To Each Their Own
In the darkness, Adam heard Askyros' voice once more.
("Betrayed by the one my father called "friend", I was sent into confinement. The order of execution was given to me, but I was pardoned. At the expense of another, I was spared…") [Askyros]
A glimpse of light struck through the dark, and Askyros' eyes opened.
"Ngh…" [Askyros]
A dull pain throbbed in the back of his neck, but he shrugged it off. Askyros found himself sitting down in the corner of a stone room. Looking forward, there was a wall of iron bars and a seemingly large hallway. After shifting his body, he noticed all four of his limbs were shackled.
"...So I was caught." [Askryos]
As he spoke to himself, he saw a light and heard footsteps approach his cell. Two men came into view, one of them holding a lantern out for better lighting.
"Oh, he's awake." [Armored Man]
"I'll go report it. You stay and watch." [Uniformed Man]
The armored man watched his partner leave before turning to Askyros.
"So, how is your day?" [Armored Man]
"..." [Askyros]
He remained silent as his gaze wandered over to the side.
"Are you looking for the warden? He went to go talk to the envoy. You know, the guy you attempted to kill." [Armored Man]
("...Would that be an attempt to kill? Askyros could've killed him any time he wanted to.") [Adam]
"...You really fucked up, you know that right? Out of all the people you could've gone for, it just had to be- Oh, speak of the devil." [Armored Man]
He suddenly stood upright and placed his free hand behind his back.
"Glory to our faith!" [Armored Man]
The uniformed man came back into view along with a familiar face beside him.
"You…" [Askyros]
"Did you miss me?" [White Robed Man]
The envoy had arrived, holding a triumphant look at Askyros as soon as they locked eyes.
"...What do you want now?" [Askyros]
"I came to make a deal." [White Robed Man]
"Don't beat around the bush." [Askyros]
"Not going through the formalities this time?" [White Robed Man]
"..." [Askyros]
Seeing his attitude, the robed man sneered at him.
"What a buzzkill…" [White Robed Man]
He turned and waved at the uniformed man.
"Bring it here." [White Robed Man]
"Yes, sir." [Uniformed Man]
Reaching into his uniform, he handed a scroll to the robed man. Taking hold of the scroll, the robed man waved it around playfully.
"This is your execution order. But I'll give you a chance." [White Robed Man]
("That… doesn't sound very favorable…") [Adam]
"..." [Askyros]
He kept his silence, anticipating the envoy's deal.
"You can either join the army of your own volition like your father, or you can just get executed." [White Robed Man]
Askyros was taken aback, an unexpected deal with a way out had just landed in front of him.
"...What is your reasoning behind this?" [Askyros]
"Let's just say… A certain bandaged person helped knock you out in exchange for sparing your life. Personally, I don't mind either choice." [White Robed Man]
Leaving Askyros with two choices between life and death, the memory was interrupted by Askyros himself. Adam's point of view went dark and the familiar voice spoke again.
("I chose to become a soldier. I was sent to a training camp for volunteers, but the drills were insufficient. Not only was our equipment and guidance lacking, our superiors abused their power. Through that small hell, I found a single soul worth speaking to.") [Askyros]
The darkness rushed past Adam and he found himself in a wooden fort. His surroundings were filled with the hustle and bustle of the morning. Large tents were set up around the interior of the fort, along with men entering and exiting them carrying out miscellaneous tasks.
("Ugh! Did Askyros get hurt? My body feels so sore!") [Adam]
"Hey you! Take that crate over there!" [Armored Man]
A man covered in iron plates pointed at Askyros, Issuing him a task.
"...Yes sir." [Askyros]
"What was that?! I couldn't hear you!" [Armored Man]
"Yes sir!" [Askyros]
He stood upright and replied in a loud clear voice. After the armored man nodded, he entered a tent filled with large wooden crates. While he picked up the nearest crate, a voice spoke to him from behind.
"Out of my way." [???]
With his crate in hand, Askyros turned around. Shifting his box for a better view, he witnessed a trainee shove a scrawnier trainee to the ground.
"What are you- Agh!" [Scrawny Trainee]
"Give me that!" [Rude Trainee]
He yanked a significantly smaller crate from his hands and left the tent. The scrawny trainee sat on the ground in disbelief, but stood up after a moment had passed. He glanced around the other crates and attempted to hold one, but he struggled to even lift them.
"Haa…" [Askyros]
He placed down his crate and rummaged through the back of the tent. After moving a few heavier crates, he found a smaller one underneath.
"Here." [Askyros]
Dusting himself off, he presented the smaller box to the scrawny trainee.
"I-Is this for me?" [Scrawny Trainee]
"Why else would I be holding this out?" [Askyros]
Though hesitant, the trainee took the box from Askyros.
"Don't expect me to help you next time." [Askyros]
He turned his back to the trainee and picked up his crate. Just as he was about to leave, the trainee called out to him.
"W-wait! What's your name?!" [Scrawny Trainee]
Askyros stood in the tent's entrance, glancing back only once.
"Askyros." [Askyros]