldarion.
"You might be wondering why we're keeping you alive, yes?" Arthur didn't answer. "I'll tell you anyway, the leaders of the Demon Realm wanted you for some experiments."
"Answer her bastard!" Michael screamed and kicked Arthur in the face. He landed on the ground with a loud thud, face bloodied and bruised.
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"Kick and torture him all you like just make sure he stays alive," Scarlett said with no empathy in her voice.
"Will do Scarlett." He turned to Arthur with a crazy look in his eye.
"First let's start with your nails, then I'll break all your fingers, one...by...one..." Arthur tried getting away but was quickly restrained by Michael. Scarlett made a chair out of purple rock and then tied him to it with mana cuffs. It didn't matter since Arthur didn't have any energy left to break out of their grasp.
"What do you think should we start with your left hand or right hand?" Michael asked Arthur. Arthur stared in horror as he walked towards his hands and plucked out his left pinky nail. "AGHHHHHHHHHHH" Arthur screamed.
"Put a cloth in his mouth," Scarlett said sounding annoyed
"Of course Scarlett." Just before Michael put it into his mouth Arthur muttered something under his breath. "Oh, you want to say something?" Michael teased.
"w...hy"
"Speak louder." Michael continued to annoy Arthur.
"WHY!?" Arthur screamed
"Power," Scarlett answered
"Huh, what do... you mean power?"
"Simple. Me and Michael here take you to the Demons and then we get a Demon contract." Arthur's eyes widened in horror, a Demon contract was highly taboo and could get you banished from Akippe if you were found with one connected to your soul.
"Why would you do that? Why betray humanity!?"
"You won't understand until you get rid of your honor" Scarlett stood up and kicked him in the jaw. It shattered upon impact, leaving Arthur unable to speak. Next Micheal went and cut all blood flow towards his throat muscles, making sure he could still breathe, and then continued with his fingers.
Left ring finger. SQUELCH. Arthur let out a muffled scream. Left middle finger. SQUELCH. Arthur was losing too much blood at this point. Left pointer finger. SQUELCH. Finally breaking Arthur's resolve he started violently crying. Left thumb. SQUELCH. He let out another muffled scream.
"I'll continue with you tomorrow, can't have you bleeding to death can we now." Michael said curling his lips upward, revealing an evil grin. That's the last thing Arthur saw before passing out from blood loss.
"Stop the blood from leaking idiot" Scarlett scolded Michael.
"Oh, yes forgot about that." Michael replied, quickly using his technique to stop most of the blood loss.
"Remember don't break his mind, the Demons wanted him lucid, some of the experiments need him to be lucid apparently"
"Very well I'll only pluck out five more nails." Michael said giving Scarlett a skin-crawling smile.
*** *** ***
Arthur woke up three days later to find Michael staring him in the face.
"You're finally awake are you, ready for round two?" Michael told Arthur. Arthur took a while to remember his situation but when he did he thrashed around trying to escape his fate. "Energized I see, that's good. How about we start plucking some of those right-hand nails?" Right pinky finger. SQUELCH. Arthur tried to scream but nothing escaped his dried-up lips. Right ring finger. SQUELCH. Arthur started to feel himself crying but no tears were coming out. Right middle finger. SQUELCH. He couldn't feel anything anymore, he was going to pass out again. Right pointer finger. SQUELCH. By the time he plucked out the pointer finger nail Arthur had already passed out from the pain.