My mother always said: “The maps we draw reveal not just the land, but the paths we choose. Sometimes our hands slip, or our ink spills, but there’s always room to pull out a new piece of paper.” It was only once when she said it, when I was still an only child, but those words stuck to me oddly enough. It’s good to remind myself about this quote, usually after lunch. Helps to remind myself that mistakes are not an option.
Well, here’s to another day. I’ve heard from the locals that there were a few guys in fancy lookin’ uniforms browsing the marketplace. This time, they’re without guards… Perfect. Although they seem all high and mighty, all they do is talk and talk and talk. It’s all rich guy shit that I don’t understand anyway, so who am I to care… as long as they got their pockets full, it’s all ripe for the picking. Preparing myself, I wait for the perfect moment.
Now. They've turned their backs towards my direction. A chance.
“HEY! THIEF! GET BACK HERE!” Yelled the nobles. A surprising amount of loud stomping came in my direction, they seem awfully old though, so there should be no reason to worry too much.
Man, these guys are fast. Did they get some new training regimen for this exact situation? ‘Cause they surely don’t look like they exercise… Oh well, they reap what they sow to begin with.
It was pretty tricky to lose them. But a run for 5 minutes made them pant like dogs, which wasn’t all that great. Looks like they’ve been improving. I think I’ll call it a day. After all, it’s too risky to leave when there are people out there for my blood. I live near the outskirts of Inwell, so it’ll take a few minutes to get home.
The shadows here in my neighborhood really help me cool off. The narrow walls and the wires hanging from the loft, yet the mood that everyone sets is rather… depressing. It’s annoying that the minister won’t do anything about it though.
“I’m home!” I shout.
When was the last time I heard a greeting back? My brother is still busy with studies, and my dad is still probably sulking in his bedroom. When will he ever move on…
“I got a good haul today! 300 Kols approximately! Those guys never saw it coming, haha!”
I wish this would be different. Inwell is such a shitty place to live in, there was zero reason why my parents decided to live here… There are plenty better options to choose from than this hellhole. At least the food here is pretty cheap, which is unfortunately all this city has to offer. Shame. I learnt most of my cooking skills from dad. He always loved to explore his palette. Too bad he still mopes when his favorite meal is right in front of him, Roasted Jestrio. I can see why it’s his favorite too with all these salty aromas that make your nose tingle. It’s fairly common and cheap to find too, hence why we always buy it.
“Dad, dinner is ready!”
No response, as usual…
“I’ll just set this aside for now. Eat when you feel like it.”
It’s been a while since I went out in my spare time. The evening is quite busy as well for some reason… Might as well take advantage of this commotion and maybe I could snag an extra bit of change, who knows.
“Oh great, there’s that strong ass smell of alcohol again. When will these people cut it out with the drinks?”
Makes sense now, with these taxes, it’s no wonder why people resort to drugs to wash their woes away. The plaza still has hundreds of people wandering and skimming through everyone’s wares. I should probably move now if a better chance will show itself.
Got an easy target. It’s another aristocrat, which is quite odd… I’ve never seen two easy targets in a row before. Too good to be true though? Nah, money is money after all. He appears to be just standing idly… Is he waiting for someone? Does he know I’m watching him? Why is this guy doing absolutely nothing..? Whatever. Now’s not the time to ponder over small things. He’s literally a walking bag of Kols. I dash towards him with haste.
“HA! LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER STEAL FOR ME-”
“Well, if it isn’t that same old face…”
The sounds of cuffs were awfully close to me… I realize that the ground underneath me is idle, while my hands are restrained? I was… caught?! My eyes caught a glimpse of what is only a familiar face that I’ve seen many times before… That kempt void black uniform, along with his visor and golden emblem of high authority. My senses have even memorized what he looks like, even from ways afar.
“SOLAS? I THOUGHT AEGIS NEVER DID NIGHT SHIFTS!”
“Well, got a bit greedy today? Thought you did most of your steals during the day? You keeping your brain in check there?”
Even with me struggling, it’s hard to believe that he’s keeping me so still… I’ll admit, he does truly deserve his title, even when working for that bastard…
“None of your business, you dog. What are you gonna do? Throw me in the slammer? Maybe it’s time you think of a different punishment, since clearly throwing me in there ain’t helping my case, nor yours.”
At this point, I was pretty much asking for it. I’ve already been there a plethora of times before, so what harm is there in serving another sentence? 300 Kols should be enough to keep my dad and Vel from starving for the time being. This shit doesn’t faze me anymore.
“Given your previous breakouts, I would safely say that there’s a harsher punishment waiting for you. Off to the bars, again…”
The same answer, over and over. He really is loyal to those he serves, which there is some merit there to some extent… Doesn’t excuse the constant pursuit he has on my ass though. It was a short, but unbearable walk to headquarters. Everyone’s eyes were on me, the silence was intolerable. Some cheered, and some remained quiet, which was expected to be fair. I’ve stolen hundreds of goods from some of these people before…
“Your dad doing ok? He hasn’t been out much lately. Heard he’s still moping on the mattress.”
“It’s been a while since he last did something for himself. He isn’t the type to take loss lightly, usually.” I respond, hesitantly.
“It’s been the 6th year now since they went missing? Wow…”
I nod slightly. Seriously, what’s his deal?! If he wants to act all buddy buddy with me, why can’t he simply just leave AEGIS in the first place? He’s blinded by what really happens in this city. People like him are weak. It’s like his sole purpose in life is to be a slave to the government, brainwashed and manipulated.
“Well, we’re here! Like the change? ” Solas enters the building first, waiting for me to follow.
AEGIS headquarters went through a recent renovation it seems. I’ve always steered clear of the place since I’m always wanted everywhere I go. It’s quite the tall building too, around 4 stories high and sticks out like a sore thumb. The pastel white walls and shield emblems plastered everywhere almost look ridiculous sometimes… It appears that they’ve built a new device on top of the roof. It almost looks like the stinger of an insect?
“Well don’t just stand there, get in!”
The first step felt nostalgic again. Smelling the cigarette smoke and the commotion being caused by the more… harsher criminals that were seized. As per usual, I was led into the main office, where I would receive news of my sentence. Looks like they actually can’t even afford a good lighting system in this place, well, neither can I. Solas led me to the room and left. Looked like he had something urgent to do.
There was a new constable in command by the looks of it. It seems like that old man has finally taken the decision to retire… This nee guy was fuckin’ huge! If I were to guess, this guy would be around three heads taller than me give or take. Pretty bulky too by the looks of it. Seems like he’s a war veteran of some sorts.
“Take a seat” His voice is so deep… He would definitely sound like a war horn if he shouted or raised his voice at all.
I took my seat in front of him. The creaks from the floorboards and the humid air made me a bit uneasy, but nonetheless, the expected was to come. The rustling of papers could be heard from the underside of his desk. As he flipped through each of the folders, my folder seemed to be the thickest, which isn’t a surprise…
“You have quite the history here, Ranku Anchria. I didn’t expect an Anchria to turn to a life of crime.”
“It’s complicated, and I’d rather not speak about it. Let’s get straight to the point. How long?”
“Well, we actually received a specific request from the minister himself about your punishment. It seems like he really despises you if you’ve made him give out a personal inquiry…”
Fuck! Anything from the minister is always bad. I’m probably staying in prison for a while…
Anxiously, I ask: “Well, what did he want to do with me..?”
“You’re getting the death penalty.”
…
“I’m sorry to break this news so abruptly, but it’s the minister's words, not mine. Please wait in your cell until the execution is ready. I hope you’ve had a good life, Ranku.”
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
…
It was deserved. It was bound to happen. After so many years of not learning my lesson, it’s no wonder the minister wanted me dead. After all, I’ve even stolen from his closest acquaintances. It was inevitable. But why would he specifically target me?! There are plenty of others who have done far worse and are simply rotting in their cells! Well, best not dwell on it. Nothing there could’ve been much to do about it anyway.
The cell was, surprisingly, much neater than the previous ones. Perhaps the renewal of the headquarters also improved the cell rooms? Or maybe these cells were exclusive to death row criminals? The screeching of the yet to be oiled ironclad doors sound as they shut behind me. It’s only a matter of waiting it out for now…
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I’ve been here for about a week doing pretty much shit all. Every few hours I get to talk to an officer about what I’d like to eat, but that’s pretty much it. I’ve heard that today’s apparently the day I’m supposed to die.
I’ve accepted it. There’s no point in fighting back. Even if I do try to resist, the minister would only harshen my punishment even further than before. Going out peacefully is my best option here, since AEGIS has gotten significantly much better at tracking people down as of late, which is another point on abandoning all freedom.
A faint jingle was coming from the door. The mechanisms of the lock shifted and clacked. The footsteps from the guard almost felt sluggish… However, what might’ve been the guard, was the executioner I’ve seen every month during the Day of Prayer. He still remained with a menacing air to him.
“Your turn…” He grumbled underneath his large helmet. The echoing inside the cells just made what he said all the more consternating.
As he continued to rummage through the countless amounts of keys that he had strapped to his belt, there was still hope in finding a means of leaving the place. I scouted the area, looking for a weakness. There’s always at least a crack in this damn place…
“It’s… pointless…”
I turned my head to see his rock hard boots, only to look up with a pair of cuffs in his hand. He was ready to leave. Should’ve known the renovations fixed my routes… I succumbed to defeat and the two of us walked out the station.
The leaves were rustling louder today. Good thing my hair isn't that long, or else it would’ve gotten in my damn face already. As expected, no one showed up to my execution. I was offered to tell my brother and father that my execution was about to be underway, but of course I refused. What am I, some sort of monster?… My hands and feet were already starting to swell… The restraints they put on you were so damn tight. Did they ever check that these cuffs cut off my blood flow at all?
“Up… Now…” He grunts. I get it already, jeez. There’s literally no reason to rush right now.
Looks like the minister chose for my death to be taken on a Enthatod. Well, at least he cared for my death to be swift instead of writhing or drugging. My head was carefully slotted into the contraption and was mere seconds away from the final countdown.
“Any… final words..?”
“Nothing.”
“Good… Now, Firrun… Vi Anno, Ranku… Anchria…”
“Draghtom…”
This is it. This is how my life will end? Well, it was a shitty life anyway…
“Ranku..?”
“Dad..?”
“WHAT’S GOING ON?! WHY ARE YOU IN A ENTHATOD?!”
Out of nowhere, my senses began to heighten. The laser reaching and singing the hairs on the back of my neck. My heart raced, my eyesight began to blur, my sense of time was altered. I was… shaking. Never have I felt this feeling before. The thoughts of never seeing my family again haunted me to the core. I was afraid… Afraid of death. No… no I can’t… What am I doing..? No… I still have so much to live for, so much to experience, so much to learn…
“Zwaten…”
“I’m… I’m sorry dad… I don’t… I don’t want to die… I don’t want to die… I DON’T WANT TO DIE!”
The grim face of reality finally set in. That tough act was getting me nowhere… The cold cuffs dug into my skin. Seeing the face of horror that my dad was portraying made me sick to my stomach…
“NO STOP! I CAN’T LOSE ANOTHER LOVED ONE! PLEASE!”
“Enta…”
“Dad… Look after Vel for me, and for mom, ok? I love you…
“FRAI!”
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There was no way for me to feel anything. No sight, touch, taste or smell. It was surreal to an extent… I had no control of my body. My thoughts and emotions were still present, but not the control of movements in my body. It seemed… helpless… But, even with my senses gone, there was this sort of light, grasping towards me. It was just barely out of reach. I reached out to it, hoping it would bring me somewhere, at least somewhere…
Suddenly, I regained all of my senses. It was unclear how long I was in that state. I don’t know where the fuck I am though. The environment around me was so… ethereal… It was nothing but a damn white space. The ground that supported my feet was white, the sky was white, and even to the horizon, it’s nothing but total white, white, WHITE! IT’S ALL WHITE! Hell, being anxious in unknown land is an understatement. Who knows what could be living in this place? The first step took a bit of courage, yet it created some sort of ripple effect. It traversed the entire place at insane speeds, and I thought a being of some sorts would be angered, like an insect onto a spider’s web. However, when that ripple traveled across the plane, more began to show up, causing some sort of chain reaction, which felt a bit more assuring…
“I CAN’T TAKE THIS ANYMORE! THERE’S ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HERE!”
I was losing my damn mind here. Assuming that I appeared at this place, probably means that this is what people might call the afterlife. Hoping it would be a bit more, y’know, busier? It took some time before there was something in the vast distance.
“A signpost..? What the hell is a signpost doing here? Well, if this gives me directions to where I’m supposed to be, that would be quite helpful.”
I rushed over to it, trusting that it would include something useful, to which it did, sorta. All the signs on the post were completely blank, how useful… There was one sign that had something written on it; A simple circle with the words accompanying it being:
“Limbo, huh? That’s a word I haven’t heard of before…”
What other choice does one have though? There’s nothing better to do other than to wander. Who knows though? Maybe following this “Limbo” could lead me to a place where I can properly rest…
Not even a minute after following the directions, and barely spotting a desk from afar. FINALLY! After an hour of constant walking, something appeared! I ran towards the desk, and as the counter got closer, there was a man, and he was… waving towards me? I was a bit wary about this man, but perhaps he might have the answers that I’ve been looking for. Especially about this place…
“Ranku! You’re finally here! Come take a seat! I’ve been eagerly waiting!” His voice echoed across the plane. The voices emanating throughout the terrain felt relaxing in a way, so I didn’t see him as a threat. As I approached, the details about the man became more clear. He had a white piece of cloth on his face with weird looking symbols and was wearing a white robe that was snow white that matched the colors of the surrounding area. A round glowing circle object was floating at the top of his head, which I initially assumed for it to be but a simple spell, however when I went to sit down, it felt like it was a part of his being almost.
“Hey! No need to be so tense there! Do I look that threatening?”
Backing up a bit, I reply. “Well, considering you’re the first person I’ve met here, naturally I’d stay the damn away.”
“It’s fine! Besides, that last wish of yours? Got anything to say about it?” As he places his hands on his chin.
“What are you talking about-”
Without warning, he leapt on the desk, this time sporting a large quartet of wings. He got a good look at my face, analyzing every inch like every other creep I’ve encountered.
“Silly! I meant your wish about death! You didn’t want to die just yet, did you?”
I acknowledged what he was trying to say, but why would he mention that? Don’t people from the Livanity Dialect preach about the afterlife and such? If this place was actually the afterlife, then why was he suggesting that there might be a second chance?
“Is this the so-called reincarnation that I’ve heard about? If so, I don’t want it.”
After listening to my thoughts, he presented a concerned expression, even without visibly seeing his face. It was odd seeing such a person myself. This happy-go-lucky individual seemingly being so indifferent about his life. Not to mention, his wings and that ring… I’ve never seen such a person before… I’ve only ran into a handful of other races myself, but not someone like this… Was this a new form of aviator chimeric?
“I should probably sit down! You! Take a seat too! It’ll be much easier to listen to me once you loosen up!”
I comply and take my seat. He presented some beverages for me to choose, which I chose a simple glass of water. He got himself some tea with some sugar.
“Who are you anyway… I’ve yet to know your name. Are you some sort of god that people in my world talk about constantly?” I question. After all, I would assume that gods had a more presentable figure, instead of a boy who appeared to be the same age as me.
“I’m Vita by the way! Vita Lahabiel! And yes, I am technically what you consider as a god! Say, what do you think of death? Pretty nasty, right? I’m sure it is! There was this one time I had a fight with my friend-”
“Hey, I’m not here for stories. I’m here for answers.”
“Right! Right! Well, for starters, why don’t I hand you this?” Vita reached into the desk drawers, and he pulled out a tome from it. It was a pretty nice looking book too, something that only nobles would have the funds to afford. As I took the book from his hands, the pages flipped through and through, wondering if there were any explanations that were inside.
“What the- This is all just gibberish! How the hell am I supposed to understand anything here?! It’s all in a completely different language!”
“Oh shoot! Sorry! I forgot to translate the book for you! Well, it’s too late now!”
“Huh?! What do you mean it's too late?! I don’t want this!”
My mind started to stumble after saying that… I tried to get up, only to not even be able to move my legs. Even looking at the white space here is difficult now… My only sense that hasn’t faded away just yet is my sense of hearing. In a muddy tone, I heard:
“Well you have no choice anyway! Ranku Anchria, as I, representative of Life, welcome you to the Omni- Sect! I hope you enjoy your trial, along with the other 5!…”
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The air had a fragrance similar to that of herbs and damp moss. It wasn’t something I would’ve liked to have smelt. My headache dissipates almost instantly, and as my eyes open, the familiar hue of white wasn’t to be seen. Instead, it’s the Termena forest..? How?! With this realization in mind, I explored my surroundings.
“The Grailvine! So this is the Termena forest! AM I SERIOUSLY BACK!?”
This can’t be happening… I’m back from the dead..? This wasn’t a dream, I was sure of it. My body was intact, even though I remember my head was supposed to get chopped clean off. There was a scar around my neck though, which might get annoying later down the line. There was still that book that Vita gave me though, laying on the palm of my right hand… It remained untranslated yet again… He didn’t even bother…
I walk to the Grailvine, remembering the devastation that it gave me back when I was just six. If it were to just have given me an accumulation, I wouldn’t have been in this place to begin with. Someone could’ve actually provided for the family properly and legally, instead of all the robberies that I’ve done over my lifetime.
Enough of that though, I’m worried sick about how long it’s been since my execution. Who knows how the passage of time worked when I was in Limbo. What if my brother and father were targeted by the minister too. SHIT! That’s something he would’ve totally done. He would’ve killed the bloodline of a single perpetrator on the spot without hesitation.
I have to see my dad and brother again as soon as possible, I have to make sure that they’re safe. Who knows what that asshat did to the people that I care about so dearly.