Pit of Chains

There weren’t always dragons in the Valley.

And most of what was left of the dragons in the valleys of Selvenicar were now only dust and bones, and hidden dwellings, untouched by time.

Selvenicar, for the most part, appeared to be a desert wasteland. Empty as far as the eye could see, and sitting hundreds of miles from any ocean making it inhospitably dry. That didn’t stop some runaways from taking up residence there.

The sands swirled in rich hues of scarlet, violet, and saffron upon the dunes, mingling with the mirages.

Once dragons roamed freely in Selvinicar, like many other countries in Liminus, living in peace with humanity– seen as holy creations of the gods, but with the fall of the Voidian Empire, the dragons became mere fractions of what they once were.

Now the only living dragons were as much prisoners to the Elite as the Accursed were. And like the Accursed, the dragons were used to fight against one another– a rare and novel form of entertainment for the Elite– or for clout. More often than not, they were a means of royal travel for the highest ranking members of the Elite. A carriage filled to the brim with puffy pillows, bubbling drinks, and empty laughter strapped onto the backs of the once sacred. The irony– dragons carrying gilded carriages whilst layered with Seraphyron chains.

The Elite had to enlist the most skilled Mind Manipulates to even begin to control the dragons, and often, Mind Manipulates couldn’t overpower the will of the once-holy beasts. Many of the Accursed Mind Manipulates had died painful deaths attempting to control them, yet they had little choice. They would either die in defiance against their Elite Master or die enraptured in the brilliance of a dragon’s mind.

Voices hummed with excitement outside the dark, weather worn walls of the tavern. A strong wind was blowing whispering sands along the already grime-covered windows, with small, smooth pebbles making plinking noises as they hit against the thick, warped glass.

Levi sat, leather clad legs spread apart, and arms crossed over his muscled chest. He peered through a window nearby. Even through the billowing sand Levi could see the armored, Seraphyron chain-laiden wings of the massive dragon striking at the air as it lowered its gargantuan body, full of lethal, controlled grace, to the desert wastes of Selvenicar.

He imagined the raucous group smelling of sweat and spirits crowding around such a beast would have irritated it, maybe even infuriated it with all their boisterous howling, causing it to breathe sun-stoked flames teaching them a lesson, demanding respect for the sacred. Yet, fear of the once all powerful dragons had vanished with the collapse of the Void, along with their freedom and their fire. Seraphyron chains had been placed all around their bodies, forelegs and hocks, their necks collared– much like Levi’s neck. The thick Seraphyron was a mesmerizing shade of impossible black that glowed a deep molten, shifting orange just beneath the surface. It was the only known material that could keep them (and the Accursed) from using magick against their enslavers.

Of course, dragons hadn’t breathed fire for hundreds of years; the fire breathing dragons of old were no more than legends now. Since their enslavement, dragons hadn’t even attempted to fight back. They just seemed to be… waiting, playing along in some game only they knew the rules of. Levi wondered what they could be waiting for, if he knew, perhaps he would wait too.

Three armed men rode on horseback through the shifting sands– a few of Ikeen’s armed guards. The horses were dwarfed by the dragon, and being next to its dangerous energy made them shift uneasily. Yet the guards kept them in hand, yanking relentlessly on the velvet flesh of their mouths.

Levi could hear the guards yelling over the crowd. Shouting orders for the onlookers to scatter and either return to their homes or their drinks.

Finally, when the crowd departed, a cloaked figure exited the carriage.

Levi scoffed. Ikeen always wanted to meet in private, but how private could she be riding around on a mount of the highest ranking Elite?

At times Levi wondered if Ikeen did it on purpose. Sure she wore disguises, and took every measure to hide who she was when she was taking part in risky business, but to ride around on something so eye-catchingly radiant, yet so completely heartbreaking?

It seemed as if Ikeen encouraged drunken fools on some folly to follow her along as she lured them deeper and deeper into the dark. Whoever was foolish enough to follow her believed they were the predator that could overpower the feminine prey. They were wrong. All of them. She would tear them apart, take joy in their screams, dance in their putrid bodily excretions, and bathe happily in their blood.

Levi wondered just how many guards Ikeen had brought with her on her journey to Selvinicar; certainly far more than she needed.

The door careened open, striking against the brass bell above it, as the cloaked figure prowled in.

Levi twirled his dagger around his finger, the etched silver catching the light sending it to be eaten by the shadows in the dark.

The wind had yet to settle and it entered behind the cloaked figure, causing the candles to flicker and a few dark strands of Levi’s hair to catch in his long lashes. It was almost as if the wind, longing for a lost lover, had been awakened when it was stroked with the dragon's wings and wanted to lift it up higher away from Selvenicar, away from Liminus, out deep into the open arms of the Void.

There were few taverns in Selvincar and the “Adder’s strike” was full of patrons. Some of them lived an exiled existence in Selvinicar, while others solely traveled to the desert because they were up to no good and they knew no one in Selvinicar could report them without first reporting themselves. Each voice drowned out the next.

Upon the walls were burning sconces that cast a honey-colored glow all about; creating an invitingly warm atmosphere. Within the common room of the tavern it smelled of spices, roasted meats, ale, smoke, and sweat.

Behind the bar, a dark skinned woman stood, clothed in the common attire of Selvincar– light linen harem pants, point-toed slippers embossed with fine threadwork, a linen chest wrap, and if one had enough money, hammered bronze bracelets around their biceps. Her head was shaved, and prominently black. Her dark eyes were made darker lined with kohl. She kept an ever watchful eye on the tavern both patrons and barmaids alike, while she continued to scrub what seemed to be an already spotless expanse of counter.

Levi had waited for a brawl to break loose just to see how the barkeep would react. She almost looked lethal enough to take down Ikeen… Almost.

Though it seemed impossible to have a private conversation in the tavern, Levi knew this wasn’t so. None of this posed a problem– nothing ever did for Ikeen. Whatever she wanted was what she got, no matter the cost. Ikeen was prepared, she was always prepared. And private until she wanted to be seen.

The hooded figure glanced towards where Levi lounged, and gave one curt nod in his direction. He stood once signaled, flipped a copper displaying the proud face of the “Mistress of Masks” upon his table, and followed the figure into one of the tavern's private rooms tucked away behind a threshold covered in strings of amber glass and crystal beads that clinked as he passed through.

Bare bodies coated with powdered, golden dust were placed all around the private room, frozen in place- meant to act as furniture. Levi didn’t fail to notice the beads of sweat that rolled off their bodies as they remained completely poised. They were likely all members of the Accursed who had been bought long ago before they ever truly knew what freedom tasted like. A few of the Accursed stood and moved freely within the confines of the room. They were clothed seductively with only the most private of places covered, and rare jewelry was placed about their bodies to accentuate the most desirable aspects of their forms.

Levi strategically moved through the room, careful to avoid touching anyone, and sat across from the hooded figure at a table.

Once settled, a female Accursed came before him.

“Master, would you like for me to keep you company this night?” her voice was soft and timid, and her head downturned causing her dark blonde hair to fan over her chest.

Levi glanced at her, “No, leave us.”

The authority in his voice rang out and she had no choice but to succumb to his demand. Her eyes darted up, and she was caught in his gaze like a fly upon the web of the most deadly spider. Unable to stop from feeling his words penetrating her skin, her mind, her very being, the Accursed’s hand slowly rose to her bare breasts. She cupped it and plucked at a nipple. Her other hand swept aside the embellished, scant covering between her legs, and began to play at her wet heat, while she bit her lip.

The hooded figure across from Levi giggled.

“How pitiful and downright repugnant.”

Levi cleared his throat, breaking the Accursed’s trance, “Leave us, now.” He rumbled, and then added softer, “Please.”

The Accursed’s hands fell from her body, and dazed she bowed her head as she walked backwards and away from them.

“My, my, they do throw themselves at your feet if you let them, don’t they?” Ikeen chuckled.

Levi’s jaw twitched at Ikeen’s words, and he bit back a venomous retort.

“Thank you for coming, Leviathan,” Ikeen’s throaty voice purred.

Levi didn’t have to see her face to know she was smiling, a treacherous and cruel smile he had grown all too familiar with. It almost never seemed to leave those sharp features.

Gloved hands slid from the maroon sleeves of the cloak, and Ikeen’s long fingers curled around the rim, lifting it back.

Levi blinked at Ikeen, nonplussed while she waited for him to exchange pleasantries.

When it was clear he wouldn’t she continued, “I almost thought you would not come. After everything–”

“After everything you’ve done,” Levi finished, his tone taking on a dark edge.

“Well,” continued Levi, a glimmer of hatred sparking in his eyes and a lethal smile upon his lips, “I am glad you thought.”

Ikeen feigned shock at Levi’s harsh words, a hand went to her chest.

“My liberties,” she began.

“Your liberties mean absolutely nothing to me.”

The corners of Ikeen’s full, dark red lips curved, “Maybe not now, but they will soon.”

“ I found her. After all these years. I finally found her, and she is touched. Let me assure you she is everything your equal should be.”

Levi’s lips parted as he drew in a sharp breath.

Of all the things he anticipated her saying, this was the last, the most shocking, the most breathtaking… He had waited forever for this moment. Waited like the dragons seemed to wait. Were they waiting for her too? Finally, a gift of astronomical proportions. A cure to ease his suffering. A peace offering. And yet…

Levi’s eyes narrowed, he knew Ikeen too well.

“Tell me, Ikeen, what’s in it for you?”

“Whatever do you mean?” Ikeen shifted in her seat.

“Ikeen, she is touched. She is mine,” as he said it, the word echoed in his mind, and a nearly debilitating fire took up raging residence in his chest, igniting his heart, spreading like wildfire throughout. His lungs convulsed, his throat wanted to close. And he could have died happy, filled with this sweet, irresistible possession.

He continued, “Without ever knowing it, she belongs to me. You have finally ended my searching and now you bring me this news, this ‘peace offering’. So, I ask again. What. Is. In. It. For. You?” Levi pronounced each word sharply, gritting his teeth. The longer he sat with Ikeen, the more on edge he became. The more he had to control his urges to reach across the table, so close, too close, and crush her...If it wasn’t for the damned Seraphyron collar locked tightly around his neck.

Ikeen looked down to her gloved hands resting in her lap and she shook her head. A sigh left her lips.

“You think so little of me. Very well.”

She looked back at Levi, controlling her features, holding her chin a little higher.

“She will not be of use to me for another year– if that’s any consolation.”

“It isn’t,” Levi growled through his teeth, his canines elongating.

Ikeen ignored his animosity.

“She happens to be one of my favorite fighter factions.”

Ikeen’s eyes shone with joy and adoration, “another Mind Manipulate Leviathan, and one so capable yet so very young when her curse manifested! They say they have never seen another like her before. She could do it all. She could win each match, she could control whomever I commanded her to, she could easily make the dragons do whatever I wanted. She could bring them new purpose. And after everything, she will go into the Void for the Becoming. She will be the greatest champion Liminus has ever seen.”

Levi placed his hands on his spread thighs in defiance.

“And let me guess, rather than approach her when she is ready, you will take that from me too. You want me to track her, go along with your savage hired help and his vicious hounds to bring her to heel so you can use her to fulfill all of your sick and twisted fantasies, Ikeen? Is that it?”

“You will, and you know you want to anyway. Her soul has called to you before she even existed. You cannot possibly stay away.”

Of course he would, his ability to do Ikeen’s bidding was what kept him alive. Ikeen was an Elite, and likely the most capable of them all– not to mention the most dangerous. Another sick collector of the Accursed with a distinguished taste for the most skilled fighters. Through the years she had sponsored them all, from the Strength Titan to the Substance Assassin.

Ikeen looked over her shoulder, and back to Levi through hooded lids.

“I don’t have much time; this weather is dehydrating.”

She stood, pulling the hood of her cloak back into place.

“Oh”, she looked down at him, “I nearly forgot to mention. Something to sweeten the bargain, and maybe worth more than your “mate”. You can have your freedom, the Serphyron collar removed. You can leave and do whatever your heart desires if you bring her to me and walk away without her. I’ll even let you do whatever you please to her before she comes to me. Word has it she has an angelic face– the irony of that though being as completely cursed as she is. A wretched monster with an alluring face. The dark gods certainly laughed when they created her.”

Ikeen enjoyed using Levi’s habits against him. She above all understood that in order for his cravings to abate he thrived off massive bursts of energy and the only way to find that kind of energy source was from sex, he didn’t have to partake in it though for it to fill his needs.

Levi licked his lips, not daring to breathe.

His eyes closed and he began to envision the next object of Ikeen’s desire. What it would feel like to touch her. What thoughts her voice would drive into his head. How her skin would taste upon his tongue…

His length throbbed against his pants.

How much he wished he could drink that kind of energy– the energy of his long awaited mate. And what Ikeen was asking of him, to bring her to Ikeen in whatever way he wished? Then to walk away from her forever? Could he do it? He had to. He had been without her for this long lifetime.

Nothing, nothing mattered to him more than his freedom from Ikeen.

His resolve strengthened, and he opened his eyes.

“How do you sleep at night?” Levi let his resentment for Ikeen bleed into his words .

She chuckled, “You’ll come back. Just don’t show up without her. I won’t be satisfied until she is mine…” She turned and strode towards the door to the common room. She held it open and voices trickled through. Ikeen called over her shoulder, “Do as I bid, Leviathan, with haste, or you will regret it.” Levi tensed at her words and knew she was right. He would regret it, but so would she.

So would she.