a/n : If the abuse of children for cultish reasons triggers you it’s a heavy theme in this story and in this chapter so please READ AT YOIR OWN RISK. The font bellow is fjerdan. But please enjoy 😉
꓄ꃅꀤꌗ ꎇꂦꈤ꓄ ꀤꌗ ꎇꀭꍟꋪꀸꍏꈤ
Word count: 1.3k plus
Series trigger warnings: Child abuse, anxiety, religious trauma, racism, manipulation, division of canon, Alina hate?, trauma, ptsd, bullying, insomnia, self-neglect, mental health issues, guilt tripping, cult theme, blood consumption, cannibalism?? Lost of murder, talks of SA in other characters, Sexual acts, future smut, predatory behavior(not from Aleks) and all other shadow and bone stuff
Chapter Two
The children stood in a straight line. Y/n’s hands were bandaged and Isla held tightly onto her hand. The blue ribbon was tided loosely so that if one of them were Calle they go leave without issue.
Niko glared over at Y/n. His right eyes blackened and ugly. His fist were clenched as he stared at her. There teachers instructed the older students and the younglings were allowed to socialize for a moment. Niko with two other boys walked right up to Y/n and Isla.
Y/n sighed and took in a deep breath. Breathe in deeply and ignore Y/n thought to herself. Isla headed onto Y/n as the two girls looked at Niko.
“Mute and Half-breed.” Niko greeted as though he was speaking kindly. Y/n dug her finger nails into her palms.
“What is it Niko?” Y/n asked. Niko took a step forward and Y/n didn’t move. Isla could sense the high emotions. Niko was pissed Y/n had embarrassed him so badly. It was a fair enough fight. Niko was much larger in size, he could have overpowered Y/n. He just never could.
Y/n was annoyed that out of all their classmate Niko would always pick on her and Isla.
“How would you like a matching black eye today in training?” Niko questioned with an agonizing tone. Y/n let out a small dry laugh. She rolled her neck and stepped forward. She glared up at Niko with a fury in her cloudy eyes.
“Please, I don’t think this is a training exercise. They’re allowing us to socialize, they never allow us to do that if we’re going to fight.” Y/n amused. Niko furrowed his brows at her,observation. Y/n was right and he hated that.
“Whatever they have us do today I will surpass you.”
“You can try ꀸꋪüꌗꀭꍟ.”
Niko clenched his jaw and was tempted to blast Y/n with the flames that lit the torches but Egon and Kanos called them all over. Y/n guided Isla over and Isla felt the anxiety surround everyone.
“Younglings today we will teach you of pain. The pain you will suffer under to protect of Saint. Andous come here.” Egon started. A shorter boy with copper skin, and bushy hair walked up to Egon.
Andous removed his shirt and was sat backwards. Kanos held up a smoking staff. Y/n’s sight came to her and she gasped. In her mind the images of what was about to transpire made her want to throat up.
Then it began. One after that other each youngling was brought into the chair and burned. There screams of agony only added to the horrors Y/n watched in her mind. No other youngling had learned to use their gift of sight.
Tears streamed down Y/n’s face. The tears burned her skin leaving red streaks but Y/n held no care. She held Isla close to her. No, she wouldn’t allow them to touch her. Isla hugged tightly onto Y/n in fear of when her name would be called.
“Niko.” Kanos called. Niko’s steps were shaky as he walked over to his teacher. Kanos smiled at his own prized student. As his shirt was removed his face held fear. A fear only the masters and Y/n could see.
Then the smell of burning flesh invaded Y/n’s nose as she watched Niko’s pained expression. For once Y/n felt pity for him. Then he was pulled off and pushed into the younglings. Y/n stretched her one arm out on caught him.
She didn’t know why she caught him. She didn’t know why she held him as she felt his tears against her skin. While she was distracted Kanos pulled Isla away. Y/n tried to move to grab her but it was too late. Isla was out of her reach. All she could do was watch now. Isla wouldn’t scream, she couldn’t.
Niko panted against Y/n’s surprisingly soft skin. Why and she caught him before he fell. Questions ran through his mind as the smell of Isla’s burning entered his nose. Y/n watched as they finished with Isla and she caught her as she fell.
“Y/n it’s your turn.” Egon said almost mournful. Niko stood up a bit and looked down at Y/n. Isla sobbed against Y/n. Y/n kissed the top of Isla’s head and was about to set her on the ground when Niko’s hand grasped her shoulder.
“Give me the mute.” Niko mumbled while stretching out his arm slightly. Y/n glared up at him but Egon called her again. Begrudgingly Y/n handed Isla to him.
“Hurt her and I’ll break your jaw.” Y/n mumbled as she walked toward the two teachers. Kanos went to grab her arm but Y/n jerked herself away. She removed her shirt and her black undergarment covered her chest.
Kanos brought the newly heated staff to her side and pressed it into her. Y/n stopped her scream. She dug her nails into her palms till they bleed. She gritted her teeth till she could feel she could crake them.
Egon stared down at his student with great pity. This would pull the weak from the strong. Y/n was strong. Egon was sure of it. Kanos removed the staff only to slice a part of her side. Egon glared over at his fellow Helios but said nothing. The cut wasn’t deep and would heal itself.
Y/n stood and placed her shirt on. As she walked away back towards Isla she hear the small argument between the pair.
“You weren’t meant to cut her!” Egon angrily whispered.
“I slipped.” Kanos said with a small grin. Egon glared at him but said nothing else. Y/n took Isla away from Niko the moment she was in close proximity. Niko leaned against the wall with Y/n as she held Isla. Isla had stopped crying, she no longer wished to burn her skin.
“For your tears you may get them treated but the burns will remain. They will be disinfected but not healed. You must learn to live with pain if you are to survive our Saint. You are all dismissed.” Egon announced. As all the other youngling stumbled out of the room Y/n remained on the wall holding Isla with Niko.
“You stink of blood half-breed.” Niko mumbled. Y/n picked Isla’s smaller frame up and held her close.
“And I bet you are very ugly right now demjin.” Y/n mumbled as they began to walk toward the healers. Niko trailed behind the pair as she lean against the wall. Once they reached the healers they quickly healed the burn marks from their tears.
The chemicals that were placed in each younglings eyes made it so when they cried it burn their skin. Isla held tightly onto Y/n as she tied their ribbon.
“I’m tired.” Isla annoyed with the use of her clicker. Y/n gently pet Isla’s hair and the pair journeyed to their dorm. Their sides were disinfected and bandaged but not healed. Y/n helped Isla into the top bunk. She placed the ribbon on the corner of her bed and laid on her bottom bunk.
“Why’d you catch me? You could’ve let me fall.” Niko whispered while standing over Y/n’s bottom punk. Y/n kept her eyes closed. Her side burned still. The cut that had been left stung.
“Answer me.” Niko quietly demanded. Y/n sighed softly, she knew Isla was listening.
“It was just a reflex. I didn’t mean to.” Y/n answered.
“I don’t owe you anything.”
“You don’t owe me anything.”
“I hate you. You are scum of this earth, and a filthy half-breed that makes me sick.”
“Would you please let me sleep.”
After a few moments of silence Niko walked to his bunk. His vibrations were gone. Isla reached her hand down and on command Y/n reached her hand up. Four short taps and one long one.
“I’m scared.” Isla meant.
“Don’t be, I’m here to protect you.” Y/n muttered softly. As Isla fell asleep Y/n continued to hold her hand. Y/n thought back to Alina and Mal. She wondered what they were doing right now. Were they in the meadow right now? Were they also going to bed? Were they safe?Were they together?
Y/n didn’t know. She wouldn’t know for three more years.
Divider create goes to @astralnymphh