I opened my eyes and looked up. I was hanging by a few chains, and I could hear voices on the other side of a wall. I tried to stand completely, but the chains rattled loud and clear and the voices stopped. Two nobodies with their hoods up entered.
“So this is the mighty Second-in-Command of Organization Oblivion? Pathetic,” one said kneeing me hard in the jaw. I didn’t fight back but just glared up at them.
“I can’t believe we have to watch this wimp,” the other hooded figure answered the first.
Blood was starting to pool in my mouth and drizzle down the side of my mouth.
“So then mighty ‘Second’ tell us who you are exactly,” the first said bitterly.
“Shove it down your,” I started, but the first punched me hard in the side.
“You might not want to talk like that if you expect to keep in existence ya know…..” the second laughed. “My partner here isn’t very kind to insolence….”
“You two are weak,” I answered back, “Let me see Xerebus and then I’ll talk…..”
“Shut up scum!” the first yelled kicking the side of my jaw harshly. “Now say it straight forwards! Who are you and what are you?”
“I’m Kristian Heartnet….and I’m a human…..” I answered. The second punched me hard in the ribs. I didn’t flinch.
“You are a bad liar. Let’s try this again. Who are you and what are you?” the first asked viciously.
“I’m Nim Heartnet….and I’m a human…” I answered. This time the first stepped on my toes and brought his knee straight up between my legs. I recoiled but didn’t let them have any more than that.
“Let’s try this again,” the first said.
“I’m Jack Sparrow and I lead the Black Pearl,” I laughed.
The first brought out what I could describe only as a metal pole which he persisted to beat my ribs with.
“Who are you and what are you.” The question was asked again.
“I’m the Emperor of China,” I answered smirking.
The pole came down on my shoulder and the question was asked again.
“I’m the Queen of hearts….”
There went my legs.
“I’m Peter Pan….”
There went my right elbow.
“I’m King Mickey…..”
That one was brought down on my ribs.
“I’m Winnie the Pooh….”
The second one had gotten a pole then…
“I’m Sid…..”
They both took a whack at both my sides. I kept it up for nearly an hour until I was sure they were just going to beat me into sea foam. I didn’t even try to stand any more. I just gave them a name and braced myself for another smash somewhere near my vitals.
“Looks like you’re pretty pain resistant,” the first one said. “I applaud you…..”
“Shut up,” I answered, “If you were trying to get information out of me you should know that I would die first!”
“You can’t die smart one,” the second laughed, “But we would both be happy to send you to oblivion with the original 13…..”
“So who are you?” the first asked again.
“I’m Santa Clause,” I answered sticking my tongue out.
With that the first brought down another vicious attack on my ribs. I flinched but forced my face placid again.
“You are Triskix second in castle oblivion and you are a dog to your leader….” The first said sharply.
“I am not,” I answered, “I’m King Trident of Atlantica….”
The pole dropped down on my knees and finally I was just a dangling mess of flesh. I breathed only barely and relaxed completely.
“Dexi I think you killed him……” the second’s voice laughed.
“No but we’re done…..if we beat him anymore he’ll fade away and Lady Minx wouldn’t like that….”
“True…..let’s just leave him then…..” the second answered.
“Yes come on….” Dexi’s voice said calmly.
So they left me dangling and barely breathing. My head was a mixture of swirling emotions and passing questions. I couldn’t even piece them together. I was sure the Leader was trying to break through, but I couldn’t hear a thing. I was all alone in the cell…….no other sounds at all…..a strange wave of loneliness ran over me….Suddenly the door opened again. I brought my head up quickly.
“So we meet again Triskix,” a voice said calmly but pleasantly, “How is your master? Is he well? You don’t look well but that was to be expected…..”
“Xerebus,” I said sharply.
“Ah so you do remember me….nice to know that Dexi and Nixt didn’t beat your brains completely out of your skull……Anyways….I asked a question….how is your master?”
“He’s living,” I answered.
“Well that’s nice to know,” Xerebus said sarcastically. “Heh….you look ready for the grave yourself you red death god……..”
“I don’t feel too well….” I answered.
“Ah so it wasn’t just from Dexi and Nixt I take it? Was it from the Pact? Yes I bet it was heh. No wonder Marlex said you were different……you sealed your own fate. Childish from such an adult soul like yourself.”
“I will get what I want,” I answered. “And that is all I care about….”
“That which binds your heart you demand it………sad….” Xerebus smirked.
“I don’t have a heart to speak of,” I answered plainly.
“Ah but you are beginning to awaken correct?” he asked. “You are starting to remember things that you have forgotten….”
“What are you talking about?” I growled.
“Heh….your Leader sealed a lot of you away from yourself to make you the best pet….did you know that?” Xerebus asked.
“Pet,” I echoed. “I am no one’s pet. I am a free nobody…..”
“Says the one who put the dog collar around his own head,” Xerebus answered calmly. “Now then, do you want that nasty collar off or not?”
“Why would I want it off?” I asked. “I get everything I want…..”
“You could be completely free,” Xerebus offered. “You could control Castle Oblivion on your own….heck you could even be your own boss and open a tea shop on the Destiny Islands or something.”
Suddenly it hit me what Xerebus was doing. I used all my strength to get away from him. He was getting into my head…..
“Looks like your Leader has taught you to tell when someone is getting into your head…..not bad Triskix…. Not bad…..”
Xerebus opened the door and left me once again in nothingness. I hung my head a bit.
“Someone…..please…kill me...……” I said quietly…..
