Chapter 6: 'Down'

Rattle! Rattle! Rattle!

Sounds of chains moving and rustling with its prisoner's movement echoed out within the confines of the dark space. A black hole that appears larger and larger the longer you stare at it filled the room.

Ghostly wails and painful moans were constantly heard, causing goosebumps to come out and give nightmares to those who're weak-minded. Just imagining what was done to those vengeful spirits who did not rest in peace, shivers travel throughout the body and tremors pop up in the mind.

This place was a prison for those who the "king" deemed unworthy of living, those whom the "king" does not like. Also known to all Underworld citizens as "down". It has that unique name that might not make sense in most minds because they have not heard where that name originated from.

When someone thinks of down, they usually think of up and down. However, if they think deeper down, then what would they be thinking about. Obviously the "Underworld", commonly known as hell.

That's where this prison got its name from. "Down". Down where is there no light. Down where there's no salvation. Down where the sinners are held in captive. Down where there is nothing but anger and despair.

Now, one might wonder where this "Down" is. Is it really down in the "underworld" or just somewhere tortuous that can even make the strongest of minds break down?

To be honest, no one has a clue—besides the "king".

But vaguely, it is known to be within a cave. It maze-like cave. Behind the "king's" castle in the secret capital, there is a single cave with a 10-meter tall entrance shaped like the mouth of a lion ready to chop down on its prey. Inside that cave are many pathways. One pathway can lead to two or more pathways and after another pathway was chosen even more pathways appear—that's why it is known as the maze-like cave or Death's Labyrinth.

This cave also leads deep down into the earth, its area taking over nearly the whole kingdom of Verdant. Once someone enters, it's hard to imagine them ever coming out. As many had tried, but none had ever came out to tell the tale.

That's why it is the best place for prisoners who are sentenced to death to be in—or rather, trapped in until they die. To make sure the guards who take the prisoners deep inside the cave are not lost as well, the guards all tie a thick rope around their waist with the end of the super long rope tied around a tree outside the cave. Holding the really thick bundle of ropes, with some in a bag to be carried in, the guards take in the drugged prisoners with them deeper into the maze-like cave.

Once the prisoners are placed and secured, the guards will then leave with the guide of the ropes.

Within this Death's Labyrinth contains thousands upon thousands of skeletons and carnivorous bugs and insects that eats humans. The smell of death pervades throughout the cave, reaching every corner, path, wall, and open space. Scary wails and noises would sound out periodically. Reminding the people who comes in of the fates of those before them.

Now, it's reminding the new prisoners of their inevitable fate.

Rattle! Rattle! Clang!

One weak prisoner who is just now regaining his strength relied on the help of the cave wall to stand up. His shaky feet and legs nearly gave in but he stubbornly held on. It took a while for his legs to stabilize but it did eventually. Afterwards, he lifted his downward head and looked around at the ones with him. Ashen-faced and in tattered clothes that barely covered up their skin, they were Abner's friends.

And the one described above was Ash.

He looked around at his poignant looking friends and could only let out a bitter sigh.

"If only Abner was still here..." Ash couldn't help but murmur quietly. That quiet whisper was expectantly loud in the large space, flowing into the ears of all those present. They all held the same wish in their hearts that their great friend was still alive and well and with them.

They still haven't had enough time to grieve for him when they were suddenly faced with his murderer. And they couldn't do anything about that guy—that Lyle traitor.

The hot-tempered and straightforward Ash recklessly punched at the wall that supported him, but his soft fist barely made a sound when it touched the wall. The drug he was dosed with still had not fully worn off, so his strength has yet to return.

The same was applied for the rest of the poisoners with him.

Riley—the Inhumane Silenter—felt regret, a tremendous remorse. He felt regret for being so naive, he felt regret for his friends being this way too. How could they have survived for so long with a personality like this? Even if they are strong, brawn without brains is very deadly. It was right to say that they were dumb, they were stubbornly dumb. So dumb they cannot see reason.

It was then that Riley again realizes how important Abner is to them. He had the brains and the brawn. He was always the one who advised them the way to go but also never forced them, he always allowed them to choose their own decision yet at the same time show their strength.

In their world where lies are mixed with truths, where everyday is filled with deceit, they know when someone's lying from their mouth, but they never detect anything when they lie from their heart. They lack the ability to see through human nature—or more specifically, their own side's nature.

"We were too blinded by our own bias, we couldn't tell apart a foe from an ally. Filled with foolishness and covered in a strong pretense when in reality we are far weaker than we could've ever imagined," Riley spoke aloud, not just to himself but to all his friends around him who he is sure understood the words from his mouth.

It was at this moment that their resolve and determination to never be deceived again rose. Of course, it's not as if their determination had not been high before, they were just too relaxed and trusting after meeting Abner. However, Abner is not to be blamed for them behaving this way. They just encountered too many successes and they value their own too much that they tend to not see the truth.

But now...

Riley clenched his fist together tightly and squeezed. Blood seeped out in streams as pain exploded in his senses. Yet Riley did not care. As one of the earliest—along with Ash and Lei—Riley felt it was part of his responsibilities to look after his fellow brothers, and he had failed. A great hatred and self-blame filled his heart.

"Brothers!" It was not Riley who said this. It was Ash, who was previously beating his fists against the cave wall uselessly, that shouted this.

He vigorously raised his right fist high into the air to show his spirits and will. "Brothers! No matter how dark this cave is! No matter how perplexing this place is! We will find our way out and kill that Lyle bast**d! I'll—we'll pound his face in!!" A short speech filled with fervor and vigor that rose the killing intent and spirits of the men roused a cheer of a similar degree from them.

"We'll kill that traitorous Lyle!!!" Shouts broke out from the lungs of everyone in the cave. It was not only their voices that resonated, their hearts as well became one. Their gaze became one. Their spirit became one!

So with newly charged inexhaustible determination, all the men resolutely stood on their two feet and walked. They walked forward. On and on and on without looking back. Without hesitation, without indecision, without regret.

They believe persistently that they will get out of this Death's Labyrinth for they belong not to the dead but the living. For they will bring life to the world above and not the ones unable to change.

They will follow their dreams and bring light. For others who seek light. For those without hope. For those who subjected themselves to despair. For their friends. For themselves. For Abner.