After about an hour more of talking, Alizra Manta left my new warehouse, and I sent Miles to increase the number of guards around the place, as well as some to start closing off anything that could be used as an entrance. During this time, Kyla and the other three of the Phoenix Four arrived, and Miles brought them to the room that I was still waiting in, but with Fawna sitting on the table beside me.
"Wow! You already have everyone doing everything you tell them?!" Rax asked as he and then the other three walked in.
Instead of answering, I nodded to Fawna.
"Come on. I will show you to our new rooms," Fawna said, hopping off the table and going over to take the boys out of the room, leaving only Kyla and me. While we were talking, Alizra told me a bit about who Kyla actually was and who she actually worked for.
"Sit down," I said, pointing to the chair across from me, and she did so without hesitation; then, I motioned for her to come closer.
I reached over and removed the collar around her neck and then let it drop to the table. Kyla looked at me strangely and then put her hands on her neck where it had been.
"Why?" Was all that she asked.
"Tell me about yourself, and don't leave anything out. I already know about your connection with the Zaraki family, so don't leave anything out," I ordered and leaned back in my chair. "I took the collar off to see if you would tell me the truth without it. After you are done with your story, I will decide what I am going to do with you."
Kyla gritted her teeth as she told me her story. I didn't say anything at first, just letting her finish and not wanting to interrupt her story. When she was done, I leaned back in my chair and considered her carefully. It wasn't often that someone escaping a life of slavery could make it this far, let alone learn magic as Kyla had managed to do.
"So you're telling me that you were sold into slavery and taught magic by a former master? That's quite the story." I said after several moments. "But why did you choose to serve Zaraki if you still harbored such hatred for him?"
Kyla looked away, obviously conflicted. "He promised me freedom eventually, although I have yet to see it. But until then, he has power over me, and I must obey his orders. I know it's not fair, but I don't really have another choice," She said, her jaw set in determination.
I nodded thoughtfully, understanding her situation. While it wasn't ideal, it seemed like she had made the best out of a bad situation.
Kyla had grown up in a small rural village within Aquia, close to the border with Wister. When she reached her teenage years, Kyla's parents sold her into slavery, hoping to provide their daughter with a better life than they could offer her. She was taken to the home of a wealthy merchant in Wendell, who promised her wealth and comfort in exchange for her service. However, behind the lavish facade, Kyla found herself subjected to cruel mental manipulation by her master. He would use dark magic to control her mind and make her completely obedient to his will. Despite her situation, Kyla still retained some of her free will, allowing her to secretly practice and learn the ways of Wisteria, the Goddess of Wind.
Eventually, Kyla managed to break free from her captor's hold on her and escape back to Aquia. Unbeknownst to her, Boss Zaraki had been tracking her progress, impressed by her abilities, and determined to bring her to Wendell under his own power. Knowing that she would not come willingly, he sent a group of his agents to capture her and drag her back to Wendell. Filled with rage and despair, Kyla agreed to follow him but swore revenge against him one day.
"Well, I am not going to be giving you back to him, but that is more than likely going to cause a stir with him. Can you tell me about Boss Zaraki?" I asked, then added, "I am going to have to know what I can do to make him want to give you up, but without causing too much trouble."
"Zaraki is a powerful and dangerous man who has been operating in Wendell for generations," Kyla said. "His family controls many of the criminal operations within the city, including smuggling artifacts from Aquia, money laundering, and illegal financial transactions. They have numerous contacts throughout the city that can help them hide whatever they want and stay ahead of the law. In addition to this, they also have various gangs and crime syndicates working for them, giving them access to almost anything."
Kyla paused, her eyes narrowed as she thought of her captor. "He's ruthless and will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. He won't give me up easily, and if we challenge him directly, there could be... repercussions."
"Be more specific," I said, and she nodded.
"He won't just sit back and watch as we take anything from him. He will come after me and anyone else he believes has betrayed him. Not only that, but he also has contacts throughout the city who can help him with almost anything. You'll need to be extremely careful if you plan on challenging him directly."
"Then what can we do to make him want to give you up? There has to be something that he likes?" I asked, but Kyla frowned at me.
"Why are you so worried about me now? I have been sure that you were going to kill me this entire time, and now you are trying to save me?" She asked, and I shrugged.
"You have become more valuable during that time, and now I am thinking that there is more to this than you even know. Next, what is your link to Wisteria? You said you were her follower, but you were born in Aquaking's territory," I questioned.