Pante’s Gambit

Jasper was finally pulled from solitary. Three days. Or maybe more. He couldn't tell anymore. His muscles were stiff, his mind hazy, but his resolve? Stronger than ever.

The guards led him back into general population, tossing him out like trash. Inmates turned to watch as he stepped into the yard, bruised, tired, but still standing.

That's when he saw him.

Pante nox.

He stood near the pull-up bars, arms crossed, smirking like he'd just won a bet. And maybe he had.

Jasper walked straight to him. "You knew."

Pante raised an eyebrow. "Knew what?"

Jasper clenched his fists. "You knew Ragor was coming. You knew they'd throw me in the hole."

Pante chuckled. "Of course I did. That's how the game works."

Jasper's jaw tightened. He was played.

Pante stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You think I warned you out of kindness? No, Cruz. I wanted to see if you could survive. And you did."

Jasper's breathing slowed. He wasn't sure what was more dangerous—Ragor's brute force, or Pante's mind games.

Pante smirked. "Ragor was never the real problem. He was just… an obstacle." He gestured around. "The real power? It doesn't come from fighting. It comes from control."

Jasper stayed silent.

Pante sighed. "Look, you impressed me. So here's your real lesson: Blackridge isn't just a prison. It's a kingdom. And every kingdom needs a king."

Jasper narrowed his eyes. "And you think that's you?"

Pante smiled. "No. Not yet. But soon."

Jasper crossed his arms. "And where do I fit into this?"

Pante's smirk widened. "That depends, Cruz. You can keep being someone's pawn. Or… you can be something more."

Silence stretched between them.

Jasper wasn't stupid. Pante wasn't offering a friendship. This was a deal with the devil.

The question was—was it worth it?

Pante patted his shoulder before walking off. "Think fast, though. Because the next person coming for you? Won't be as dumb as Ragor."

Jasper stood there, his mind racing.

He had a choice to make.

Play the game. Or burn the board down.