The Life After Death

  Chapter 28: Chains of Eden Part 3

  The cold stone pressed against my back, the weight of exhaustion settling into my limbs. My body still felt sluggish from whatever Naamah—the Serpent—had given me, the remnants of the drug clinging to my senses like a lingering fog. The cell was quiet at first, but that didn’t last long.

  "Say something!" Aria’s voice cut through the silence, frustration and concern mixed in her tone.

  "He’s okay," Alric said from the side, his voice calm as always. "He just needs rest."

  Aria scoffed. "Then why can’t he answer me?"

  I groaned, forcing myself to lift my head slightly. "Why are you so concerned?" My words slurred slightly, my body barely responding to my own commands. I gave her a lazy grin. "See? I knew you were human enough."

  Then, without warning, my arms gave out, and I collapsed back onto the stone floor with a dull thud.

  Alric chuckled. "Graceful."

  "Shut up," I muttered.

  Aria rolled her eyes. "If you’re gonna talk, at least try not to sound like an idiot."

  "That’s asking a lot," Ren mumbled from his corner, smirking slightly.

  Lea, sitting near Aria, let out a soft chuckle. "At least he’s alive. That’s a start."

  I exhaled sharply, trying to clear the fog in my head. My body still felt heavy, my thoughts slow. My eyes landed on a small puddle of water near the edge of the cell, likely from a leak in the stone.

  I reached for it, focusing just enough to pull the liquid into my palm. Without thinking, I splashed some onto my face before drinking the rest.

  The effect was immediate. A sharp clarity cut through the haze, my body responding almost instantly. My senses sharpened, my breath steadied, and the weight that had been dragging me down lifted almost completely.

  I blinked in surprise, my mind suddenly free from the sluggish fog that had been suffocating me.

  Wait… that actually worked? I flexed my fingers, testing my control.

  Everything felt normal again, as if the drug had never been there in the first place. Water… dispersed it? Just plain, simple water?

  A dry chuckle escaped me. What kind of lazy-ass drug is this? Something that completely messes with my head, only to get wiped away by a few drops of water?

  I shook my head, scoffing under my breath. Eden, your tactics might be cruel, but your science needs work.

  I sat up straighter, my eyes flicking to Alric. "How long was I gone?"

  Alric tilted his head. "Does it look like I keep count?"

  I scoffed, shaking my head. "Sorry."

  Alric smirked. "Of course, I counted. Just over an hour."

  Before I could respond, the heavy doors creaked open.

  Four men in white robes entered the chamber, their footsteps slow and deliberate as they moved toward the girls’ side. One of them stopped in front of Aria’s cell, his cold gaze settling on her.

  "You. Come. The Mother requests your presence."

  Aria scoffed, crossing her arms. "I don’t take orders from men. If the Mother wants me, she can come fetch me herself."

  The men chuckled, shaking their heads as they unlocked the cell door. "You’ll come one way or another."

  All four stepped inside, surrounding her.

  Something twisted in my gut. Why am I reacting like this? I hesitated, my mind racing. If I intervene, I might make things worse… but if I stay quiet, they’ll take her.

  I lurched forward as much as my restraints allowed. "Stop!"

  The men ignored me, reaching for Aria. She fought back, struggling against them, but they were stronger, grabbing her arms as she kicked and thrashed.

  I gritted my teeth. "Take me instead!"

  The room fell silent for a moment.

  The men paused, turning to one another, whispering amongst themselves. One of them muttered, "We have a willing one. The Mother needs to know immediately."

  They exchanged glances before stepping back, releasing Aria and locking the cell again. Without another word, they turned and exited the chamber, the door slamming shut behind them.

  Aria turned to me, wide-eyed. "What the hell are you doing?"

  I exhaled, my mind racing. It worked with Naamah. These people take interest in those who submit willingly. I need to find out what these people are capable of and what their true intentions are. This is unfortunately the only way.

  I forced a smirk, trying to mask the growing tension in my chest. "Saving your behind, apparently."

  She scoffed, shaking her head. "I don’t need saving. Especially not from you."

  I exhaled. "Could’ve fooled me with how they just had to drag you out of here."

  She gritted her teeth, frustration flashing in her eyes. "I had it handled."

  "Oh yeah? Sure looked like it."

  Aria opened her mouth, then closed it, glancing away. A rare pause.

  Alric chuckled from the side. "I think you broke her."

  She shot him a glare before turning back to me. "Why do you care so much, huh? You don’t even know me. You don’t owe me anything."

  I tilted my head, my expression softening slightly. "Maybe I just don’t like watching people get hurt."

  She narrowed her eyes. "Do you have a hero complex?"

  "No, I have a ‘not letting people get tortured in front of me’ complex." I answered.

  A beat of silence passed between us before she let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. "You’re such an idiot."

  I grinned. "You’re welcome."

  The doors swung open once more.

  The Mother of Purity stepped in, her ever-revealing split robe cascading around her form as she walked with practiced grace. Her cold blue eyes swept the room before settling on the men. "Where is the boy?"

  One of them pointed at me. "He volunteered."

  She arched a brow before approaching my cell, stopping just in front of me. A slow smirk curled on her lips. "What is your name?"

  I met her gaze, unwavering. "Emrys."

  She laughed, a cruel amusement flashing in her eyes. "Liora’s one."

  She turned to the men. "Take him."

  I tensed, then quickly spoke before they could grab me. "I’ll come willingly. You don’t need force."

  The Mother’s smirk faded into something colder. "Do you think I am the Serpent?" Her voice was laced with disdain. "Take him and sweep him to my quarters."

  The moment the order left her lips, the men grabbed me, yanking me forward. I barely had time to react before I was dragged across the stone, my body scraping against the cold floor.

  "Emrys!" Aria’s voice rang out behind me. "No! Why are you doing this?!"

  I turned my head slightly, offering her a small smile. "It’ll be okay."

  Aria stared, her expression shifting—anger, confusion, something else I couldn’t quite place. As if, for the first time, she had finally found someone willing to stand in her place.

  The men dragged me across the stone halls, my body scraping against the cold floor as distant screams echoed through the corridor. The walls vibrated with agony—some voices wailing in torment, others in eerie pleasure. My gut twisted, but I forced my mind to stay sharp, memorizing each turn, each doorway.

  Then, just like that, they threw me forward.

  I hit the ground hard, my breath leaving me in a sharp exhale as I landed inside the Mother's quarters. Before I could move, the heavy door slammed shut behind me. A series of sharp clicks followed—one, two, three locks turning in succession.

  I pushed myself up slowly, taking in my surroundings.

  The room was unsettling in its beauty.

  Unlike Naamah’s chamber, which was designed to seduce and lull the senses, this place was built to break them.

  The walls were pristine, carved from smooth ivory stone, but streaks of red stains marred the surface, as if past victims had clawed at them in desperation. The scent of incense lingered in the air, masking the faint metallic tang of blood. A grand chandelier hung overhead, its golden ornaments glistening under the flickering candlelight, casting distorted shadows along the floor.

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  At the center of the room sat an elegant lounge, draped in deep crimson fabrics, plush cushions laid out in a manner meant to offer comfort—false comfort.

  On the far side, I noticed another door, its frame lined with black steel and its handle gleaming. I made a mental note of it, trying to piece together where it might lead.

  But what drew my eyes the most was the wooden structure standing tall against the far wall. A crude, human-shaped frame—its arms stretched wide, its legs spread apart, heavy iron cuffs secured at the wrists, ankles, and neck. A tool designed for restraint, for display, for punishment.

  I stared at it for a long moment before letting out a dry breath. "Is that for me?"

  The Mother of Purity, who had been standing near the door, turned with an amused smirk. "No," she said, her voice smooth and unwavering. "You are not deserving of that."

  She walked toward me, her near-translucent robe flowing behind her, revealing far more than it concealed.

  "Sit." She gestured toward the lounge.

  I frowned, brushing off the dirt that had clung to me from being dragged. "You went through all that trouble just to throw me onto a couch?"

  She merely smiled, as if entertained by my confusion. She sat down gracefully, crossing one leg over the other, her robe shifting with the movement. "Let me explain to you the rules of our little engagement."

  I narrowed my eyes at her, leaning back slightly. "Is this a game?"

  The Mother of Purity's smirk faltered, her expression sharpening. Without hesitation, she stood and walked toward me, her movements slow, deliberate. When she reached me, she bent down, leveling her face with mine, her lips curling in a sickly sweet smile.

  Then, without warning, her hand struck.

  The force of the slap sent my small body swinging to the other side of the couch, my vision flashing white for a brief moment. A sharp sting burned across my cheek, my ears ringing from the impact.

  My mind raced—there had been no warning, no shift in her stance before she struck. It wasn’t just speed; it was precision.

  The intent wasn’t there… so how did she do it so fast?

  I clenched my jaw, the sting on my cheek barely registering now. I need to be careful. These nuns—none of them have manahearts I can sense, which means they’re strong. Much stronger than what I can currently deal with.

  I barely had time to recover before her voice, calm yet laced with authority, filled the space between us.

  "Rule number one," she said, her tone deadly smooth. "Do not ever speak back to the Mother."

  I pushed myself up slowly, my mind catching up with what had just happened. My jaw tightened as I looked up at her in shock and disbelief, my cheek still throbbing from the strike.

  "Rule number two," she continued, straightening herself, "you will do exactly as I say."

  She stepped back, her presence looming over me like an inescapable force. "Rule number three," she added, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction, "I decide when this ends."

  I exhaled sharply, rolling my jaw to ease the sting. "And what happens if I break those rules?"

  Her smile widened, a wicked glint flashing in her eyes. Slowly, she lifted a hand and pointed to the wooden structure against the far wall.

  "Please," she whispered, her voice dripping with delight. "Break them. Then you’ll be deserving of that."

  I exhaled sharply, forcing a smirk despite the sting on my cheek. "So… what’s next?"

  The Mother tilted her head slightly before sitting back down, crossing one leg over the other with slow elegance. "Go through that door," she gestured toward the black steel door I had been eyeing since I arrived. "Wash yourself and change your clothes. You look disgusting, and I cannot stand a filthy specimen."

  I hesitated for a moment before standing and stepping toward the door, my mind racing.

  As I pushed it open, my eyes widened in shock.

  This was the same room Seraphina had brought me to before—the one where they drugged me. The entrance was hidden behind a rack of neatly folded robes. I had never noticed the concealed doorway.

  Before I could step inside fully, the Mother's voice rang behind me. "Take your pants off quickly and get done. I don’t want to come in and see your disgusting naked body."

  Suppressing an annoyed sigh, I quickly stripped and hurried toward the large bath at the center of the room. It was the same one I had shared with Liora and Seraphina. I clenched my fists at the thought, shaking off the memories as I slipped into the water.

  Then, instinctively, my eyes flicked toward the side wall. The white stone—the one I had moved before.

  I reached out, pressing my palm against it and nudging it with the faintest touch of my earth magic. The stone slid away just enough for me to see inside.

  My heart pounded in relief.

  My dagger. Asmodean’s orb. They're still there.

  I quickly sealed the stone back into place, a small smirk tugging at my lips. I know how to do this. I think I can get out.

  With that thought settling in my mind, I let myself sink into the tub, exhaling deeply.

  After ten minutes, I stepped out of the bath and into a fresh set of clothes—plain white, just like the other children wore. The soft fabric felt clean against my skin, though the feeling of relief was short-lived.

  "Come," the Mother’s voice rang from the other side. "Close the door behind you."

  I did as she said, stepping back into the dimly lit chamber. She sat, studying me with sharp, approving eyes. "Good, good," she mused. "Come stand here, in the middle."

  I hesitated before stepping forward. Thinking I should remain cordial, I muttered, "Thank you… for letting me tidy myself."

  The Mother’s expression twisted in disgust. "Let us begin."

  Not a second later, she struck me.

  The impact sent me staggering, my breath leaving me in a sharp exhale. I barely had time to react as I fell to my knees.

  This is hurting. What is going on? I tried to figure out why I am being struck. "Why do you do this?"

  "Get up!" she barked.

  I gritted my teeth, forcing myself up. My right cheek swelled, my eye barely visible, my mouth dripping with blood.

  Finally, she stepped back, studying me with satisfaction. "Go wash yourself again. Change your robes. It’s filthy with your blood."

  I stumbled slightly as I turned back toward the bath chamber, my body aching from the relentless blows. As I walked, I pressed a hand to my swollen cheek, wincing at the pain radiating from it.

  This isn’t just about pain, she’s testing something.

  Lowering myself into the warm water, I let out a slow breath, my mind racing. I need to reinforce my body with mana.

  The Mother was strong—far stronger than what I had anticipated. If she kept this up, I wouldn’t last. I had to start preparing now.

  Not even five minutes passed before her voice echoed through the chamber again. "Emrys!" she called. "Enough time wasted. Come back."

  I hurried to finish, slipping into clean robes. As I stepped back into the main chamber, she studied me with a pleased look. "Well done. You passed, and you’re clean. Come here."

  Before I could react, she pulled me toward her, wrapping her arms around me and pressing me against her barely covered chest. The heat of her skin against mine sent an involuntary shiver down my spine.

  Her breath was warm against my ear. "You’re going to do just great, my willing one."

  Then, without warning, she shoved me back and struck me again. This time, on the other side of my face.

  By the end, my left cheek had swollen to match the right, my eye nearly shut, my mouth thick with the metallic taste of blood.

  Stepping back, she admired her work before flicking her hand toward the bath chamber once more. "Go wash up. And change again. I don’t want to see blood staining those clothes."

  I stumbled back toward the bath, my mind trying to work through the pain. Reinforcing my body with mana helped… but she felt it. I know she did.

  I gritted my teeth, pressing a hand to my swollen cheek as I lowered myself into the water. The moment I started reinforcing, she hit harder. As if she knew. As if she was testing me.

  I exhaled sharply. She’s stronger than I can handle right now. All of them are. If I want to survive this, I need to endure. I need to bide my time.

  I stared at my reflection in the water, my face barely recognizable, blood still trickling from my lip. *I just need to bear this. I will get out of here. *

  Before I could steady my breath, the Mother's voice rang out from the other side. "Emrys! Enough. Come."

  I pulled myself out of the water, my face aching from the repeated beatings. My limbs felt heavier, but my resolve had only strengthened. I dried off quickly and slipped into another set of white clothes, identical to the ones before. I clenched my fists, taking a steady breath before stepping back into the chamber.

  The Mother sat where she had before, her sharp, knowing eyes studying me. "Do not worry," she said with eerie softness. "You are doing well. This will be the last for today."

  Her words sent a cold wave through me. As if more will come.

  She gestured toward the floor in front of her. "Sit. On your knees."

  I obeyed for now, lowering myself carefully. My entire body ached, and every movement sent a dull pulse of pain through me. But before she could continue, a sudden knock echoed against the chamber door.

  The Mother turned, her expression darkening slightly. With a slow, deliberate motion, she stood and made her way toward the door. She unlatched the locks one by one before pulling it open.

  Standing on the other side, draped in sheer, revealing white lace, was Seraphina, the Saint of Sins.

  She smiled, tilting her head slightly as she greeted the Mother. "Greetings, Lady Delphina."

  I blinked through the haze of pain, scoffing under my breath. Lady Delphina? Witch of a name. The sting in my cheeks made my lip twitch, and frustration burned through me, but I bit it back.

  Delphina, unfazed, narrowed her eyes at the interruption. "What do you need, Seraphina? I am busy."

  Seraphina ignored the coldness in her voice, tilting her head past Delphina to look at me. A slow, pleased smile curled onto her lips. "Oh, Emrys, is that you?" she cooed, amusement dripping from her voice. "You look like you're enjoying this." She clasped her hands together playfully. "If only Liora could see this beautiful sight."

  I clenched my fists, the mention of Liora sending a sharp jolt through me, but I forced my face to remain blank.

  Delphina exhaled sharply, her patience thinning. "What do you want? He is a willing one, so I am busy."

  Seraphina finally shifted her gaze back to the Mother, her expression turning more composed. "The High Priest requests all of our presence in the next three hours. Be ready."

  With that, she turned and walked off, her sheer robes flowing behind her.

  Delphina watched her leave before clicking her tongue and locking the door once more. Then, she turned to me with a smirk. Still on my knees, she stepped toward me, standing above as she gazed down with a sickening sense of satisfaction.

  Without warning, she grabbed a fistful of my hair and forced my head downward, holding me there like I was nothing more than an object beneath her.

  I tried to pull back, but her grip tightened.

  “Look at you,” she murmured coldly. “A willing one already learning his place.”

  She released me just long enough for my balance to falter. The moment I faltered, she swung her leg, slamming a kick into my torso. The air rushed from my lungs as I collapsed onto my side, coughing.

  "Get back on your knees!" she ordered.

  Two hours.

  For two excruciating hours, she beat me relentlessly. My body barely held together, my vision fading in and out. My clothes were soaked in blood, some from open wounds, most from my mouth. My face felt unrecognizable, swollen beyond control, my body pulsing with agony.

  My thoughts blurred. How did I even survive this? If it wasn't for Asmodean teaching me how to enforce my body with mana, I do not think this body would of made it out alive.

  Every inch of me screamed in pain. This was worse than falling off the Divide.

  I barely heard her voice through the haze. "Take him back to his chamber," she ordered.

  The white-robed men entered, their heavy footsteps echoing around me. Before they moved, she added, "But before you leave, give him the vial."

  A rough hand tilted my chin up, my body too weak to resist. A foul, bitter liquid burned down my throat as I coughed, my body recoiling from the taste.

  Delphina let out a delighted gasp. "Oh? Still breathing? This is amazing." She clapped her hands together. "Throw him back in his cell. Bring him to me when he wakes."

  The last thing I remembered was being pulled down the hall, the screams of others merging into a distant hum.

  In the fading darkness, I could hear the men in the white robes mocking me. "This one’s barely breathing. Think she overdid it?"

  One of them scoffed. “But he didn’t resist. A willing one like that? The Mother definitely tested him herself.”

  Another chuckled softly. “Didn’t you hear her scream? She hasn’t enjoyed an engagement like that in a long time. He must be something special.”

  There was a brief pause before a voice muttered, almost casually, “That’s probably why the Collector’s being punished.”

  Then, the hard stone floor of my cell welcomed me as I felt my wrists chain up. Just before the darkness swallowed me whole, I heard them.

  "Emrys!"

  Aria’s voice. Alric’s voice.

  Then—nothing.