Wrath Reincarnated

ENVY

Darkness turned to speckles of light, then abruptly inverted: the black become bright white, and the speckles of light turned to spots of darkness. Kat's vision returned slowly, and she glanced around the room. No steam, but it feels like I'm in a sauna. The heat on her skin ramped up until it seared, and the excruciating pain returned. She arched her back and tried to escape, but she was chained to a table. Sound returned after the agonizing remnants of torture, and she heard the others screaming in their shared torment.

Jules? Whiskers? Kat turned her head as much as she could—her ribs and neck popped and creaked with each inch she shifted. Whiskers and Rukia were strung up from the ceiling; not tied ass-to-ass, but spun around tight ropes as they were forced to watch. Jules and Cyrus were strapped vertically to some other platforms and were also in chains.

"Please…" she whispered. "What can I do to prove to you that we're not spies?" The Nomadic leader from before looked at her. He threw his pliers down and abandoned Jules for her.

"Nice to see you're awake again." They were face-to-face now. "So the question remains: why are two Sins working for the Elementalists?"

"Are you deaf!?" she shouted in his ear. She jerked her head toward Cyrus. "He's not a Sin. He's not even Arcanic, so please—"

"I'm well aware of that, Missie, and I don't care. What I want to know, most of all, is who gave you that necklace?"

Dammit. I can't give up Pop. I don't… I don't even know his real name, but he could still be waiting for me in Aquilantis. Anything I say or do can't lead them back to him—but Cy's in serious trouble. Don't answer the question, just tell him where I got it.

"Someone—I don't know their name—they gave it to me back in Marina Veridia." The way he's staring at me, he must know I'm lying. How do I convince him?

"Is that where you lot came from? Marina Veridia?"

Kat looked away to buy some time. No, they'll surely have heard about Jules in Shinsora, at the very least—but why haven't they heard of the disaster at the Tree of Wishes? Maybe I shouldn't mention that we came from there. They seemed to at least let that Jafar bastard in with ease—He banged a fist on the table next to her head.

"Eldertree Enclave!" She winced and closed her eyes when she shouted the answer. "We came from the south, from The Verdant Domain—"

"Ah. I heard the Guardians uncovered a rat there the other day." He stood back and let out a deep breath. "Next question—and if you don't answer, somebody dies: Where is Kazuma?"

Why does everyone want to know where this jerk-off is!? He's been gone for decades, longer than I've even been alive!

"You know I don't know. Somebody gave me this necklace to communicate with them—that's all I know. Please… Please, stop this." Kat looked back up to the ceiling; she couldn't take his gaze any longer. The leader crossed his arms and studied her for a moment.

"Hmm. I think I believe that part. When you wake back up, we'll test out that line of communication." He pulled out a knife.

"No! Please, stop—"

No more pain?

But now I'm back…in the forest? Didn't I just leave here?

Kat walked through the Arcane Divide beside Chael and Gunner. Brown Cloak led the way. No—Not Brown Cloak. That's Jafar, it has to be. A little younger, but the features are there. Why am I seeing this? How is this all connected to Pop?

"You look lost in thought, Gish," Jafar said without looking back at her. "The Elders here will test us with temptation before leading us to the Tree. You'd better concentrate on why you're here."

Why are we here? Kat felt like she needed to respond somehow, and whoever's body she wore wasn't doing it for her. "I know what I'll wish for." Jafar stopped in his tracks, then spoke just over his shoulder.

"You'd be wise to remember we are making but one wish today, Child."

"Har!" Gunner chortled to himself. "No need to call 'im names. Lad's ambitious, but he's also green. Doesn't understand the real stakes of war. Not yet, anyway."

"Quiet." Chael forged on ahead of even Jafar. "We've arrived."

Four Elders of The Verdant Domain welcomed them into a hut. Cups filled with steaming tea already awaited them inside. These are definitely the same men, but what's going on here? Jafar and The Painter looked younger, but not that much younger…

Jafar slung an arm around Kat with a sly grin. She saw his lips move, but couldn't understand or even hear the words he spoke. One Elder, the one Cy fought, spoke as if his voice were underwater. Kat made out a few words.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Welcome. Nomad. Tree of Wishes.

It felt like cotton balls were removed from Kat's ears, and she could hear again. Did he muffle his name? Maybe he doesn't think I know who he is yet. They drank the tea and discussed their intentions with the Tree of Wishes.

"You have been warned against welcoming death here."

"Time and time again."

"I don't seek to bring back anyone from Death's grips, to bring them back from the Void," Jafar said.

"No. But you welcome taking lives of the living." An Elder glanced at Kat, which gave her an uneasy sinking pit in her stomach. Is he trying to kill the Sins? Does the Elder know I'm here, just like Jafar seems to?

"Once again, your claim to seek an audience with the Tree has been denied, …" Once again, Kat's eyes and ears glazed over when Jafar's name was mentioned.

Jafar sighed. He looked to the sky, even though the thatch hut roof was still above them. Gunner grabbed Jafar's arm to leave. Chael stepped between the Elders and Kat. Oh great, here we go. Jafar slipped a ring onto his finger.

"Ahhh… It seems I'll have to go without your approval, then."

The ring's light blinded Kat—it seemed to blind them all, and the dream faded away, and her vision to black once more.

JULES

Jules whipped his head away; he couldn't stand to watch Katarina murdered again. Instinctually, his hands tried to cover his ears, but they were locked in shackles by his side, and he had to listen to her gurgle until she crossed over to the other side again. Jules tried to meditate, to clam himself, but he couldn't stop shaking. The interrogator's boots clanked one step at a time as they moved closer to Jules.

I should have killed them all when I had the chance—Why did Kaizen intervene? He wouldn't want us all tortured without some reason, but why?

A sharp blade lightly traced around Jules' Seal. He opened his eyes to stare down his opponent. You won't break me this way. This is nothing compared to our training. The man yanked back the blade, and plunged it at Jules' heart— All at once, the interrogation chamber door opened, and the torturer's arm froze.

"Why are you here?" The newcomer's voice was commanding and had a thick desert accent.

"I told you—We don't fucking know!" Jules yelled.

"Not you, Child of the Stars."

"Th-they're Elementalists—I was getting—" The interrogator froze. He winced, and his face contorted, like he thought he was about to get struck.

"You are torturing allies, no foes." The man snapped his fingers, and Jules and Cyrus slid down their vertically suspended platforms, to their feet. Chains and shackles clanked to the ground around them. Katarina still lied down Regenerating, and Rukia and Whiskers plopped down to the ground. Jules rubbed his wrists and squatted down to stretch his legs. Who is this guy?

"My condolences, Sir—"

"Don't apologize to me!" the man shouted. The Party's torturer turned to them and shook. He knelt into a deep bow.

"I am so sorry. Please forgive me. I didn't know—"

"And yet you would have! Had you asked or waited. Repent."

Jules was petrified of the man. He didn't dare turn around and look at him. Cyrus, on the other hand, leveled his gaze with the newcomer. He motioned for Jules to stand up.

"How may I seek your forgiveness?" the interrogator asked them.

"Get up there." Cyrus pointed to the chains and shackles. Without hesitation, the Nomadic leader—though certainly not the leader, it would appear—strapped himself in. Cyrus picked up a hammer. The coward closed his eyes and flinched. The hammer slammed into the platform beside his head, but Cyrus didn't harm him physically. "There. That's a start."

Jules finally looked at the man. He wore a brown cloak and brown robes. His face was completely covered by a draped piece of cloth. Reminds me of Ragnar, and he's even built like him. If not even larger. The only visible skin was that of the his rough, callused, and tanned hands.

"You must be The Nomad," Cyrus said flatly. What!? "Only leader I know in the Nomadic Clans, and only one that could capable of what we saw in the desert."

"Aye, that I am. Among other things. I would welcome you Riftwatch Outpost, but it seems that ship has unfortunately sailed. I have been watching you for some time—"

"So cut the bullshit act."

"Cy!" Go easy, we're not exactly ready to fight an Alter!

"What, Jules? This guy's been watching us. He knew we were in here. He wanted something out of this interrogation. So what is it?"

My Unlock Rune!? Jules patted himself down immediately, and he felt it in his clothes.

"You are wrong, Jules Tideshaper. I wanted that Rune once upon a time, but not today. Though I certainly do not like to be around it."

He didn't deny Cy's claim. But we have to be careful on how to work around him without a fight. "So what do you want with us?"

The Nomad held up a hand for Jules to hold that thought. "I mostly came for her." Then he counted down all five fingers.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One—

Katarina heaved for air and arched her back upward to the ceiling. Free of the chains, she was able to grip her throat again. She writhed and rolled of the table, and fell to the ground as a result. She coughed on all fours them looked around at all of them. The Nomad pulled a ring out his pocket and placed it on a finger. Why is she looking at him like that…?

"You!" she screamed. "It all makes sense now… That wasn't the asshole that attacked us in my dreams. The timelines, they didn't match up—That was you!"

The Nomad chuckled softly. "Yes, Child. I've been waiting a very long time to have a conversation with you. How much have you seen?"

"Kat—What's going on here?"

"That voice," she said. "It's you—You're Brown Cloak Guy! How do you know The Painter? And just who the hell are you?"

"He's The Nomad, Kat," Cyrus cautioned.

"Lift that mask," Katarina demanded. "Let me look you in the eyes for real this time."

"I believe I asked you a question, Child of the Stars. How much have you seen?"

Jules walked over to Katarina and stepped in front of her. The Nomad studied her, her face hidden behind Jules.

"Ah, judging from your reaction," The Nomad said, "you've just left the Tree of Wishes. Perhaps for a second time today?" How does he know so much!? Rukia? Kaizen? Who is this guy?

"Why are you in my dreams? And whose body am I in?"

"So feisty! I am much more than that, little she-devil. And I believe you will find the answer to that question at the end of your journey."

"Is that a threat?" Jules asked. Green flames licked around his eyes.

"My fight is not with you. We have a common enemy, and She grows in power every day." The Iron Maiden. "I have apologized to your friends, but let me apologize to you, Katarina Waverunner: Please forgive me for your mistreatment under my command." She balked.

No one, and I mean no one, knows Kat's true name. How could he?

"Speaking of your command, why are you back?" Cyrus asked. Surprised you're holding back around an Alter, Cy. Seems like you're growing after all.

"I told you, we have a common enemy. Now, I have a few gifts for each of you to build some trust. All I ask is that you stay a little while longer. The storm approaches." The Nomad glanced down at Rukia, then back to the others. "Now, would you like to know what these gifts are?"