Kazimir's eyes fluttered open. It was dark. She was surrounded by stone. There were torches burning all around her. There was a faint sound of voices from far off. Kazimir tried to move but couldn't. She felt like she was strapped down.

"Hello," said a familiar voice. "It's good to see you awake."

"Who are you?" asked Kazimir.

"Why, my dear Kazimir, I am your friend," said the voice.

"Who?"

"You know, the one who brought you back to life."

"You did?"

"Indeed. You don't remember, do you?"

"No, I don't."

"There was a little accident," said the voice. "You died. You didn't suffer, though. I'm quite sure. And such accidents are often considered blessings to us of the Order of the Unconquered Sun. You see, your death was necessary for the greater good. We needed you to return, so you could continue on your mission. For the greater good. That is what I always strive for, my friend."

Kazimir couldn't understand what the voice was saying. She had no memory of ever going to the Order of the Unconquered Sun, and she certainly didn't remember being resurrected by them. But she knew it was someone important because of the familiarity of her voice.

"I know you're confused, my dear friend. I know what's happened to you isn't easy to comprehend. I will explain everything. But first, I need you to listen to my words. I need you to hear them."

"I'm listening," said Kazimir.

"When you were brought back to life, you were given a second chance. A second opportunity to fulfill your destiny. You mustn't waste this opportunity, Kazimir. For this is your last chance. This moment in time will never come again. You must not fail. You must succeed."

"But I don't remember any of this," said Kazimir. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"That's fine. As long as you remember the important things. Your friends. Your enemies."

"My friends?"

"Yes... that is, other members of the Order of the Unconquered Sun. People like me. We are your friends, Kazimir. We love you and will protect you," said the voice.

"And who are my enemies, then?"

“Magic users,” hissed the voice. “Vile usurpers of the natural order of life. Agents of destruction and doom, they are. They must be stopped and destroyed at all costs .”

Kazimir was confused. "What do you mean magic users?"

“You know what I'm talking about, Kazimir. The people who make their living in the shadows, using their powers to steal away the lives of innocent people. Magic users. Thieves and murderers. Monsters, really. But we in Beaubinte call them mages, because it sounds more noble than what they truly are. We call them mages, even though they are nothing more than thieves and murderers. We say those kinds of things to protect ourselves, Kazimir. We use the names of our enemies to keep us strong. To remind us that they exist and that they are dangerous."

"I don't understand what you're saying," said Kazimir.

"Don't you? Don't you understand how easy it would be to destroy them all? Wouldn't you love to wipe them from the face of the earth? Just like that. With a single spell, hell, and use their own power against them. But you can't. No one can. There are too many, Kazimir. Too many of them. And there will always be more. We all must work together if we are to survive. We must stand together against the evil of the magic users," said the voice.

"But how? How can I do that?” asked Kazimir. “What could I ever do?”

“It’s more simple than you might think,” said the voice. “We have to get rid of them by getting rid of magic completely. That way, they'll no longer exist. Then, we can finally be safe from them. We can finally be free.”

"How?"

The voice laughed. "You know, I almost feel like I should be insulted. I'm trying to tell you something very important, Kazimir. Something that must be done for the good of all Beaubinte. Yet you ask me how? How do I get rid of magic?"

Kazimir felt the ropes around her body suddenly tightening painfully.

"But, you just told me that we need to stop them, that we all have to work together. And I don’t remember anything! I’m sorry!” cried Kazimir. “I’m doing my best!”

"Oh, you are, aren't you?" said the voice. "Well, let me answer your question, Kazimir. Because I've been thinking about that a great deal since you arrived here. It's obvious that you don't remember anything, so it must be difficult for you to grasp the situation. So, allow me to give you the short version of what you need to know. You see, Kazimir, you are the chosen one. The only one who can defeat the magic users. All of us in the Order agree on this. If we could find another way, we would. But we can't. Not yet. And until we can find another way, then you are the key.

"You are the one who must destroy the power of the magic users in Beaubinte."

"How?"

"I'm afraid I can't tell you that at this time, Kazimir. There are some things that must remain a secret. But soon, you'll learn. And when you do, you'll be ready."

"But why me?" asked Kazimir. "Why me? I don't even know what I'm supposed to be doing."

The ropes tightened further. Kazimir whimpered a little. It was painful.

"You were created for this purpose, Kazimir. It's not an easy task. It'll take everything you have, but you can do it. You must. For the good of all Beaubinte," said the voice, soothingly.

"That isn't very reassuring."

"You will be able to overcome any obstacle, Kazimir. You have the power. You just need to realize that, and accept it for yourself."

Kazimir saw for the first time a cloaked figure standing over her. She was holding a large, red candle.

"What am I supposed to do? What can I possibly do?" asked Kazimir.

"I can't tell you that right now. You'll just have to trust me on that. But know this: there will be others who will try to stand in your way. Enemies who will try to prevent you from destroying the magic users. They will try to stop you. But you won't let them. You mustn't let them. Because if you cannot destroy the magic users, then there is no hope for anyone. Not for Beaubinte, or for the world at large. You must understand that.

"You must have faith that you are the chosen one. And you must believe that you can achieve your goal. Even though it seems impossible. Believe in yourself, Kazimir. And in the power that resides within you. You will be needed. You must be strong," said the figure. Then, she tilted the candle down over Kazimir’s exposed chest and dribbled hot wax on her.

“Ow! Ow! Why are you doing this to me?!” cried Kazimir.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“You must be strong, Kazimir,” said the figure. “And you must be prepared. Because, believe me, when you get out of here, you will need to be.”

Kazimir squirmed in the bonds as she looked up at the figure in the hood. "Who are you?"

"You will know soon enough,” said the figure. She dribbled more wax on Kazimir.

“Please stop! It hurts!” Kazimir whined. “I didn't do anything wrong! I don't know anything about magic! I don't even remember what happened to me!"

The figure laughed again. "That's alright. As I said before, you're the chosen one. We need to make sure you are really ready. You will remember everything when the time comes.”

Another hooded figure walked into the room. She was holding a small lash in her left hand.

“Excellent,” said the first figure. “Get her thighs. Kazimir must be strong.”

Kazimir huffed as the second figure struck her inner thighs with the lash, alternating between the left and right repetitively.

“Ow! Oww! Please! Please stop!” cried Kazimir. “I don't know why you’re doing this!”

The figures nodded to each other.

"Good, good," said the figures in unison. "You have to be strong."

They repeated this process several times, one dribbling wax, the other lashing Kazimir’s thighs.

“Please! Stop! I don't want to do this! I don't want to fight! I just want to go home!”

The figures looked at each other and laughed again, this time slapping Kazimir hard across the face with their hands.

“Don't worry, Kazimir. Soon you will be ready. And if you aren't, well, you know what they say, 'the more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in battle.'”

They slapped her in the face again. Kazimir huffed. This hurt so much!

“Stop! I'll do whatever you want! Just stop hurting me! Don't you understand? I'm already miserable!”

The figures chuckled.

“You will not be going anywhere anytime soon, chosen one. You have a long journey ahead of you. And I promise you, it's only beginning. But you will be ready for it. You will be strong. Strong enough to defeat the magic users and save the world. And then you will be free. Free to be who you've always been destined to be. The rest of the world will be yours. The entire world. It will be yours. Do you understand?" said the voices.

Kazimir nodded her head.

“Yes. Yes, I do."

Two more ladies in cloaks and hoods walked into the room. Kazimir noticed it kept getting hotter and hotter in there, and she could feel sweat dripping from her forehead.

“Wow,” said one of the new arrivals. “She’s taking this so well.”

“Yes,” said the other new arrival. “She is going to be very strong, isn’t she?”

“The strongest,” said the first cloaked lady with the dripping candle. “But we have to be careful, you know. It's not easy to break someone who has been through as much as this one. We need to be sure she is prepared."

"Of course," said the other cloaked figure. She held up a small bowl of water and a rag and proceeded to wipe Kazimir's face with them.

It burned.

"Ow! That hurts!"

The lady smiled and said, "I know. I know. It hurts. Believe me. I know."

She wiped her face again. Then she took another rag and wet it with more water.

Kazimir moaned. Her eyes were burning and she wanted to scream. The tears began to fall.

The cloaked figure nodded to herself and continued to wipe the tears from her face.

"We need to be careful. She must be strong," said the lady.

"Yes," said the second cloaked figure. "Just like you said."

Kazimir's eyes rolled back into her head as the woman wiped her face again. She felt her entire body tingle and she could hear the blood pounding in her ears. Everything was happening too fast and she couldn't see straight. She couldn't think straight.

The woman reached down and grabbed her chin, pulling her head up until her lips touched hers.

Kazimir screamed as the woman pushed her tongue into her mouth. She struggled against the chains and tried to pull away.

"No! No! No! Stop!"

The cloaked figures laughed.

"What do you taste like?" asked the first one.

"I don't know," Kazimir groaned. "I can't think. I can't think."

"I know," said the second cloaked figure. "That's normal. It's just the beginning."

Kazimir's eyes rolled back into her skull again and everything turned black as they brushed the rag back over her face.

“You must be stronger,” said the ladies. “So much stronger.”

“Why? What purpose is this serving? How will this allow me to take all the magic away?!” cried Kazimir. “It hurts! It hurts so bad!”

The ladies looked at each other and laughed.

“Well, that's the point, isn't it? Pain builds strength. And we're here to help you build your strength.”

“How? Why? I don't understand!”

They smiled and said, "Oh, that's because you haven't yet seen your true power. Once you do, you'll see why this is so necessary. Because without pain, you never would have had the courage to go through all those dark times. Without pain you never would have gotten to the point where you could be strong enough to finally become the chosen one. Right?”

Kazimir's mouth hung open and her eyes were still closed. She didn't know what to say. She tried to force her eyes to stay open, but it was hard. It hurt too bad.

“Oh, come on. You know what I mean," said the first cloaked lady.

"I think so," said the second cloaked figure. "We both know this is for the best."

Kazimir didn't answer. She couldn't find the words.

"What did you say?" asked the first lady.

Kazimir opened her eyes.

“Nothing,” said Kazimir.

“Really? Nothing at all?” asked the first lady.

Kazimir nodded.

“And you're sure about that?” asked the other.

Kazimir nodded.

“Well then,” said the first cloaked figure. "Let us get back to work."

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They left Kazimir chained up in a room with no windows and no doors.

She sat in the middle of the floor, unable to move or turn her head, barely able to breathe, and completely unaware of how long she had been sitting there.

She was thirsty.

She was hungry.

But mostly she was in so much pain that she couldn't even think.

Kazimir felt her muscles weaken as her mind gave way to the agony.

She heard two of the cloaked women talking to each other somewhere outside the room. They were laughing again.

"Look at her!" exclaimed the first lady with the candle. "She's so pathetic."

Could they see her somehow?

"Oh, I know," said the second woman.

"What do you think we should do next?" asked the first lady.

"I think we should let her rest," replied the second woman.

"Yes," said the first. "That's the best idea we've had yet."

"I agree," said the second.

Kazimir waited for the two women to leave before standing up and stretching her body.

The pain in her arms and legs felt like fire.

She was exhausted beyond measure.

Kazimir walked around the room slowly, trying to loosen up her muscles. As she moved, she realized that her vision was getting better. Her head was clearing, and she could see the room and her surroundings clearly.

Her body ached, and her skin was dry and cracked from being chained to the wall. She was so thirsty, so hungry, and so tired.

She was so weak.

She needed help.

Kazimir looked down at her hands, which were covered in dried blood. She had cut herself on the metal when she pulled at the chains to try to free herself. The blood had gotten onto the ground beneath her and the walls, leaving streaks of red on the grey stone and dust.

Kazimir sighed.

Time dragged for what seemed an eternity. Kazimir felt her eyelids getting heavy. Her head hung low as she failed to hold it up. And soon enough, she was at peace.

----------------------------------------

Kazimir opened her eyes, immediately noticing that the pain was gone.

She was in a cave, lying on a bed of soft moss. There was a small table next to the bed with a pitcher of water, a bowl of fruit, and some bread. She could smell the scent of the food, which made her stomach growl.

She sat up suddenly, startled by the sudden change. She looked around her, trying to remember where she was.

There was a large rock formation behind her, and a small stream flowing in front of her. A few feet away stood a group of bizarre cabe-trees, and on the other side of the stream was another rock formation.

The cave was lit lightly by bioluminescent fungi, a beautiful light blue.

Kazimir noticed a small door on the far side of the cave and went over to it, pressing her ear against it. She could hear voices inside, but she couldn't make out what they were saying.

Kazimir turned the knob on the door, and it swung open. The room beyond was pitch black. Kazimir reached for the wall to her left, intending to turn on a lamp, but then stopped. She hadn't brought a lantern with her.

She stepped into the room, hoping to see some light, but instead she heard footsteps coming towards her.

Stressed, Kazimir backed up, closed the door, and plopped into the bed. She did her best to pretend to be asleep as the door creaked open.

“Chosen one?” asked the deep voice of a man in light white robes.

Kazimir held her breath, hoping that he would go away.

“I don't think you understand,” said the man. He was wearing white gloves. “You don’t need to be afraid. You’re strong now. You won’t be put through all that pain and agony again. You’ve ascended.”

Kazimir tried to keep pretending to sleep, but the man just walked up to her.

“It will be okay, chosen one,” said the man. He sat on the side of the mossy bed. “Your new life starts now.”

Kazimir leaned up to get a good look at him, dropping the facade of sleep.

The man had long white hair, a thick beard, and a long, pointed nose. His dark brown eyes were set far apart, giving him a stern look.

He stood up, holding a small, white box in his gloved hand.

“Open your mouth,” said the man.

Instinctively, Kazimir did.

The man placed the box in her mouth, and the smell of sweet apples filled her nostrils.

Kazimir tried to bite through the thin white box, but her teeth weren't strong enough.

“Perfect,” said the main. He took the box away. “When you’re ready, I’ll take you to the chamber and you’ll meet the rest of us. You’re going to be a great asset to the Order of the Unconquered Sun.”

Kazimir couldn’t help but feel a horrible sinking feeling in her chest. Like something terrible was going to happen. Or, maybe that it already had.

Then, she tried to speak. But all that came out of her mouth was a hoarse cry.

And then Kazimir felt a strangeness in her mouth. Something was missing. She tried again and again to speak, to cry, to yell, but nothing came out.

The man smiled.

“Now I know that you have really awakened,” said the man.