Part One
A strapping middle-aged man was being escorted to his cell by a collection of high-ranking military soldiers. Each soldier trembled with every step beside the prisoner. A cacophony of gasps filled the prison as the group advanced towards the prisoner's cell. As for the prisoner, he was restrained with mana-absorbing shackles on his wrists and ankles. His body was riddled with scars from head to toe, the ones only earned and celebrated through years of intense battle. In the air was a sense of fear of the prisoner.
They arrived at the cell and opened the gate. The cell was distinguished from the rest. A cell reserved only for the highest level of threats designated only by the military. The cell hosted a bedroom alongside a bath and other amenities.
"H-Here is your cell G-Gen— I mean Prisoner 681 ," the guard cleared his throat and tried his best to avoid eye contact.
He motioned his hand timidly, as if to tell the prisoner to enter as gently as he could, and the prisoner entered.
The prisoner sat in his chair and took a sip of his favorite Cola. After all, if this was going to be his last day, he wanted to enjoy his favorite drink.
The prisoner sat in silence taking in each moment of his soon to be ended life. He sat there for what felt like hours before he heard his name called. It was General Sawyer. He unlocked the cell and sat beside the prisoner. General Sawyer looked around the same age as the prisoner and was just as accomplished physically. He wore his scars as a badge of honor, with one stretching from his forehead down past his eye. They sat in silence for a bit before General Sawyer cleared his throat and began to speak.
"Remember when we first met?"
"Behind the junkyard? I'll never forget that day for multiple reasons," he maintained his stone cold expression yet it almost seemed like he wanted to show more.
"All those years of school we spent together. Living in the same dorms, eating the same food, and studying for the same exams."
Thank Ishla you switched into my sword technique class way back then, I do not know how I would have made it through."
"Our first deployment…"
"We were the only two from our unit to return."
"Our joint promotion from Officer to Captain."
"One of the happiest days of my life," the prisoner finally broke his facade and cracked a smile, though it was brief.
"The raid on Grenndall."
"We seized that place in an instant. It had to have been a record within the military."
At this point both General Sawyer were smiling as they reminisced upon the days passed. The prisoner took a final sip of his Cola and placed the cup down. They sat in silence for an hour before General Sawyer asked, "Why did you do it?"
"…"
The prisoner contemplated answering the question but reasoned it would not change any of what was soon to happen.
"Was this the only way?"
The face of the prisoner changed from a face of indifference to a slight anger. He recognized this was not the only outcome yet he chose this one to send a message. The prisoner gathered his composure and returned to his plain face before releasing a sigh.
"I understand…"
The two sat in silence for what felt like a few moments however was many hours. Their conversation had ended but there was a sense of comfort between the two through being in each other's company. After a while, General Sawyer stood up and walked out of the cell.
About an hour later, guards arrived at the cell and brought a table full of the prisoner's chosen meals accompanied by his wife. His wife ran towards him, tear-eyed and snot flowing from her nose. He jumped onto him and gave him a passionate hug.
"Honey…"
"Diana…let us take a seat."
She paused for a moment, wiping her tears in his clothes, then walked to her seat.
The guards carried the table in, trying their best not to upset the prisoner. When they finished, they nervously apologized for the delay.
"S-Sorry Prisoner 681," he managed to say as he saluted him.
"At ease, I no longer hold any title. I am nothing more than a prisoner now."
Part Two
The prisoner sat opposite of his wife as he indulged in the meal before them. Diana sat quietly staring lovingly at her husband as he enjoyed his final meal. There was a shared sense of acceptance for what was to come.
Breaking the silence, Diana said, "I'm proud of you. Regardless of what they may say about you or the path you chose, I am proud of you and I mean that with my whole heart. I will always love you."
The prisoner finally paused for the first time since his final meal arrived. His mask was beginning to crack and he could not uphold it anymore. A single tear shed from his eyes.
"I'm scared, Diana. I'm terrified."
"I know. I know you are. I'm just as scared."
"I keep replaying that moment in my mind. Was it really worth it in the end?"
"You can't think like that. You made your choice and it was a heroic one at that."
"I don't want to die, Diana."
"Don't think about that. Think about the countless lives that were saved."
She slammed her fist on the table and stood up angrily before composing herself and sitting down again.
"Diana, please ea—"
"I'm not hungry."
"Please can we eat together this last time?" he pleaded.
She grabbed a piece of bread and began to dip it in her soup.
The two sat in silence for the rest of the meal before the guards returned to move the table and escort Diana out of the room. She cried and clung onto the prisoner for as long as she could before leaving.
"Thank you," she whispered as she gave her husband one last kiss.
With a final kiss, she said goodbye to her lover forever.
Having eaten his final meal, the prisoner laid in his bed and prepared himself for mentally for his execution. As he laid to rest his mind was oddly calm. He made peace with impending death. It was a result of a freely made decision after all.
Part Three
-ATTENTION ALL PRISONERS, YOU WILL NOW BE TRANSPORTED TO THE EXECUTION DECK-
The prisoner was awoken by the coalescence of yelling, screaming, and the screeching sound of the announcement. Annoyed by the alarm, the prisoner sat up and walked to the faucet. He splashed his face with water. The water served not only the wake up the prisoner but to also confirm to him that he was in fact not dreaming.
A guard entered the cell to escort the prisoner. Walking out of the cell, they were greeted by the same group of high ranking military officers. There was no conversation amongst the group as they approached the end of the execution line. One by one prisoners walked up to guillotine and were executed. The prisoner tried his best not to watch. There was a shared despair amongst the prisoners as they awaited their execution.
"So this is it?" asked one of the prisoners.
"I wanted a child or two at least," said another.
"Save me anyone!" cried another as his head was cut off.
With each prisoner executed, the crowd erupted into cheers.
"Kill that monster!"
"Finally!"
As we got closer, the prisoner could finally hear the voice of the executioner.
"Prisoner 584 is to be executed for murder."
The execution went on listing the names of each prisoner and their reason for execution.
Approaching the front of the line a wave of calmness washed over the prisoner. His death was within feet yet he lacked the fear of the other prisoners.
"Prisoner 680 is to be executed for kidnapping of a royal family member."
The crowd erupted into cheers.
The guillotine closed in on the man's neck, eventually separating the head and neck.
The body of the previous prisoner was removed to make space for the next prisoner. The prisoner walked up with his head hanging downwards. He placed his head inside the guillotine and closed his eyes.
The executioner paused for a moment before clearing his throat while attempting to hold back all emotion from overflowing.
The pause of the executioner prompted the prisoner to turn upwards to see what the delay was. He looked up to see a familiar face in General Sawyer. General Sawyer was staring down at the prisoner barely holding back tears before she began to say, "Prisoner 681 and our General Atticus is to be executed for murdering the King."
The blade was released from the top about to behead the prisoner. The prisoner closed his eyes and braced himself.
"So this is it?"
The guillotine decapitated the prisoner and his head dropped to the ground.