Chapter 14:

Lida continued torturing Kenneth in my confinement for most of that night, using me as a tool to fulfill her whims. She forced me to stab him several times in his arms and legs, and at some point, when his blood was pooling on the floor, she called for Vera’s nurses. They had apparently been waiting on the ground floor of the house the entire time. They treated Kenneth’s injuries and then left as if nothing had happened. How could they? Aren’t they bound by an oath to help people? How could they let her continue torturing him? How could they let me continue torturing him?

By the end of it, my hands stopped shaking. It was almost as if I had become numb to it all, the result of shutting down my emotions and blaming everything on Lida. In my mind, I kept telling myself that it wasn’t my fault, but that did little to ease the guilt I felt.

Eventually Lida grew bored and forced the heavily bleeding Kenneth to return to the jailhouse. “Get on your fours and out of my sight, dog.” She commanded him. “Go knock on Walden’s door and tell him you’re ready for the cage again.”

He could barely lift himself up from the floor, and at one point, I wanted to help him. I couldn’t care less about his betrayal anymore. I felt like the pain he felt was of my doing and I needed to redeem myself - but I couldn’t.

Kenneth dragged himself out – injured, mutilated. His bandaged arms and legs began bleeding again, the white fabric quickly turning crimson as he strained his body to move.

Lida left immediately after him, but not before flashing a sadistic smile at me. “I had fun. Did you?” she asked, not waiting for an answer. “We should do this again soon. And don’t worry, I’ll send someone to clean the floor of all this blood. Preferably when you’re out exploring the village.”

***

Time was ticking down, and I couldn’t allow myself to dwell on the torture of Kenneth, which I had unwillingly participated in. Thankfully, I hadn’t seen Lida since that night.

For the next five days, I continued sneaking out of the room I was held in, searching for Vera, but I could never find her. I began to worry that Vera might be outside of Vedem altogether, preparing for the ritual or something similar. And if she was, there was nothing I could do about it - I couldn’t even leave the village’s borders.

On the other hand, I finally managed to spot Belferon. The old charlatan was in the winter wheat fields, dressed in working clothes and accompanied by a dozen other villagers. They seemed to be tending to the fields – spreading munch and compost over the soil, and inspecting the young wheat plants. Despite his age, Belferon was very active in their work. He moved efficiently, even helping some of the other villagers by grabbing their sacks of compost and assisting them. He did all this with a smile on his face, a complete dissonance from what he, and this place, truly were.

He noticed me and waved.

I figured I might as well kill him now. No one was stopping me. No magical commands from Lida. And it’s not like they’d punish me for it - they still needed me for the sacrifice. The ease with which I was suddenly willing to kill him was a bit terrifying, and I wondered if Lida’s torturing techniques had mentally affected me more than I realized.

He began walking in my direction, the same jovial smile on his face. “Catching a bit of rare winter sun, ay?” he asked merrily.

“I’m going to kill you.” I said simply, not sure if it was a threat or a warning.

Belferon laughed. “Quite the joker you are these days. People who manage to laugh and tell jokes despite having just mere days to live always fascinated me.”

It was a jab at my situation, and I was ready to jump on him and beat him mercilessly, but I held myself back. I had been carrying that sick feeling ever since that night with Lida, and I knew giving in to this violent urge would only make me feel worse. “I’m not going to die here.” I replied, reminding him of our previous conversation.

He chuckled. “Look there.” He said, pointing at the villagers still working in the fields. “You probably never saw it in the capital, since you get it as flour, but that’s wheat. Winter wheat, to be precise.”

“I know that.” I said, annoyed by his words. “So?”

He rubbed his head and continued. “They also some of these fields to grow cotton in the spring and summer. Now they use them for winter wheat as well. To double the yields.”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Are you growing senile? We had already talked about this when I first arrived. What’s your point?”

He chuckled. “Do you know what Vedem is known for?”

“Abducting people and sacrificing them to Vitara, I assume.” I replied, my voice tinged with anger and disgust.

“No.” he replied sharply. “Vedem is the number one provider of wheat for the entire kingdom during the winter. The villagers here had developed a unique way of growing winter wheat, which has made them indispensable for Morthryga. The same could be said about their cotton industry. The cotton they produce here is getting supplied to most, if not all, of the big cities and villages in the kingdom.”

I knew he was heading somewhere with this, and I was growing impatient, so I asked, echoing my previous question. “What’s your point?”

He smiled. “My point is that this is their purpose in life. You probably look at them and curse them for tricking and sacrificing so many innocents over the years, but in all truth, their work here is keeping the entire kingdom fed and warm over the winters, and in other seasons as well. The number of lives they inadvertently save heavily outweighs those they consume here.”

“Anyone can grow wheat if they had the proper teaching and training.” I countered. “They could’ve passed their unique knowledge down from generation to generation. There’s no need for eternal life to keep doing what they’re doing.”

“Nonsense.” He said, his voice filled with contempt. “Some things cannot be passed down. Besides, there are countless examples of successful businesses that go bankrupt because incompetent children were dead set on ruining their ancestors’ legacies.”

“Sounds like you’re making excuses for murder and cannibalism.” I said, disbelief heavy in my voice.

“Call it whatever you want. I’m not here to change your mind on anything.” Belferon took a deep breath and then smiled. “The point is - this village is essential to the kingdom, especially now, during the winter. This is their purpose for living. Do you know yours?”

I was about to retort that it was none of his business, but he immediately continued as if it were a rhetorical question. “Your purpose is to die for them so they can keep doing what they’re doing. It’s a great purpose. You should be proud.”

I watched him closely, trying to see if he was baiting a reaction from me, but he just stood still, silently observing the fields as if he were appreciating the view.

Noticing that he hadn’t talked about himself or his reasons for living during this entire exchange, I decided to throw a jab at him. “What’s your purpose, then?”

He took another deep breath and closed his eyes. “My purpose is to enjoy it all and be thankful.”

***

During the night, I visited the jailhouse for the second time. I wanted to see if Jhad and Sona had learned anything new that could be helpful to me. I also wanted to check on Kenneth. Despite how many times I told myself it wasn’t my fault, I couldn’t shake the feelings of guilt. What if he dies from his wounds? Would I be considered a murderer?

The cage seemed more spacious than before, and after a quick inspection of the prisoners, the reason was clear. The couple from before and one of Jhad’s men were missing. I searched the corners of the room for Kenneth, but he was nowhere to be seen either.

“Hey brat.” Jhad’s rough voice caught my attention. “Did you find her?”

I shook my head, my mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Kenneth. “No. She doesn’t seem to be anywhere, really.”

“What did I tell you?” he asked, his voice laced with anger. “Do your part of the job already. It’s not that hard.”

“Shut up, Jhad.” Sona interjected, trying to defend me. “I’m sure he’s trying.”

“Trying is not – “ Jhad began, but Sona cut him off.

“Enough!” she shouted.

Realizing the volume of her shout would alert the guards, I quickly climbed upstairs and waited for them to leave before coming down again.

“I’m sorry, Luca.” Sona apologized as I returned. “I’m a bit on edge since they took that couple.”

“She had a soft spot for them.” Jhad said mockingly.

Sona sighed heavily, likely trying to ignore him, perhaps afraid that her reaction would bring the guards back - and that this time they’d be angrier. “They were just so out of place here.” She explained. “I kind of hoped we would manage to save them as well, you know?”

I understood what she meant, and wondered what was going to happen to their kids in the infirmary now. “Do you know where they take them?” I inquired, hoping they would shed some light and give me a lead to pursue. Perhaps they were bringing the prisoners directly to Vera.

Sona shook her head. “No.”

“Considering they’re planning on consuming us, I’d bet on the butchery - if they have one here.” Jhad suddenly suggested.

The butchery was located next to the bakery, but I had already been there. Vera wasn’t hiding there.

“I’ll look into it.” I lied, just to get him off my back. Jhad seemed to love it when people agreed with his ideas.

A deep sense of hopelessness was running through me today. I had hoped that Sona and Jhad might reignite some of my hope, but they knew nothing either.

“Did they take Kenneth as well?” I couldn’t help but ask. I needed to learn the truth.

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“Who’s Kenneth?” Jhad asked.

Sona rolled her eyes at his question and addressed me. “Not sure. We haven’t seen him for some days.”

Realizing that Kenneth had probably died from his wounds and never made it back to the jailhouse, I left them and returned to my confinement for the night, feeling sick of myself.

***

There, unexpectedly, Lida came for a visit for the first time since our joint torture session. She looked worried and shaken, a sight I had never seen in all my days since they captured us.

“Luca, I can’t go on like this anymore.” She said, sounding almost on the verge of tears.

“What?” I asked, surprised. I never expected to see her in this state.

“I can’t. I can’t. I can’t.” she repeated, breaking down into tears. “I never wanted anything to do with this, but Vera forced me. Ever since the day I met her.”

Her demeanor had shifted. Vulnerability replaced her usual dominant self - a stark contrast to the merciless woman I had grown accustomed to. I wasn’t sure how to feel about all of this, so I just listened as she continued, sharing her confession, her voice shaking and tears streaming down her cheeks. “It was all Vera’s idea.” She repeated. “I never wanted any of this! She said I had to torment all of you or she would kill me, and then Vitara would deny my soul’s reincarnation!”

The sincerity in her voice felt unfamiliar. I eyed her cautiously, my guard still up. “Why should I believe you?” I questioned, memories of how she forced me to torture Kenneth resurfacing.

“I swear! I wanted nothing to do with this!” She continued insisting, suggesting she was just a pawn in this game.

“What about Martin? Did Vera force you to turn him into your pet?” I inquired, my skepticism evident. “And Kenneth? Was his torture part of Vera’s plans as well?”

She crumbled further, sinking to her knees. “I was always a weakling.” She confessed, her words held a tinge of genuine pain. “Everyone always hurt me and used me. Then Vera came to our village and gave me this stone.” She continued, pointing at her pink ring. “And suddenly, I could control others. Suddenly, no one could hurt me anymore. She capitalized on my broken soul to make me do her bidding. To make me do all these horrible things I desired but always knew were wrong.”

I remained silent, analysing her confession, suddenly suspecting that it might be another manipulation she was trying to force on me.

“But then I met you.” She said, her gaze pleading for understanding. “You’re so innocent. So sincere. You didn’t even lie to me once in our previous conversations.” Her breakdown felt genuine - too good to be true. “I didn’t even have to use my magic on you to get the truth, as you were already telling it!” she added. “And you tried so hard to resist torturing that poor, poor Kenneth.”

I remained doubtful of her words. I had already witnessed her cruelty firsthand. Her trying to pin this all on Vera felt like an attempt to escape personal responsibility. Even if she was broken before Vera’s arrival and Vera used her state to mold her into what she is today, that didn’t absolve Lida of the responsibility of her own actions.

“Why should I believe you?” I repeated, skepticism still heavy in my voice.

She continued crying and begging. “Please believe me, Luca! You’ve changed my life! I’ve never met someone as genuine as you. If I’d met your earlier in my life, I would’ve never turned out like this. If you believe me, I will help you and Ren - we can all run away from here together. Please, believe me!”

She finished her confession by kneeling down completely and burying her head into the floor.

I didn’t believe her. How could I, after everything she had done so far? Kenneth was likely dead, and I had a hand in it because of her. I didn’t care if she had been manipulated by Vera all this time or not - she was responsible for her own actions. I was the one physically controlled by her to the point I couldn’t even control my speech. She wasn’t controlled by anyone. This, combined with all the other betrayals I had witnessed since I met Belferon, was enough for me to turn her confession down.

“I don’t believe you.” I declared, my tone firm.

In response, her tears immediately ceased. She raised her head and quickly stood up, her crying expression replaced by the sick grin I had grown used to seeing almost every day. The instant shift in her demeanor sent shivers down my spine.

“I’m proud to see you so skeptical and untrusting.” She declared, her smile widening. “I believe it’s my doing.”

As her infuriating smile persisted, I couldn’t help but question the purpose of this entire emotional display. “What was the point of all this?” I demanded, my patience wearing thin. “Did you really think I would believe you?”

She shrugged, a calm expression on her face. “I was still figuring out how I should punish you for your recent misbehaviour, so I decided to buy myself some time until I made up my mind. Thank you for not shutting me down right of the bat, sweetie.”

“Misbehaviour?” I retorted, my mind racing with thoughts on what she could be referring to. The recent days flashed before my eyes. After that gruesome torture session she had forced me to participate in, I had been sneaking out of confinement to scout the village for escape routes and search for Vera’s and Belferon’s whereabouts, engaging in secretive conversations with Sona and Jhad in the jailhouse. Could these be what she was talking about? But I had done all of these before, and she hadn’t wanted to punish me for them then.

“I know what you’re thinking.” She declared, her voice full of self-satisfaction. “What could my beloved Lida mean? I didn’t do anything!” she tsked and shook her index finger in front of me. “C’mon, love, did you really think my magic was limited to just physical and mental control? No. It goes even deeper than you realize, Luca. I can read your thoughts. I always could. Each time you thought you outsmarted me, each time you felt pride in making me question myself and my magic, I already knew what you were planning!”

A cold shiver ran down my spine at her words. The realization that my thoughts had always been open to her, that I never had any advantage, made my skin crawl. She had known the truth about the stones all along. My plans to fool her were useless - she knew everything in advance and just played along for her amusement. All those small victories I thought I had achieved were fake – she had always been one step ahead.

She continued to taunt me. “You thought you were tricking me, but I knew your every thought, your every move. I allowed you to dance on the precipice of hope, waiting for the right moment to snap you back to reality.”

As the weight of my helplessness settled, Lida suddenly called out. “Walden, my dear. Come, come.”

Then, with a swift entrance, Walden appeared, carrying Ren - unconscious and vulnerable. My heart pounded with fear as I realized this was the punishment Lida had prepared for me.

“I thought for a long, long time.” Lida gloated, a wicked grin on her face. “And since I can’t harm you directly, I’ll take pleasure in hurting someone close to your heart.”

Walden stood by with a smile spread across his face, Ren’s fragile form in his arms, while Lida’s eyes glittered as she declared the impending punishment. “The physical toll for your transgressions, dear Luca, will be exacted upon her.”

As my instincts screamed for action, Lida’s command froze every muscle in my body. “Stand still.”

Helpless, I stood frozen, unable to intervene as Walden gently laid Ren’s unconscious body on the wooden floor.

“Leave us.” Lida ordered, and he quickly exited the room.

Her eyes seemed to smile as she produced a familiar knife - the same one we had used on Kenneth.

My mind raced, desperately searching for a way to stop this. Memories of what she had done to Kenneth, and the horrifying realization that she intended to do the same to Ren, terrified me to my core.

She gently ran her hand over Ren’s face. “Such a delicate face.” She murmured, before bringing the knife to Ren’s neck, an evil smile playing on her lips, deepening my fear. Then, instead of pressing the knife against Ren’s neck, she spoke with a perverse sense of fairness. “No need for something so final.” she mused absurdly, as if debating the severity of a child’s punishment. A chill ran down my spine as Lida continued her twisted play. “We wouldn’t want to be too harsh, would we?”

Rage burned within me as I shouted at her. “Stop! Don’t you dare lay even a finger on her!”

The threats spilled from my lips, but my helpless state only made her laugh. Her laughter echoed through the room as she continued taunting me. “How adorable.” She sneered. “It’s so cute to see you like this, to see you believe you have any control over what’s about to happen.”

She hovered the knife above Ren’s gut. “I could stab her here.” She said menacingly. “Extremely dangerous, but Vera’s girls would probably be able to save her. Probably.”

Again, I tried to break free from her control. I knew that if I didn’t, she’d hurt Ren – or maybe even kill her. I ventured deep within my own mind, as if trying to drive away her command from the depths of it, but I could do nothing. I remained frozen in place as Lida continued exacting my punishment.

“Perhaps the gut is too messy,” she mused, her voice laced with mock concern. “And the girls are probably asleep at this time of night...” She then held Ren’s right arm as if an idea had struck her. “But the wrist...oh, the wrist is delicate, isn’t it? So many veins, so much potential for exquisite agony.”

“Stop it!” I shouted again, but she ignored me.

“I can always stop the bleeding myself whenever I feel like you’ve suffered enough.” She said, her grin widening.

As she continued her sadistic game, my thoughts raced back to Elandor’s words and the promise I had made to keep Ren safe and reach Kase together. He asked me to make it so that he at least saved someone, but I couldn’t save anyone. Realizing I could do nothing against her, I shifted tactics and begged for her to stop. “Please, I’m begging you. Don’t do this! You’ve won. You’ve proved your point. Just leave Ren out of this!”

She nodded, seemingly considering my words, so I pressed on. “Please, Lida, I’ll do anything. Just spare her. Please!”

Lida’s smile widened as she spoke. “I acknowledge your regret and remorse, my dear Luca. And I’m willing to think about forgiving you.”

“Really? You’ll spare her?” I asked, daring to let a spark of hope flicker within me.

Her response was as swift as it was brutal. A simple “No,” which felt like the weight of the world was crushing me.

She poised the knife next to Ren’s wrist, ready to hurt her, and my pleading words turned into threats. “If you dare touch her, I promise you I will not rest until you’re dead! I’ll make sure you’re dead even if it’s the last thing I do! I’ll strangle you with my bare hands if I must and revel as your wretched soul leaves your body!”

She seemed even more amused. In response, she mockingly retorted. “Oh no, how scared I am! Whatever shall I do?”

Her laughter persisted, but then her demeanor suddenly shifted, and her gaze darted between the knife and me. “I have a better idea!” she declared, seemingly satisfied with herself. “You will carry out the punishment. Yes, you, Luca.”

Disbelief washed over me as I recalled how she had made me torture Kenneth. I cursed her. “What? No! Screw you!”

Yet, Lida, unaffected by my protests, wielded her magic, compelling me to take the knife from her grasp. The chain around my neck manifested again, glowing pink, and reluctantly, I found myself drawn toward Ren, the blade in hand.

“You already received the proper training from me the other day.” She laughed sadistically. “You’re more than ready for it.”

The realization that this was likely all in the making ever since my first visit to the jailhouse, before the torture of Kenneth, hit me with full force. I found myself kneeling beside Ren, the knife held by my trembling hand. I was about to hurt her and could do nothing to stop it.

Lida continued taunting me, pointing out my promise to Elandor. “Why would you hurt Ren, Luca?” she jeered, feigning innocence. “You promised Elandor you’d protect her! I don’t understand...” Then, in the blink of an eye, her expression shifted into a sinister grin. “Oh right... it’s because of me!”

Under Lida’s control, I hovered the knife above Ren’s wrist as she began a countdown.

“Three...You can’t really save her.” her voice taunted.

“Stop it!” I shouted at her.

The terror intensified, and the belief that my own will could overcome her commands diminished completely.

“Two...Why even try?” she continued.

“Please don’t make me do this!” I pleaded.

The weight of powerlessness settled upon me, as my desperate attempts to resist crumbled.

“One...Oh, here it comes!”

I braced myself for the irreversible act I was about to commit. But, to my astonishment, her command shifted. “Give me the knife back.” she demanded calmly.

A wave of relief washed over me, followed by confusion.

“The real punishment was the friend we could’ve hurt along the way.” she sneered, a wicked smile playing on her lips as she warned of the consequences should I anger her again. “But try conspiring with the other prisoners again, and...” she brought the knife close to Ren’s neck. “Dead girl.”

“Walden!” She called out, and Vedem’s warden returned. He entered quickly and lifted Ren from the floor, carrying her out of the room and my field of vision.

“Rest easy, Luca.” Lida said, and I felt the control of my body return to me. “And know that you can keep trying your silly escape attempts, but remember – I’m always there. I’m there when you think you can use the hairpin to lockpick the door. I’m there when you try to lie to me or think you’re smart enough to conceal the truth. I’m there when you think nobody saw you climb that rooftop. I’m there when you naively believe you can join forces with someone and escape together. I’m there when you think you can bypass my magic with some mere cotton wool. I’m there when you eat. I’m there when you sleep. And I’m even there when you shit! I’m always there!

But please, keep trying, because nothing in this life brings me more joy than seeing you fail, time and time again. So, continue, oh please continue! Make my day, my week, my month, my year! Continue right up until the day Vitara graciously takes your life! Only then, when you’re out there waiting for her blade to strike you down, are you allowed to forget about me. But not a second earlier, you hear me? Because if you do, I’ll have to remind you again what happens to those who misbehave - and next time, I won’t stop until poor Ren’s blood is spilled.”

She carried herself slowly to the door as I felt my resolve shatter completely. Each encounter with Lida stripped away layers of hope, leaving behind only despair.

She turned to me one last time before leaving, a grin on her face. “What, you though it’d be that easy?” she laughed, following it with a mock bow. “Good night, Luca. Sleep tight, and don't forget to dream about me.”