As Nujah descended the stone steps, he adjusted his cloak.
Above, the slow-breaking light of Shiora's dawn spread across the sky.
He looked up at the rising sun — not for beauty, but for timing.
It was time to release his little mad one from the depths.
He whistled.
A covered carriage rolled up; he climbed in and handed the driver a small pouch of coins.
> "To Naraka's Shadow Prison," he said calmly.
"The hidden sector."
The driver eyed him cautiously.
> "That route requires identification. Especially for outsiders."
Nujah pulled his cloak aside, just enough to show the emblem stitched near his chest.
> "Do your questioning. But not to me."
The driver said nothing. Something in Nujah's eyes turned suspicion into submission.
Moments later, they reached the hidden underground entry.
Nujah stepped out and muttered to the driver:
> "You didn't see me today."
Inside, the prison guards recognized him immediately — yet said nothing.
A door opened. He passed through a long corridor until he stood before an old, creaking lift.
He placed his face to the identity lock.
It clicked. The doors groaned open.
Inside, an elderly dwarf with gleaming eyes grinned like a child.
> "Have fun down there, sir," he said with a chuckle.
"But watch out for the black sheep!"
Nujah showed no reaction, but tucked the phrase into his memory.
The dwarf pressed -9848,
Nujah pressed -1.
As the lift descended, Nujah took out a sheet made of pure light and began to write —
with a pen formed from the same glow.
---
✉️ Directive Memo – To Vekhir Tolen
To:
Vekhir Tolen
Director of All Correctional Facilities in the Naraka District
Subject:
Suspicious Visitor — Line -9848
Today on Line -9848, an external visitor used the phrase "black sheep."
Three times.
I doubt it was coincidence.
If they're not on the official visitor list, open their record.
If they are — review their connections.
Where they stopped. Who they spoke to. When they fell silent.
> "The quieter the traveler, the more dangerous the destination."
That rule applies today.
Submit your report to Nujah.
— Nujah
---
Nujah snapped his fingers.
A nearby soldier approached.
> "Yes, sir?"
> "Deliver this to Vekhir Tolen.
You've heard the name. Move."
Without hesitation, the soldier took the glowing message and rushed into the ascending lift.
Nujah turned toward the block housing Mitra and Eris Thalven.
As he moved through the dim hallway, a strange sound whispered into his ears — not from within the prison, not from beyond… but behind.
> "Miss me, rookie?"
The voice froze the air.
Nujah turned.
Leaning casually against the wall was Erymas, his former master —
smirking, arms crossed.
> "What, I was such a bad mentor you can't even say hello?"
Nujah said nothing.
He simply kept walking.
> "Alright then," Erymas said.
"Looks like we'll do this the hard way."
He snapped his fingers.
Nujah's body was instantly caught in spreading frost, his limbs stiffening.
He fell.
> "Come on. Just say hi and I'll undo the trick."
Nujah didn't answer. He began dragging himself across the floor, blood trailing beneath him.
> "Fine. Let's raise the stakes," Erymas said.
He pulled out a gleaming blade.
> "Recognize this? Your daughter's—no, stepdaughter's sword.
You know exactly how strong it is. After all,
"I made her test it. On you."
His laughter turned vile.
> "I'll count to three. Say something, or I drive this through your skull."
> "Three..."
"Two..."
Nujah stayed silent, crawling faster.
> "ONE—!"
Just as Erymas lifted the blade —
a flash like a rose of light sliced through the air, stabbing straight into the shadow that wore his form.
He screamed, collapsing to the ground.
From the distance:
> "I'm coming!"
Mitra's voice.
She ran down the corridor as Erymas writhed, his body glowing in golden flame —
but this was no blessing.
> "A parting gift… for you, father and daughter," he hissed.
He snapped one final time.
The yellow light consumed him completely.
But instead of empowering, it tore him apart — scattering him into ash across the corridor.
Only two voices remained.
> "Father!"
"Help!"
Mitra and Eris's cries echoed in the dark.
And Nujah…
lifted himself, bloodied but unbroken.