Chapter 2: ¶Escape¶

Ivan threw his whip across the room.

'How dare that thing look at me that way?!'

Ivan was furious.

He would never admit to the fact that he was scared of that thing.

He was an extremely prideful man, being one of the esteemed royal guards of royalty themselves. He demanded respect from those who were below his status.

And it dare look at him as if he was nothing but an insignificant insect!

Many years of battle experience became meaningless whenever he faced that thing.

He always had to mentally prepare beforehand whenever he entered any radius close to that man that had a resemblance of a human .

He angrily sat down and downed a glass of water to cool down his raging emotions.

A knock came.

"Captain! An envoy has come."

Ivan froze. His Majesty sent a message? He stood up.

He mended his hair and wore his armour properly that got messed up.

He exited out of the room and went to the entry of the prison to receive His Majesty's message.

The envoy stood there with the guards.

"Captain Ivan. Long time no see." The envoy smiled.

"Long time no see, Arwan."

Arwan and Ivan were known acquaintances.

"How is the situation here?" Arwan asked curiously.

"Always the same old. I can't wait to come back soon." Ivan sighed.

He had spent several years in this isolated prison that he missed the bustling city.

"We can't do anything about it. The words of prophecy coming true must be kept a secret." Arwan said with sympathy. "But worry not, my friend. You might get the chance to return sooner than you expected." He grinned as he continued.

"What do you mean?" Ivan asked.

"His Majesty has ordered the immediate execution of that monster." Arwan replied. Ivan's eyes widened. "Is it true?"

"Yes."

"Then His Majesty's order shall be carried."

"I need to go now. I'll be waiting for your return."Arwan patted Ivan's shoulder.

Ivan nodded and departed.

He looked at the guard beside him. "Order the executioner to be ready." The guard nodded and left.

Ivan walked until he reached those same iron doors that he always passed through.

He entered inside.

Looking around, he saw the figure at the corner. "Call the other guards."

He stared down.

"His Majesty has ordered your execution. What do you have to say about that?" Ivan mocked again.

Silence.

"Answer me!" Ivan shouted.

Silence.

He did not raise his head nor did he move, he just stayed there, if it wasn't for his chest moving up and down with each breath he took, others might have mistaken him for a statue.

Ivan suddenly smiled.

"It doesn't matter. You'll soon be dead anyway." He for once did not raise his hands due to be being ignored.

"Come and take it."

Chains binded his limbs and necks as he was taken away.

Male lead.

The sound of clinking chains bounced off the walls.

It seems that I will die.

It wasn't a meaningful life anyway.

I was led towards a large ground. My pale skin soaked in the long forgotten warmth of the sun - I look up.

'Hmm...the sky still hasn't changed its color.'

The sun was at its highest peak. It has been a very long time since I've seen the sky.

But it's worthless now. I walked forward to the large podium where a man with a large sword was waiting for me; waiting to slice my head off with the huge sword he held in front of him.

Below the podium waited - Ivan. He looked neat with his armour polished as he gave out a ruthless smile.

As I pass by him, he whispered, "I'll make sure I see your head flying and blood spilling. I'll be right there." He pointed to the high walls, where a chair and a table of refreshments were placed.

"It has the best view. I will enjoy every ounce of your moment until you're body is burned where not even your ashes will be left. Save journey." He laughed and left.

'Pathetic.' That was my only thought.

Thousands of guards were on standby for if any issues occurred.

I could see their faces. Stern yet bright eyes; as if they were all looking forward to this.

The lone man stood there. An apathic gaze. He was calm as if it wasn't him that was going to get executed.

The man was forced to kneel.

'Death doesn't seem that bad. In fact, wasn't I wishing for that everyday? If I die, then I will be released.'

But...

Soldiers waited with abated breathes. There wasn't anyone who didn't know about the prophecy except the new batch of soldiers.

Those who knew, swore an oath of secrecy.

Their sound of harsh beating of their hearts boomed in their eyes.

The apocalypse of this world can be prevented. But for it to be prevented that monster must die!

The large clock hung on the wall ticked...

The executioner lifted

his sword up high and striked down.

The sword had yet to make contact with the boy's neck when a burst of black fire enveloped the boy and the executioner.

The executioner was burned to death before he could even scream.

"Really pathetic." A raspy yet soft voice spoke out.

The soldiers and guards were shaken. Before they could even fathom what was happening, the whole execution ground was engulfed in dark flames.

I can't die yet.

I will make them suffer. This world that condemned me. This world that wished for my death. I will make it suffer.

If I die, then I will drag this world down with me.

Soon, the flames receded and the stench of roasted meat emanated.

I looked up to see Ivan.

It seems he was faster at escaping than others.

I walked towards the prison.

As I walked down the path, the torches lighted my way. Their flames flickering as I pass by. Elongating my shadow.

"Halt!" Guards and soldiers alike stopped my way. I continue to walk. It's too late to stop now.

The seal that was once placed on me had long been removed. The marks of seals has all disappeared.

With a montrous speed and strength, I snatched the sword of one of the soldiers nearby and sliced their necks. Bloods sprayed and I was soon dyed in red.

En. I don't hate this color.

My senses were heightened. I could hear the rushed footsteps of someone running away. The sound of their heart racing. Their erratic breathing.

It won't be long until I catch up to him.

----

Ivan ran.

"Damn it! This wasn't supposed to happen! I must run. I must run!"

As he ran through the tunnel, he saw the way out of the prison. He was relieved.

But his relief was short-lived.

A strong gust of wind completely destroyed his way out as the door to the entrance closed. Ivan stopped. He knew he couldn't be saved.

Hopelessness and despair made his legs feel weak. He slowly turned around to see him.

Hair dripping with blood, face and body coated in red. His hand held a sword.

This was not a 'monster' but the devil itself.

The marks of seals has all disappeared. "T-the s-seals.." He was too scared to talk.

"Did you think those seals could bind me?" He asked. He wasn't mocking anyone. It was simply a question.

"I had already figured out a way to remove those seals some years ago, I don't know...time becomes all messed up when you're locked here." He slowly moved. There wasn't even a shred of emotion in those words of his.

"T-t-then w-why..." Fear had paralyzed him.

"Because my plan was to die but I changed my mind. I'll simply take the world down with me." With every step he took, Ivan felt he was close to death.

He took out his sword.

'He didn't have any training with swords or had any battle experience. I might have a chance to win!'

Ivan comforted himself.

"Ahhh..." he let out a battle cry and rushed towards him.

But when he his sword was close to piercing the man, he was met with empty air.

He looked around.

He breathed hard.

He heard footstep behind him and turned around.

He began to attack again but it was all for naught. The man was too fast.

All the seals placed where gone. His speed and strength has made him extremely strong.

Fear was gripping his heart.

Feeling that the man was behind him again, he slashed his sword but the sword was easily stopped by the man. The man pinched the sword and it simply broke.

Staring blankly at his broken sword that was given to him personally by the emperor when he became the royal guard...his precious sword.

A sword that was made with one of the strongest metals which held great honour for any knight was broken just like that.

Years of fear held within him came bursting forth at once.

The man took one step towards him - jerking him awake from his trance. His knees buckled and he fell down.

"S-st-ay a-away!..." Tears and snots flew as he tried to crawl away.

"Save journey."

Screams of agony, sound of tearing flesh and broken bones spread throughout the prison.