Pushing and pulling one's life force was incredibly difficult. The action usually required the utmost concentration and focus to achieve. Beyond that, it also required a plentiful supply of mist. The mist would serve as channels to direct the flow of the body's energy.
It was a very helpful skill to master, especially for the injured. As a person receives higher levels of power, the ability becomes easier to use, and thus it becomes more crucial to master. Stabbing someone in the chest didn't matter if they could simply heal it and then stab you back.
Zara was attempting to utilize the basics of this concept to heal all of her injuries in her legs. The wound in her side had yet to be fully healed, but it was enough that fighting would no longer be impossible. The biggest problem now was that her body was so focused on the wound in her side that it had neglected the others. Normally, it would have been good to simply allow her side to heal fully, but she couldn't risk that.
So instead, she was attempting to force her body to heal the other injuries she had sustained. Her eyes were closed, and her breathing was slightly ragged as she attempted to concentrate. However, no matter how much she tried, it didn't matter. She didn't have mist to funnel her lifeforce when necessary, and so it wouldn't matter how much she concentrated, at least not in the short term.
After a few more minutes of trying, she sighed and slumped back against the bars of her cell. She had lost track of the time since she had been first captured. Has it been a day? Or a week? She had spent so much time sleeping due to her injuries that it was simply impossible to guess.
It was truly remarkable that she was even still alive at all. Had it been Silas or Derrin who were captured, they both would have long since died of the injuries. She had barely been given any water and had been forced to tend to the wounds herself. Despite all of this, the power that came from three seas was clearly evident in her survival.
She could survive much longer than the rest of her friends. If she wasn't involved in any fighting, she could last months without any food and weeks without water. It wouldn't be pleasant, but that didn't mean she couldn't survive.
Zara wasn't certain what the goal was with her. The pirates and perhaps even the gearborn wanted information that she had. That meant torture. However, it was clear they weren't eager to begin that torture, or at least not properly. Instead, they were allowing her to marinate. It was a typical tactic and a rather useful one.
By leaving her alone with no food and only enough water to survive, they'd weaken her. The days spent in the cage didn't help either. Eventually, it would wear her down enough that she would capitulate. That would be their plan at least.
With a sigh, Zara began to rise and banged her head on the bars. That was the other thing. The cage was clearly not meant for humans. Adult humans at least. Who knew what horrible things the cage had been used for in the past?
A pair of gearborn marches passed at the end of the cavern. They didn't even bother to glance at her and just continued on their way. Zara still wasn't sure what the gearborn's final goal was with Rim. However, the simple fact that they were gleaning every ounce of information they could told a dangerous story.
Even if Rim didn't give them all the information on Guardian they wanted, it would give them a basis they didn't have before. They could use that in countless ways. She could already envision Heralds arriving with a new set of powers. Powers from Valencia. That would truly be a despicable sight.
Her opinions didn't matter, though. She was the one trapped in a cage and had no way of stopping the blasted robots. All she could do was hope that the message Silas had sent reached the proper channels. That her remaining soldiers and friends survived.
Her senses caught onto the sounds of footsteps long before the man entered the room. Zara couldn't help but scowl. The Pirate King strolled in like he owned the place. It was rather ironic considering he bowed to the Gearborn. He always seemed to have something to say, but none of it was rational, at least when it came to serving the Gearborn.
He paused in front of her cage and folded his hands behind them with a crooked expression. Zara didn't move and remained silent. They stayed that way for what seemed like a few minutes. The Pirate King waited for her to speak, and she had no interest in obliging.
Eventually, the pirate grinned, "It seems that merry band of yours survived the gearborn attack after all. Unfortunately, they will soon be joining you in cages or at the bottom of the sea."
Zara didn't respond. She knew enough of the man now to know that getting in a pissing contest with him went nowhere.
He sighed, "Your friends are about to be put down, and you really have nothing to say. No snarky response? No nothing? I'm disappointed."
"So, why are you telling me this anyway?"
Zara didn't think that even if the pirate had discovered the survivors, they'd win an easy battle. Silas and Derrin were both incredibly strong and extremely smart tacticians. They would be planning for every potential option. Then there was Red and Vizim. Those two were no doubt concocting some insane weapon or device that no one had dreamed of before.
Worrying over them did nothing. Especially not when she had no way to assist them. Besides, they had each other, which would have to be enough for the time being. Still, the pirate's condescending attitude was annoying.
"Why am I telling you?" he mused. "That's an interesting question. Well, to put it simply… I want you to understand the place you are when we begin asking questions. Everything is doomed, Zara. Everything for you. Your friends will surrender or be torn apart, and you will remain a prisoner to me and my allies."
She chuckles, "Laugh, well, you can. Only the Guardian knows the fate of those who fail their oaths so callously."
He nearly rolls over laughing. "Guardian will do nothing as I carve the hearts from your friends' lungs."
"He doesn't need to," Zara glares at him. "They're not the ones in danger."
"Oh, ho ho," he snorts. "Goodbye, Zara… Until next time."
Zara narrowed her eyes as the Pirate King swapped with a pirate and vanished.