The Snow Angel by SunsetMiko

The Tortured

Chapter 60 - The Tortured *Master of Darkness* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Seiko hummed as he made his way through the labyrinth-like dungeon heading toward his current project. He said nothing as he entered his workshop, the sound of his humming bouncing off the stone walls, making it sound as if it was coming from everywhere at once. He looked over his tools, a small smirk on his face, and after a moment, he selected his smallest, sharpest blade. He never looked up higher than his canvas as he pulled up a stool and began to carve his latest masterpiece.

Tsukiko clenched his teeth in an attempt to stay silent but, like always, eventually the pain overwhelmed him, and he screamed his anguish to the world. The dungeon-master was a monster that never failed to torture him with a smile on his face. He obviously enjoyed his task, leaving Tsukiko stuck in a terrible situation. He had so far refused to answer any questions or give any information, but he knew it was only a matter of time.

The dungeon-master continued to carve, some slices shallow and others deep, giving an amazing depth to his project, and after fifteen minutes or so had passed, he leaned back and took in his work. He had carved a beautiful mountain scene into the traitor's chest and abdomen. Nodding his satisfaction, he stood and collected a large piece of paper.

"Hold still now. I would hate to have to start over," Seiko said in a taunting tone.

He pressed the paper over the wounds he had created, sliding his hands across it to ensure that every bit was smoothed, before pulling it away, creating a perfect negative of his image in blood. Holding it out before him, he nodded again and laid it out to dry.

"It came out quite nicely," he commented before sitting once more. His humming resumed as he watched his work heal slowly, each cut closing in the order that he made them. It was like watching himself work in reverse and he had always found it incredibly grounding. Once every bit was healed, Seiko rose to collect a wet rag. He couldn't create art on a dirty canvas after all.

"Wait," Tsukiko said, his voice desperate. "Aren't you going to ask me questions?"

Seiko shrugged his shoulders. "I figure, if you haven't talked yet, you're not gonna. Might as well just enjoy myself, and do away with the useless chatter." He cleaned every drop of blood from the concubine's chest and abdomen before returning to the table that held all of his tools. "Hmm, think I'll go a bit bigger this time. You don't get nearly as much detail, but I like it just the same."

"You're crazy," Tsukiko breathed. As the large blade came closer to his body, his eyes widened. He remembered what that particular knife felt like digging deep into his flesh, and he did not want to experience it again. "Wait. Wait!"

Seiko paused, giving his prisoner a chance to speak.

"If I tell you about the barrier, will you stop?"

"That depends on what you tell me. If you lie, I'll just have to spend more time with you. I could even bring down my brother. He's not nearly as artistic. Has an anger problem, that one. I figure he could handle the night shift."

"I won't... I won't lie."

"We'll see about that. Why don't you go ahead and tell me then. I wouldn't mind a break. My eyes get tired after a while, down in this low light. How I wish they would let me work out in the sunshine. They think it's unseemly. Everyone wants information extracted, but no one ever wants to see it happen. Except Lord Sesshoumaru, that is. He appreciates my work."

Tsukiko rolled his eyes behind closed lids. He could definitely have gone without meeting this particular man. Still, he did not regret his actions. Sesshoumaru would never be coming home. Even with every bit of information about the barrier, the taiyoukai would never in a million years be able to bring it down. Spilling the details wouldn't hurt his plan, but if it could get him a reprieve from the torture, he decided it was worth it.

"The barrier," he panted. "It was created by several spell bags buried just inside the border. They can only be located and destroyed," he paused, half for dramatic effect and half to try and catch his breath. Hanging against a wall from his wrists made it difficult to get a full breath in, and he constantly felt as though he were winded. "By a woman."

"What woman?" Seiko asked.

Tsukiko suddenly began to laugh, the brilliance of his plan washing over him once again. No one could have done better. No one could have thought of something so perfect. His hysterical laughter quickly stopped and turned into a coughing fit when Seiko punched him in the stomach.

The concubine wheezed as he tried to breathe once again, glaring at his tormentor. "By one woman, a woman who loves Sesshoumaru," he spat the Lord's name as if it were poison on his tongue, "with all of her heart." His laughter began again when he saw Seiko's eyes widen. It echoed through the winding stone halls, a haunting sound that spoke of true insanity. "Your Lord is never coming home, because no woman could ever love that monster. His lack of emotions, his undeserved feeling of superiority, will be his downfall. He will never walk in these lands again!"