A howl echoed within the dungeon, causing the prisoners to tremble in fear. They may not be better in shape, but the horrifying wailing sound can make them visualize what torture the other is going through. As fellow damned souls, they can't help but pity each other. It is a silly thing to do, but it's the only luxury they can afford in such a godforsaken place. With fellow rats and pests only as a company, listening to each other's painful groans is their single proof that they are indeed alive.
And how they wish they weren't.
Every day they pray to the Gods, the spirits, and even Satan to come and pick them up. They would gladly trade their souls just to end their misery.
That's how ruthless Xaphael could be.
Now, listening to that wretched bawling, their cognition once again was shaken. The angel they deemed was the one causing that misery. And here, they presumed they could be rescued. The hope that once ignited ebbed away as they comprehend there was no escaping this abyss. They are doomed to rot in this dungeon no different from hell itself.
" Why do you keep squalling? It's not like it's painful."
Eve took a break from what she was doing. Ada is too noisy that her eardrums are suffering. She reproved her for behaving unreasonably, disrupting her work. Can't she just stay put and accept the punishment calmly for it to end sooner? It's not like she enjoys this 100% either. Though she's wearing latex gloves and using forceps, she still comes into contact with her secretions. Eve decided not to enforce this kind of messy penalty in the future.
[ Or I could just ask him to do it in my stead, and I could simply watch from the sidelines.] She was immediately delighted when she knew it was feasible.
Ada's eyes were glued over the short pin held by the pincer.
[That thing, how many has it been?] She sobbed once again.
Ada's agony has yet to end. From the initial defiance and hate to capitulation and despair, now she only wishes to die instead. If she could, she would beg this psychopath to end her suffering. She would do anything she asks of her. Anything. As long as she lets her go.
( Host, you confused the paralyzing drug with the mixed anesthetic one.) Halfsie decided to clarify the situation. It kind of pity the creature covered in snot and tears for the host's misunderstanding. Knowing her sensations are intact would justify her crying, right?
( Oh.) Eve glanced at the needle and the vial on top of Ada's head. Yes, she made her a make-shift table since the drug rendered her completely immobile, helping her carry the material for easier access.
She's already half-way through, though. It's too late to use the other drug.
Making up her mind, she then continued her business.
Ada once again wailed as she felt the excruciating pain of savoring the slow insertion of needles into her tongue. Blood, tears, and saliva kept pouring down as she suffers such a dreadful nightmare. This girl is truly a crazy bitch from hell; she cursed in her mind. How she wished she could strangle Eve right now. She also wanted to abuse her to her heart's.
An hour later, Eve finally returned the forceps into a small box and took off her gloves. After wiping her hands clean, she kindly shook the unconscious person. She can't just leave without bidding her farewell after all.
" Ada." A gentle voice woke her up.
She shot her a death stare the moment she regained consciousness.
[ Crazy bitch! I wanna kill you!] Her eyes screamed.
" I am done." Eve doesn't care about her anymore. As soon as she meted out the penalty, her business with the woman named Ada is finished.
The trickery, the attempted kidnapping, the insults, and the wound she had inflicted her, meant nothing to her the moment she had enacted her reprisal.
Specifically, the wound and the insults for she went along the abduction gig for entertainment purposes.
Anyway, she's not interested in taking her life hence won't kill her.
However, surviving El's hands is all her own. She won't meddle on that.
" I'll be off now." Eve patted her dress as she stood up. She is ready for her graceful exit.
[ Off with your head! I wanna kill you!] Ada shrieked in her mind.
Gazing at Ada, who resembles a lingering vicious ghost, she realized something.
She popped open a vial under her nose and, a second later, watched it roll on the bloody floor.
The moment Ada regained her freedom to move, she struggled ferociously and started cursing continuously. Even so, due to the foreign body embedded in her mouth, she could only spout unintelligible words.
" What?" Eve tilted her head, wondering what Ada was trying to say. If she could stop yawping and articulate properly, it's not impossible to convey her message.
" Yo cawdy bih fah heh!!!" She yelled.
( What?)
" I'm sorry, I don't speak stupid." Her earnest expression pushed the other beyond madness.
( Host, I think she meant "You crazy bitch from hell.") The furball rolled its eyes. Apparently, it can be vaguely understood if the host would listen attentively.
( You share that language, huh. No wonder.)
( Host! What does that mean!?) Halfsie roared in her mind. Did the host just group its (self-proclaimed) fabulous self with that ugly creature?
[How rude. I'm not THAT ugly.] It cried.
The piercing noise once again reverberated inside the chamber. Eve narrowed her eyes as she observed the irrational person mouthing her way off and eventually felt a little annoyed.
" Ada, it seems you misconstrued." She stepped closer, looking down at her impassively.
Ada staggered when she saw her approaching. Obviously, she still had that indifferent expression, but somehow, her usually vibrant eyes were terrifying.
" What you've suffered is the result of your greed. I only returned what is due, no more, no less."
" A cut measuring five centimeters in length and approximately one centimeter deep, that's what you've inflicted upon me. In turn, I exacted it back using fifty needles. You see, you've insulted me over and over again. Hence, I punished that malevolent tongue of yours. "
Eve continued muttering to herself as she ponders why Ada remains unsatisfied with the benevolence she had endowed her. If she were genuinely fierce to her, she'd long minced her tongue and carved her skin with the same dagger a hundred times over. How lucky she was, for she isn't her person, and how fortunate she was for successfully relieving her boredom before.
" Could it be better to follow my initial idea of slicing your tongue the way you did my flank? But that would be quite troublesome since I may not control the strength needed to enact that. What would I do if I ended up slicing your tongue in half, turning it into a fillet?"
Listening to her rumblings turned Ada's fright turned to rage. Her " I was considerate of you." appearance is beyond ridiculous.
[ She's truly gone mad! Everyone has been tricked! This person is crazy!!]
" You're nothing but a crazy bitch from hell!!!" She screamed at the top of her lungs. Maybe she had gone numb from the pain that she can more or less enunciate her words correctly.
It doesn't matter anymore. She'll die anyway. To vent on this psycho one last time would suffice, is what she believed. Maybe if she swore enough, she could even linger as a ghost to forever hunt her and that stone-hearted Xaphael!
Hearing Ada's accusation, Eve appeared offended. Her parted mouth and slightly widened eyes look at her, curious about how she could say such a thing?
Before she could celebrate her small victory, she heard the other break into a light-hearted laugh.
Ada watched Eve smirk enchantingly but felt coldness creeping from her feet to her heart. She had goosebumps all over.
" Oh, Ada." She lifted her slender fingers and stroked her disheveled blond hair.
" To be honest, I prefer 'evil psycho-sadistic bitch spawned from hell.'" Her serene image, together with the remark she whispered tenderly in her ears, mortified Ada completely.
[ Is she really the devil?] That idea flashed her mind.
Her statue-like figure failed to recover despite Eve leaving for a long time.
***
Eve blocked the sunlight that blinded her when she stepped out of the main entrance. A moment later, a shadow covered her, letting her sight adjust to the surroundings.
"Master, everything is ready. We can depart anytime."
A tall, good-looking man stood beside her while holding an umbrella. He had a pious cast as he lowered his face, not daring to look at his lord.
" Judas, I said no need to be so stiff." She reproved him.
[ If he could stop being tense, his features would be better.] She won't deny she sincerely admires good looks. Of course, it's merely human nature to yearn and gawk at pretty things, right? She nodded her head as she justified the need to at least meet that minimum requirement to become her person.
He straightened his back and returned her gaze, thinking to himself that his Master has genuinely made up her mind with the name Judas.
[ In any case, Sir Xaphael is right. That person had died back then.] He inwardly murmured.
" Yes, Master." Judas followed her from behind while holding the parasol. It was his first time serving a lady that he is awkward in his movements. Still, observing that Eve didn't mind the minor blunders he committed along the way, he sighed in relief.
Eve's steps halted midway, and Judas had no choice but to follow. He waited for her command but was surprised by her instruction.
" Walk beside me." She spoke nonchalantly.
[ Is that okay? Shouldn't servants remain behind?] He struggled internally for a few seconds before obeying.
[ In any case, Master's words are absolute.]
( Host, do you like him that much? I'm surprised. I thought you're only lusting over the villain. Could it be you've lusted over him at first sight too?) Halfsie brushed its presence once again. It was also interested in the person the host took in as a whim. Judging by face value, he doesn't lose out to the hero. Even if his skin is akin to milk chocolate's color, his pumpkin-colored eyes and wavy hair can definitely hook people. It's an exotic appearance that is full of charm.
The mindless assumption almost ignited Eve to pummel a particular life form who's obviously lusting for death. How could she be reputed to covet Judas? He is her person. How unprofessional it would be to eye your loyal subordinate. Her very first subordinate at that. Regardless, she could only list it down for now and collect the debt later in one major beating.
( You overthink. If he kept walking behind me, he'd trip me over soon.)
Judas is too tall. His foot could nearly reach her heel as they move forward. She's only preventing the possibility of planting a kiss on the ground.
The two resumed walking side by side.
" Master, will we depart right now?" He asked as they marched past the walkway going to the main quarters. They are currently heading towards the northern part of the castle, where the vehicles are kept.
" You said you could drive and knew the way to the Eastern Region."
" But, Sir Xaphael." He instantly shut his mouth when he recalled her edict the night he pledged his loyalty.
***
" From now on, you're mine."
That time, his heart was beating so loud he was worried she might hear it.
[ Am I saved?]
He was in awe of the lady who stood before him. It was she who retrieved his life token. He knew that despite winning the competition miraculously, his life will be forfeited the moment he returns backstage. He was hopeless and can only wait for death. However, she appeared. If he had heard correctly, she was the sole person who had place a wager on him. In all honesty, he wanted to ask her why. Why did she bet on him? There were plenty of beefy and strong-looking men who joined, so why him?
He continued listening to her melodious voice as he discreetly watches her. She looks fragile, yet she looks so powerful somehow. It's a wonder how two contradicting features can be seen in the same person.
" My Master."
" Good." She chuckled.
" I only ask of you three things."
He met her beautiful eyes that seem to shine brightly within the dark place. Her ethereal appearance looked out of place in the arena that reeked of blood.
He quickly lowered his head.
" Don't question my decisions."
" Don't be stupid and,"
" Don't betray me."
The softly-spoken words seemed to be swept away by the frantic sound of his heart.
" Now, tell me your name."
He lifted his head and responded.
" I am Jonas, Master."
***
Seeing his panicked face, Eve snickered.
( Ah, this boy is really too stiff.)
( Host, you did say not to question your stuff.) The furball, in truth, wanted to gossip but can only do that cautiously.
Though he lacks combat power, he is clever and agile. The way he dodged the attacks was fun to watch. Anyhow, the peculiar ways his opponents succumbed were interesting too. Halfsie wanted to ask the host about it since she was behaving more abnormally that night. The furball couldn't identify whether the host was giggling creepily at the sight of people slaughtering each other or the mysterious way Judas was escaping death by a hair's breadth.
( When I said that, I was thinking of Butler Bastian, who sometimes nags at me when I only ate sweets.)
( Well, he doesn't know that, host.)
[ In any case, no need to explain lest he starts nagging me too when the time comes.]
When Judas thought she wouldn't answer his query, she finally responded.
" I've already sent him my farewell."
With that conclusion, they drove away without informing the people of the castle.
****
ESSENTIAL DRAMATURGY 4
Eve: Now tell me your name.
Jonas: I am called Jonas, Master.
Eve: Good. I am Eve. Remember your Master's name.
Jonas: [Eve, what a beautiful name.]
Eve: You may rise, Judas.
Jonas: ??? (umm, okay?)
El: *chuckles