Cusp of the Maelstrom [Dev && Nih]

This wasn't how she was supposed to feel, was it? She should have been happy, elated even now that they finally had him in captivity but it still felt like a cold hand was closing around her wind pipe making it difficult to breath. Gods she had been dreaming of this day for so long now but with its arrival she felt nothing but dread and disgust. That monster had finally been brought to justice but at what price?

Every time she closed those dark blue eyes she could still see the battle play out before her clear as day. They had started out as 20 strong with her leading the best warriors Singara had to offer against him. The entire affair had lasted a day but it had felt like an eternity with the cries of pain echoing through the smoke as the blood soaked the ground in small rivers. Gods, even in her memory she could feel herself choking on the scent of copper and burnt flesh as they surrounded the enemy and attacked. That bastard had done nothing but laugh and swat them away like they were flies as she watched her comrades fall down one by one. They had started out twenty strong but now only eight remained with one still in a coma that looked like he would never awake from. They had buried the dead or at least they had buried what they could find of them. The scars and bindings on her own body reminded her just what kind of hell they had gone through. Her left arm was wrapped tightly in bandages and it was a miracle she hadn't lost it in the battle.

Heh, and they said she was one of the lucky ones.

That monster had killed so many of their people and now they actually expected her to try and talk to him? To actually try and get him to help? She wanted to scream out in rage when she had been given this assignment but it came directly from the emperor and it couldn't be ignored no matter how much she wanted. They reasoned that since she had been the one to lead them when they finally brought him down that she might actually have some leverage against him. As if that savage could actually be reasoned with. Yet it was her job and she'd have to do it.

Light footsteps echoed through the stone corridor as she made her way down to the dungeon where he was being kept in a holding cell. The emperor had stations about thirty guards to make sure that he didn't get free but Cala doubted that even that was enough. Her tunic swayed from side to side as she walked, the color and pattern denoting her position as a soldier even if a higher level one. It was almost unheard of for a woman to rise to the ranks of a captain and Cala had been the first one in as long as anyone could remember. It had come with many sacrifices though but it gave her a freedom she wouldn't have otherwise. Long brown hair hung down her back, an attempt to actually keep some form of femininity even in this male dominated profession.

"Is he in there?" Her voice sounded hollow as it bounced back to her from the walls when she asked the head guard. The man simply grunted his affirmation and didn't look too happy about it. They had thought that once he was captured it would be an end to a dark era but it seemed like the horror was only just beginning. With the Dweller of the Gulf free things had only taken a turn for the worst.

Taking a deep breath she opened the door with a loud creek and stepped inside the poorly light cell. The only thing inside those stone walls were a table, two chairs and someone she would have rather seen in hell. They had chained his arms and feet in an effort to keep him weak but she wasn't sure just what good that would do. Just being in the same room as him sent a fire burning in the pit of her stomach and made her want to drive her blade through his heart.

"Hyakinthos." A simple name but she almost choked on her anger as she said it.

Ragged, beaten, bruised; nothing more than the lowest slave, punished for some misdeed. That, was how the prisoner appeared; but the world is deceptive and looks only go so far in revealing the truth. No, this man's crimes, serious though they were, were no different then any other Prince; his fault was failing and not dying when he should have. He clung to life with a most tenacious grasp, fought his way through torture and deprivation with will intact. They had yet to break him, nor would they ever accomplish the task.

There fun was soon to be at a close, there need for him and his skills prevented any continuance of his present condition. The mere thought of it all made his ego flare up as the poor pitiful fool doused in naptha and set ablaze, a fitting comparison for the man that had wrought such havoc upon his own homeland. His plan had worked, for the most part; that last fail safe that would see him through the end of the day and safely into another, another far from the cramped, stone room he was housed in. His comforts restored to him and a normalcy much desired.

In the distance he heard the sounds of movement; it was not time for any changing of the guard and a hand had not been laid upon him for several days, so it wasn't some impromptu adventure in testing human endurance. His pulse quickened in anticipation, the hour was dawning. The last piece was set in play and so the freedom he sought would beckon and embrace him. It would not be very much longer tell he plied his most cunning trade once more.

He kept his eyes cast down, to give an appearance of a demurred nature, as the door swung noisily open; and he knew who it was they had sent to parley with him. Cala, such a fine warrior, he could smell her fear which was equally matched by her desire to kill him. The very air was filled with tension and prickled his flesh; he could always tell when she was about for the murderous intent she held for him, it was an intoxicant to his senses. Every move she made was calculated to prove herself worthy of all she had gained; even if she had already earned the adoration of the populace and the indispensability of a hero. She had accomplished what no other had done before, what many had died in vain to achieve; the capture of the man now bound in fetters before her.

His eyes ravaged her body as he studied her and mused upon what her opening move would be in their little game. When it was delivered it was as simple as it was inviting. A single word cast off like some arcane cantrip set him loose and Hyakinthos set himself up in as much composure as could be achieved in his chained state. The noble blooded traitor leered at his captor as a predator and grinned madly. It was begun.

"Cala, how good of you to visit, please have a seat so that we might discuss the dreadful business this whole affair has brought down upon our heads. How might one so humbled as myself be of service?"

Cold grey eyes gleamed as the question hung in the air.

That smug bastard. Even as he sat there chained like a common dog he still had that same arrogant state about him. She could see clearly from the bruises on his face that the guards hadn't been treating him kindly at all. If anything, this was better then how he deserved to be treated. If Cala had her way his head would have been on a wooden pike by now warning all other enemies just what would happen to those who practiced such evil within their borders. Yet Hyakinthos was sitting in front of her just as alive as always despite what she might have wished.

Her own eyes met his and for that moment she was wishing she was in full armor and armed to the teeth instead of wearing the simple tunic and carrying a dagger. Something about his gaze always unnerved her and the woman had to fight to suppress a shudder from passing through her body as he studied her. There was something so very cold and calculating in those grey eyes that had made her wonder more then once if the man before her was actually human. Even in the midst of battle when the scene was in utter chaos those eyes never showed a hint of panic as if he knew exactly what was going to happen.

In some of the villages there were even rumors that he had sold his soul to a demon for ultimate power. She knew deep down that those were only stories created by drunk men for their amusement or tired grandmothers who wanted to get their grandchildren to behave but there were moments when she actually began to wonder if it was true. It wasn't as if no one had ever encountered a demon before and power like his wasn't something that was easy to come by. No one really knew how he got so strong or why he used his power the way he did. Of course there were plenty of stories about that as well but no one could ever really guess the truth.

Cala could feel a snarl creeping in her throat at his invitation. Gods what she wouldn't give to leave this room right now but there was work to be done and it was her job to do it. Stepping closer to the table she pulled the chair back and took a seat trying to stay as far away from him as possible. Mentally, she had to force herself to stare into those eyes once more as if trying to assert some sort of dominance in this situation. "I have a feeling you know why I'm here."

If anyone would know anything about that monster it would be this one sitting in front of her.

"There has been disturbing news coming in from Corinthya. Apparently an entity has risen in their forests and has been wreaking more havoc then even you yourself could have done. They call it the Dweller of the Gulf and so far it has taken out all of the surrounding villages and left only a handful of survivors in it's wake." Cala explained as she looked at him, waiting for some kind of reaction to the news. The creature had only risen a short amount of time ago and they'd had him in holding for longer so she was curious to see just what his face would tell.

"They say it's damn near unstoppable and in a matter of time it will devour all of Corinthya before eventually making it's journey to Singara. The Emperor..." Cala cut off from speaking and actually had to close her eyes while she took a moment to regain herself. The woman couldn't believe what she was about to offer this man. After everything he had done he deserved to rot in the deepest corner of the underworld but fate had decided to play a cruel prank.

"They think that you may be the only one with enough knowledge to help stop it. If you do then the Emperor has offered you a full pardon."

Composure, of all the skills Hyakinthos possessed and could marshal, it was the most vital. It was the tool most useful in his wide repertoire, more so then any guile, threat of violence or esoteric knowledge, and its employment could unnerve even the sternest of foes. Now, backed by a strange and subtly erotic emotion the man felt a mixture of curious interest and arrogant pride as he set in motion this crucial skill. His features did not harden, nor soften; he just set the corners of his mouth into a twisted little grin of absolute assurance. He exuded an air of confidence and didn't back down from Cala.

He studied her, just as she studied him, and could read the trembles in her body, the way it shook and betrayed her thoughts; but those thoughts need not be concealed. She had tried to kill him on countless occasions and all such encounters had failed, failed and lost lives and materials and ever precious time. There was pleasure in his expression as she recoiled at his words and murderous intent flooded the small chamber. Cala could have made a nice trophy of his head, perhaps had even used his skull as a goblet, a testament to her skills amongst many others; but she had been forced to subdue him for public trial and hopeful execution. That path was being denied to her. It was an interesting turn of events that had lead to this day.

It had never been his intention to be captured though. Truth be told Hyakinthos had set forth every tool at his disposal to prevent such an event and it was only paranoia that had even prepared him for that most disastrous moment. Everything had fallen apart at a crucial moment when he could have prevailed, something had gone wrong, something had stopped working. A mystery presented itself to the man and it wounded his pride in a way no lone individual or group could accomplish, not even the whole of the world could slight him in such a profound way. His blood boiled at the thought of this blow; but composure kept the emotion in check. Though Cala, who had known him for a long time, perhaps could read into his expressions more accurately then any other mortal soul. Control had to be grasped once more and intrigues set to his will, this was his desire.

So outwardly with a calm disposition he had reclined in his seat, as far as his chains would permit. Words spilled from her lips and it was obvious that she knew, or at least suspected, that this was just a charade. And indeed it was, even if it had not been part of his scheme guards had an annoying habit of talking when all they had to do was stand around and appear intimidating, that he, Hyakinthos, had more then just the faintest inclination of an idea as to why; but he was willing to act his role in this performance. Without pause for reply Cala continued on, delivering an impassioned report of the whole situation and regaling him with details and facts which he already possessed and so he nodded and smiled with as few muscles at work as possible and still be considered a smile.

When she had concluded the man couldn't help himself and contain his mirth and so laughed in a burst of mad cackles. He laughed at her, he laughed at everything she represented; but most of all he laughed at the twisted game fate was having with him. It was as though every night while he laid dreaming he duelled with death and kept arising with the dawn the victor. Fate had changed the game more then a few times, ruined him repeatedly and most of all at the moment of his defeat; but it had left this narrow thread hanging. Fate was addicted to their game and did not want to see a conclusion; the game was to be teased out. More would suffer as they expanded the field to the breath of the world. All these thoughts and more whirled through his head as he gauged Cala. Wondering just how much she truly knew of the situation, how much she had let on, what she bluffed about knowing and where she was straight out ignorant. Settled with himself he licked his lips and took a slow breath.

"How very gracious of the Diadem to offer such generous terms to his loyal subject. From what you have told me of this Dweller of the Gulf I can claim that there is hope for you and your kind. In my studies I have come across reference to this monstrous beast. There could be something; but I will need my materials... I fear however, that you might have destroyed my research."

With the accusation hanging in the air he grinned that grin which every great manipulator had mastered.

"So when might you loosen these chains, they chaff so."

There was a familiarity between the two that seemed to strike her in the worst possible way. She had spent so long chasing after him, trying to kill him that she probably knew him better then any other person in this kingdom. It terrified her really. The idea that she could actually glimpse some understanding in that twisted mind of his. That she could actually come to terms with some of his thoughts without him even having to voice them. To understand the devil before you meant that there had to be some common ground between them and the idea of having anything in common with this man completely revolted her.

Still, even Hyakinthos could slip up from time to time and for the smallest of moments she saw beyond that arrogant persona of his. He knew what she would be talking about before she even mentioned it and all this information she was giving him was a repetition of what he already knew. Rumor traveled quickly in a place like this and no doubt he had overheard the guards talking about it as well. Still, there was something there that gave her an unnerving feeling that he might just know more about this whole thing then even she did. When it came to someone like Hyakinthos it was never a good idea to underestimate the knowledge that he held in that chaotic mind of his. He was evil but she had seen some of his research before and knew that his understanding of the darker aspects of life were almost unrivaled by any mortal.

When he started laughing she almost lost it and ran him through with her dagger right then and there. She actually had to press her nails into her own skin to keep from leaping over the table and putting this man out of their misery once and for all. He was actually laughing at this. People were dying by the hundreds and that thing could possibly destroy the world as they knew it and all he could do was laugh about it. That twisted bastard. “I’m glad you find the situation amusing.” Cala growled at him through gritted teeth. He always did seem to have a sick sense of humor in her dealings with him but this only served to prove just how heartless he could be. Dear gods what she wouldn’t give to be able to go back in time and kill him when she had the chance. Damned the consequences and what the Emperor wanted, it would have served the world better if he died.

Her jaw was set in an angry line as he accused her of destroying the research he would need to complete such a task. The woman had to take a deep breath before speaking, not trusting herself to answer him without venom.

“Most of your research was destroyed or lost. I did manage to save some of your journals though.” They were currently locked up in one of the towers and only a handful of people had access to them. Hyakinthos was very detailed with his notes so why give others the opportunity to abuse the knowledge in those writings.

Getting up she walked over to his side of the table before bending down and pulling a key out of her pocket. With one quick movement the shackles on his feet fell to the cold ground in a clatter before she stood up and took his arm in her own. For a long minute Cala merely glared at him letting the rage boil in the air showing that she took absolutely no pleasure in what she was doing. Releasing this monster from his bindings was a dangerous move and could prove to be even more fatal then the Dweller was. Still, the job had to be done and she gripped his arm tight enough to leave a bruise before unlocking the shackles on his wrists.

“Get up. We are to meet with the emperor and his advisers to learn just what may be done to deal with this situation.” Taking the back of his shirt in her hand she hauled him to his feet none too gently before leading him out of the tiny room and up towards the meeting hall. Guards flanked them on all sides, as no one trusted Hyakinthos on his own. The man was tricky and would be watched at all times while here.

Finally, they made it to a room where the Emperor and about five of his closes advisers were seated and talking.