POV Robert

A loud ringing could be heard through the room, the people sleeping inside rose from their bunk beds like it was a regular routine. A bit pissed off, but nobody wanted to face the consequences of disobeying.

"INMATES, IN AN ORDERLY FASHION MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE SHOWER ROOMS. ANY CLOTHING IS TO BE LEFT IN THE PROPER BIN, FRESH CLOTHING WILL BE PROVIDED AT YOUR DESIGNATED LOCKER. ANYONE FOUND ACTING OUT OF ORDER, WILL BE PUNISHED."

The sound of a monotone voice could be heard throughout every prison cell, it's been the same thing ever since they've been here. Robert and his roommates followed a line once the metal sealed doors were unlocked. If anyone saw the view of the prison, it would look just like any ordinary prison but more high tech. There was no metal bars, just sleak and shiny automatic sealed metal doors. Robert could see all the regular faces that he has seen, even some new ones. You could tell that they were new, with all the fear and body movement they were showing. Everywhere they walked, guards were watching them. Freaky looking things, one eye and carrying those strange weapons. If they didn't cripple his rank then he would have been out of here. If he knew that defending that dungeon town for the adventurers guild was going to pan out like this, then he would have rather ditched town.

"Hey Robert, up for a game of basketball later with the guys from sector 2? The bet is a nice bottle of ale the prison rewarded them for good behavior." A tall moderate looking guy asked him. He knew the guy ever since they were little, one became a soldier and the other an adventurer. Who knew they would reunite this way.

"I can't unfortunately, I'm on duty at the library already. It's going to be like this all day." Robert replied, feeling a little bummed out on missing the game. It's been month's that he's had a drop of alcohol.

"That sucks man, I'll see you later."

The two men went separate ways after that, he hopped into the shower, got dressed and followed the line to the cafeteria. This was one of the biggest social spots for anyone here, also the most heavily guarded. Here he could see the stronger versions of those 'things', he turned away immediately. He almost got caught by one of the knights. In all honesty, it wasn't terrible, he's heard of people being locked away in castle dungeons before. Coming here, he thought his life was immediately over. Come to find out that being here was actually a lot more comfortable then living in the commoners area in a town. Great food, showers everyday, fresh clothing & bedding, and other recreational things to get your head off the idea of being locked up. It didn't sound too bad at all, it was worrisome at some point, when people started making their own groups to run things. Those 'things', quickly made that fantasy of theirs a dream. After getting some food, he headed to the table filled with some of his friends that he's made and used to know.

"Hey guys, meet Ron, he has some news on how the kingdom is doing so far. Just got dropped off last night in my cell." As soon as the man introduced the new guy, everyone not only at the table but the surrounding tables quieted down and turned to listen to him.

"W-well, I come from Count Baymores county. I can tell you that they only have two more counties until they reach the capital. I didn't see much, other than the explosions and chaos. I ran and deserted, all I could do was run back home. I just signed up to pay for my dad's medicine..." Ron slowly quietly stopped talking, as if he was reliving the battle in his head.

Nobody said anything, they all felt the same way. Some part of them hoped that the kingdom had made a comeback, that soon they would be free men again. Another part also knew that they were not nobility or came from rich families, and the kingdom wouldn't care if they died.

SMACK

One of the guys who heard Ron speak, threw his dinner tray to the ground and got up angrily.

"FUCK THIS PLACE! Listen here you pieces of rusty metal, I'm from the famous red crimson bandits. If you don't let me out, my boys will come looking for me and they'll bring death upon you all. I ain't afraid of you!!"

Usually someone would try to make him shut up, but most of the people in here didn't care much for bandits. What they did do was go completely silent and distance themselves from the guy.

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"What are all you cowards so afraid of?"

Every set of eyes looked towards a large blast metal door in the middle of the cafeteria, it looked like an elevator shaft. It opened up and a full squad of hanzos, followed by a titan mech came walking towards the man. The man noticed the lumbering giant of metal, almost 3 times his size walking up towards him. The hanzos grabbed him by every appendage and carried him towards the doors.

"Let go of me! Come and help me you fucking useless idiots, we can outnumber them!"

The doors closed and everyone went back to their meals.

"Where did they take him?" Ron asked nervously to the group.

Everybody just looked at each other without saying a word.

"Nobody knows, we just call it 'the room'. Anyone who has been escorted out either by kicking and screaming or their own free will, it doesn't matter. We never see them ever again." Robert spoke up after the long silence. "Just mind your own business and don't start any trouble kid."

Once that was settled, Robert made his way to the library. All he had to do was organize the returned books, help anyone with finding books, and cleaning up. He could say anything bad about this prison, but here is the only place where he's ever been allowed to read any knowledge. Growing up, only the rich and nobility had access to knowledge like this. Only if you were talented and awakened would you be allowed to get recruited by a noble family. For him, only mundane and hard working jobs were the only paths for him. Paths that would put his life in constant danger, and even then it wouldn't be enough to provide for your family. He always wished to become a scholar, he had the brains for it but never the resources for it. Here he learned about different philosophies, mathematics, and this thing called science. As well as other strange stories that give you a deeper perspective in life. After finishing up the day and closing the library, he was going back to his cell with some books he checked out.

"Inmate Robert mason, designation number 00034503" A tall energy knight followed by a squad of hanzos approached him.

"Yes, that's me" Robert answered, his heartbeat quickly accelerated in his chest. He was hoping this wasn't what he thought it was, and they were just going to ask him a quick question.

"You are being escorted, do not act out of order and come with us." Said the energy mech with a menacing tone.

He didn't try to fight back and just followed their commands. As he was going through unknown metal halls, all he could think of was on what he did wrong. Hopefully this was just a misunderstanding and he was just being confused for another person with the same name. He knew deep down that it was actually him that they were looking for. A metal sealed door opened and revealed a clean white sterile room, a bunch of lab equipment was everywhere and in the middle was a weird looking chair. If anyone from earth saw this chair, they would know that it's a doctors patient seat.

"Sit down on the chair and don't do anything that will result in us using force." The energy mech told Robert.

Robert didn't try to fight back at this point, if they wanted him dead then he would be already. So, why not see where this goes. Once he was seated down, metal cuffs locked his body into place. This actually made him freak out a little bit, but the things didn't care, all they did was leave.

"Mr. Otto will see you momentarily, try not to do anything stupid." Said the energy mech, before it left the room.

After a while of freaking out and sweating, he regained control of his emotions. Just like the thing said, someone came into the room but this thing was way more creepier looking than any he has seen. It looked human, but it had glowing eyes and metal arms on its back.

"Robert mason, what an interesting expression you have. My name is Otto, we will be putting you through our special little program for prisoners like yourself. I hear you like reading a lot, please tell me, what is your favorite subject of study?" Asked Otto, with a terrifying grin on his face.

"Uh umm I-I like science." Robert muttered out of his mouth.

"Aaaah a fellow scientific mind, very impressive for your kind. If you pass this test, I shall make sure that you keep that same mindset." Otto said while opening up a briefcase that contained a syringe with a strange pink liquid inside.

"What exactly are you going to do to me?" Robert asked with a nervous tone.

"Heehee don't worry Mr. Mason, it is a simple question test. No need to spoil all the fun now." Otto said, he slowly walked towards Robert and held his arm into place, while injecting the fluid.

Robert slowly started feeling light headed, he lost all control of his body movement. It was as if someone took over his body and he was just watching.

"Now, I will ask you several questions, please try to tell the 'truth'. What is your full name and occupation?" Otto asked.

"Robert engle mason, I worked as a bronze rank adventurer." Robert said, but it wasn't him who answered that. Time went by and the more questions were asked, the more he blacked out.

He soon woke up, but he was now in a different room. Their were others with him, it looked like a large lecture hall. He asked some of the people around on what happened to them. They all went through the same procedure as he did. A few more minutes later and he saw Otto on a raised platform in front of everyone.

"Congratulations humans, you have passed your tests and now you will be able to enjoy the benefits of it all. My master, the great machine monarch, has given you a chance to turn your lives around. To finally be given a chance that your previous leaders did not offer you. We have built a large academy in the nearby town named Bryxton, there you will learn and study. After a period of time you will graduate and will assist my glorious master with his goals. Altough some of you failed the question test, they will still have a way to 'help' us, heehee" Otto laughed at his own little joke. "Follow the mechs to the transport vehicles, your new lives await you."

Robert couldn't believe it, even throughout the journey in the strange transportation he didnt snap out of it. He was finally let out, instead of stepping on dirt or mud, it was hard stone. He opened wide and saw that the surrounding buildings were perfection. Glass windows on all of them and really tall, the whole street had strange markings for anyone to use. People were happy and even greeted the patrolling metal soldiers. The biggest surprise was the large gates around the academy building, it looked even grander than any castle he has ever seen. Off in the distance he could see other buildings and an open campus. People were sitting down and studying, or just chatting with friends. He felt like he was finally at home.