Chapter 3: Story

Perseus POV

Our supposed home revealed itself as an extensive cavern, its expanse dimly illuminated by lanterns containing fire crystals. The cave's interior had this intricate network of white crystals, intricately laid out to circulate air for us to breathe, at least, that's what we're told by Harold.

He's a bald old man who looks to be in his early 60s, about 160cm tall and has dark green eyes and a scar on his right cheek. 

Within the cavern had a community of people, living amidst the dim glow. They appeared cleaner than the miners we had passed on our way, yet their bodies bore the cruel marks of forced labor. Scars, cuts, and all other injuries, even many amputated people as well.

"Any of you have a name?" Harold asked as he led us to our quarters, "Apart from the numbers that they assigned you."

At least this world uses English, which made things easier for me.

"Perseus."

"...Perseus?" he repeated

"That's my name, sir."

"This is the first time where a kid actually assigned himself a name."

"Really, do I get some reward?"

"Hah, you wish." he chuckled, "Got a last name or middle name too?"

"Just a last name...Silver."

"Silver, they should have made you a part of the mole team, cuz you're definitely going to find a decent amount of silver. The rest of you, assign yourselves a name as well, I rather not go by the empire's number coding."

"Why are we living in such dirty quarters?" a kid asked, "The room we had was small, but not dirty."

"Get used to it kid." Harold answered, "This is our lives now and it's not like we've done anything to deserve it."

"So why are we here?" another kid asked, "And where are our parents?"

"Oh, your parents..." Harold then stopped to think before slowly responding: "They're here somewhere, it's just that you're all unwanted."

*****

When nightfall came, I tried to get some sleep since I was told that my work would start tomorrow, but I couldn't, these kids were complaining about how it was uncomfortable and all the other things along that line, so I walked around instead and once I arrived at the entrance of the cave...

"Aye kid, what are you trying to do?" a person stopped me and pulled my hand, I then turned to see a middle-aged woman holding my forearm.

"I'm trying to get some fresh air."

"Are you insane? Right...you're a newbie, aren't ya? I think I saw you came in this mornin'."

"I guess so?"

"Please don't head out, unless you're part of the night shift or at least a grown adult."

"May I ask why?"

"It's not against any rules, but you see those guards out there?"

"Yeah."

"They'll hurt you. They like hurting people like us, so...here, I'll guide you back, but promise me to not go out there without asking an adult? Okay?"

"I understand."

"Good."

*****

"Still not asleep, huh?" Harold asked as he came to check on us, "And here I thought that you'd be the one asleep first."

The kids got too tired from complaining and fell deep asleep and I ended up the one being awake. It's definitely not good for me since I'm currently in the body of a 6-year old.

"Why am I here, Harold?"

"What do you mean?" he asked

"The guards, they got whips and blunt weapons, everyone here looks like they aren't fed enough, the scars, and the bruises and other injuries on the miners...we're slaves, aren't we?"

His cheery smile turned upside down right after that, but he hid it and sat cross-legged and signaled me to come over, and so I did.

"Kid, you're smart...incredibly so." he commented, "But don't reveal it in front of those guards, they'll...make sure to send you to heaven."

"They'll kill me, huh? Are they scared that I'll help lead a rebellion or something?"

"Yeah," he answered and looked around cautiously, "Seriously, promise me, act dumb in front of them, if they know that you're smart, they'll whisk you away."

"You're smart."

"I'm an old man with decades of wisdom, of course I am. You can talk like this when you're a bit older, but please act dumb, you got a lot of years ahead of you."

"Okay..."

"Good." he said as he patted my shoulders

"Are my parents criminals, Harold?"

"To the empire, they can be."

"What does that mean?"

"Long story, I was planning on telling you newbies together tomorrow."

"Just tell me now, it's not like we've got anywhere else to be."

"You have to go to sleep right after, understand?"

"Yeah, but please tell me it in detail."

"Yeah...you seem smart enough to understand." he nodded, "I'll ask you a question, what feature do you see all of us share in common?"

"White hair, brown skin?"

"Yeah, that's cuz we both share a common ancestor." he then sighs, "Once upon a time, in a distant era of myths and legends, there were two legendary heroes whose names echoed through the ages: Sam Wyatt and Jayden Hawk. Together, they embarked on a journey to confront the god of demons, a being that threatened to plunge the world into eternal darkness.

"They braved every trial that stood in their path. With sword and shield in hand, they faced the demonic forces that plagued the land. In the final confrontation, Sam and Jayden emerged triumphant. They succeeded in banishing the god of demons to the depths of oblivion, securing a fragile peace for the world.

"Unbeknownst to all but a select few, Sam Wyatt harbored a dark secret within him. In a bid to ensure his own power and dominance, he preserved a remnant of the demon god within his own being, intending to harness its dark energy for his own ends.

"When Jayden Hawk discovered Sam's treachery and realized the grave threat that Sam posed to the world, Jayden took decisive action, confronting his former comrade in a fateful showdown. In the climactic clash that ensued, Jayden emerged victorious.

"In the aftermath of the conflict, Jayden, now the sole hero celebrated by the masses, seized power and established an empire built upon the ashes of their victory. As a consequence of Sam's deceit, Jayden condemned the descendants of the Wyatt family to a life of servitude, bound by the shackles of slavery." he then turned to me, "Who do you think was our ancestor, kid?"