Darkness. All he could see was the darkness. There wasn't a single spec of light that he could see. He longed for that chance to finally see the light, any light. The light in someone's eyes, the light of the sun or the moon. He could feel his head tilt, if that was something he could still do anymore.

He missed the light that he wrapped himself in, the shine and glint of the light reflecting off of his sword, the glimmer of the various keychains he owned. He wondered how long he'd been in this darkness, this nothingness that made him question if he was even still alive.

Why was he here anyway? He remembered being in a fight against some monster, some creature that was able to back him into a corner. He remembered winning the fight, sure, but the last light he ever saw was, ironically enough, the light of that monster's eyes. Ever since then, he hadn't seen the sun, the stars, the sky.

He hadn't a fondest of where he was or what he was doing at any given time, just knowing that he couldn't fight. He couldn't summon his sword, he couldn't call the light to him. It was as if he was swathed within a black hole. There was no light and no escape. The only thing that kept him aware of his continued existence were voices that he heard. The voices of his brothers in arms, the Ritter Der Gotter.

He hated this, truly. No matter how much power he had, and how much his unused, fading muscles ached to move, he knew that he wouldn't fight if he was released. No… all he wanted was to gaze at the stars, at the sky, and to see the emotion in someone's eyes, no matter the context. He'd welcome hatred with open arms. It was still something, after all.

The only other thing that he fleetingly felt, that reminded him that he was still alive in this all powerful void of existence, was pain. Whenever he acted against someone's wishes, he felt pain. He wasn't sure if he was being kicked, stabbed, shot, burnt or what have you, but he knew that his body reacted to pain and pain only.

Infact, he had lashed out, imagining throwing a punch or a kick simply for the chance to be punished for his transgressions. He was so lonely, and so unable to change his situation, that he began to enjoy the pain he felt. It reminded him that he was still alive. It was his anchor to reality.

He heard footsteps, or something like them at least, approach him. He had no idea where he was, if he was sitting, standing, or even crucified. He heard someone sigh, and he wished he could see their face, if only to see the light in their eyes.

"The government has given us a peculiar job, and they want us to take you along." he heard, the leader of his small group briefing him on a situation. He wished he could speak, could react, because he felt a sense of hope at those words. If they had a mission, and they needed him, then he'd be freed, yes?

"We are heading to Japan, so you will be taught the language and any local dialects on the trip. However, you will remain as you are right now. Prime Minister's orders." he said, and he so wished he could frown. What had he done that warranted his detainment like this? It was maddening. The only thing he could enjoy was pain. He was never like this before. They twisted him, and a part of him wanted to give in to the darkness within and desire revenge.

But, that wasn't who he was. He wouldn't lose control of himself, and fall to the Darkness. He had seen what happens to those who lose the light in their hearts, and it's part of the reason why he was here anyway. He wished he could nod, or perhaps he did nod, because he heard a responsive grunt from his former Captain.

"You are to be put in the care of one of our new allies, as a sort of trust exercise. Do know that you are to remain like this. All you can do is pray that they show you some form of kindness." he heard, and he felt himself look to what he assumed was the ground.

He heard a sigh, a resigned sound that he wasn't used to hearing, his head turning in the direction of the sound. "You are God's Locksmith, child. I do not wish to see you bound like this, but those above us would see you chained for the rest of your days. Perhaps something will happen that will force our hand. I know that you love the light God gave us more than anyone." he said, sounding rather somber, something that the one in the dark could pray he smiled at. He wanted to be freed. He needed to be freed. Although, he noted something about what his former Captain said.

That he was bound, chained up. And, he knew better than any, that where there were chains and restraints, that there were locks. And wherever in this world there were locks, there were keys. And nobody could craft a key better than the one called God's Locksmith.