When I awoke, a mocking, melodious voice echoed through the gloom like a macabre song slithering between cold stones.
—I'll kill you, I'll kill you. I'll eat your head, bury your body, drink your blood and sell your organs. I'll kill you, I'll kill you...
The chant blended with distant drips of stagnant water and the scuttling of rats through rubble. The stench of mildew and decay permeated every corner. My stomach burned with stabbing pain, and the metallic taste of blood flooded my mouth. When I tried to move, a chill ran down my forearms—cold chains bit into my wrists.
—Oh... Sleeping Beauty finally awakens— came a hoarse murmur.
I forced my eyes open, blinking to make out the silhouette looming in the darkness, faintly illuminated by a wall torch. A gaunt man with unkempt beard observed me, one eyebrow raised. His shackles clinked with every hand movement.
—Where am I?— My voice scraped my throat raw.
He smirked, tilting his head toward a window barred with rusted metal.
—Welcome to Narnest Prison, kid.
My thoughts swirled chaotically. I barely remembered what happened before waking in this hell.
—You... do you know why I'm here?— I asked, each word burning my throat.
The prisoner shrugged, chains dragging metallically.
—Heard the guards whispering something.— He gestured for me to lean closer, then whispered in my ear— According to them, you're a "sell-out" who tried to attack Princess Kimono.— He burst into laughter like he'd told a joke— But Sir Valdor restrained you before you could.
His tone enraged me. When I tried to stand, the chain around my neck yanked me back. I coughed, feeling my skin burn under the iron.
—Easy, boy. Those eyes make them think you're sell-out— he said, stretching with infuriating nonchalance.
—A sell-out...? What's that?
The man let out a raspy laugh, scratching his head with a shackled hand.
—Christ, you're ignorant.— Tugging his beard, he continued— Sell-outs are those who let kio corrupt them... how do you not know something so basic.
—Kio...?
He paused, studying me intently, his face showing surprise at my question. Is kio really that common in this world?
—Damn, you look like a complete idiot, now I see it's not just my impression.— He spat on the floor. When I glared seriously, he stopped laughing and composed himself.— Kio is the vital energy of our world. Don't know how to explain it—never went to school.— His gaze turned nostalgic as he looked at the wall.— I just know when you meet someone with titanic kio, you'll see how incredible it is... and you'll know envy.
—I don't know, I've never seen anyone with this kio.
The prisoner's eyes bulged as he dramatically clutched his face.
—You're shitting me! How have you never seen someone use kio?— He stretched his facial skin as if astonishment was twisting him inside out.— Are you from another world or what? Kio flows through everything. It's like not knowing what light is.
I shrugged, confused. Was it similar to what I'd call magic?
The prisoner bent down and picked up a mossy stone from the floor.
—Even this simple rock has a type of kio. Watch— he whispered.
The stone lifted slightly in the air... but fell almost instantly.
When I saw that, my mouth and eyes opened as wide as possible—I couldn't close them.
—Don't act so surprised. My kio is pure—I wasn't born with kenkai or titanic amounts.— He explained modestly, as if his act was completely normal in this world and I was the only idiot amazed by it.— For people like me, it's as if kio doesn't exist.— He looked down at the floor.— I can only imbue objects with my kio to manipulate them... but just for a second. I'm no kio talent.
My mind flooded with questions.
—And other ways to use kio?— I asked, intrigued.
The prisoner showed a lopsided, ironic smile.
—Of course. Mine's the most common... and to top it off, I'm not even good at using it. But there are warriors who can summon flames in their hands or razor-sharp wind gusts.
A lump formed in my throat.
—And those people are the strongest?
—They're strong, but not the strongest. There are others with exceptional talents, like the Three Powers or Princess Kimono herself. They're monsters in human form.
—What are they capable of?
—The great powers? I don't know.— His gaze turned nostalgic again.— But the first monarch could move the entire world with his kio... but bah, those are just legends.
—And Princess Kimono?— I asked.
He snorted, but it wasn't a pleasant sound. His tone sounded irritated, almost resentful.
—Though she doesn't show herself much, I know she has a kenkai that lets her manipulate kio outside her body without needing to transform it.
—How do you know that?— My distrust was evident.
The man tilted his head with a mocking glint in his eye.
—Ever heard of Veyker the Immortal?
I shook my head. His smile widened.
—Clearly you're a lost child. Veyker was a very handsome bounty hunter. He tried to assassinate Princess Kimono... and failed.— His fist, loaded with resentment, struck the floor, chains clattering through the cell's echo.— And now he's in this prison talking to an idiot.
My body tensed immediately.
—Don't tell me you're...
He let out a bitter laugh. His sunken, shadowed eyes reflected more than just malice—they showed resignation.
—Yes, kid. I've killed many... Don't pity me.
I clenched my fists. His story disgusted me, yet something in his tone made me shudder.
—That doll face and pink eyes... they piss me off!— he continued with a low growl.— I don't need your compassion. All that matters is they think you're a sell-out here. And in this place, that means sooner or later they'll come for you... to kill you.
A dry, metallic knock echoed against the cell door—like the announcement of a death sentence.
My heart shrank in my chest.
—Well, well... seems death arrives right on time— the prisoner murmured with a twisted smile.