The force field shut behind them as they entered.
A heavy silence followed,Kairos walked forward as he wore his cloak, his steps slow and deliberate. His face was impassive, but Valkos could tell—the weight of this place was pressing down on him.
Valkos glanced at him, attempting a smirk. "Am impressed with how you handled the situation outside."
Kairos barely heard him. His fingers curled into a fist, his mind drowning in memories.
Valkos sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You know, it wouldn't kill you to talk. I know this place isn't exactly a garden stroll, but a little conversation wouldn't hurt."
Still, silence.
Valkos chuckled dryly. "You always were like this. Even back then, you barely spoke. You just glared at everyone."
Kairos's fist unclenched at his sides. "Are we close?"
Valkos raised an eyebrow but didn't push further. "Yeah. Not much farther."
They walked in silence as they entered the corridors of thorns, several prison guards patrolled this area- walking back and fourth endlessly barely speaking to anyone.
The passage twisted unnaturally, its walls lined with bloodstained thorns. The dim torchlight cast shifting shadows, making the thorns seem like grasping hands, reaching for them, yearning for flesh.
Kairos exhaled slowly, his voice quiet. "I remember this place."
Valkos glanced at him. "Hard to forget, huh?"
Kairos' eyes darkened. His voice carried a sharp edge. "No. Hard to forgive."
The memory was carved into him like a wound that refused to close. The countless hours spent in these corridors, the sting of the thorns slicing into his skin, the jeers of the demons who dragged him down its twisted paths.
He shook off the thought.
Valkos didn't push further.
The passage opened into a massive cavern. Fire roared within the walls, illuminating rows upon rows of skeletal remains. Screams of agony filled the cavern as new prisoners were being dragged by wardens, Kairos did not flinch to the site he merely watched the scene unfold. He had experienced this before.
Valkos coughed, waving a hand in front of his face. "Damn, you'd think they'd air this place out every once in a while."
Kairos barely noticed the smell. His gaze drifted over to the new prisoners some of them still weeping. Why wouldn't they? This place was hell.
Valkos exhaled, his voice quieter. "What a sorry site, huh?"
Kairos' jaw tightened. "Let's keep moving."
The descent into the lower cells was treacherous. The Riven Stair twisted impossibly, defying all logic. The steps were slick with residue of dark magic, pulsing faintly with eerie crimson light.
Valkos moved cautiously, grumbling under his breath. "I swear, this place was designed just to piss people off. Who builds stairs like this?"
Kairos said nothing. His mind was elsewhere.
Each step felt heavier.
The weight of the past clawed at him.
He had walked this path before—shackled, bleeding, barely able to stand. The guards had laughed as they shoved him forward, letting him stumble and fall, relishing in his struggle.
But now…
Now he walked freely.
He exhaled sharply, pushing the memories away.
Valkos glanced at him. "You good?"
Kairos nodded. " yeah."
At the bottom of the stairway, two demon guards stood watch, their glowing eyes unreadable.
Valkos raised a hand in greeting. "We're here for the boy."
One of the guards snorted. "Far end."
At the mention of 'boy'-Kairos's face became impatient as he stepped past the guards without hesitation.
The corridor of the cell block was lined with cages, each one filled with a different nightmare.
Cold eyes followed their every move—some curious, others hostile.
Kairos barely glanced at the prisoners. His focus was on one cage.
At the very end.
They stopped.
Valkos gestured towards the cell. "There he is."
Kairos looked inside.
A boy sat curled in the corner wearing dirty clothes, his arms wrapped around his knees. His body was thin, too thin. His head was bowed, his dark hair hanging over his face.
He was trembling.
Kairos's expression darkened as realization sat in- this boy was a demi demon and was imprisoned here.
His voice was dangerously low. "How long?"
Valkos exhaled. "Four days."
Kairos turned sharply rage visible on his face. "And you didn't tell me?"
"I did." Valkos folded his arms. "I told Mysa to tell you."
Kairos's ' fists clenched. Mysa… she didn't say a damn thing.
Valkos sighed. "The boy's name is Gilen Kravat. They're planning to throw him into the Trial of Blood tomorrow."
A sharp chill ran through Kairos.
He knew that trial well- demi demons were forced to prove their demon nature by eating their loved ones.
"Why?" he asked, despite knowing, his voice barely audible.
Valkos shook his head. "Demi-demon. That's all the reason they need."
A slow, seething rage coiled in Kairos's ' chest.
Valkos sighed. "I've tried talking to him. He won't speak. Won't even look at me." He gestured to the cell. "Maybe you'll have better luck."
Kairos didn't hesitate as he asked the guard
" please open it."
The warden hesitated, then unlocked the door.
Kairos stepped inside removing his cloak
The door clanged shut behind him.
Silence.
Kairos took slow, careful steps forward. The boy remained motionless.
He crouched down.
"…Gilen. My name is Kairos."
No response.
Kairos exhaled softly. "I'm not here to hurt you."
The boy flinched slightly- as he heard a voice similar to that of human.
Kairos's eyes softened. "I know what this place does to you. I know what it's like to be alone here."
Gilen's hands tightened around his knees.
Kairos hesitated, then reached out—his fingers barely brushing against the boy's shoulder.
Still no response.
His voice lowered. "I was your age when they threw me in here." His own hands trembled slightly. "I thought I wouldn't make it."
The boy's breathing hitched.
Kairos continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "But someone came for me." His gaze softened. "And now… I'm here for you."
A long, tense silence followed.
Then, slowly—hesitantly—Gilen lifted his head.
Their eyes met.
And in that single, fleeting moment, Kairos saw it—desperate hope, buried beneath layers of fear.
Kairos's chest tightened as a tear fell from his eye- he saw himself in the boy.
"…You're not alone, Gilen." His voice was steady. "Not anymore."
A tear slipped down the boy's cheek.
For the first time in four days…
Gilen spoke his voice barely audible
"…I don't want to suffer, Kairos."
Kairos's hands wrapped around the boy as he hugged him tightly.
His voice was a quiet, unshakable promise.
"You won't."