Chapter 143: Escape
The blows fell like rain. The torture didn’t stop for a moment as Algheron approached William, insisting repeatedly:
"Call Aurus; if you beg him, I’m sure he’ll come rescue you."
The insistence was so strong that it was obvious this was all just bait to lure his master. Agis had sold him out to his enemies to make him plead with Aurus for his life, but even if it meant death, William wouldn’t do something as pathetic as implore for help.
"I’d rather die! If this is all you have, then kill me now before I die of boredom!"
The mages torturing him grew angry, and several knights began to cut parts of his body, trying to tear off his skin.
Seeing that William no longer screamed and merely seemed to lie there, dead, one of the knights yelled: "Tie him up! Let’s see if he screams when his bones start to burn!"—as he whipped him with a lash full of spikes.
William lay on the ground like a walking corpse. His body was a map of cuts, broken bones, and torn muscles. His breath came unevenly, and every movement was a stab of pain. Amidst laughter and taunts, branches and wood began to be piled under his body. They were preparing a living pyre.
"Don’t worry," Algheron whispered, with the chilling calm of a man convinced of his power. "In a few minutes, you’ll be just ashes. Just like your master will be soon."
The laughter continued while William lay motionless. Everyone believed he was dead, so they set the wood on fire. But before the fire could spread, a silver light emerged from William’s open palm. Everyone recoiled instinctively, expecting an explosion.