The Black Swan

Chapter 26: Part of "The Plan"

There was an acrid taste to the air in the depths of the enclosure. Corridors were nondescript stone walls and floors, with small glimmering torches to light the path. Chaeyeon leading the way, Yoonie was now on the task to meet the Blood Magician.

Earlier, she had to surrender all pieces of magical equipment on her body for safety reasons. The underground enclosure was part of a highly secured chambers for criminals. As requested by members of the Full Moon, Yoonie's presence had been warranted to elicit information about the Nightmare Monarch from Ji-hoon. He was clearly a force to be reckoned with. And no amount of legally admissible interrogation would force him to speak up about the terrorist organisation. Yet, as a former member, he definitely knew something about them. And for that reason - the Kingdom had to try every possible way to get him to talk, just shy of brutal and reprehensible methods. The Full Moon were deadly professionals and assassins - but definitely not animals, nor savages.

"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Chaeyeon asked out of courtesy. "I know it must have been tough, getting over him."

"Yes, thanks for asking," Yoonie forced a little smile, "but it has been too long. I will do my best to help you in this."

Chaeyeon tilted her head in thanks. They arrived at the entrance to Ji-hoon's interrogation cell.

"I'll be out here - if you need me." Chaeyeon reminded her. She was to enter alone, in exchange for more information on the Nightmare Monarch.

She gulps, trying to push down the lump at her throat. Without her pendant, she was weaker; more vulnerable - possibly even uncontrollable. Whatever she did, she knew it was for a greater good. There was no turning back now.

Leaning forward in chains was a heavily battered-up Ji-hoon. His abs were scarred with lashings and bruised with purple, as he was tied down in metal links. He could not move, even if someone tried to pry him out of his position. He looked up, a smug face for getting what he wanted - Yoonie.

"You came," he stated, trying to elicit some sort of response from her emotionless expression. Unbeknownst to him, there were so many emotions bottled up within her. Those of anger and vengeance, being the most prevalent.

"Tell us what we need to know," Yoonie brushed aside all his attempts at mocking her, "what exactly is the Nightmare Monarch planning?"

"Is this some kind of joke? You could just leave me alone, to face a lifetime in this wretched place - but you choose to mock me with these menial questions?" He snorted in anger, almost bursting with rage for Yoonie's questioning.

"What are you talking about? We want to know about the Nightmare Monarch," Yoonie insisted, annoyed at his lack of compliance.

Ji-hoon raised an eyebrow, a questionable look on his face.

"Odd. How could you, their most prized possession, their most vital instrument of power, not know about The Plan?" For a second, there was a brief moment of genuine confusion in his tone. "Can she not control you?"

"M-me? What do I have to do with this?"

"Those dark powers, did you really think they emerged out of nowhere?" Ji-hoon started. "Tell me, have there been any Dark Magicians lying around in the Kingdom?"

"Well, no - but that's because it's a forbidden power, isn't it?"

"Darkness and void are synonymous to absence; nothingness. Do you think anyone can tap on a source, which has no power?" He continued to implore her, questioning the very nature of the Magic she had learnt in Sotia. "It's a curse."

He's right. Yoonie paused to consider. Pure darkness is nothing but still air, and there's absolutely no Mana in a vacuum. How is it possible, that I am drawing power from nothing? She fell silent, thinking that it was unwise to show how little she knew of her own abilities.