Chapter 2: 002 A Successful Transmigration

I wake up groggily to the steady rhythm of dripping water. My wrists chafe against iron shackles, rendered redundant by the iron bars enclosing me in this cell. I can hardly contain my excitement as I crawl towards the puddle in the corner of the cell. By the flickering light of the torches that line the walls, I can barely make out my face. I smile and start to laugh. I start rubbing my face, pinching, and stretching it as though to make sure it is really there. Long black hair and ruby red eyes, this face, isn't mine. I've really transmigrated! Who knew Demons were so reliable? As that thought passes through my mind, I feel a heat on my chest, reaching into what could hardly be called a robe, tattered as it is, I pull out a familiar book.

"Ole' reliable here again." I get on me knees, clap my hands together and pray,

"Thank you mighty demon thing for giving me this book of unholy spells. It is much much appreciated" Done with my prayer, I pull out the book and flip through its pages...

Which are blank...

hmm

Oh wait there is one spell on page one, the demons haven't forsaken me after all. Let's see what we have here. Oh, The Freezing Ice Spell

A spell that can freeze a small amount of water the host comes in contact with quickly. Isn't that aptly named?

I touch the small puddle and utter the magic incantation,

"Freniir Casnarya" I chuckle with glee as the puddle quickly freezes over.

nice

"Now then, how should an aspiring actor exit from this insipid scene?" I walk to the back of the cell, raise my shackled hands in front of me and charge at the iron bars. As I smash into them my body recoils and I land flat on my butt. 

Well, that didn't work. Shrugging my shoulders I say,

"Might as well wait." Its not like I can break out, plus I should be getting free food. Smiling, I say,

"If I wait long enough, they might just release me." Suddenly, an anguished voice echoes off the stone walls,

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I"VE ALREADY TOLD YOU I DON'T KNOW!"

"Do you think I'd ever believe the words of a street urchin?" a baritone voice responds,

"Why would you even ask in the first place then?" I wonder

"Tell me where the Devil worshipers are hiding, or I'll burn out your remaining eye." The baritone voice declares.

"HOW THE FUCK WOULD I KNOW WHERE THEY ARE HIDING!?"

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"

"Another sinner falls to the will of God, all you had to do was tell the truth... Now look at you, blind, Tsk."

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"You're absolutely correct Sir," another voice chimes in.

"Dust to Dust," the baritone voice responds, "Our work is difficult, but it must be done. How many other untouchables have we caught?"

"Just above two hundred of them, Sir."

"Bring me another, they might not look like much, but these street people hear many things. things I intend to learn...

"Yes Sir!"

On second thought, perhaps, I should leave.

"Ok, then!" I stand up and stretch the best I can.

"Red leather, yellow leather Red leather, yellow leather Red leather, yellow leather." I place my hand on my abdomen, breath in and say "Ha each time I exhale until I have no air left. I hear footsteps coming from down the hallway. I get on my knees and weakly lean my body against the iron bars. I wait as the footsteps grow closer, my heart starts to race. This is the essence of acting!

***

The smell of burned flesh and smoke is inescapable in this hellish underground prison. A beggar is tied down to a rotting wooden chair by leather straps. I can still hear his raspy breathing as his chest rises up and down. I stare into the smoldering black pits where his green eyes used to be and wonder if what we are doing here is truly holy. I take a glance at Commander Hathborne, he smiles as he wipes down the fire poker. A chill runs down my spine. I close my eyes and disperse my burdensome thoughts. I unstrap the beggar from the chair and lift his body up upon my shoulder. I walk him over to a hole carved into the side of the cave. I look down at the pile of rotting corpses inside as I push the beggar in and he slides down to join them.

Yesterday, the city guard swept the streets for every man, woman, and child that didn't have a home. Urchins, street-rats, or just vagrants passing through. As long as they weren't truly tied down to our city by brick and mortar, we threw them down here. Hathborne said that we are looking for Devil worshipers on orders from the Baron, but I can't help but wonder how any of this will help. I've never heard nor seen hide nor hair of any Devil Worshipers in Norton. The nobles would know better than I, I suppose. As that thought passes through my mind, I feel a chill in the air. An arrogant voice booms,

"Peasant! Release me at once or I'll have you in a stockade in central square." I wrench my neck to the side, to see one of our prisoners, wrapped in tattered robes. his hands are behind his back, and his hellish red eyes pierce through me as though I was not even there. As if I wasn't even human. A noble? Unlikely, but is always good to be safe. I turn to look at him and say,

"Sir, may this lowly servant know of your identity?" He scoffs,

"I need to prove myself to the likes of you? When my father finds out about this, this whole city will be raised to the ground. If you don't want to join them, you best lead me to your commander." Nodding hurriedly, I say,

"Yes Sir, I'll take you there right away." Its always good to be on the better side of nobles if possible, but if he is pulling my leg, he won't get away with just losing his eyes. I unlock the cell, but he doesn't approach me.

"Peasant," he says, "My time is precious, hurry it up." I jog over towards him I smirk as I begin unlocking his shackles. Just as I reach him, he slams his body into my chest,

"Bastard!" I scream. I try to solidify my stance, but the ground is so slippery. I fall straight on my back my head  slams into the floor. My breath escapes me as I desperately reach for my sword. His red eyes glimmer with joy as I grab the hilt of my blade. He smashes his knee, followed by his entire body-weight, directly below my rib cage. As all the air is forcefully expelled from my lungs, tears form in my eyes. He pushes my forehead down his his palm and he opens his mouth revealing his teeth. Before I can grasp the situation, he sinks his teeth in my throat, ripping out a chunk of flesh. I can't breath. As he sits up, I reach for my throat, to to find nothing there. I try to speak, to call for help, but all I can make are gargled sounds. He grabs the sides of my head and points my eyes towards him. He spits out a chunk of flesh and smiles at me with a bloody grin.

"Did you like my performance?" As my consciousness fades, all I can think is that this is surely a monster from hell. A monster sent to punish me for my sins.

 

 

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