Time crawled forward, marked only by the rhythmic dripping of water and occasional scurrying of unseen critters.

  The room echoed with Yasushi's desperate pleas til his voice turned to gravel. Gruesome thoughts of Kaname's demise plagued his mind as the utter silence pressed against his eardrums. Spiraling him to the brink of paranoia, fueled by agitation and despair. His movements restricted by the cage's confinements, barely freeing him to sit upright.

  Foreign symbols covered the concrete ground while intricate patterns engraved each iron bar.

  The water droplets falling from above began to gather and multiply, swirling together above his bound hands.

  Yes!! That's it! I can do this! Just a little more…

  He pulled more moisture from the dampness around him, forming a small orb. Deepening his concentration, it grew larger and spun faster.

  I just need to direct it at the lock. I'll weaken the metal and—

  A blue light instantly sparked from the bars and ground. The carved symbols blazed like tiny suns, pulsing to a synchronized tune. His orb shuddered and imploded, its droplets evaporating into the air as energy drained from his body.

  WWWHHHHHAAAAA !!! WHAT HAPPENED!!!!

  Yasushi slumped against the bars, vision blurred, weak and disoriented.

  The symbols thumped to his heart's beat before fading back to dull scratches in the metal.

  It's useless... This cage is more like a barrier…

  Dragging himself closer to the bars, his bound hands traced the etched patterns.

  These markings are feeding off of my energy. The more I try to use my ability, the weaker I'll get! There's nothing I can do!!!

  Provoked by the frustration overwhelming him, he slammed his foot against the iron bars and flared the cravings.

  How am I supposed to get out of here? Kana... Kana, where are you? Please be okay!

  As he succumbed to exhaustion, a loud crash jolted him awake. The door swung open, yellow light slicing through the rancid darkness. His head jerked up, squinting at the silhouette filling the doorway.

  "Alright ya little shit! Time to go!" the harsh voice coughed, stepping into the room.

  Yasushi turned toward the heavy footsteps, his eyes sharpening as Lei's came into view.

  Observing his hateful expression, Lei kicked the cage and rattled the metal like a bell through the cramped space.

  "Oi! Don't look at me like that, you little shit. I've come bearing gifts." He sneered, fumbling with a ring of keys.

  Yasushi scooted himself to the back of the cage, watching Lei unlock it. Annoyed by his aversion, he thrusted his arm through the opening and clamped around Yasushi's wrist, roughly hauling him out.

  "DON'T TOUCH ME YOU SLIMY BASTARD! LET GO!!!

  He flailed against the stern hold as Lei's free hand seized his jaw, forcing their eyes to meet.

  "Come on now…” he smiled. “Don't ya wanna see your beloved Kaname?"

  Her name struck him like a physical blow, faltering his resistance. Ceasing his struggles, his body complied with Lei's direction.

  "Good! Let's go."

  Shoving Yasushi ahead of him, they exited through the doorway. Flickering candles lined the network of tunnels chiseled from the living rock. Natural cave formations merged seamlessly with crude excavations, creating a maze of interconnected passages. Water seeped through cracks in the ceiling, pooling in shallow depressions reflected from meager torchlight. Rough-hewn chambers branched off from the corridors revealing glimpses of blood soaked walls, makeshift furniture, and sleeping areas.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Yasushi discreetly tracked the route, mentally preserving crucial markers.

  Passing the storage rooms housing additional wooden crates and barrels, voices carried from hidden spaces behind the cracked walls as they reached a wooden ladder. Lei gestured upward, positioning himself behind Yasushi as they climbed.

  The pair ascended through a tunnel hewn from the stone, surfacing into a vast chamber where soaring arches replaced cramped confines. At the top, a rusted battered door blocked the corridor's end.

  Lei stepped forward, his hands clamping onto Yasushi's shoulders, bringing him to halt.

  "Open up!" He shouted, banging his fist against the door.

  Hinges creaked as the door swung inward to reveal a partially starved rat yazumi standing in the doorway, its form hunched and terrified.

  Stunned at its presence, Yasushi slowed his pace, pondering his confusion. As they passed, the rat yazumi kept its head down, deliberately avoiding his eye contact.

  Is... is... is that thing... that Yazumi following orders?!

  They continued navigating through sinuous halls that branched without pattern. Moisture dripped from overhead, creating puddles reflecting the weak candle lighting.

  Lei stopped before the reinforced wooden doors shackled with iron straps. Dark stains sullied the depleted planks while savage gashes raked its surface. Creaking the door open, a rancid smell assaulted Yasushi's nostrils. His stomach violently lurched, collapsing to his knees. Vomit poured across the floor as his body twitched in torrential spasms.

  “Huh? What's wrong?” he watched, turning back. "We haven't even made it to your gifts yet."

  Yasushi remained on his knees, elbows pressed into his stomach fighting to control the dry heaves. Eyes wide, his body quailed at the macabre scene ahead.

  Before him, a display of decomposed bodies pinned to the cages hanging from the ceiling. Freshly burned and ripped apart limbs scattered across the floor and feasted upon by vermin. Tortured and mutilated mortals, yazumi and demees crammed in cages, wailing for help.

  Lei circled around Yasushi and kicked him to the side.

  "Stop being a baby and get the hell up! We're almost there."

  The jolt sent pain shooting through his torso, momentarily cutting through his mental anguish. His limbs trembled, struggling upright. His eyes clamped shut, head bowed.

  Lei dragged Yasushi through the blood-soaked chamber, unbothered by the piercing wails.

  "This is the playroom, if you behave yourself, I might let you join in the fun haha!"

  Yasushi stumbled forward on unsteady legs, his breathing fractured into quick inhales as shock threatened to unravel him.

  Turning the corner, they entered a massive cavern bustling with an unsavory collection of beings. Mortals with battle wounds and missing limbs mingled with unidentifiable hulking creatures. Deemes flitted between tables while yazumi of various animal forms prowled the edges of the space.

  Coins clinking as bets were placed, fists slamming tables during heated arguments, raucous laughter from those deep in their drink, and the wet sounds of creatures tearing into raw meat. Smoke from countless pipes and torches created a smoky veil through the air, stinging Yasushi's eyes.

  At the cavern's far end, a raised platform held a shrewdly decorated chair resembling a throne. Bored, Zei lounged within it, gazing at his subordinates' chaos with a detached interest. Watching Lei drag Yasushi through the crowd, his posture straightened, raising one finger from the armrest.

  A hush smothered the assembly, withering conversations mid-word. Venomous stares converged on Yasushi in anticipation.

  Nearing the platform, Lei bowed, clamping down on Yasushi's wrist.

  "I have brought the kid as ordered."

  Yasushi snatched his arm away and rolled his posture straight, refusing to bow.

  "Ha! I see you're still spunky as ever,” Zei smirked. “Come! You must be hungry…I trust you've enjoyed the hospitality of our humble abode?"

  He leisurely waved toward his minions carrying a wooden plate piled high with steaming meat and bread.

  Smoldering the unfiltered contempt glazing his eyes, Yasushi bit his tongue.

  "No? …Thirsty?”

  Yasushi's head swerved away in revulsion, refusing to acknowledge his offer.

  Signaling the subordinate to stop, Zei shifted his body forward, eyes sparkling with perverse delight at his continued defiance.

  "Ahh! You must want to get right to it then. Very well. Lei! Bring in tonight's entertainment and special guest!"

  "Hehehehe understood," Lei grinned, pivoting toward the reinforced door positioned to the right of the elevated platform.

  Unphased by the brewing animosity, Zei's arm lashed out and encased Yasushi's throat into a brutal grasp, jerking him within inches of his face.

  "Why so quiet? I thought you'd be excited to see that precious little wife of yours..."

  "Te... tell... me…” Yasushi spat out, his voice coming out broken as his stoic demeanor crumbled, gasping for air. " What yah did to her... where… is she?"

  "No need to be rude, little prince, " Zei snarked, tilting his head. "All good things come to those who wait."

  He constricted his hand and watched Yasushi waver between consciousness.

  As black clouds puffed the corners of his vision, a soft, barely audible, yet unmistakable voice called to home.

  "Yasu..."