The Artifact | By : PandaBearzh Category: Final Fantasy Games > Final Fantasy XIII-2 Views: 2037 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0 |
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Cid Raines, Hope Estheim
Making the trip to the Fifth Ark was not a journey that Cid Raines particularly enjoyed. Usually Wyvrens were used as the preferred method of transportation, but Cid had never quite grown as fond of them as the air fleet of warships that he had once commanded. Now those warships were docked on the ark. There was only so much energy that the colony could spare and structures such as wind turbines, water wheels and solar panels weren’t worth the cost to build them. There were two types of energy in his world. One of them was the raw, physical energy that lit all of the streetlights and heated the water for the citizens he protected. The other energy could be considered magic energy. It was the energy that suspended Cocoon and the expansive warship that was his destination.
The ark was over three kilometers in length, and nearly the same in width. It possessed four floors originally, but had since been renovated to include as many as seven. The interior of the ark appeared exactly the same as the exterior; it was obvious that the aging metal scrap had not been assembled for aesthetic purposes, and Cocoon had no interest in making the ship comfortable and welcoming in appearance. It was ironic to Raines: the floating hunk of junk had been constructed by the inhabitants of Gran Pulse to serve as the final Zion. Now it was a location of death utilized by Cocoon to extract information, train soldiers, and exemplify a long tradition of strength and power to their enemies. Cocoon believed it possessed a divine right to take what it needed from the lands surrounding it. After Gran Pulse waged the first war against the utopian nest, Cocoon had made sure at every opportunity to remind its enemy of the pain and suffering they had experienced. Seizure of the Fifth Ark was one of those opportunities. From the moment the overthrow began, the ark became known as New Arcadia. “Hope Estheim,” he commented, announcing his arrival to the chamber he was being held in. Hope’s eyes dropped – he had been trying to count the number of nuts and bolts on the ceiling in an attempt to mathematically determine how many of them were used to construct this room. Is this who he had been waiting for? Of course, it had to be Raines, didn’t it! Of course, he shouldn’t have expected anything other than the worst possible scenario. Still, he wasn’t going to make his discomfort apparent to the older male. “Where have you been hiding all of these years?” Hope smirked. “I wasn’t hiding. All you had to do was come and find—“ “And find you I did…” Raines interrupted, removing his jacket and folding it over the back of a chair. “You’re dismissed, gentlemen,” he added to Hope’s personal guards. The goons nodded and stepped away from their prisoner, shutting and barricading the door after their departure. “Hope, I’m not going to be able to believe anything you say to me, but I’m going to give you an ultimatum just in case that overactive brain of yours can see reason.” He approached the youth quickly with the tick of his cold boot heels echoing softly. “And if it can’t,” he rested a black gloved hand on Hope’s shoulder in a fraternal manner, “we will have a very solvable problem.” “What ultimatum?” Hope inquired curiously. Is this how the night would play out? Did the tokens he chose mean that he was going to have a chance at either life or death? “When you provide me with the truthful information I request, you will be free to leave, Cid answered plainly, reaching his other hand into his pocket to withdraw what looked like a small steel box. He rested his thumb on the top of it and reached for one of Hope’s unbound wrists. Hope let him extend his hand forward, palm up, as if he would receive something. He looked at him doubtfully, knowing that any information that Cid would want from him would probably be information he wasn’t inclined to share. He began to pull away from the taller man, but Cid’s grasp on his wrist cinched painfully. “Tell me about Noel Kreiss.” “Who?” Hope asked, witnessing his hand pale from blood blockage. “Let go,” he ordered, trying to minimize the show of feeble attempts to free himself of Raines grasp. Cid didn’t repeat himself. Instead, he flicked his thumb back on the little metal box to reveal that it was in fact a lighter. Hope watched with wide eyes as Cid moved the lighter beneath his hand. The flame was blinding hot, and Hope’s nerves shot daggers of white pain up his elbow “Augh, I don’t know who that is!” he exclaimed, using his free hand to push the dancing flame away. The next thing he knew, he had been spun around and was bent over face down on the cold, flat surface behind him. Raines gathered his other wrist with the same hand and began to twist them painfully higher and higher on Hope’s back. He tried to cheat himself forward on the table to alleviate the pain, but soon Raines was leaning his body into his back, holding him firmly into position. “That’s too bad, Hope,” Raines commented, his warm breath tickling the inside of Hope’s ear. He deposited the lighter back into his pocket and snuck his fingers through the roots of his captive’s hair. The boy was still struggling beneath him, but soon enough that matter would be settled. “I’ll tell you what. Any time you want to open up about it, you let me know, and we’ll take a break.” “Sorry to disappoint,” the boy grunted, “But I don’t know the guy! There’s nothing I can tell you.” It was hard to breathe under Raines, and his arms were effectively trapping any air in his lungs previously from escaping. Meanwhile, they seemed to be inching higher and higher. “I don’t know him!” he shouted, afraid that they would snap. If only he could arch his back a little… “Here’s the problem. Right now, I can’t trust anything that you say. But, soon, I will trust you a little bit. Then, I’ll trust you a little more…” The fingers snarling themselves into his hair gave a rough tug, forcing him to arch away from the table. “…And by the end, not only will you be singing the truth to me, you’ll be pleading for me to let you stay here at my side.” “Bullshit!” Hope exclaimed, realizing that his arms were starting to go numb. He couldn’t even feel Cid’s grasp on his wrists anymore, only the deep warm chuckles purring into his ear. “Oh, Hope. You’re so eager to get started. I hope you enjoy yourself as much as I’m going to.” He paused, taking the moment to deliberately enjoy the seduction of the youth’s position. “Come.” A swift tug raised Hope completely off of the table and again into a vertical position. He struggled to follow Raines’ backwards movements, and tried to see where he was leading him. The hand at the back of his neck controlled his attentions however, anguishing his hair roots. Luckily it was a short distance, and soon, Cid was rearing from behind him. He brought into his sights a flat headed silver snake chain which was swiftly fastened around Hope’s neck with practiced experience. The chain was slippery, and colder then the tabletop. It wasn’t tight though, which Hope found surprising. Cid released his hands and returned to where he had discarded his jacket. It appeared that he was interested in retrieving it or something else. Hope took the opportunity and let his fingers travel along the back of the chain to measure how long it was. It seemed as if the chain had been looped around itself about an inch behind the back of his neck. His fingers kept traveling and he spun around. Raines had attached the other end to a larger sized link chain that spanned the entire height of the room. Blue eyes ascended curiously, wondering how he had missed this contraption when he was counting the nuts and bolts on the ceiling. There didn’t appear to be a way to unhook either of the chains, there was a lock device that was keeping the snake chain from opening larger. ‘But not shorter,’ Hope realized in horror. This device would yield something akin to a modern-day hangman’s noose. But, how did it operate? Was there some way that he could obstruct it? A sharp whistle returned his attention to Raines who now stood before him again, with his hands crossed behind his back. “What do you think?” he asked, admiring Hope’s stubborn poker face. “Want to see how it works?” He raised one of his black gloved hands and emitted a soundless wave of energy. The ground trembled as the device activated and whirred. Hope grabbed at the snake chain with his left hand and the link chain with his right, as if it would help to calm the machine’s disturbed peace. His right hand began to ascend before his eyes at a generous pace and his left tried to wrap itself around the snake chain to keep it from moving. “I wouldn’t do that,” advised Raines, “It’s a good way to lose a hand.” “How about a head?” Hope growled defensively. It was unmistakably obvious to him that the reason for this whole charade had nothing to do with this ‘Noel Kreiss’ character. Cid was angry because he thought that Hope had killed his best friend. There was nothing that Hope could do to convince him otherwise, and that was one of the true reasons why he had originally fled Cocoon. Raines had said it himself, he had been looking for Hope. Raines’ eyes narrowed and he brought his hands up again, the machine jerking quickly forward. Hope was forced to drop his hand, the snake chain snapping against his neck like a whip. He pressed himself against the link chain and brought himself to the tips of his toes before the device finally ceased its movements. The chain was strangling just under his jaw line, and respiration was tricky but possible. Raines approached him and grabbed his chin, forcing him to look into his dangerously glimmering eyes. “You do not want to make this personal. You will not survive, no matter what information you give me. Do you understand?” His voice was oddly calm and chilling to the bone. In fact, the only reckoning of what he truly felt was displayed in his eyes alone. Hope swallowed, recognizing the determination in the powerful man’s stature. Many people had grown to fear his interrogator, and it was easy to see why. Even with Hope on the tips of his boots, he still wasn’t tall enough to look into Raines’ eyes evenly. The man still glowered over him, making him feel very small. Even being fully clothed, he couldn’t help but feel as if Raines could see right through him. Raines’ expression softened for a moment, appearing to have read that last thought that crossed Hope’s mind. “Now, remove your articles.” Hope didn’t move. “Would you prefer that I did it for you?” He reached for Hope’s jacket and slid it over his shoulder. Hope flinched, watching it fall to the ground and bounce against the link chain. It brushed against the bottom of his boots, tickling the arches of the sore feet. The thought occurred to him: Raines needed information from him. What would he do if he didn’t play this game? Quick, emotionally based and nonscientific calculations assured him that Raines wouldn’t let him die. Cid was slipping his gloves beneath his waistband now, and Hope was sure that it would only be a few seconds before they would slide off of his hips like his jacket previously. No, he wasn’t going to play this game any longer. Hope eased off of the tips of his toes, engaging himself in a different way to Raines’ game. The chain snapped tighter as he dropped, working to eliminate not only air but blood as well. His legs had gotten tired already, and he didn’t want their strength to abandon him when he would need it, which, if he succeeded, would probably be very soon. Still, he found himself trying to hold his breath. It was just like his body to betray his mind like this… Raines stroked Hope’s side, finding the boy suicidal to have dropped himself so abruptly against his tether. “That’s very interesting, Hope,” he commented softly. “You must have some very interesting things to say if you’re willing to off yourself to protect them.” Hope’s eyes widened at his comments and his gentle warmth. He was going to let this happen? He was going to just stand there stroking his abdomen and let him die? No way! The world was already starting to blur and darken for him. It was a trippy feeling to have his lungs screaming so fiercely for air but his mind soothingly cooing him to rest. Raines was smiling again, apparently amused. He had completely misjudged him. Again. Summoning all of the will and self respect he possessed, Hope shifted onto his toes, hoping to god that the snake chain would somehow permit him a way to once again respiration. But no, he couldn’t; a sudden downward force on his shoulder pushed him firmly back onto the ground. It was Raines’ hand. He was trying to kill him now! Maybe he shouldn’t have made that comment earlier about Lightening… The chamber was waving at him back and forth to him now, both spinning and pulsing while his mind started to drift farther and farther from reality. “We’ll have a conversation about commitment later,” Cid chided to the slack body before him. He reached above and unlatched the sliver chain before gathering him into his arms. Hope had passed out, not died. Cid was very aware of what it took to suffocate a person, drown a person, intoxicate a person, and every stage that brought a person closer to death. He was very pleased to witness the brave actions that the boy took, and indeed, it excited him in a way he previously wouldn’t have considered. But why should it have? He liked to imagine that he knew everything he possibly could know about Hope. Surely, his research on him must surpass in page number the entire sum of every other case over the course of the past year… Raines enjoyed obtaining that information too… It was the one part of his job that he felt he could distress.Moments later, Hope awoke to the pungent scent of ammonia. He coughed and thrashed, realizing that it was coming from a vial beneath his nose. His head rolled to the side and he coughed again, opening his eyes a bit to take in the reason why he couldn’t otherwise push Raines’ hand away. What he saw brought him to full consciousness better than the smelling salts. Black straps crossed over his shoulders and under his pecs, over his thighs and then there was the case of his wrists and ankles. His arms were suspended above his head individually, linked to tethers attached to the ceiling. His ankles were individually cuffed as well, but linked together with a simple infinity style hook fixing. He was absolutely naked. “Don’t look so betrayed,” Cid responded to Hope’s angry glare, “Before you went black-out, I ordered you to remove your clothing. You can’t honestly believe that it wouldn’t happen.” He circled the small table and took a seat where he could admire the full view of the sight in front of him. Hope wet his lips, cheeks steaming with embarrassment at being presented this way. “Let’s have a short discussion about what happens when you don’t follow instructions,” the man continued, grasping the infinity clasp with one hand and flicking the lighter on with the other. Hope bucked, trying to get his feet away from the flame, recalling all too well the incident that had occurred with his hand earlier that hour. Raines’ held the clasp securely and continued, brushing the flame against the bottom of his foot. “When I tell you to do something and you don’t do it, you get punished. You won’t enjoy it. Stay still.” He locked eyes with the squirming Hope, awaiting his obedience patiently. Hope found it one of those things that were easier to say than to do, especially in this situation. He clenched his jaw painfully when his body jeered at him, questioning his motives for not successfully worming out of the situation. Finally, when he was able to command control, his knees stopped dancing about and Hope swallowed, silently condemning Raines for his single demand. After a few seconds of enduring the flame, Cid snapped the lighter closed and set it on the table next to Hope where he could see it. “When I tell you to do something and you do it correctly you get treated. It will feel good,” he assured, releasing the infinity hook and massaging the bottom of the boy’s abused soles with his fingertips. Hope could feel his body relax in his touch. Shit, why wasn’t it listening to him today? “See?” Raines asked, letting one of his hands sneak up Hope’s calf. “That’s not so bad is it?” “I don’t know who Noel Kreiss is,” Hope repeated. “Don’t speak unless you have something relevant to say,” was Cid’s reply. He brought himself to his feet and continued, “Your little episode of bravado didn’t go unnoticed, though I do hope it’s out of your system. Although it was a pleasant surprise for you to reveal your enthusiasm for your position, you don’t want to attempt to test me again. Do you understand?” Hope glowered at him defiantly, but said nothing. After all, how was he supposed to know if Cid would find it ‘relevant?’ He hated the way Cid was looking at him. He felt like he was being mocked. Not an hour ago, the man had been trying to strangle him and now this? He was looking at him almost like… almost like he respected him? But if he truly respected him, he wouldn’t do such deranged things such as strip all of his clothes from him and fasten him into this twisted-fetish get-up shit. He wouldn’t make ridiculous demands such as ‘stop moving’ and expect him to obey him. ‘I’m not your slave,’ Hope considered. No, he had decided earlier he wasn’t going to play this game with him. He was sure it would end badly. ‘And yet,’ he realized, ‘Cid told me what he was going to do and then he actually did it. It was rather predictable the more he thought about it. Now he was unlinking his ankles. Too confusing… “Uh- hey!” he protested, “What are you—” Cid had refastened his lower cuff pair so that his knees were completely bent and his thighs securely restrained his ankles. Hope immediately crammed his knees together to protect his manhood, but Cid seemed more interested in procuring an item from long black box under the table. He opened the box and showed its contents to Hope, who didn’t understand. There were a series of thin stainless steel rods, each slipped into a small sleeve. The item that caught Hope’s wonder the most was about two inches long and a little thicker than the other rods. It also had a small ball on the top of it, reminding him something of a miniature pen. The box was set down near the edge of the table on the other side of the lighter. Hope didn’t appreciate the way that they shined in the bright light of the chamber. “Are you cold?”
[NAN]
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