"Shadows... mirages... dreams... Heaven..."
"It is so dark. Please. Let me kill. Let me rip your soul from your flesh." The prisoner's raspy voice echos bounce from the hollow walls. Each line of dialogue reaching escalated volume.
"Shut your mouth prisoner or I will shut it for you, permanently." The guard stands holstered with his spear in place.
"What's the story with that prisoner? Another wild tribesmen that disrespected the empire?" Fukien's curiosity was peaked at the unknown inmate.
"No. That psychotic prisoner is the minister's residential monster. He uses the fucked up guy to torture the others that happen to end up here. But, his personality can switch in an instant so be careful." Dugan looks into the cell for a brief moment to confirm his thoughts. "A total nightmare."
"Sounds harsh."
"Born in the capital and raised as such. This place can birth the worse of people and corrupt the most innocent, if there is anything such as innocence."
"What could possibly happen to make him like this? Or for that matter, give the minister an idea to place him in the dungeon?"
"Who knows? But, just make sure you don't piss off any important people and you will be fine."
"You sure he isn't just delusional and there is some type of misplaced fear about him?"
"Trust me. If I had a choice between being stuck in a cell with him or fighting General Esdeath. I would gladly choose the latter in a heartbeat. Now, lets leave this fucker to his own dwelling."
Fukien nods deciding if a veteran guard would rather fight a general than this guy then who is he to argue. " Have you heard that Night Raid has been more active lately?"
"Yeah. What about them?"
"Just curious about what that means for us? You know, as prisoner guards will our positions be changed or promoted?"
"Listen kid, just keep your mouth quiet about the empire and do your job."
"Alright."
The two continue their routine patrol around the isolated cells. Prisoners begging for release or for their families to be spared from the minister's punishment. A living hell for many that end up here, and a paradise for others.
~•~
"Minster, it appears that Night Raid is becoming more active within the city. What should we do?"
The minister begrudgingly tears into his meal, listening to the reports of the terrorist's actions. "They will be butchered and murdered when I get my hands on them. Even more so the suffering they will have will be unfathomable."
"Minster?" The emperor calls out to his guiding, and must trusted advisor.
"Yes, my lord?" His absent minded monologue took him away from the real problem that is boiling under the surface.
"What should we do about this?"
"Inform General Esdeath that we are bringing her back for an assignment. Until then, we need to focus on strengthening our troops my lord and bringing forth worthy soldiers for our great empire."
"The best advice as always minister!" The emperor shouts happy to be advised by someone such as the minister.
"Now, since the captain of the imperial police has been murdered and many others that are helpful for the empire. We can use alternative means of power for the moment."
"Such as what, Minister?"
"We have an imperial arms user in the lowest depths of the dungeon. Therefore, we can add him to our arsenal of power to destroy Night Raid." The minster states confident in his proposal. "Although, he is a nuisance, but useful nonetheless."
" Hm. He is a prisoner, but a valuable one. In addition to the fact he is an imperial arms user of the Holy Blade Aether. A weapon that allows you to change illusions into reality, so he will be a fine asset to our forces."
"That makes great sense, Minister." The emperor sighs and smile a great empire like this will never be taken down by such a group like Night Raid. They will be crushed in their boots and executed publicly.
"Prepare the arrangement for his release and then bring him to us. Inform the captain of this immediate decree."
"Yes sir!" The solider leaves to inform the commander of the dungeons of this new decree.
~•~
Bringing the prisoner 999 was by no means easy, but they achieved it.
"Avarice Ono, the nightmare himself. We have a job for you, if you're willing to make a deal." The emperor calmly states ignoring the man's current appearance.
" A deal, emperor."
"Help us destroy the organization Night Raid. In return, you will be compensated with living quarters, money, and freedom."
"If I refuse your humble offering, emperor?"
"You will be returned back to your cell and serve your life sentence with no hopes of ever seeing the outside again."
I accept, emperor. However, I do have one condition that I would like to be met."
"What could he possibly want?" The minister eats his rice ball, while contemplating the white haired nightmare's only condition to such a generous offer.
"I would like to keep the females of this ' Night Raid' as personal slaves of mine, if that isn't too much of me to ask emperor."
"Minister, what do you think?"
So, he wants slaves for his own purpose. Long as the organization believes them to be dead, then it should be fine.
"Your request can be granted, however you must create an illusion that reveals them to have died in combat or via an execution."
"Then emperor, we have a deal." The sinister aura freeing from this man chills the room. His smile twisted but happy about this revelation and the beginnings of what he could do to his future toys versus what the minister usually allows him to torture.
"Your imperial arms will be here once you have returned and are ready to patrol with the imperial guard. Which will be today, are you ready for the task at hand?" The emperor questions the newly released prisoner.
"I am. As for my appearance, I would hope that their is a custom tailor that can suit my needs for the moment? If not, a simple outfit will do me find. All white, preferably." A prison suit is far from comfortable nor proper for a man of his stature.
"Indeed. Your outfit arrangements will be met and the rewards of you accepting this offer will be in place for a couple of days, call it insurance for your help."
"Thank you, emperor." Avarice takes a knee in gratitude and follows the maid that leads him to his temporary chambers.
"Soon, he would be able to kill and purify the lost souls."