The chamber was vast and cold, cloaked in a haunting silence that absorbed even the faintest sound of his shackles. Haze stepped in behind the man who had led him there, his footsteps resonating softly against the polished floor. The space was dim, illuminated only by a single beam of light that flared to life as soon as he crossed a certain threshold. It streamed down from above, harsh and unforgiving, centering on him like a spotlight on a felon awaiting judgement.
He stood still, his shoulders straight and jaw clenched. The intensity of the light bore down on him, casting deep shadows around him, yet he didn't flinch. His resolve remained steadfast, even as his heart beat worsened in his ears. He felt like prey before a predator, yet he refused to yield to the fear clawing at the edges of his thoughts.
From the oppressive darkness beyond the light, a voice emerged.
"Yoichi."
The name struck him like a bolt of lightning, crackling through the silence. No one had called him that in years, not since he had exuviated that name for the one he now wore like armor—Haze. Yet here it was, spoken with unsettling calmness. He lifted his gaze, narrowing it toward the silhouette that emerged from the shadows.
The figure was barely discernible, cloaked entirely in darkness. No matter how much Haze strained his eyes, the silhouette remained an enigma, its features obscured by the oppressive void around it. The only discernible thing was the aura it exuded—domineering and stifling, like an unseen force pressing down on him.
The voice spoke again, smooth and soothing, yet chilling in a way that made his skin crawl. It wasn't what he expected. He'd braced himself for malice, for cruelty. But this? This was worse.
"You," the voice began, each word measured, "have been chosen for a mission."
Haze's fingers twitched slightly, but he kept his stance firm, his eyes locked on the silhouette as though attempting to see through the darkness.
"This mission has been designated Chūsei," the voice continued, letting the words hang in the air like a verdict from a judge. "Though deemed manageable, do not let the rank lull you into complacency. The Fushens you face are not ordinary. These are soldiers trained in Dunkelheim—specialists in dark magic, capable of dismantling entire contingents single-handedly. Their squad formation amplifies their lethality."
Haze felt a flicker of relief at the mention of Chūsei. It was tough, but from what he understood, manageable. His mind quickly conjured an image of facing five, maybe ten at most. A challenge, sure, but not impossible with the right approach.
But the shadowy figure's next words sliced through his expectations like a dagger.
"There are twenty of them."
His chest tightened. Twenty trained soldiers. That was no ordinary squad—it was a battlefield waiting to happen.
"They've been spotted near Heichi Town," the voice continued, unmoved by the weight of its proclamation. "Their camp lies at the border of the White Kingdom. Intelligence suggests they are planning an infiltration. Your objective is simple: annihilate the entire squad."
Haze's stomach twisted as the reality of the mission sank in. [Twenty soldiers, experts in dark magic, with a stronghold on the border.] It already felt insurmountable.
"And they are led by a commander, Möglich," the voice continued, its tone steady. "A man who has rightfully earned his reputation as a tactician and a force of nature. He leads with precision, turning chaos into strategy, and his dark magic skills pose a threat even to the most experienced warriors."
The name Möglich lingered in the air like an impending storm, laden with foreboding. Twenty soldiers under a commander deemed a force of nature. This wasn't the Chūsei mission he had imagined—it was a death sentence.
"And you won't be alone," the voice went on, as if detecting his inner conflict and extending a form of mercy. "Your cellmates will accompany you, and another from this facility will join your team. Each of you will be healed and outfitted with the necessary gear. But do not mistake this for generosity."
The silhouette leaned forward slightly, the movement subtle yet unnerving.
"Failure is not an option. 'Chūsei' missions are rarely given to those of your… stature. This is your only chance to prove your worth. Lives like yours," the voice sneered, "are worth nothing, but even nothing can serve a purpose."
The words struck hard, but he remained unyielding. He had steeled himself for this moment, bracing his mind for whatever awaited him. Yet, hearing it delivered so coldly, so matter-of-factly, still felt like a punch to the gut.
"You leave at first light tomorrow," the voice finished. "Dismissed."
The silhouette retreated further into the shadows, and the beam of light above Haze flickered out, plunging the room into near-total darkness. For a brief moment, he stood frozen, his thoughts swirling in chaos.
The man who had brought him gestured for him to follow, leading him through a labyrinth of corridors. The silence between them was deafening, broken only by the faint clink of Haze's shackles as they walked.
[Why us?]
The question gnawed at Haze's mind, relentless and insistent, refusing to fade away. [If this mission was so perilous, why weren't the mindbuggers dispatched instead? They were the ones who delivered punishment with cruel precision. Surely, they were more suited for a task like this.
And what about the man before me? He had sliced through my chains with such ease; why wasn't he the one going? He seems capable of overpowering any foe to me... atleast. Why wasn't he being sent? They'd handle this mission with ease.] Haze thought bitterly, his fingers tightening into fists at his sides. It didn't add up. None of it did.
The more the figure spoke, the less sense it all made. He was no stranger to being a pawn, but this, this felt like being thrown into a fire for someone else's amusement. The unease twisted in his gut, but he bit it back, locking the questions away for later. There'd be time to corner someone for answers.
If we survive this, that is.