"We were born sick – you heard them say it." – Hozier, Take me to Church.
••••
"You do realise that this is a farce?" [Name] asked, listening to Darnados talking again – speaking more and more about his treatment by those around him.
"How do you mean?"
"How they're treating you," [Name]'s tone betrayed his disdain.
"It is what it is."
"No, it isn't – you might as well leave and never come back here," there was a shocked pause, "They don't see you as the individual you are. Though you can ignore me – I am a human, and you're a Naiad. So, who am I to speak on such matters."
"What," a long pause, the shuffling of hay and the distant rattling of chains took up the space, "What is your home like?"
[Name] shifted back, crossing his arms, moving further away from the bars and Darnados, "I wouldn't know what to tell you."
"How come?"
"Because it has been a while since I was home."
'Lucian.'
'Yes, Host?'
'As there's no information accessible, can I make my backstory up?'
'One moment, Host.'
"[Name]?"
"Ah– right, sorry. Can you repeat that?"
'You can, Host."
"How come you have been away from home for so long?"
"No reason," [Name] looked around, [Eye Colour] flitting around the dimness of his cell, "You should go."
"Do you want me to leave?"
Darnados and [Name] looked at each other – there was an understanding between them. Something melancholy hung heavy in the air between them.
[Name] didn't respond, as if dismissing the question. Slowly, Darnados got up from his spot and patted himself down – brushing away the imaginary dust.
"When I leave, you will not be left behind," [Name] spoke to the retreating figure of the Prince.
••••
"Then," an aggravated sigh, "Why is he still here?!"
"Because I need to be sure of something!"
"Brother! That is not how we speak to the Priestess!"
"What Priestess takes some random human from the woods just to be sure of something?!?"
Darnados whirled around, glaring at his sister – pointing accusatorily at Alina, "She has kept him here for weeks – if the prisoner is really that important! That significant! Why is he a prisoner?! Why do we have to wait for answers?! For an explanation?! You think I haven't heard the rumours?!"
"Please," Alina pleaded with the siblings, "Stop fighting!"
"SHUT UP!" the siblings' voices both raised in unison.
"You–"
A resounding slap echoed in the room, and Alina gasped.
"Listen to me, you greedy little twat. You are my sister, younger sister – I have allowed you many things after the death of our parents, but do not forget that you are adopted. You have no real standing. Do not think I don't know about the smear campaigns you have run against me."
Darnados' voice lowered even further, his voice matching the furiously sinister look on his face, ignoring the sniffles from his younger sister and continued speaking, "I still care for you as I would a blood-related sister, but do not push it."
Turning again to face Alina, she felt pinned by his stare, "Either you give me an answer now or," a menacing glint entered his dark eyes, "I will release him and find another to take on the role of the High Priestess."
"Well," apprehension practically stifled Alina, "We had felt a strong presence of dark energy from the prisoner – and, well, I was busy due to the recent deterioration of relations between us and the other churches."
"Continue."
Alina bowed her head, "I will go see him now."
"You are to notify the guards and the rest of the castle who this person is and the expectations towards his treatment here at the castle. For the duration of his stay."
••••
"Let this man go."
The guards silently removed the chains on [Name], and he watched them grimace at the bruises on his wrists and around his ankles.
Alina watched him coldly, and [Name] was aware there was hidden hostility between them.
••••
'She's such a bitch, isn't she, Lucian?'
'I wouldn't be that vulgar,' there was the slightest hint of humour in the System's voice, 'Although she is a distasteful character.'
I grinned at her.
••••
Alina gritted her teeth at the arrogant smile that decorated the heathen's face. It was as if he knew that he was pissing her off and that all her plans were unravelling right before her eyes.
[Name] get's up slowly, testing movement in his limbs before straightening his posture – face cold, eyes glaring, cold fury burned in his eyes as he remembered how she had brought him here.
He followed them through the dim halls, climbing the stairs, and [Name] was not sure how long they had been walking, only knowing that his head was spinning slightly. The interior reminded [Name] heavily of the House of Lamentation – and his heart filled with nostalgia. He could almost imagine the brothers running through the halls – Leviathan chasing Mammon through the halls.
••••
"But that is simply not fair to my host, sir!"
"And fairness is not giving away information to our unique host – information is given in proportion to the weight of their soul, Lucian. I am sure you understand."
"My Host hasn't received any information," came the irritated reply from Lucian, "I just don't seem to understand why my Host is any different–"
"For the last time," Lucian's higher-up spoke, tone tight and barely restrained, "To enter through the Reincarnation Loop, one's soul must have a certain standard of cleanliness to it. Babying one's Host does nothing to help them but make their souls more impure. Good day," was the terse reply from the higher-up as their communication ended.
Lucian sighed again before heading to his office – his form slouched. He ached heavily from convincing (or trying) his higher-ups to give access to the information.
His office was messy, with paperwork strewn around the area.
Lucian only sighed in disappointment as he tried to work through and sort the mess out. He had to return to [Name] soon, though he didn't know why the urge was so intense.