Buried underground, lying beneath the desert city of Zeah were the catacombs of a dark and stifling dungeon. The stones in the walls were cracked and mould ridden, and rust lined the bars of the cell around her. There was an air of isolation and hopelessness, one the sorceress had come accustomed to. She paced around the cell, looking for a dry place to sit. Giving up, she plopped herself down in the corner, wrapping her cloak around herself tightly. She lifted her arm and opened her palm, feeling the familiar warmth flood her veins. Though she couldn't see it, she could feel the energy blocking her powers, as if her hands were encased in mud. Her arm fell limp at her side and she let out a frustrated sigh. It was worth a try anyway.
An unknown amount of time passed before footsteps could be heard echoing through the tunnel. The sorceress stood as the warm light rounded the corner and a guard appeared. He grasped a torch in one hand, while a sword was sheathed at his waist.
"A visitor?" Alistine grinned, pressing her body against the bars. The light from the torch flickered on her figure. Her cloak obscured her head from view, only leaving the bottom of her face visible. The guard slammed his torch against the cell, causing her to stumble back.
"Silence, tief!"
Smoothing her robes, she composed herself. "Please, I'm more than just my race. How about we do introductions?" She bowed, the tan fabric swaying with the motion. "I am Alistine, the sorceress."
"You're a monster, that's what you are." He snarled. Alistine couldn't hide the angry swish of her tail, which had remained hidden under her garments until now.
"A demonic freak." The guard continued. "Your kind plagues our land! Drop the civilised act. Everyone knows Tieflings are just violent lowlives."
Alistine lifted her hood, exposing golden, pupiless eyes. She had horns that curled to the side, and the cracks in her crimson skin glowed a soft orange. Dark, unruly purple hair framed her face. She grinned, showing off fangs.
"If I've committed any crimes I would like to know of them, otherwise this is a false conviction, is it not?"
"Human rules don't apply to you, tief." He snarled. "You've been on our watch for several weeks. The magic you possess isn't natural. The blood that runs through your veins is not yours. What sinful act did you commit to gain your powers?"
She leaned forward, as if to tell a secret to the guard. The humour was gone from her eyes, and in its place rested furious embers. Alistine's voice was a soft whisper.
"I was born." Her arm snapped up and she wrapped taloned fingers around his neck . Startled, he dropped his torch and the light extinguished, shrouding them in darkness once more. Before he had a chance to reach for his sword, Alistine slammed him against the bars, and he fell limp. Plucking the keys from his belt, she unlocked the door and stepped over his body. He groaned, disoriented.
"I've saved your pitiful city more times than you could count. Protected it from evils greater than myself." Any trace of her previously charismatic tone was gone, and she looked down at him with a hardened expression.
"But I suppose in the end, I'm just a tief, aren't I?" She turned and strode away, navigating the familiar dungeon. She could feel the dampening effects diminish, and when she summoned the warmth once more, she disappeared.
