Chapter 2 - Hopeless

Shoto was utterly speechless. Words tried to escape his mouth but he couldn't muster anything to come forth.

Three handsome men with a blatant resemblance to Shoto, hovered over him, it felt like unsurmountable Divinities had descended upon the lower realm.

"Nico, What are you waiting for?! Grab the young halfling before I skin you" An ash white haired man screamed at his partner.

"Sorry Shiroi, he just resembles 'him' quite a bit, in fact it's quite uncanny how similar they look."

Nico was built like his sole purpose was to slaughter anything in his way: his massive hands were lambasted with calluses and scars, a crescent moon shaped slash was embedded on the left side of his face and a dark crimson red sword was holstered on his waist.

Shoto knew on a primal level that if Nico wanted him dead, he would not even recall how he would have died.

"I'm aware Nico, but as state guardians we have a duty to arrest any trespassers and ask questions later. That was the imperial verdict, we are in wartime's so it cannot be changed no matter how uncanny their resemblance is. He could be a Dragon Asura in disguise, his sole purpose to infiltrate. Enough talk, chain him and bring him to the cells for questioning. We will then decide what to do with him."

The second being's name was Shiroi, his demeanor and appearance were completely different from Nico; Shiroi exuded confidence and poise. Unlike Nico, whos strength was worn on his sleeve, Shiroi gave a feeling of impending danger and even more intense than Nico at that.

His long torso and lean body, though smaller than Nico's, produced an immeasurable amount of killing intent.

'Why does he want me dead?' Shoto asked himself inwardly. The third handsome man was devoid of words, his aura was either completely suppressed or it was too intense for him to even comprehend.

He floated unmoving and indifferent, his sharp blue eyes never left Shoto's gaze almost as if he were analyzing every detail on his face.

The exact moment the conversation was concluded, Shoto perceived Nico's body tilt, albeit barely. Before Shoto could even begin to react, Nico appeared an inch away from him and had already clasped iron handcuffs tightly onto his wrists.

"WHAT THE FUCK!" Shoto cried out loud.

'How is it possible to move that fast?!' 'Are these bastards even human?' A tidal wave of hopelessness engulfed Shoto's entire being.

"Sorry halfling child, orders are orders." Nico explained with slight shrug.