The dungeon

It has been five days now since they locked the prisoner in the dungeon. The dungeon was a very dark room that was lighted up partially and dim by a little rusty window and iron bars. He sat there on a chair, bounded in chains with both hands and legs, with his face fixed to the ground. After some time, approaching footsteps were heard. The sound of the footsteps was increasing, this meant that the person was coming close. The sounds eventually stopped directly in front of the iron door. The door swung open as O'Neil, accompanied by two other guards walked into the place.

" Mind your distances, he can be dangerous," warned O'Neil as they stood facing him.

" Look, I know that you can understand and hear me, all I need is your cooperation and answers. "

"Whatever it is that you and your people want can be offered; just answer my questions, " said O'Neil.

" Who are you?" asked O'Neil.

There was no response from the prisoners.

" I repeat, who are you?" asked O'Neil again. There was silence for some time as he refused to answer.

" For the last time, who are you?!," yelled O'Neil.

" I was given orders to torture you if you don't talk. I've given you enough time but you didn't comply. I'm afraid you've left me no choice, " said O'Neil.

" Carry on boys, " ordered O'Neil, then those with him brought out whips and began flogging him.

The prisoner groaned and wailed in pain as he was receiving the strokes of the whips.

" That's enough, " ordered O'Neil. O'Neil took pity on the prisoner and was shedding tears silently.

" You are so young and I see you're human after all, " said O'Neil.

He ordered his guards to leave the space for him to be alone with the prisoner.

" I'm sorry, it didn't have to be like this. I was given direct orders from my superiors and I know that it's not right, but it was an order. If only you trusted me it wouldn't be like this," said O'Neil.

They left the cell and locked the gates.

Beyond the northern and southern mountains, and afar off the deserted waste Land was a very large cave. Within the cave, gathered many people. These people were the wolves tribe, they were observing a sort of meeting.

"My great people, I warned you all that the sirkari people are not to be trusted but you doubted me. We came with peace as some of you suggested, but we were received with violence. Now they're with our son, my son! Now you can see for yourself that they are not to be trusted, we need to take vengeance by invading the land. And we'll do that for our son, for Simon," said one of them who appeared to be their leader, then the others replied continually in unison: " for our son, for Simon!!, ".....

During practice today, Zelta observed that her uncle wasn't himself. He acted in an unusual manner, which revealed that something was bothering him. After practice, they all went home. Zelta felt like talking to him, but she just overlooked it and continued on her way home.

" Your uncle was acting so awkward today Zelta, I think something is bothering him," said Zain on the way home. This comment from Zain surprised Zelta because she thought it was only her that noticed it.

" I gotta go talk to him, perhaps it may be related to those wolf people,"

said Zelta.

" You're are right Zelta, it should be, " replied Zain. Zain went on but Zelta returned.

Zain had a little laboratory at home where she performed some scientific research and experiments. Within the lab was a book shelf, lined with plenty of books and scrolls. Scientific apparatuses and chemicals, with a cage containing lab rats, were kept.

Everything was well arranged in an orderly manner. Zain has been making some research lately about the character of wolves. According to her research, she found out that wolves are very sensitive to the smell of blood from a far distance, and that chocolate and onions were poisonous to them. She was in her lab performing an experiment before she heard a knock on the door.

" Door's open, " said Zain. The door swung open as Tobin entered.

" Are you busy?" asked Tobin.

" A little, " replied Zain, "Why do you ask, any problem? ".

"No, not really. I just came to see you, " replied Tobin.

" Okay then, you can be my lab assistant for today," said Zain.

" That would be fun, where do I start ?" asked Tobin.

She showed him a round bottom flask placed on top of a tripod stand, with a burner underneath it. The flask contained s green-colored liquid content.

She handed him a stirrer.

" Now stir till I tell you to stop," said Zain. Then Tobin began to stir it.

Zelta came by to her uncle's house. She met him sitting on a chair in front of the house. He seemed to be in deep thought. When he saw Zelta approaching, he pretended not to be thinking.

" Zelta, how are you today?" asked O'Neil.

" I'm fine uncle, but ...," said Zelta.

" But?" asked O'Neil.

"But I don't think you are, I don't think you're okay," said Zelta.

" What does that mean?" asked O'Neil.

" I noticed your actions during practice today, and so did the others. You were completely unlike yourself," explained Zelta.

There was a brief moment of silence before she asked, " what's the problem ?"

" You're right Zelta, I've been passing through a lot these days," said O'Neil.

" I always have to make hard decisions. Right now I feel like I am in between the devil and a deep blue sea," said O'Neil.

" Look, I just wanted to tell you, that you shouldn't allow the problems you face to outweigh the good in you. And whatever decision you have to make, try to make the right call," said Zelta.

" Thanks for your care and for your time Zelta," said O'Neil.

" Any time commander," replied Zelta, then she left him and went away.

A few minutes after she left, he started soliloquizing; " I can't continue like this, it does not feel right torturing a person for no just reason. He looks so young and innocent ."

He stood up at once. " I have to stop this," said O'Neil as he stepped out of the house. He went to meet the priestess.

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