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Condemned To Death
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“So Seren, how did you meet this guy?”
In the dark and quiet theatre, Seren and Theo sat beside each other on the plush, worn seats. The dim light from the stage flickered across their faces, casting dark shadows. Zane wasn’t sitting with them but behind them, leaning forward slightly, his voice low as he spoke directly into Seren's ear.
“He helped me with something a while back,” Seren replied, his tone evasive, eyes fixed ahead as he avoided Zane's probing gaze.
“Ahhhh, so that’s what happened!” Zane exclaimed, a knowing grin spreading across his face. “Let me get this straight. This guy was out there because of YOU!… right?” His voice rose slightly at the end, punctuating his excitement as he pointed an accusing finger at Seren.
Seren remained still, not reacting, his focus unwavering as he stared ahead. Zane observed him closely, leaning further forward, his curiosity evident in the charged atmosphere.
“You know…” Zane’s voice lowered, taking on a darker, almost sinister edge. He shifted his gaze to Seren with an unsettling look, his smile fading into a cold, calculating stare.
Feeling the shift in the atmosphere, Seren subtly prepared to activate his relic as small bits of light started gathering at his fingertips. Theo’s eyes darted between Zane and Seren, his concern growing with each passing moment.
“I can respect that!” Zane suddenly burst into a light-hearted laugh, the sound echoing eerily in the quiet theatre. He patted Seren’s shoulder with a casual air, as if the earlier tension had been nothing. “Hahaha! No need to be so tense. We’re all friends here.”
Theo exhaled softly, relief washing over him as he saw that Zane didn’t intend to do anything to Seren for now. He had known Zane for years and knew that when he was in this mood, he could easily cross lines without a second thought. If Zane truly wanted to harm Seren, he wouldn’t care if the Captain was present or not.
Zane then leaned forward slightly, his voice a low murmur in the quiet theatre.
“But Theo,” Zane continued as he now turned his head to Theo who was sitting beside Seren, “it’s not exactly pleasurable to leave your friend without a notice or even giving a reason. I’m sure you didn’t mean to, but it wasn’t very considerate, was it?”
Theo stiffened in his seat, his fingers gripping the armrest tightly. “I… I just needed some air,” he muttered, trying to keep his voice steady.
Zane chuckled, the sound low and menacing. “Air hmmmm... But you know for that small bit of air you received, in return I got into a SHIT! load of trouble with the Captain you see.”
Seren sat silently beside Theo, his gaze fixed on the Captain who was still writing luxuriously without paying any mind to them.
Theo swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. “I… I didn’t mean to…”
“Oh, don’t worry, Theo,” Zane interrupted with a mockingly soothing tone, “I’m a forgiving guy. I don’t hold grudges. In fact, I’m going to give you a way out of this.” He paused, letting the tension build before turning his attention to Seren, who remained expressionless, listening.
“You know, Seren,” Zane began, “This reminds me of a story. It involves our little Theo here, and a little mess he got himself into. You see one day, Theo and I got into a bit of an argument. It hadn’t been very long since we first met each other and you know how it is, new teammates, new people to deal with, not everyone can get along with each other. And, well… let’s just say, Theo back in the day was a little full of himself .”
Theo’s breath hitched, his knuckles turning white as he squeezed the armrest harder.
Zane leaned back in his seat, his voice almost nostalgic as he recounted the tale. “So, I had to teach him a lesson. Gave him a good beating, you know, to show him there is always a bigger fish out there”.
He then looked at Theo on the side who had a dark look on his face.
“But then, as I was beating the LIVING SHIT! out of him, something unexpected happened. This angel appeared before me—real beautiful, too. What was her name again? Lisa? No… that’s not it. Laura? No, no… Lola! Yeah, that was it.”
Theo’s face paled, his eyes widening as Zane continued.
“Lola… she was just like an angel. Pretty face, soft voice, all that. She tried to stop me, even begging me to let him go. Told me to leave Theo alone. But I’m not like those weak men who get swayed by a pretty face.” He grinned, a cruel glint in his eye. “So, I kept going and going, bashing Theo into a pulp right in front of her. Didn’t care how much she begged me. Theo here was just getting what he deserved. And don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t the bad guy, I was just helping him learn his place in this world.”
Theo shifted uncomfortably, a cold sweat forming on his brow. He opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out.
“Eventually, I thought maybe I was going a bit too far. His face was puffed up like a balloon, looking all nasty and stuff” Zane said with a shrug, “Oh and by the way, I’m not calling you ugly, that wouldn’t be very friendly of me“ He said trying to console Theo who looked pale like a sheet.
“Anyway, being the good friend I am, I decided to give Theo a choice. I told him he could get off easy…” His voice trailed off as he enjoyed building up the tension while watching Theo tremble in his seat.
“...if he let me have a little fun with his sister.”
Zane then chuckled, a dark, mirthless sound that sent chills down Theo’s spine. “You should’ve seen the look on his face at the time. But you know what the best part was?” Zane leaned forward again, as he whispered in Seren’s ear just loud enough for Theo to hear. “You wanna know what Theo said at the time?”
Theo’s eyes were wide, filled with a mix of horror and helpless fury.
Zane’s smile widened, and his eyes looked to the side, locking on Theo’s who was looking at him with dread.
“Keke, he didn’t say shit. Just let his sister be taken. Didn’t even put up a fight.”
Theo trembled, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. He wanted to lash out, to scream, but he felt paralyzed, trapped by the weight of Zane’s words.
“And his sister,” Zane continued, his voice dripping with sadistic pleasure, “she smelled soooo good that… You know! I just had to get a taste of her!” He hissed loudly. “She had such beautiful hair, didn’t she?” He said in a nostalgic tone as if reminiscing the past. He then sniffed the air in a deep breath as he said in satisfaction. “Her hair smelled so good I couldn’t resist cutting a piece… to keep as a keepsake to remind me of her after I… enjoyed her company.”
Theo’s breath came in short, ragged gasps, his vision blurring with tears of rage and shame.
“And let me tell you…” A devilish grin played on his lips, as he moved to the side a bit and whispered into Theo’s ear.
“She. Was. Abso. Lutely. Fucking. Amazing.”
Theo’s body shook with a mix of fury and despair. He wanted to kill Zane, to tear him apart right then and there, but he was powerless. His mind screamed, but his body refused to move. Zane watched him with a satisfied smirk, reveling in the torment he was currently going through.
Seren remained silently seated throughout the entire exchange, his expression unreadable. He didn’t say a word, didn’t make a move, just listened as the tension in the air grew thicker and thicker.
Clap!
A sudden, sharp clap shattered the tense atmosphere, drawing everyone’s attention to the front of the room. The Captain had finished writing, and the old man standing beside him was now eyeing the trio with a stern gaze.
The old man’s voice rang out with authority, “The Captain has completed his work. Zane, you were here first. State your reason for coming.”
Zane rolled his eyes, a hint of irritation in his voice as he responded, “Ronan, man, can’t you just let me enjoy a little time with my friends? I’ve been chasing those Black Hand morons for over a month now. A little break won’t kill anyone” His words dripped with annoyance as he reluctantly stood up from his seat.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Straightening his posture, Zane clasped his hands behind his back and fixed his sharp gaze on the Captain, who had leaned back in his chair. The shift in Zane’s demeanor was noticeable—his tone turned professional and an impassive look appeared on his face.
“Reporting, sir. At the request of the Punishers, I’ve spent the last month in the Backdoor Collective as a regular employee, specifically at their tailoring business on Wellington Street. On the surface, I have confirmed that it’s all above board—regular employees, legitimate transactions, nothing out of the ordinary. But after managing to gain the trust of a supervisor there, I was able to confirm our suspicions last night.”
Seren listened intently, feeling that this might be an important piece of information. The Captain didn’t seem to mind that he was hearing this, which only underscored the gravity of the situation.
Zane’s expression grew grim, his voice dropping to a deep, serious tone. “We were right to suspect them. I discovered that they’d been secretly smuggling artifacts and relics brought from the surface and selling them directly to the Black Hand. To date, I estimate close to a few hundred relics and artifacts have already been handed over”
Theo shifted uncomfortably in his seat, fully aware of the magnitude of this information. This was crucial intelligence, not just for the Odd Squad but for the Ravens as well. If another organization gains so many relics, who knows what they might do with that much power.
Zane paused, his gaze flicking over to Seren, who remained inscrutable behind his mask. Zane’s eyes narrowed slightly as he delivered the next piece of information, his voice taking on a dangerous edge. “And while I was digging around, I happened to stumble upon something... interesting. Seems the Black Hand has taken a particular interest in Theo’s sister. They’ve been quietly asking the Backdoor Collective to get in touch with her for a while now. Apparently, they’re trying to worm their way into the Ravens’ ranks, maybe even…”
Zane’s intense gaze bore into Seren as he said, “...plant a mole”.
Seren remained still with a cold expression concealed behind his mask, betraying nothing as he listened in calmly.
Theo’s blood ran cold at the mention of his sister, his mind racing with fear and anxiousness. He glanced nervously at Seren, but Seren didn’t move, didn’t speak, his silence more chilling than any words could have been.
Zane turned back to Ronan and the Captain, his tone shifting once again to that of the professional operative. “In light of this, I recommend we move quickly. If we can intercept their next shipment to the Black Hand tonight, we might be able to bring down the entire operation”
The theatre was shrouded in silence, the kind that pressed down on the room like a heavy fog. No one dared to speak, the weight of the Captain’s presence making the very air feel dense and still.
The Captain’s gaze swept over the room, his eyes narrowing as they settled on Zane. “Zane,” he rumbled, his voice low and commanding, “fetch the other members.”
Zane hesitated for just a fraction of a second, his sharp eyes flickering toward Seren. There was something unreadable in Zane’s gaze. He lingered for a moment longer, his lips curving into a slight, almost imperceptible smirk, before he turned and strode out of the room.
The silence that followed was oppressive. Theo, who had been unusually quiet, shifted uncomfortably in his seat. His brows furrowed as he wrestled with his thoughts. After learning of what the Black Hands’ were planning, he wasn’t so sure about recommending Seren.
After coming to a hard decision, he swallowed hard, trying to steady his nerves. He knew this moment was crucial, not just for Seren, but for himself as well. With a deep breath, he finally broke the silence, his voice trembling slightly as he spoke,
“C-Captain… Ronan…” He paused, gathering his resolve. “I… I wanted to speak with you about Seren.”
The Captain’s gaze remained fixed on Theo, unblinking, his expression impossible to read. Ronan, standing nearby with his arms crossed, raised an eyebrow, his rough demeanor softening just a fraction as he looked at Theo.
“I—I’d like to recommend Seren for the team. He’s… he’s skilled, resourceful, and… and he’s got the right mindset for this kind of work. My sister… she trusts him, and I will too.”
For a moment, no one spoke. The Captain leaned back slightly, his eyes narrowing as he assessed Theo’s words, and by extension, Seren. Ronan’s eyes flicked from Theo to Seren, studying the masked figure with a critical, piercing gaze.
Finally, the Captain spoke in a quiet intensity. “You’ve chosen to vouch for him, Theo. That carries weight in this room. You understand what that means, right?”
Theo nodded solemnly. He understood all too well. In this organization, vouching for someone wasn’t just a matter of trust; it was a binding contract. If Seren were to betray the Ravens or act against their interests, the consequences would fall first upon Theo and his family before they ever reach Seren. This was the reality of the organization they worked for—an organization where loyalty was paramount and betrayal was met with ruthless retribution.
Seren, sensing the gravity of the moment, stepped forward. With a deliberate motion, he removed his mask, revealing his sharp features and piercing crimson eyes. Those eyes held no fear, no trace of intimidation, as they locked onto the Captain’s gaze.
“I understand your doubts,” Seren said, his voice steady, almost unnervingly calm. “But I’m not here to make empty promises. Give me the chance, and I’ll prove myself I can be useful to the Ravens through actions, not words.”
Ronan, who had been watching Seren closely, scoffed. “How can we even trust you? For all we know, you could be from the Black Hand, trying to infiltrate us from the inside.”
“Yes, I understand that but–” Seren began to respond, but the Captain raised his hand, cutting him off mid-sentence.
Seren, recognizing the command, went silent, his crimson eyes still locked on the Captain, awaiting judgment.
The Captain’s expression was unreadable, a mask of cold calculation. After a moment that seemed to stretch into eternity, he spoke. “I’ve made my decision.” His voice was calm, almost casual. “We’re not in desperate need of new blood in the team at the moment”
Seren was taken aback by the sudden decision. His mind raced with the implications, if he couldn’t join the Ravens then it would be detrimental to his growth.
‘I still have a chance’
Seren resolved himself as he still had a card he hadn’t played yet, but before he could even begin persuading, he heard the Captain say.
“Kill him.”
The words hung in the air like a death sentence. Theo’s eyes widened in shock, his heart skipping a beat.
Ronan moved instantly, his body a blur of motion.
Seren’s eyes widened, a flicker of tension breaking through his calm facade. He barely had time to register the threat before Ronan closed upon him with terrifying speed.
The air whizzed around Ronan and quickly condensed as a sharp wind blade formed in his hand. The wind blade arced toward Seren’s neck as Ronan swung forward with deadly intent.
In that split second, Seren’s survival instincts kicked in. The blade was just inches away from his neck, he could see the wind moving violently within the blade.
Seren shouted at the top of his lungs before the blade connected with his neck, “I’m a student at the Lexarch Academy!”
The Captain’s hand shot up as he instantly commanded, “Stop”.
Ronan’s blade stopped an inch from Seren’s throat, so close that the sharp edge grazed the skin, drawing a thin line of blood. A single drop dripped down Seren’s neck, but he remained perfectly still, his breath caught in his chest.
The Captain’s eyes narrowed, his attention now fully on Seren. “Go on,” he said, his voice a low command. “Continue.”
Seren took a deep, steadying breath, his mind racing. He knew this was his only chance to prove his worth—and to stay alive. “I’m just an orphan with a Luminar grade,”.
The Captain’s gaze sharpened at Seren’s words.
“I have no affiliations with any powerful families or organizations and I attend the Lexarch Academy. Right now, I’m in a unique position—I can be an asset to the Ravens. My status as a student allows me to move freely in the academy, and gather information for the Ravens without raising suspicion. I could be your spy, a way to infiltrate places others can’t. And in doing so, I’d help raise the Odd Squad’s prestige among the other departments.”
Silence fell over the room. The Captain was quiet with an unreadable expression as he looked at Seren unblinkingly. Ronan’s wind blade hovered perilously close to his neck, the deadly energy humming in the air.
Theo held his breath, his heart pounding in his ears. The stakes had never felt higher. One wrong move, one misstep, and Seren’s life—and possibly his own—would be forfeit.
The Captain remained silent, weighing the information, and considering the implications. His gaze then shifted from Seren to the sheet of paper with lines upon lines of ink on his desk.
After a long moment, the Captain closed his eyes and took a deep, deliberate breath.
Suddenly, Seren’s body was overwhelmed by a crushing force.
“ARGH!”
A pained grunt escaped his lips as he collapsed to his knees, the weight of the invisible pressure nearly driving him to the floor. It felt as though a ton of bricks had been piled onto his back, his muscles straining, stiff as stone, just to keep him upright.
Ronan retracted his wind blade and stepped back, his expression impassive as he watched Seren struggle.
Seren gritted his teeth, the pain searing through his body, and with immense effort, he managed to lift his head, his crimson eyes locking onto the Captain, who was now staring at him with an intensity that bordered on terrifying.
The Captain’s voice was low, a growl that seemed to reverberate through the very walls of the theatre. “Listen well, Seren. If you ever do anything—And I mean ANYTHING—that brings harm to the Ravens, I will make you wish you had never been born. Do you understand?”
Seren, despite the agony wracking his body, managed a weak nod.
The Captain’s gaze remained locked on Seren, his eyes cold and unyielding. “You’ll be joining us tonight on our raid against the Backdoor Collective. Your performance there will determine whether you earn a place among us.”
He then turned his gaze to Theo, who was watching the scene with a mixture of fear and tension. “Theo, it’s your responsibility to watch over him. If he slips up, you will have to answer to me.”
Theo nodded quickly, swallowing hard. “Yes, Captain.”
The unbearable pressure on Seren then suddenly lifted, leaving him gasping for breath. His body trembled from the strain, beads of sweat dripping down his face. He remained on his knees for a moment, his breathing ragged as he tried to recover from the ordeal.
“You’re dismissed for now.”
Seren forced himself to stand, his legs shaky and his movements slow.
Theo quickly approached him, concern etched on his face. “Are you okay?”
Seren, still catching his breath, only managed a curt nod and a simple, “Thanks.” His voice was strained and then without another word, he began to walk toward the exit with pained steps.
Theo watched him for a moment, then turned back to the Captain and Ronan. He bowed lightly toward Ronan and the Captain before quickly following after Seren.
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Condemned To Death
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