3 Forsaken By The Dark (1/2)

The prison was located atop a majestic mountain, stretching high beyond the horizon. The building itself was a shining silver edifice, surrounded by a brightly coloured palatial garden.

Yes, prisons in the heavens do exist.

The walls of the prison were constructed of thick glass, allowing a stunning view of the star-strewn sky above. Inside the prison, an unsettling silence filled the air. A steady stream of tortuous light shone through the high windows, illuminating the padded cells.

Most of the prisoners were peaceful, motionless figures, lost in their thoughts; only the vigilant guards patrolling the corridors broke the monotony.

An eerie sense of peace pervaded the prison. The cells were impeccably clean and well-ordered, with vibrant flowers and lush green plants sprawling across the cell walls.

A faint scent of sweet incense filled the air, and a stream of calming music could be heard in the background.

Despite its imposing walls and impressive design, the prison was not a place of punishment. Instead, it was a place of redemption. Through the guidance of the angelic guards and the teachings provided in the prison, prisoners were provided with the tools they needed to find their way back to spiritual harmony.

And then there was a dark prison, a frightening place, one that was dank, dismal, and filled with despair. The thick, cold concrete walls echoed with the sound of footfalls as prisoners clank and drag their shackles through the darkness.

In the distance, one could hear the faint sound of sobbing and cries for help. Every corner that one may turn, seemed to become darker and darker as they get farther away from the few tiny, barred windows that allow the dim rays of light to seep in.

One could smell the musky scent of sweat and fear mingled together in the air. Every so often, pass by a cell that has one, lone inhabitant laying in a cot, looking out with eyes that seem void of any emotion. It's a place of despair, of hopelessness, and seems to hauntingly soak up whatever bit of joy and life that may dare to enter.

Two guards were on patrol, they stopped near one specific cell. One of the guards, Su Qigang slowly said, ''Did you hear about the new prisoner that escaped from the upper prison?''

The other guard, Wen Cai shook his head, ''No, I haven't seen the light since I was posted here. What happened?''

Su Qigang replied, ''He escaped last night. We have to be extra vigilant and make sure no one else follows suit''.

Wen Cai sighed, ''That's crazy. He must have had help on the inside''.

Su Qigang agreed, ''Yeah, or maybe he just saw an opportunity and took it. We'll have to stay on our toes''.

Wen Cai nodded his head and peaked at the prisoner in the dark cell in front of them. Su Qigang smacked his head and said, ''Wen Cai, stop looking and him again and again. This man's brain is already damaged and your sympathy will make him give us a hard time''.

Wen Cai was still staring at the man in the cell who was holding a thick book in his hands.

''Can his sins be forgiven by reciting the rules and sutras every day?''

The prisoner was slowly reciting the rules while turning the pages of the books. His back was facing the two guards.

''Murder is never forgiven and someone so notable like him who killed his brother and slaughtered half of his sect. He will never be forgiven''. Su Qigang breathed out heavily.

''But his brother was conspiring against him and was selling his whole sect to another tyrant king that's why he has been inside this dark prison for the last five years''.

Wen Cai was leaning against the wall and was looking at the man with deep eyes.

''You shall give testimony of crimes you witnessed unless the crimes were committed by your children''.

The man inside the prison was now reciting the rules from the last few pages of the book. His broad shoulders from his back were visible in the dim light from the candles in the hallway. White gown with white inner shirts, his head hung low, his slender fingers roaming on the lines as he recited, his long midnight blue hair with streaks of silver tied in a ponytail.

His general impression was a neat, clear, strong masculine and handsome man.

''He could have confronted his brother, or he would have called upon a joint meeting and taken away the sect leader's title from his brother, why kill him?'' Su Qigang said harshly. ''People do not recite rules and sutras for forgiveness or to repent but they want the release from this dark place''.

Wen Cai said, ''But there's one special thing. Apart from his anger issues, this man is not a bad person. Do you know, his intelligence and his high rank in the upper court? He was such a handsome young man at that time. But his first reunion with his family and his homeland Earth...tsk..tsk..destroyed lord Jiang Liwei's life''.

''So? Sow thin and mow thin. Now he won't live long''. Su Qigang's words were getting ruder. He turned around to go when Wen Cai spoke under some influence,

''But someone said he would be released soon''.

Su Qigang stopped and looked at his partner in a daze.

''Lord Jiang Liwei would get released? Who said that?''

''That stunning...tall.. curly-haired god from the middle court who has been coming here to meet him every month''. Wen Cai's eyes were stuck on Jiang Liwei who was now reading the last pages of the book.

''Oh that Lord? But what can he do?'' Su Qigang asked carelessly.

''He is known for being a man of his word. First, he said that there would be monthly trials. That happened. In the last meeting, he said that Lord Jiang Liwei would get released''.

''Why was that Lord telling you all this?'' Su Qigang asked while looking suspiciously at Wen Cai.

''He wasn't telling me but him. I just overheard their conversation''. Wen Cai said slowly.

Su Qigang said, ''Leave it, he's not getting released without heavenly lord Tan Ju's permission''.

But Wen Cai was in his world, not even paying attention to Su Qigang's words.

''You can't free a man from his sins, but you can make a difference in someone's life. Lord Jiang Liwei could still be able to start a new life...''