Two months ago, just after the Pillars vanished from Prov Island.
The Maze of Truth stood silent, with no alarms or movement, only the marks of destruction spread across its structure.
The test had ended in a way no one had expected, and it showed in the way people moved, unsure and rushed at the same time.
Participants were pulled out one after another, some injured, some unconscious, and some barely holding on.
The island that once echoed with battle had now turned into a controlled evacuation zone, filled with urgency instead of chaos.
The Pillars had escaped the island, but the clan leaders remained in the test area alongside King Prime VII, securing what was left behind.
In the end, they managed to capture two intruders, Kai and Vin.
After the dust settled, the King stood before them, while the commander of the royal guards made his way back to the test area.
When the commander reported that the Pillars had escaped, a brief change passed over the King's face, his calm expression tightening for just a moment.
Without hesitation, he ordered the commander to gather the best trackers and pursue them immediately.
Once that was dealt with, King Prime VII shifted his full attention to Kai and Vin, who were still on the ground, held firmly in place by Arthur and Pika.
As the King walked toward Kai, bloodlust pressed through the space between them. The king kept his pace steady.
"Both of you will be imprisoned for a long time"
King Prime VII received no reaction from either Kai or Vin. Arthur pressed Vin harder into the ground, making it difficult for him to breathe.
"His Highness is addressing you."
King Prime VII slowly approached Vin, grabbed his shirt, and lifted him off the ground.
"You are mistaken, criminal. The place where you will rot is called Blackwater Prison."
At the mention of Blackwater Prison, fear flashed in Vin's eyes, and the King's grin slowly formed.
Kai looked at Vin, shaken.
'What's going on, Vin?'
King Prime VII turned to Kai, a faint smile lingering on his face, unsettling rather than warm.
"Finally, Kai... you've allowed me to put the burden I've carried for so many years behind me."
Kai looked up and met the King's gaze. Relief showed in his expression.
"What do you want from me?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
Kai went still. His shoulders tightened, and his gaze dropped for a moment before he steadied himself.
The King turned away from Kai and Vin and walked over to the commander of the royal guards.
"Commander, take these two to Blackwater Prison immediately. I will make an announcement to the world in two days, and I expect them to be there by then."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Vin twisted against Arthur's grip, muscles straining as he tried to pull free, but Arthur held him down without effort. His breath came sharp, broken.
"No... no, I can't go to prison. Someone's waiting for me... I can't be..."
King Prime VII turned from Vin and walked away, as if he were no longer worth a glance.
***
The commander of the royal guards stood outside a cell at the headquarters of Prov Island, guarding Vin and Kai.
Heat pressed down on Prov Island, waves rising in the air. The commander stood in full armor, completely still, staring at the cell ahead.
Kai and Vin remained still under the heat. Kai spoke a few times, trying to break the silence. Vin gave nothing back but short, uninterested answers.
"Why is it called Blackwater Prison?"
Kai looked at Vin, but got no response. He let the question go.
Then Vin began to speak.
"Blackwater Prison is not an ordinary prison. Beneath Von City, it is hidden away."
Kai went still.
"What? Something beneath a city that big?"
"The prison sits beneath Von City. The ground it stands on was once part of the city."
Kai stood frozen while Vin kept speaking.
"This prison holds the most dangerous people in the world."
Vin spoke to Kai in low voice as a guard came up to the commander.
"Sir, the transport sphere is ready. I have the item you requested."
The commander took the item from the guard and turned toward the cell, opening it. In his hand he held a collar that nullifies all powers.
The commander placed the collar on Vin and Kai. They were taken to the transport sphere on the coast of Prov Island. Just before it submerged, the commander looked back at them.
"Take one last look at the sunlight. It will be the last time you see it."
Kai stiffened. Vin's breath caught, his shoulders tensing as the transport sphere disappeared under the dark waters.
It was quiet inside the transport sphere. No one spoke as they drifted through the dark, cold waters of the Dead Sea, the silence heavy between them.
The transport sphere eventually reached Fire Clan territory, where guards controlling the passage between stages one and two granted them entry.
Kai glanced around, recognizing the familiar surroundings. For a moment, his shoulders loosened.
But the moment didn't last. The second transport sphere from Von City to Blackwater Prison was already waiting. Kai and Vin were shoved inside without warning.
Not long after leaving Von City, they arrived at the prison.
As the sphere slowed, Kai looked out. Blackwater Prison was enclosed in a massive metal orb, with only a few lights cutting through the dark.
When they arrived, the prison warden met the commander and took custody of Kai and Vin. He then left for Prov Island, aiming to return in time for King Prime VII's speech to the world.
The warden of Blackwater Prison turned to face Kai and Vin. His eyes stayed fixed, his face giving nothing away.
"From now on, your old lives are gone. Nothing outside matters anymore."
"Vin is Inmate 034. Kai is Inmate 037."
YOU ARE READING
UNIFIED W
FantasyIn a world divided by seven powerful clans, centuries of hatred have kept the people trapped in an endless cycle of conflict. When Kai is chosen to reunite the clans and bring peace to the world, he quickly learns that fate has other plans for him. ...
