Chapter 9: Torture 2

From the room's layout, it became painfully clear that Russell had a sickening familiarity with such acts of cruelty. The deliberate sloppiness in her actions served only to amplify Aurianna's pain, fueling her sadistic pleasure. Each agonizing pull tore away inches of Aurianna's foot nails, accompanied by the sickening sound of paper being mercilessly shredded. The sharp separation of her nail from the tender flesh beneath sent waves of searing pain coursing through her body.

The sickening sound of flesh and nail separating filled the air, reminiscent of the sound of paper being violently torn apart. Aurianna's senses were assaulted as her flesh clung to the remnants of her torn nails, the once-familiar sensation of melted cheese became tainted, overshadowed by the raw, hissing pain of exposed flesh exposed to the stale air. Aurianna's muffled screams reverberated within the metallic gag that bound her mouth, her desperate attempts to move and escape the torment evident in her frantic, chained legs.

Sweat mingled with her tears, tracing a path down her anguished face, a testament to the physical and emotional strain she endured.

As Russell briefly stepped away, leaving Aurianna gasping for breath and her body trembling from the physical and emotional strain, a momentary respite settled over the room. Aurianna's chest heaved with heavy breaths, her heart pounding in her chest, and her mind racing with a mix of fear, and hopelessness. It had probably been hours since this started and her hope that someone would save her was quickly extinguished, making the light that was once in her eye fully disappear. Her eyes now becoming a dead and empty blue colour.

Russell returned as soon as she left, her absence only a temporary reprieve. However, she wasn't empty-handed this time. She had purposefully stepped away to retrieve a gleaming chef's knife, its sharp blade glinting in the dim light. With a sadistic smile etched upon her face, Russell approached Aurianna, ready to carry out her next act of brutality.

Aurianna's eyes widened in horror as she realized what was about to unfold. Her body trembled uncontrollably, the sheer terror rendering her unable to utter a sound through the device that silenced her cries. Tears of hopelessness cascaded down her face, mingling with the dark stains of her torment.

As Russell methodically began cutting off Aurianna's fingers one by one, the world around her blurred. The waves of agony crashed upon her, threatening to consume her consciousness. The weight of her suffering pushed her towards the precipice of unconsciousness, her battered body on the verge of surrender.

Suddenly, a splash jolted Aurianna awake. Startled, she found herself drenched in cold water, the shock of it snapping her back to the harsh reality of her torment. Her senses were overwhelmed by the icy chill that seeped into her bones. 'Oh... she must've woken me up by throwing cold water on me... How long was I out for? My body aches so much.' Confusion clouded her thoughts as she tried to make sense of her surroundings. Her gaze fell upon Russell, who was walking away with a bucket in hand.

Before she could dwell on her thoughts, Aurianna's attention was captured by Russell's actions. She watched in dread as Russell placed the now empty bucket on the ground and approached a nearby rack. A sense of foreboding filled the air as Russell retrieved a bowl containing a steaming green liquid. The noxious fumes emanating from the bowl assaulted Aurianna's senses, intensifying her unease.

Aurianna's heart sank, knowing that this sinister concoction held more suffering in store for her. Fear and dread tightened their grip around her as Russell approached, the bowl held menacingly in her hands.

Aurianna yearned to plead with Russell, to implore her to halt the cruelty that had befallen her. The desire to cry out, to beg for mercy, welled up within her. But the stifling gag that kept her voice muffled rendered her attempts at communication futile. Her pleas, reduced to indistinguishable sounds, hung in the air like whispers lost in the room.

"Saintess, do you confess to colluding with the demons?" she inquired, wearing an amused smile on her face. Aurianna, whose head was now restrained by leather straps, found herself unable to shake or nod in response to the question.

'She must've strapped me in while I was out,' Aurianna thought to herself, feeling the confinement of the straps.

The muzzle that clung to her face, preventing any audible words from escaping her lips was tightly sealed.

But before Aurianna could try speak Russell interjected her, "Still denying it, huh? Then you must face the consequences," Russell grinned mischievously and she poured the bowl of liquid over Aurianna's helpless body. The intense pain caused Aurianna to scream.

The sensation was unbearable, as if her skin was melting away and being devoured simultaneously. Steam billowed from her face as her skin melted, leaving behind a horrifying sight and leaving her in excruciating agony. Aurianna's muffled cries echoed through the room, her body convulsing violently from the torment.

To prevent Aurianna from losing consciousness, the healer standing beside Russell employed a form of magic to mitigate the pain. However, it proved ineffective in restoring Aurianna's ravaged body.

As Aurianna endured the relentless torment, questions swirled in her mind, each one more tormenting than the last. What had she done to deserve such cruelty? Was it simply because of her beauty? Her extraordinary power as a Saintess? Perhaps it was her status as a member of the royal family? Or did the cause lie in something as trivial as her existence itself, as Azarath had warned?

The weight of Azarath's words echoed within her, reminding her of the gruesome fates that had befallen previous Saintesses, and foretelling a similar fate that awaited her.

Gradually, Aurianna surrendered to the pain, letting go of any futile attempts at understanding her circumstances. Reflecting on her past or seeking solace in reasoning seemed futile in this harrowing situation. She embraced the agony, letting her screams echo through the chamber, each one a testament to the depths of suffering she had reached.

After what felt like an eternity but was only a few hours, the searing sensation finally subsided. However, the malicious glint in Russell's eyes remained as she gazed upon Aurianna, a girl she had always harbored resentment and envy toward. Aurianna was now nothing more than a plaything, stripped of her freedom and at the mercy of Russell's sadistic desires.

Deep-rooted in Russell's heart was a seething jealousy towards Aurianna's captivating beauty and the adoration she effortlessly commanded from those around her. Adding salt to her wounds, Russell's unrequited love for Prince Ralph had been met with a devastating rejection. The prince had coldly stated that unless she rivaled Aurianna's beauty, she should abandon any hope of being with him. This rejection only fueled Russell's animosity towards Aurianna, igniting a seething hatred that permeated her heart.

Her intense disdain for Aurianna led Russell to relish the opportunity presented by her father to exact torment upon her rival. The prospect of inflicting suffering upon Aurianna brought an insidious elation that coursed through Russell's veins.

"Remove it," Russell commanded, as a knight approached Aurianna and freed her from the constraining device that had silenced her. She noticed Aurianna's once radiant and lively eyes now bore the weight of despair, resembling the dim gaze of those who had resigned themselves to a life devoid of hope. Not only that but they were also mutilated by the acid poorer on her face. Yet the disgusting sight didn't seemed to faze Russell.

Drawing closer to Aurianna, Russell crouched down, her voice laced with a mix of authority and spite. "I shall ask once more. Did you conspire with demons in a bid to overthrow the kingdom?"

Aurianna hesitated, contemplating whether to speak or remain silent. She realized the futility of her words, understanding that any response other than a resounding "yes" would only prolong her torment. Resolute in her decision, she chose silence, tears streaming down her anguished face. If she had little agency left, she would, at the very least, uphold her integrity. She refused to fabricate falsehoods. The truth would remain within her, even if it meant carrying it to her grave.

Russell's countenance contorted with disappointment, a mixture of frustration and amusement. "Oh, how uninteresting. It appears I've shattered her spirit," she mused, addressing the knight standing nearby. "Isn't it amusing? The once esteemed Saintess now lies broken on the ground, bereft of any vitality. She can no longer even muster a response."

"Oh, come on, where's the fun?!!" she exclaimed. With a burst of maniacal laughter, Russell swiftly wielded her blade, slashing at Aurianna's eyes, causing blood to spray across the chamber floor. Aurianna convulsed in agony, trying clutching her face and releasing piercing screams of terror.

"Summon the healers to tend to her eyes, but provide only minimal treatment," Russell commanded, her voice infused with coldness.

The robed individuals swiftly entered the cell, their purpose clear. They set about their task, diligently healing Aurianna's eyes.However, their efforts only went so far, restoring her eyes to a physical state but leaving her sight shrouded in darkness. She had lost her vision completely, a devastating blow to her once-vibrant world.

In the depths of her despair, Aurianna questioned her existence once again. Throughout her life, she had been showered with praise for her beauty, revered as the Saintess. Why, then, had this befallen her? Had she not faithfully fulfilled her duties and obligations? The questions echoed relentlessly within her.

"Lady Russell, his majesty has summoned us to bring the Saintess," a knight informed, his gaze shifting between Russell and the motionless Aurianna on the chair. Though a fleeting shock flashed in his eyes, he chose to avert his gaze and positioned himself silently by the door.

"Damn it, this is bad. The summons came too soon," Russell muttered, a sense of urgency gripping her. The gravity of her actions weighed heavily upon her conscience. What she had done was an unforgivable transgression. Even if Aurianna alleged betrayal and was accused of treason, she still bore the blood of the royal family. Even the king himself refrained from subjecting her to such heinous torture. Yet Russell, a mere daughter of a duke, had dared to cross that line, defying the boundaries of power and authority.

"Hurry," Russell urged the healers with a hint of agitation in her voice. "Use your powers to heal her as much as you can, as quickly as possible!" The weight of her crime now settled heavily upon her, for she had trespassed into forbidden territory.

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