Essence Link System: The Healer's Awakening

Third Day after Imprisonment

Caelen's chains rattled as he laid on the floor, his eyes staring at the cracked ceiling above him. His body was weak, bruised, but his expression was calm… too calm.

Ryan says my lord!

Caelen says Ryan, I see you're good.

Ryan says I am, my lord, but you…

Caelen says if you're that worried, why didn't you try to interfere?

Ryan says we share a soul bound, which means I could already tell this is what you wanted. You drank the tea knowing it was laced. You didn't even nullify the effect. You let it work on you. That way no one would suspect anything. All your actions till now have been calculated. It would've been rude of me to ruin your plan.

But Caelen didn't say anything.

Ryan yells my lord!

Caelen says huh? As if lost in thought.

Caelen says oh, sorry… I'm still getting used to this new ability of the soul sync. Whispersync.

Ryan says I see you're disturbed. What do you plan to do next, my lord?

Caelen says my essence link with Reina has grown stronger. We can now use whispersync too. I'm using her to gather information inside the palace. It's working.

Ryan says master…

Caelen says what is it?

Ryan says why are you waiting patiently? Why not just take your revenge on Lyra right now?

Caelen smirks as his eyes glow faintly.

Caelen says revenge isn't a blade you draw in haste, Ryan… it's a poison. You brew it slow, feed it sweet, make the victim love the taste. If I strike now, she suffers. But if I wait… let her feel safe, powerful, untouchable—and then rip it all away?

Caelen's voice drops like a whisper from the abyss.

Caelen says that's not revenge, Ryan… that's art. That's hell applauding.

Caelen laughs slowly, his voice echoing with mischief.

Ryan doesn't say anything. He just listens.

Ryan says to himself… sometimes I forget who you really are, master.

Ryan says out loud I will wait for your call then.

But Caelen was still laughing.

---

Present Day — Lyra's Room

Lyra steps back, her voice low.

Lyra says a game… with the devil?

Caelen smirks.

She throws her hand forward and yells in rage don't kid yourself, you mutt! Devil my foot!

A blast of flames erupts from her hand, the entire room exploding into fire.

The flames roar, swallowing everything.

She yells die!!

But then… a horrific, wicked laughter echoes from inside the flames.

A shadow rises from within the inferno.

Caelen walks out slowly.

His skin was burned. Half of his face was stripped to the bone, flames still licking around the edges. His right arm was gone, burned off completely. The air reeked of smoke and death.

Lyra stands frozen.

She says what… what are you?!

Caelen walks forward, burnt skin peeling off him like ash. Fire drips from him. But he keeps walking.

He laughs as he raises his left hand. Green light glows from his palm.

The glow spreads like water over his body.

His missing arm regenerates.

New flesh grows over bone.

His skin reforms, smooth and unburnt, as the fire is washed away by the emerald light.

He grins.

Caelen says welcome… to my hell.

Lyra stumbles back.

She says you're a monster… how could you survive that?

Caelen laughs again.

Caelen says eshhhhh… Lyra, your flames are still as hot as ever.

He steps toward her.

She panics and runs at him with a yell, throwing a punch.

Caelen catches her wrist midair.

He spins her around, twisting her arm behind her back and placing his other hand over her mouth.

He leans in close to her ear.

Caelen says you're a magical hero, Lyra. But you should know… you're terrible at close combat.

He presses her into the wall, holding her there.

Caelen says and here I thought you knew your own weakness.

He chuckles darkly.

Caelen says what was it you once said? Ah yes… "I hate when someone is supposed to be good at one thing, and still fails. They disgust me."

Tears drip down Lyra's face. She doesn't fight back.

Caelen whispers how do you feel about yourself now?

Are you disgusted?

She doesn't answer.

He lets her go and she collapses to the floor.

Caelen says smiling now… let's get to our game.

Lyra looks up slowly, her voice shaking.

She says please… forgive me… let me go.

Caelen smiles kindly.

Caelen says that won't do.

She looks at him, confused and afraid.

Caelen says but I'll give you a chance.

She says what…?

Caelen says if you win this game, I'll let you walk away.

Lyra says …what's the game?

Caelen smiles again.

Caelen says it's simple.

He walks toward her.

Caelen says, "I'll burn you alive… slowly."

He holds up a wooden stick — its tip already lit, flickering with orange flame. In his other hand, a bottle of alcohol.

Caelen says, "And you're not allowed to scream."

Her eyes widen. She clenches her fists.

Caelen continues, "If you scream, you lose. If you stay silent… I'll keep my word."

Lyra breathes in deeply.

She says, "…Fine. I'll do it."

Caelen says, "Are you sure?"

Lyra glares. "Just do it already."

Without another word, Caelen pours the alcohol over her arm. She shivers as the cold liquid soaks her skin.

Then—he presses the burning stick against it.

Fwoosh!

Her arm erupts in flame.

She thrashes violently, writhing in agony, her mouth clamped shut. Her eyes roll back as the fire licks her skin, charring flesh.

Caelen watches with a cold smile.

He leans closer and whispers,

"Welcome to hell, Lyra."

The room fills with the stench of burning flesh. She trembles violently, but doesn't scream.

Caelen finally pulls the flame away and raises his hand.

"Heal."

A warm green light flows over her scorched skin. The charred burns peel away. Pink, healthy skin replaces it — as if nothing had happened.

She stares at her arm, eyes wide in disbelief, body trembling.

Caelen says, "Not bad. You followed the rules."

He pauses… then sighs.

"But…" he says. "It was kind of boring without a scream."

Lyra looks at him, terror blooming in her eyes.

"No… no, you promised—!"

Caelen tilts his head slightly.

"Did I?"

He laughs coldly.

"You, of all people, should know… never trust a devil's word."

Before she can move, he grabs her again.

More alcohol.

Another blaze.

Fwoosh!

This time she screams — loud and raw.

Caelen says, "Tsk… that means you lose."

She sobs, trying to bite her lips shut. Smoke curls in the air.

He waves his hand again.

"Heal."

The pain fades. But the fear lingers.

Caelen steps back.

"Round one's over."

Caelen smiles, eyes glowing faintly.

"Well, the game is over now," Caelen declared, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction. "You lost that round, Lyra."

Lyra's eyes widened, panic setting in.

"Please, I'm sorry!" she cried, desperation clear in her voice. "Let's start all over again!"

Caelen's smile turned mischievous. "There's still one round left," he reminded her, his eyes gleaming with dark intent.

Lyra swallowed hard, her mind racing. "What do you want me to do?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Caelen's grin widened, revealing his sharp teeth.

"Spread your legs."

Lyra froze, shock and disbelief etched on her face. "What?" she gasped, unable to believe what she'd heard.

Caelen's smile turned cruel. "You heard me," he said, his voice low and commanding.

"Spread. Your. Legs."

Lyra shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "No," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I can't..."

Before she could finish, Caelen moved with lightning speed. He grabbed her arm and dragged her towards the bed, his grip like iron. Lyra screamed and struggled, but his strength was overwhelming. He threw her onto the bed, her body bouncing on the mattress.

"No!" Lyra yelled, her voice hoarse with fear and outrage. "You can't do this!"

Caelen slowly unbuttoned his shirt, his eyes locked on Lyra's trembling form. With a flick of his wrist, he pointed at her and commanded, "Heal!" Her clothes vanished in an instant, leaving her naked and vulnerable. She recoiled, her plump, milky breasts exposed as she scrambled away from him. Caelen laughed, the sound cold and mirthless, as he pointed at her again.

"Heal!" This time, a purple light engulfed his hand, and Lyra cried out in pain, collapsing to the ground. She stared at her leg in horror, unable to move.

"You can't run anymore," Caelen sneered, pulling his trousers down to reveal his already erect, throbbing cock. He stalked towards her, his eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. Lyra crawled backwards, her voice trembling with fear and outrage. "Don't come near me!

Lyra's eyes widened in terror as Caelen approached, his hard, veined cock bobbing with each step.

"I am royalty!" she shrieked, her voice echoing off the stone walls. "You dare not touch me, you filthy peasant!"

Caelen's laughter echoed through the chamber, cold and cruel. He wrapped his hand around his thick shaft, stroking it slowly.

"Don't worry, my dear Lyra," he purred, his voice dripping with mock concern. "I've made it extra hard for you, just the way you like it."

Lyra's gaze darted frantically around the room, searching for an escape. But Caelen was already moving, picking up a long, thick rod from the floor.

He walked towards the blazing furnace, the heat washing over him as he plunged the rod into the flames. It glowed redhot, the metal hissing and spitting. Lyra's screams pierced the air as she realized his intent. "No! Please, anything but that!"

Caelen turned, the rod held aloft, its tip a molten orange. He smiled, a cruel, twisted grin.

"Now, my dear Lyra," he said, his voice dripping with sadistic glee, "it's time to choose. My rod," he gestured to his throbbing, erect cock, "or this rod."

He held the glowing metal close to her face, the heat singeing her skin.

"Which will it be? Pleasure, or unimaginable pain?"