Tw: torture

PoV: Cub

I stay with Scar until morning.

I use up most of the potions I have soothing his pain. I know he's in agony. I see the harsh red marks. I know what King Ren did: used our magic, our ability to faze through stuff, against us. The guards told me they had to sedate him. That bit was painless. At least that bit was painless. ...It's ages later, far into the night, when he falls asleep, lying in my arms. The only thing that keeps me through is a promise to myself to get revenge.

I hold Scar's hand for comfort as we walk, silent, to breakfast next morning. He shuffles closer as Ren spots us, muttering to a guard before rising to leave.

Ren never leaves breakfast early.

'Come with me.' The guard demands.

To me.

'I promised Scar I'd stay with him.' I don't know if it's his grip or mine that tightens.

'Do you wish to keep your king waiting?'

I follow.

I can't fight my terror, walking silent behind Ren. The chaotic side of my mind wants to trip him. The logical side of my mind knows it would ruin everything.

We enter his office.

The door closes behind. Ren crosses behind his desk, quiet for a moment.

'You knew.'

'I don't know what you mean.' I lie, heartbeat quickening

'You hid that Scar has magic.' There's no anger in his voice, only quiet betrayal.

'I had no idea.'

'Don't LIE TO ME!'

Pain.

I hit the ground, trying not to scream, as the metal around my neck and wrists burns at Ren's command. Then eases, leaving me lying there.

'I'm sorry... I don't want to hurt you, Cub. You are more talented than I will ever be. But you know magic is dangerous, dude. And you know I need to stop it hurting anyone, or causing fear among my people... if there was another way, I would take it immediately.'

The guard pulls me back to my feet. Ren moves to leave and I think I've got off free. Before he hands the device hurting me to the guard.

'You know what to do.'

I don't know how long later I'm freed. Joe tells me Scar's with Cleo in the gardens. My wrists and neck are still agony as I reach them.

'Cub, are you ok?'

'Not here.' I mutter, glancing Cleo. I know I look terrible. She doesn't need to know why. 'Fancy a walk instead?'

'Yeah.'

'Scar's right, you're...'

'I'm fine.' I interrupt. Cleo falls silent, glaring as I lead Scar away.

'What... did...?' He speaks when we're out of range.

'Ren can... use them against us.' He knows what I mean, eyes widening. 'And track them. And we can't remove them.' The scars on my wrist hurt again, the panic, finding anything sharp I could, the blood, waking up with Ren next to me saying I nearly died. 'Believe me.'

'Why... Why would he do this to us?'

'Magic's dangerous. It needs to be controlled.' I mimic Ren's voice, trying to hide my anger. 'And because the resistance made Ren paranoid.'

Silence. We've reached the river leading into my lab, walking along the edge. My reflection looks back, pale, scared. I can't be scared. Scar needs me.

'How long have you been here?'

'Ren hadn't been king long when I was employed... hid my powers, like you did. Until Ren found out.'

'Can we escape?'

'I tried. Ren found me. It didn't end well.' That night returns to me, the inability to stop the pain, lying awake. 

'Cub? Are you ok?' I don't realise I've stopped, continuing before he's too worried.

'Yeah I'm fine... Should we head back?'

'Alright.'

'I know a shortcut.' I continue following the river into the mountain itself. Magical crystals Ren shouldn't know about light our way, along the riverbank, into the lab.

'Does Ren know...?'

'No. Don't tell him.'

'Or what?'

'He'll kill us.'

Another week or two pass. Normal, aside from the resistance break in. No damage done, except to Ren's paranoia. I stay with Scar constantly and I'm working with him in the lab when guards enter.

'Cubfan. Scar Goodtimes. You are under arrest for treason.'

'What- the... What?! We haven't done anything!' Scar insists, backing behind me. I take his hand, but can't stop the guards dragging us out the room, towards Ren's office. Scar's shaking, pale, silent. I wish I could comfort him, get him away... 

We enter.

'Separate them.'  Ren's expression is colder than ever before, watching the guards pull us apart to opposite corners of the room. Scar's next to Ren, terrified.

'We didn't do anything... Please, Ren, we-'

'SILENCE.' I don't speak, knowing he can hurt Scar if I do. 'You're aware of the river running through the back of the mountain and into your home, aren't you dudes?'

'What?' I feign confusion. Ren sighs.

'You're smarter than this, Cub. Lady Cleo saw you and Scar outside, but said you never returned inside. I sent guards to explore and to my horror found not just a hidden entrance, but one full of magical crystals. Leading into your room.'

'I... I never knew.'

'Of COURSE YOU KNEW!'

Scar screams.

'FINE! WE KNEW! STOP HURTING HIM THIS ISN'T HIS FAULT!' I fight futilely to escape. Scar's on the ground, sobbing with the agonising pain I've felt far too many times. Ren's stopped, but his fury hasn't.

'You admit it.'

'But... but... I thought the crystals were just crystals.'

'And you let the resistance in.' He raises the device to hurt Scar again. I shake my head.

'We didn't... We'd never... We're loyal to you, Ren. Of course we're loyal to you.'

'STOP. LYING!' Scar sobs with pain again. I struggle to escape the guards. All it does is give an excuse to hurt me too, the blinding pain in my wrists and neck.

'You allowed the resistance into my castle. Allowing them to hurt my friends and people who came here for help and protection I can't promise any more. And then you lie about it.'

'Please...' I whisper, on my knees. Scar's crying. 'Ren believe me...'

'Why would I believe a pair of Vexlings?'

'Please...'

'You're traitors to the crown. But I don't want to kill you. So I have to find more extreme measures to dissuade you from treachery.'

'We didn't do anything, Ren. I promise... I swear we didn't do anything...'

'SILENCE!'

Pain again. Scar's fighting a scream. Experience hide my pain.

'What you have now are the most humane things we have. But there are... other... options.'

My eyes widen, struggle increasing as Ren pulls out a knife, approaching Scar.

'Don't hurt him!' I feel my magic inside. The magic I can't use. But I don't care. 'He's INNOCENT!' I fight with all my might, eyes blurring with pain as try to use my magic, try to get free...

I'm running forwards, wrestle the knife from Ren's hands.

And stab him.