[Ch. 13] Prison Break

Ryu sniffled and spoke in a low voice, "I know you don't like my chaos energy… But please forgive me this one time."

Ryu used his chaos energy and pulled out a small decorated effeminate coin purse from his pocket. When he put his hand through the coin purse, it was as if his hand was in an endless storage area. Even with his hand digging through it, it didn't change shape. He found the item he sought after and pulled it out.

In his hands were three small circular pills. They were bright yellow with a strange glow surrounding them. They were a soft jelly-like texture and looked more like marbles than anything else. Ryu frowned as he looked at it, "These are the medicinal pills that my second brother created."

Although just looking at the pills was enough to cause Ryu internal strife, he was willing to remember his past trauma as long as it meant that Panzram would suffer no longer. Ryu forced his eyes away from the medicinal pills and put one to Panzram's lip. Panzram clenched his jaw shut to prevent himself from accepting it and looked at Ryu with a rebellious glare.

Ryu sighed at the obvious sign of distrust, "I won't force you to take them. But if you want to suffer no longer, these will help you greatly. One can cure all surface wounds, two can cure any sickness, and three can heal bone and internal injuries."

Panzram surveyed him for some time before slowly opening his mouth. Ryu gave a faint smile as he put one into Panzram's mouth. Panzram swallowed it and never dropped his gaze. Ryu's finger brushed up against Panzram's lips as he placed another in his mouth.

A feeling of electricity jolted through Ryu's body as his finger touched the warm and moist lips.

Ryu couldn't help but feel curious about the strange sensation. Despite Panzram's rough nature, his lips were interestingly soft. However, as to what Ryu felt when he touched those lips, he didn't dwell on those feelings any longer.

After Panzram took the three medicinal pills, Ryu spoke, "It should take a few hours, if not a day, for the medicine to work. Also, it might hurt as your bones reform."

Ryu fully knew how painful it was to have your bones break and reform. It was a pain he didn't want to relive so he forced himself to get rid of those memories. He looked down at Panzram wanting to comfort him.

To touch him.

Even if it was just a simple touch, he knew he shouldn't do it. He didn't want to push his luck any longer.

He was sure Panzram hated and distrusted him even more after what he just did. Ryu stood up and let out a somber sigh, "Today is my last day… I just wanted to… Say goodbye and thank you."

Ryu waited for Panzram to answer him, but he only got his sharp and hateful look in response. He left Panzram's cell with another sorrowful sigh, too distracted by the strange feelings in his chest to even bother locking the door up. After he finished his shift, he walked out feeling more dispirited than usual.

He was still determined to return and release Panzram from this hellish place, but he wasn't sure how.

Right after he changed and went to leave, a boisterous noise rang out down the hall. Ryu turned to the sudden noise behind him. Suddenly a noise started blaring causing Ryu to flinch and frown under its obnoxious noise. Even though he has never heard it before, he already knew it was the prison emergency alarm.

Somebody was attempting to escape.

People rushed by him with spears and swords. Ryu watched the commotion wondering if he should bother with it or just leave. Ultimately, he turned to leave. It was their own fault for firing him, right? He couldn't be bothered to help a place that had shamelessly allowed Panzram to suffer.

Once he turned to leave, he heard shouting behind him, clanging, and grunts. The sound of pattering feet was approaching behind him with thundering determination. He slowly turned to it and his eyes widened in surprise to see who it was.

An iron grip grabbed his throat and forced him upwards into the air. Ryu closed one eye in pain as he gasped trying to breathe. His feet dangled in the air, but he didn't bother fighting back. He stared down into Panzram's cold ferocious eyes that were sharp enough to kill.

Panzram said nothing as he held Ryu in his iron grip.

Ryu didn't care if Panzram killed him. Although he worried for Panzram's safety after the fact, he couldn't bear to try to hurt Panzram by fighting back. He also refused to make Panzram angry by using his chaos energy. Thus, he could only allow Panzram to choke him.

Ryu could feel his consciousness failing. He reached his hand in his pocket, fighting off the feeling of fading into darkness as he struggled for air. He grabbed a small charm and took it out. He slid it into Panzram's pocket before he lost consciousness.

Once Panzram ensured Ryu had passed out, he slowly put him down on the ground almost as if he was too afraid dropping him would break him. He cast one more glance at Ryu before running away once more.

Prior to this moment, Panzram had rushed down the hallway knocking down anyone who was in his way after he discovered the prison door was unlocked. Not only did those pills heal his body, but they also gave him a rush of overwhelming strength.

When he came to the hall that led outside, he recognized a familiar figure. In front of him was the short flamboyant man who had been acting strangely these last few months. The bright red robes he was now wearing were extravagant yet messy, giving him a laid-back and confident aura only befitting of a spoiled noble.

Panzram was struck with unbridled rage as he saw Ryu leaving the building completely carefree and indifferent to the chaotic scene.

Didn't he care that today would be his last day?

Didn't he care that he was leaving Panzram to the wolves?

Panzram rushed towards him and watched as Ryu turned to him with a surprised expression. A clear look of happiness passed over Ryu's face when he realized who it was. This filled Panzram with more anger.

He was angry at constantly being confused by this man.

He was angry at how this fascination held so much power over him.

Instead of dwelling on it, it would be better if he just killed the flamboyant man. Then he wouldn't have to be confused any longer.

He raised the man off the ground and watched as Ryu didn't fight back. Ryu had no look of fear or distress. Once again, it looked as if the only thing he could see was the rough and cruel man in front of him. Panzram could only see himself reflected in those deep, dark eyes.

A man that didn't fear death was truly concerning.

A person like that was capable of anything and unpredictability was a thing Panzram didn't like. Panzram told himself that since this man had no care to live or die, then he would just go ahead and kill him.

However, when the flamboyant man's eyes closed, Panzram felt a strange feeling stir around inside of him.

It was something he didn't understand.

He hesitated and slowly put his limp body onto the ground. He had allowed the man to live… But why? He said he would kill him…

Yet he couldn't bring himself to do it.