A/N: As usual, I would recommend putting the video on loop.

"Knowing isn't understanding. Knowing is merely thinking or believing, but you don't comprehend your situation. I could care less about your beliefs, human. What matters to me is that you pay for your crimes against us."

"The only crime that's been committed is that we haven't killed you yet," Tarhuinn remarked snidely. His head was thrown back against the chair with more water, and a grunt of pain left her husband's lips. Her fists tightened, and she only wished to get out of the blasted chair so that she could set him free and deal fatal blows to their captors.

"Surprisingly, I'd have to agree with you." Everyone in the room fell silent. She recognized that voice, and fear gripped at her. Nausea formed in the pit of her stomach. That voice, she hoped to never hear it again. Her legs moved closer together, but the restraints kept them apart some still. Blood drained from her face, and she desired to dart from the room with Tarhuinn. Perhaps, she was losing her mind due to everything that had happened in the authors' home, but she was terrified to confirm this.

Alpontus quickly unsheathed a dagger from his left thigh, but Icniss motioned for him to stop. "He's a mage," Icniss warned, getting out of his chair and standing to face him. This fact only made things worse for (f/n). It had to be him. Slowly, she turned her head to her right. She tried to scoot back into her chair more as if that would hide her from view, but Will's green orbs met her own (e/c) ones. A grin covered his lips as his hands rested on his hips.

Tarhuinn struggled more with his bonds, but Icniss kept them strong. A growl left him, and he was beginning to get more agitated. The head author understood that the human mage was the one that had killed his spies, but he was confused about the human girl's reaction. "I thought that you had convinced him to aid the pixies?"

"Oh, she did by promising me the serum of eternal life. I take it that you two have it. I couldn't get a confirmed answer from that other mage kelremm and the other two, but I did manage to get some directions to this place. I didn't think that I would have to go so far, though, to get such information. That female mage certainly was an unexpected treat." Will licked his lips and stepped forward, but water wrapped around him. Both Alpontus and Icniss were enraged, but Alpontus kept his distance.

With a flick of his right wrist, the water was sent flying outwards. "Please, don't underestimate me. Bluebell already made that mistake, but she's paying me back nicely for it. So if you won't mind, I'll be taking my serum and her. Her husband can be killed for all I care."

Not being able to maintain her gaze with him, she broke it and glanced to her husband. Her horror was clear to spot, and Tarhuinn returned a reassuring, small smile. His eyes were still filled with the intent to brutally kill the three other men in the room, but concern for her was there as well. If they were lucky, the three might kill each other, and they could go free.

Laughing, Alpontus shook his head. "I'll be holding onto her, and you're going to be killed. You owe us your life for what you did to our spies, our friends and my daughter. I intend to make you suffer just like this girl here."

Crossing his arms over his chest, Will glanced between Alpontus and Icniss skeptically. He raised an eyebrow in amusement. "I don't think that you understand who you're dealing with here. And, which one was your daughter, the mage or the other female?"

Walking around her chair and Icniss eyeing Phyon out of the corners of his eyes, Alpontus stepped up closer to the mage. "That doesn't concern you. I'll have you screaming to the point where you can't even ask questions."

"Wow," Will whistled out. "Now, you're acting like overprotective and jealous husband over there." Neither the head author or Tarhuinn were amused, but Tarhuinn said nothing back. He was using the distraction to his benefit and trying to work his way steadily out of the restraints. (F/n) decided to follow his example but more slowly. Will still had his eyes somewhat on her after all, or, at least, she assumed that he did. "So, was it the mage?"

Without thought, Alpontus squeezed his dagger a little bit more. "Ah, so it was. I can tell you the details of what she went through." Water grasped his ankles and pulled Will onto his back. A loud splash sounded, and the male was covered in water soon after.

"Phyon, let me deal with him until he's knocked out. You can torture him later. You're stepping right into his trap. Deal with the human girl, and I'll take care of him. Otherwise, we might lose all three of them."

Relaxing, Alpontus agreed. "You're right. Thank you, Icniss." He sheathed his dagger and faced (f/n) once more. Instantly, she stopped her wrists' movement. Her countenance morphed back into one of pure hate, and she dropped any evidence of fear despite the fact that the head author had noticed her frightened expression beforehand. In her mind, Will would always be more terrifying than Alpontus.

"You're coming with me. We'll begin our business in my room now." He grabbed the back of her shirt and lifted her out of the seat. The water bonds detached from the chair and surrounded her skin completely. Tarhuinn halted his efforts to get free until Alpontus passed with her. Staring back to him, she noticed that he continued subtlety. She told herself that she could stall long enough for Tarhuinn to get to her and help.

Presently, she tried to drag her feet across the floor, but Alpontus tore her from the ground and into his arms. "Your efforts are useless. You're only hurting yourself more."

"I'll be injuring myself when I stop fighting you, you disgusting fish!" This insult did cause him to pause. His indigo eyes met hers, and she could hear water crashing and being thrown around in the background. He dropped her, but before she hit the ground, he grasped her again, though; this time, her view was of the ground.

His knee came up and impacted her midsection. Breath got caught in her throat, and she tasted blood. A few droplets mixed into the water at their feet. Tarhuinn made no noise, but she knew not to bring that up. She had to handle this herself for now, and she didn't even want to consider what was occurring between Will and Icniss. If both of them didn't die in the fight, one of them would quickly become a problem again.

Alpontus continued to carry her like that until he opened his room door and took her inside. Despite her hurting midsection, she did continue to struggle in his hold, and she even managed to grab the dagger on his thigh. His knee met her again, though, for it. More crimson had spilled out of her mouth, and she thought for a moment that her internals might be forever damaged due to the pain.

They neared the bed, and she noted that the fish minion was no longer present. His bed was soaked, however, and only made it more undesirable. To her shock and relief, he walked right past the bed, but she had a feeling that things would still be as bad. This man had promised her horrendous suffering. The moment that he let her go, she would act. Right now, she would just be kneed again.

He opened the next door and stepped into the bathroom. Alpontus shut the door behind them and spun her over in his arms. She only saw him for a split moment before she was dropped into the pool of water. Cold enveloped her, and she quickly swam back up to the surface. Her hair was grasped, and she was lifted out of the water. A cry of pain shot through her as it felt like he had ripped her hair from her head.

This position didn't last long as she was tossed to the side. Stone scraped her skin and reopened some of her previous wounds. Her whole body ached, and her plan to act was slowly fading. She did have distance between them, though. Picking herself up, she grabbed a nearby bottle of washing soap and broke it against the wall. Glass spread over the floor while she held onto the weapon firmly.

"You're going to try and attack me?" He closed some of the distance between them but remained in the water, and he stared at her like she was a mere child holding a wooden sword. "You wish for me to humiliate you more, then? I suppose that today will be a very harsh lesson for you."

Standing up straighter, she smirked. "Are you sure that the lesson won't be for you? You're the only author left, and your underestimation of your enemies has bitten you more than once recently. I think that you should be the one to learn." She kept her stance and remained in position. He would come to her, and she would strike him. Her feet were bare, and she didn't need pieces of glass stuck in them.

Despite this talk of hers, she couldn't help but shiver. She needed warmth, but her adrenaline would keep her standing for a little while longer. "You're mistaken. I've seen your abilities, and I know that you should receive no mercy from me. No ounce of kindness will be shown to you." He stepped forward more and out of the water. Rapidly, he stepped through the glass. Instantly, she swiped the broken bottle. The head author leaned back and dodged before he caught her wrist. His hold tightened, and she thought that he might snap it. Agony displayed itself on her, and the bottle dropped. More glass scattered, and he caught her other hand before it could strike him. "Time to stop this delay, human," he voiced before he tugged them both back into the water and into a shallow section of the pool.