Inmates Ballad: Towards Peace

When I first came to the Far East I wasn't outright hostile, but I was apprehensive.

I wasn't expecting to stay as long as I have.

So I hope Kanon and Erina weren't too mad when I admitted Sano Shimazaki wasn't who I really am.

Sano Shimazaki was some pen name of a novel author Sameem liked.

I actually debated on whether or not just to keep the name just in case I really did go back to prison.

But I wasn't going halfway, I was gonna tell them everything.

FENRIR HQ(Sweden)

International Criminal Court Delegation.

Crime: Assault and Battery of Avan Rhagav Director of the Sikkim Branch. Currently in Intensive Care.

Murder in the 1st degree of God-Eater Corporal 3rd Class Aadhira Rhagav. Son of Avan Rhagav.

Defendant: God-Eater Captain 1st Class Sanguine Vasken

I didn't really care for the trial, if I didn't promise myself to keep my casualties to one, I would've carved a path out this Branch by now. I don't think I would've minded if the god-eaters got hurt, but this place had so many civilians I had to think twice.

Anyway, I didn't beat around the bush, I killed Aadhira, and I sure as hell wasn't letting anyone else take the credit.

The interrogator was put off and my lawyer screamed to have it struck from the record.

Weren't confessions supposed to make things easier?

Whatever my lawyer had to say I didn't care.

When I was asked why I committed the "crime" I told them everything.

They were shocked at the 'allegations' at a FENRIR director's son.

They didn't believe me or just didn't want to., either way to hell with them.

When it was time for the trial my lawyer asked for a continuance but was denied.

Not that it mattered. They found enough blood on the murder scene and plenty of DNA on Sameems teeth. Not to mention the bloody trail Aadhira left across the roads when I cut off his hand.

Somehow the trial took up hours of time, and I was to be sentenced another day.

I figured it would be one day. But that day turned into 3 days.

Then a week.

It didn't feel like it, but a month had passed. While I was lying in my cell I heard a knock.

The visitor was someone I never thought I'd see again.

He was an average-looking man. He had a pair of round lenses on his glasses, wore a white-collared shirt, and a pair of khakis. I can't believe they called him all the way here.

It was my therapist…

"Hello Sanguine it's been a while…it's me Dr.Painuly." he said with a sad smile.

I was caught off guard by his appearance, but I didn't voice it. I just turned away to my window.

"I'm here to tell you the decision made at your trial, but I think I should tell you what happened following up to it." Dr.Painuly said.

As a child, I never listened to him too intently if ever. Being older all I did was tolerate him to the point I wouldn't ignore the doctor outright.

I don't think I've even called him by his name even once.

"Firstly after you left the branch, I found a written confession from Director Avan admitting to everything to unsanctioned recruitments, including the actions of his son. After his admission to the hospital, I made sure it made its way to HQ, Director Rhagav immediately was put under investigation at the same time he was admitted to the ICU. For the past month or so The FENRIR Intelligence Center has assumed command over the branch. Everyone has been questioned including me." Painuly explained.

If Avan Rhagav died it was no concern to me, but I was intrigued that he left a written confession.

"Interesting, right? It's like he left it behind so no matter what he'd answer for his crimes." Painuly said with a weak laugh.

I didn't respond. Not to ignore him, but because while I didn't remember anything after the director begged to spare his son, his son shouldn't have been part of the confession since he wanted all the charges on himself.

This confused me.

"Do you remember attacking the director? That day I couldn't tell how much of you was there." The doctor asked. He sounded concerned.

"No." I said, but I didn't turn to look at Painuly.

I meant what I said. I don't remember not killing the Director anymore than I don't NOT killing him.

"I see…I'll be honest, had I known what the director had planned, I would've advised to do it differently. Despite how in control you portray to be, I know a short fuse when I see one. What did he say exactly to push you?" Dr.Painuly said.

"He didn't want his son to take credit." I said bitterly.

"I see…the confession alone would've brought out a tide of feelings, but if he wanted your permission to have his son absolved, for kidnapping you, nearly killing you, and turning you into a god-eater against your will….Those are things a child or adult could never forgive." Painuly said, as his head fell against the bars.

With a deep breath, he continued speaking.

"But ya know, Sanguine? The Directors confession would've sent them both to jail for decades and resulted in your discharge, in fact, thanks to the director's confession every child Aadhira kidnapped can leave the God-Eaters at their leisure at the end of the investigation. Those left alive." Painuly said sadly.

I didn't have to mention the survivability of 13-year-old god-eaters right?

"You already escaped the branch. No one would've come for you. There was no need to kill anyone! You were free…" Painuly said as his head fell lower. Was he going to cry for me!?

I didn't know how to feel about that.

Even so, I had no reservations about killing, despite being put in this cell, and despite being separated from Sameem, I didn't regret a thing.

"I will never feel sorry for what I've done. Besides, nothing FENRIR can do now compares to what I went through before." I said giving the Doctor my full attention.

He let out a painful laugh.

"I hope you'll refrain from telling the Judges that. I wanted to come to see you anyway, but your lawyer actually begged me to talk some sense into you." Painuly joked.

I responded with a cringe.

"I actually spent years trying to verify your story, ya know? I questioned just about everyone that could give me a lead. But no matter who I asked they would tell me anything but any information about the kidnappings. I was their therapist too, but I couldn't establish a big enough trust…" Painuly said sadly.

I wasn't surprised, but I wasn't gonna jump on him for it.

"When I found the director I got worried the first thing he'd do was have you arrested, but after I found his confession I was stuck between happy and shocked. In his confession, it said you were to be promoted to a 1st Class Captain so that upon your discharge you would receive not only restitution from FENRIR but enough perks to live a comfortable life. Any life you wanted. Of course, this goes for the other victims as well. Should they seek to quit the god-eaters." the doctor said.

"FENRIR can keep their damn money!" I said. I was getting sick of this doctor trying to find some sign of regretfulness from me.

"I knew you'd say that...and frankly I don't blame you really. But, that's neither here nor there. Your sentencing is what I'm here to talk to you about so for old time's sake..." Dr. Painuly unlocked the cell.

"Will you come with me?" he asked.

The last time we met like this I was still under suicide watch. On that day Intended to be rid of the god-eaters armlet once and for all. Instead, I befriended Sameem.

...Not the worst day of my life.

As I did back then I walked out of the room and told him to start walking. This time though I didn't threaten to hit him or strangle him.

It was a shocking conclusion.

When we got to the courtroom I was reeling from the short talk with Painuly. I still couldn't believe it.

"Will the defendant please rise." the judge said. Shaking myself awake, I stood up anxiously waiting for what would come to pass. Painuly sat in the back but stood up anyway with my lawyer.

"Sanguine Vasken, you were charged with Murder in the 1st Degree of a god-eater and Assault upon a FENRIR Director. Even before the time of Aragami to kill another man was a serious offense worth a lifetime in jail or death...that being said..." The judge took a deep breath.

"Your actions were the result of years of abuse of power and negligence upon FENRIR. To decide your sentence this court first had to see to it that FENRIR itself would answer for its crimes. FENRIR while not overly altruistic, gives the freedom of choice. Director Avan and his kin deserved punishment, not death, but punishment to fit their crimes. So the court has concluded...Sanguine Vasken; For the assault and battery you will receive no charge, by request of the Director himself before his admittance into ICU, via his confession and also your lawyer's insanity plea." the judge said.

I was silent but still anxious. I had no idea that an insanity plea was ever made on my behalf.

"As for the Murder of Aadihra Rhagav; you are to receive 50 years incarceration in a Maximum Security Facility to carry out your sentence god-eating." the judge added.

The information Painuly told me was lining up, there was only one thing left.

"Was it really going to go like this?" I asked myself.

"Due to your service as a god-eater and illegal circumstances surrounding that service, the 8 years you served unlawfully was taken into serious consideration. The court has decided to add time served shrinking the sentence down...to 2-years." the judge said, clanging his gavel.

There were 100 reactions going through my mind at that moment. I looked back to see Painuly smiling at me.

This was real!?

Before we entered the courtroom Dr.Painuly gave me his last counsel.

Before we go to the court Sanguine, you should know that FENRIR does intend to punish you.

You are right to feel as you do, but you still killed a man.

If you hadn't you'd be god knows where living the life you deserve with only the aragami to pose any real threat. FENRIR would have no hold over you anymore.

But now, you have to wait a little more.

When we get in there the judge will you that for sake of acknowledging your suffering while also not looking the other way, your sentence will be more or less commuted.

By 48 years...

48 off of 50 is 2 years.

2 years Sanguine.

I need you to survive for 2 years being a god-eater.

During those two years really think about what life you want to live. Because after you finish your sentence FENRIR will still owe you.

Take whatever they got, not because you need it, but because it's what you're owed.

...I wanted to tell you all this before they send you off. I don't have the clearance to practice in a Maximum Security Setting.

We might not meet again...I'm so sorry I couldn't do more for you.

Find peace.

And so that was that

I could've been locked up forever but I only had to do two more years.

After it was over I could collect and be on my merry way wherever I wanted to be and do what I wanted to do.

But of course, it didn't end that way...

Inmate 1103: Sanguine Vasken

Crime: 8 counts of Murder. 7 in the 2nd degree, 1 in the first degree.

7 FENRIR officers, 1 God-Eater