Tuziku jolted awake.
His chest heaved as he sucked in air, his vision blurred by darkness and a single flickering candle.
His arms and legs were bound tightly to a cold bedframe, rough rope biting into his skin no matter how hard he struggled.
"W–what…?"
His heart began to race.
Kavin sat nearby, leaning back in a chair, the dim light carving his grin into something unnatural.
"Looks like you're finally awake."
Tuziku froze.
"Where am I?!" he shouted.
"Where's my father?!"
No answer.
His eyes dropped.
His shirt was gone.
Panic surged through him.
"What do you people want with me?!"
Kavin's smile widened.
"Oii, Jiqu. Our little guest is ready."
Footsteps echoed through the room.
Jiqu stepped into the candlelight, his shadow stretching across the walls.
"Good. I was getting bored."
Tuziku strained against the ropes, his breathing uneven.
"Let me go! I didn't do anything!"
Jiqu walked closer, resting a hand on Tuziku's head like he was comforting a child.
"Shh… It'll all be over soon."
Tuziku's eyes filled with terror.
"All… over?"
Reter entered, carrying something that steamed faintly in the darkness.
Tuziku's breath caught.
"Purification," Jiqu said softly.
The word alone made Tuziku's stomach twist.
"You didn't really think someone like you could walk into Fuyu without being cleansed, did you?" Kavin sneered.
"A filthy Hinkon breathing our air?"
"I just came with my father!" Tuziku cried. "I didn't do anything wrong!"
They didn't care.
Jiqu stepped forward.
The candle flickered.
Tuziku screamed.
Pain tore through his body, stealing his breath, his thoughts, his voice.
He cried until his throat burned, until tears soaked his face.
And still…
No one came.
Not his father.
Not anyone.
Only laughter.
By the time it finally stopped, Tuziku could barely keep his eyes open. His body trembled, every nerve screaming.
They left him there.
Broken.
And in the silence, one thought remained clear:
He would never forgive the Land of Fuyu.
Tuziku passed out.
He woke the next morning to see his father sitting beside him.
"Fa—Father!" Tuziku sobbed.
"We have to leave—now!"
"Shh… it's alright, son," his father said quietly.
"Huh?! What do you mean it's alright?! Did you know about this?!"
"I'm sorry, Tuziku… It was the same for me too."
"I—I don't understand…"
His father bowed his head.
"The only way someone from Hinkon can enter Fuyu—even with permission—is to go through a three-day purification ritual."
"You… you knew?!"
His eyes widened.
"Three days…?"
Despair flooded him.
The door creaked open.
"Alright," a familiar voice said.
"Shall we begin today's session?"
Mr. Jilaal stepped inside.
CHAPTER END