A Stygian Mind/More Ephael Fun
Ephael studied the fellow through the one way glass. Nargol was his name. She had spent, what seemed an eternity,in raw communication with his mind.Omni Reform, in particular, the re education unit, had set this test before her. Nargol was a well known Omni employee who had vanished. Time told a story of his recruitment into the Clans.
The re education unit made it clear to Ephael that they wanted Nargol returned to the family. Not only was he a star employee in the past, he now possessed crucial information that could be used to find more effective ways to deal with the Clan, and more importantly, turn them to the corporate cause.
Ephael was beyond exhausted. His will had proven formidable, and she suspected for a time she would fail. Then she had stumbled across the root reason for his change, an object where a large portion of his emotion was invested. A child. After shattering his mind with wave after wave of assaults she quitely introduced horrid visions of the demise of his beloved offspring. Hours of the darkest creative effort on Ephael's part finally had him pleading for release. Offering anything, just for the images to stop. It was then Ephael left him. Even she was close to breaking at this point.
She was suddenly aware of Xhal standing near her."I don't know how you cracked that one. You will be recognised for this, in a few circles I believe." Ephael barely heard her, still unbalanced from her own tormenting visions. These currents flowed from a shadowy source that Ephael was quick to call upon anymore. It occured to her perhaps she was using this force far too often for her own personal gain. As certain as she knew this, she also knew she would not be leaving that dark labyrinth of shadow essence anytime soon, if ever.
Nargol was a mess of sweat, tears and blood. She had resorted to instruments only twice. In any case, she would need to clean him up. She would need to build up his vision and assign him a raison d'etre again. It was remarkable to her, how she could turn her images of torment to dark pleasure unimagined by most, and suddenly her most hated disciple was her most ardent follower.When Omni did discover the depth of her power and the wicked forces she invited into Rubi-ka, it would already be far too late.
She wiped her brow, recognizing she was smiling again. Xhal shivered near her.
Nargol had passed though affliction, now he was destined for addiction.
