Martial Arts Worlds

"That's extremely reckless, Kiernan."

Pankratios said.

He wasn't happy about what he was doing, as it could go wrong in so many ways, and they could do nothing to help.

Downed Prison was built in a way that things such as Teleportation Ceremonies weren't going to work over there.

Those methods were patched long ago.

It was a place of despair, and during its eight hundred years of existence, there had only been three people that had successfully escaped.

Last time was two hundred years ago, and it was said that the Downed Prison was stronger than ever before.

It was apparently completely escape-proof.

"I don't think you should do it.

"Let's say I can get you there with a fake alias, it won't hold for long. You are a very famous person, Kiernan, and they will be able to recognize your face soon enough.

"I would give you about three days to escape until you meet the Prison Warden, and then it's game over.

"Prison Warden meets with every new inmate, and he is Mindbreaker, who will force the truth out of your mouth."

Xerxus said.

"You would need to break out of the most secure prison in the world in three days. It takes years of planning and careful execution to even have a chance of escaping."

Pankratios said.

"Martial Abilities also won't work in the Downed Prison."

Xerxus said.

"How well do you know that prison?"

Kiernan asked.

"…Sigh."

Xerxus rubbed his forehead.

He knew there was nothing he could say to change Kiernan's mind at this point, and if he just decided not to help him, he would find another way.

"It's an underwater prison. The prison vessel will stop at the spot we call 'The Trench' and in that place, the prison's ceiling will open up, and the ship will sink into the prison.

"The prison's ceiling is operated deep inside the Downed Prison's control room, and it is the only exit in the whole place.

"The control room is heavily guarded by armed security, and it automatically closes after thirty seconds, so you just can't go open there, and then run for freedom.

"The control room is located at the bottom of the Downed Prison. It's designed in a way that you would need help to access it.

"However, whoever helps you to escape from the control room, that person will have to stay behind.

"The prison is separated into twelve levels. The first floor is the entrance to the prison, so it's where the Prison Warden's office is and the quarters of the prison guards are.

"From the second to the eleventh floor, it's all prisoners. The further down you go, the more dangerous it will be.

"The twelfth level is the control room."

Xerxus said.

"What level would my friend be? He is Martial Master."

Kiernan said.

"It means that he will be in level 6, and since you are Martial King, you will be at level 8."

Xerxus said.

"…I must say this to you, Kiernan. Don't do it. You have a good life ahead of you, and don't ruin it because of your friend's mistake."

Pankratios said with a heavy look.

'They don't know it, but I have a cheat that will help me greatly in the Downed Prison. The inventory. I can bring equipment that is otherwise impossible to bring there.

'I just don't have anything good, which is why I need to put my faith into the lottery's wheel of luck. I need money, though.

'It seems like I need to delay my expansion of my dojo to a later date, but rescuing Julian is currently the priority.'

Kiernan stood up and said.

"Xerxus, sir, please find a way to get me sent to that prison. I need the two of you to trust me. I have a plan."

Kiernan said.

Xerxus and Pankratios looked at each other with complex expressions, and they reluctantly nodded their heads.

…

World Seas, the Trench, right above the Downed Prison.

A steel ship, a rad-looking vessel, floated right above the Downed Prison, and the navy soldiers stood at the deck.

They were waiting for something.

In that moment, the surface level of water started sinking, and the ship got lowered further, and further down.

Below them, a hole opened. A metallic hole with water pouring in. The ship sank inside the hole.

When the entirety of the ship was inside, the hole closed in, and the water inside the place got sucked down.

The ship floated in a shallow pool of water, surrounded by metal walls and walkways leading to other rooms and platforms.

At that moment, a big door opened up, and the prison guards rushed in with their weapons drawn.

They were wearing black and red high-collared coats, with top hats perched on their heads, giving them a menacing and authoritative appearance.

In that moment, the gangplank was lowered, and in heavy cuffs, Julian was escorted out of the ship with a heavy, despairing look.

The Vice Admiral in charge of escorting the prison vessel walked to the highest-ranked prison guard and saluted.

"Vice Admiral Marguard reporting! We've sailed from the Navy Fort with prisoner Julian Noah, sentenced to life in Downed Prison for high treason and attempted murder on the life of Fleet Admiral Ethan Blackforest!"

"…We will take it from here."

The high-ranking prison guard said, nodding to his subordinates, who took Julian Noah away to begin his life sentence in Downed Prison.

There weren't elevators that could take them straight to level 6. They had to walk down each floor, the cold concrete walls closing in on them with every step.

Screams of prisoners echoed through the floors.

Julian shuddered as he went through the floors. It started light with the second floor, which had the weakest prisoners, but it only got worse the further he got.

Some floors were colder, some hotter, and some had a strange smell that clung to his clothes long after he left.

The sixth floor was the tropical floor. Insects and flies buzzed in the air, and the heat was unbearable.

Julian was thrown into a cell with no windows or ventilation, feeling like he had been trapped in a sauna.

It was as small as that ship's cabin where he met Kiernan for the first time, except a thousand times worse.

"…"

With a defeated look, Julian plopped down on his dirty bed that was infested with bugs, feeling utterly hopeless.

"Mom… Dad… Sister… I failed you all."