The cries of the trapped students echoed through the underground chamber. Cold stone pressed against Null's back, and his wrists burned as he fought against the rope binding him. The man who seemed to be the group's leader stepped forward, his presence heavy enough to choke the air itself.
He crouched in front of Null, leaning in until their faces were inches apart.
His voice dripped with venom as he whispered:
"Tell me… don't you just hate everything in the world?"
Null tried to adjust himself under the man's gaze, searching for words, but his mouth wouldn't move. He knew exactly what this feeling was. He had felt it once before. Fear. Absolute fear of the monster staring him down.
"My name is Prime," the man continued calmly. "What's yours?"
Null swallowed and forced his voice out, shaky and thin.
"I don't really have a name… you can just call me Null."
Prime repeated the name under his breath, as if solving a puzzle, then replied,
"Null… I like it."
He gripped Null's chin and lifted his face. "Now, about my question earlier. Don't you just hate everything in this terrible world? Look at you. You've suffered so, so much."
His expression darkened, his eyes filled with twisted conviction as he spoke directly into Null's face.
"Join me. Let's burn this world together and reforge it into a vision we both share."
Null's confusion deepened. He didn't understand what Prime wanted, or why he was saying any of this, but one thing was certain.
He had to break free. He had to get out.
Prime stood and walked toward Kaelith. Kaelith handed him a black hawkbill knife without a word. Prime then approached the glowing magic cage that held the children. He paused for a moment, glancing at one of his men. The henchman lifted his hand, and the shimmering barrier rippled, allowing only Prime to enter.
Prime stepped inside the cage. The captured students recoiled as his gaze swept over them with hatred and rage. The boy who had shouted arrogantly earlier rushed at him, swinging with his bare hands since magic was disabled in the cage, but Prime stopped him effortlessly, seizing him by the throat.
The boy struggled desperately, kicking and clawing, but Prime's grip did not budge. One or two of the other students tried to move in to help, but a crushing force slammed them to the ground. Their bodies refused to rise. Their limbs felt glued to the stone floor. It was Prime's gravity magic, pinning them helplessly.
While this was happening, Null spotted a jagged stone near his feet. The moment Prime turned his back to seize the child, Null seized the chance. He gripped the stone and began sawing quickly at the rope around his wrists, each movement risking noise.
Prime exited the cage with the struggling boy dangling from his hand like a caught animal.
He approached Null, and Null froze, thinking he had been discovered. But Prime merely kicked him aside, sending him sliding across the floor.
Null's hands were free, but he had to hide it. He tucked them behind his back and leaned against the wall, pretending the kick had winded him while silently repositioning his body.
Prime lifted the knife and brought it close to the child's neck. He positioned himself so he was standing directly over the glowing magic circle on the floor, facing the massive magic circle carved into the wall.
"What… what are you planning to do?" Null asked, his voice cracking with shock.
Prime grinned at him.
And Null could not tell which was more terrifying Prime's face twisted with rage earlier, or the cold, delighted smile he wore now.