(Trigger Warning - Please be aware that this chapter contains violent behavior in a rape-like situation.)
Velori's Estate -
She was lying in her bed, the room shrouded in darkness when her front room door slid open, breaking the soft silence. It was still black outside and the small clock on the nightstand shone bright with 3:37 AM. Velori couldn't think of any reason why Anne would be coming in at this time of the morning.
Still confused and groggy, she slipped out from under the covers and pulled on yesterday's shirt. The only gun she owned was in the top drawer of the bathroom counter. She knew that was jumping to conclusions, but she could hear whoever it was moving around in the other room, and it didn't sound like Anne.
Other than the small bit of illumination from the skylight in the ceiling, it was completely dark. Staying close to the wall, she crept through the small hallway and into the living room.
Still unable to see the intruder's face, she could make out the silhouette of a man against the glow of the night light in the bathroom. She could even smell the delicate vanilla fragrance it gave off.
He was carrying a bag that looked halfway full and she could hear the sound of the clinking as he placed another item into it.
Laughing at herself, she rolled her eyes. A thief!? Of course. Who'd I think it was? The man from before? Damnnit! I should have known. He must be from Ben's crew. I knew it! She thought, berating herself.
The hammer she had used to hang the tapestry came to mind. It should still be on the desk. She heard another item fall into the bag. With renewed frustration, she moved silently in the shadows, to the right side of the desk.
Her heart was already racing but as he made his way towards her room, it beat even faster. Grabbing the hammer she rushed him, forgetting about the sarcophagi sitting in the middle of the room. As she ran by it, she slammed into the stone lid that was partially open, jarring her ribs and forcing the stone to the hardwood planks beneath her feet.
He rushed back in and began grasping for the light switch until he found it. As it gleamed on, it blinded her, and she couldn't stop the reflex to cover her eyes as she held her side.
Taking advantage, the man jumped on her, pushing her painfully to the floor. Seconds later, he tore the hammer out of her hand and flung it against the wall. Grabbing both wrists he shoved them above her head. With his other hand, he ripped the silk top off and forcefully pressed against her right breast, the torn garment still hanging in his fingers by the straps.
She started to scream but he backhanded her cruelly on the left side of the face. She saw bright dots travel across her vision and her ears rang loudly.
He took the torn blouse and pressed it brutally into her mouth. Leaning close to her face he breathed out, "You deserve this you know? I saw you messing with the boss's head. Creeping in the corridors, tryna confuse him! You females are all alike! You want something, so you throw yourselves at us like the whores you are. Well, I'm gonna give you exactly what you want."
A blast of hot alcohol-laced breath slammed against her face. He leaned back and undid his belt and pants, forcing her leg up higher with his knee.
She tried to squirm and wiggle, doing anything to stop him. She couldn't let him do what he wanted, and though it was muffled she still screamed as loudly as she could. She felt her throat scratch at her screams.
"Stop MOVING! You want this and I'm more than happy to fill you full."
Reaching down he tugged at the front of her panties, yanking her up and down and jerking her body with them. Finally, the small fabric ripped, and she fell to the floor.
As he was lying over her, he had to come up on one knee to rent the panties from her body. Taking advantage of the opening, she pulled her right knee up and slammed her foot, as hard as she could, into his groin. She did once more to make sure the bastard would feel it.
Letting go of her hands, he doubled over sideways, clutching his balls and stomach. She got up and ran for the bathroom but wasn't quick enough. He was up and next to her again, shoving her into the wall. He was holding his balls again as if it would bring some form of comfort.
"FUCKING BITCH!", he said breathlessly while coughing, spewing more of his foul stench into her face.
The side of her head had made contact with the wall before she fell over. Collapsing to the floor in a small ball she held her head and fought back her rolling stomach. There was liquid in her hair, and she could feel it start to pool against her cheek. She fought it as hard as she could, but she knew she was losing consciousness.
Walking over to her, the man bent as if to pick her up, but something dropped down from the ceiling, behind him. It was the man from before, the man from her vision. She saw him grab the man's head and twist. She could hear the cracking of his neck and the heavy sound of his body slamming against the floorboards.
Before giving into the darkness, she saw the handsome man from before, standing over her, with what looked like concern on his face. He knelt beside her and shook his head as the blackness overcame her and she fell into sleep.
~~~
Within the Realm of the Originators:
Wa'teriel's Landscape -
.
The rain pelted the ground as if it meant to create a new canyon going through the middle of his favorite Scrying Garden. The winds too were tearing at the trees, sending purple and black leaves into hundreds of tiny whirlwinds.
The stone of the Pergola that Wa'teriel stood on cracked and splintered as Nefair'el floated up to the Scrying Pond.
"Must you always destroy things?" The tinkle of Nefair'el's words played on the wind before they settled over Wa'teriel.
"Shut up. I'm in no mood for your temperaments this eve."
"Oh? And why is that? I only meant to check on you. You've stayed here, watching her as a stalker might, for what feels like ages, 'Teriel. You can't intervene, so why torment yourself?"
Wa'teriel stood up straight then, in his "human" form. Each Originator was different in their likes and preferences, but one thing was the same in all of them. When Scrying, they all take on the form of the intended subject that they were watching. Currently, Wa'teriel's dark hair was cut short, the sides shaved close to his scalp. His choice in gender always turned more masculine, as was the same for Nefair'el. Today, Wa'Teriel's form was tall and slim, with wide shoulders and a tapered waist. Blue robes hung from his form in elegance, lightly grazing the ground as he walked. White symbols gave off a faint glow, from the dark blue folds they were stitched into.
He turned and sneered in Nefair'el's direction. "If you've come here to lecture me, I warn you, I will intervene somewhere, and it won't be with Velori."
Nefair'el lifted his hands in the air, differing his words now that he could see they would reach nowhere. He too had donned the form of a "human". He was average in height, with blonde hair that fell to his shoulders and bright blue eyes. He was "The Laughing God '' to many of their creations. Always smiling or trying to lighten the mood of their followers. Today, however, his blue eyes were showing more concern than was normal and it was the only thing to bring Wa'teriel's mood to a pause.
He knew that Nefair'el was only concerned for him. They all seemed to stop by his lands of recent, each with their own reasoning for him to stop holding his attention on Velori. His answer was always the same. He missed his friend. Of all of her species, she was one of the strongest in her relationship with him. Coming to him daily with questions and conversation. She was bright and feisty; it brought so much life to his loneliness. And with one act on her part, all of that was taken and she was forced into the silent life of a human. A curse from her Realms High Council for deeds done against their laws.
And with what he just watched he was furious with her, screaming at the Scrying Pond for her to reach out for his help. How can she not know of him? How could she forget that they were there for her? The only semblance of hope he received this eve, was the fact that someone had just stepped into her small life. A person, whose family played a key part in her memories returning.
"I miss her, Nefair'el. So many centuries have gone by and her silence in those centuries is like a tear in me."
"Then find someone else. Why must it-"
"It just must!" He interrupted him more forcefully than he had meant to. He paused to regain composure and continued only when he had succeeded. "And don't think I didn't notice you intervening in her dreams earlier. You may think it doesn't interrupt her curse, but you know not the implications if the Fabric sees it differently." He paused once more to ensure that his words settled deep into his brother's core.
He looked back at Velori as the man carried Velori to her bed. Heartache bleeding into his bones. "We had ages together, in laughter and joy. Watching her discover and bring me in on that discovery and enjoyment. So few of our creations think of us, unless they wish for us to be of use. How many have you had that have come to you nightly and wished you a happy sleep? Or how many have come to you and wondered if you ate? Wondered enough to actually ask you?"
Nefair'el stayed silent. He'd heard this before too. It was a useless argument. Especially, when he disliked debating and arguing as much as he hated slithweed. A delicacy from the Were-Realm that they're always burning for him in worship. He must end the discussion before it truly begins and he was stuck, sitting here for the next age, talking about the Human Realm in detail. Of all the Realms, he cared little for that one. They abused their air with pollutants and without care for him. If they were going to give so little a thought for him, he would return the act in kind.
"Wa'teriel." He paused, waiting for his brother to give him his full attention. He continued when it happened. "What happened? Tell me, and maybe you'll feel better. That's what your humans say, isn't it?"
Wa'teriel watched Nefair'el for a moment. He wasn't sure he wanted to retell the events that Velori had just experienced. They felt wrong like they were covered in a vile taint. However, it was rare for Nefair'el to be willing to discuss a negative. If he was willing to do that, then Wa'teriel should be willing to oblige. And besides, it WOULD possibly help him feel better.
He grimaced at the memory, before swallowing the saliva that had pooled in his mouth from the distaste.
"She was attacked. Injured. The attacker forced his disgusting self onto her and her senses, overwhelming her and nearly ending her flame."
"Did he? End it?" Nefair'el was taken back by the emotions that were emanating from Wa'teriel. She couldn't have been snuffed out. They all would have felt it. As much as he disliked Wa'teriel's attachment to her, he couldn't deny her effect on the Originators. Her foretelling was one that affected three realms. If her flame had been extinguished, all five Originators would know.
"No." The small syllable was barely audible. "She fought him off but had it not been for the Banished one's family stepping in, it most assuredly would have been."
"They met!" The words rushed out. His joy and excitement gusting out of him like a heavy wind, buffeting against Wa'teriel's edges. THIS, was interesting. If they were finally meeting, things were only going to gain momentum. He would have to join Wa'teriel in his Scrying to watch as they unfolded.
Wa'teriel smoothed down his robes as if they'd been twisted by the winds he felt from Nefair'el. "They did. There's still so much that needs happening but things are close." He paused for a short time before continuing. "Soon I'll have my friend back." His face lightened ever so lightly as his words meaning dawned on him.
"And Sha-i'deen!" His face blazing with excitement. Sha-i'deen was the whole point in Velori's curse being a boon, for the Originators. Unlocking the gate that held their sister in prison for so long. "This is great news, no? This is a time for celebrating! Your little fighter will soon be back where she belongs, my Dragons Realm will finally start to end its turmoil and our SISTER RETURNS! This is a HAPPY moment Wa'teriel!"
Wa'teriel couldn't stop the blow of elation that was pounding against his wall of self-tranquility. Normally placid and clear, it had gone through rough waves this night and he didn't like the sudden turbulence of joy. He couldn't deny them either. Nefair'el was right, and he told him so. "You're right Nefair'el. And you were also right in the fact that talking did make me feel better. I think perhaps you should give more credence to the humans than you do.
"Ew." His mouth turned down in disgust and his eyes fell. "When they decide that I'm worth having in their lives, I'll decide the same for them. But enough of that! COME! We must tell the others." Before Wa'teriel could deny the idea, Nefair'el disappeared and he felt as his essence left his land.
He looked back down at the Pond, and watched as the man tucked the blankets in around Velori before standing back and observing her sleep.
"I suppose we should tell the others."