Chapter 40 The Dark Gaze of a Monster (1/2)

The definition of Jailhouse for Cordon was certainly different to that of a city such as Toulle. In a city Jailhouse, as many as four hundred individuals could be imprisoned, in Cordon, they would be lucky to fit five people in the single basement cell. Needless to say it was a good thing crime rates were so low in Cordon, else they would have had to share their cell with the boy who had massacred so many only the night before.

The underground room was dark and cold. There were no windows, only torches that lined the walls and what little light travelled down the staircase from the main level. Jane, the little girl who'd awakened the wind element the previous night, didn't hesitate to go down the stairs. Though Arita could tell she was scared of what lay beneath. When Arita's feet hit the stone floor of the basement, she only had to take two steps to get a decent view of the chained boy.

He was kneeling on the stone ground, and while nothing held his lower body in place, the Anthrite Chains wrapped around his upper torso and spiralled up his arms and neck. On his face Arita could see a pure metal mask, the silver of the metal contrasting greatly with his dark hair and pale skin. Both of his wrists were cuffed and in turn chained to opposite sides of the cell. Despite how uncomfortable it looked, the boy seemed content. He was so still, that the only way Arita could tell he was still alive was by his small periodic breaths that made no noise and barely any movement.

It took a moment before anyone said anything, all of them just seemed to be taking in the sight of the boy there. They all seemed to be thinking the same thing. How could something so small and helpless looking cause such slaughter? How could it generate such fear from the populace? Arita had to admit she wasn't sure she wanted to know. But this was what she'd been sent for.

Jane stepped forward, clutching the bars as she too knelt down in an attempt to meet the boy's downcast eyes.

”Rassa?”

His eyes lifted with a snap at the call of his name, and they locked right onto Jane. Everyone backed away at his gaze. It was so hostile, angry. But Jane just kept watching him.

”It's okay. I'm alright,” she said softly.

His eyes seemed to rove over her, checking for injuries, he glimpsed the life lines peaking out of her collar and paused for a moment, then his gaze softened ever so slightly.

”Are...are you okay?”

Is he okay? What kind of question was that?

Rassa simply stared back, the mask preventing him from making any sort of reply. After a moment, his gaze turned to those in the shadows behind Jane. Jane turned to see what he was looking at then stood, pointing at Arita.

”Ah, this is Grandmaster Arita Jekani. She's a Light Magician. She's going to help,” Jane said, trying to give him a soft smile.

Rassa's dark eyes met Arita's and despite not knowing anything about the boy, Arita knew exactly what he wanted to tell her.

'You cannot help me. This is what I am'.

His gaze was so expressive. Such that in a way, Arita regretted stepping back when she had first seen it. His eyes had not been hostile towards them, rather, he'd been angry at himself. Frustrated. If he was truly a monster as the entire village seemed to believe, at the very least he was one with a conscience.

”Your Life Lines...” Arita stated, the boy tensed. He hadn't been given a shirt, so they were still visible, ”May I see them?”

The boy's gaze looked surprised, like nobody had ever asked before, they'd just taken. Arita felt quite disturbed at that. Life Lines were sacred things, even if they were different, they shouldn't be messed with. The only reason she had not asked Jane was because the child had just awakened. If the stories were to be believed, this boy had had his Life Lines for over 3 years.

It took a moment, but then the boy nodded.

”Open the door,” Arita ordered.

”Are you insane?” asked the Baron, ”He'll kill you”.

”He's chained to two walls and has a mask over his face, I'd like to see him try,” Arita snapped back.

The Baron looked bristled to be spoken to in such a manner, but moved forward with the keys and unlocked the door.