'Artimer,' Clairissa's voice rang out in his head, it sounded weak, but that was all it took to raise him from the slumber he was in. He winced in pain from all the wounds that were only partially healed. Grimacing through the pain he sat up. He did not remember getting to this place, nor lighting the coals for heat, but he did not care. Holding his side, he groaned as he got up. He had to find Clairissa.<br/><br/>He did not realize how close he had come to completely passing through the veil into death, but he made a promise and no matter what he was going to keep it. Stumbling through the halls and the passageways he made it to a door. Standing in the middle of the room was a shadow figure of a man. "Ah, welcome, my son," the shadow spoke. "Your are just in time for the main event," it leered. Before Artimer could blink the shadow across the room ans standing just inches from Artimer.<br/><br/>"Where is she?" Artimer demanded, not caring for the mind games or tricks the shadow pulled. "Where is Sunrise?" he shouted at the shadow. "You mean your little pet? Why, she is safe of course," it sounded to happy at the word safe. Artimer tried to grab the shadow by the throat, but his hand just went right through it. Because of the momentum Artimer put into grabbing the shadow man he stumbled across the room. "If you wanted to see her, all you have to do is ask nicely, Dragon," it whispered in his ear like a lover to his mate. "Show her to me, or I'll rip your heart out." Artimer demanded. He was still in his anthro form and he started to grow till he was taller then the minotaur he fought earlier.<br/><br/>When he lunged for the shadow man again he was easily picked up, slammed into the ground, and forced to stay on his knees. Shadows were all around him, holding him in the submissive, kneeling pose. Artimer fought them with all he had, his eyes defiant and determined. "Well if you must see her that badly," the man flicked his wrist and the wall lowered. There lying tied to a rock face was Clairissa, she looked like she had just come out of battle.<br/><br/>Seeing her lying prone like that caused Artimer to roar in furry. He was able to shrug the shadow off of him and he ran for her. Before he could make it to her, he was caught by an inhuman grasp and slammed across the room, landing hard against the wall and floor. Before he could gain his footing he was lifted off the ground by his neck, his back pressed against the wall. "Now, Son, you don't need to be so eager to get to the little worm. The pleasure of absolutely humiliating her will be all mine. Your kind, after all, didn't suffer as much as mine has." The grip around his neck was like a vice, no matter what Artimer tried he could not get free. He lost consciousness for the second time that day.<br/><br/>When he awoke he was shackled, muzzled, and spread against the wall. He could see Clairissa across the room from him, but she would not be able to see him as she was turned away from him. He fought against his bonds but nothing would make them release or break.