Chapter 16 Chains of Blood
The dim light flickered from the single lantern hanging in the corner of the hideout, casting eerie shadows that danced across the stone walls. Elias leaned against a rough-hewn table, studying Riven, the captured bandit leader, who sat restrained on the floor. Riven's hands were bound behind him, and a thin strip of cloth was wrapped tightly around his mouth, muffling any rebellious protests. The atmosphere was thick with tension, the air heavy with unspoken threats.
Elias's mind raced as he considered his next move. Riven, with all his knowledge of bandit tactics and networks, could be a valuable asset—if he could be kept under control. The thought of enslaving the bandit leader brought a dark thrill to Elias's core. He had seen how the power dynamics shifted when one party had the upper hand, and he was determined to maintain that advantage.
"Are you familiar with slave contracts, Riven?" Elias asked, his tone casual but loaded with intent. Riven glared at him defiantly, the fire in his eyes betraying his resolve. Elias continued, "I have a use for you, but I need your cooperation."
Riven huffed, the gag muffling his reply. He knew all too well what was coming. The bandit leader was aware of the rituals, the blood required, and the irreversible nature of the binding. But even knowing this, he wasn't about to make it easy for Elias.
Elias reached for the ceremonial dagger resting on the table, its blade gleaming ominously in the lantern light. "I don't need your consent, but I'd prefer it. It makes things smoother." He studied Riven's face, gauging his reaction. The defiance never wavered.
With a sigh, Elias pressed the blade against his palm, drawing a line of crimson that pooled at the base. "Let's get this over with," he muttered, feeling the rush of power that accompanied the sacrifice.
He approached Riven, holding out the dagger. "You know the drill. Your blood is required." Riven's expression hardened, but there was no choice left to him. He bit down hard on his gag, preparing himself for the ritual.
Elias watched as Riven reluctantly complied, allowing the dagger to slice into his own palm. The blood dripped onto the parchment he had laid out on the altar, mingling with his own. Elias began to chant the binding words, the ancient syllables twisting in the air like smoke, invoking the dark energies that surrounded them.
As the final words left his lips, a shiver ran through the air. The parchment glowed briefly, the sigils etching themselves into the blood, sealing the contract with a surge of power. Riven's bravado faltered, his eyes widening as the reality of the situation sank in. He was now bound to Elias, a prisoner of his own making.
Elias stepped back, breathing heavily as the energy settled. "Now, Riven, you're mine," he stated, relishing the control he had just secured. "You will serve me, and in return, I will keep you alive."
The bandit leader knelt on the floor, still processing the sudden shift in his fate. Elias smirked, testing his new hold over Riven with a simple command. "Fetch me that sack over there."
To his satisfaction, Riven complied, crawling toward the corner of the room. The bandit's movements were reluctant, his pride wounded but undeniable in its presence. Elias watched closely, noting the flickers of defiance that still lingered in Riven's eyes. The man had spirit, which might prove to be a double-edged sword.
As Riven returned, Elias's mind shifted to strategy. With Riven under his control, he could glean vital information about bandit movements and operations. No more would he need to fear a bandit raid. Instead, he could plan how to eliminate any threats to his interests.
Yet, even as he contemplated their new dynamic, a nagging doubt crept into his thoughts. Riven was no ordinary bandit leader; he had his own ambitions and alliances. Elias would need to maintain dominance, reminding Riven at every turn of his position.
"Remember this," Elias said, meeting Riven's gaze with cold determination. "You might be bound, but you still have value. I expect your loyalty, or I'll find ways to make this contract less comfortable for you."
Riven remained silent, but the tension in the room thickened. There was an unspoken understanding between them—Elias had power, but Riven had cunning. The balance of control could shift in an instant.
As Elias plotted their next move, he knew he had to remain vigilant. The chains of blood were forged, but how strong they would hold remained to be seen. With Riven by his side, he could either thrive or falter, and Elias was determined to ensure that it was the former.
The chapter closed with Elias staring out into the darkness beyond the hideout, pondering the challenges that lay ahead. Riven, despite his newfound status as a slave, was a dangerous ally, and Elias would need to navigate their relationship carefully to come out on top.
Thank you for the clarification! Here's the revised chapter, incorporating the fact that Elias isn't engaging in combat-based quests due to his low guild rank, while also acknowledging Riven's background as a bandit with a potential bounty on his head. I've adjusted the context and removed references to a raid or combat quest.