Chapter 9: Tortured 1

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As Aurianna lay in her cell, her consciousness gradually returned, spurred by the distinct sound of heels clicking against the ground. It was a sound she had not encountered throughout her entire two-month confinement. Intrigued, she lifted herself from the floor, abandoning her fetal position and assuming a seated position, hoping to gain a clearer perception of her surroundings.

The sound of footsteps grew nearer, each click echoing through the chamber until finally, they ceased abruptly in front of her cell. This was a presence she did not recognize, someone unfamiliar. Straining her senses, she strained to catch any additional sounds or clues.

Suddenly, the enigmatic figure came to a halt, positioned right in front of her cell. Concealed within the shadows, their identity remained elusive. However, the guards present bowed in a show of reverence, a clear indication that this person held significant status—be it a noble or a hero.

Emerging from the shadows, Russell stepped closer to the cell, her body pressing against the iron bars. Aurianna's eyes widened as she recognized her—Russell, with her captivating punch-colored hair, a distinguishing trait of the powerful Duke Family, The Huns. Russell's beautiful brown skin hinted at her noble lineage, belonging to one of the most influential families in the High Land Sandeph.

"Hi, Aurianna. Remember me?" Russell's voice dripped with a mix of familiarity and menace as she peered at Aurianna, who remained bound by chains at her legs. Her dark brown eyes glimmered with a malicious intent, locking onto Aurianna's gaze.

Aurianna's shock rendered her speechless as she stared at Russell, her mind racing to comprehend why the girl had sought her out. One thing was certain—Russell was never associated with virtuous deeds.

"Who would have thought that the Saintess was such a... *****!" Russell burst into laughter, her gaze fixed condescendingly upon Aurianna.

Aurianna's gaze shifted, catching sight of what Russell held in her delicate hands— a set of keys. Without hesitation, Russell tossed them to the guards stationed nearby.

"Open the door. I am here on behalf of my father to interrogate this traitor," Russell commanded, her smile bearing a feverish intensity.

The guard, visibly nervous, scratched his head as he hesitated to comply. "My lady, I'm afraid that without a decree from His Majesty, we cannot open this cell," he explained, his voice betraying his apprehension.

In an instant, Russell swiftly closed the distance, stepping right up to the guard until their faces almost touched. She seized his collar firmly, her voice resonating with a mix of authority and rage. "You dare defy the daughter of Duke Huns?" she spat, her grip unyielding.

Fear crept into the guard's expression as he stammered a response, beads of sweat forming on his brow. "I would never dare, but I must have proof that His Majesty has granted permission. Please understand my position and show mercy. I am merely following the wishes of the King."

Russell clicked her tongue in frustration before producing a document and displaying it to the guard. Upon seeing the King's seal, relief washed over him, and he returned the document to Russell. With a sense of respite, he approached the cell, the sound of the lock being released echoing through the air.

"Drag her out," Russell commanded, her knights hastening to comply. They forcefully restrained Aurianna, their grip unyielding as they removed her chains. Aurianna fought desperately, squirming in an attempt to free herself, her cries for help falling on deaf ears. Her struggles were in vain as the knights produced a small vial containing a murky substance. Forcing her mouth open, they poured the liquid down her throat. The world around her blurred as she succumbed to unconsciousness, the last image etched in her mind being Russell's sinister smirk.

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Aurianna's eyes fluttered open, as she slowly regained consciousness, her head throbbing and her vision blurry. As she struggled to focus, she noticed a figure looming over her. The person she had initially thought was Russell stood silently. A disturbingly wide smile etched across their face sending shivers down her spine.

Realizing that she was chained to a chair, Aurianna decided to survey her surroundings since her captor seemed unwilling to provide any answers. As she glanced around the room, her stomach churned with revolution, and she immediately leaned over the side of her chair, vomiting in sheer horror.

The room was a gruesome sight, filled with lifeless bodies strewn about in a horrifying display, each one meticulously and brutally mutilated. Some hung from the ceiling, while others lay scattered on a milling table. A collection of severed heads was displayed in jars, resembling grotesque trophies in a macabre collection.

Aurianna's gaze locked with the person she had initially mistaken for Russell, but something was amiss. She muttered, her voice trembling, "You're not Russell." She couldn't help but notice the striking difference—the individual's once brown eyes now gleamed with an unnatural pink hue.

In a chilling response, the person simply responded, "Currently, I am not."

Aurianna took a momentary pause, her eyes clouded with confusion. Gradually, her vision cleared, and she mustered her words through clenched teeth, "So, you're none other than Goddess Paige."

Paige burst into excited laughter, applauding with enthusiasm. "Well, I must say, you deserve credit for recognizing me," she remarked, her laughter, which had been shrill and piercing, abruptly ceased as she grabbed hold of Aurianna's face, pulling her close. A deranged expression filled Paige's eyes as she glared intensely, sending shivers down Aurianna's spine.

"Do you even have any idea how long I've detested you and that flawless and stunning face of yours!?" Paige's voice seethed with jealousy. "I mean, seriously, how can there exist a face more exquisite than that of the goddess of beauty herself? It simply shouldn't be possible, don't you agree? Oh, but it is! And that's precisely why I ensured that you would become 'my' Saintess, my dear. This destiny of yours is a punishment befitting your disgusting existence."

With her other hand, Paige caressed her own face before abruptly scratching it. She then reached her other hands towards Aurianna and scratched hers as well causing Aurianna to wince in pain. A tiny droplet of blood trickled onto Aurianna's right eyelash, momentarily blurring her vision.

Paige's smile widened into an unsettling grin as she observed the scratch turning red with the flow of more blood. Russell's face which has scratched immediately healed at once like there was no wound there.

"How can anyone possess a beauty that drives others to madness upon laying eyes on them? That kind of unparalleled beauty belongs to me alone, the Goddess of Beauty. No one should ever dare to steal that title from me!" Paige's expression twisted into a contorted mask of possessiveness and resentment.

"You think having beauty that drives others crazy about you is something to be proud of?! You think it's a good thing?!!" Aurianna's voice erupted with anger, her frustration bubbling to the surface. The memories of the terrible experiences she had endured because of her beauty caused her to clench her teeth. And now, the goddess standing before her spoke of it as if it were a desirable trait to be celebrated and cherished. It infuriated her to hear Paige's words.

"And how is that my fault? I was simply born beautiful!" Aurianna stated, her voice tinged with nervousness as she locked eyes with Paige's cold glare.

"That's precisely why I despise you, you insolent brat!" Paige sneered, her frown revealing her deep-seated resentment. She released Aurianna's face and took a step back, pacing around the room with an air of superiority.

"You see, my dear Aurianna, beauty is not meant to be shared so recklessly. It is a divine gift, a power that should be revered and controlled. But you... you flaunted it, basking in the adoration of others without a care for the chaos you left in your wake. What's more you allowed people to speak blasphemous words of how you could even replace the Goddess of Beauty!" Paige hissed, her voice filled with a venomous mixture of envy and bitterness.

Aurianna clenched her fists, her determination pushing through her fear. She refused to let Paige's words break her spirit. "I never asked for this beauty. It was ****** upon me, and now I've suffered greatly because of it. But I refuse to be blamed for something I have no control over."

Paige paused in her pacing, her pink eyes narrowing as she studied Aurianna. "You speak as if you're the victim, as if your beauty has only brought you suffering meanwhile you got to enjoy all the priveleges the world had to offer. Your only mistake was going against me dear. So now you see? This is your punishment, Aurianna. To be both blessed and cursed with a beauty that should have been destroyed if you wanted to prove your loyalty to me. It is a fate I've bestowed upon you, and I relish in every moment of your torment you *****."

"I really despise you. That's why I took your power away. My little game with you was over," Paige sneered, her voice dripping with malicious satisfaction. "Watching you struggle in despair, the sheer ecstasy it brought me was simply delightful."

Paige's sadistic smile stretched wider as she slowly closed the distance between herself and Aurianna. The revelation that she had deliberately stripped Aurianna of her power didn't come as a shock to her anymore. It became painfully clear to Aurianna that her downfall had begun the moment the goddess took away her title.

Aurianna's jaw clenched, her teeth grinding together as she locked her gaze with Paige's. Hatred blazed in her eyes, fueled by the injustice and cruelty she had endured.

"You..." Aurianna's voice was a low growl, filled with seething anger.

"Oh, so you think it's cool to curse at a goddess? Seriously, how could you even consider cursing a beautiful goddess like me?" Paige gasped dramatically, feigning a hurt voice, before getting closer to Aurianna. She hissed into her ear, relishing in her discomfort. "But let's be honest, you don't have the guts to back up those words."

With a satisfied smirk, Paige withdrew from Aurianna's ear, resuming her sadistic monologue. She reveled in the power she held over Aurianna's fate, relishing in the opportunity to taunt her further.

She added with dismissive wave of her hand. "Please, spare me your futile attempts at defiance and curses. I am a goddess, after all. Your curses hold no weight," Paige taunted, her sadistic delight evident. "But do continue. Show me the fire within you."

"Pitiful indeed," she sneered, savoring the anger emanating from Aurianna who only but her lips in frustration and didn't dare to look up at Paige, "The pleasure I derived from stripping you of your title, from watching you crumble in despair—it was a delightful spectacle. Your pitiful life brought me a sense of entertainment to my boring life."

Aurianna's fists clenched at her sides, her nails digging into her palms as she fought to contain her fury. How dare this twisted deity revel in her pain? How dare she derive pleasure from the anguish she had caused?

With a calculated step back, Paige continued her taunting, her voice laced with sadistic delight. "Our little encounter has been quite entertaining, but alas, my time here is limited. It's amusing, isn't it? The goddess of Sandeph manifesting herself within the body of a mere Duke's daughter. Who would have thought? I must admit, it was gratifying to vent my frustrations on you. However, the vessel I now inhabit, she's truly deranged. The twisted plans she has for you, they are far from pretty."

Paige's grin grew more wicked, her eyes gleaming with malevolence. She reveled in the anticipation of the impending torment she had glimpsed within the mind of the girl she possessed.

"So, good luck, my dear ignorant Saintess. The pain you are experiencing now will be a mere taste of the horrors that await you," Paige taunted, her voice dripping with malice. "Prepare yourself for a world of suffering that Russell, the vessel I inhabit had prepared for you. The depths of agony that lie ahead will make this moment feel like paradise in comparison. Farewell, for now."

As Paige's words hung in the air, a chilling silence settled over the room. Aurianna's heart pounded in her chest, a mixture of anger, fear.

Without Aurianna being able to say another word back to the Goddess, Paige closed her eyes, and Russell's body emitted a soft pink glow. Tremors coursed through her for a few seconds before abruptly ceasing. When Russell's eyes reopened, they were once again the familiar brown hue, indicating that Russell had regained control.

Contrary to Aurianna's expectations, Russell didn't address the recent possession as if it hadn't happened, almost as if unaware of the event. The people in the room, who had been frozen by Paige's power, regained their senses and resumed their activities.

Russell wore a sweet smile, but given the circumstances and what Paige had disclosed, Aurianna knew better than to interpret the smile as a sign of anything pleasant. She braced herself for the impending ordeal, understanding that it would be nothing short of sadistic, courtesy of the Duke's daughter.

Now that Paige was gone, Russell strolled toward a nearby table, picking up a pair of pliers before approaching Aurianna with a wicked grin. Without delay, a metallic gag was fastened tightly over Aurianna's mouth, effectively stifling any potential sounds.

"I've heard tales of the Saintess's ability to heal from any injury when she possessed her divine powers," Russell mused. "But I'm curious, my dear, what will happen when those powers are no longer at your disposal? Will you still possess the capability to heal? Let's find out, shall we?"

With a sadistic glint in her eyes, Russell delicately raised one of Aurianna's chained hands, positioning the pliers beneath a delicate fingernail. Aurianna's futile attempts to protest were stifled by the gag tightly secured over her mouth, rendering her voiceless in the face of impending agony. In one swift and violent motion, Russell forcefully clamped the pliers, mercilessly wrenching the nail from its tender bed. Aurianna's anguished yelp of pain reverberated through the room,as waves of pain coursed through her.

Unrelenting in her cruel pursuit, Russell proceeded to methodically strip away each of Aurianna's nails, relishing in the twisted satisfaction of inflicting the utmost torment upon her captive. Aurianna's suppressed screams of agony struggled to find release, concealed by the stifling gag, while tears of pain streamed down her anguished face. The act of nail removal was far from precise; when Aurianna's thumbnail was torn, leaving a portion behind, Russell took pleasure in the perverse necessity of digging into the raw, exposed flesh to extract every last remaining fragment.

Each nail extraction intensified Aurianna's torment, as her body convulsed involuntarily in response to the searing pain. The room echoed with the sounds of suffering, mingling with Aurianna's muffled cries, as Russell continued her sadistic assault, inflicting unspeakable agony upon the helpless Saintess.

Each nail forcibly extracted sent waves of excruciating pain coursing through Aurianna's trembling form, her body convulsing involuntarily as her mind grappled with the unbearable suffering. The room bore witness to the harrowing symphony of suppressed cries, mingling with the sound of tearing flesh, as Russell reveled in her sadistic pursuit, unyielding in her commitment to subject Aurianna to unspeakable torment.

The relentless removal of Aurianna's nails sent shockwaves of excruciating pain coursing through her trembling body, contorting her in agony. She was held captive in a harrowing symphony of concealed cries, her torment amplified by the jagged remnants of torn nails embedded in her sensitive fingertips. Russell reveled in her sadistic pursuit, unyielding in her determination to subject Aurianna to a depth of suffering that defied comprehension. The room bore witness to this act of unspeakable cruelty, where screams of pain mingled with the metallic sound of tearing flesh, etching a haunting memory that would forever haunt Aurianna's shattered spirit.

But Russell's cruelty didn't end with the merciless removal of Aurianna's nails. With a chilling smile, she reached for a small vial containing a corrosive substance. Slowly and deliberately, she dripped the acidic liquid onto the exposed flesh where the nails once resided. Aurianna's body convulsed in agonizing spasms as the corrosive fluid ate away at her tender skin, causing sizzling pain to radiate through her entire being.

Through it all, Aurianna's spirit remained slightly unbroken. Despite the overwhelming pain and torment, she clung to the flickering ember of hope deep within her that maybe just maybe she may be able to escape this situation or someone might come and save her. She refused to let Russell's crazy behavior extinguish her will to survive.

As the ordeal persisted, the atmosphere became suffocating, an eerie silence punctuated only by the sounds of Aurianna's stifled cries and the malevolent laughter that escaped Russell's lips. The room itself seemed to bear witness to this grotesque spectacle, its walls tainted by the echoes of suffering and despair.

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