It was a spell he knew well. He had memorized it from his father's grimoire, which he would steal away to read whenever his father went to the village market. The teleportation spell itself was different, very much basic. How they had ended up in The Loop because of such a simple spell, he couldn't fathom.
"Nix…?" Valerie called, like it was a warning.
He turned from the woman, only to find the sky crowded with creatures bearing the features of women. They pulled their limbs against their bodies while big black wings spread wide as they descended toward them.
"Run, Val, run!"
They took to their heels, not having the time to wonder where the woman in sackcloth had disappeared to. Nix thrust his hands forward, shouting the portal spell, but nothing happened.
Valerie asked why it wasn't working and he told her it was a complex spell, one that only a coven's regent could cast and he didn't have such power. Behind her came the deafening shrieks and violent flapping of wings. Although she fought the urge to look back over her shoulder, but the temptation got the best of her. Her eyes caught glimpses of sallow skin, long filthy talons in place of fingers, silver eyes gleaming against wet strands of tangled hair that clung to gaunt faces. She tripped, her back slamming against the ground. Nix stopped abruptly, thrust out his hand, and released a shockwave that hurled the creatures backward into the sky. He seized Valerie's arm, pulling her to her feet.
But the chase was far from over. The creatures pursued them now with ferocity. He spotted an opening in the mountainside. He grabbed Valerie's hand and dragged her towards it.
They rushed into the cavern. He pressed both hands against the stone walls and whispered a spell. Instantly, the creature crashed against the entrance with a force that shook the walls. Both of them staggered backward. Valerie clutched at her chest, breathing heavily as they watched the frustrated creatures try to get through the barrier spell.
The cave was pitch black and cold. He opened his palm and a ball of fire materialized above it, illuminating the path.
For a while, they walked in silence before Nix finally broke it. "I'm sorry. This wasn't what I intended."
"I know." Valerie answered softly. "You'd never put me in jeopardy."
"Perhaps with a vaesroot I should be able to do the spell. I'll get us out."
She nodded.
The chains swayed slightly. Blood trailed down Nero's torso. His eyes were closing again while the Punisher circled him with a rod in hand. Though the chamber had darkened a bit more, Nero could still make out the amusement twisting across his captor's face.
The Punisher paused and tilted his head slightly. "Something about you is different, young Nero… though I cannot quite place it." He pressed the hot iron against Nero's stomach. Nero bit down on his lower lip, muffling a grunt. "Your blood…" He leaned close, keeping his nose only inches from Nero's flesh as he inhaled deeply. "It smells different."
"Just kill me," Nero rasped. "Torture me all you wish. I will never serve you."
"You may not value your own life, but you surely value your kingdom, so let us cease this dance."
The Punisher returned the rod to the brazier. "I shall take your sister, and you will watch as I torture her until she begs me to drive a blade through her heart. Then I will take your father, sever his limbs, and send them to every kingdom within and beyond the Four Mountains. Before a day has passed, Ferns shall hear the knock of war upon its gates. Your people have never known conquest, but without their royal blood to lead them, they will drown in fear. By the following dawn, your kingdom will be nothing but ash."
Nero scoffed weakly. "Ferns is far too powerful for anyone to infiltrate."
"That's because of you." The Punisher chuckled beneath his breath. "Which makes me wonder what kind of man you truly are. But once you are dead, Ferns will become vulnerable, and I shall bring it to its knees within hours." He stepped closer. "You seem unaware that even the weakest among my men possesses the strength of a hundred soldiers. I could bring any kingdom to ruin."
The Punisher waited, as though expecting a response, but only Nero's rough breathing filled the chamber.
After a moment of silence, The Punisher sighed. "Well, then." He turned toward a figure standing in the shadows. "Raziel. Go to Ferns and bring me his sister."
Raziel bowed slightly and turned toward the exit.
"Wait." Nero blurted out before he could stop himself. Perhaps it was an impulse. In the hours he had spent here, the kind of orders he'd overheard him bark, he had learned one thing: this devil before him was capable of unimaginable cruelty. "If I do this… while I carry out your will, you will leave my kingdom untouched. Not even their cattle."
"That," The Punisher said with a smile, "I can do. Now… do we have a deal?"
After a long silence, Nero nodded.
The Punisher's grin widened.
He approached Nero and pressed a hand against the left side of his chest. It started cold. Then Nero jerked at the sting and now the hand sizzled against his bare skin like a steak in a cast iron.
Nero yelled, struggling against the chains.
The burning ceased abruptly. Now something wet and heavy pressed around him, locking his body in place.
He was unsure whether his eyes were closed or if it was simply dark. Lately, oxygen had become a luxury he could no longer afford. Air had been scarce before, but wherever he was now made him grateful for the little he had hours earlier. He grunted as soil filled his mouth.
With the continuous twisting of his arm, he forced his fists upward through the soaked earth. At last, cold air brushed against his fingers along with drops of water. He clawed through the mud, tearing away fistful after fistful, and at last, his head broke through the surface. He drew a long uninterrupted breath. Although the place smelled of earth and decayed leaves, it was a lot better than where he just left.
Nero pulled himself from the ground and collapsed onto his back. Heavy rain fell from the blackened sky, hammering against his naked body.