Bastard Homunculus: Reborn in the Corpse Pit

"I see, they used Ancient Magic to turn you into this...I thought I had it bad, but it was nothing compared to what you went through, they’ll pay for this," Remarked Ravella with a dark look in her eyes, clenching her fists in anger. "No, I wouldn’t say that I had it worse than you. I mean, it did hurt and it sucks that I’m stuck like this, but I don’t think that’s anywhere near as bad as what you went through. The pain from the Homunculus Ritual only lasted a few minutes, and while my body isn’t human anymore, my free will wasn’t robbed. But yours was, you were used like a tool by the church for nearly two years, without even being able to struggle or resist against it," Replied Raven with a grimace.

"Yeah, but in my case, my consciousness was basically suppressed, so I didn’t really experience all of it in real time...while I clearly remember everything I saw and did while under the control of that collar, it almost feels like that whole thing was a dream. That day, when we went to the church for our appraisal and were separated, to me it almost feels as though no time has passed since then. Everything in between feels like a long, disconnected dream. It’s a really disconcerting feeling, if I’m being honest," Frowned Ravella, an unsettled look on her face.

"Well, there is a silver lining to that...it seems you were trained well by the Inquisitors, and since you remember everything, you’ve probably retained those skills even now that you’re free of the brainwashing, so that’s a plus," Pointed out Lexia.

"Yeah, that’s true...and because I kept all those memories and abilities, I was able to kill Bishop Malachite, that made me feel a lot better," Admitted Ravella with a slight smile.

"I hope they didn’t put you through anything especially unpleasant," Chimed in Celia with a look of concern.

"Actually, no...I mean, being brainwashed wasn’t great, but they didn’t do anything particularly awful to me. They trained me pretty hard, but didn’t go overboard. Let me think...while I do remember everything, I have to make a deliberate effort to recall each memory. Okay, yeah, based on what I saw, the Bishop had brainwashed the other Inquisitors in his church too, and I remember him saying something about using me as a weapon to protect the nation.

Pretty sure that was just an act though, he probably made himself appear righteous and selfless to make the brainwashing more effective. And now that I think about it, the other Inquisitors were devoted to him to the point where it was genuinely creepy and unsettling, their blind loyalty and admiration wasn’t natural. Right, they must have seen me as a possession belonging to the Bishop, that might be why they never pushed me around or hurt me or anything. I’m just glad the Bishop wasn’t some pervert or something...I’d have rather been tortured than that," Remarked Ravella with a shudder.

"O-oh, I didn’t even think of that...," Muttered Raven as his face turned pale.

A couple of hours had passed since the twins reunited...after the tears finally dried up, Raven introduced the other Irregulars to his sister, before they all headed to the living room in the hideout, except for Aster and Tacitus, who went to take a nap, while Aster headed out to hunt and gather some food.

The twins told each other what each of them had been through after they were separated by the church, while playing card games with Celia, Colt and Lexia to relax and break the ice.