Exville Prison

After exchanging warm greetings, April and I sat down to share a simple meal that resembled oatmeal. As I took my first bite, a sudden cough caught me off guard, causing the rest to chuckle and assure me that I would grow accustomed to the peculiar taste. Amidst our meal, they began recounting their experiences in the prison, unraveling the enigmatic truths that lay within its walls.

They revealed the presence of crystals in every room, drawing energy from the captives while the metal repressed their extraordinary abilities. Though I still struggled to grasp the full scope of these abilities, the realization dawned upon me that they were integral to our identities.

September stretched out his long legs and posed the same question for the fourth time, "Did you truly forget how to use your ability?"

Once again, I nodded in response, observing my companions as they delved into their own ruminations. The first time the question was posed, I struggled to grasp its significance, but now, on the fourth occasion, I found myself contemplating the tragedy of my own forgotten powers.

Suddenly, a piercing, resounding call reverberated through the air, causing a flurry of movement among the people at the cell door. April rose swiftly, placing the tray outside the door with a sense of urgency.

"We must go," he declared, turning to me. "Being late for the call is not a good idea."

I nodded in agreement, bidding farewell to my newfound companions as we returned to our room before the second call. The third bell marked the door's abrupt closure, plunging us into darkness once again. In the distance, growls and howls pierced the air, accompanied by a haunting scream and a jarring bark.

"Some unfortunate soul did not make it," one of them remarked with a sigh, noticing my perplexed expression. "After the third call, the dogs are released to remove the dead, the fugitives, and the weak."

I found myself sinking onto the couch, unable to shake off the unease that settled within me. April busied himself at the sink, and despite the weariness in my bones, an inexplicable aversion compelled me to keep my distance.

"Have you witnessed the branches of the mutated birch?" a fellow inmate inquired, his hands now clean from washing.

Initially puzzled, my memories of the torturous interrogations flooded back, and I nodded in affirmation. However, in the dimness, I realized the futility of such a gesture and let out an approving snort instead.

He continued, taking a seat on his bunk, "They weaken us, paralyzing both body and mind. Yet, you should still feel the energy within you. You and Augustus, above all else, possess a remarkable distinction."

Curiosity piqued, I rubbed my aching shoulder joint, urging him to elaborate further.

"In simple terms," April interjected, fiddling with his mustache, "typically, each individual develops a unique control over various elements. For instance, I can manipulate earth, water, and a hint of fire. January governs water and wind." He paused, a glimmer of pride shining in his eyes. "But you and Augustus possess mastery over a single element, making you true prodigies in this realm. You control the wind, while Augustus commands fire. Of course, there are those with less conventional abilities. November, for instance, possesses sound and mind control—a rare and demanding skill."

With closed eyes, I attempted to tap into the dormant power within me, hoping to summon the wind's whisper. Alas, my efforts proved fruitless, and minutes ticked away in a disheartening silence. I persisted, yearning to stir the air around me, but my attempts remained futile.

"Once we escape these confines, we shall remind you of your abilities," April assured me, his words imbuing a glimmer of hope. "Your memory will soon return."

As our conversation flowed, I realized April's genuine warmth and amiable nature. Fate had seemingly favored me, placing me in the same cell as him, a stroke of luck that potentially saved my life once more.

A tremor rippled through my legs momentarily, only to fade away as swiftly as it had appeared. I turned to April, perplexed by the grin that graced his face, unable to fathom the reason behind it.

Before I could inquire, my voice evaporated, leaving me mute. Lips moved in vain, strained vocal cords produced no sound. Suddenly, a soundless fissure tore open in the middle of the room, revealing a tall man with jet-black hair emerging from its depths. In his hands, a lantern flickered, extinguishing the moment he stepped onto the floor.

One eye bore the hue of deepest black, while the other gleamed with a piercing shade of blue. His presence radiated a sense of strength and purpose, his well-built frame accentuated by a sword at his hip. As his gaze traversed the room, it locked onto me, freezing me in place as memories flooded back—a maelstrom of war, childhood, white walls, and an enigmatic figure.

"January..." I thought, a sudden rush of air filling my lungs as his attention shifted to April. In an instant, he approached the opening and began a rapid exchange of hand gestures with April. Nodding hesitantly, April disappeared into the void, beckoning me to follow. Watching his struggling form disappear into the hole, I found amusement in the sight of his shoulders navigating the tight space.

Entering the tunnel, I would have gasped in awe had my voice allowed it. Its immense size dwarfed us, April, January, and myself, joined by two others who seemed visibly exhausted. Sweat streamed down the face of the burly man with glasses, his breaths coming in desperate gasps. The second figure, hooded and of average height, concealed their fatigue, though the rise and fall of their chest betrayed their weariness. Their gaze, once indifferent, shifted to one of surprise and fear.

April swiftly communicated through gestures with January, who nodded in understanding. He proceeded to remove the shackles that bound him, waving to me and the unfamiliar figure to remain where we stood. I nodded, while the stranger beside me crumpled to the ground, leaning wearily against the tunnel wall.

With a wave of April's hand, a new tunnel began to materialize before us. Without hesitation, they disappeared into its depths, leaving behind a sense of both anticipation and uncertainty.

"Incredible," I murmured, caught between awe and self-doubt. "If he possesses such abilities, yet labels me a monster... what power was I wielding?" The sudden cacophony disrupted my train of thought, pulling me from the depths of contemplation.

"I despise this ability," the stranger whispered, his head tilting from side to side as he tugged at his ears. Casting a glance in my direction, he mustered the courage to speak. "Who are you?"

"March," I replied, my answer laced with regret as I realized the unintended connotation. The man blushed and turned a shade of purple, as if searching for an escape from the situation.

"No, I should have recognized you, but you're so thin..." he stammered, attempting to correct his unintended blunder.

"Relax," I reassured him, surprise softening my expression. He had saved me, and it seemed that he carried a debt of gratitude. "Can you help me remove the shackles?"

"Yes, of course," the stranger responded promptly, rushing to my side and hastily attempting to break the lock on the shackles that bound me.

The oppressive silence returned, and I turned my gaze towards the newly formed tunnel. Emerging from its depths were August and September, trailing behind April and January. The last member of our group struggled, his legs heavy with exhaustion. September had already freed himself from the shackles, aiding the others in their liberation.

A surge of relief coursed through me as my hands suddenly felt lighter. I looked down to find the discarded fetters lying on the floor, the unknown companion having swiftly removed them from my feet. An electrifying surge of energy coursed through my body, causing me to tremble ever so slightly.

Within a matter of minutes, all the former prisoners stood unshackled. Augustus exuded an exuberant joy, beaming at everyone and emanating a palpable energy. He exchanged hearty shoulder claps, the vitality within him seemingly overflowing. September, on the other hand, appeared more subdued, his energy restrained. It was an astonishing revelation to witness the brotherly bond between the two.

Following January's lead, the group began waving their hands, gesturing toward the exit. April, seizing the moment, hoisted November over his shoulder, understanding that his weary companion could no longer run. November initially resisted, but soon succumbed to April's insistence. The tunnel stretched before us, seemingly interminable, but we persevered and eventually emerged into the open.

Fresh, cool air greeted me, caressing my face as I eagerly drew in deep breaths. It was a sensation of liberation, a taste of freedom after a mere two days of confinement. How many others could claim such a swift reversal of fortune?

"The last few days have been incredibly fortunate," a hoarse, familiar voice echoed, slicing through the air.

I whirled around, my eyes widening as I laid my gaze upon Dzvali standing at the exit. A shudder passed through me, the memories of our initial encounter resurfacing. The astonishment on the faces of my companions mirrored my own.

"You had the knowledge that I would be asleep tonight, and you wagered I wouldn't notice your departure," Dzvali remarked, a sinister grin playing upon his lips as he tapped his foot lightly against the ground. "After all, you've attempted such a feat before, haven't you?"

"Bastard, are you awake now?" Augustus barked, taking a step towards him. January swiftly intervened, grasping Augustus' shoulder firmly, restraining his impulsive response.

"Don't meet his gaze," January shouted, forcefully pulling Augustus away from the confrontation.

Dzvali continued, his eyes closing as he spoke, "Oh no, I wouldn't dare. Now I hear and see even within my dreams," he said with a self-satisfied smile. "Or rather, my surroundings become my dreams."

A chill settled in the air, surpassing even the previous coldness. It descended upon us abruptly and locally, carrying a distinctly different temperature on the wind. The sudden drop in temperature was jarring, accompanied by a chilling gust.

"No! Augustus!" January's anguished cry filled the air, but it was met with a deafening crack and an explosion. Pillars of fire erupted before Dzvali, growing rapidly and engulfing everything in their path. The intense heat radiated from the merging columns, reducing the surroundings to smoldering ashes.

I instinctively shielded my face, feeling the sting of ash against my skin. The scorching heat became unbearable, forcing me to step back and nearly lose my balance. In that moment of vulnerability, April extended a protective arm, conjuring a small wall of earth that shielded us from the raging inferno. His lips moved, but the gusty winds carried away his words. The fire surged toward us, threatening to breach our defenses, while nearby, an incongruous ice dome stood amidst the sea of flames. April's earthen wall continued to grow, transforming into a round and towering structure.

In a flash, Dzvali soared like a comet, crashing into the ice dome and creating a rupture. A colossal wave of ice cascaded outward, violently expelling him from its frozen confines.

"We must leave!" April grasped my collar with urgency, propelling me over the wall. However, as another explosion erupted, this time perilously close to the ice dome, April hesitated. "You must go! They need me. Return to the city, to the south. There's a station where a train will be waiting. We'll meet there! Tiflis!" With a firm push, he urged me forward, stamping his foot upon the ground. The earth responded to his command, seizing me despite my resistance.

I resisted, desperate to stay and defy the separation, screaming and struggling against the grip of the earth. But no amount of strength could overcome the bonds created by my friend.

The earth carried me away, its relentless force dragging me for what felt like an eternity—almost twenty minutes—without pause. Its pace far exceeded that of a human stride, distancing me from the explosions and flashes of light that faded into the distance. Only towering columns of smoke remained, shrouding the scene in an eerie haze. Finally, the earth released its hold, and I collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath.

Tears welled up in my eyes as the realization struck me—I might never see my friends again. Our time together had been brief, mere days, yet my heart ached with an inexplicable heaviness. Gaining my footing once more, brushing off the dirt that clung to me, I looked to the stars, using their guidance to determine the direction of the south. With determined steps, I set off, knowing that hope must be clung to until the very end. I held onto the belief that our paths would converge once more in the city.