Cursed Odyssey

Day 9:

*Clank*

…

*Clank*

…

*Clank*

…

????

My name?

My name's unimportant. Doesn't matter. A rat's ass had more purpose than me in these walls. Who's holding this pickaxe was useless – its only job is to swing swing swing until release.

I've been here ever since I was 7, and today is my 15th birthday. My earliest memory was within these walls. I've completely forgotten how or what my life on the outside even was. The faces of any friends, loved ones, even my own parents… Did I even have any?

all a blur… Except perhaps the visions of the sea…

To this day, the reason for my imprisonment is still a mystery. And I didn't even pretend to care anymore.

In these eight years, no, my entire life… all I've known was this prison… I've seen it all. And for this prison, what was all? The answer was: all was nothing.

Every day felt the same, clank… clank… clank… That's all that filled my head…

However…

The past two days… for the first time… I felt a shift…

For once in my life, I lived in the moment… I felt something looming. Every few seconds I found myself looking over my shoulder…

Was that voice gonna come again? I wondered. 'That demi-god?'

First, it was the death of an inmate, then what happened yesterday… What changed? What arrived? What phenomenon caused this? Was it on our side like it claimed?

My heart rang loud, crashing against my ribs. I normally couldn't care less about others, but now, I caught myself looking around at faces…

It seemed like I was not alone in my apprehension… Especially the kid who had just passed me…

It was a face I did not recognize, yet it was one, unlike any newcomer…

I inwardly shuddered.

In a way, he was just like me… I didn't know if my tired mind was playing tricks on me, but those deep-set crimson eyes seemed to devour all… yet calm with almost otherworldly wisdom, nearly frightening for someone his age.

"Okay…" Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and exhaled for as long as I could, calming my nerves…

But when I opened them—

"...Y O U A R E NOT S A F E…"

T—there it was again… But this time… I— I saw—

Flickers… White swirling like fog… They manifested before me, at the tips of my vision I saw them, but when I looked they would disappear— like shadows cast by an imaginary flame…

My brain thumped, and my body rattled. The words crawled like worms beneath my skin, a chill no burn could chase.

" …Your end is nigh…"

The shadows pulsed once more— were they growing closer? My breathing became drastic, almost inhuman. My vision darkened as I could feel shadows and voices all around me. I clenched my fingers so tight on the pickaxe handle that splinters pierced my skin... I tried to hurt myself, to distract my mind with any pain… Yet there was no pain… My eyes remained open, I could not look away…

"...I am your only salvation…"

The voice was no doubt male, yet it was sweet as honey… Still, there was no comfort… fear turned to paralysis… Until…

"...The place of shattered crystals on the day of eight flickers... A gathering place where only the brave shall meet..."

As sudden as it came, the voice faded, the figures disappearing like a snuffed flame. I could feel my body once more, the sound of my own breathing, the pain in my clenched fists. It was as though time had once again begun to resume its march…

Instinctively, my gaze panned around me… Most stood still, some crumpled on the ground twitching in panic… some screamed aloud, while others stayed muted… But there was a small, almost invisible group among them… There was a light in their eyes… were they… smiling?

"THE PRISON IS CURSED!" A girl screamed, yanking at her hair until it fell around her like loose strands of straw. "CURSED!! CURSED!! CURSED!!"

"SHUT YOUR ASSES THE FUCK UP!! A guard's voice pierced through the chaos, "WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL!? Some random voice and shadows! You really think we've mined so deep we've angered some all-powerful spirit? Or a demi-god? Stop pissing me off! This is probably some test by the warden to see how you all would react! Provoke you into trying an escape! Now get back to mining before I cut off your fingers and use your bones as toothpicks!" The guard's voice was high, his words harsh, yet his tone rose and fell like the tides on an unnatural night. His eyes were squinted, his brows furrowed, yet there was a shaking in his pupils, his teeth clenched, yet there was still that subtle clatter.

What a fraud.

Truth is the foundation of wisdom. Many walked this world bound by illusions of rank and power. They saw titles, uniforms, and the trappings of authority, and their minds filled with imagined superiority. But strip these things away, and what were they left with? Flesh, blood and the same basic desires that plague us all.

He was not some brave soldier, he was just as frightened and confused as the rest of us.

Even the excuse he gave was laughable. The warden was doing a test to tempt people into escaping. In all my years in these mines, such a test had never been conducted. And why would it? none had ever gotten close to escape. Of course, there were attempts by the overconfident to the manics alike, but none even had the slightest chance of success.

The lie was as transparent as the shadows that still played illusions at the edge of my vision— he clearly made it up on the spot to try and ease the madness.

But it appeared to mostly work— The clatter of pickaxes resumed, though the chilling tension was not so easily washed away. His facade of authority seemed to deceive many, especially the naive newbies.

Holding tight to my pickaxe, I took a deep breath, deeper than any in my life, and exhaled imagining the doubts and fears escaping through my lungs and out my mouth.

*Clank*

*Clank*

*Clank*

I began yet again, yet each swing of my pickaxe felt fresh, like a new clanking sound escaped with each swing.

"...The place of shattered crystals on the day of eight flickers... A gathering place where only the brave shall meet..."

I whispered those words once again.

My eyes roamed about the mines… Was this something or somewhere in here? I wondered. If that was the case, I'd be easily able to find it. I knew these mines like the back of my hand.

I did not know why, but there was this urge compelling me to be there…

My breathing became steadier with each clank of my pickaxe as my thoughts began to fill along with my wheelbarrow.

Escape alone may be a ridiculous, impossible dream… But perhaps with the aid of a demi-god, that dream might become a reality…

_____________________________________

Guard Urslan — Arcanist of Flames

Run here.

Check there.

Fetch this.

Do they think I'm a dog?

Damn it all! My life had been so simple until recently! Just some leisurely patrolling, some outside hunting tasks, and preying on some kids when I felt particularly ticked off.

Now, although it wasn't anything official, I feel like I've been demoted to some errand boy!! I barely even get any sleep anymore as I'm forced to sit alone guarding the lower siphoner!

Are they starting to trust me less? What's going on? My talents are wasted here! Ask any other fucking person to do these simple tasks!!

My teeth grinded, steam and fire puffing out of my nostrils instead of air. I needed some damn sleep, I was ready to just throw away the box in my hand and just go take a nap! Screw the consequences!

But that was when in the distance, I saw my way out of this—

"Hey hey!! Little Marlow!" I approached with a smirk.

The short blond-haired guard stiffened at the sight of me, and rushed over with a salute.

"S—sir Urslan! What do I do for you!" As expected, he gave his proper respects.

"These boxes in my hands… Deliver them to office 329 if you don't mind…" I knelt, down, to hand over the box, grinning and patting him on the shoulder. "I really appreciate this…"

"Y—yes! Of course! Sir!" Young man was scared shitless. But now I'm free!

Marlow's knees buckled and shook like vibrators under the weight as I let go and turned to go rest. But it seemed like the 'Wheel Of Fortune' had not yet decided to lift its hex…

"URSLAANNN!!" Another voice abruptly rang out. "What's the meaning of this!? These boxes contain highly classified inventory! It was you, and only you who was tasked with its delivery!"

I turned back around, with a confused mug…

'Ohh… him… '

He was a gray, puny aging man. He was my 'superior', but only in name alone… What true authority did he have on me? He was a weakling! Why would such a disgrace be given position over me?

"Oh yeah! And what're you gonna do about it!?" I openly mocked, Marlow holding the box with quivering eyes that darted between the two of us.

"I'll report this to the Warden of course. She'll deal with this accordingly!" His annoyance was palpable with every syllable.

"Pathetic!" I couldn't help but laugh. "Report me because you're too weak to order me around yourself!? Discipline me with your own hands why don't you! Try it!"

The man simply placed his hands on his temples and sighed. "This is why you're seen as a liability…"

"HUH!? SAY THAT AGAIN!?" Fire raged out of my pores, and my eyes burned like a wildfire as I stepped up towards him, towering over him like a giant to an insect. Yet he stood his ground without the slightest flinch.

"You're only good for your muscles… You do the grunt work, and guard key locations— Job's so easy a toddler could do it! That's your only use since you're pretty much just an overgrown child!"

"One more time… I dare you…"

"You think I'm scared? You won't do anything…" The old man pushed off him slightly. "Lay a single finger on me, and you're not walking out of here alive… Unlike me… You're replaceable… Strength is far more common than cunn— AHHH!!"

The nonsense coming out of his mouth was hard to listen to. So I gave him a burning reminder on his mouth— seared tight so he could no longer speak.

"Enough of your geriatric yapping old man. Stop overrating yourself! Anyone can be cunning, but strength is only for the chosen few… Go report me to the warden! She'd never get rid of me!"

"MMMMM!! MMM!!" Tears streamed down his eyes, as he tugged at his face trying to ease the pain as he croaked like dying cattle.

What a pathetic sight. He talks so tough, but he's as fragile as glass. He really thought I wouldn't retaliate. Most that's gonna happen is a demotion. But I honestly couldn't care less at this point…

"Hey! Marlow…"

Marlow's horrified gaze shifted from the pathetic man below, and up towards my chest. "Y—Yes sir!" He spoke with a slight hop.

"Get to it! I wanna see—"

But it was then, that something caught my eyes, and my ears began hearing whispers and clanking chains approaching.

"I really hope this bladder problem is not an everyday thing for you…" A man groaned.

No doubt a group of prisoners from the mines being escorted back. As they turned the corner, I saw them all lined up with some familiar faces…

That redhead girl from that cell… And not too far from her, that masked blue-haired one too…

I shook my head. I needed to forget about that cell and anything related to it. It was not worth that headache…

But that's when the last of the line passed the corner… my eyes grew wide… I saw him…

His Ashen hair, those crimson eyes… He was looking at the ground walking with the rest, when he suddenly, yet slowly raised his head…

Our eyes met… there was surprise on his face… And then a… smile?

I blinked, and that smile seemed to disappear…

A tremor ran through me. Was I imagining it?

Before I knew it, my fists had already clenched, and my face twisted unconsciously. The sight of him first started as a spark, but it soon expanded into an inferno…

All I wanted to do was—

Calm down… calm down… I slowly eased my mind.

"What went on here?" The escorting guard looked warily at the whimpering lump crying on the ground.

"Just a little accident, ignore it," I calmly responded, and the guard simply nodded and returned to his march. "Marlow, do as you're told… now…" I waved him off, and with a "YES SIR!" He fled like the wind.

And then, my eyes barely open, I yawned and walked past the line of prisoners…

*Snap…*

What was I even thinking?

*Snap…*

I was better…

*Snap…*

I was higher…

*Snap…*

I needn't even concern myself with pions…

*Snap…*

I needn't

"Ahhh… running away now are we?"

"WHO SAID THAT!?" I roared, so loud it was heard through nearly half the prison.

Some prisoners put their hands on their ears to shield themselves from the shriek, while others simply looked at me like I was talking crazy.

"I SAID WHO SAID THAT!?" I screamed once more.

I heard it! I knew I did! I knew what I heard, I knew who I heard… IT WAS HIM!!

"U—Urslan? Sir? No one said anything…" The escorting guard muttered to me.

"Don't lie to me!! You think I'm dumb!?"

"B-but sir…"

Did no one hear it!? Was I really imagining things!?

That boy— he wasn't even looking in my direction! Just aimlessly snapping! What was it behind that head!? Were you smiling at me? Mocking me!?

"S—sir… Perhaps you should get some rest… You seem awfully tired…" The sweating guard pleaded with me, and maybe he was right… I simply yawned and nodded towards him.

Just relax…

I shook my head…

Ignore it like you did be—

"...Are you scared of me? Or scared of the consequences?..."

My eyes flared, and my face tensed… It was there! No coincidence! it was there! it was—

My hands began twitching with sparkling flames licking my fingers, and the guard unconsciously edged away.

Calm down… calm down… calm down… it's all in your head… just… go… relax… I didn't speak a word…

My eyes were barely open… Not because I wanted to look away… but because of my fatigue… yeah… that was it…

I simply just… left…

'Damn I need some sleep…'

_____________________________________

Within the dead of night, Joseph's cell stood as a lone, lively beacon.

After the events of the mines today, how could it be any less? Excluding Samsara who sat alone, and Rayah who slept with oblivious abandon, they all sat by the lone crackling warmth of the fire, mostly listening to Gwynn as he rambled on and on thinking he was some detective.

"So… Shattered crystals… eight flickers… what could it mean!?" It was clear that Gwynn was not frightened by the voice and visions. In fact, it was quite the opposite, he seemed more convinced than ever before.

Was it some childlike wonder, or pure naive stupidity, even Joseph was not yet certain.

"I think I might know…" Arthur's words sliced through Gwynn's babble.

"REALLY!?" Gwynn's eyes lit up like stars as he leaned in closer towards him.

"I'm fairly certain I do…" Arthur casually pushed him away.

"What about the flickers?" Gwynn continued— that question seemed to insight yet another odd reaction from Arthur, before he sighed and went back to normal.

"I may have an idea of what it is… But I'm not yet sure…"

"I think I might know…" Joseph abruptly interjected.

Arthur's gaze turned sharp as flint, "You do?"

"I'm not too sure…" He massaged his chin, "Mind if I whisper it to you?"

Arthur nodded, and Joseph leaned in

Their voice was so low, even Gwynn could not hear them…

"Nine…—"

But as Joseph spoke, his heart skipped a beat— Arthur's keen eyes began to go wider, like a door slowly being pried open…

"HEY! What's with the whispering! Something I'm not allowed to know? You talking shit about me!?" Gwynn grumbled.

"When have we been scared to talk shit to your face?"

"Oh yeah…" He scratched his head.

"Zephyr simply had a broad theory, and he wasn't sure if it was okay to share and bring your hopes up for no reason… That's all…" Arthur sighed. "Anyways, we go tomorrow… Gwynn, I assume you're coming?"

"Wouldn't be caught dead anywhere else!" He responded.

"Figured," Arthur shrugged, "What about you Skylar?"

The girl, who'd been quiet as a mouse, finally looked up. She glanced around the cell, her gaze lingering on Joseph for a beat too long before she spoke. "Zephyr... Will you be going?"

"Me… Ahhh… well…" Joseph thought for a bit, then shook his head with a melancholic smile, "The voice said it was a place for the brave… A dreg like me has no place there…"

"Don't say that!" Her response was delayed as usual. The contrast in her voice was stark, like an unprovoked instinct. "You're one of the bravest people I've ever met!" She clenched her hands around her prison rags.

"You think too highly of me… Why would it even matter if I went? If you want to go, you should go… I just think it's not my place…"

"I— … Thank you… I'll think about it…" Her voice trailed off, and she retreated back into a huddled ball.

As time passed and the flame waned, plunging the cell into near-darkness, they scattered back to their own dens.

As usual, Joseph drank part of his soup, and then threw it at the cell bars in what could only be described as bitter mockery. Only this time, nothing but silence met his defiant act. No guard was passing for the soup to victimize.

*...Snap…*

Gwynn had a lot on his mind, perhaps even more than Arthur…

He put his head on the ground, and tried to sleep, but his attempts seemed to all end in failure. His senses began to settle. The voices from the mines along with the short white shadows replayed in his head over and over again, an unusual feeling taking root in his heart that was not present before.

"...Gwynn Felt… You shall be my chosen emissary…"

He gasped, lungs burning for air he couldn't seem to draw. That voice— It was different this time, not an echo from the mines, but a sound – a voice – slithering through the darkness. He lurched upright, wild eyes searching the shadows, seeing only darkness and the figures of his sleeping cellmates.

This voice was unlike the ones that simply replayed in his head… No, this was real… His ears never failed him…

His breath felt heavy, like a bone was lodged in his chest, his stomach lurched to an endless abyss, and his blood felt like it flowed backwards.

It was then that the words of the voice sank in, deep into his heart a frantic rhythm.

Me… Chosen!? … Why me? And as though the voice had seen into his soul—

"...Young boy…"

"... Your faith is lacking of doubt…"

"... You shall be the leader of the revolution…"

"...I am ****... I will be your master… So listen and obey…"

"...My power is yet waning… "

"...The prison shall be mapped out, under your watchful leadership…"

"... In the shattered crystals, raise your hand, and I shall exalt your status…"

"... Have faith, and simply do as I command, my sweet child…"

"... Do that, and escape for all, I shall more than guarantee…"