The clanking of chains echoed throughout the vicinity, iron bindings gripping through the wrist and the neck. The resounding sounds of slavery filled the area as the last slave was bound—what awaits them in Juggernot will surely not spare the weak.
"What now…?" Kain whispered in Jinn's ear, his voice hinted at a tone of fear.
"Now, we wait." Jinn replied.
Jinn then closed his eyes to focus on the things that he should do once they are at Juggernot.
First things first, he should find a way to retrieve Nevi's necklace from the adult man that is also in the same group as him.
If pickpocketing won't work, I'd just take it by force—but how?
Jinn questioned himself as to how he would take it by force, yet he was sure that an opportunity would present itself in time.
Secondly, he should find a way to reunite with his group.
All of this, he must figure out to do—else his other friends might come to danger.
I just hope Hector will handle the others…
Few minutes passed while the air was filled with murmurs, clanking of chains, and subtle whirring from the engines of the dreadnought. The surrounding was filled with stillness, as if everyone was holding their breath.
Breaking the silence, the ship created a loud roaring sound from it's engines before it steadily quieted down—then, a loud thud that shook the ship subtly, the ground vibrating.
Jinn opened his eyes. "We are here." he murmured.
The warden raised his arms as he gazed on the data pad—flicking it with his fingers as it made mechanical beeps, before turning it off and putting his arm back down.
"Rejoice slaves!" the warden exclaimed with a proud voice. "We have arrived at Juggernot!"
The warden's worden's words echoed in the vicinity just for all the slaves to hear. His words were like a curse—a creeping cold that sent shivers down the spines of the slaves.
None dared to speak a word of reaction, as if a suffocating spell were cast upon them—gripping their throats.
Yet, their expressions say it all—although varied.
Majority had wide soulless and vacant eyes, their souls already taken—already dead. Some were delirious and broken minded, while some wore rebellious eyes that refused to give in.
Others looked at their loved ones for comfort yet deep inside, innocent children clinging to their mothers and fathers, shaking while tears ran down their faces.
Their expressions varied, yet all of them collectively knew the pain they would face at the hands of the Zeraf.
Jinn was different, he instead felt warmth inside him—giving him strength, pushing him forward to fight against the destiny that was set upon him.
No—this warmth wasn't from Venedix, but something innate. He had felt this sensation before, long before he had met Venedix.
During that time they were attacked by local thugs. When Ophelia almost fell down the bridge. And of course, when his friends were moments away from being executed, when their lives depended on him as he fought Venedix—to the death.
The warmth always had always driven him forward—not a special power, nor a gift, but something present since the start—something innate. It urged him on even when the consequences could lead to harm, even when the cost of his actions will lead to his death.
To others, it might feel like a jolt of adrenaline, a surge of unwavering spirit, or an explosion of willpower. But to Jinn, it was warmth—steady, and quiet that could turn into a blazing inferno that coursed through every vein, filling him with purpose.
It was the very essence of what makes a hero—a hero.
But Jinn never saw himself as a hero. All he knew—all he ever needed to know was that he had to protect his friends.
Nothing more and nothing less.
Jinn continued to reflect upon himself, his goals, and his plans. Before being interrupted with a loud bang coming from the front.
The massive door in front of him hissed open—groaning and clicked multiple times before welcoming in the creeping cold atmosphere of Juggernot XII.
A cold and sharp wave swept through the chamber they were in. It cutted across the silence as it brushed against the faces of the slaves.
Shivers rippled through the slaves, both from the coldness of air and the upcoming despair that awaited them.
"C-Cold!" trembled Kain as the cold air breezed over his face, whisking his blonde hair upwards.
Jinn narrowed his eyes as he stared forward. "Steel yourself Kain—it will be hard from here on out."
As the creeping cold settled into Jinn's skin, he could hear something—muffled at first, but it quickly grew louder.
"Is that cheering?" Jinn muttered.
The sound erupted to a thunderous roar, almost deafening—it was definitely cheers.
The warden raised his arm then made a gesture to the soldiers, as he walked to the front.
"All slaves—Move and follow the warden!" the sound of a whip sliced through the air, making the slaves flinch—their eyes looking silently to the source of the sound before moving forward.
The chains from their bindings clinked as the groups moved forward sluggishly—defeated. One by one, they exited the dreadnought—and were immediately bitten by the cold and unforgiving atmosphere of Juggernot XII.
The cold was truly cruel, like wolves digging their fangs through each person's skin and bones.
Jinn could feel it too, his fingers started to go numb as he clasped it together.
Yet he gritted his teeth and moved forward.
As he moved, Jinn managed to get a glimpse of the sky. Two crimson red moons hung above—it glowed like blood, a contrast to the shivering blue cold atmosphere. It was beautiful, yet deeply unsettling.
Shifting his gaze to the side, Jinn spotted rows of soldiers marching as they were cheered by citizens—Zeraf loyalists that were stationed atop towering monolithic structures.
As the slaves marched through the bitter cold, pieces of objects were thrown at them mockingly by the civilians, their laughter filled the air. The civilians threw an assortment of objects towards the slaves, from soft foods to very hard and heavy objects.
Some of the slaves yelped in pain—followed by the laughter of the civilians as they continued to throw more. Blood started to flow from the slaves' injuries, their injuries made a sharp sensation as the cold bites. The pain creeped deep within the skin, as the cruel cold continued to make it worse.
With a sudden flinch from his back, Jinn turned to see Kain trembling as he gripped his clothes—trying to take cover from the objects being thrown at them.
"J-Jinn, I'm scared…" his voice shivered through the cold.
Jinn's eyes narrowed, "Just keep moving forward for now Kain." his voice filled with concern. "You got this!"
Jinn always knew that Kain was always prone to being frightened—moreso, if they were walking a cruel march on cold land while being thrown objects at.
The march of shame continued under the dark crimson skies—until they stopped.
Jinn looked ahead to find a colossal gate blocking their way.
Jinn was in awe of the sheer size of the structure. It was like a mountain, carved with durable obsidian steel. Jinn could also see the crimson runes that glowed from afar, along with carved representations of what seemed to be warriors fighting serpents—all carved in gold.
Its sheer size made Jinn feel like an insect upon its very presence—a truly intimidating visage.
"Ikaskaren Ven Gaek!"
One soldier from the front exclaimed, making the slaves flinch as the colossal gate whirred to life as it groaned while being slowly opened.
The gate made a terrifying creaking sound—like a monster opening its mouth.
As the Gate fully opened, the scenery from within was revealed.
Rows of towering structures, homes, and gigantic buildings from each side appeared—as if they were home by gigantic species, but no—it was the homes and structures of a powerful empire.
Along with the structures, civilians were also seen cheering in celebration atop the multiple balconies of the buildings—they cheered as the soldiers started to march inside, along with an individual that Jinn knew very well.
As the cheers roared, almost deafening. Jinn narrowed his eyes to see Venedix was at the very front, seemingly being accompanied by Amaron and Emerith, the commander which led the soldiers in the siege of Leran.
The march was both of shame for the slaves, and victory, for House Sorellia.
As they continued to enter the gate, Jinn could see the faces of disgust from civilians, as they shouted mocking words at them. They continued this process as they passed through multiple locations.
From gigantic buildings, to intricate homes, to colossal monoliths of warriors.
They were truly inside the main city of the Zeraf.
After a while of gruelling march against the cold and mockery of the civilians, the slaves were separated from Venedix's entourage as they were led to a different location.
After a while, they arrived at what seemed to be a gigantic building of some sort.
One by one, each group of the slaves entered the building.
The interior was dirty and filled with molds, instead of obsidian—it was made of stone as Jinn scoured through the surroundings.
While muffled, he could also hear faint cries and screams from within the building—casting a sense of dread to all slaves.
"M-Mama what was that?" a child's trembling voice echoed through the stillness.
"I-I'm sure we'll be alright dear…" The mother's voice trembled in response, trying to reassure her child—yet deep inside her, she already knew the pain and suffering they would experience.
As they proceeded inside the building, the groups were separated as some were led to another section of the building.
"Shit. This is not good!" Jinn muttered as he saw his other friend's group go to separate locations.
While the others were led to the left and to the right, Jinn and Kain's group went down as they proceeded through the stairs. The group went down for a significant time before reaching a very dark and hard to breath area of the building.
Jinn shifted his gaze towards the side as he was able to hear groaning.
He saw multiple slaves contained inside very large prison cells, huddled together like cattle.
With a loud clunk, the soldier leading Jinn and Kain's group of slaves opened a cell door at the further back part of the area.
The soldier turned towards the group of slaves before speaking.
"Until further instructions, all of you will be contained here."
The soldiers then forcefully pushed the slaves inside the cell, their iron binds shackling in contrast with the yelps and screams from the slaves.
With a loud bang, the soldier closed the cell door—followed by the silent murmurs and cries of the slaves.