A prison that is known as hell on earth one would expect anyone to break. No sense of identity, no knowledge of the outside world, not knowing the time or date, completely isolated. Though it never broke one who was born into this prison. Holding on...
Images shifted in and out for me. Each of them blurry. Though it was easy to tell I was dreaming. Even though they were blurry I could tell what they were by memory. Some were from the prison and the others were my time in the sea for three days. Through it all I could hear a familiar voice but couldn't tell who it belonged to. It relayed a familiar message from someone I know is close to me but can't remember their name.
Power can be taken, So become the power itself and it'll never leave you
Slowly I opened my eyes which was hard to do with how my body was still recovering. Once open I saw a ceiling that answered my first question. I'm no longer stuck in the sea but that brings another question, where am I? and who got me here? Couldn't begin to guess where I ended up though since the prison had no books about the kingdoms, cities, or whatever around it. Was their way to dehumanize us and let us know we would never see the other side of their walls, but I knew better. Trained both my mind and body preparing for my eventual escape.
Slowly I sat up , hanging my legs over the bed and hearing it creak. It gave me a moment to see where I was sleeping. Surprised this small bed could hold my weight. Knowing that I may be weak I took my time standing up when I felt ready but even then still felt light headed. So taking a moment I got my wits together before walking out of the room but before that I changed into a set of clothes I saw set to the side for me. Heading into the hallway using the wall to keep myself up I walked into a bar. There were already some patrons sitting at tables and booths enjoying a drink and talking with friends.
"You're up, you know your not an easy man to find clothes for", a man said walking up to me. In his hands was a dirty glass he was cleaning with a towel.
"Who are you?"
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(Ignore restraints and head implant)
"You can call me Vander, I was the man who found you washed up on shore", he answered, holding his hand out. Still on guard I shook it not wanting to be rude. Hearing his voice made me realize he was the man who saved me, backing his story.
"Thank you for saving me. I'm in your debt"
"Don't worry about it. Now why don't you sit down and tell me your story", he said before walking back behind his bar. Honoring his request I took a seat as he set a glass of water down in front of me. Funny how one drifts in water needs water to quench his thirst afterward.
"Thank you", I said while taking a sip.
"Don't mention it. So, want to tell me why I found you passed out by the docks?". Looking down I questioned if I should tell him the truth or not. Looking around at everyone else I could tell this place wasn't your cleanest establishment. Anyways, I owed him for saving my life. I'm sure if I was left untreated I would have died from exhaustion.
"For three days I drifted and swam through the sea after escaping from a prison on an island called Santa Prisca. Was born and raised. Many said it was impossible to escape, but I did"
"Santa Prisca? I've heard of that prison, many have. Makes up one of the islands of Bilgewater. Most criminals who get sent there are never seen or heard of again. They also called it hell on earth. To say you were born and raised there must mean you went through a lot to get your freedom", Vander said with a grim look.
"Yes, I did. Grew up fighting for most of my life. Even my mother fought for me before I could walk and after her another fought for my safety. Can barely remember her nowadays. After her death someone else protected me, teaching me the ways to survive the prison. Once I was a grown man though I began to make a name for myself by fighting the guards and making their life harder than they were use until I finally made my escape"
"You're an interesting man stranger. Never caught your name?"
"Eduardo"
"Well, let me welcome you to the city of Zaun. Don't worry about being an escaped convict. Most people down here were born into crime. Honestly I think you'll fit right in. Oh, before I forget here. Thought you may want this back", Vander said. Reaching underneath the bar he grabbed my mask before setting it down in front of me. Picking it up I looked over happy to see it survived with me before setting it back down.
"Want anything to eat? free of charge"
"I'll take whatever you recommend". With a smirk he walked away to fix me a meal. When he walked away I squeezed my fist a few times to feel my current strength. Thankfully my light headedness has left, most likely caused by the dehydration.
Drinking my water slowly I sat keeping to myself waiting for Vander. Time in prison taught me how to keep aware of my surroundings even if I wasn't looking around me physically. Never knew when or if someone would try to come behind you to shank you. So while I sat looking like I wasn't paying attention I was taking in my surroundings. Listening to everything going on around me. Sometimes it was nice when I did this because it helped alleviate boredom by listening in on others conversations in prison. Listening to the people around me I began to hear an argument.
"We agreed upon two gold cogs and twenty bronze cogs. I got the piece you were looking for now pay up"
"This? it's rusted and looks like it'll barely hold together! I'm not asking for a brand new shiny piece but a working one would do nicely!". Soon I heard the popping of a knife making me look over my shoulder to see a knife at the man's throat.
"I got you the piece so pay up or I'll slit your throat now", he threatened. The man held at knife point was shaking out of fear. Before the man could think about doing anything with the knife my hand grabbed his wrist as I stood behind him.
"Who do you...". He stopped talking once he looked over his shoulder up at me. All I did was stare down at him with no emotion on my face.
"You were hired for a job it seems and true you may have brought him his piece but you brought him one that doesn't seem to work. You failed the job, so you don't get paid. Understood?", I said, tightening my grip. The man began to show pain on his face as my grip tightened.
"Ok ok ok", he said, dropping the knife. Satisfied with his answer I let his wrist go before picking up the knife. He held his wrist in pain as he looked at me with hate but all I gave him was a look of annoyance. Seeing his loss he stood up walking away.
"Thanks for that", Vander said walking over.
"Don't mention it, I do owe you"
"Really, I wouldn't worry about it. Consider it paid after taking care of that", Vander said, taking his pipe out of his pocket.
"No, I wouldn't have survived without your help and get my chance to live as a free man. As I see it my dream would have died if not for you. So until I pay off what you did you're stuck with me", i insisted. Vander just smirked as he let some smoke escape his lips.
"Well if your going to stick around, expect to be put to work around here though"
