*Drip*

  *Drip*

  *Drip*

  *Drip*

  A haze clouded Yasushi's mind, peeling his eyelids apart. Pain radiated from his stomach as a groan exhaled from his lips.

  Ughh... It hurts...how long have I been out?

  Lying crumpled on cold concrete, blurred shapes and shadows surrounded him. Water droplets struck his forehead in steady rhythm, crashing memory fragments into his mind like breaking glass.

  THAT'S RIGHT! KANA! WHERE IS SHE? WHAT HAPPENED TO HER?

  Attempting to wipe away the moisture sliding down his forehead, a thick rope bound his wrists and coiled around his ankles, hindering his movement.

  HUH!!! WHHHAAA… WHAT IS THIS?????

  Fear clawed through his rational thoughts as his eyes swept the confinement around him. Weak light filtered through cracks, leaving the space cloaked in near-total darkness. The scent of rust and decay saturated the stagnant air while pallid light warped towering garbage heaps into grotesque outlines.

  Yasushi struggled frantically against the binding ropes, searing the coarse fibers deeper into his flesh, further tightening the knots. His lungs labored in raw, choppy wheezes as panic consumed him. Consciousness wavered…dragging him into vivid memory…

  Back in his bedroom…

  … On the day of the annual swordsman contest…

  He tore through every drawer and corner. Clothes flew across the floor, furniture tossed over.

  THERE'S NOT MUCH TIME LEFT! WHERE IS IT?? WHERE IS MY SWORD!!

  Crumpling to the floor, his fingers clutched his hair as his breathing collapsed into erratic pants.

  I CAN'T FIND IT! I'M GONNA... I CAN'T... I CAN'T…

  "Dear, are you ready to go? The contest is about to begin," Airi inquired, her soft knock at the door going unnoticed through his hyperventilation.

  She pushed open the door, immediately shocked at the room's destruction.

  Yasushi hunched over onto the floor amid the wreckage, his body trembling fighting for a proper breath.

  She rushed over and squatted beside him, concern seeping through her voice. "What's wrong, Yasushi?"

  "I... I can't find it, mother! My sword, it's gone!," he cried, raising his head. "I looked everywhere!!... but! If I can't find it... I'll lose! I'll be an embarrassment to our clan."

  "Calm down. You’re going to pass out if you keep breathing like that," she sighed, patting his head.

  Yasushi sat back on his heels and rubbed the tears from his cheeks with the back of his hand. His breathing gradually slowed, meeting her gentle gaze. "I'm the best in my age group, Mother. The strongest and most skilled. I need my sword to prove that." He sniffled, wiping his nose, eyes red-rimmed. "I'm a royal. The next heir. If I'd lost because of something so stupid. The shame... I couldn't bear it.”

  Airi rose to her feet as the afternoon sunlight streamed through the window, casting warm rays across her features. Surveying the room, she turned her attention to a mound of discarded clothing and equipment. An insightful smile crossed her face reaching into the pile. She pulled out the sword, placing it in his shunned hands.

  As Yasushi's consciousness pulled back into lucidity, the memory dissolved into the echo of her voice.

  "Always stay calm and observe your surroundings. Panic is a deadly adversary, and the moment you allow it to take you, is the second you've lost your battle..."

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  Snapping his eyes open, the present pummeled back into focus. He drew long, controlled breaths, drowning the anxiety and settling his thoughts.

  Calm down! Observe! Think! Don't break from fear! I'll find a way outta this! And I will find Kana!

  He blinked hard, forcing his vision to sharpen. His pupils stretched, capturing details from the shadows. Wooden crates hunched in the corners like sleeping beasts. Iron nails jutted from their surfaces, some bent, others driven deep into distorted planks. Flies circled the containers in lazy patterns at the putrid leaks from gaps in the wood. The cold metal of the iron bars enclosing him bit into his shoulder as droplets struck his scalp again. Swerving his head upward to the side, stalactites hung overhead resembling prehistoric fangs, each weeping years of collected moisture.

  CRAP!! I'M IN A CAGE !!! A CAGE!!! I GOTTA GET OUT OF HERE!!!

  His head turned left, cataloguing the unidentifiable metal scraps, broken equipment and rotting piles partially blocking his view. Through the gaps, a pale light outlined the rectangular frame muffling sounds.

  "HELP! IS ANYONE THERE?! CAN ANYONE HEAR ME?! HELP ME! GET ME OUT OF HERE!"

  Yasushi thrashed his body against the concrete, his voice ricocheting off the wet stone

  The door slammed open. White light pierced through into the room, forcing him to squeeze his eyes shut and turn his head away from the assault.

  "Ahh! I see our little prince finally woke up."

  His throat constricted from recognition of the familiar voice dripping with mockery. Snapping his eyes open, he whipped his head back around.

  "Where is she, you bastard?! What have you done with my Kana?!"

  Boot leather scraped against stone as footsteps approached, stopping in front of him. Zei crouched down, bringing his scarred face level with the bars.

  "Let's formally introduce ourselves first."

  His stare bore into Yasushi's with predatory interest, taking in his bullicious spirit. "You're Yasushi, heir to the Chika clan, and I'm Zei of the Bloody Flames. Nice to meet you."

  Yasushi's pulse stuttered as the words sank in.

  Zei of the Bloody Flames? Where have I heard that name before?... Wait… No! IT CAN’T BE!

  A creeping anxiety pitted his stomach, eyes coming to terms with the terrifying moniker. Zei watched with growing excitement as realization showered over his face.

  "Ah, I see you've heard of me," Zei whispered. "Good. That’ll make things a hell of a lot easier."

  "What do you want?" Yasushi scorned, grappling to maintain his composure. "Where's Kana?"

  Zei's eyes lit up with a devious amusement.

  "All in good time, little prince, all in good time. For now, keep in mind that both you and your precious Kana are going to be very... valuable to me."

  Yasushi strained against the ropes, enduring the vicious gouging of fiber into his flesh. "If you hurt her, I swear I'll—"

  "You'll what?" Zei interrupted, his voice instantly steeled. "You're in no position to make threats, boy. Your life, Kana's life… they belong to me now! The sooner you understand that, the better!"

  He fell silent watching Zei rise to full height, looming over the cage.

  "Now... kid. I like you, but I can't have you hollering like a madman like that. You're disturbing your neighbors. I thought you royal types learned manners and proper etiquette. But I shouldn't expect much from that greedy shit you call a father."

  Fire flared in Yasushi's eyes. "Watch your mouth! My father is the most honorable and merciful man in our entire clan!”

  "Merciful? Kaito? That's rich, coming from the son of the most ruthless water wielder in the realm. Look at who he married and you call your mother! There was no honor behind that union."

  “Shut up!” Yasushi snarled back. “You're a murder! A villain ! You could never understand those qualities!".

  Zei's features abruptly hardened, his body radiating murderous intensity. Just as venom prepared to spill from his lips, his demeanor unexpectedly shifted. He reached into his shirt's pocket and withdrew a bent cigarette, examining it with deliberate care. Positioning it between his lips, his gaze remained fixed on Yasushi. A cold smile spread across his face as he raised one hand, snapping his fingers once. Fire bloomed on his index fingertip like a tiny torch lighting the cigarette. He drew deeply and removed it from his mouth, leaning toward the iron bars.

  Gray smoke poured from his lips, flooding into Yasushi's confined space. The acrid cloud burned his eyes and throat as he twisted away. Violent coughing seized his lungs, unable to escape the smoke.

  "Mercy?" Zei chuckled, his voice devoid of any warmth. "Your father knows nothing of mercy, boy. And you're right… Neither do I."

  Zei waved his hand, dispersing the noxious cloud. Yasushi's coughing subsided, leaving his eyes streaming. A raspy whisper emerged, his dry vocal cords sending fresh agony through his chest.

  "You're wrong about my father. He'll find us, and when he does—"

  Playfully cutting him off, Zei drew another lungful from his cigarette.

  “When he does, what?"

  The ember swirled around him, adding to his menacing demeanor. "Do you really think your precious father can touch me?" His eyes narrowed with vindictive mirth, challenging Yasushi. "You got a lot of spunk, kid. It's clear you take after your mother."

  "WHAT DOES SOMEONE LIKE YOU KNOW ABOUT MY MOTHER!”

  As Zei's lips parted, a violent crash rippled through the room beyond the door, startling Yasushi.

  He dropped his shoulders and rolled his eyes, proceeding to the door.

  "Next time… I gotta go deal with those idiots, kid."

  "No! Answer my questions! Tell me where Kana is! Tell me what you've done with her!"

  Zei stopped at the threshold, glancing back at him from the corner of his eye.

  “Don't worry,” he teased, sardonically waving farewell.

  “You'll see her soon enough."