The Solemn

The prisoners remained silent as the helicopter carried them off to their next home. Two guards both with armed guns stood on each end with one more at the entrance to the cockpit, a spear strapped to his back. One of the prisoners looked outside through the small window, seeing nothing but snow and ice.

"Welcome to your new home, prisoners," One of the guards snickered, "Hope you enjoy it." 

As the Helicopter began to settle, some of the prisoners became more anxious, while a few didn't care. The doors opened and the prisoners were ushered out.

All around them was ice and snow, with were the stood being the only thing that wasn't natural. Even that, it was ominous. A large metal platform for the helicopter with a wide pathway which led to a large circle sealed shut by reinforced steel. A small platform on which the prisoners were put on sent them down into the deep pits of Tartarus. Currently, it also served as the branch for inquisitors

Tartarus. One of the prisoners swallowed. He had only heard about it but never had he imagined being there himself. It was rumored to be one of the most secure prisons on the face of the Earth, with thousands and thousands of cells waiting to accommodate all who committed the most unspeakable of crimes. The prisons origins were unknown, only that the Vlazerncroft family run it. As the wardens.

The elevater came to a halt, connecting to a corridor. Two inquisitors stood there patiently, one had darkskin and wore a headcap and long black sleeves and joggers, while the other wore a black and white coat with a white x on the shoulder rather than a red x. His skin was pale, almost as white as snow, with his light blue hair and yellow eyes. The guard looked confused.

"Where is Oz Vlazerncroft?" He asked impatiently.

"Busy," The inquisitor in the coat replied, without looking at the guard. "I am Jhin Voskov. His aide."

"Inquisitors have no business in the affairs of the UN." The guard said, "Bring Oz here."

"As I said, he's busy. In fact he's not even here. And do well to use the appropriate titles when speaking of Prime Sir Oz Vlazerncroft. Whether he is here or not, his power still stands."

Another guard whispered to the guard speaking to Jhin. He grunted and sighed. "My apologies. I didn't realize who you were. But still, regardless of whether or not O...Prime Sir Oz is here, still show the respect and look me in the face at least."

"My apologies, but I am blind." Jhin said.

"Ahh..."The guard said, feeling a built guilty. "I didn't mean to."

"Don't worry. I get that a lot."

One of the prisoners grit his teeth. This was the guy who was going to be watching over them? A kid no older than 16 who was blind? There was no way he was staying here. He was getting away, and he could do it with ease. Slowly, he moved forward, one step at a time. The other prisoners moved aside for him. No-one dared not to stop him. Who would? He was the biggest and strongest amongst them. 

He reached the front of the line of prisoners, glancing from the guards to the inquisitor. The guards were busy watching the blind kid while the other inquisitor was looking down, into the abyss of whatever lay below Tartarus. The prisoner took a deep breath.

Rushing forward, he grabbed the gun of one of the guards, then pushing the other guard aside, he grabbed Jhin, pointing the gun at his head.

"Nobody move!!" He warned. The guards became more alert, taking out their weapons, the disarmed one taking out a baton. The prisoner wrapped his cuff around Jhin's neck with gun still aimed at Jhin.

"One step and I blow his brains out." He cried, "Just one step, I dare ya."

The other inquisitor merely sighed, glancing at him. "What a dickhead." He said.

"Huh?!" The prisoner cried, veins popping on his head, "I don't care if you think you're an inquisitor. You could be Jahn Vu himself, I don't care!! You will lead me to the helicopter outside or its game over for blindy over..."

The prisoner realised too late that his hostage was not in his hands. He looked up at the guards and the prisoners only to realise that their attention wasn't on him. The inquisitor was also not looking his way, but rather behind him. Before he could turn, he felt the cold steel rip into flesh, blood splattering about as he fell to his knees. Jhin walked out from behind him, standing directly in front of him, his eyes not looking his way.

"Welcome to Tartarus." Jhin said, "Whether you are aware or not, the rules still apply. And trying to escape is a serious offence. Your cell has been changed from D to S. And let this be a warning to you as well, prisoners."

Two people arrived, a man and a woman both dressed in long black and white coats. They bowed to Jhin.

"Take the prisoners to their respective cells." Jhin said. "And also heal this prisoner." The two nodded, immediately setting off to do their duties. 

"I believe your work here is done." Jhin said to the guards.

"Indeed."

"Good. Safe travels on your way back."

The guards nodded, turning to leave. The disarmed guard took his gun from the floor, glaring at the prisoner before joining his comrades. 

"Phew." The other inquisitor said, "Thank God, now I can go relax."

"You should have heard your heartbeat, Miles." Jhin teased, "I really wanted to burst out laughing."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. You make it seem casual but they are prisoners. Who knows what crimes they've committed."

"Meh."

Miles Myers rolled his eyes. Jhin Voskov. The blind young butler of Prime Oz Vlazerncroft. From what he had heard, a long time ago, the Voskov family had dedicated their lives to the Vlazerncroft family. So, every member of the Voskov family would serve every member of the Vlazerncroft family. It seemed farfetched, but it didn't seem harmful to the Voskov family. To be honest, they enjoyed their servitude under the Vlazerncroft. Jhin was no different, serving under Oz Vlazerncroft himself. His silent demeaner and eloquent steps made him admirable to all who saw him, hiding the true monster that he was when facing daemon. All members of the Voskov family were born blind, with the unique licht technique Blindspot giving to them. Jhin, however wasn't born with such an ability. But it didn't define him in anyway. With his rei the Red Hilt, he was a person to be feared.

Miles didn't know how he got to be friends with Jhin, all he knew was that it just sort of happened. He had told him everything about himself, although Miles had not returned the favor, but there was a mutual trust they shared.

"Oh so you guys are done, huh?" A guy called over. Miles looked over at him and smiled. "Back from your mission, Heinrich?"

"Yeah," Heinrich replied, "Those daemon don't stand a chance."

"Overconfidence, huh?" Another inquisitor said from behind him, "It'll get you killed one day."

"Shut up Mize." Heinrich Krahe said, "You didn't even do anything this time."

"Yeah, right." Mize Price said, "Not like you gave me a chance. But for the record, I did find the daemon. It was Susan that sat back and watched, right Susan?"

The white haired girl with bangs covering her eyes looked away with a smile. "A true gentlemen doesn't let a lady fight."

"Lady my foot. Just because Prime Donna says that doesn't mean you have any right to go along that path." Mize said.

"Speaking of primes, where are Prime Oz and Prime Donna?" Heinrich asked.

"Meeting with the Grand Prime." Jhin replied.

"Really?" Heinrich replied, "That's interesting."

"I bet you Prime Kael didn't go." Susan said, "That guy's just...ugghh!"

"Actually, he did." Jhin said.

"Huh?!!" Heinrisch and Susan exclaimed. 

"Really?" Mize asked. Jhin nodded, walking ahead of Miles.

"Why didn't you go then? If its that serious for Prime Kael to go, then wouldn't aides be required to go?"

"Yes, but someone has to watch over Tartarus. Also I'm not the only aide that didn't go. Kyler Tason didn't go as well. Apparently some mishaps in the West branch."

Jhin reached Susan only for her to grab his arm. 

"Be honest. How bad are the daemon attacks for them to meet?" She asked him. Miles and the others stood silently, as she had asked the one question on their minds. Jhin sighed.

"Just know that the occurrence of a daemon incident is highly likely."

The expressions on their faces didn't change but it was clear in their eyes as to what would happen next.

"Also, is that drink a cocoa?" Jhin asked Susan.

Susan looked at Jhin and back at the drink in her hand. "Dude, no. I really, really am starving."

Miles shook his head with a smile. For a guy who couldn't see, he was really aware of his surroundings.

"To think another one would happen in less than 10 years." A voice said from behind Miles. Miles didn't need to know who it was. He already knew.

"This is the job we sighed for after all." Miles said. The inquisitor shook her head. 

"That's the difference between you and me. You haven't seen a Daemon incident. I have." The inquisitor, Agatha, said, "Burn this image into your skull kid. It might be the last time you get to see it."