The beasts worked, starting with extremities, ensuring maximum pain while keeping Ryker alive through supernatural means Arthur had commanded.
The sounds were horrific, wet, tearing, bone-crunching, Ryker's agonised attempts at screaming through his ruined throat. His body jerked and convulsed as teeth found nerve clusters, as claws peeled away layers of flesh, as his consciousness was kept forcibly aware through magical intervention.
Charlotte had to look away, her stomach churning despite her resolve. This was beyond anything she'd imagined, but she stayed silent, stayed present, kept her promise to stand beside Arthur.
The other awakeners watched in absolute horror, many losing consciousness simply from witnessing Ryker's torture. Those who remained awake understood that this was their fate if they failed to satisfy Arthur's vengeance.
