---

I stared blankly at the cold, grey concrete wall, tracing the faint cracks that etched its surface. The thin mattress beneath me offered little comfort against the hardness of the steel-framed bed. The air was stale, heavy with disinfectant and a sweetly acrid scent that made my stomach churn.

As I shifted, the chains binding my wrists and ankles clanked against the bedframe, a harsh reminder of my captivity. My gaze drifted to the door, a solid slab of metal with a small, barred window. Muffled voices echoed beyond it, their words indistinguishable.

A figure entered, dressed in a crisp, black uniform with a silver emblem – a serpent coiled around a staff. The symbol seemed to writhe on the fabric, alive.

"Good morning," the figure said, voice low and even.

I narrowed my eyes. "Who are you?"

The figure smiled, a cold curve of lips. "You don't remember, do you?"

My mind was a void, a chasm of forgotten memories. Panic clawed at my chest.

"You're Tyler," the figure said. "A guest of the Dark Six. You've been with us for some time now."

"Dark Six?" I repeated, the words echoing in my mind like a curse.

The figure approached me with an unnerving calmness. "You'll learn soon enough. For now, let's focus on your education."

I struggled against the chains as the figure produced a small, crystal vial filled with swirling purple liquid.

"This will help you remember," they said, eyes glinting sinisterly.

I whispered "No" but my voice was lost to the darkness.

---

When I came to, I lay on the bed, head pounding, memories fragmenting like shattered glass. Glimpses of a life before this place teased me – laughter, tears, and warmth.

A blonde-haired girl with piercing blue eyes hovered at the edge of my recollection. She wore a beautiful white dress, her smile radiant.

My thoughts were a jumble of disjointed images and emotions.

The door creaked open, admitting a tall figure with piercing green eyes.

"Ah, Tyler," he said, voice dripping with disdain. "I'm Kael, your instructor. You're a tool waiting to be honed."

Kael's gaze swept my frail form, expression mixing contempt and curiosity.

"We'll begin training soon. Obey, or suffer consequences."

I felt a spark of defiance, but it flickered beneath Kael's crushing stare.

"I'll obey," I whispered.

Kael's smile grew cold.

"Excellent. Reflect on your condition."

As Kael left, my thoughts swirled – fear, uncertainty, and purpose.

I would survive, uncover secrets, and shatter chains.

But for now, I lay trapped.

---