Two months ago, just after the Pillars escaped Prov Island following their attack on the Maze of Truth.
The test area was evacuated, with people relocated to safer locations.
As the test concluded, participants were removed from the maze, including those who were injured.
While the Pillars escaped the island, the clan leaders remained in the test area with King Prime VII and successfully captured two intruders, Kai and Vin.
After the dust settled, the King confronted Kai and Vin, while the commander of the royal guards made his way back to the test area.
The commander informed King Prime VII that the Pillars had escaped, and, displeased with the news, he ordered the commander to gather the best tracker and pursue them immediately.
After speaking with the commander, King Prime VII immediately turned his attention to Kai and Vin, who were still on the ground, held by Arthur and Pika.
As the King walked toward Kai, he could feel the bloodlust emanating from him, but he maintained his composure.
"Both of you will be imprisoned for a long time."
The king received no reaction from either Kai or Vin, which only angered him further. As a result, Arthur pressed Vin harder into the ground, making it difficult for him to breathe.
"The king is addressing you."
The king slowly approached Vin, grabbed him by the shirt, and lifted him off the ground with one arm.
"You've got it all wrong, criminal. The place where you'll rot for the rest of your life is called Blackwater Prison."
When the king named the prison where Kai and Vin would be sent, fear flashed in Vin's eyes, which brought a grin to the king's face.
Kai noticed how shaken Vin was and quietly thought to himself.
'What's going on, Vin?'
King Prime VII turned to Kai with a smile on his face.
"Finally, thanks to you, Kai, I can put all the burden I've been carrying for so many years behind me."
Kai looked up and met the king's gaze, instantly noticing the relief in his expression.
"What do you want from me?"
After Kai asked his question, the king paused briefly before responding, his face darkened with a sinister expression.
"You'll find out soon enough."
This made Kai feel very uncomfortable.
The king walked over to where the commander of the royal guards was standing, waiting for him.
"Commander, take these two to Blackwater Prison immediately. I will make an announcement to the world in two days, and I expect it to be handled by then."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Vin suddenly tried to break free from Arthur's grip, but he failed, his voice and face showing his desperation.
"No, I can't go to prison. Someone's waiting for me... I can't be gone that long."
King Prime VII paid no attention to Vin and walked away without a second glance.
***
The commander of the royal guards stood outside a cell near the headquarters of Prov Island, watching over Vin and Kai.
Though the weather was extremely hot, the heat didn't bother him at all. He wore his armor and simply stared at the cell where Kai and Vin were.
Kai and Vin barely spoke, focused only on surviving the intense heat.
Kai attempted to lift Vin's spirits, but Vin responded to every effort with either silence or brief, uninterested answers.
"Why is this prison called Blackwater Prison?"
Kai looked at Vin, realizing he wouldn't get an answer, and quickly let the question slip from his mind.
Suddenly, Vin began to speak.
"Blackwater Prison is no ordinary prison. It is located right beneath Von City."
This caught Kai's attention immediately.
"What? You're saying there's something beneath a city that huge?"
"The prison sits beneath Von City, and the ground it's built on was once part of the city, but not anymore."
Kai was frozen in shock, unsure how to respond, as Vin carried on with his conversation.
"This prison holds the most dangerous individuals in the world, including criminals and those who refuse to follow the laws."
While Vin explained the situation to Kai, a guard walked up to the commander.
"Sir, the transport sphere is prepared, and I have the item you requested."
The commander took the item from the guard, then turned toward the cell and opened it.
The item the commander requested was a collar that nullifies all powers.
The commander put the collar on Vin and Kai, and they headed toward the transport sphere, waiting on the coast of Prov Island.
Just as the transport sphere was about to submerge, the commander looked back at Kai and Vin.
"Take one last look at the sunlight, criminals, for it will be the last time you see it."
It was quiet inside the transport sphere, and no one said a word as they drifted through the dark, cold waters of the Dead Sea.
After a while, the transport sphere entered Fire Clan territory, where the guards responsible for the path between stages one and two assisted the commander in gaining entry.
Kai glanced around, surprised to find himself back home. For a moment, he felt a brief sense of happiness and safety.
But it was short-lived, as the second transport sphere from Von City to Blackwater Prison was ready. Without warning, Kai and Vin were shoved inside and on their way.
Not long after departing Von City, they reached the prison.
As the sphere began to slow, Kai saw that the entire prison was surrounded by a metal orb, with just a few lights shining through.
Upon arrival, the commander was met by the prison warden and successfully handed over 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 expression blank and emotionless.
"From now on, you will leave your old lives behind and begin anew."
"Vin will be known as Inmate 034, and Kai will be known as Inmate 037."
YOU ARE READING
UNIFIED W
FantasyIn this world where people have crystal powers, fate chose Kai to once again reunite the seven clans, who are in a constant civil war with each other for centuries. Although Kai were chosen, his path is full of despair and pain, but a voice keeps te...
