Crimson Massacre & Mind Games

Inside the grand house, in a room sat by the table four men, respectively, Gif, Vem, Ramoth, and Nius.

Gif, in those years, managed to grow his beard, having now a full beard that covered his cheek scar. His head hair also grew up, wearing his hair slicked back now.

He truly seemed to be changing in this regard. If you wanted to recognize Gif from his first appearance in the auction house, you would need to stare for long at details. However, his light hunchbacked appearance still gave him up.

Vem didn't change much in those two years that passed. He was still the one that talked the most between the four. As for Ramoth, his muscled body remained the same, but a changed feature he had was his chin that now had a goatee.

In those moments while eating, Vem started the conversation by asking Gif something concerning the guards.

"Gif, it seems that idiot Belpel really doesn't want to listen to us and mind his own business.

After the work, my guards are always complaining that Belpel's guards abused their power, especially since this new year. What I want to say is that their arrogance and transgression could prove to be a detriment to our plans. So what are we to do with that mutt?"

Nius's attention was picked by what Vem said and said coldly.

"So you haven't managed to put that arrogant mutt in his place?"

Vem, Gif and Ramoth looked at the old gentleman and said in unison.

"Teacher, no need to bother yourself and dirty your hands. Remember, our positions can be compromised if you act against that idiot."

"Tsk, whatever. As long he leaves that boy I look after, I don't give a shit about the rest of the trash in here."

"Teacher, you really got attached to that boy, am I right?"

"How couldn't I? He really reminds me of little Lucius. He is an interesting young man indeed. A great mind, but sometimes he gives me this feeling that he has more faces that he shows to people."

"Sigh, the teacher, we don't talk about Lucius here. You make us remember about that blasted day."

"Hmph, and you are the only one affected by this? Do you take me for a fool, little boy? Wasn't I who jumped in the beast's mouth to save you 3 against those monsters?" asked Nius with a cold tone while glaring at Vem and the other two.

"Don't be angry teacher, we remember clearly that day as if it was yesterday." replied Vem while shaking his head.

" You know how those people outside named that day? "Crimson Massacree". The day that we glorious royal guards failed our duty and brought the royal family to its knee against the traitorous noble houses and those underworld rats." said Gif while looking sad and also a bit angry.

"We were simply too weak to even resist those underworld guys as they took the lives of our soldiers. The gold masked guys were too powerful for our understanding, yet we fought to save the royal family. Lucius."

"ENOUGH!" said Nius as the table and things on the table began to shake around, as if a mysterious power was spreading tin around the room.

The three guards shut their mouths when they felt their body shake from an invisible force but still looked to be fine in the face of it.

"Sorry, teacher. We forgot that you suffered the most that night. Receive our apologies."

"Hmph, I don't need no apology, you little brats. I want a strong army so I can take revenge on that humiliating day. Cleanse the entire kingdom of the dirt that is called nobility and then move for those underworld rats."

"You better focus harder on training my army instead of quarreling about dumb reasons, such as that piece of shit from some shit of a kingdom of Grand Line. Our enemies sit on the New World. Do you think I would give a damn about that arrogant fuck that I kill with only my spit?"

"Calm down, teacher. We know you are no longer the person from the past after awakening that power. Yet we 3 soldiers aren't so great as you to awaken it. Not yet." replied Vem in a calm yet a bit agitated tone.

"I know. I can sense it on you. You are at the threshold. It's a matter of months or years before you can awaken your Haki. After that, we will storm the nobles and wipe them along with those assassins."

As Nius said, he rose on his feet, no longer wanting to talk about what happened in the past, which would remind him of that bloody day and his helplessness to even defeat some gold masked young man.

"I will take my leave. You better continue training yourself and the rest of the recruits. I taught you the method of training yourself. If you have any questions, come to my shack."

"Take care of yourself, teacher. We promise you that we will soon awaken that power inside of us." replied the three guards to the old man who was leaving.

-

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As Nius exited from the guard's house, he walked back to his shack in a lonely manner. Walking in the dark alley, he remembered the face of a handsome young guy of around 19 years old young man.

That young man had a pair of green eyes that resembled jade jewels. He had a slender build that made him look more like a scholar compared to his status of royalty.

Nius remembered his younger self having a discussion with that young while seated in the royal palace garden.

"Uncle Nius, I think I stumbled on a great secret inside the royal palace. I don't know how to describe it to you, but did you know that inside the library of the palace, there is a weird puzzle?"

"Heh, how should I know about it, young prince, when your father doesn't even want me to visit you thinking that I will be a bad influence for you?"

"Haha, well, probably he still remembers the time when you took me to the gambling den inside the Low District. Right, let me tell you, uncle, there's this puzzle inside the library that I still can't figure out how to solve. Sigh, I even talked with Vestios to give me some help in solving the puzzle, but neither he has an idea of how to solve the puzzle."

"Interesting. There's a puzzle to reach a secret of the palace? Well, I can give you some ideas about how to solve this puzzle. But you have to describe it to me."

Then his memories flew by with the boy telling him the configuration of this puzzle and giving the young man some ideas on how the puzzle might be solvable.

Then more weeks passed, and he meets the young man again. However, this time his expression wasn't so bright as it first was.

"Uncle Nius, I managed to solve the puzzle, and a new chamber opened up for me, taking me deep in some dark corners of the palace that I never imagined existed."

"You did it? Heh, come, little Lucius, tell me more. What have you discovered there?"

"Ahh, yes, uncle. After I climbed down some ancient-looking stone stairs that seemed to be carved with the highest precision, I arrived down where there seemed to be a garden and a large study room."

"A garden at the palace underground? How is that even possible?"

"That's what I asked myself too. But then I saw the existence of a watering system that looks so advanced that I can't even explain it in proper words. The one who built this palace and hid those things was really a genius to think of that."

"Get to the important parts of the story, Lucius."

"Right, inside that study room, there's another library that contains many books with an unknown language to me. I only picked some of the books in that library, and all of them look in a language I can't read.

However, as I searched around, there's a manuscript that was written in our language that talks about the hidden potential of our body and a new way of opening that potential. The potential of Supreme Energy as the person who wrote that letter called it. If you ask me, I think he refers to that mystical power of Haki."

"You mean this person wrote down a new method of awakening that power? Show me that young prince, let me see how I can awaken this power. I've been training for all my life, and yet I still haven't awakened."

"Easy uncle, don't crush me. I haven't taken away that letter. The person who wrote it explicitly requested that the letter should remain inside the library for future generations to come until the rightful descendant would come to receive all the inheritance."

"Such bullshit, what "rightful descendant". Well, it doesn't matter, come tell me more about this method of training."

"Sure, uncle, let me get myself a sheet of paper and a pen since it's a lot to write down."

-

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Nius shook his head when remembering those moments while his eyes dropped some tears when reseeing this bright young man that always looked to be optimistic about the future to come.

Then he thought of Vlad's face and eyes, along with his character, and said to himself while walking on the dark alley toward his home.

"It must be him. They are similar in eyes and a bit in their facial expression. Maybe the boy took more from his mother's side, but there are still some similarities to Lucius if looked closely."

"Ahh, but how I check it out. There's no practical way of checking one's ancestry that I know, except going to those scamming alchemists."

-

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On the guard's house, they seemed to be finished their meal and also drinks, as they probably drunk their sorrow down.

As drunk they were, they seemed to mumble something under their breath.

"Dark Union, we will go for sure stump on your neck and kill all of you regardless of child and old."

-

The night ended, having the guards go to sleep after talking about other things that would be so delicate as the bloody massacre that happened 12 years ago.

The rest of the workers, slavers were to sleep while the people of the chaotic zone just began their night of activity.

-

A new day came, and Vlad was the first one to wake in the shack, followed by the other two, Kipset and Inorra. They stretched a bit to warm up in preparation for their new working day and also hydrating well. (A/N: Remember to stay hydrated, guys 2L per day is the healthiest amount)

Vlad got first out of the hut, followed in tandem by the two boys as they began their day.

The zone was silent as usual, and most of the people here probably were sleeping from the stupid things they did at night. Walking the road that didn't change much, they spotted an acquaintance walking with some guards.

It was Glim following a middle-aged guard around 40 years of age, who had black hair, a tall nose with no facial hair, his features were weird. The guard was of average height, and his body build was also common.

He had an arrogant face that he backed with a slow walk looking around the chaotic zone, seemingly searching for something that was precisely Vlad.

' Hmm, what's with that barking dog? He wants to get killed by guards and doesn't know how to do so? Also, that guard seems familiar from how he looks.

'Ahh. yes. The uncles inside the mine described him. He's Belpel. Motherfucker, so you are the reason I have it hard inside the mine? Just you wait, I will impale you and then watch you bath inside your own agony and screams.'

'I only have to wait a bit more, two years, and I will be ready to get out of this, and with that, your head will be an accessory for my escape.'

As Vlad was thinking that in his mind while giving a slight stare to the guards and Glim, he moved along, minding his own business while Kipset and Inorra followed along.

After Vlad and the two boys passed the guards and distanced a fair amount, Glim said to the middle-aged guard with the arrogant face.

"Sir Belpel, that's the boy you were looking for, the one walking past us. He's the one that looked similar to what master Mayer had described. Also, he's the one that creates the most disturbance in the zone. You should take him and punish him as master Mayer wished."

"I already know that rat. Who do you take me for?"

"Excuse me, sir?" asked Glim, a bit confused.

"What excuse you, rat? You think I'm dumb or something? I know almost everything about anyone that moves and breaths inside this camp of mine. Especially the one you pointed at, Zagreus, the one Mayer wants to suffer the most." said the middle-aged guard called Belpel while frowning at Glim.

"Sir Belpel, if I may add something about that kid." said one of the guards at the one called Belpel.

"Go ahead, enlighten me."

"Well, how to say it in a simple manner. That boy is a freak, sir."

"Elaborate more on that." said Belpel as he walked forward curiously.

"Whenever we tortured or beaten him, at first, he would give us some feedback. Sometimes he would give a small scream of pain, but now he's just like a bored person. He would even tell us where to hit and so on."

"He's genuinely a weird person, to even ask us how long does he have to stay with us. He asked us all sort of strange questions, like who you are, how powerful you are, things about the camp security, how much we're paid for doing this job. He honestly sounded like a bored old man that had nothing better to do but ask us stupid questions.

Still, we didn't respond much to his questions and did our job as tasked. Whenever we did this, his face from that of a bored person to a cold one. His expression would turn frosty, almost sinister, and the temperature inside the torture room would plunge down some degrees."

"Aha, I understand. Do you still have more to say, or you wish to bore me and place me to sleep?"

"Well, sir, I don't know if it is a coincidence or not, but when he turns like that, cold and sinister, some of the guards would have nightmares in the following days. A small number of the guards complain about their nightmares."

"I see. Haha, you guys should really check on your brains. Such a nice story would make you guys the best inside Kaysang or make you a good bookseller inside the Grand Line and, heck, maybe even get the recognition of some Celestials. Nah, probably those retards don't even know how to read from how stupid they are."

"The stories don't match. How comes whenever I'm there when people are torturing him, he's all vocal, while with you guys, he's all quiet and even wounds you mentally. This doesn't add up. The pain on his face was genuine, so either you're lying, or you're trying to insinuate that I'm an idiot."

When Glim heard what Belpel and the guard next to him, he paled for a bit, slowly understand that he fucked up while messing up with someone he shouldn't. Lucky for him, Vlad didn't know he was the one creating all the problems he had with the adults.

The guard shook his head fast and tried to take back his words when hearing what Belpel said.

Still strolling and noticing the three boys passing them, Belpel said to the guards after forgetting the small incident.

"Sigh, you guys know that Mayer asked us to present him the boy this night in his worst condition. To let Mayer feel his suffering, we need the boy to feel a thing from our tortures or beatings. How can that satisfy the boss?

We need to approach him differently this time. Think of a way to make the boy suffer until tonight. I hope you get results sooner before sir Mayer comes to check the boy." ended Belpel while frowning.

Glim reacted first at the part to approach Vlad's torture differently and suggested to Belpel.

"Sir, that Zagreus guy is close to those two boys beside him. If you make sure to have me on the same job as those two and in an isolated part of the mine, deeper if possible, I could resolve your problems." smiled the boy evilly while thinking that his plans were perfect.

Thinking for a bit, Glim offered, while looking seriously at his face, he said with a serious face.

"Boy, your idea sounds good, I will give you this chance, and if you really succeed, I will give some good words to master Mayer to let you free from the mines. But you fail, you will get tortured and, if possible, even killed."

Taking a break from saying that, he coldly stared at Glim and said to him.

"You better not fail and make a big mess because Gif is already on top of my head, whining and bitching about. I don't want to deal with him now."

"Thank you, sir. I will make sure to get the job done." said Glim, almost laughing with happiness when he heard he could get out of the mine.

-

-

This episode that was prepared by Glim and Belpel for the group of three passed unremarked. However, Inorra, who was more sensitive with his senses, suddenly had a jolt run around him.

Looking around himself as he walked, even on his back, seeing no one, he asked Vlad and Kipset.

"Guys, do you think that something bad will happen today? I had a weird feeling just now as if something will happen. Brother Zag, you better be careful today. Or it might be just me acting weird." ended Inorra while warning Vlad of what he was worried about.

"Is fine, Inor. It's good to be vigilant around such an environment. But don't worry, even if those guys target me, it will be fine. You guys just take care of yourself and don't bother much with my problems, just help me out when I'm getting back to the hut with some ointment." said Vlad to relieve Inorra of his worries.

-

The boys didn't bother much with this topic and soon arrived at the mine gallery to get their assignment.

The accountant was one of the ones that got the most pissed by the slaves, who gave the worst jobs as if those guys fucked his wife or daughter, so much he wanted to mess with the slaves and workers here. Until someone would be pissed and squash his head into pieces.

People by people passed by with angry expressions after receiving their jobs. Finally, Kipset and Inorra's turn arrived, and they got in front of the accountant, who was smiling evilly at them while searching around his book.

Not bothering to face them, a guard came to the accountant and told him something whispering.

The accountant nodded his head tacitly in agreement and finally looked at the two boys saying.

"You two, go at the newly dug route toward the 3rd path. Worry not, you are not at the depths together with those crazy bastards." quickly, the accountant ended assigning jobs for the boys.

Kipset and Inorra had confused faces as to why they would get selected there. But knowing about this annoying staff member, they just pushed the problem back to their heads.

Vlad's turn also came, and when the accountant turned to look at him, he could only frown hard.

"How are you doing, arrogant fuck?" asked Vlad while seeing this annoying staff member.

"I could be doing better if not seeing your dirty mutt, little shit.

"Haha, you sure are cute arrogant fuck. But better watch your mouth. If the uncles would know about your behavior, they would for sure teach you a lesson."

"Hmph, they can try it. But I assure you, they will also pay a lot of that."

"However, don't hurry to go to your usual station. You are lucky today. You got selected to work at the middle point of the gallery, carrying stones."

"What?? Are you sure? Since when do I receive such treatment?"

"Well, you can say that I felt bored of seeing you always going out of the mines and fainting all day long. So there you go, an easy job for you too. Once a year deal."

"Hmm, sure, sure. Once in a year deal? I will take it."

Vlad complied and went to get his bucket to gather the stones and meet the boys at the gallery entrance.

They talked a bit, asking about their job, and when he found what they got, he felt something weird, but just like his own job, the staff guy might want to mess with people in different manners.

"Well, can't say much about my job, guys. You two just be careful of not messing something since this path I heard was newly constructed."

The boys receiving their jobs went separate ways to do their jobs.

Vlad was the first to get going with carrying stones. He had it easy now with his reinforced body. Quickly he filled his stone bucket. Not long, he started journeying out of the mine to get them at the dumping site. While going up out of the mine, Vlad noticed someone walking down the mine. It was Glim, also seeming to get a job at the deepest path.

Taking that into mind, he continued his path to the dumping site.

In other places of the mine, Kipset and Inorra finally arrived at their designated location.

"Wait, what? We are the only ones here? Should this be an expanding new route of the gallery?"

"Yes, this looks a bit weird. But there might come more here once time passes. Let's do our job before worrying about the others. If there are no people to carry the stones, we will just stop working and wait until someone comes."

The two took their pickaxe and started shattering stone with careful movements, and as they were doing that for 15 minutes, they finally heard someone come toward the gallery.

Not looking at who was coming, they kept on their job, but the one who arrived clearly had an evil smile on his annoying face.

'Finally, I can take my revenge on you betraying bastards.'

.....

A/N: We finally manage to see who this Lucius guy is. But unfortunately is just a flashback.

Also, it seems that Mayer will finally revisit his old friend, Vlad and so the guards began planning for a new make-up for him, but would they be successful?

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