The group continued to wander through the damaged streets of Aetheria, their exhaustion growing with each passing minute. The city was still and quiet, the aftermath of the catastrophe evident in every corner they turned. Just when their hope was dwindling, a soft voice called out to them.
"Excuse me, travelers. Do you need a place to stay?"
They turned to see a kind-looking woman standing in the doorway of a modest home. Her eyes were warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the cold streets around them.
"Yes, we do," Borin said, stepping forward. "We've been searching all night."
The woman nodded sympathetically. "I can see that. Please, come in. My home is small, but there's enough room for all of you."
"Thank you, ma'am," Borin replied with a grateful smile. "We truly appreciate your kindness."
As they entered the woman's home, she introduced herself. "My name is Elara. I wish I could offer more, but things have been difficult here lately."
"This is more than enough," Borin assured her. "You've already done more for us than anyone else has."
Once inside, the group settled into the living area, which was cozy and warm. Elara offered them some food and drink, which they accepted eagerly.
As the others began to relax, Asmodeus saw an opportunity to gather information about the academy. He approached Borin first.
"Borin, can we talk?" Asmodeus asked, keeping his voice low.
Borin glanced at him and then looked away. "I'm tired, Asmodeus. Maybe in the morning."
Frustrated, Asmodeus turned to Sienna, who was busy checking her gear. "Sienna, do you know anything about the academy in Aetheria?"
She glanced up briefly before returning to her task. "Not really. Ask someone else."
Undeterred, Asmodeus approached Lyra, who was sitting quietly by herself. "Lyra, do you know anything about the academy here? I need information."
Lyra looked at him, her eyes wide with fear. "I... I don't know anything. Please, I just want to rest."
She turned away, making it clear she didn't want to engage in conversation. Asmodeus sighed, realizing that his earlier actions had made them wary of him. Even Lyra, who had been the most compassionate, now seemed frightened.
Aric, who had been watching from a distance, smirked. "Finally, everyone realizes what I've been saying. He's a fucking problem."
Asmodeus clenched his fists but said nothing. He knew he couldn't force them to talk. He retreated to a corner of the room, feeling isolated and frustrated. The others gradually settled down for the night, their weariness overcoming their fear and mistrust.
Elara, noticing the tension, approached Asmodeus. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Asmodeus replied curtly.
"Sometimes it takes time for people to warm up to each other," she said gently. "Give it some time."
Asmodeus nodded, though he felt little comfort in her words. He lay down and closed his eyes, pretending to sleep while he remained alert... but after a while, his weak human body couldn't endure no more and fell asleep.
---
As the night deepened and everyone else fell asleep, Elara's demeanor shifted. Her warm smile faded, replaced by a sinister grin. She moved silently through the room, administering a sleep drug to each of the adventurers. They stirred slightly but remained unconscious.
When they finally awoke, they found themselves in a dimly lit basement, their limbs chained and the air thick with the scent of decay. Elara stood before them, her kind facade completely gone. The room was filled with grotesque furniture made from human limbs and bones.
"Welcome to my little workshop," Elara said, her voice dripping with malice. "I like to collect interesting specimens."
The group members struggled against their chains, the rough metal cutting into their skin. Borin strained with all his might, but the chains only bruised his flesh. Sienna, nimble and quick, tried to wriggle free, but the bindings were too tight. Lyra trembled, her eyes wide with terror as she fought to contain her sobs.
Elara moved towards Borin first, her eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. She pulled out a small knife and began to peel the skin from his arm, layer by layer... Borin gritted his teeth, trying not to scream, but the pain was unbearable.
"Please, stop," Lyra begged, her voice barely more than a whisper. "You're hurting him."
Elara glanced at her and smiled. "Oh, my dear, we're just getting started. I'll save you for the last, I like the melody of despair! That you are singing for me."
She continued her gruesome work on Borin, relishing his agony. Once she was satisfied, she turned her attention to Aric. The mage glared at her defiantly, but there was fear in his eyes.
"You think you're tough?" Elara taunted. "Let's see how tough you are."
She grabbed a pair of pliers and clamped them onto Aric's fingers, pulling and twisting until the bones cracked. Aric screamed in pain, his defiance crumbling.
"She's just like that maniac Asmodeus," Aric spat, his voice choked with agony.
Elara paused, her interest piqued. "Oh? And why do you say that?"
Aric, through gritted teeth, recounted the brutal way Asmodeus had dealt with the thief. Elara's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Interesting," she murmured. She turned her attention to Asmodeus, walking over to him with a cruel smile. "So, you're the one with the delightful methods."
Without warning, she plunged a knife into Asmodeus's side and twisted it. He grunted in pain but refused to give her the reaction she wanted. This only intrigued her more.
"You really are something," she said, leaning in closer. "Tell me more about yourself."
Asmodeus saw his chance and began to weave a tale, mixing truth with lies to captivate her. He spoke of his dark deeds and tortures... Elara listened intently while she kept hurting him in different ways... her sadistic nature aligning with his words.
"You really are a tough guy," she said with a lunatic smile. "I can't get the reaction I want... Let's see if you'll stay tough when I cut your limbs and add you to my collection."
Asmodeus leaned closer, his voice low and seductive. "Don't you want me by your side, alive and in the flesh, rather than turning me into...mm your beautiful art?"
Elara blushed at his compliments. "Y-you think it's beautiful! and want to stay by my side?!"
"Yees?.. I really like your sadistic side," Asmodeus replied,
Then he leaned in to whisper something in her ear. The others couldn't hear what he said, but Elara's face turned crimson as she heard what he said, and her breathing became heavy. She released him from his chains, entranced by his words.
She handed him a set of tools, clearly enjoying the shared sadism.
"Let's see what you can do," she purred, her eyes glinting with excitement.
Aric, still bound and battered, watched with horror as Asmodeus approached him, tools in hand. His eyes widened, and he began to struggle against his restraints. "No! Not you too, Asmodeus!" he screamed, his voice cracking with desperation.
Elara laughed, the sound chilling in its joy. "Oh, Aric, you haven't even begun to understand pain."
Asmodeus, maintaining a facade of compliance, picked up a scalpel "I want to say I'm sorry but I would be lying" said and then made a shallow incision along Aric's forearm. Aric's screams echoed through the room, his body convulsing with each cut. "Stop! Please, just stop!" he cried, his voice hoarse.
"Why should we stop?" Elara asked, leaning in close to Aric. "Your pain is exquisite."
Asmodeus continued, making precise, deliberate cuts that caused maximum pain with minimal damage. Aric's screams became more frantic, tears streaming down his face. "You're monsters! Both of you!" he shouted.
Elara responded by taking a set of pliers and clamping them onto one of Aric's fingernails. With a slow, deliberate motion, she began to peel it away from the nail bed. Aric's screams intensified, his body writhing in agony. "Please! No more! I can't take it!" he sobbed.
Asmodeus watched, his face impassive. "Interesting technique," he said, his tone almost conversational.
Elara grinned, clearly enjoying his approval. "Thank you. It's one of my favorites."
She moved to Aric's other hand, repeating the process with another fingernail. Aric's screams grew more desperate, his voice breaking. "I'll do anything! Just make it stop!" he begged.
Elara looked at Asmodeus, her eyes alight with pleasure. "Isn't this delightful?"
Asmodeus nodded, though his mind was working on a plan. "Yes, quite," he replied, his tone measured.
Elara handed him the pliers, and he took them, feigning enthusiasm. He clamped them onto one of Aric's toes and began to twist, the bone snapping under the pressure. Aric's screams reached a new pitch, his body convulsing with pain. "No! Please, no more! I'm begging you!" he cried.
"You see, Aric," Elara said, her voice dripping with malice, "this is what true suffering feels like."
Elara began to work on Aric's legs, using a small saw to cut into his thighs. Aric's screams were gut-wrenching, his voice breaking from the sheer volume and intensity of his pain. "Stop! Please, I can't take any more!" he sobbed.
"You will take as much as we give," Elara said coldly, her eyes shining with sadistic glee.
Asmodeus picked up a hot iron and pressed it against Aric's flesh, the smell of burning skin filling the room. Aric's screams reached a fever pitch, his body convulsing violently. "No! No! Please, kill me! Just kill me! I want to die!" he begged.
Asmodeus thought, 'Pass out from the pain already, damn it! I guess your endurance will be your own end...'
Elara laughed, clearly enjoying every moment of his suffering. "Haha... you will my dear. Your soul will slowly leave your body as you suffer"
They left Aric, it was Lyra's turn. Asmodeus hesitantly moved towards Lyra, who was sobbing in tears.
Elara noticed and frowned. "What's wrong?"
Asmodeus didn't reply. Instead, he suddenly stabbed her in the heart. Elara's eyes widened in shock as she collapsed she said "Why..."
Asmodeus starred at Lyra blankly for a moment then he untied everybody, one by one, starting with Lyra. The group moved to leave, but Aric... was already dead from the tortures, was left behind. They escaped the basement, the horrors they'd endured haunting them.
Outside, Lyra, shaken and weeping, suddenly she hugged Asmodeus tightly and said, "Thank you. Thank you..."
Asmodeus, caught off guard,he awkwardly patted her back.
He thought they would treat him coldly or maybe cut ties with him, after what he did to Aric but they did not even mention his name. I guess they were just relieved that they weren't in Aric's shoes...