Captivity and Transport

Author's Note:

The writing will only get better and better as the chapters go by. So please be patient and look forward to the novel.

Please support my work and if you are interested you can join my patreon.

https://www.patreon.com/CelestialMountain

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Kael awoke to the jarring sensation of rough, uneven terrain beneath him. His head throbbed, and his vision blurred as he tried to take in his surroundings. Cold iron bars pressed against his skin, and the unmistakable smell of sweat, fear, and decay filled his nostrils. He was in a dark, cramped cage on a moving wagon.

The wagon creaked and groaned with every bump in the road, and Kael could hear the sounds of other prisoners' muted sobs and groans around him. The air was thick with despair, and the oppressive weight of captivity pressed down on everyone like a suffocating blanket.

Kael's initial panic subsided as his mind cleared. He remembered the events that had led him here—his parents' brutal murder, his failed attempt to fight the assassin, and the dark power that had surged through him before everything went black. He tried to reach for that power again, to feel the shadow spirit that had given him strength, but there was nothing. It was as if it had never existed.

Fear and despair clawed at him, but he forced them down. He couldn't afford to be weak. He needed to think, to strategize. His parents' deaths would not be in vain.

Kael shifted his position, wincing as the iron bars dug into his flesh. He looked around, trying to get a sense of his surroundings. The cage was small and cramped, barely large enough for him to sit up in. Other cages, just as grim, lined the wagon. Inside them were men, women, and children, all of them emaciated and filthy. Their eyes, once filled with life, now held only a hollow resignation.

The wagon moved steadily forward, and through the slats, Kael could see a sprawling camp in the distance. As they drew closer, the full horror of the slave camp became apparent. The camp was a sprawling maze of cages and makeshift shelters, surrounded by a high, barbed-wire fence. Armed guards patrolled the perimeter, their faces hard and unyielding.

Inside the camp, conditions were abysmal. The prisoners were crammed into tiny cages or huddled under flimsy tents, exposed to the elements. There was no sanitation, and the stench of human waste mingled with the acrid smell of smoke from the campfires. People moved like ghosts, their spirits broken by the relentless cruelty of their captors.

Kael's cage was unloaded from the wagon and placed near a larger tent in the center of the camp. He watched as other prisoners were dragged out of their cages and lined up for inspection. The guards barked orders, their whips cracking in the air.

A man in the cage next to Kael's caught his attention. He was older, with a gaunt face and eyes that seemed to pierce through the darkness. Despite his ragged appearance, there was a spark of intelligence in his gaze.

"You're new here," the man said, his voice a raspy whisper.

Kael nodded, his throat dry. "Yes. What is this place?"

"The pit of despair," the man replied grimly. "A slave camp run by Darion, the man who brought you here. He's a monster, and this is his kingdom of suffering."

Kael clenched his fists, anger rising within him. "I need to get out of here. I need to find that assassin and make him pay."

The man gave a bitter laugh. "You're not the first to think that way, boy. But escape is nearly impossible. Those who try are either killed or brought back and punished severely."

"I have to try," Kael insisted, his voice fierce. "I can't stay here."

The man looked at Kael with a mixture of pity and admiration. "If you truly mean to escape, you'll need to be smart. Use your head, not just your fists. And remember, Darion is not just a slaver—he's a skilled warrior."

Kael nodded, determination hardening his resolve. "I'll find a way."

As night fell, the camp grew quieter. Kael watched and waited, his mind racing with plans and possibilities. He needed to learn more about his captors, their routines, and the layout of the camp. But most importantly, he needed to figure out how to control the shadow power within him. It had to be the key to his escape.

Hours passed, and Kael's opportunity finally came. Under the cover of darkness, he carefully examined his cage. The lock was old and rusted—perhaps it could be broken. He waited until the guards were at their furthest point on their patrol, then set to work.

Using a small, sharp rock he had found earlier, Kael began to pick at the lock. His hands were steady despite his racing heart. He worked quickly, knowing he had only a small window of time before the guards returned.

The lock clicked open, and Kael carefully pushed the cage door ajar. He slipped out, moving silently across the camp. He kept to the shadows, his small frame making it easier to avoid detection. He headed toward the edge of the camp, where he had seen a gap in the fence earlier.

But just as he was about to reach it, a rough hand grabbed his shoulder and yanked him back. Kael spun around, his heart leaping into his throat. He was face-to-face with Darion.

"Well, well," Darion sneered, his grip tightening. "Look who's trying to run."

Kael's mind raced. He had no choice but to fight. He had to try and control the shadow power again. He closed his eyes, focusing on the darkness within him, willing it to manifest.

But nothing happened.

Panic surged through him. Without the shadow power, he was just a child against a seasoned warrior. But he couldn't give up. He had to fight.

Kael lashed out with his fists and feet, aiming for Darion's vulnerable spots. He landed a few hits, but they were weak and ineffective. Darion barely flinched, his expression one of amused contempt.

"Is that all you've got?" Darion taunted, his voice dripping with derision.

Kael gritted his teeth and charged again, this time aiming for Darion's eyes. But Darion caught his wrist mid-swing and twisted it, forcing Kael to his knees.

"You're going to regret that," Darion growled, drawing a dagger from his belt.

Kael struggled, his heart pounding in his chest. He had to find a way out. He had to survive. He kicked out at Darion's legs, trying to knock him off balance. But Darion was too strong.

With a vicious snarl, Darion backhanded Kael across the face, sending him sprawling to the ground. Pain exploded in Kael's head, and for a moment, his vision went dark.

"You think you can fight me, boy?" Darion spat, kicking Kael in the ribs. "You're nothing. Just a pathetic little worm."

Kael gasped for breath, his body wracked with pain. But even as he lay there, beaten and bruised, his determination burned brighter than ever. He would not give up. He would not let this monster win.

Darion knelt down, his face inches from Kael's. "I'm going to enjoy breaking you," he whispered, his breath hot against Kael's ear. "But first, I think you need a lesson in obedience."

He stood up and pulled Kael to his feet, dragging him back toward the center of the camp. Kael stumbled, his body weak and aching, but his mind was already working on his next plan.

As they passed by the other cages, the prisoners watched with a mixture of pity and fear. They knew what was coming. They had seen it happen countless times before.

Darion threw Kael to the ground in front of the main tent. "Everyone, gather 'round!" he shouted, his voice carrying through the camp. "We've got ourselves a little escape artist here. Time to show him what happens to those who defy me."

The guards and prisoners alike formed a circle around Kael, their expressions grim. Darion picked up a whip, the leather cracking ominously in the air.

Kael braced himself, his body tensing in anticipation. The first blow landed across his back, sending a searing pain through his entire body. He bit back a scream, refusing to give Darion the satisfaction.

The whip came down again and again, each strike more brutal than the last. Kael's vision blurred with tears, but he refused to cry out. He couldn't show weakness. He couldn't let Darion break him.

Finally, the whipping stopped. Kael lay on the ground, his body trembling with pain. Darion leaned down, his face twisted in a cruel smile. "Had enough?" he asked mockingly.

Kael glared up at him, his eyes blazing with defiance. "I'll... never... give up," he spat, his voice hoarse.

Darion's smile faded, replaced by a look of cold fury. "We'll see about that," he said, his voice low and dangerous. He grabbed Kael by the hair and dragged him to his feet, then threw him into a nearby cage.

"Lock him up," Darion ordered the guards. "No food or water for three days. Let's see how defiant he is after that."

The cage door slammed shut, and Kael collapsed to the floor, his body racked with pain. He closed his eyes, trying to focus on the darkness within him, willing the shadow power to return.

But there was nothing. No flicker of energy, no sense of connection. It was void.

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Author's note

The writing will only get better and better as the chapters go by. So please be patient and look forward to the novel.

Please support my work and if you are interested you can join my patreon.

https://www.patreon.com/CelestialMountain