[Graphic content warning 
] Kiraki ran her fingers lightly along the moist surface of the wall, carefully making her way through the long winding passages of the murky cave system Ocheeva liked to call home. Water dripped slowly into unseen pools causing ominous sounds to echo along the damp rock faces of the tunnels. The lingering scent of decay and death could be found around every turn making the place almost as foul and sinister as the woman who occupied it.
The endless twists and turns of the tunnels formed a large underground maze in which one could easily get lost or die. After spending many weeks in its passages Kiraki had eventually grown accustomed to the place, committing every little twist and turn to heart.
The stench of rotting flesh was now increasing and slowly feeling her way along the wall she stepped over to the left of the narrow path, recalling the large fissure to the right of the passage.
A glimmer of light shone up ahead causing her to slow down and tread even more cautiously than before. Ocheeva had set up numerous traps to further complicate things for those ill-fated enough to find their way down into her domain. Merely surviving the journey was considered a great feat by some as only an exceptional few have ever returned from it. The lengthy stretch leading to the main living area was one of Ocheeva’s preferred places to snare the unwary since, as Kiraki had once heard her mention, most lose their focus at that point and rush forward with the anticipation of safety ahead.
Stepping warily into the extensive lobby she paused for a moment, allowing her eyes to glide across the large room and adjust to the light. This was one of the most treacherous parts of her journey down to Ocheeva’s home for the place was always well lit. The natural stalagmites scattered across the cave floor had been skillfully engraved with numerous strange symbols. A narrow path with similar markings was carved into the floor and snaking its way around the large structures it lead to a small fire that burnt in the centre of the room, casting menacing shadows across the pillar like stalagmites. The path flowed into a larger circular structure that coiled around the hearth and split off into two opposite facing pathways, each creeping back into the shadows and out of sight.
Knowing that the right lead up to the living quarters she took the left corridor down towards the dungeons where Ocheeva spent most of her time.
Hearing a dreadful scream of pain followed by cackling laughter she slowed her pace and vigilantly moved towards what Ocheeva called the interrogation chamber. It was a rather large room which contained a single solid metal chair in its centre, crafted by Ocheeva herself for use during her so called interrogations. The walls of the room were lined from corner to corner with a wide variety of weapons, tools, poisons and herbs that Ocheeva used during these occasions. It was usually lit by only a single candle on the far side of the room which made it ideal for Kiraki to sneak in unnoticed.
When she came down to spy on Ocheeva she usually rubbed cave moss into her fur to mask her scent. In the musky air of the cave any fresh smells stood out almost as clearly as an ulber in a town plaza. Having purposefully skipped this procedure Kiraki knew that she would be detected soon for the diaboli woman had senses that probably surpassed most enkidukai. She smiled at the thought - this time she wanted to be found.
Left completely alone after loosing both Oburo and Conway on the same night, she had been pushing herself beyond what she had thought to be her limits, training as much as her body would permit. Solo missions were mostly allocated to the older students and not having been reassigned any new team mates she was left with plenty of free time. When she was not training this time was spent sneaking about the academy, learning its secrets while practicing to move about undetected. Even surpassing some of her teachers at the art she had become bored with her usual lessons and decided that she was in need of more advanced training such as she knew Ocheeva offered. After weeks of spying on the creepy diaboli and learning her ways and tunnels she had finally decided it was time reveal her intentions.
Stepping quietly into the chamber she moved closely along the wall and towards the back of the room where the shadows were at there darkest. Ocheeva’s elegant frame was looming over the now silent and motionless figure tied to the chair. Kiraki absentmindedly wondered if this session was or perhaps had been to gain some insight into something or simply for Ocheeva’s own personal entertainment. She knew that most of the bodies that got hauled out of the metal chair had absolutely nothing to offer in the way of information.
Ocheeva’s sleek figure straightened as she suddenly sniffed the air, turning directly towards the direction Kiraki was hiding. As she moved her manner showed both self-confidence and malevolent intent with her long silky black robes wrapping maliciously about her oily black skin. Her facial expression was not visible beneath the shadows the candle flame cast from behind her but as she spoke the hostility in her lustrous voice was unmistakable.
“So you have finally decided to show yourself” She said tauntingly. It was a statement not a question. Kiraki knew that the woman had been aware of her presence on her previous visits down to the dungeons. No one moved within Ocheeva’s domain without her knowing about it, yet she had somehow been able to avoid detection by always leaving before the sessions were over and thus evading any search that might have taken place afterwards. Not even a stealthy invader was enough to impede on Ocheeva’s intense fixation with each session and Kiraki had taken full advantage of it up until now.
She moved forward into the light of the flame, coming close enough to see Ocheeva’s expression change from severe distaste to complete astonishment.
“Princess… you are a few years too early,” she said mockingly. “I was expecting the meddler to be one of the older students. You are not suppose to be here brat, what do you want?” Her dark eyes had already returned to their usual hateful glare.
“I have a request.” Kiraki replied in her usual calm and monotonous tone. She
had become use to Ocheeva freely using the title Kharmion had labeled her with at adoption as well as the diaboli’s arrogant and sometimes rude manner of speaking.
“How nice.” Ocheeva scoffed, her voice dripping acid.
“I wish for you to teach me.” She said in the same tone.
“No.” Ocheeva spat the word out maliciously.
“Teach me.” Kiraki persisted.
“Arrogant little brat! I don’t have time to play with stupid children. Kharmion will agree with that as well, he will never give his consent!”
“He will not deny me.”
“I will follow procedure.”
“Then test me.”
“Test you?”
“That is part of your procedure is it not?” Kiraki stated more than asked. She had been watching Ocheeva for a long time and she knew that when the older students progressed high enough in the ranks they could request to be trained by the diaboli woman. Despite her eccentric ways she was a brilliant teacher and very in high demand, but she chose only one or two students a year, some of who did not survive the full year. The first part of the test was making it down to her chambers, for the request could only be made in person and Ocheeva rarely visited the academy. Other than the fact that the pass rate was not particularly high she had no idea what the actual test involved.
The sound of Ocheeva’s cackling laughter interrupted her thoughts. She looked over at the diaboli in quiet surprise; the woman was more unpredictable than a trepor on a rampage. Preparing herself for the possible surge of anger or random act of violence that might follow she stood patiently waiting for the laughter to die down. After a while Ocheeva once again gained control of herself muttering ‘brat’ under her breath before turning to Kiraki and speaking in a suddenly formal tone.
“Find out what I need to know and I will convey your request. I will return tomorrow.”
With that she stuck her chin haughtily out in front of her, turned on her heel and gracefully made her exit, the putrid stench of decay following in her wake.
Swiping at her nose in reaction to the woman’s pungent scent Kiraki made her way over to the still silent figure on the chair. So the captive was still alive, she thought to herself as she walked around to face what she could now identify as a cream and tan coloured menki. Evidently unconscious, his head and broad shoulders were slumped forward, blood dripping from his head onto his lap. What was left of his ears hung limply against his skull and there were numerous deep cuts all along his body. Looking at the swelling around his ribs she knew that some or perhaps all of them were likely broken. His right arm was a gruesome mess and she could see the claws which must have once been attached to his right paw lying on the floor by his feet.
She stepped closer and slowly lifted his head. The right eye was swollen, the left one completely missing and a piece of his broken jaw bone was protruding through his skin. Frowning she wonder what could possibly be so important that anyone would endure such treatment and still refuse to speak.
Ocheeva had been true to her devious self, leaving Kiraki with a half dead menki and no hint as to what information it was that she was looking for. Half irritated with her situation she grabbed the menki’s twisted jaw bone and shoved it back into place. He grunted as she did so and began lifting his head as he regained consciousness. She watched him quietly as he slowly opened his remaining eye and looked up at her, his face showing some relief in seeing her instead of Ocheeva.
“Am I dead?” He asked in an oddly gruff voice.
Bending forward somewhat to bring her face level with his she slowly shook her head.
“No.” She replied softly.
“You smell like a goddess …” His speech was slightly slurred and she realized that he was probably drugged with poisons as well. She silently cursed Ocheeva.
“Thank you Sir.” She smiled kindly at him knowing that after spending time in Ocheeva’s presence anything would smell divine in comparison. Looking fearfully at her he started to tremble slightly.
“Where is she?” He asked.
“I made her go away.” She replied reassuringly. He sighed in relief before passing out.
Annoyed once again at Ocheeva's ingenuity, she drew one of her daggers, cutting the bonds around his hands and feet. Kiraki knew that he would be dead at this rate before she would even be able to ask any questions. She started attending to his injuries as best she could from where he sat, for the menki was almost twice her size and she would not be able to move him from the chair unless he was conscious. His wounds had a strange taste to them, some of which she could recognize as poison mixed with a salty substance, something the diaboli woman must have placed directly into the open wounds.
He awoke as she licked the gaping wound along his arm, but he remained strangely silent letting her tend to him. Reaching into her pack she pulled out a small green vial and handed it to him while speaking in a comforting manner “Drink this it will help for the pain.” As well as the poison she thought to herself. To her surprise he took it without question, hurling the contents down his throat. Tearing a long strip of cloth from her skirt she wrapped it carefully around his head, covering his empty eye socket.
“Who are you?” She asked curiously.
“Bryn… Bryn Tully.” He replied softly his voice still slightly slurred.
“I am called Kiraki.”
“Kiraki… that’s pretty...”
She kneeled down and draped his left arm around her neck, then stood up slowly, pulling him off the chair with great effort. She struggled to shift him into a standing position but after a while he finally managed to find his balance, placing his left hand on her shoulder for support. Straining under his weight she was barely capable of lifting her feet but somehow she found herself moving forward. Still heavily drugged he complied and walked shakily along side her as she moved towards the exit.
“What are you doing in such a terrible place as this little one?” He asked as they reached the lobby, speaking slowly and with apparent difficulty.
“I grew up here.” She said simply.
“You are one of them?” he asked stunned and his manner became resistant.
“Yes.” She replied. Disbelief washed over his face as he stared down at her.
“Children… they use children… the bastards!”
His voice became enraged and he started trembling again. She made no reply as she struggled to keep him on his feet. After a few moments the trembling stopped and he spoke again, more calmly this time.
“Where are you taking me?”
“Outside to the light, you are a day dweller, the sun will make you feel better.”
He asked no further questions but seemed to gain some strength at the prospect of reaching day light so they continued unsteadily.
(Continued in next post)
