Hours stretched into what felt like an eternity as the room echoed with Yasushi's desperate pleas. Yasushi's voice became hoarse and ragged. The passage of time became a blur, marked only by the rhythmic dripping of water and the occasional scurrying of unseen creatures in the shadows.
A day passed. The utter silence, broken only by the ambient sounds of his confinement, drove him to the brink of paranoia. Gruesome thoughts of Kaname's demise plagued his mind, fueling his agitation and despair.
The cage was small, barely allowing him to stand upright, yet wide enough for him to lie down curled up. Strange markings etched into every surface with intricate patterns covering the bars and the floor.
In moments of desperation, Yasushi tried summoning his water abilities, hoping to rust the cage or force the bars apart. But the instant he initiated his power, the markings flared, glowing with an eerie, pulsating light. His attack immediately dispelled. The markings grew brighter with each futile effort, leaving him weak and disoriented.
It's useless… This cage is like a barrier…
Yasushi moved to inspect the iron bars closer, tracing one of the glowing patterns with his finger. These markings are feeding off of my energy. The more I try, the weaker I become!
Provoked by the frustration overwhelming him, he slammed his fist against the bars, ignoring the pain that shot through his hand. The markings flared briefly upon contact, as if mocking his helplessness.
Defeated, Yasushi slumped to the floor of the cage, drawing his knees to his chest and wrapping his arms around his legs. He rested his head on his knees, closing his eyes against the faint, persistent glow of the markings.
How am I supposed to get out of here? Kana... Kana, where are you?
Please be okay.
As he sat in the confinement of the cage, his mind drifting into a sleep, a sudden loud bang woke him up. The door burst open, flooding the dim room with harsh light. Yasushi's head snapped up, his body tensing as he squinted at the silhouette in the doorway.
"Alright, ya little shit! Time to go!" the harsh voice coughed, stepping into the room.
Yasushi turned his head towards the approaching footsteps, narrowing his eyes as he recognized Zei's comrade, Lee. Seeing Yasushi's distasteful glare, Lee kicked the cage, the metallic clang reverberating through the small room.
"Oi! Don't look at me like that you little shit. I've come bearing gifts," Lee sneered, fumbling with a set of keys.
Yasushi remained silent, instinctively shifting towards the back as Lee unlocked the cage; preparing himself for any opportunity to escape. Lee quickly reached in, grabbing Yasushi by the arm, roughly pulling him out of the cage.
"LET GO OF ME YOU SLIMY BASTARD!" Yasushi yelled in resistance to Lee's manhandling.
Lee's grip tightened, grabbing Yasushi's chin and forcing the boy to look at him. A sly smile spread across his face. "Come on now. Don't ya wanna see your beloved Kaname?"
At the mention of Kaname's name, Yasushi's resistance faltered. He stopped struggling, his body complying with Lee's directions.
"Good boy! Let's go," Lee retorted, his tone mockingly approving, pushing Yasushi in front of him as they exited the room.
The hallway outside was candle-lit, the walls bare and imposing. They proceeded down a dimly lit hallway and up a spiraling staircase, the echoes of their footsteps bouncing off the cold stone walls. Yasushi quietly paid close attention to the route, noting any distinctive features.
As they approached a heavy metal door at the end of the corridor, Lee grabbed Yasushi's shoulders, motioning for him to stop before stepping in front of him. He knocked on the door three times and yelled, "Open up!"
The door creaked open, revealing a sight that made Yasushi's eyes glimmer in disbelief. A partially starved rat yazumi stood in the doorway, its form hunched and trembling. Lee grabbed Yasushi's arm and pulled him forward. In passing, Yasushi couldn't help but stare at the awkwardly timid yazumi, purposely looking down, avoiding Yasushi's gaze.
"Is... is it... is that thing... that yazumi following orders?!!"
The pair continued walking for several more moments down the nauseatingly swiveling hallways before reaching their destination.
"Oh goodie!" Lee chuckled, his voice laced with a malicious glee. "Are you ready for your gifts? I just know ya gonna love it!"
Sneering with a cruel smile, Lee placed both of his hands on the door and pushed it open. An intensely dreadful smell immediately gushed from the widening gap, assaulting Yasushi's senses. As the door fully opened, revealing the scene within, Yasushi fell to his knees, his stomach heaving as he vomited onto the floor.
Lee glanced back at the sickly Yasushi, laughing at the boy's distress. "Huh? What's wrong? We haven't even made it to your gifts yet."
Yasushi remained on his knees, both arms wrapped tightly around his stomach, trying to hold himself together as he struggled to regain his composure. His entire body trembled in horror at the sight before him.
Behind the confinements of the doors laid decomposing bodies pinned to the cages, burned and dismembered with parts of their bodies eaten and ripped apart. Tortured and mutilated mortals, yazumis, and a variety of creatures begged for help as they walked past.
Lee moved behind Yasushi, kicking him to the ground. "Stop being a baby and get the hell up! We're almost there."
The impact sent a jolt of pain through Yasushi's body, temporarily cutting through his mental anguish. With shaky limbs, he struggled to his feet, keeping his eyes squeezed shut and his head bowed.
Lee led Yasushi into a blood-soaked torture chamber. Screams of help and mercy flooded the room, testing his resolve. "This is the boss's playroom," Lee jeered, giving Yasushi a rough slap to the back. "If you behave yourself, he might let you join him in the fun."
Yasushi stumbled forward. His breath still caught in his throat, heart pounding so hard he thought it might burst from his chest. His mind reeling from the shock of what he'd witnessed.
Turning the corner, they reached a vast open area teeming with a diverse and unsavory crowd. Mortals, creatures, and yazumis filled the space, their raucous behavior creating a cacophony of noise. They were arguing, gambling, eating, and laughing, seemingly oblivious to the grim nature of their surroundings.
At the far end of the room, elevated above the chaos, sat Zei in a throne-like chair, appearing uninterested in the activities of his subordinates. Catching sight of Lee entering with Yasushi in tow quickly captured his attention. He raised a single finger, and an instantaneous hush fell over the crowd. All eyes turned to Yasushi as he followed Lee towards Zei, gazes engulfed with animosity and anticipation.
As they reached Zei, Lee bowed low, maintaining his grip on Yasushi. "I have brought the kid as ordered, sir."
Yasushi stood as tall as he could, refusing to bow or show any sign of submission, despite the fear coursing through him.
Zei smirked in amusement. "I see you're still spunky as ever, kid. I trust you've enjoyed the hospitality of our humble abode?"
Yasushi remained silent, his eyes hard and unyielding. Then, with a wave of his hand, Zei motioned for one of his subordinates to bring a plate of food. "Come here! You must be hungry."
In response, Yasushi rolled his eyes, looking away.
"No? Thirsty?" Zei asked, signaling his subordinate to stop.
Yasushi stayed silent, clearly showing his disdain for Zei's false hospitality.
Leaning forward, Zei's eyes glinting with cruel amusement at Yasushi's defiance. "Ahh! You must want to get right to it then. Very well. Lee! Bring in the entertainment for the night."
"As you wish," Lee replied, turning to walk towards a door to the right of the chair.
Yasushi continued to stand firm, seemingly unfazed by his surroundings. While still leaning forward, Zei shot out his left hand, grabbing Yasushi's neck and pulling him closer. "Why so quiet? I thought you'd be excited to see that precious little wife of yours..."
Yasushi's stoic demeanor cracked, his voice strained as he grappled against Zei's grip. "Te... tell... me what yah did to her... where is she?"
Zei's eyes glittered with malicious glee, clearly enjoying Yasushi's desperation. "No need to be rude, young prince." Tightening his grip, Zei lowered his voice. "Do what I do and remind yourself that all good things come to those who wait."
Despite his determination not to lose consciousness, Yasushi's defiance wavered as the lack of air began to affect him. Just as his vision started to blur, a familiar voice cut through the haze from behind him, calling to him. The sound of it, so calm, so faint, so unmistakable. His eyes widened, newfound strength surging through him, renewing his efforts to steel himself. A voice he so desperately needed to hear.
"Yasu..."
- -