Being beaten and abused was one thing.

This… this was an entirely different thing.

Everything in my vision was red, and hyper-focused.

I could see every heave of their chest, and every bead of sweat down running down their cheeks.

"Come on…!"

"COME ON!" I yelled, again. "Are you afraid of me, or something?!"

"You were having fun just now, weren't you?! Please. Don't stop on my accord."

I goaded them. Not due to anger, but more so frustration.

At myself, and why this had ever come to happen.

I'll admit it to myself, now…

If they had just done things differently, it's quite likely that I would've gone willingly, with them.

But, they killed Drako.

Then, they beat me to an inch of my life.

And now, this…

Just when I thought I'd be able to somewhat understand them…

I slowly got up, with trembling, tired legs. With a wierd, metallic melody echoing in my ears.

I must've been more damaged in the head, then I thought I was.

"Well…? How many times do I have to say it?"

But, they didn't step forward.

Rather…

They tossed their weapons forward, letting them clatter loudly on the ground.

"... What…?"

I stared at them worriedly.

Then, I saw someone approach from the camp.

It was Anthony, with blood dripping from his forehead and a bruised cheek.

In one hand, was a golden longsword and in the other, was a large leather knapsack.

"The two of you. Walk back inside."

He ordered them and… they did as he said, turning right around with hazy pupils and half-opened mouths.

"What was-"

He raised his sword, and I froze. But, when he swung, rather than flesh, he tore through the iron chain that held me.

"An-"

I couldn't even finish speaking, before I was swept off my feet.

Then, I was placed on one of the horses that pulled the cart.

"What are you doing, what's happening?!"

It was only then that I could finally speak, but when I turned to him, he didn't respond, and what I saw was him cutting the harness of the creature.

"Talk to me, Anthony!"

"We're leaving. That's what."

He answered bluntly, got up behind me, coiled his arms around my waist, and grabbed the reins.

"Hiyah!"

"What do you mean?!"

With that, we were running like the wind, through the darkness of night. All by ourselves.

…

..

.

Of course, there was no way I was going to wait for him to give me the answer in his own time.

I was done just being passive, or silent.

"Talk to me, Anthony! Why are you breaking me out!?"

"Did you forget already?"

He responded angrily, before yanking at the reins, causing the horse to come to a whinnying stop.

"I said it already. I have something to thank you for. So, I couldn't let you get raped, after already experiencing so-"

He cut himself off. Did he finally notice it?

"I was too late… Wasn't I…" Was I supposed to nod to that? To confirm his suspicions? That I had been sullied.

His eyes seemed like he was waiting for an answer.

And just seeing that, frustrated me even more than I already was.

Why were you so slow, piece of-

"... What do you think, detective? Was it so hard to notice?"

I responded by turning my head away from him, and hugged myself tightly.

"It's just… you're…"

"Dealing with it well? Is that what you want to say, huh?" I gripped my elbows even tighter and drew blood with my fingernails.

"How could you even think that… did you expect me to be a crying mess…?!"

I knew I had no reason to be acting spiteful with him. But I just couldn't help it.

I wanted to vent somewhere.

I needed to!

"Don't you think that I've cried enough, already?!" I'm spent! I'm sullied! I'm thirsty! And I'm hungry! Everything hurts, and all that I've built up for myself, has been concisely broken down!"

"Maybe, you wanted me to cling to your chest in gratitude?! Bawling my eyes out! Is that it?!" Letting my emotions drive me, I swung my elbow at his face.

But, of course, he was able to catch it.

Somehow…

I was a bit glad that he did.

"There's a river, half a mile, north west of here. We'll get you cleaned up there."

I almost nodded. But I managed to stop myself, and shook my head.

"No. No. Answer my questions, right now. Why are you helping me? Be more specific, because I currently have no reason to trust anyone."

"..." He paused, staring back into my eyes, before nodding. "Alright. But it's a long story. So we're doing it by the river."

"No-"

"Ask me any other questions while we get there."

"..." He cut me off.

I didn't nod. But, I didn't resist either. At least, not for now.

I guess… I'm just… way too exhausted to keep pressing for answers. Despite my emotions and mind, telling me to do so.

***

I didn't ask him any questions while we rode. Not because I didn't want to. Nothing just came to mind.

We took a turn through a dirt road, and soon found ourselves where he said we would.

A river.

Or rather, it seemed more like a wide but shallow creek. In the distance, to the east, with the starry sky as a background, was a stone bridge.

He dismounted first, before grabbing my waist, and hoisted me off.

"We'll be safe here, for the most part. There are no beasts, and that bridge directly to the capital. They wouldn't think we went here, of all places." With that said, he reached for me. Or rather, my clothes.

Maybe he was trying to help me.

But, I wasn't taking chances, and slapped his hands out of the way.

"Thank you for helping me. But, I can take care of myself now."

He took a step back, and nodded.

"Good. I have some clothes for you in the knapsack. Here, some soap too."

I accepted the bar of soap, slid out of my torn clothing, and stepped into the knee-high water.

The thought of running came to mind.

But…

I just shook my head, and sat down in the water.

The first thing I need to get rid of, is what that brute released inside of me.

But…

Try as desperately, as I might, I was not able to reach as deeply as I wanted with my fingers. So… with trembling lips…

"Please… Beautiful Anima… Goddess of Life… please don't burden me with such an honor… I'm not ready for it…"

It wasn't even a proper prayer. It was just me, desperately clinging to the hope that I wouldn't have to rear a rapist's child.

With that said, though…

I stared at my muddy hair, and focused on the disgusting feeling on my backside. I might not be able to clean my insides. But… at least outside, will look perfect again, in due time.

…

"Here. Dry yourself off with this." He passed me his jacket. Then, a set of clothes. His, most likely.

"Wear these."

"Thank you…" I received them with a nod, and did as I needed to. Drying my hair off frustrated, before ending with my legs. Then, I got dressed right in front of him.

"Now. Tell me. Why? And be hone-"

"First. Let's get those cuffs and anklets off of you." He cut me off, again! Then, he brandished a knife.

The first weapon I've seen that wasn't made of gold alloy. Rather, it was more akin to polished, high carbon steel.

I would know. I've worked with it for so long, after all.

"Here. Give me your hands."

I… I didn't react. How could I? Was he really going to free me?

"Do you… trust me…?"

"If I said I did, I'd be lying. But, I hope you'll see things a bit more differently after the time we spent together."

I waited for a couple seconds, before I did as he wanted. I was excited, of course. Practically ready to jump up and down. But, at the same time.

I dreaded the knife, as I saw it approach my wrist. He pushes the tip into a Sean, and one hand holding mine, he twisted the knife and pried it open.

Clomp. The heavy piece of metal fell unceremoniously, sinking into the soft earth.

I… I felt liberated.

Truly liberated.

It was far from my original output.

But, I could wield Mana again.

I can feel it around me, embracing me after so very long…!

My other wrist.

My left ankle. And finally…

My right ankle.

With each one taken off of me, with clicks that sounded like the best music in the world; shivers ran down my back.

I trembled, barely able to withstand the powerful sense of euphoria that washed all over me. Through my skin, my flesh, my veins… everything.

It's… absolutely unlike anything I've ever felt before.

"Are you okay…?"

I was pulled out of my stupor when I felt Anthony tug on my hand.

I stared down at the man who was on one knee in front of me, having just discarded the last of my restraints.

Save for the collar and chain around my neck.

But, I could deal with that myself.

My hand sank into it and with just one tap, it liquified, letting the iron chain drop onto the ground.

But the collar was still there. Just liquified. Then, with a second tap, I pulled out rust leaving only a clean, dark metal.

Then, it changed shape.

It was still a collar. Though thinner, and a lot more uncommon in shape.

Rather than something as uncouth as it's previous version, this one was stylized in my favorite design.

Thorned roses, as a base around my neck, miniature weapons coiled within the thorns, and finally, at the front, hanging from a small ring, were my initials in one shape.

G.C.

"You're not getting rid of it…?" He asked me, sounding confused. But also, very clearly amazed.

I would be too, if I was in his position.

It took me years to be able to shape intricate jewelry without looking at my item.

But, he had no time to be sitting there, all amazed.

I was back to my full power.

My true power.

"Why would I get rid of it?"

I responded with a thin grin, and narrowed red eyes.

With a snap of my fingers, I used my Telekinesis to pull him down onto the ground. His strong, well-built physique didn't even manage to put up the least bit of a fight.

"This will be my eternal reminder. That I could never be too careful around those who think they can question my superiority."

Seeing him helpless… I could feel my heart start racing even more.

Especially when I stared back at his own grinning face.

There was no way he could hide the hint of fear in his eyes, though.

I started breathing heavily…

I understand what's happening.

I know it.

I just can't put it into words.

But…

Like rebounding from my month of subordination and abuse…

I couldn't wait to dish out my own abuse onto others….

"Hehe…" I wasn't even able to keep myself from chuckling, as I leisurely straddled his stomach.

"I won't ask again, Anthony…"

All my suffering, they flashed through my mind, and… I reveled.

Even my rape…!

Though I felt it squeeze and implode, my heart was also ready to jump out of my chest in absolute glee!

I killed him!

I took the life of the man who stole my chastity away!

Next… are the lives of those who physically abused me.

Then, finally, that Devil…

I'm gonna give her a fate, far, far worse than what she thought she was going to put me through.

I knew this was just my adrenaline high, going to my head.

But, I knew this was also my true feelings.

I was going to have my revenge.

But, first…

I will dominate the man who treated me the most kindly, out of them all.

His tough love and support. No matter how superficial it may have been.

I was going to reciprocate.

Just like I will soon do for the rest.

I leaned in closer, squeezing myself against him. I could feel his heart beating violently. But, I'd say that mine was far more so.

"Be obedient and tell me already, Anthony. Like a good prisoner."

"You just got your power back, and you've already let it go to your head."

"One last chance, Anthony. Tell me. Why did you treat me properly? Why did you help me? And why did you free me? Are you a plant from some group? Or are you just a figment of my own imagination?"

"You're just saying randon things, now... maybe I'm just a nice guy, you know? But, okay." He shrugged, then turned his head away and sighed.

"I-"