Augustus barely had time to react. Kael was already on him.
A fist slammed into his gut like a hammer. Augustus gasped, the air ripped from his lungs. Another blow smashed into his ribs, sending him staggering back.
He barely managed to throw up a hand, chanting a spell under his breath.
Fire crackled at his fingertips which burst out like a huge explosion but Kael moved too fast and fire attacked the brunt only the after image.
In the next instant, Kael appeared and grabbed Augustus's wrist, and twisted. A sickening snap filled the room.
Augustus screamed as pain shot through his arm like lightning.
Kael grinned. "Come on, mage boy. You gotta be faster than that."
Augustus gritted his teeth, forcing the pain down. He gathered energy, muttering another incantation—
Kael's boot slammed into his stomach.
Augustus doubled over, choking. Another hit came, this time to his jaw which sent him reeling. His vision blurred as blood filled his mouth.
A kick to his chest sent him crashing into the control panels. Screens shattered, sparks flying. Augustus coughed, his body screaming in pain while rolling down on the ground.
His whole body twitched helplessly.
Kael wiped blood from his knuckles. "Man, you scream nice."
Augustus tried to move. Tried to fight. But his body wouldn't listen.
Kael stepped forward, cracking his knuckles, he reached down and grabbed Augustus by the collar, yanking him forward.
Augustus tried to struggle but Kael's grip was like steel.
"Now," Kael hummed, while reaching out for Augustus' index hand on the right and caressing it he asked, "I have a couple of questions, Auggie. But before that..."
Augustus screamed as Kael snapped one of his fingers like a twig on his right arm.
Kael clicked his tongue. "Damn, you scream worse than the last guy. You need more lung power, man."
Augustus thrashed, but Kael's grip tightened.
"Let me go! You… you can't—"
Kael leaned in, his voice dropping into a whisper. "Can't what? Kill you?" He gave a light chuckle, his breath brushing against Augustus's ear.
"Auggie, Auggie, Auggie… who's gonna stop me?"
Augustus felt something snap inside him.
Kael let him go suddenly, sending him crashing to the floor. Augustus scrambled back, panting, his body trembling uncontrollably.
Kael crouched down, resting his elbows on his knees. His purple eyes gleamed under the control room's flickering lights.
"Now, be a good boy and tell me everything."
Augustus gulped. This wasn't a negotiation.
Augustus gasped for breath, his chest rising and falling in uneven jerks. His broken finger throbbed, sending waves of agony up his arm, but that pain was nothing compared to the sheer terror freezing his blood.
Kael was still crouched in front of him, head tilted, studying him like a cat watching a cornered mouse. He wasn't even in a hurry.
That was the worst part.
"Come on, Auggie," Kael drawled, tapping his fingers on his knee. "You look like you're about to piss yourself. Relax, man. I'm not gonna kill you. Yet."
Augustus's body locked up. That "yet" made his stomach churn.
He had to get out of here. He had to warn the others. This wasn't the same Kael they had been dealing with before.
This was something else, something worse.
Summoning every ounce of willpower, Augustus swallowed and forced his lips to move. "I—I don't know anything..."
"I just do what I was asked to.."
Kael sighed, shaking his head like a disappointed parent. "Man, I really hoped you wouldn't say that."
Then he moved again too fast and his hand slammed down onto Augustus's wrist.
Augustus screamed in pain.
His vision went white with pain. His bones shattered like glass under Kael's grip. His screams echoed against the control room walls, but there was no one to hear him.
Kael grinned. "Damn, buddy, you're breaking so easily. Did no one ever teach you to drink your milk when you were a child?"
Augustus couldn't breathe. His entire arm was on fire, but the pain didn't even seem to register in Kael's mind. He just sat there, watching.
Like he was enjoying it.
"Okay, okay, I get it," Kael said, rolling his eyes. "You're a tough guy, huh? You need extra motivation. That's fine. I've got all the time in the world."
Augustus's whole body trembled. He knew Kael was toying with him.
And that terrified him more than the pain.
Kael leaned in, his breath warm against Augustus's ear. "So let's try this again. What's your next move? What's Adele planning?"
Augustus bit down on his lip so hard he tasted blood.
"I really don't know anything.Elder Grant asked me to fail you.Thats it so leave me…please…"Augutus almost cried at end.
'Grant…Now whose son of bitch him..Whatever..Others might know it.'
"No, I don't know. an..COUGHHH!"Augustus started coughing blood.
Kael sighed. "Man, you're really making this difficult. You know, I was hoping we could have some fun first. Maybe chat about life, talk about how the weather sucks in this place." He tapped his chin. "But I really don't have the patience for bullshit today."
Kael suddenly stood up, yanking Augustus with his collar and lifted him up effortlessly.
Augustus's feet left the ground.
"Here's what's gonna happen," Kael continued, in a light tone. "You're gonna spill everything before I get bored. Because if I get bored..." His eyes darkened, his grin stretching into something inhuman.
"...I'm gonna start breaking things you actually need."
Kael wasn't bluffing.
His entire body trembled. He had to think of something to stall time.
Alas,Kael was done waiting.
"Alright, let's warm up with an easy one," Kael mused, lifting Augustus higher, his grip tightening around his throat. "What's Adele planning for me?"
Augustus choked, clawing at Kael's hand. His lungs burned. His body jerked involuntarily as his vision blurred.
Kael sighed. "Damn, guess you can't talk if you can't breathe. My bad."
Augustus hit the floor in a heap, coughing violently. His entire body shook as air rushed into his lungs.
Kael crouched again, resting his chin in his palm, watching him with casual amusement.
"See? I can be nice but…"
Kael smiled looked up at one of screen and smiled.
'I know you are watching..'
'So, I hope you enjoy the show whoever you are..Kekekekekk.'
Laughing, Kael looked down.
"It seems you can't say anything except screaming.."
Augustus gulped down breaths. His head was spinning, panic clouding every rational thought. He wanted to run.
Because his senses were screaming that…
He wouldn't leave this room alive.