It's okay. She died at age 10. she says, her vision fading alarmingly.
No. I'm just trying my best. she says, nearly collapsing.
She starts summoning clones of herself, her most powerful trick, each weilding their own swords. A moment of silence… then the sounds of running fill the air as they crash in a wave against Addic. Sadie falls unconscious, grimly pleased with herself.
Addic sighed and started climbing up the wall, hoping to buy himself some time. He would be regenerating much faster if he could use magic, but seeing as he couldn't, he needed a boost. He adjusted his weight and held onto the wall with one hand, using his other to pull out a tiny bottle and drink it. His wounds started to heal rapidly, but the amount of blood he had lost was getting to him, he dropped off the wall, landing on top of a few clones, (luckily he landed on them and not their swords) passing out before he hit the bottom.
When Sadie wakes, she's in the hospital wing, Addic in the bed next to her. She gets up. Are you okay?
Addic's eyes snapped open at the connection.
I think so. are you?
He sat up, then looked at her. the cuts he had made were now just little faint lines.
Roland's upgraded things. healing wasn't nearly this easy last time.
Sadie laughs. It'll take more than that to kill me.
The wounds she'd inflicted on Addic were barely there as well. Yes, he has. Oh, speak of the devil.
Roland strolls into the room, Maia by his side. "Well, look who's awake!"
Sadie snarls and spits at him. Roland just grins.
Addic smiled I'd hope so.
He looked at Roland and his smile dropped, and the grin he gave when Sadie spit just made things worse.
He looked to Maia, she was smiling, and that worried Addic.
he's giving her the child treatment. remember when he did that to us?
You would, wouldn't you? Sadie smirks.
Yes, I remember it clearly. He still does it. she snarls.
"What do you want?" she growls.
"What I want is to congratulate you two. Almost as entertaining as Karla's death." Roland snickers.
"Why you-" she started to say, but was cut off.
of corse I would. It's no fun fighting someone who would die with just a scratch
Buy our trust then crush our souls and freedom while we still trusted him
Addic folded his arms and glared at Roland.
Exactly. The monsters Roland has… she shudders. I don't want to talk about that anymore. Suffice to say, the Wendigo and Minotaur are kittens compared to what he has in the Underbasement.
Yeah. And I hate him for it.
She physically moves further from Roland, to keep herself from doing anything rash. But, oh was she just itching to get her hands around his throat!
"See? She's learned the importance of staying silent. A lesson that you, Addic, seem to have forgotten." Roland smirks. He shoos Maia over to Addic, handing her a sucker.
Addic stood up and looked down at Roland, almost thrilled at the three inches he had on him.
He opened his mouth to speak, but closed it when he remembered some of the punishments for talking back.
Has anything else epically changed sense last time?
Roland doesn't back down, merely twitching his fingers. Addic sits. "Good! You've remembered."
Sadie growls. Yes, but I'm not talking about that. It's… not something I like to remember.
Addic glared at Roland but kept his mouth shut.
Ah, ok. I'm here if you ever want to talk about it.
Maia hoped up and sat down on Addic's lap, sucking on the sucker that was staining her mouth purple.
Sadie watches Maia for a moment, then shrugs.
I know. Thank you. she sighs.
"Now, we've determined Addic's prowess. But Maia… now she needs to be tested. Rey, come here!" Roland says.
A young woman, pale as a ghost, drifts into the room. "Yes?"
"We need to test Maia. Take her back to the arena." he murmurs.
He looks at Maia. "It won't take long, and you won't be hurt."
Addic's eyes went wide and he grabbed Maia's arm. "No." He said firmly. "I can tell you what her powers are, there is no need for the testing." He stood up again and held Maia behind him.
"It's ok. He said he would't hurt me." Maia said to Addic.
"When did you get so trusting? What did he do to change you so much?" he replied, glaring at Rey, daring her to try to take Maia.
Roland shakes Addic's hand off. "Better that I see them."
Rey sighs, clearly tired of Roland's BS. "Just… come with me, young one."
Sadie starts signing to Addic. She's a telepath and a better fighter than Roland himself. I can't do anything.
Maia pulled away from Addic and followed Rey out of the room. And Addic let her. he knew that her trust was placed, and that he couldn't do anything to change that.
if she's a telepath, can she hear what we are saying to each other?
Sadie watches Maia leave, greatly saddened by her trusting nature.
Yes. That's why I'm signing this stuff to you. She doesn't know any form of sign language. she replies.
Oh Addic signed back. do you know what her range is?
"So, are you going to go watch Maia and just leave us here or…" Addic said to Roland.
Roland laughs and passes his hand through a nearby wall. "I'm still in the arena. I can just project."
About 50 feet. she signs, sighing.
Meanwhile Rey has taken up a defensive stance in front of Maia.
"Let's see what you can do." she murmurs.
so we aren't clear?
"Right. I forgot about that."
__
"can I use my magic?" asked Maia, taking out a tiny knife.
We are barely outside of her range.
Sadie sighs. "And I have yet to forget about it."
Rey nods. "But I would not suggest trying to escape."
so we can stop signing? Addic signs. My knowledge of this form of speaking is limited.
Maia slit open her arm and her blood slowly feel the cut then pulled over the side. She raised her arm and the blood came out in a small stream, winding and twirling out of the cut and awards Rey. It shaped itself into an arrow.
Sadie smirks. So I'm still better than you at something, at least.
Roland had been watching them sign, and sighs. "Just because Rey can't understand you doesn't mean I can't."
Rey grins.
"Interesting." she says, staying where she is, unconcerned.
Addic froze. "Mangia di te può parlare così?" He asked curiously.
"Se non puoi Roland, allora trovo che sei un idiota e un imbecille." Addic tried to keep a straight face but the corner of his mouth twiched once before he could maintain himself.
—
Maia flicked her hand and the arrow shot towards Ray, dripping blood as it went.
Sadie chuckles. "Tutto ciò è vero."
Roland sighs, confused.
Vey's form ripples like smoke, and the arrows passes harmlessly through her. She takes control of the bolt, firing it at high speeds towards Maia.