***
Chahzuu strained at his bonds. He was strapped to a table. Nemesis stood above, glaring down. A dark swirling covered his breast. The invisible hold on Chahzuu's limbs had been released. He'd tried to draw on his own crystal’s strength to escape, but it seemed blocked. He could force it, he knew, but to do that he'd have to let down the shield he'd thrown up to keep Nemesis from draining the memories he wanted. He couldn't risk it.
He looked around and knew he'd been transported to another of the chambers used/built by the ancients. This one had all manner of equipment inside. Items he didn't recognize were stacked on tables. Others were piled against a far wall. The two Articles of Power sat on a small stand moved up to the table where he lay. He could see them easily, sitting right off from his left shoulder next to where Nemesis stood.
Chahzuu longed to break free, grab them and escape into realms Nemesis wouldn't find him. Now he knew how to get to those realms -- where ever they were -- he realized he could travel to and from. That's how Nemesis must travel, he realized. It'd been sheer accident that he'd been caught. It must have been! There was no other way to explain it.
"You've interrupted some important business, you know." Nemesis smiled when he spoke, though there was no humor or goodness in the expression. "Even now, I'm being called back by that sniveling beast I left in charge. Well . . ." He paused, glancing over to the Articles. "He'll just have to wait. I think these are just what I've come for. No sense bothering my masters if I can get the information from you." He hesitated a moment. Chahzuu noticed the dark swirling at his breast quickened. "You might as well tell me what I want to know. It'll go a lot easier for you if you do. I'll learn what I want, anyway."
Chahzuu remained silent, again testing the strength of the straps while drawing on the crystal to strengthen his mental shield.
How could I have been so foolish? He thought. I should have found another way. Everything I feared is coming to pass . . . and worse!
Nemesis laughed. "It won't do you any good." He leaned forward and started attaching small rounded crystals to different points of Chahzuu's body.
Chahzuu lifted his head and saw another, larger pyramidal crystal sitting on a small stand on the other side of Nemesis. It was glowing red. As the smaller crystals were placed on his body, they took on the same glow, as if connected. They were.
"This won't draw out the information, but the trauma it causes will anchor the information I want into the forefront of your mind. Then when I physically remove the crystal," Nemesis pulled a gleaming blade from its sheath and laid it on Chahzuu's chest, "I can more easily draw it out from your mind. Plus, it's so much more enjoyable to watch you writhing in pain as I ask the questions. I warned you, you know." Nemesis pursed his lips. "I don't have time to enjoy this like I normally would, so I'm afraid it's going to be a bit rough . . ."
Nemesis continued his work while Chahzuu prepared to seal his mind. I can't let this happen!