Chapter 23: Bars of Justice

After the meeting Concluded, King Utsu headed over to the Celeston Jail. The Celeston Jail is a formidable and heavily fortified structure designed to securely hold prisoners. It is located within the Eastern side of the Neos Kingdom. This Jail was made many years ago for Westrow Celeston , approved by Queen Xinia.

Inside, the jail consists of multiple levels and sections. The cells are small and made of thick stone walls, providing minimal comfort to the prisoners. The hallways were barely lit, with iron bars separating the cells from the central corridor. The air within the jail was often stale and stinky carrying a sense of confinement and despair.

Security measures are abundant within the Celeston Jail. Armored Guards patrol the corridors, ensuring strict discipline and preventing any escape attempts. Surveillance devices are strategically placed to monitor prisoner activity and maintain order.

Prisoners are typically dressed in simple, worn-out attire, such as plain, rough-spun garments or the standard orange prisoner dress. The overall condition of the jail reflects the strict and authoritarian rule of the Celeston Family, instilling a sense of fear and resignation among the inmates.

King Utsu entered one of the cells where Wendy, dressed in a simple and dirty orange jail dress, was confined. The weight of the news he carried burdened his heart, knowing the impact it would have on her.

"Wendy, I bring grave tidings. Queen Xinia, your mother, has been taken from us. She fought valiantly but fell in battle against a powerful adversary."

Wendy's eyes widened with shock, her heart sinking once the reality of her mother's absence began to settle in.

"No... You lie….You are lying, King Utsu! My Mother. she can't be gone. I... she was all I had left to look forward to!"

King Utsu approached Wendy with a face of sympathy and regret.

"It was a battle none of us expected, Wendy. The creature that claimed to be a "Deity Buster" was cunning and ruthless. Queen Xinia valiantly defended our kingdom until her last breath."

Tears welled up in Wendy's eyes as she struggled realizing her Mother who was her only saving grace would not return. She clutched onto the bars of her cell trying not to burst into a crying fit but it was hopeless. Wendy's heart gave out and she screamed out in pain.

"I... What should I... what to do. My mother.. she... *sniffle* my family... I feel so helpless!"

King Utsu's gaze softened as he said" I'm Sorry, Wendy."

With those words, King Utsu left the cell, leaving Wendy to gather her thoughts and find solace in the memories of her mother.

Hours had passed. Inside of the dark cell, Wendy sat alone wearing the worn and dirty orange jail dress with a gaze fixed on the stone cold floor. She had already cried her eyes out after the revelation.

The cell door creaked open and another individual was led inside. It was a woman with extraordinary features, having long blue hair but a small body. She also wore a harsh look on her face, her eyes filled with frustration and anger.

The Woman's arms were crossed and she leaned against the jail wall, a suspicion in her voice. "So, you're the famous Wendy," she commented, her tone a little harsh.

"Wendy Celeston, huh... Your part of the same Celestons who helped to wreck my life! What brings you here, among us inmates?"

Wendy looked up, meeting the woman's gaze with confusion and sadness in her eyes.

Wendy lifted her head, her eyes meeting the woman's with weariness. "I never wanted any of this," she replied with sadness. "I didn't choose to be part of the Celeston family and I certainly didn't choose the path that led me here."

The woman scoffed, her suspicion not fully dissipated. "Everyone has their excuses," she retorted, her arms still crossed. "But it doesn't change the fact that your family played a part in destroying mine. The Celestons may be royalty, but they've caused nothing but pain and suffering for us common folk!"

Wendy sighed, understanding the woman's anger all too well. "I know we have a lot to answer for," she said. "And I can't undo the past, but I want to make things right. I want to find a way to change the system, to end the oppression and suffering that so many have endured."

The woman observed Wendy for a moment longer, seeming to mull over her words. "You've got a long way to go before you can convince me, but I suppose we're both victims of their twisted games," The Woman muttered, her eyes narrowing. "But you better not expect any sympathy from me. I won't be your ally just because we're stuck in the same cell."

Wendy nodded, understanding the person's guarded demeanor. She understood this person may have come from the poor neighborhood and had a painful life, but deep down, Wendy couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this woman than met the eye.

After a few minutes, the Woman plainly stated "Dr. Kozaky"

Wendy gave the woman a curious look

"That's my name. I am the Renowned Scientist Dr. Kozaky! Your family… is a huge mess. They're involved in taking away my inventions and causing me to be in this current predicament. My technology was 'So fearful' to them that they had to arrest me… the truth is they saw them as a threat to their power and control. So they manipulated the truth, made me look like a villain and had me arrested for crimes I never committed."

Wendy's heart sank at the revelation. Howl's masterful deception had not only torn their own family apart but had also ensnared innocent people like Dr. Kozaky in their web of lies. "I'm so sorry, I had no idea... I wish I could have done something to stop all of this."

Dr. Kozaky softened slightly and she regarded Wendy with skepticism and curiosity. "And what could you have done, Wendy Celeston?" she asked, her tone challenging. "Your family holds immense power and influence. How could someone like you possibly go against them?"

Dr.Kozaky Sighed

"My inventions were groundbreaking! They were meant to bring progress to Neospacia, not to cause harm. Howl and his Celeston family saw an opportunity to control and manipulate the technology for their own gain. They branded me a criminal, stole my work and threw me into this wretched place and if that's not bad enough, I'm set to be executed in 3 days."

The weight of impending doom settled upon them. Wendy listened intently to Dr. Kozaky's words, shock and concern etching across her face. The news of Dr. Kozaky's imminent execution only deepened the gravity of their situation.

Wendy leaned closer to Dr. Kozaky with a hushed yet eager tone. "Tell me everything, please. Is there any evidence to prove your innocence?" she inquired, hoping to find a way to dismantle the web of lies Howl had spun.

"You really expect me to believe you want to help, Celeston? Bullshit!" Dr.Kozaky retorted, her blue eyes scrutinizing Wendy's every move.

"I know it's hard to trust me, but I'm not like the rest of my family. I've seen through Howl's deception and I want to set things right. Please, if there's anything that can prove your innocence, tell me. I'll do whatever it takes to bring justice to your name."

Dr. Kozaky hesitated for a moment, mulling over Wendy's words. While her distrust remained strong, there was a glimmer of hope that Wendy might be sincere in her intentions. "There might be a way," she finally replied. "My research data, the evidence of my work's true purpose, it's all stored in a hidden lab I used to have. It was approved by Queen Xinia and it's located beneath the Royal Palace, but getting there won't be easy. It's heavily guarded and Howl will do everything to keep that information from ever being revealed."

Wendy's determination only intensified as she absorbed the information. "I'll find a way. Dealing my family, I always had the short end of the stick, but you know what, I've had to find a way through this even with the shortest stick. If it means confronting my own family and stopping Howl's schemes, then so be it.. We can expose the truth together."

"You're serious, aren't you?" Dr.Kozaky remarked, her skepticism giving way to a cautious optimism.

Dr. Kozaky glanced around the cell, ensuring no one was eavesdropping on their conversation. "You're right," she said in a whisper. "It's impossible to escape the prison with these Neos limiters on our hands. They drain our Neos energy to 0%, rendering us powerless. And if we try to breach the magical energy barriers surrounding the prison, the five towers will shoot us down without hesitation."

Wendy's eyes narrowed as she absorbed the information. The odds were stacked against them, but she refused to go down. "Is there any way to remove these limiters?" she asked, a glimmer of hope still present in her eyes.

Wendy sighed, feeling a sense of helplessness settling over her. "I understand, It seems like we've hit a dead end for now."

Dr. Kozaky glanced at Wendy, her expression still guarded. " So you're giving up already. You're such a damn weakling," she retorted, her tone accusatory. "You claimed to want to help but at the first sign of difficulty, you're ready to throw in the towel. Pft. I knew you were just spouting out words and trying to save your own ass."

Wendy's head snapped up, her eyes meeting Dr. Kozaky's defiant gaze. "No...I'm not giving up," she countered firmly. "It's just... It's been difficult lately. My mother's death, finding out about Howl's deception and now your impending execution... It's all too much to handle at once."

Dr.Kozaky moves further away from Wendy, no longer saying a word. Hours stretched on and Wendy's worry grew with each passing moment. Dr. Kozaky remained silent and Wendy couldn't shake the feeling that her lack of response meant she believed Wendy was truly giving up on their dire situation.

Feeling frustration and desperation, Wendy finally mustered the courage to speak up. "Dr. Kozaky, I know this may be hard for you to believe, but I'm not someone who gives up easily," she began. "I've had to deal with many things in my life and I know it's wrong of me to speak like i'm giving up on myself but right now, it feels like the world is closing in on me. My mother's death, my family's betrayal and now being unjustly imprisoned... it's overwhelming... all of this is unfair... It's at this point that a regular neospacian wouldn't want to live anymore and just let the despair of their situation just take them over. That's how I feel right now."

Wendy paused with her breath hitching slightly as she tried to steady herself. "I'm... not asking for pity," she continued, her tone resolute. "I just want you to understand that even though iv'e lost everything and despite the emptiness that is trying to fill my soul, i'm not giving up. I can't afford to."

The room seemed to grow tense as Dr. Kozaky's anger blazed through her like a fiery storm. Her eyes blazed with indignation and her voice shook with everything she had lost and the profound sense of unfairness that had befallen her.

"You 'really' think you understand what it's like to lose everything?!To have your life's work stolen from you? To be branded a criminal and cast aside by the very people you trusted? Howl and his family destroyed my reputation, tarnished my name and locked me away in this wretched place without a second thought!"

Wendy listened intently feeling the depth of the pain. She knew that she couldn't fully comprehend the extent of Dr. Kozaky's suffering, but she could empathize with the injustice that had been dealt to her.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Kozaky. I can't even begin to imagine the pain you've endured. But I want to make things right. This is not only for you but for all the lives that Howl and his family have impacted. They've lied, tricked and stolen from so many people for their own selfish reasons and I won't just sit back and watch them continue to spread their tyranny! I want to help people and show them the strength of my compassion. This is why I won't give up on trying to help you."

"You have a lot to prove," Dr. Kozaky said, her tone cautious but less hostile. "But I can't deny that you've shown a willingness to fight against the injustices that have befallen us. So, for now, I'll work with you. But make no mistake, one wrong move and I'll cut ties immediately. And don't believe I was moved by that compassion bullshit for one second."

Wendy looked at Dr. Kozaky, her heart aching with the desire to ease the pain she saw in her eyes. She understood the anguish that Dr. Kozaky carried and she wanted to be a source of comfort and support; however, Wendy knew that offering physical affection might not be the right approach.

"Is there anything I can do to help and ease your pain?"

Dr. Kozaky's initial response was a scoff "Hmph, don't get the wrong idea," she retorted, avoiding eye contact. "It's not like I need anyone's pity or sympathy. I can handle my own emotions just fine."

Sure, I get it," Wendy replied with carefully chosen words. "But sometimes, it's good to let others in and ask for help, you know? It doesn't mean you're weak or anything, it just means we're in this mess together. If you ever need to talk or rant about anything, I'm here to listen. Seriously, you can talk to me and I won't get mad. I'll listen to you."

Dr. Kozaky's cheeks flushed slightly and she turned away "Don't misunderstand," she mumbled with a bit softer tone this time. "I'm not doing this for you. It's just...it's annoying to deal with all this pent-up frustration, that's all."

Wendy inched closer, respecting Dr. Kozaky's personal space, but determined to show her support. Dr. Kozaky glanced at Wendy from the corner of her eye, her cheeks flushing even more as she noticed Wendy's persistence.

"Look, I said I'm fine," Dr. Kozaky grumbled, her annoyance evident. "You don't need to baby me or whatever it is you're trying to do."

Wendy chuckled softly not being deterred by Dr. Kozaky's resistance. "I'm not trying to baby you, I just want you to know that you don't have to go through this alone. It's just like you said, dealing with all that pent-up frustration can be annoying. Sometimes, talking to someone can help ease that burden."

Dr. Kozaky fell silent, contemplating Wendy's words. Part of her wanted to resist, to maintain her tough exterior, but another part of her longed for the support and understanding that Wendy offered.

"You really don't give up, do you?" Dr. Kozaky finally said, her annoyance softening slightly.

"Nope, I don't," Wendy replied quickly, "I guess you're just stuck with me now, whether you like it or not!"

Dr. Kozaky couldn't help but let out a small chuckle, trying her best to hide her amusement. "Lucky me," she muttered sarcastically.

Wendy grinned, enjoying the small victory of cracking Dr. Kozaky's tough exterior even just a little. Wendy places her hands on her hips with a small smile forming "Oh, come on, admit it," she teased. "You're starting to enjoy my company, aren't you?"

Dr. Kozaky rolled her eyes, but a genuine smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Maybe just a little, but you better not think that's enough to win me over"

"I'm up for the challenge," Wendy whispered to herself. She knew that gaining Dr. Kozaky's trust and friendship wouldn't be easy, but she was willing to take the time and effort to break through that tough exterior.

As Wendy sat in her cell, lost in her thoughts, the silence of the prison was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. The guard on duty, who had been absentmindedly glancing at his watch, suddenly straightened up with surprise.

"Wait minute! You can't just go in there!"

…..

"No one's allowed to see the prisoners without authorization! How the heck did you even get in here?"

…

"I... I need to check your clearance first!"

...

"N-No! you can't just walk in here and...Wh-What are you doing!"