In the deepest part of the darkest dungeon there sat a ragged man. His wrists wore shackles, binding him to the wall, and his head hung low to the floor, as though the very weight of his sins were pulling him straight to Hell though the cracks in the dusty stone floor.
It was in this cell she had been drawn to him. He was taunted, provoked, and mocked by the guards. Yet, with silent determination, he did not so much as flinch. Later she asked him why, and he only spoke one simple word. Repentance.
He met her eyes that day, and she saw it. That deep, steel solid resolve that was so strong mountains would tremble in his wake. She knew then, that nothing the council could do would contain him if he did not want it to. These magic-cancelling shackles, the lacrima bars, the circle above him that prevented telepathy...nothing could hold him. He truly wanted to be there. He needed repentance.
Jellal watched the shadows of the guards pass by for the hundreth time this day. He smiled softly to himself, eyes transfixed on the floor. The casually tossed insult hit him, and he knew it was all a part of his punishment, and he would take it.
The darkness in the far corner of his cell stirred. He didn't look; he didn't need to. Jellal often wondered to himself how the figure managed to get past all of the councils wards and magic spells, but never felt the need to question it. Daily the figure had been a strong and silent comfort. A glimmer in the darkness, a little salve for his lonliness that he indulged in. However, this time was not for indulgence, nor for himself.
"I need you to do something for me." The visitor did not speak, though he knew she was listening. "Find them, join them. I need you to gain their trust and watch them. Stay close to them." He said quietly, but firmly. He was uneasy sending her, but he could not shake this forboading feeling that swallowed him whole.
He felt a hand touch his shackled wrist, trailing gently along to the inside of his palm, cupping it. She gave it a fleeting squeeze, smiling softly before disappearing completely.
Jellal looked up to the window at the top of his cell and stared at the storm clouds gathering. 'Why was she crying?'