Chapter 6: Shadow knight (0)
Chapter - 6
In a grand, luxurious office with a blend of medieval elegance and modern opulence, the room was bathed in the soft glow of golden light from an ornate chandelier overhead. The walls were adorned with intricate wood carvings depicting ancient battles. Rich velvet curtains draped over tall arched windows, offering a glimpse of the dark, stormy sky outside. A heavy mahogany desk, polished to perfection, dominated the center of the room, where scrolls, tomes, and finely bound ledgers lay in organized chaos.
Seated behind the desk was a man , imposing figure with purple hair cascading to his shoulders. His face was a map of wisdom, deep-set eyes carrying the weight of decades of experience. He wore a robe of deep crimson, trimmed with gold. His hands, adorned with heavy rings bearing lion-like crests, rested on the desk as he listened intently.
Before him stood his assistant, a younger man dressed in a sharp yet traditional tunic, meticulously embroidered. He held a large leather-bound report in one hand while jotting down notes with a quill in the other. His posture was precise, exuding the discipline of someone accustomed to serving power. His eyes darted between the man and the report as he spoke softly, detailing the latest updates on business dealings, alliances, and murmurs of unrest.
The assistant's voice, though steady, carried an undertone of urgency as he mentioned a subtle shift in the politics of Japan, with threats looming over their trade routes. The man listened silently, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk. He gazed out into the dim light.
'Continue' the elder commanded, his voice deep and measured. The assistant flipped to the next page, continuing his report under the watchful gaze of his master. The storm outside seemed to mirror the tension brewing within the office, as the weight of upcoming decisions loomed over them.
"The new batch has arrived from Japan. But because of the sudden situation in Tokyo, we couldn't capture all of them. Out of 57, two escaped , four died, and seven were severely injured. There's also a report about a specific child who managed to almost take down three of our mages."
Hearing this, the man raised an eyebrow. 'Did this child carry a magical artifact or possess a special bloodline?'
'No, sir. According to the report, he only knew basic physical enhancement and boxing.'
'How old is he?'
'He is 9 years old , sir .'
The man was silent for a few seconds. Then, with a hint of intrigue, he said, "Interesting. Add him to the New Shadow Knight program."
(Elsewhere, a few hours later)
Tsuki Yuto sat slumped in the corner of the room, his small, fragile body weighed down by pain and exhaustion. The space around him was dark, humid, and oppressive, with the faint scent of damp earth and mold clinging to the thick air. He didn't know where he was—just that it was far from anywhere familiar. His surroundings seemed like something out of a dream or a nightmare. Rough stone walls rose around him, covered in patches of moss and small tufts of grass growing through the cracks.
Yuto's left arm, nearly severed from a vicious injury, was wrapped in coarse, stained bandages, just enough to stop it from worsening. His right arm, broken, was bound tightly in a makeshift sling, while the rest of his body was a painful mess of bruises and cuts. Despite the agony, his life wasn't in danger, but the exhaustion was overwhelming. His body screamed for rest, but his mind couldn't stop racing.
He looked around, trying to make sense of his surroundings. The dim light barely illuminated the room. Large stones lined the floor, cold and slick with moisture, while the distant sound of dripping water echoed faintly. A thick layer of humidity hung in the air, making each breath feel heavy. There were no windows, no doors visible from where he sat, only the rough stone and the damp earth.,
His heart pounded weakly as he tried to piece together what had happened. He remembered the fight, the pain, the moment when he thought he would die. But now, his wounds had been treated, barely, but enough to keep him alive. Where had they taken him?
He tried to move, but pain shot through his broken arm, and his nearly severed limb was too fragile to bear any weight. He sank back against the wall, breathing heavily, his eyes scanning the shadowed corners of the room. There was no sound except the drip of water and the occasional rustling of small weeds growing between the stones.
Yuto's mind fought to stay sharp, but exhaustion was creeping in, dulling his senses. The air around him felt claustrophobic, pressing down like a weight on his chest. He knew this wasn't a place of healing, it was a place of waiting, for something to come.
As he rested his head against the cold stone, his eyelids fluttered, his thoughts briefly drifting back to Yuki and home. The comforting image brought a fleeting moment of peace. But it didn't last. He couldn't afford to fall asleep now. He needed to stay alert, to figure out where he was, and how to escape this strange, damp prison before his captors returned.
Suddenly, the heavy silence was broken by the sound of footsteps echoing through the space. The rhythmic thud of boots against the stone floor sent a jolt of adrenaline through him, and he instinctively tensed. His heart raced as he strained to listen. The footsteps grew closer, each step deliberate and measured, reverberating off the walls.
Shadows danced along the rough stone as a figure emerged from the darkness. Yuto's breath quickened. He tried to shift but winced as the effort sent a wave of pain through his broken body. The figure was tall, clad in dark, heavy clothing that blended into the shadows. Yuto's heart pounded as the man paused just a few feet away, the silence charged with unspoken tension.
The figure leaned closer, revealing just enough of his features in the dim light to show a hardened expression, sharp eyes, lips pressed into a thin line. He scanned the room before his gaze settled on Yuto.
"Awake already?" the man's voice was deep and gravelly, echoing ominously. "I thought you would sleep a lot more , considering your injuries."
"Who are you? Where am I?" Yuto asked, his voice hoarse.
"Still have the energy to talk, I see. You can call me the director. As for where you are, your new home for the next few years. Unless, of course, you die."
Yuto frowned and tried to ask another question. "What…"
'Now, now. That's enough questions' the man interrupted as he approached Yuto. He began checking Yuto's injuries, shaking his head in disdain. 'Amateurs, can't do anything right' he muttered, pointing to Yuto's nearly severed hand. A magic circle lit up, and green vine-like energy poured out, healing his hands completely, along with some of his bruises and cuts in other places.
'That should do the trick. Can't have you die on me before it starts, can i?' the man said before standing up and leaving the room, his footsteps echoing down the hallway. i
'
(Unknown time later) ,
Yuto's stomach growled loudly as hunger and thirst hit him like a wave. He had lost track of time—whether it had been hours, days, or even longer, he couldn't tell. The air was damp, and the stone floor beneath him felt colder than before. His throat was parched, and his body weak from exhaustion.
Suddenly, with a faint metallic clink, the cuffs binding his wrists released with a soft hiss. His hands dropped to his sides, feeling strangely light but still numb from the tight restraints. Then, with a low creak, the heavy door to the dim room slowly swung open, revealing a sliver of light from the corridor outside.
Yuto's muscles tensed as he struggled to stand, his legs weak and shaky. His head spun for a moment as he adjusted to standing after what felt like an eternity in the cold room. He could feel his heart racing—adrenaline pumping despite his depleted energy.
The hallway stretched out before him, illuminated by soft, flickering lights. He hesitated, unsure of what awaited him beyond the threshold. But staying in the room wouldn't change anything. With a deep breath, Yuto took a step forward, the silence pressing in on him as he ventured into the unknown.
His mind raced. Why? Why would they release him now, after all this time? His thoughts were interrupted by a sharp pang of hunger, twisting in his gut and reminding him of how hungry he was. His hands trembled, but he gritted his teeth, forcing himself to move. ,
As he walked down the corridor, his senses sharpened. The stale air reeked of damp stone and something else, an underlying scent of rot, faint but unmistakable. His skin crawled, the eerie silence amplifying every sound he made.
After what felt like an endless stretch of hallway, Yuto saw it, another door, slightly ajar. Faint Light spilled from the crack. He cautiously approached, his hand reaching out to push the door open.
A massive cave stretched before him, its scale overwhelming. High above, jagged rock formations loomed like the gaping maw of some ancient beast. The cave was lit by an eerie, dim light that came from glowing crystals embedded in the stone walls, casting long shadows on the uneven ground.
In the center of the cavern stood a sprawling medieval castle-like structure, its stone walls cracked and weathered, towers rising ominously toward the cave ceiling. It was an imposing sight, ancient and forgotten, yet disturbingly alive.
Surrounding the castle were rows of heavy wooden doors, just like the one Yuto had opened. Dozens of them, stretching in every direction, forming a labyrinth of corridors and rooms, each hiding its own story.
Yuto's heart raced. This was no simple prison, this was something else entirely.
As Yuto walked deeper into the cavern, toward the looming castle, a few kids could be seen outside the castle , some have horns, some have tail, some wings , one even have a lizard face .Each of them skin and bones filled with cuts and bruise , all of their eyes hollow and empty. Few children's hollow eyes followed him as he got closer .
As Yuto got closer to the castle door trying to enter ,his steps slowed as he neared . He glanced over his shoulder at the children who is already here, their hollow eyes fixed on him . For a moment, doubt crept in.
Should he wait? Should he let them go first, see if this place is safe first .His heart pounded in his ears, the oppressive silence of the cavern amplifying every breath, every rustle of clothing. These children had been here longer, trapped in whatever nightmare this was. Maybe they would know better. Maybe it was safer to follow rather than lead. Yeah, let's suggest it and let them take the lead.
It was then that he realized, he couldn't say the words, his morals couldn't allow him , they were innocent children trapped in this hellhole . After trying a few times , he signed and turned around.
Every instinct telling him to consider , you don't know them . You do not have to be the first . let some of older kids go. You could easily beat them up and the force them . But he continued to walk.
As he stepped through the massive doors, he cast one last glance over his shoulder, seeing the children take a few steps closer, still hesitant but slowly following his lead. The eerie, pristine interior of the castle swallowed him whole, and he took a deep breath, knowing there was no turning back now.
The castle's exterior was weathered, with cracks running through its ancient stone walls, giving it the appearance of a forgotten ruin. But as Yuto approached the massive doors and stepped inside, he was struck by the stark contrast—everything within the castle was pristine. The floors gleamed, the stone walls seemed polished, and a strange scent of cleanliness hung in the air, as if it had been scrubbed spotless just moments before.
Yuto's senses heightened as he entered the grand hall. It was vast, lit by torches that lined the walls, casting flickering shadows across the room. At the center of the hall, the man from before—the one who had healed his hand—sat on an elaborate throne. His cold eyes fixed on Yuto as he reclined casually, surrounded by a group of robed figures. They stood silently, their faces hidden beneath dark hoods, forming a circle around the man like a council of ghosts.
Yuto's heart pounded as the robed figures stood motionless, their presence unsettling. The man on the throne raised a hand, a chilling smile spreading across his face.
"Ah, finally here," the man said, his voice calm but laced with a sinister undertone and slight smile. "What , can't a man have his moment. You know i prepared lot for this moment . "
"You don't have to frown, you know. You don't know how boring it gets here," he continued, a sly grin creeping across his face. "I have to find moments like these to have some fun, or i will die of boredom."
Yuto took a deep breath, calming himself down a bit and in a calm voice he asked the most important question "What are you going to do to us?"
The man leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "You'll see soon enough. All of you will. But for now, welcome to your new home. This is where you'll begin… your training."
Yuto's frowned when he heard "Training "
It's not the word that made him frown ,but the way he said it that made him frown .
He said it as if he is going to train a dog.
The man stood slowly, the robed figures parting as he moved toward Yuto. He towered over him, his presence suffocating. "For all of you to become a great tool," he said.
The he turned his back on Yuto, walking toward the far end of the hall.
While walking he gestured to the robed figures , who as if they understood it , in unision began to drag the chilren towards the door .
"You'll fight, you'll learn," the man said, pausing at the large iron doors at the far end of the hall. "And become a great tool to be used." He pushed the doors open, revealing a massive field beyond.
"Let the training begin."
Author Note: This chapter didn't go as I wished, and I'm too lazy to change it. From the next chapter onward, I will create a basic outline to guide my writing. When I write without an outline, I struggle to set the interactions properly. So wola . enjoy