Chapter 4 - SLUMS

Soon, he found himself at the heart of the dungeon, where the grand hall stood adorned with opulent tapestries and intricately carved pillars. It was here that the cruel Inquisitor held court, ruling with an iron fist and unchecked ambition. Ben knew that his escape would not be complete until he outsmarted the inquisitor himself he grabbed an old rusted decoration sword, it was chipped and filthy, it's blade dark and dull. He pushed the inquisitors resting room doors open, guards screaming behind him trying to attack.Drawing on his waning strength, he summoned a magical enchantment he had discovered during his confinement. With a flick of his hand, a swirling vortex of energy materialized, causing the air to crackle with unseen power. The guards, who were once his tormentors, now stood, watched and trembled in fear as their weapons turned to dust, leaving them defenseless.As the prisoner stepped back from the empty room into the grand hall, he faced the bewildered inquisitor, who could scarcely believe that a frail prisoner had dared challenge his authority. In a voice amplified by his newfound magic, the prisoner spoke with a confidence that belied his physical weakness."Your reign of oppression ends now," he declared, his words resonating through the cavernous hall. "No longer will the weak cower in fear. It is time for a new era, where strength is measured not by the might of one's arm, but by the depth of one's heart."In that moment, the magic that coursed through the world seemed to align with Ben's words. The guards, once loyal to the inquisitor, turned their backs on their malevolent master. The prisoners, who had suffered under the inquisitor's tyrannical rule, found solace in the Ben's conviction.And so, a weak prisoner became a symbol of hope to the others who found the courage to escape in that moment. His escape from the clutches of darkness had sparked a revolution, transforming the cells he had left behind into empty cages. As the prisoner looked upon the newfound freedom he had fought so valiantly for, he knew that true strength lies not in physical prowess, but in the ability to overcome adversity with wit, courage, and an unwavering belief in oneself. In this magical realm, he had proven that even the weakest can rise above their circumstances and emerge as champions of their own destiny. However, he had tuned the minds of the prisoners without knowing it, but through this moment he walked a free man.As he stumbled into the slums, clothes tattered and body weak, Ben tasted the bitter tang of freedom on his lips. Escaping the clutches of the dreaded dungeon, he had expected respite, but what he found was a medieval world engulfed in poverty and despair. Hunger gnawed at his stomach, hunger for both food and the basic comforts of life. The slums he found himself in were a far cry from the grandeur of the dungeon he had been imprisoned in. Dilapidated buildings stood like weary sentinels, their crumbling facades mirroring the broken spirits of the destitute souls dwelling inside. Ben's heart sank at the sight, realizing that his escape from the dungeon was merely the beginning of a grueling battle for survival.The narrow, winding streets were teeming with people, desperate figures who fought tooth and nail for a morsel of bread. The air reeked of decay, a byproduct of poverty and neglect. Each step Oliver took brought him closer to the stark reality of the slums, where lives were measured in hunger and scarcity. Food was a rare luxury in this medieval wasteland. Ben foraged for sustenance in bins and market stalls, trying to salvage anything edible from the refuse left behind by the fortunate few. Stale bread and scraps became his daily sustenance, barely enough to keep his weakened body from giving up its fight.The days proved harsh and unforgiving. The sun beat down relentlessly, mercilessly reminding Ben of the unbearable hunger that plagued him. He witnessed countless souls, gaunt and emaciated, wandering the streets like specters of desperation. They scavenged, bartered, and fought for survival, their hollow eyes silently begging for mercy that this stark world denied them. Sleep eluded Ben like a distant dream, as the slums offered no solace or respite. Nights were filled with the eerie echoes of distant cries and the haunted silence of empty stomachs. The moon cast a cold, blue shadow over the slums, but offered no comfort to the famished souls who huddled in dark corners, seeking shelter and warmth. Yet, amidst the harshness, Ben found hope in unexpected places. The slums were not devoid of kindness, and he encountered indomitable spirits who defied their circumstances and shared the little they had. They formed a tight-knit community, united by their shared struggle, their determination to survive not completely extinguished.Days turned into weeks, and the hunger continued its relentless assault - a constant reminder of Ben's plight. Each day, he witnessed the tenacity of the people, their resilience in the face of adversity. A fire ignited within him, a fierce desire to rise above his circumstances and help those who shared his struggle. His wanted posters were plastered across the city, some new and others old, he had to leave, if someone knew this Alsies, that someone had to be in the capital. As he finally bid farewell to the slums, Ben carried with him the memories of those harsh and hungry days into the forbidden enchanted forest, a shortcut to the capital. Within himself he vowed to use his newfound freedom to fight for justice and equality, to ensure that no one would have to endure the agony of hunger and despair in his world.Walking away from the slums, Ben knew that his journey had only just begun. Armed with the strength forged in the crucible of hunger, and a rusted sword he went into the forest. Ben took off running, his heart pounding in his chest with fear of the unknown. He knew he had to put as much distance between himself and the prison as possible. He ran through the narrow streets of the slums, dodging carts and people as he went. When he reached the edge of the city, he didn't stop. He plunged into the forest, crashing through the undergrowth. The trees were dense and dark, and he felt like he was running blind.