Chapter 1: Number 27

"Prisoner Number 27! It's time."

A commanding voice resonated throughout the dimly lit corridor, sending shivers down the spines of every prisoner who heard it.

In the shadowy depths of the corridor, two Knights, their swords securely fastened around their waists, stood before the last prison cell. Darkness covered the majority of the cell, shrouding it in an eerie silence.

Within the confines of the gloomy cell, a young boy huddled in the corner, his fragile frame adorned with visible signs of relentless abuse.

Deep, discolored bruises marred his face, serving as a haunting reminder of the torment he had endured. Even his back bore the cruel signs of merciless punishment.

The skin on his wrists bore the painful remnants of raw and chafed flesh, thanks to the shackles that confined his hands behind his back. Each movement he made was accompanied by agony, his body almost broken.

Despite the physical torment he had endured, a spark of resilience flickered within his eyes.

With their faces concealed behind masks, the Knights unlocked the imposing steel door, stepping inside the cell.

They walked towards the young boy sitting in the corner.

The boy raised his head, his beautiful yet somewhat lifeless eyes gazing at the Knight.

"You still have that disgusting look in your eyes. To think that you still haven't learned your lesson." One of the Knights grabbed the young boy by his throat, raising him in the air. "Should I kill you right here?"

The boy didn't give any response even as he felt suffocated. His hands themselves were tied behind his back, making any resistance impossible.

"That's enough. Don't forget that the Sky Fortress is here especially for him. Are you really trying to scare that kid with death when he's about to die soon?" the other Knight chimed in, tapping his friend's shoulder. "Release him. If he died here, it would be impossible for us to explain. Don't forget who has taken an interest in this execution."

The First Knight frowned, seemingly frustrated.

"You truly have no fear. Then again, what can I expect from an animal who killed his own family. But don't worry. You'll soon be sent to the afterlife."

He tossed the boy to the ground before grabbing the chain that had wrapped itself around the boy's throat.

He didn't even let the boy stand up as he started pulling the chain, dragging him out of the cell like an animal.

Even the Prisoners in the other cell were horrified by the young boy's fate. Throughout the years, they had seen many Prisoners enter this facility, but they had never seen someone experience such brutality.

A group of prisoners couldn't help but talk amongst themselves after the Knights were gone with the boy.

"Just who is that Kid? To think that even the Sky Fortress is here for him. His fate really is cursed. I'm so glad I'm not him," a man's voice came from one of the cells.

"I don't know. But you're right. I won't wish his fate even on my worst enemy. Throughout the years, I've seen many Prisoners arrive and leave. But none had faced what he did." Someone in another cell responded.

"I have a feeling that this kid must've offended someone really high up. Not only has he been granted a death penalty which is the rarest, but even the Sky Fortress is sent here to oversee the execution."

"Who knows. This might be the best for the kid. At least he won't get tormented everyday. Death might be merciful to him."

"Why do you pity him? Have you forgotten that he is here for killing his own family? Even animals refrain from such acts. I could never muster any sympathy for a wretch like him."

While most prisoners felt a pang of empathy for the young boy, there were also those who believed he deserved his fate.

"You are right. Even animals do not harm their own kin. But doesn't that make you wonder? What could have driven a child like him to commit such an unimaginable act? Is everything truly as it appears? I cannot explain it, but something feels amiss."

....

On the roof of the building, both Knights stood next to each other, one of them holding onto the chain that tied around the boy's neck.

Both the Knights looked towards the Sky where a floating Island could be seen, right above the Prison Facility. This was the Sky Fortress.

No one knew what was inside the Sky Fortress. Everyone who had entered the Sky Fortress, never returned whether it was a Prisoner or a Knight.

"The prisoner is here." The Knights yelled, looking at the fortress as if informing the people above.

After informing, the Knights stood silently, waiting. Merely ten seconds had passed when they felt specks of others gathering before them, taking the shape of a human.

"Is he the one?"

As the glow dimmed, a woman, appearing to be in her early twenties, emerged into view. Her eyes fixed on the young boy in front of her, filled with an unmistakable curiosity.

The Knights nodded, for the first time revealing a trace of fear as they recognized the woman. They even subconsciously took a step back.

"Oh? It seems the two of you recognise me." The woman, noticing the Knights reaction couldn't help but smile in amusement.

"And here I thought, other than the Round Table, barely anyone recognized me in this small nation. I'm flattered." She laughed as she stepped forward. "What should I do? I'm starting to feel shy."

With each step she took towards the Knight, the Knights felt suffocation, as if a dark rope was wrapping around them.

The Knights reached out their hands towards the Swords, but as they grabbed the sword, they were horrified to find the sword transforming into a snake that wrapped around their arm.

They stepped back while trying to free their hands. Unfortunately, all resistance was useless. Before long, they passed out, their life essence almost completely devoured.

The woman stopped, sighing. "To think that they'd pass out from just that. Those little brats at the round table would've been quite embarrassed if they were here."

She turned her attention to the boy, who was looking at her.

"You're quite brave. Do you not realize what I'm here for?"

The boy didn't answer. He knew that she was here to kill him. It was his fate that had known long ago. The Sky Fortress was well known by every Nation. It was a fortress created by Zeus himself. It was the place where the worst of criminals were put to death.

More than the Sky Fortress, the boy paid attention to the woman, looking above her head, as if there was something that only he could see.

"What is your name?" the woman asked him, finding his silence boring.

The boy still didn't answer, making the woman feel ignored. Frowning, she stepped forward.

"Boy, do you not realize that I can make your execution as painless as I want or as painful as I desire. Are you sure you want to annoy me?" she asked, placing her hand over the boy's head.