Chapter 1: Jack; Vagril 5th, 343SR; 15:08
'Another day of mining... Is this all I was born for...' Jack sighed as he continued to stare at the back of the miner in front of him. Their pickaxe slammed into the wall of rock, it's surface lit orange by the two lanterns. Green specs of logorite shimmered off the falling ore. Jack yawned as he scratched his head awkwardly.
"So- uh... Ben, how long have you been in Logos?" Jack stuttered as he made his fifth attempt at conversation.
'I think he's around my age... He's way bigger than me though...' All the muscles in his wide back flexed as he raised the axe overhead. Ben swung the pickaxe down, his strike echoed through the cave. Jack sniffled as the dust irritated his skin. The smell of sweat permeated the cave. Jack looked up at Ben, the thought of how many years he must have already spent doing this made him shiver.
"Another eight hours of this..." Jack muttered as he looked at the ground.
Ben cleaved off a big chunk of the wall, then stepped back as he caught his breath. He pulled his oily hair back, the sweat made it stay in place despite how loose it was. Ben had a long face, narrow eyes and generally small features. He didn't resemble the other slaves, but Jack always hesitated to ask about his parents. Ben always wore a serious face, he never said much at all, barely ever making eye contact either. With his burly appearance, he was rather intimidating. 'They'll probably shave him soon...' Jack rubbed the top of his flat head, brushing his fingers against the remaining stubble.
On the ground was a shirt like the one Jack wore, a dirty white tee. They both wore loose brown pants held up by a simple black leather belt, and black rubber boots. The pickaxe soared down again, scattering more chunks of rock and dust into the air. Ben shielded his eyes as he stepped back, catching his breath as he twisted the pickaxe in one hand. In one motion, he brought the axe overhead, grasped it with both hands, and swung down as hard as he could. With a frustrated grunt, he cleaved off a massive chunk. The metallic thud echoed through the cave as the pebbles sprinkled onto the cave floor. Several chunks clashed against the wall as they rolled over the pebbles on the ground. The same noises echoed repeatedly throughout the cave from other miners.
"I was just taking a short break! It's not like mining is easy! Do you want to try it out! You weren't doing anything anyways!" a familiar voice hollered from across the cave.
Jack turned his head and looked off towards one of the lights in the dark. He saw the silhouettes of two people, a disobedient miner, and an angel with a staff. The angel raised his weapon and swung down. An audible thud bounced off the walls, the shadow cowered. The angel struck them again, the impact echoing through the cave.
"Ow!" the slave across the cave wailed. "Stop!"
"There goes Carol, can't just do what she's told... At this point it's your fault you're getting beat... Idiot..." Jack whispered to himself as he shook his head. "Hey Ben, do you want to make a bet on who works the next shift? Whoever can guess who's getting beat?"
Ben set the pickaxe down, then picked up his shirt and threw it over his shoulder. His brown pants were drenched in sweat and his hands shook from constantly striking the rock. Ben proceeded to silently fill the bucket with the ore on the ground. Once he was done, he turned and picked up his lantern with the other hand.
"Don't talk to me..." said Ben.
Jack stood there awkwardly as Ben walked right past him, he didn't even look at him. A lonesome chill embraced him as he lowered his head. 'It was just a joke... At least Carol talks to me... Everyone else just ignores me for some reason...' Carol weakly stood up, she gestured at the angel who beat her. Jack could tell even from this distance she was sticking her tongue out to mock him.
Jack put his lantern on the ground and dragged his shirt over his scrawny body. He dropped it on the dusty ground next to the light. The soothe cold air licked at his skin as he reached for the iron handle of the pickaxe. 'Vagril just started but it's this hot out... I'm sweating just on my way here...' Jack struggled to lift the iron pickaxe above his head. The muscles on his back tugged his skin, he shifted his weight onto his right foot. Jack held his breath, then pulled the pick down with all his strength, slamming it into the wall. A ripple bounced through him, each of the bones in his arms rattled uncomfortably. The vibration lingered for a few seconds, he shook his hand as he looked at his fingers shake. Jack huffed and readied for another strike as someone approached, the familiar clicking of the guard's boots grew closer.
"Jack Eldritch? Sixteen years old?" the guard addressed him.
Layers of white robes covered their whole body, his face was covered by a mask with two holes to see through. They seemed to glimmer in the darkness with their uniforms. The guard held a stack of paper.
"Yeah?" Jack replied as he tossed a chunk of ore into the metal bucket.
"As of the fifth of Vagril, you will be responsible for the property of your mother and father, who were executed sixteen days ago on the eightieth of Grivar," the angel explained.
"Oh... Right," Jack replied.
"Look at me when I talk to you and reply respectfully," the guard suddenly ordered as he placed an empty bucket next to the filled bucket.
"Y-Yes, sir..." Jack muttered as the angel handed him the key to his parent's property, he didn't like accepting it from him.
"Your previous ticket please."
Jack reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled white paper, four of the five boxes were filled. As he unraveled it, the angel snatched it out of his hands. Jack raised an eyebrow at the guard as they noted something down on a sheet of paper. He looked down to examine the key in his hand. A cold piece of thin silver metal with a jagged pattern along its edge. The numbers '03' were etched into it.
"Here is your meal plan for next week," the angel handed over a small strip of paper with five empty boxes on it.
Jack took the small sheet, stuffing it into his pocket along with the key. The angel lifted the bucket of the logorite and walked off into the darkness, his silhouette was still visible against a different light in the cave. The angel suddenly stopped, then glanced back at Jack.
"You are aware of why your parents were executed, right?" the angel in white asked.
"Huh? Oh... No sir... No one told me anything," Jack shook his head.
"They sabotaged this mining operation, an act of treason against the alliance. They chose to reject the will of the great Celestial in doing so. Alexander Rael executed them for not remembering their place. You would be wise to not repeat their mistakes, do you understand?"
"I understand," Jack lied with a fearful tone.
"That's good. Your parents were fools. They should have appreciated the nobles hospitality, we don't need to provide you shelter and good food every day... It'd be in your best interest to not take it for granted..."
The angel concluded his lecture and walked away. Jack turned back to the wall. He stood in the circle of light produced by his torch, listening to the rapid clangs of pickaxes around the cave. His back felt colder than before. He clutched the rough iron handle with both hands and lifted the pickaxe. His hands gripped it tightly. Jack swung down with all his strength, squinting as he grit his teeth. He lifted it back up, and brought it back down again, grunting in anger as the pick bounced off the wall. He swung violently once more and struck it again.
* * *
The divot in the wall was just a bit bigger than it was eight hours ago. Jack stared at the ceiling with his back on the floor. His hands were blistered, and the sore muscles in his upper body begged for him to fall asleep where he was. The sparkles of green logorite on the dark ceiling dimmed slowly, the faint light of lanterns they reflected off got further away as the miners made their way out of the cave. His shoulders ached so much, he didn't even care that he had been laying in sweat, dirt, and filth. Footfalls came toward him. 'Here she comes...'
"Jack let's go, the shifts done. Why are you sitting around?" Carol asked.
Jack leaned his head back and looked up from the ground. He was met with wide green eyes looking down at him curiously. 'Yup...' Jack sighed. He pushed himself up with his elbows, then got to his feet and stood up. He brushed the pebbles and dust off the back of his pants as he shook his head.
"I'm not staying at your place anymore, they gave me my parent's property. You don't need to wait for me," Jack flapped his shirt, and wisps of dust flew into the air.
"Oh, that's..." Carol hesitated as Jack pulled the dusty shirt over his head. "That's great! You don't have to sleep on the floor anymore!"
"Yeah, it is, I don't have to listen to you ramble anymore either..." Jack smiled as he picked up his lantern and turned towards the exit.
"Heh!" Carol snickered with an awkward look. "Was it that bad?"
Carol laughed at his cold response, her reaction puzzled him. She wore the typical miner's attire, brown pants, and a beige shirt stained by sweat. Her skin was rough from working constantly, and her large green eyes were hard to focus on because of a bruise on her forehead. The tips of her short black hair just barely reached her neck.
"Well, I was hoping you weren't getting transferred. Not like it'd matter anyway," Carol breathed a sigh of relief.
"I got transferred from Torovince last week, why would they transfer me again? Why do you even care?" Jack groaned.
"Well, I'd... Be sad if a friend had to leave, but even if you left we'd always be friends," Carol replied.
'Friend? Is that what she thinks after I said that... Right... No one talks to her either...' Jack sighed as he pursed his lips.
"Was that bruise from earlier today?" Jack pointed at her forehead.
Carol's eyes widened. She turned away, adjusting the bangs of her short black hair and covering the dark brown mark.
"What bruise?" Carol replied with an awkward smile.
Jack raised an eyebrow at her weak attempt to hide the mark on her head. He shook his head, ignoring it and continuing toward the exit. Carol followed close behind. They reached a narrow pathway, their lanterns lit up the dark interior.
"Jack, do you hate this place?" Carol suddenly asked.
"It doesn't matter how I feel..." Jack replied and continued to walk in front of her. "This is just, how things are..."
"Your parents hated this place..."
Jack glanced back at Carol with one eyebrow raised. She dragged her hand over the gashes in the cave's wall, she looked like she wanted to say something. Her eyebrows were furrowed, her earlier smile replaced with a frown.
"I didn't ask-"
A metal clang made the two of them jump, the sound echoed through the cave. Another clang followed shortly after. The two hurried toward the exit, where they heard the frustrated curses of a guard. They slammed their staff into the wall again like an angry child. The sound reverberated through the cave, it was annoying to listen to.
"Where are the last two damn maggots! Hurry up!" the angel at the entrance hollered.
The guard was a woman, wearing the familiar white mask and white robes. She yelled from the top of the cave with an iron staff in her hand, annoyingly smacking it against the wall again. The noise rattled Jack's ears each time. 'What the hell is her problem, she's done nothing but stand there all day... We're the ones working hard...'
"Were on the way!" Jack yelled back.
"Get out here faster! I want to be in the comfort of my own home! Not waiting for a couple of maggots!" the angel spat condescendingly.
As Jack and Carol walked past, the guard kept their eye on them the whole time. "Were a few minutes behind the other slaves... You don't need to do that..."
"What was that! What did you say?!" the guard spat, vitriol spilling from her tone.
"I'm just say-"
Before Jack could even say what he wanted to say, the guard walked forward, grasped her iron staff, and bashed it into the side of his face. His head whipped to the left. His vision suddenly blurred. He stumbled back and quickly lost his balance, dropping his lantern and pickaxe. 'Ah!' Jack grasped his face, his skull throbbing from the impact as his thoughts went blank.
"Jack!" Carol cried, her voice was hard to hear over the ringing in his head.
Tears spilled from his eyes. His legs dragged over pebbles as they curled in. The spot where he was hit throbbed across the rest of his head. A metal boot slam into his chest. 'Ah!' Jack grit his teeth, only to open his eyes wide as another kick winded him. The guard pressed her heal into his chest relentlessly. Jack struggled to breathe, curling up and trying to defend himself as best as he could.
"Damn, maggot! You waste my time, and then have the nerve, to talk back to me!" The angel slammed her metal boot into his stomach three more times.
"Aha!" Jack cried out in pain.
Each hit hurt more than the last. A sickening thought came to mind as he tried to endure the abuse. 'Did they do this to my parents too...' Jack was suddenly overwhelmed with immense, humiliating fear. The thought of death flashed through his brain.
"Stop! Please stop!" Carol pleaded as she shielded Jack with her body, taking a kick herself. "He's new here! Please! He doesn't know better!"
The guard pulled away, huffing angrily. Jack gasped for air as he rolled onto his front, his breath ragged and harsh. He held his side tightly as he rolled back over, the pain still lingering.
"Maggots..." the angel mocked. "Consider yourself lucky, if Alexander were here, he wouldn't be so kind..."
The guard turned around, following the dirt path that led around the mines. She muttered slurs, shaking her head and cursing all the while. 'Bitch!' Jack silently cursed as he caught his breath. Jack rolled onto his front, he slowly pushed himself up, his arms wobbling.
"Jack! Are you alright?" Carol asked as Jack reached for his pickaxe and lantern. "That entitled piece of shit! If I had that weapon! I'd-"
Carol closed her eyes and shook her head, then turned back to Jack. His chest was numb from getting kicked repeatedly. He felt pathetic trying to hold the rest of his tears in. Carol stared at Jack as he struggled to his feet, her face full of concern.
"I hate this place..." Carol whimpered. "I hate all of it..."
Jack didn't reply, he started walking slowly through the forest. The dirt path was covered in foliage, there was a tree in every direction. His head was numb from the strike earlier. The impact and pain burned into his memory, constantly reminding him of how weak he was. Jack winced and limped every step of the way.
"It doesn't matter how we feel..." Jack muttered under his breath.
As they reached the end of the forest, they could see the lights from a small town between the last few trees. The dirt path toward it separated a light-yellow field of wheat, and another field of tall looming cornstalks. The path was lit by lanterns between the forest and the town. The sun was setting in the west, a field of orange clouds painted the pale blue sky. Jack's pace had returned to normal, but the pain from earlier lingered.
"It's going to rain tonight," Carol pointed out as she stared at the dense clouds. "I wonder how we'll mine tomorrow..."
"Obviously we're gonna keep working, it's not like the angels care about a bit of rain or flooding..." said Jack, he didn't turn his head to Carol as they walked between the tall crops.
"Not if... We couldn't mine..."
Jack turned and looked at Carol, behind her was the mountain and forest they had come from. However, behind the mountain, the Celestial loomed over everything, a grey pillar that majestically stretched into the sky, even beyond the clouds. Carol stared up at the massive tower, her back toward Jack.
"What are you talking about?" Jack asked.
"One time when a storm happened, your parents used that opportunity to close the mines using logorite... No one had to mine for a week..." Carol explained.
"Logorite can do that?" Jack shook his head curiously. "My parents closed off the mines for a week?!"
"Yeah... Of course, we did have to just clear it up ourselves... But..." Carol hesitated.
"Wow..." Jack felt admiration for a moment, but his smile faded quickly. "That's... That's why... They were-"
"Jack... I'm going to close off the mines tonight," Carol looked at him with a serious glare.
Carol looked past Jack, then down the path they came from. She made sure no one was watching, before pulling two large chunks of logorite ore from her pocket. Jack's eyebrows furled as he stared at the green studded rock.
"Is that why you got punished today?" Jack asked.
"I almost got caught, but I made a scene to play it off," Carol explained. "Do you want to help, it'd help to have a-"
"Huh?" Jack shook his head in disbelief. "Did you seriously just ask me that, you got beat up today and now you're going to do something to get yourself executed!? Look at what that last guard did over the littlest reason!"
Carol frowned and looked away.
"And you want me to come along too? Just be like everyone else Carol! You're throwing your life away! It's pointless to resist the angels..." Jack shook his head.
Carol stared at Jack with a blank expression, then looked down with somber eyes as she walked past him. "If you change your mind, come by my place... I'm leaving in the night..."
"Were you even listening?!" Jack shook his head and kissed his teeth. "Ugh..."
Carol took a few more steps, then stopped. "I asked you because I thought you'd want to get back at Alexander Rael..."
Jack froze. 'Get back at... Alexander Rael?' The thought of revenge stuck to him tightly, but he quickly shook his head. 'Don't listen to that idiot... You'll get yourself killed... Just like... Mom and dad...' Jack stopped, he felt a pit in his stomach for a moment. He shook his head again and continued toward the town. The sun had gone down. The once orange clouds were now a dull grey that blended in with the dark blue sky.
The road Jack walked on widened as he reached the north entrance of Logos. He stood in front of the familiar intersection. The road straight ahead lead to the center of the town where the merchants from Helios set up their caravans. The two roads on the left and right were a single circular path around the town. Wooden houses made from logs were on both sides of the circular road. Carol had gone left, going straight home rather than eating dinner. Jack shook his head. 'Her loss...' Jack continued forward into the center of the town.
'What should I eat today... I want to try something new... Didn't really like the soup yesterday...' The sound of people conversing about their day grew louder as he got closer. Famished men and women indulged themselves in conversations and food. They boasted about how much they had mined, or who could drink the most. 'Same topic as yesterday... And the day before that...' Jack didn't dare approach them, knowing he'd just be scolded or mocked.
'What to eat... What to eat...' He examined the variety of options each merchant had. His mind was made up immediately as his nose was drawn to a rich aroma of spices. He turned his head towards the smell and saw plump meat held up over a fire. 'Turkey...' Jack's mouth watered at the charred golden-brown skin, the juices dripping into the fire, causing it to flare and crackle. The merchant was seated next to the fire, surrounded by an assortment of fresh ingredients. Bright red tomatoes, white onions, green lettuce, a stack of flatbreads, and a bowl full of a white sauce.
"Uh, hello," Jack nervously greeted the merchant angel.
"Greetings! Would you, like a- scrumptious sandwich!" the merchant offered as he read Jack's gaze, he emphasized the words in curious way.
The old angel had wrinkled skin, but a cheerful and inviting smile. He wore a cap atop his head of curly black hair. His nose was plump and covered in bumps, and his skin was of a dark brown complexion. 'He must be from lower Helios... It's probably why he isn't an asshole...' The merchant wore a full sleeved dark blue robe, covering his whole body except for his brown leather boots.
"Yeah... I'll take whatever you got," Jack shrugged.
'What's a sandwich... Is it made of sand? Did I make a bad choice...' Jack held up the piece of paper he received back in the mines. The man took it, punched a stamp, and handed it back to Jack.
"You will not regret it!" the old man grinned confidently. I make the best sandwich in Helios!"
Jack looked down at the stamp. 'Amalun G...' Jack attention was drawn to the man as he grasped one of the flatbreads and placed it near the fire. 'Huh?' The flames slowly toasted it, its surface bubbled and rose. The merchant then stuck a skewer into the meat and carved a chunk off with a knife. He held the slice of meat over the fire, giving it a charred crust full of flavor. He picked up the flatbread from earlier with his bare hand. 'Isn't that hot?' The merchant cut open the flatbread and revealed an empty interior. He picked up a dollop of the white sauce with his knife and spread it inside the bread. Then placed the turkey and an assortment vegetables within. He tossed in another spoon of sauce, then shook it like it was a bag. Then he skillfully tucked the filling and wrapped it up tightly.
"Enjoy," the man handed it to Jack with a confident smile.
Jack's stomach growled as he held the bread, an assortment of different foods filled it to the brim. 'This a sandwich?' It was big, the surface of the bread was a little hot, but it smelled incredible. He inched forward and opened his mouth wide, taking the biggest bite he could. His eyes widened, then his eyebrows furled. The satisfying combination of flavors and textures were unlike anything he'd never experienced before.
"Mm!" Jack moaned with his mouth full.
Crispy flatbread softened to the touch by the creamy sauce that exploded with rich and tangy flavor. The vegetables felt cool and refreshing as the piping hot turkey danced around his tongue. The sauce brought every flavor together with an unparalleled harmony. 'Oh my...' He couldn't control himself and took another bite, getting the wholesome textures and flavors once again.
"How did you make this?!" Jack mumbled with his mouth full, he took another bite without swallowing the last.
"I did it in front of you! Was it so good you forgot?" the man laughed out loud cheerfully.
Jack closed his eyes and chewed. 'This is bliss... Mining everyday sucks, but this is something to look forward to!' The vegetables were crunchy and wholesome, adding a juicy texture to the wrap. A bit of the filling fell out onto Jack's palm, and he licked it off his hand. 'Just the vegetables and the sauce alone is so good...'
"I am definitely coming back tomorrow, I have too," Jack stressed as he held the sandwich up.
"Hah, I look forward to it kid! Glad to hear you like it," the merchant laughed as he nodded with a content smile.
Jack stood up and walked away, waving to the kind angel who had made him food. He followed the dirt path back to the outskirts of the town as he ate with a smile on his face. The sound of the crowd grew distant, leaving just the sound of his own chewing. He walked south through Logos and eventually reached a forked path at the other end of the town. He was met with the familiar view of the vivid green flame against the blue sky far off in the distance. It came from a floating island in the skies to the southeast. 'The Necropolis always looks cool at night...'
Jack walked along the path, holding the pickaxe and lantern in one hand, his food in the other. He counted down the various wooden houses. 'Nine, eight... Seven is over there... Then three should be further down past Carol's house...' Jack read the numbers in his head. As he got to the house labeled with the number three, he stood in front of it with a dazed look. 'This is it...' Jack walked up to the entrance nervously, he placed his lantern down, and set the axe next to the door. He put the key into the door, and heard footfalls approach quickly behind him at the same time. Before he could turn, an arm suddenly hooked around his neck and pulled him backward. 'Ah!' The key was yanked out of the door as he was dragged off his feet. Jack grunted as the sandwich fell against the dirt, the delicious contents spilling out.
"My food- Ack!" Jack choked.
The arm around his neck tightened. He couldn't speak or breathe. His feet were pulled off the floor as he was swung around. A hand reached into his pockets, searching through it, and then ripping something out. A foot suddenly planted into Jack's stomach and his eyes opened wide to see another non-unified. A slave with dark skin and curly hair. He looked angry, his eyebrows furled with wide eyes and his teeth were clenched. Jack coughed hoarsely, he felt chunks of the food from earlier climb up his throat. They tried to rip the key from Jack's hand, but he desperately held on.
"Leave him alone! Both of you!" a woman from across the street shouted. "Get off him Franklin!"
After a foot pressed into his stomach, Jack was thrown to the ground. The assailants took off around the back of the house. Jack's face was flat against the dirt, he slowly pushed himself up as his heart beat rapidly. The sore pain in his stomach returned, and he held in his reflex to throw up. 'What the- What was that for!' Jack coughed as he looked to the woman who helped him.
"Th-thank you..." Jack uttered in pain as he looked up at her.
She wore a loose white shirt with a long white skirt, common clothing for farmers to wear. It helped them stay cool while they worked out in the sun. Jack looked up at her face and suddenly felt uncomfortable, she had an unforgiving glare as well. Her blue eyes burned with a fury that he couldn't explain. She was disgusted by the sight of him even though she just helped him.
"You look like your mother..." she muttered and shook her head, turning around and walking into her house.
Jack rolled onto his back and stared up at the cloudy sky. 'Why did she say that... What did they even do that for...' He checked his pockets, and he froze. Jack suddenly sat upright, he felt the insides of his pockets once more as he realized what they took. 'My ticket... My food for the week...' Jack frowned as he stood, he walked to the side of the house slowly to see if they were still around. The space between the two houses was narrow, a locked door on the ground led to the cellar under the house. The assailants were long gone. 'Franklin...' The name rang in his head. His neck felt sore from being choked. His stomach hurt as he remembered his face. Jack approached the door to the house, he put the key into the lock and twisted it. The dark brown door slid forward as the lock was released, creaking as it opened.
Jack picked up his lantern and pickaxe, then limped into the house. He was met with a dark empty room, there was a single door leading to a bedroom on the left. In the center of the room was a dining table and chairs made from wood. Jack set his lantern down on the table, the room was lit with a faint orange glow. He noticed several portraits across the wall, one of the pictures caught his attention. He took hold of the smooth wooden frame. The dust on the glass obscured the two people in the image, he wiped it off with his thumb.
The photo contained a bald man with a strong jaw and dark skin. Next to him was a brown-haired woman with a soft and gentle smile, she was several months pregnant when the photo was made. Jack stared at the picture, focused on the woman's stomach. 'I'm going to live the same life they did... Mining everyday... Until they kill me or I just die...' A flood of tears streamed out of his eyes. Jack's breaths got heavier. His knees hit the floor, and he dropped the picture. A chill flooded over him as he remembered the name of the man who executed them.
"Alexander Rael..."
His head throbbed, the pain reminded him of the consequence of disobeying the angels. 'Alexander Rael!' He clenched his teeth as hard as he could. Jack raised his hands to slam them into the floor, but stopped as he remembered what Carol said earlier.
He looked at the door, his fists lowered as his tears continued down his face. He remained still for a moment, thinking it over as he wiped the mucus and the tears off. Jack let out a sigh, then took his first step. He left his house and shut the door, running down the dirt path under the night sky. Carol's house was only two houses down, he reached it in no time.
Jack ran up the patio and slammed his fist against the door. He huffed in and out as he waited. 'This a bad idea...' Jack shook his head. 'I don't care... If I'm going to die anyway... What's the point...' After a few seconds, a pair of steps thumped against the creaky wood inside. It opened slightly, Carol poked her head out to check who it was, she had changed into a thin white coat commonly worn by alchemists. Upon seeing Jack, she opened the door with a mischievous grin on her face.
"So, made up your mind?" Carol asked.
"I want to help..." Jack stated, his voice full of intent.
Carol was surprised for a moment. "I knew you weren't serious back there, alright! I feel a lot better having a partner in crime. Come on, let's get revenge. For my parents and yours!" Carol beckoned.
"Not just that... We'll free ourselves from Logos, and never live like this again!" Jack declared.