Disclaimer: Though this chapter does not feature too much explicit sexual content, it does depict child torture/murder.
If this is a sensitive subject for you, a summary of the chapter will be in the Author's Thoughts.
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Mordeki
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Huh... Huh... Dammit. My strength is wavering, I can feel it. I didn't expect her to have such strong mental fortitude. I should have planned a stronger spell, but never the less I've broken into her consciousness. I just didn't expect it to be so... gloomy.
A single room. Grey stone brick on every wall, floor, and the ceiling. There seems to be a metal door on the opposite wall of the two metal bar windows that are letting the storm outside in. The water has already pooled up to about a foot deep. I'm in a basement...
...No, more like a dungeon. Multiple chains and shackles on the walls. So many scratch marks. I don't like it here. It reminds me of my childhood,... if you can even call it as such.
I hear something. Yelling and movement. It's coming through the door. Someone's coming. Two sets of footfalls, one light, the other heavy. I take a position by the door readying an ambush.
The door swings open quick and heavy, displacing water and nearly slamming against the wall. Damn, should have checked if I could use magic once I arrived; I can't even construct a simple rune. I need to stay hidden.
Something just splashed it the room, no, someone. The door closes and locks behind them. It's just me and them now. It's standing slow, shivering from the cold water.
Oh... Oh! This just got quite awkward. It... -- She... I need to leave but the door is locked... She's naked. Goodness, and just a child as well. Just what kind of barbarian would treat a human girl... wait... She's not human. She something much more alien. I've never seen one myself, but I've know what the look like from stories and reports.
She's a changeling.
Are they naturally this skinny, or is she malnourished? I'm torn; I feel like I need to help her, but is that really the best course of action? ...I'll wait it out for now.
It been a few minutes now, and I'm starting to realize what this is. I think I fell into a trap. It seems I underestimated Gala. The room keeps me locked in, but the water doesn't resist me, nor can this girl see or hear me.
But what kind of trap is this? How do I leave?
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It's been a week... It's not a trap... It's her memories... I think.
This girl is quite intelligent, resourceful even. She has the schedule down to a T. When food comes, when the man takes her away for her beatings, and when the woman comes to speak with her.
She rearranges the loose chains and shackles into a makeshift hammock so she can avoid the flooded floor, then dismantles it before someone comes. She even manages to sneak in extra food.
I've also figured out her identity. Or more specifically, the child she was supposed to replace. Cynthia Frostflower. First, and only daughter of Julius and Samara Frostflower.
It seemed to be a switch at birth that didn't fully succeed.
The only interaction she gets from her 'parents' is when Julius beats her; taking her to an unknown room and scarring her with a whip on her back and arms, and Samara guilt tripping her for stealing away their real daughter.
I feel bad for her. It wasn't her fault for what her true parents attempted. I wish I could help her. My heart aches. My time here only brings back memories that shouldn't ever be resurfaced.
Maybe I didn't break into her mind, she's broken into mine and fabricated story that could break me... It's a possibility, certainly. I need to remain calm. I'll continue observing, but I need to find a way out.
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It's been...
A YEAR!
I wish I could say I've been trapped in a loop, but I've watched the girl noticably grow. And she's been planning in escape. It's understandable why.
I was able to leave the dungeon for the first time.
This changeling was presented before another child. One that was an urchin, dragged from the streets just to be a mask for the girl to wear. Once the mask was fitted, the model was discarded... with bloody efficiency.
I have nothing but my extreme contempt for the Frostflower clan.
The girl has been taught basic etiquette, and has appeared before other noble families; the only time her 'parents' showed a modicum of care for her well-being.
Presented as some trophy. A fragile origami figure torn and worn, yet covered in gold.
I know the real you. What you've gone through. You'll survive this. You will be free.
I may be too invested now.
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It's been six years since I first arrived in the strange headspace. A dream? A memory? A simulation? I've been cursed with simple observation, but the story I've observed has been one of constant strife, and it's now turned into one of hope.
For a time, the girl gave up her dream of escaping. For years since her birth, she seemed to resist like a wild animal backed against a wall, but eventually she gave in. She took every hit with a dull expression, like she couldn't feel the pain anymore. She was broken.
A new hope had filled her, though. It seemed for the Frostflowers to keep their trophy shiny, they needed to give her a proper education.
A priestess of the local church, and a follower of the god Graila, has been teaching her for the latter two years.
I don't think I've ever seen her smile until this point. Or laugh, or cry tears of joy, or even experience happiness. All thanks to this outsider. Someone untouched by this family's evil.
All thanks to her, this girl, this changeling... has hope again.
At a party the Frostflowers we're throwing, she made her escape by disguising as another guest. She ran all the way to the docks where she stowed away on a large ship.
One that sunk only miles from it's destination.
Such misfortune...
But she was determined to live.
Barely awake on the shore, she spotted a group of avians flying by and turned into one of them. The avians seemed to be investigating the shipwreck and spotted her. Luckily they mostly look the same, so the disguise worked flawlessly, and she was rescued.
She feigned amnesia, and named herself Gala. Aptly named after the party she just escaped.
So this is her story.
I didn't know this was your life.
I wish I could have been there to help you.
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She's lived with the avians for two years. During that time she was taught the ways of the Psion by one of the elders..., I wish I could even begin to pronounce his name.
The training was intense. A unique test of mind, body, and soul. I don't think I could replicate this if I tried; especially at my age. Through it all I watched her fight with herself, and fight her trauma. It seemed she won both. Good for her to make more progress than I ever could.
She didn't change her form for her entire time there. She didn't need to. She was happy. A family to love and appreciate her. A family she could love back.
One that could accept what she really was...
Or so she thought.
They banished her upon realizing what she was. It certainly didn't help any lasting issues she had.
She kept her identity as Gala and made her way inland, eventually coming across some place known as Nexus. A neutral hub of the world's nations and the headquarters of the adventuring guild.
Seems to be a staple no matter what world you go to.
She signed on to be an adventurer, and was quite good at it. She accomplished almost every mission, unfortunately lost some friends along the way, and made quite the name for herself.
Even with some trails, she was happy again.
But such is life, it was fleeting.
There was tension between the three ruling nations, and the gods that governed them. Stoneclock, ruled by Hagen, god of love and light. The Principalities, ruled by Thallen, god of storms and magic. Tidewind, ruled by Graila, god of nature and the night.
But there were quiet whispers of a fourth. It went by a different name depending on where you were, but it was mostly referred to as Leviathan. A malignant darkness the seemed to seep itself into every land. It was the cause of everything.
Stoneclock and The Principalities were pushing Nexus for control, and during that time Gala met Tifa.
A timid, young priestess that stumbled around like a newborn fawn, but she was quite capable in her own regard. Gala's constant flattery seemed to help her confidence. A love between them bloomed.
I hate to sound perverted but I was forced to witness their first night together... It was horrifying to say the least...
Two healthy young women with years of pent up stress, and Gala being able to act as a near unlimited catalogue of partners...
Hours upon hours...
I wish this was a one time deal, but I would eventually suffer through hundreds, maybe even thousands of these encounters.
Ew...
The duo had also met the Avatar of Hagen. A rather calm individual that was able to speak directly to the god. The trio, along with a few unmentionables, had slain great beasts corrupted by Leviathan, united the Avatars along with the gods, and eventually vanquished Leviathan.
Gala was crowned as the champion of the gods, and married Tifa shortly afterwords in the cathedral of Stoneclock. ...As well as 26 other women...
Our time in that church was my personal hell. I don't know if I can live with the knowledge that even the purest girl can be turned into a mewling animal with the proper technique...
I could close my eyes and cover my ears, but even the smell would get my mind running.
I think it took the twentieth orgy for me to finally become desensitized to the whole ordeal.
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Finally, we are close to the present. It seemed her transportation was just as Tifa was starting on their morning fun. ...Thank Hagen.
I've been here too long.
Now that I've seen both, Vanity and Tifa really do look alike. I can see why Vanity was chased by Gala for so long.
I already know most of this already... wait... A date with Dian? This better not end how I think it might.
Oh gods it's worse than I imagined.
That shouldn't bend that way...
That's not what that hole is used for...
Goodness woman! She can barely move and you keep going!
So sickening, but I can't look away.
Thank goodness it's finally over.
The morning is mostly peaceful. They tell each other their stories and the rules of their relationship. Didn't know you needed rules for such a thing. Oh... and they're at it again.
This is why they missed the morning meeting? I'll have to scold them later.
Finally, the trading field. Our match is soon to begin.
I've lived almost a quarter of another lifetime, it's good to finally bring it to a close.