Resurgence

Revival

Naeus
(Around the time of Wishing Dead)

Naeus walked down to the dungeon, his guards close behind him. He wanted to interrogate the prisoner again. So far she had been uncooperative, but Naeus believed that he could change that.

He nodded to the prison guard, who nodded back. Though he was the Nether King, Naeus didn't much care for all of the saluting and bowing that came with it. In his opinion, it just made it harder for things to be done.

Naeus walked up to the high security cell and gestured for his guards to stay behind. He opened the door with a spell, and entered the small room.

Ceris was chained to the opposite wall. So far she had not said a word since being captured, much to the aggravation of everyone who had tried to question her.

Naeus knew that she would not respond to offers of freedom for herself or others, improved living conditions, or even torture. She was too smart to be tricked into giving away information and would even starve herself before revealing her secrets.

For his current needs however, Naeus had a much simpler solution. Instead of trying to get Ceris to talk, he would just take what he needed.

"Hello Ceris," he said. "Hope you're comfortable."

Ceris didn't respond, her facial expression not even changing.

"I believe that you know something that I need to know," Naeus continued. "Something important."

Her eyes flashed, showing her defiance. Naeus grinned, knowing that there was nothing that she could do to stop him.

"Today I won't bother with the questions," he told her. "Instead, I will just take what I want."

Her expression didn't change. Naeus walked over to her. He already had everything else needed to make his plan work. An End Crystal, the Nether Star, and the strength of will. Now all he needed was the right spell.

He didn't even think that Ceris knew the specific spell that he needed. But he knew that with her knowledge of magic and the resources that he had at his disposal, he could find the answer.

Naeus activated the Ender Armblade that he had stolen from Ceris

"Such an amazing piece of magic," he said. "I wonder what else you can do."

Ceris's eyes widened as he said that, realizing what he was going to do. She thrashed in her bindings in a futile attempt to escape. Naeus grabbed her head, diving into her mind.

He could feel that she had blocked some things off, but much was untouched. He found her magical knowledge and proceeded to file through it, making sure that he remembered it all.

When Naeus had learned everything the Ceris knew about magic, he withdrew. Ceris saged in her restraints, having almost no energy left.

Naeus took a deep breath, processing everything he had learned. As he did, a smile appeared on his face, or as much of a smile that a skull could have. He had the answer. It was so obvious now. It had been right in front of him the entire time.

"Thank you for your cooperation," he said. "It was very helpful."

Naeus stepped out of the cell, locking it again as he did. He walked back to the main part of the Fortress. He was finally ready, after so much preparation, to execute his plan.