Behind The Mask

Chapter One: Taunting the Dragon. 

"CRUCIO!" a voice hissed aloud, almost as sly as a snake. A cracking sound whipped through the air before loud pain filled screamed echoed through out the Manor. None of this seemed unusual. Everyday someone was cursed, and with that, most of the Manor had gotten used to it. Instead of worrying, the Manor let the deed slide and simply ignored the screaming cries for help. Yet this particular scream hurtled through out the whole manor, that it was heard at the top floor where Aciea laid in her four poster bed. Her eye lids felt very droopy, her mind wishing for a decent amount of sleep. With all the missions Aceia was sent on, she barley had time to spare for a couple of hours to rest. Most of the Manor was tired, but did not dare to show it in front of the Dark Lord. 

Aceia shut her eyes for just a moment when the pain filled screams reached her room. Her eyes shot open instantly. Who's being tortured today? she thought to herself. More screams traveled into her room. Aceia had an urge to shut the door, lock it and leave the world behind and enter a dreamless sleep... But the yells in horror kept her thinking. The screams were familiar. Suddenly, Aceia sat bolt right up in her bed. Her gray eyes were wide with fear. It couldn't be... 

Aceia jumped off her bed and rushed out of her room. She followed the screams down the staircase, past the front door and toward the Grand Dining Room. Her raven hair flew behind her as she ran with all her might. She skid forward on her heals, stopping to the open entrance of the Grand Dining Room. Aceia breathed heavily, her eyes focused directly on the scene. In front of her, the Dark Lord held out his wand as bolts of red light traveled down to a twitching body on the floor. The body yelped in agonizing pain, his screams high and furious. The Dark Lord had a wide grin on his flattened snake like face, his luminous red eyes beaming down at him as he cries out in torture. Aceia stood there, almost feeling paralyzed. This could not be happening. Her brother could not be the victim. He just could not be... 

The Dark Lords eyes raised to where Aceia stood. His eyes widened and his grin widened malevolently. "Aceia, come" he hissed, using his free hand to welcome her in. "Come and join me." Aceia did not dare to move at first. She just watched in horror, her older brother, Avior, being tortured to his death. The Dark Lord growled by her paralyzed state and boomed his voice over the screams of Avior. "I said COME!" the Dark Lord waved his hand once. It felt as if an invisible hand pushed Aceia into the Grand Dining Hall, and drew her next to the Dark Lord. "Take out your wand" he ordered, releasing the curse on her brother. Aceia shakily bent down to her boots and pulled out her wand. "Now finish what I started" the Dark Lord snapped. Aceia widened her eyes and gulped thickly, watching her brother attempt to stand up to escape. With a flick of the Dark Lords wand, Avior was pushed back down to the floor face first. "FINISH!" he roared, his red eyes glittering with anger. 

Aceia raised her wand. "CRUCIO!" she yelled. Within a second, a red electric light spat out of the tip of her wand, landing directly on Avior. The Dark Lords slim lip curled into a sinister grin and watched as Aceia tortured her brother. Eventually, Aceia felt warm tears rain down her sunken pale cheeks. Her eyes were so filled with water, she could barley see out of them. After minutes of torture, the Dark Lord lowered Aceia's wand and stopped the curse in action. "Very good" he said softly. "Very good..." 

Aceia kept her wand in hand, ready to defend herself if the Dark Lord decides to change victims. But to her surprise, the Dark Lord swept past her and strode out of the Grand Dining Hall without another word. Making sure he was a good enough distance away, Aceia lept forward for her brother. She melt to her knees and leaned over him. 

"Avior.. I'm sorry... I'm sorry" Aceia pleaded over and over, hoping her brother wouldn't be mad at her. He weakly shook his head and inhaled a deep, uneven breath. "N-No... It's okay. It was h-h-him" Avior muttered.