Directly continuing from Fractures --- Overwatcher @Vermillion (XIII) Urgent Report, Vermillion. Saber has returned with a Prism Gem. However, her use of the Manor Warp Gate has been witnessed by a Muse called @Cain Darlite .That is all. Arriving at the familiar Rose Garden of the Vermillion Manor, the white-haired Justicar took a few steps forward as the portal closed behind her, leaving the ship cabin and Cain behind her. Her mission had gone without many hitches as the supposed pirates were already slain by the Muse and he gave her the Prism Gem in exchange for companionship. However, there was also the fact that he caught her red-handed using the Demon Rose's power. A setback but... hopefully the ultimatum she gave him was enough to demand his silence. Regardless, she must offer the Prism Gem to Mistress as soon as possible. The Justicar traversed through the meticulously maintained garden into the Gothic-style Manor proper, entering one of its many entrances. Being informed by one of the maids that her Mistress was currently in the living room, the obedient swordswoman made her way there, armor clinking with every step. Arriving there, she saw the purple-haired Vampire lounging around, enjoying the moonlight streaming through the windows. "Mistress, I have returned." The Justicar bent down on one knee then extended her right hand, opening her palm to reveal a prismatic gem. She'd wait until Vermillion take it before continuing, "Is there anything else you wish of me?" @Vermillion (XIII)
Not too long before the oh so wonderfully sharpening knight entered. The Arch Vampire was entertaining thoughts that were lingering in her mind for a good while now. Her collection had grown steadily since her reawakening in the current era. Even if many aspects of the current situation were not perfect for the noble, she still had more opportunity now than ever before. The roses were marvelous and her precious treasures were all useful to varying degrees for various things. Whether it was efficiency, power, or just the amusement of watching one change so much and devote themselves to her. All of it was worth it. Soon Vermillion would be ready to begin her a... no no... her plan. The power... the beginning and the end.. she will get what she wants so badly. It will not be kept from her. To think... 'they' would prove so important. Considering what she knew now. Perhaps it was not so strange after all. Vermillion raised a blood red liquid to her mouth in a finely crafted glass. She sipped it slowly as the eternal red moon bathed her form. The shadows of her wings expanding to their full fledged state while her actual wings were not even visible in her current state. Truly, Vermillion could drink her blood feast without even lifting the glass or going through the preparation, but no. She preferred to enjoy it as a delicacy more often than not. Overwatcher Vermillion urgent Report, Vermillion. Saber has returned with a Prism Gem. However, her use of the Manor Warp Gate has been witnessed by a Muse called @Cain Darlite .That is all. What? Vermillion lowered her glass some as the Overwatcher, her very special 'eyes' of the world spoke to her telepathically. It was rare for the vampire to receive news this way. Vermillion had specifically said in the past that interrupting her with sudden voices and news updates, was irritating and reminded her of something unpleasant. The Crimson Noble preferred her to come tell her in person if it was important. This however was indeed more serious. Saber... the knight that was growing so well into a perfect sword and shield for her desires... now committed the same audacity as she might expect from ABC? Sigh... how ... unfortunate... for her. "I see. Thank you Overwatcher." Then Saber entered the room and knelt before her as if nothing, absolutely nothing, was wrong? Perhaps Vermillion had been to gentle with these new girls. Trizzaldi, Misha, ABC, Saber, Tenebris... they all were still not taking this seriously even though the roses had bonded them to be obedient. It was not quite enough was it? Vermillion's red eyes looked to the gem in Saber's hand. She placed her glass on a saucer and leaned her head gently in her hand as she placed her other hand on the chair arm. "Place it on the table Saber." Her finger began to tap on the chair as she continued. "Saber, you have been reborn for sometime now. Not as long as Trizzaldi or Misha yet... long enough to understand your place here. As my sword to smite that which I despise and to guard my other treasures if the need would ever arise. Someday I may even assign you to do away with filthy males that have earned my irk over the years... however..." Her fingers began to drum on the chair arm now. "Hmhmhm... Saber. I feel that you do not understand my authority is quite absolute. You are mine, my weapon, my shield, my possession. Your soul is now one with my will. So, hmhmhm... enlighten me... " She stopped drumming her fingers and her eyes squinted as they glowed brighter red. "Please.. tell me who Cain is? Why it has come to pass that a filthy male now knows things he should not. My manor exists the way it does for many reasons... one is for privacy. The gateway to the manor... or more precisely, the fact you can do so. Is not something you share with the world. Surely not a man." Her face darkened and a smile spread across it showing her fangs. Her hand clenched into the arm of the chair, tearing it with her quickly sharpening nails. "I would just devour you if this was truly a fatal flaw... hmhmhm... it is a first offense however. So, hmhmhm... I will settle for a little disciplinary action instead. Thissss would be your cup of tea wouldn't it?" @Eldhi
The Justicar's gut instinct blared as soon as Vermillion gave the order to place the Prism Gem on the table instead of receiving it herself. That was odd, Mistress valued these highly and treated them with utmost care. The fact she could consider placing such an important item on a table like that begged the question why. "...yes, Mistress." However, Saber pushed down her doubts then did what she was told, surely Mistress would explain the reason behind her actions. What happened next brought even more uncertainty to the white-haired knight, strictly judging from her words alone, Vermillion was pleased with Saber's performance and how she played her role but then, the moment she said 'however', the Justicar's worries were confirmed. Something irked the Crimson Noble... and Saber had one solid guess. Of course, it was Cain, her stupid little blunder back at the ship. How exactly did Mistress find out was irrelevant, the knight made a major mistake and it displeased her Mistress. "..." Keeping her gaze slightly down, away from the vampire's slitted red eyes, Saber dared not to interrupt her, anything she could say would only make things worse. She'd not speak unless asked to do so. "Cain is nothing more than a former acquaintance, Mistress." The Justicar spoke slowly, carefully, her tone calm yet there were telltale signs of anxiety behind her stoic features. "Rest assured, on my honor and life, it shall never be repeated." She pursed her lips, a cold sweat dripping down her forehead, ripe with fear as the vampire gradually shifted into her Shin persona, "I'll take full responsibility for my transgression..." She sighed, "D... do with me as you see fit." For the first time since she received the Rose, Eldhi stuttered. @Vermillion (XIII)
Vermillion said nothing more after Saber nervously told her to 'do as she sees fit!'. Oh yes, Vermillion had that in mind without the permission. The vampire went about making the preparations, not many, simply a request for Annette's presence and the Justicar to come with her armor removed. Eventually, Saber would be led to a long set of stairs leading into what could be assumed to be basement. Vermillion past by one door along the steps and continued deeper until a single old bloody looking door blocked the path onward. Vermillion waited at the door for a few seconds. "Saber...hmhmhm. What lies ahead is your lesson for the day. I do not use this chamber often... usually I just entertain my male guests here. Or those who would best sufferuntil they are slain. Well then... hmhmhm, shall we? " She turned the handle and swung the door open, gently giving a delicate gesture for Saber to enter The noble would follow closely behind. The room was wide and had a low hung ceiling. It smelt of corpses and death. For a place that has blood regularly flowing or sitting around in glass and teacups, that was saying something. The room like most of the manor, was magically lit. The demonic and bat like heads all throughout the camber held red orbs in their eyes, mouths, foreheads etc. Creating a eerie red hue.In the center of the room, was a large dark seal. It glowed and radiated immense dark mana as the vampire continued to guide the knight deeper into the chamber. "This room is a place I call the Massacre Hall. It's much like hmhmhm, the ballroom but allows me to relieve the occasional itch. One can build up a great deal of stress and pent up blood lust over the centuries. Hmhmhm... you will be helpful to me now.." The door opened and the maid Annette entered. She made a tense look, even tenser than her usual quivering looks. She moved into a distant corner and waited there. Vermillion looked to her and smiled as her body became that of her shin state. "Annette, you alwayssss need a little bit of releasssse as well do you not? Now, you will have your chance hehehehe!" The maid winced some and said nothing but a nod. Then Vermillion lifted off the ground with a single beat of her wings. Turning her hand directly towards Saber, blades of red cut into her arms and legs, now uncovered by armor. Another gesture would lead to rose vines shooting from the seal on the floor, as if coming from another dimension entirely. They wrapped around the controlled knight's body and lifted her up hovering now at the same height as Vermillion. The Arch Vampire spoke knowingly. "I know that you are sssspecial. Hehehehe, able to be reborn upon death and able to leave this world entirely. Know thissss... visssitor. None of that matterss anymore... I am your misstresss forever until you are devoured! Or I achieve that which I crave... hehehehe! Whichever comessss firsst! Now then, let me sssee what kind of cold sssteel my rosse made out of your ssssoul! The more you sscream, the more I will inflict until you are numb... to all but my will! Hehehehehe!" And so as blood red blades appeared around Vermillion, and more thorned vines rose from the magic symbol. It seemed that Saber may be in for a rough night... @Eldhi
"..." Saber kept her silence as the vampire gave her orders. So she was to be punished for her foolish blunder, that was fair, but she had to admit, the way Mistress wanted her armor to be removed unnerved her. It was going to be torture, no doubt of it, why else would she need to remove her plates? With a heavy nod, the white-haired girl stood up then went away with the maid to change. A moment later... "Nkh..." Clad in nothing but the brown rags forced upon her in exchange for her armor, Saber's red eyes shifted anxiously as she traversed down the stone stairs. It was as if they deliberately picked this specific attire to elicit painful memories in her past, specifically during her imprisonment by the Falderen traitors. Though she had left the false King in favor of the Crimson Noble, those moments were still rather fresh in the Justicar's mind. " I see..." It wasn't difficult to see Saber's lack of enthusiasm, only an insane masochist would be thrilled at the prospect. A chamber usually used for dispatching the inferior sex, was it? That couldn't be anything good even if Saber was a female. "Ha..." Sighing, the tanned girl winced from the smell of dried blood and rotting flesh wafting from the room. Her legs hesitated for a moment before she pushed through, entering the eerily haunting chamber. She was directed to stand at the center, standing on the demonic seal, the gargoyles' crimson 'eyes' all gazing on her barely-clothed form. Bereft of her sword and armor, Saber truly felt exposed here, bare and defenseless for everything the Crimson Noble would do to her. The chamber having an obviously menacing name didn't help her case. There was only one way this thing would go, deeper into the spiral of cruel madness. What was the jittery maid doing here? Would she participate too? If so, as a victim or an assistant? It didn't matter, pondering it was the last of her problems. What she should worry about was herself as Mistress shifted into her true demonic form, the one she faced when Alphabet brought her here. Saber's red eyes followed the floating vampire, "Guhck?!!" Until blades of arcane blood cut into her exposed limbs, drawing her own blood. "Ha...!" The pain broke through her normally sturdy body, torturing her physically and mentally. Saber couldn't muster any resistance as the thorns wrapped her, wedging into her tanned skin then lifted her, primed for further agony. The Crimson Noble's words jotted cold hard truths into the knight, she was bound to the vampire not by means of hard matter but by soul. Was this truly a game? Even when logged out, Ellie could feel a connection to the vampire and if she stayed away for too long, she could feel a painful throb in her very soul until it grew unbearable. Ellie never tried testing how far the pain could grow and she wasn't keen on doing it, would... would it cripple or, even possibly, kill her? Was her fate truly sealed with Vermillion? These thoughts, everything, they scared her. "Nnkh... no... ah..." Mistress didn't want her to scream but... the blades, the thorns, they were too much, "Aaaaaaaah!!" succumbing to the pain, Saber - no - Ellie screamed, though her body might be on the other side, her soul crumbled at the agony. "No... haa... mmkh... forgive me, aaaaah!!" She begged, please let it end, she promised to be a good girl! Please! @Vermillion (XIII)
As the very enjoyable recreati-.. eh, punishment, continued. Vermillion's demonic nature was on full display. The noble vampire was someone who hid herself under a veil of elegance, sophistication, and in rare cases especially around ABC... cuteness. Her true nature however? Quite far from that. Sadistic, blood lusting, tyrannical... and surprisingly wild. there were reasons why even she had very few true allies in the many planes. She was difficult to like once you really knew her. Even for those of darker alignments. Now her wings beat with a surprisingly faster pace as she enjoyed venting her inner vileness onto her own sentinel in training. Why not? She was her property to do as she will. So she shall! "Hehehehehehe! You are already crying out? Pity! I am far from finissshed with you! Hehehe... Come now Ssaber, you are a mercilesssss upholder of law. My law! How can you feel anything? I want you numb, numb to the foolss and idiocy of the world, of your dessiress, of everything but the meting of judgment!" She grinned flashing her fangs in a hideous display. Vermillion may have been enjoying herself here, but she was no fool either. Vermillion had no intention of killing the girl. She was too precious for that. This was just a bit of extra conditioning on top of the roses effects. Sometimes it needs a little help... especially when the role placed upon a specific gem is of a certain type. Upon discovering the cold nature of this one. It became obvious she had her emotions damaged and compassion removed... Vermillion was honestly thrilled. She enjoyed the transitions of all her girls but when it was something like this... something so very controllable. It was very much a priority to ensure it went well. Saber's weakness to her old 'friend' Cain was unacceptable. She must see everything as a enemy that is not Vermillion approved. Another blood lashing struck the girl across the face this time. It created a cut right over her nose. "Look at you... Of courssssse... hehehehe.... I know the truth. I know no matter how much I damage you. No matter how much pain you sssuffer. Heheheh, you will recover. You people from the other world. You are very dangerousss with that power of yours. You grow ssssso quickly, you revive upon death, have waysss of communication that rival that of the Overwatcher. Hehehe... you are ssso very precioussss and I will not accept weaknesss from you! Who are you!? Who do you serve?! Anssssswer me my preciouss treasssure... don't disssappoint my expectationss!" She grasped her clawed hand around Saber's neck and dug her nails into it. Hissing like a demon as the blood trickled down. Annette at this point was like a little ball in the corner. Not able to look any longer. Vermillion turned to look at her, still holding Sabers neck as if her hand was a steel trap. "Hehehehe, it isss probably time to give you ssome releasssse as well. Forgive me Annette. You do not desserve to wait for so long..." Vermillion let go of the Justicar's throat and lowered to the floor. Her long nailed finger pointed at Annette. "Time to awaken... Redrum." @Eldhi
