Not a single one of the three.
In the first cell crouched a Feran, his body massive even while chained, fur matted but his eyes burning with savage light. His muscles twitched every now and then as if he was ready to tear apart anyone who came close, even with the heavy chains binding him. A member of the bear tribe.
In the second cell sat a Demon. His skin was dark red, horns curved upward, and faint flames flickered around his body despite the seals that were supposed to smother power.
The third prisoner was stranger still. A being from a race I couldn’t even recognize. His body was pale and tall, almost skeletal, with skin that seemed too thin for the bones beneath. His eyes glowed faintly with a dim blue light, and strange markings ran across his body like living tattoos.
None of them moved much, but their presence alone was enough to make the air feel like it was cracking under pressure.
And Roland had come here for one of them.
He stepped forward and stopped in front of the cell with the demon.
"How are you doing, Primus?"
The demon sat with his head bowed, his eyes fixed on the floor. Slowly, he lifted his head and looked at Roland without saying a word.
Roland chuckled softly. "Still the same as when I first met you. Anyway, I’m not here for small talk. I came with a deal, and this time I won’t go back on my word."
Primus didn’t reply. Even with the rune chains binding him, I felt the shift in his aura as anger flared. The air around him seemed heavier.
Curious, I focused on him and checked his details.
[Primus Blood Reaver – Level 272]
’Young for a grandmaster, ’ I thought.
He looked tired, but the fire in his eyes burned fiercely. His body was lean and muscular, marked with tattoos. His jaw was sharp, and his crimson eyes glowed faintly in the dim light. Even weakened, he looked dangerous.
Roland went on when silence stretched too long. "Here’s the deal. I just want you to sneak into a place and steal something for me. If you succeed, you’ll have your freedom. I’ll even return your daughter."
That finally stirred Primus. He stood, the chains clinking, and stepped closer to the bars.
"My daughter will go with me on the mission," he said. His voice was steady, but I could hear the weight in it. "I don’t trust you otherwise."
Roland narrowed his eyes, his stare meeting the demon’s.
Primus didn’t back down. "You’ve nothing to fear, Roland. This world belongs to humans, you’ll find me no matter where I go. And since you’re willing to give me freedom, then grant it in advance."
Roland was silent for a moment before replying. "Fine. I don’t have an issue with that. But you must succeed."
Primus gave a slow nod. "Tell me more."
Roland leaned slightly closer to the bars.
"Do you know about Lamp Island?"
The moment he spoke, I noticed the other prisoners nearby. Heads turned sharply, eyes fixing on Roland with a mix of surprise and unease. Even chained and beaten down, the mention of that place stirred them.
Primus narrowed his eyes before answering. "Yes. When I was hiding from the humans, I went there once. But it was covered in flames, so I left."
Roland shook his head slowly. "Things have changed since then. I want you to go inside and steal something. Anything that looks or feels precious. Bring it back to me."
Primus tilted his head, his crimson gaze searching Roland. "Just steal?"
"Yes," Roland said firmly. "Steal, and be fast. No fighting, no wandering around. Just rush in and rush out." His lips curved into a small grin. "Of course, I’ll keep your daughter outside. That way, you’ll have every reason to give your best." He let out a low chuckle at the end.
Primus didn’t flinch. His voice was calm as he replied, "Alright. When do we start?"
Roland’s answer came without hesitation. "Now."
Roland stepped closer to the bars and touched a rune on the wall. The glowing seals dimmed, and the heavy chains binding the demon shuddered before falling slack. Primus rolled his shoulders, stretching like a beast just released from a cage.
"Don’t make me regret this," Roland muttered, pulling a thick black cloak from his storage ring. He threw it at the demon. "Wear this. No one should recognize you."
Primus caught it with one hand, his crimson eyes never leaving Roland’s face. Then he slid it over his shoulders, the hood sinking low enough to hide his horns.
Without another word, Roland turned and led him back through the corridors, upward to the second level of the prison.
I followed in silence, weaving my presence into the shadows.
The second level wasn’t nearly as dark as the sixth, but the smell was worse, unwashed bodies, old blood, despair.
Roland stopped before one of the last cells. Inside, huddled against the wall, was a small figure. A little girl, no more than eight years old.
Her skin was the same deep shade as her father’s, though lighter. Tiny horns peeked out through her messy black hair, and her crimson eyes widened the moment she saw who stood outside.
"Papa!" she cried, her voice raw but filled with life.
Primus’s hand clenched into a fist under his cloak. His shoulders shook once before he stepped closer to the bars. "Lara," he said softly.
The sound of his voice broke her stillness. She scrambled to her feet and rushed to the edge of the cell, pressing her small hands against the cold metal. "Papa, you came for me!"
Roland lifted his hand and repeated the same trick, pressing the rune seal to unlock the cell. The bars shifted, groaning as the magic released. Lara ran forward and clung to her father the moment the gap opened, her thin arms wrapping around his waist.
Primus bent low, pulling her into his arms and hiding her face against his cloak. His expression didn’t change, but the silence around him felt heavier.
Roland cleared his throat, breaking the moment. "Enough of this. Cover her." He pulled another small cloak from his ring and tossed it at the demon.
Primus caught it and wrapped it gently around Lara, pulling the hood low to cover her horns. She peeked out at Roland once, her crimson eyes sharp for a child her age. She clearly didn’t like him, but she said nothing.
"Good," Roland muttered. "Now follow me. Don’t speak. Don’t look at anyone. Just walk."
He turned and started back toward the upper levels.
I stayed behind, my eyes lingering on the pair for a moment.
I shifted my body and whispered the command. "[Phantom Dive]."
Space bent around me, shadows folded, and I slipped forward, out of the prison entirely. I emerged near the surface, my perception spreading immediately.
Roland would be coming this way, heading for the teleportation chamber.
But I decided to go first.
I rushed straight through the streets, silent and unseen, until I reached the chamber first. My Essence brushed over the carved circle on the floor, feeling the faint pulse of Essence in it. The same path he had used earlier.
"Perfect."