After enduring night after night of endless torture, someone she'd never seen before entered her chamber. The man was neither demon nor angel, but that didn't mean he was a friend either. Daemons were rare but not impossible to find. They found her after all. They could be using him to trick her, to find out what she knows. She wasn't going to fall for it. The moment her hands were free, that would be the only time she would be able to do something.
Of course she knew how it would play out. The man would act concerned for her, treat her like a lost puppy, and if he were foolish enough, break her chains. Then he would pretend to help her escape, and do the best he could to earn her trust. Then when she would finally spill her heart, he would drain her dry and leave her for dead. She knew how it would end, because it all ends the same.
Her window of opportunity would be small and given her current state, it would only get smaller. She was very well aware of this fact. Her only hope was that her animalistic instincts for survival would keep her alive. She had no idea the strength of the man before her but she didn't need to know, once he was in her grasp, it would already be over.
He looked around the room for something that could help break the chains on her wrists, but her captors did well to clear the room of anything that could cause them problems. There weren't even windows in the cell, which made him think they were underground somewhere. The only thing here was her, the chains and the cup. I mean, how was he supposed to break chains with a cup.
'Damn it, how am I supposed to break her out if I have nothing that could do that. What am I even supposed to do here.'
As he thought this he felt a small tingle in his right hand, he faced his palm upward, he could see a swirl of darkness forming and out from it a black knife emerged. He took a closer look at the knife, twisting and turning it every which way. It was the same one Scarlett let him use against those angels in the forest. He was shocked and confused on how it got there, or how it suddenly appeared from within the palm of his hand, but he was also grateful to now have something to use against the chains.
She noticed the surprise on his face. She could tell it was his first time manifesting something. He was new to this, was it another trick. Was he also a victim, or were his memories altered just for the occasion, so they could trick her. It was a good tactic and she almost fell for it, almost wanted to help him, protect him, but she's no fool, something like this wouldn't work on her. Not.... Again.
He swiftly cut through the first chain, then the other. He half expected her to try to stand but she was too weak. The moment the other chain fell, she did too. He quickly held his arms out and caught her, he held her tightly, afraid to let her go. She was cold, it felt like there was nothing more than a corpse in his hands, and that infuriated him. To reduce someone to this state, no matter what they did, who they hurt, was sickening.
She tried her best to lift herself up, but she was too weak to remain that way. She lifted herself just enough to whisper into his ear. Her breath was heavy on his neck, as she spoke.
"Thank... you."
He smiled lightly and nodded. He spoke back in a light tone.
"You're wel-"
Before he could finish, her frail hands grasped tightly around his wrists. His eyes widened as he tried to free himself of her. She shouldn't have had so much strength but her gripped seemed to tighten even more.
"What're you-"
Her grip tightened even more. She slowly raised her head to look him in the eyes, they were glowing, it was dim at first but it slowly became brighter and stronger. He watched as her pale and ghostly complexion turn fuller and teeming with life. She seemed to become younger, and her body became stronger. Yet his own slowly became weaker. He soon realized why. She was siphoning his very essence to make herself stronger. He didn't know it but not only was his youth being taken but so was his life force, his power, even his soul was being broken down little by little.
"They were foolish to send you in here alone. Did they really think I would fall for a trap like this??"
"It's not- ugh."
He tried to explain himself but the plea only made her angrier.
"Sending a child to do an adults' job. You're so weak, there's not even enough in you to bring me back to half my strength. How infuriating. Did they wipe your memory child? They want you to lure me away, have pity on you so I would spill all of my darkest secrets?"
"No I-"
She let go of his arms, he thought it was over but he couldn't have been more wrong. She quickly grabbed his throat and lifted him with one hand, she slammed him against the wall, bringing him closer to the light so she could see the face of the man who was foolish enough to free her.
He gritted his teeth, the hit was hard but his body was becoming too numb to feel it. His vision was blurring as his consciousness threatened to fade, he couldn't think straight. He knew nothing of the woman, he wasn't here to lure her anywhere, he didn't even know why he appeared here. But no matter what he said she wouldn't believe him, let alone let him try.
The woman was strong beyond his wildest dreams, yet she wasn't even at her peak. He doubted his power would work on someone like that but he had to at least try, right.?.
"Le- Let go."
He spoke through gritted teeth.
"What was that? I couldn't here you."
She tightened her grip. As she did his eyes began to glow brightly, and a weird feeling began to cover her body. For some reason her power started to fight against her, she could feel herself weakening and all of it flowing back into him. He spoke once more this time his voice more stern.
"I said [LET GO!!]"
Her body listened without hesitation and with it weakened once more, she fell to her knees. He landed on one knee rubbing his throat. He looked at her with anger in his eyes, rising up he walked over and stood above her.
"I don't know who you think I am or what they've done to you but I tried to save you, to free you and this is the thanks I get. You try to take my life. I should kill you right here, right now."
She was left stunned by what happened, she had no idea what could've caused this, she knew the strength of the man infront of her, she knew there was no way he could've done it, even in her weakened state she should've overpowered him effortlessly.
"How... how did yo-"
She struggled once more to speak but she was still able to force her words out. There has only been one person in her life who was able to overpower her ability, to make her kneel at his feet, but that person was long dead. She looked up at him and for a second she could see him, the man from before. Her eyes widened, then... She passed out from the exhaustion.
"But I won't. I still don't know why I'm here, and I have a feeling you're the reason. So I'm getting you out of here, but my question is how."
He knelt down and lightly picked her up, the moment she was in his arms the world went dark again. He looked around surveying his surroundings, he knew at that moment, he'd gotten what he was sent for.
He felt a light pressure appear behind him, he remained calm as he turned. He now stood face to face with yet another white door. As he faced it, it opened before him allowing him to walk through. On the otherside he was met with a small room much like the one Scarlett and Icarus stood in before. To his left stood a singular mirror, infront of him sat a small desk and chair, and on his right sat a single bed.
He walked over and layed her down on the bed, as he did he noticed small particles of light begin to surround her brittle body. Not even a second later, her body started to look healthier. He smirked to himself at the sight, the whole thing was still confusing to him but at least it seemed she would be okay.
He sighed to himself as he turned away from her, he studied the room around him. Everything seemed organized and neatly placed, he walked over to the other end of the room, towards a bookshelf. As he ran his fingers along the shelf, he noticed all of the books were organized as well, they were familiar even. He realized that each and every book on the shelf was once a book he enjoyed in his life.
He smiled as he picked up a children's book his parents used to read to him, it sparked a memory he had of playing with them, them tucking him in at night and reading to him, the days they took care of him when he was sick. Comforting him through his first heartbreak, the memories were so vivid as if they were happening right infront of him. In this space he was more connected to his soul than ever, all of his memories and the things he's ever thought of or been through, all those things were stored in the soul, they make us who we are, so it was only natural for him to feel such emotions from them.
He looked around a bit more stopping at the mirror in the corner of the room. As he walked closer to it he noticed a small figure sitting on the bed beside the woman, he was studying her trying to see who had invaded his home. Feeling he was being watched his gaze snapped towards the mirror, noticing who was there he smiled brightly then ran over to greet him.
Michael was surprised to see him and slightly confused, he looked at the room behind him trying to find the young boy, but he only appeared when looking into the mirror. He hesitantly waved at the child, he waved back with an even brighter smile. The young boy sat down infront of the mirror and patted the ground for him to do the same. Michael sat down in the spot beside him, as he did he could've sworn he could feel a slight presence beside him, like the boy was there. He once again looked to his side, but there was no one, so he looked back into the mirror.
"Who... are you?"
The boy smiled then pointed his finger at him, Michael sighed.
"You're me, I know, but that's not what I mean. Who are you, really?"
"I can tell you."