The atmosphere grew more terrifying, the deeper they went. It became darker and more foreboding. Arriving on the lowest floor, the guards collected the final inmates.
The inmates on this bottom level were cuffed with shackles made from the same material as the chains. The other prisoners, especially the new ones, were flabbergasted by this sight. More than anyone, they now understood the pain,the headache and the nausea that worsened with every second.
Some were muscular, some were skinny, and some were even a bit chubby, but nobody, not even the guards underestimated these inmates.
The one who was most shocked was none other than Skele. "I thought that even if I wasn't the strongest, I'd be somewhere in the middle. I never would have come if I'd known! I mean, look at them! They're chained with poison on their hands and legs, and they're still walking just fine!"
"The problem is, there are at least ten of them," Amilios analyzed. "That means, at the very least, there are 10 stronger than these. This prison and its guard may look weak but it seems they have some secret we havent seen."
The moment Skele heard this analysis, he felt his minute was already at the door. This is it,I'm going to die. I'm going to be buried in a prison. Sure,didnt expecting some grand life, but dying behind these bars?."
Amilios heard his whispers loud and clear, and for the first time, he felt that skele wasnt overdramatising the situation. That would be the case if they were just two of them.
On the last floor of the prison, at the end of the final cell, there was a machine attached to the wall.
"Alright, inmates! Get in line!" a guard yelled.
The bottom level was humongous, easily able to hold all thousands of inmates. They followed the order and formed a line. The most unusual thing was that the strongest inmates from the lowest floor were allowed to be at the very front of the line. There was a ranks within inmates and guard allowed this unofficially.
After everyone was in position, one of the guards took a key from his chain. This guard had a tag on his uniform"Chief," marking him as a high ranking officer.
He inserted the key and turned it. A click was heard, and a tunnel opened in the cave wall.
"Same routine! When you go in, there are pickaxes next to you. Each of you takes only one," the Chief barked, then pointed. "I'm talking to you, Fatso. No second ones. One is enough for cutting your fruits... Where do you even get those fruits, anyway?"
One of the ten dangerous men was this chubby inmate. He didn't look threatening at all and was meekly answering the Chief.
Everyone filed in, took their tools, and walked deeper into the cave before beginning to mine ores. There were no safety measures. Every man just worked until they either passed out or it was time to go back and sleep.
It was still surprising to see there were fat people under these circumstances. With one meal a day and working all day mining, shouldn't they be dropping unconscious instead of gaining weight?
The time went by and it was already evening . Most men,specially the new inmates were starting to struggle . If it was normal ores. With their strong bodies they would be able to carry easily. Unfortunately for them, these were much more heavier.Every second was starting to feel like an hour.
On the first floor, Zion was still sitting in his cell. Everything else was fine, except he was profoundly bored. Just as he was contemplating how to make his time more interesting, the door opened.
A man in his forties walked in, wearing an expensive jacket, polished shoes, and glittering rings on his fingers. Zion knew exactly who the man was. This man was constantly trying to buy him. Not in the sense of slavery, but in any sense of service, be it as an assistant or a bodyguard. Of course, Zion doubted he would be treated any better than an animal.
The man walked with a few guards who had come for his protection. "Hello, my young friend. I trust I've given you enough time to think about my proposal?"
Zion looked the man dead in the eye. He would normally avoid doing this, as it was likely to annoy him. He would usually say nice things to buy more time, but today was different.
The guards who saw this almost huffed in anger. One opened the cell and slapped him. The nobleman acted chivalrous and said, "It's okay. He is still young and doesn't know the ways of this world."
Zion didn't even flinch. "Unfortunately, I will have to decline your offer," he said, then looked at the old guard who had slapped him. The old guard, sensing the malice in Zion's eyes, took a few steps back.
"You're even afraid of a man who is tied down? Maybe it is time for you to retire." The nobleman was irritated by this. He had come to show his might, not to give Zion the idea that he was somebody.
"Lord Hamilos, it was just a slip," the guard stammered. As if to prove his point, he slapped Zion again, who once again didn't dodge and took the blow.
Seeing this, Hamilos was satisfied. "I didn't say you should slap him. Young man, the guard misunderstood me. Old people really do have short tempers, don't mind him."
Yep, and that's the reason I didn't even entertain the thought. The hypocrisy is in his bone.No good would come from entertaining this guy. "My answer remains the same."
Hamilos's pride was wounded. Refusing once could be forgiven due to foolishness, but twice on the same day? This could not be.
"It seems the way I've let you be here has made you think you are a king. Guards, take him out. Tonight, you will also participate in the 'action'."
Hearing this, the old guard was delighted. This Zion always acted so noble. Tonight would be indeed delightful.
Just at that moment, the other guards returned. Every inmate was put back in their cells, except for the ten who were the strongest.
"Good timing. We will move right now. Chief, it is time for you to learn this, too. Grab Zion and follow me."
The Chief had long known something shady was happening, with these ten always being taken.Everytime around evening and brought back late at night, sometimes with injuries. The Chief was an ordinary man who had climbed his way up by understanding the needs of the upper class.
Chief grabbed Zion and placed him next to the other ten. The old guard nodded and started walking out the door. Zion hadn't been outside for a while, and he appreciated the air.
"You might as well appreciate it now while you can. Maybe after tonight, you won't be able to," one of the men said.
Zion looked at the fat man. He could tell the man hadn't said it with ill intentions, but simple it being statement of a fact. Zion wanted to ask more but was dragged by the old guard back towards the fortress.
At the fortress, a red haired man was waiting for them. When the old guard saw him, he knew trouble was coming. This man had serious anger problems. It didn't matter whether it was an enemy or an ally. The moment he was ticked off, he would pummel them into the ground. The worst part here was, one punch from him could send a man to an early grave.
"Sir, how may I help you?" the old guard asked, showing even more respect than he had for the nobleman. Hamilos saw this and didn't like this dog that wagged its tail for everyone.
"I heard something interesting. It seems rats have slipped onto the island."
The old guard started sweating upon hearing this. Why would anybody want to sneak into this prison unless they wanted to die? he thought, letting out a nervous laugh.
The red-haired man looked at the old guard. The old man sensed imminent death. A giant fist headed toward him. He closed his eyes, accepting his tragic destiny, only to open them again and see a yellowish monster holding back the punch.
"You really would have killed him without hesitation?" Amilios was confused. "Humans can be this cruel?" Weren't humans supposed to be intelligent and emotional beings, capable of being kinder than so called "monsters" like him?
"Most humans might be cruel but they usually have something to gain, mainly them being greedy. This guy is just crazy. A crazy dog on a loose." Zion said shaking his head. Then turned around and offered a hand to the old guard.
Skele was almost crying, If he is that crazy , why in the world would you provoke him even more. Dont you guys see how the fortress wall has been destroyed.
Old guard was bewildered the least. He had treated Zion worst, even slapping him. Why is he smiling and offering a hand? Another crazy one? The old guard was now truly shaking in fear.