Waking up in Prison

*Axel POV*

The First thing I felt when I started to wake up, my back is extremely cold and my body ached like it hadn't moved for awhile. Groaning softly I rolled on to my side. Silently I called out to Sylph.

"Sylph, what is going on? Where am I? Can you plea-"

[Host, your finely up! I was so worried. It has been two weeks since you were knocked unconscious.]

Hearing my voice must have excited Sylph greatly because she cut me off and I felt a feeling of warmth and concern fill me through the connection I had built with her.

"Sylph, I am fine now. I need to know what happened though."

[Ok host, the first thing I want from you is to check your status. You have gone through many changes and need to assess them calmly.]

Hearing her words, I pulled up my status page with a thought.

[DING]

[Name: Axel Wolf

Age: 21

Sex: Male

Race: Hybrid (Human 75% / Beast 25%)

Bloodline: Beast King (25% Unlocked)

Cultivation Level: Gathering Realm Level 9

Mana Capacity: 17550/50000

Mana needed to advance to the next level of realm: 50000

*Note* Due to host having been rebuilt, capacities are higher then normal cultivator.

S: 675 (Average stats of a Cultivator in the Gathering Realm: 250-300 / C&L: 100)

P: 480

E: 690

C: 327

I: 387

A: 625

L: 275 

Blessings: Blessing o?,?sight,?of Di (Due to host cultivation being to low you cannot know the names of your blessings as it would implode your soul should you try and force it) (33% viewable)

Skill: Inventory, Synthesis (Locked), Tame, Parallel Mind, Shapeshifting (Wolf Form),(Beast King Form), Weapons Master, Unarmed Master, Enhanced Instinct, Alpha's Aura,

Host due to you having low cultivation you will not be able to see most of the abilities of the system. You need to get stronger to utilize the system fully.

Hint: Host needs to at least be in the core formation stage before starting to access more functions of the system.]

The first difference that I noted was that my race had change from Beastman to Beast. On top of that my bloodline had really changed from the Silver Fenrir Bloodline into the Beast king Bloodline with 25% unlocked.

As I kept looking down I was floored. No not by the fact that I raised to the peak of the Gathering Realm. No, it was the massive increase in my mana reserves and the unreal jump in my stats.

Next the fact that I had a Locked notification against my Synthesize skill. I didn't quite understand why but I hadn't used it yet anyways. Moving on I saw I had a new shapeshifting form along with two more skills of the passive nature. 

The new skills were interesting. Enhanced Instinct, was exactly as it sounds. It gives me unparalleled instinct and senses. Bringing me to and unreal level of spatial awareness for someone at my cultivation level. Alpha's Aura is my new named aura. It utilizes my beast heritage to intimidate foes in battle, as well as bolster my allies in battle. It can also be used to show off my power in a tangible sense by pushing more power into the skill the heavier my aura will become... in a sense that is.

"Damn Sylph, so that wasn't all just a figment of my imagination. I really had that massive break through and bloodline evolution... Wait, that's not the real issue. When the hell did I complete 2 missions?"

[The two missions, were the first, where you needed to save Silvara and gain her trust, it was completed when her sister came into the vicinity. The second mission was just a learning mission that needed you to heal one companion who was on the verge of death which is why the rewards were lackluster. Keep completing missions to get better rewards.]

My thoughts whirled at how Sylph mentioned that the rewards were lackluster. If that was lackluster I couldn't even imagine what later rewards could possibly be.

"Anyways, thank you for taking the initiative to save me with the rewards. It is crazy but I need to ask where am I right now?"

It was around five seconds before Sylph responded. Her tone solemn and at the same time I could hear anger simmering behind every word.

[Host, you are being plotted against. Right now you are in prison. The City Lord's son is an admirer of both Silvana and her sister. My best guess is when he saw you so close to Silvana he snapped and it didn't help that Tiana wanted to capture you anyways. He probably just felt even more confident.]

It was a lot to take in. I knew though that Silvana should be trying to get me out of prison. Right?

Not asking any more questions for the moment I opened my eyes to take in my surrounding.

I was in a damp and dark cell that had a energy field blocking my path out. The bed I was laying on if you could call it a bed was just a piece of steel sticking out of the wall with just enough space to lay on. No mattress or even a blanket.

As I was pondering my current situation, I heard multiple sets of heavy footsteps coming in my direction. My guess was that there were five heavily armored men coming towards me. My senses and guess were proven to be right as five men stopped in front of my cell.

"Good you're awake. Stand up and turn around, it is time for your trial."

The supposed leading guard said to me with a gruff tone. He was clearly displeased to be doing this. I don't know if it was the action of coming down here and lowering himself to prisoner transport or... Was it because he knew I shouldn't be here and was disappointed in his lord? 

Slowly I stood and turned around, glancing over my shoulder I asked a question to judge his character a bit.

"Trial? But sir I don't even know why I am here. I was attacked on the road and my companion was gravely injured, I healed her and then the next thing I knew I was waking up in this cell. Where is lady Silvara? I was escorting her back to Ruinton City when all of this happened she can vouch for me."

I saw the guard pause slightly before shaking his head and not answering. Just coming behind me and wrapping a chain around my wrist. I felt my power slightly diminish but truthfully not much. I could feel that my physical power was not affected at all. My mana flow was forced to slow down just barely though.

I got my answer with his lack of one, my guess was right. He was not happy that a innocent person was being accused of a crime just so his lord could dote on his son.

To be honest I haven't even met this lord and I already am not liking him. I couldn't fathom catering and doting on a child to the point of putting someone on trial and most likely to death. It sent shivers down my spine thinking about how his personality must be.

Grabbing my arm roughly the guard spun me around and drug me out of the cell. We walked down a hallway that seemed at least over a mile long. Cells were evenly spaced going gown the hallway each holding individuals that seemed to have given up hope. At the end of the hallway there was a elevator the went straight up to who knows where.

Shoving me onto the elevator he stepped back and signaled to someone in the shadows. The elevator started going up and I saw a panel slide open letting in a cacophony of sounds like there was a large group of people just on the other side arguing.

***

*Silvara's POV*

The day I watched my sister completely toss my opinion aside and drag Axel away was probably one of the worst days of my life. The man who risked his life multiple times to protect me was being accused of murder and kidnapping. 

I was furious and made a point of not talking to Tiana except to say that she should just stay away from me from now on. It has been two weeks since that day and today is Axel's supposed trial date. 

I looked into the mirror in front of me to examine my outfit for the day. I had put on a formal business dress suit and had done my hair up into a bun on my head. I was serious today! I am going to save Axel from these false charges. 

I have taken many precautions for today. I cant leave anything to chance or Garret will use his fathers influence to push the matter through. I can see it in his eyes, he will do anything to kill off Axel. Gathering everything I needed from the desk in my room I put it all into my storage ring.

With a deep breath I stepped over to my door and opened it just to find 10 members of my family's guild standing outside of my bedroom door. I raised my brow as I stepped forward. I had a bad feeling but they knew they couldn't really stop me.

Just to make sure I had better bring some insurance with me. I had a feeling that Tiana was going to try something to hold me back from going to the trial.

Walking down the hallway and finally descending the stairs I came into the foyer. There I was greeted with the sight of my father, mother, sister, and the person I hated the most right now, Garret.

Walking closer I greeted my mother and father with a warm smile knowing that Tiana and Garret were trying to manipulate them. I had to stay calm and crush any chance these two have at stopping me. I am sure they both know that I have plenty of evidence to clear Axel of his supposed crimes.

"Mother, father, good morning. I was just about to go to the false trial of my friend." Yeah I was being direct and forceful. I needed to show that I felt these claims were completely false.

My father stared straight into my eyes before he nodded. I knew he was assessing me. If I had shown any nervousness he would have forced me to stay without a doubt. My mother on the other hand frowned at me. I could feel one of her tirades coming on so I braced for the impact.

"Silvara, why are you trying to save the person who kidnapped you? Just let him die and go on the date that your sister and you promised Garret." There it was my mothers incessant need to try and climb the social ladders through any means. I know that she knows that Axel is innocent but she doesn't care. 

She only wants my sister and I to marry into well off families so we can boost her standing farther. That's right not the family's status no she wants this all for personal gain. I still don't understand why my father fell in love with her all of those years ago.

My father sighed because he knew my mother's antics all to well. Just as he was about to speak I beat him to it.

"Mother, we live in a day an age where the arranged marriage system barely works. If you want to advance your standing in this world past that of basically a duke then go ahead and go on the date with Garret yourself but don't bring me into it." I spoke calmly but with venom dripping off of my tongue. Before she could respond I continued much to the shock of everyone in the room. "Also, Axel did not capture me he saved me from Ethan Talon and my traitorous party members like I said time and time again. Stop trying to twist this now if you excuse me I will be leaving."

As I stepped forward Garret, my sister and mother all stepped forward to try and stop me. Just as Tiana was about to open her mouth and order the guild members behind me my father spoke with undeniable authority.

"Men, open a path for Sivara and protect her on her path to the Court House. I will be joining shortly. I have to have a small conversation with my wife."

My father's words made me so happy. I knew if he felt that everything seemed off he would make a move. And here it is, my father is making his move. Maybe he will separate from her this time because of her lack of respect for our family. Before I could process what was happening his personal retinue surged forward and surrounded me ushering me out the door and in the direction of Axel's trial.