Attachment Issues

Again, for the upmost time, Sky woke up in a daze. This was becoming too common for Sky's liking. Although this time it was a little different. She had been tied to a post. There wasn't much wiggle room as the rope was wrapped around her body tightly. If they were any tighter it would certainly cut of her circulation. It was difficult to make out what type of room she was in as the smoke from the lit torches beside her were making her eyes water.

"Apologies for the treatment we're giving you right now, but we have to do this as a precaution. As soon as we know that you won't harm us we'll untie you." A voice came from behind her.

"But what happens after that? Is there any reason I shouldn't harm you? Or trust you for that matter? Especially seeing as you've kidnapped me and tied me up!" Sky snapped back.

"You do have a fair point but I guess you'll just have use your best judgement for that." This person sounded very arrogant and Sky did not like that one bit.

The creature that the voice belonged to now moved into view of Sky. Her sight was still useless, but from the outline of this creatures they were clearly a harpie. Suddenly, something clicked in Sky's mind.

"Wait, how did I get here. Did you have something to do with that?"

"We may have done. But for now I am unable to answer your questions. Until we are sure you aren't being used by someone else, we don't want to risk them listening in on us. We would prefer that you know as little information as possible."

So there Sky stayed. Many creatures came in, poking and prodding her. It felt humiliating and, as much as she tried, Sky could not make a single noise. During her time there, and once the harpie was done talking to her, something forced her mouth shut. Was it the same thing that had been taking over her mind?

Many hours had passed, but to Sky it felt like an eternity. Her body was tired and weak from being in such an uncomfortable position for so long. It didn't help that her body was being used by these people for whatever fucked up reason. But her body had since gone numb by this point to all the times she had been beaten, had blood drawn and various other objects injected into her.

When her body was on the brink of shutting down the ropes were unexpectedly cut loose. Sky collapsed to the ground with a loud thud. There she laid there, with no more energy to do anything. In the distance a muffled voice could be heard before her body was propped up. Her mouth was forced open while she was given some strange, thick liquid. Whatever it was made her feel all warm and fuzzy. What followed was a sudden, unexplained rush of adrenaline through Sky's body. It was as if all of her life's essence was stored in this one drink.

She bounced to her feet, as if she didn't feel like being on the brink off death just moments prior. At this moment Sky was able to fully take in her surroundings. Apart from the smell of the still burning torches the rest of the room smelt musty. The entire room was entirely concrete with only one gap in the wall. Through this gap could be seen a staircase leading up. But Sky did not know where to.

As the adrenaline in her system began to settle down Sky's heart dropped as she remember, she wasn't the only one in this room. Her eyes darted the room as she looked around, counting how many there where down here with her. In total she counted about seven. All of them were wearing black cloaks, hiding most of their figures, all except for one. The harpie that Sky had seen when she first woke up in this place.

Now that Sky had use of her eyes she could now get a view of this majestic creature. Her naked humanoid figure was mostly covered in brown and white feathers. Although her wings, which were a beautiful shade of dark purple. They were tucked in by her sides. All the while her bird feet, which were terrifying yet magnificent, clicked on the ground with their razor sharp claws.

"We apologize for the strain we had put your body through, but we wanted to be sure that we were the only ones capable of controlling you. We couldn't risk anyone finding out the knowledge that we had acquired. We've come so far and we'd rather it not all get ruined. Especially seeing as there are some out there that are willing to do things their way and their way only. Even if it means hurting others are on the same side. I'm sure you know what I mean, as you've run into a pair of them." Even though her voice seemed so soft, it was still deep and terrifying.

"And how is being your prisoner is any better?" Sky's voice was still a little hoarse after the screaming and crying she had done.

"I agree that this isn't the most ideal situation but we have to make do for now. There were plans to initially have you brought out here but much, much later. We lost contact with Jay, along with several of the people that were tasked to keep an eye on you, a few weeks ago."

"Wait, you know Jay? But what happened to her?"

"Jay and the rest of the Night Cross faction are currently missing in action. It is currently unknown as to what to what happened to them, although it is being investigated. So we are taking over from what they had originally planned. At least, until they are found."

"And what faction would this place be?"

"My apologies. I should introduced us all first. We are known as the Nova Complex. You may call me Fawke. The one who helped bring you here is our mage, Orion. He and the fairy have, well had, been keeping in contact. The moment contact was broken with her he got to work using his abilities to get you away from whatever danger you were in and bring you to us."

"Hold on, if you were unable to know of what danger I was in, how did you know about my run in with the thieves?"

"Let's just say we had one of our men find the one who took the axe. I'm not at liberty to talk about what we've done to her, but we've kept her down here so that she won't take anything else that doesn't belong to her. Unfortunately we weren't able to get to her accomplice. He disappeared around the same time you did. We could only assume he may have ended up in the same place, The Manor of Caladria. Very few know of this place, most thinking of it as a myth. It is said that they have protection bubble around the manor."

As interesting as this all sounded, Sky had more important things that she needed to know. There was a question that she had burning her brain for so long.

"What's so important about this axe? I've tried asking multiple people but nobody wants to give me a straight answer."

"I guess the others you were with weren't able to get to you in time to explain all of this to you. That weapon you had procured is one of the very few weapons left in existence that can kill the Elites. Many of us have been trying to find one for many years now. That was until a few months ago when a trustworthy contact of ours had acquired one such weapon. Though, there was one unexpected thing." Fawke pointed to Sky before continuing to speak. "You've probably felt it. Like something was drawing you to it. The axe."

"Yes, I can't seem to shake this feeling. Ever since I came into contact with it. Like something is telling me to protect this axe." Sky had gotten so used to it at this point that she hadn't realized until now that, that very same feeling had grown stronger since she first woke up in this place.

"Well we only found out recently ourselves but it looks as though the axe has imprinted on you."

"What do you mean by imprinted?"

"It means that you, and only you, can use it. We weren't aware of this being a possibility. At first we only need to use you as infiltration, or possibly a distraction. But it looks like there much more use for you!" Fawkes' eye lit up as she said that. "But, for now, I think we should move this conversation to somewhere a little more cosier."

Fawke was right, the building above this dark and damp basement was much more welcoming. There were more torches lining the walls but these ones were strangely not emitting any smoke. But it gave the place a warm, orange glow. The hallway in which they entered had various paintings hung up on the wall. Sky could not decipher what was in the paintings, or what they meant. To her they just looked like many colors splashed onto a canvas. On the floor lay a fancy carpet with red and black patterns, running the entire length of the hallway.

After going through many winding hallways they came to a halt at another entrance. But this time, beyond the door, was a spiraling staircase leading up. Peering through the door way Sky looked up. Almost like an illusion, the staircase looked like it spiraled up for an eternity. Fawke scooted past Sky and beckoned her to follow her. Sky curiosity was peaked so up she followed.

The trip up the staircase took a surprisingly short time to trek up. It probably took them less than 5 minutes total. Now they stood before a dark, wooden, arch door. There were many strange symbols carved and etched into every inch of the door. Without them even announcing their presence a giant gust of wind swirled around them as the engravings began lighting up. Then, as soon as it had all begun, it stopped. The door slowly creaked opened and an unfazed Fawke walked through.

Even though the room was smaller than Sky thought it would be, it didn't make it any less grand. Shelves lined the walls, leaving almost no space for anything else. The shelves were scattered with jars filled to the brim with different ingredients, ranging from liquids, plants and what possibly looked like body parts of different animals. But they weren't the only things on there as multiple strange books laid strewn between the jars.

In the middle of the room was an alchemy workbench. It had all of the essential tools laid out carefully along with a few of those jars. On a stand next to the bench were a couple of books opened wide. In front of those books was a man draped in a blue robe, his glasses looked like they were about to fall apart at any moment. The hood of his robe was down while he staring at his books intently, trying to study whatever was on those pages. Fawkes cleared her throat, startling the mage.

"My apologies, I wasn't aware of the fact I have visitors! I really need to work on getting some sort of alarm." He mumbled to himself as he ruffled his already messy brown hair.

"This is Orion, the man that I mentioned before. I thought it would be best to introduce you now that you are fully conscious once more."

"Tis I, the mighty mage of the Nova Complex. It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance!" Orion said in a booming voice while raising his fist to his chest. His purple eyes lit up as got a little excited about introducing himself. An awkward silence followed after.

"Anyway, Orion here will still need to run a few tests on you now that we have you here. He wants to work on his spell strength. This is if we need to get you back to us. Mostly in the event that you get captured or somebody else makes an attempt to control you. Or in the event that you go rouge, but we hope that won't happen."As Fawke said that she patted Sky on the shoulder. "We'll also need you to show him all about fighting he doesn't know much about self defense. He keeps on muttering to me about needing another spell to control you to fight back if you get trapped in there, or on your way back. So I hope you'll be able to put some of that training to good use and show him a thing or two."

"I know how eager beaver you are to start this I do request that we start this tomorrow as I'm in the middle of some important research." Orion gestured to the books he had been hovering over when they had first entered the room.

"That will be fine. Plus I think it's best for Sky here to get some rest, especially after the whole ordeal she's been through. So, for now, I'll show you to your room". Fawke said to Sky before making her way towards the exit. Before Sky followed suite she look back at Orion, who was now back to staring at his books intently.

After a good night's rest, Sky was awoken to knocking at her door. She wished to just ignore it, pulling the covers over her head. This was the most comfiest bed she had ever slept in and it made her want to sleep here forever. But the more she laid there, the more frantic the knocking became. With each pillow he put over her ears, the louder the knocks got. It became too much for Sky to continue ignoring. So, begrudgingly, Sky got out of bed and made her way to the door, dragging her feet as she did. Sky became even more annoyed when to see Fawke at the other side of the door.

"Apologies for the early morning call but I am in need of your assistance!" Fawke said cheerfully.

"What is that you need my help with?" Sky was still annoyed as she rubbed her eyes, still feeling groggy from being awoken from her slumber.

"Will you please follow me." Once they were on their way Fawke spoke once more. "As I had previously mentioned yesterday we have one of the prisoners held here at Nova Complex. Unfortunately she's being quite stubborn and is resisting all of our attempts to get anything from her. We hope that, by seeing you, we might get more of a reaction out of her. Possibly even get more information."

They went back to the same hallway that lead to the basement where Sky had originally been tied up. But further up from that door was a second door, one that Sky hadn't even noticed when they first came through here. This was the door that they were to enter. Down they went as the familiar musty, damp smell filled Sky's nose once more. At the bottom of the stairs they reached a dimly lit room. This room looked almost identically to the one she had be prisoner in. The only difference was there was someone different tied up in the spot that she had been.

"Well, well, well. What do what do we have here! I wasn't expecting to be graced by your presence so soon! But I do not recognize the footsteps of your friend? Who have you brought to torment me now?"

She laughed and coughed, spitting up some black liquid as she did. Her voice sounding weak, as if it was about to give out at any moment. But it was still undeniably her. Crystal, the one that had attacked her all those weeks ago. Sky looked at Fawke, as if waiting expectantly for instructions.

Fawkes' glanced at her and then tilted her heading Crystal's direction. She didn't know why she was going along with this plan but Sky thought that she might as well take this opportunity to get some answers for herself. This woman at least owed her that after attacking her. As Sky moved into view Crystal glared at her.

"I guess I didn't do a good enough job finishing you off. I must admit it was my own lapse of judgement and greed. I should really remember to double tap." Even though they had briefly met Crystal was still able to recognize the one that she had stolen the axe from. The one that gave her so much grief and was possibly the entire reason she was down here in the first place.

"Well it wasn't only you that needs a bit more practice. I had my own lapse in judgment when attempting to sneak up on you. So I guess we're even."

"That is true. It's a shame that I had take down Axis as well. He was one of our best men. Even if he had his fair share of anger and trust issues."

"Oh no, don't worry! He's still alive. I thought you would've know about how we both were sent to the same healers." Sky replied snarkly.

"Shit." She muttered under her breath. "I guess I have something else to add to my list of things to worry about once I get out of here."

Sky asked many more of the same questions that she had Axis, all it did was lead to much more of the same answers. At this point Sky didn't have the patience to continue this and groaned in frustration as she stormed away. It was obvious that she was going to get anywhere. She was just as stubborn as the werewolf was. It was obvious why they were paired up.

But what was the point in any of it anymore? She was where she wanted, or rather needed, to be. All she wanted was to be with the axe, and that's what she now had achieved. As Sky was walking away in defeat there was a sudden loud crack, startling her as she jumped back. There was another sudden crack of the whip as Crystal whimpered in pain.

As Sky looked over at Fawkes, the light from the torches flickering off her face, it looked almost like she has a smile on her face. Like she was enjoying every moment of this. It made Sky very uncomfortable, also making her question this harpies possible sanity.

"Do I need to remain here or may I leave?" Sky asked, obviously not wanting to stay and watch this torture unfold.

"You may leave now. If you don't mind I need to stay down here for a little longer. As you can see I have some business to take care of seeing as you weren't able to get much out of her."

With that Sky hurried out, not wanting to stay there any longer than she had to. Over the next few day she tried to limit her interaction with Fawke after that incident. Even after all the shit that had happened in this world something felt wrong about somebody getting enjoyment out of someone suffering. Or maybe it was just how Fawke looked that creeped her out? It was lucky that she had the excuse of spending time with Orion as they began their training as instructed. It was very intense process not only for Sky but for Orion too. But, in the end, it paid off.