Sora’s POV

It’s cold. I am in a cold dark place.

I would not have been able to see had it not been for the lone flare torch hanging against the mortar wall.

Is this a dungeon?

I am standing in the middle of a very long corridor. The walls on either side are in the shape of arches made of red bricks. Beneath the arches are iron bars…something like a underground prison?

Although I cannot see, I have a feeling…like there is something dangerous behind those bars…

I have a feeling I have been here before…

Déjà vu?

The ground is flooded with water. It is ankle high.

It’s icy cold water.

There is a path in front of me which leads into the darkness. Behind me is a wall.

My only way is forward? I guess…

How did I even end up here?

What was I doing before this?

The more I try to recall, the more it hurts….especially hurts in the head.

Now that I think about it…I don’t even know my own name.

Who am I?

*Ouch*

Thinking that question hurts.

How did I get here?

*Ouch*

The more I ask relevant questions, the more it hurts.

Is it something I should not remember?

[Frivolous questions, my dear.]

“Who said that?” I shout out.

There was a voice that resounded in my head.

How is that even possible? I know I am not crazy.

[Come to me, my dear love,…you will find all the answers to the questions you seek.]

Can I trust this voice?

Probably not especially since she is addressing as 'her dear'. Do I have any other options? Probably not.

I walk along the long corridor.

The hair on the end of my skin was standing. (I don’t know why I felt having skin felt so good….but it just did…)

There is something here….something nasty.

The further I ventured into the dungeon like corridor, the colder it became.

I could see my breath condense in front of me.

My feet are wet and shrivelling up like a raisin because of the water. I think many would find this problematic but just knowing that I have skin that reacts to water ‘normally’ makes me feet good.

Even the sight of feet is making me happy.

Am I weird?

I reached the end of the corridor.

Cold white light is pouring in from the ceiling above.

In front of me is a thick metal door. It looks very old and is covered in patches of ice.

A single opening with a shutter to check on the prisoner was available however I don’t think I could open it as it was covered in a thick shell of ice.

It’s the kind of door you see in prison.

For a person who doesn’t know his own name I surely know a lot about the world…

[Open the door…]

“I can’t. The door is covered in ice….so is the handle….I also think whatever is inside should stay inside….” Is my reply too casual?

[The answers you seek lie behind this door…]

This is annoying me. It is frightful for me not knowing who I am or how did I end up here. Imagine waking up one day in a prison such as this guided by a mysterious voice….telling you to open a door which clearly is meant to remain shut. All this while not having a clue who you are or what the purpose of your own existence is…had it not been for the fact it was a woman’s voice I would have not listened to it all.

The hairs on the back of my neck are standing up as my hand involuntarily moves toward the door’s handle.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

Ah! So confusing! To open or not to open?

Behind this door could be a monster (why am I assuming a monster? Are those things even real?)….no that can’t be right….this door is unlocked….if there was something behind this door, it would have gotten out by now….the only other reason I can think of is …. Shackles….whatever or whoever is behind this door must be in shackles.

I push the door…it doesn’t budge.

“I can’t open it.” I shout out. I hope the other person is listening. “It’s stuck!”

[Push harder…]

Did that sentence have double meaning?

I pushed harder but the ice had the door jammed to the ground.

I begin kicking the door.

I must say I have a superb kick; I must be a martial artist of some sort.

I must also be narcissistic given how I have been admiring myself all this while. Firstly, I thought myself to be a courageous person who hasn’t panicked as yet and then as a martial artist…

[Ahem…]

Oh! Right! I have to open the door…

“Did you just read my mind?”

[…]

“Seriously uncool….” Is it normal for people to read other people’s mind? My understanding of the world is completely jumbled. Part of me says that’s impossible and another says everything is possible; what should I believe?

I kicked the door for the fifth time and it gives in. The ice jamming the door cracks and the thick metal door flings open….

Another chamber; this one is completely covered in snow and ice as well. The ceiling is covered with icicles. Thankfully, it isn’t dark. The strange white light seems to be emanating from the icicles hanging above.

As I examine the chamber, I realize that the room has been portioned by black metal bars. The area behind the bars is completely dark; other than the figure of a man crucified to the wall; nothing else is visible.

The person on the other side raises her head and stares at me.

“We meet again, child who harbors the monster within.” She smiled but spoke like a sick person.

Her voice was the same as the one guiding me….so she is the owner of the voice…

“Who are you?”

“…”

“Have we met before?”

“Come closer….”

I am suspicious….should I listen to what a crucified imprisoned woman has to say?

Well she is crucified…and imprisoned…it should be alright…

I walk closer to the bar.

In that instant a black shadow shot out through the bars and tried to catch me.

I wasn’t scared…I simply took a step back. The black tentacles did not reach me.

I watched on as a muted spectator as the tentacles desperately tried to extend out and grab me.

“Just like last time….” The woman said. She seemed to be pleased.

“Are we done?” I ask. Somehow I know I have experienced this all before.

“Damn these shackles….if it weren’t for these restraints I would have devoured you by now…so very delicious....”

The way she says it...I don't want to describe it....her voice was too excited towards the end.

“You…you are Vampiress Valentine Congelés …” I said.

How do I know that? I don’t know.

The crucified lady smiled. “Yes…I have been known by that name as well…those matters aside...for you to have come here…what do you want now?”

Was it her choice of words? I don’t know, but in that moment I realized something….this entire dungeon walk and meeting a bounded vampire had a Naruto-Hellsing fusion feeling to it.