Chapter 56: Santay

Sometimes, the greatest enemy isn’t the one who raises a sword—
but the one who plants silence.

Imprisonment isn’t always a cell; sometimes it’s a forgotten purpose, a hope crushed by time.
There, where neither sunlight nor the whisper of the wind can reach, questions multiply and answers lose their meaning.

How much is a promise worth when your will begins to break?
How heavy is a life when it hangs only by the idea of changing something greater than yourself?

The world outside keeps turning, unaware of the dust covering the scars of those who endure.
But even in the most forsaken corner, even in the densest darkness, a single decision can thunder through eternity.
Sometimes, it’s not power that changes the world… but the courage to remain standing when everything else has fallen.

And just when the soul begins to forget who it is, a voice —a memory, a promise, an echo of the past—
can remind it why it started walking in the first place.

Here, in Santay, beneath the ruins of corrupted glory and the roots of a wounded land,
a new seed is being planted —not of vengeance… but of liberation.

——————————————————————————————————————————

In the deepest corner of a windowless cell, a chained young man breathed with difficulty.
His eyes, sunken and shadowed, opened slowly, unsure whether waking was still worth it.

“I don’t know how long I’ve been here,” Eden thought, staring at the invisible ceiling above him.
“It could’ve been days… or weeks. Not a single ray of sunlight reaches this place.”

The silence was thick. Yet his thoughts never left him.
“I expected soldiers, but there were more than I imagined… At least I had time to hide everything.”

A harsh thud interrupted his thoughts. A guard’s boot struck the bars of his cell.
“Wake up, sleeping beauty. The king wants to see you.”

“The king?” Eden thought as they chained him. “Seems I arrived at the worst possible time.”

Dragged through the damp corridors, his battered body was finally thrown into a grand hall overgrown with wild vegetation.
The walls, wrapped in roots hanging like sleeping serpents, seemed to have absorbed centuries of history.

“Looks like I’ve reached my destination,” he muttered, panting.
“On your knees before your king, peasant!” barked an arrogant voice from atop an improvised throne.

“Sorry, your majesty… but I’ve never been fond of kings,” Eden replied, barely lifting his gaze.

The sentence came instantly.
“Impudent fool. Guards! Give the foreigner a proper welcome.”

The guard’s fist crashed down mercilessly. Then another. And another.
Eden curled up as best he could, swallowing blood and pride with every blow.

“I think he broke a few ribs…” he thought, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the floor.

“This will be simple. I only need you to answer one question. Depending on your answer… I’ll decide whether to kill you today or tomorrow.”
“A generous offer from your majesty,” Eden said, smirking faintly.
“Who are you, and what are you doing here?”
“Sorry, but that’s two questions. I’m bad with numbers.”

The fist struck again, this time leaving a gash across his cheek. Eden didn’t scream. He just gritted his teeth.
“Don’t act smart, rat. Keep up your games and I’ll cut out your tongue and feed it to the pigs,” growled the guard, pressing his weapon to Eden’s forehead.
“It’ll be an honor to serve as a royal delicacy,” Eden rasped, his voice weak but unwavering.

The tension shattered like glass. A sudden gust sliced through the air, nicking his neck. Just a thin line of blood—but enough to stop the blow.
“Stop!” roared a woman’s voice from above. The wind followed her like a warning.

The guard instantly lowered his weapon.
“Queen Quil...”
“What the hell do you think you’re doing? He’s just a boy.”
“With all respect, my lady… we believe he’s an infiltrator,” the guard stammered, stepping back.
“I don’t care what you think. If you touch him again, I’ll kill you,” Quil said without raising her voice. But her gaze… was a blade.

The man on the throne scowled.
“What are you doing, woman?”
“You’ve lost your mind, Guayas. Your delusions of godhood are turning you into a monster.”
“You think you can defy me?”
“I don’t care what you think, fake god. I make my own decisions.”
“Do as you please… but don’t come begging me later,” the so-called king grunted, folding his arms.
“Take him back to his cell. I’ll go later,” Quil ordered without even looking at him.
“Yes, my lady.”

Eden was dragged away again, through sighs and muffled footsteps. Pain walked beside him like an old friend. But his mind—sharp as ever—remained alert.
“Looks like it worked. Her majesty arrived just in time…”

Back in the darkness, he was thrown like a rag onto the stone floor. The guard glared at him with disdain.
“Lucky bastard. But it won’t always be like this. We’ll find out who you really are soon, rat.”
“I need to get out of here fast. I can’t complete my mission if I die before it starts.”

A tray slid under the bars. Eden stared at it silently.
“Are you trying to get yourself killed, Queen Quil?”
“Looks like you know who I am,” she replied, stepping from the shadows.
“Maybe.”
“You should eat. You don’t look in good shape.”
“I suppose that helps me blend in better here.”

She gave a faint smile. A soft, brief, almost hidden laugh.
“Perhaps it does.”
“What do you need? I doubt the self-proclaimed god is happy you’re feeding me.”
“I need your help.”
“My help? What do you mean?”
“I know who you are. Eden Yomi. Student from Grek.”

Eden raised an eyebrow.
“Seems you’re well informed.”
“I am.”
“How curious… you’re the only one who seems to know that. Why?”
“Classified information,” she said calmly.

Eden stared at her for a moment, then let out a small smile.
“I’m starting to think we might actually understand each other.”7

“Alright…” Eden said as he pushed the food tray slowly—“what do I have to do? No, wait. Before that… I want to know one more thing.”

Quil watched him carefully, knowing that the question would not receive a light answer.
“What do you want to know?”
“Why?” he asked bluntly, with no beating around the bush—“Why should I help you?”

The queen was silent for a few seconds, as if searching through memories that still hurt more than she expected.
“Many years ago, Santay was prosperous. Our technology was advanced, our culture vibrant. But that changed when the Inca gods descended with promises. They offered Guayas power… in exchange for sacrifices. An absurd quota. Inhumane.”

She spoke with the steady voice of someone accustomed to pain.
“Guayas accepted. At first he attacked neighboring villages—he razed them without mercy. But when there was nothing left, he turned his gaze toward us. Toward his own people. Toward our families.”

Eden listened without saying a word. No gesture. No comment. Only the silent understanding of horror.
“So… you want me to rescue your family,” he said finally, softly.

Quil shook her head slowly.
“No. I’m sorry. It’s something else… capricious, perhaps. I want you to free the people. To end his tyranny. Not for me. For everyone.”

Then she did what no monarch would do easily: she knelt.
“I beg you as the queen of these people, Eden Yomi. Please—free Santay from that tyrant’s hands.”

Eden lowered his gaze. Pain showed in his eyes, but also a spark of doubt. Of fear.
“Do you realize what you’re asking?” he whispered—“I don’t have the power to face him. Not… yet.”
“Please,” Quil repeated, not raising her head.

Silence filled the cell again. And then, out of that void, a memory surfaced.

——————————————————————

“Grandpa…”
“Yes?”
“Do I have any talent?”
“Talent? Where’s that coming from now?”
“My friends say girls like guys with talents…”

Gen burst out laughing—his calm laugh that made everything hurt less.
“What?”
“Nothing, nothing. Sorry. Let’s see… a talent? I don’t know if it counts, but I’d say your best quality is being a good person.”
“A good person? That sounds like a consolation prize…”
“It’s not. Believe me. Being a good person, really— that’s rare and valuable. You help others without expecting anything back. Even when you’re weak. Even when you’re scared. That makes you strong. That… makes me proud of you.”
“Grandpa…”
“Make me a promise, Eden. Always help those who need it. Even if it costs you. Understood?”
“Yes!”

——————————————————————

Back in the present, Eden closed his eyes.
When he opened them, something in his expression had changed.
“I will do it.”

Quil looked up, incredulous.
“Really?”
“Yes. Thank you for trusting me.”
“Thank you, Grandpa,” he thought, with a weary smile.

——————————————————————

Meanwhile, in the upper levels of the palace, Guayas watched everything in silence from his throne.
“Sir,” a guard said—“what do we do with the boy? If the queen keeps intervening, we can’t touch him without proof.”
“Don’t worry,” the king answered calmly—“this was already planned.”
“How?”
“Let’s say… I have my contacts.”
“And then?”
“Take him to the general prison.”

The guard blinked in surprise.
“The general? He might try to escape there.”
“Exactly,” Guayas said, curling a crooked smile—“I want to see what he’s really plotting. And to do that, we need to observe him. When the time comes… our man will take care of the rest.”
“You have an infiltrator?”
“Of course. Well placed.”
“You’re a genius, sir.”
“I know.”

——————————————————————

In a new cell, surrounded by rusty bars and the constant murmur of other prisoners, Eden opened his eyes again.
“A sudden transfer? Was that Quil’s idea? Not bad. Being surrounded by people increases my chances of escape. But first… I need allies.”

Eden studied his surroundings as he stood in the mess line. From his position he could see several guards posted on the upper level, watching like birds of prey ready to intervene.
“There are too many of them,” he thought. “If I want to escape someday, I’ll have to neutralize or blind them. But I can’t do it alone.”

“Hey, you bastard!” a voice bellowed from the back. “What do you think you’re doing?! That’s my spot!”

Everyone turned. A burly man with scars on his arms and the look of a rabid animal strode up toward a green-haired kid who barely seemed intimidated.
“Huh?” the boy answered. “I was here before you showed up. I don’t see your name written down.”

“Are you calling me a liar!?” the big guy roared.

Eden narrowed his eyes.
“And that guy?” someone next to him muttered.
“He’s one of the most dangerous in here,” a prisoner whispered without taking his eyes off the scene. “They used to call him the deadliest killer in the kingdom, before he fell.”
“Well… interesting.”

“Move, rat!” spat the prisoner.
“Sorry, but this is my place. Queue up like everyone else,” the green-haired boy replied, keeping his cool.

“This guy’s an idiot,” someone hissed.
“You’d better listen to the boss if you don’t want to get hurt,” another man said, drawing a makeshift blade.

Eden sighed and crossed his arms.
“Hey, you—the green hair.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Better let him have it. Don’t be selfish… after all, you’re older men. You should enjoy your last meal.”

“What did you say?!” the boss screamed, furious.

Without warning, a third prisoner crept up behind Eden.
“Watch out!” shouted the boy who had spoken to him.

But it was too late for the attacker. With a precise twist, Eden grabbed him by the head and slammed him into the floor. The dry thud of the impact fell over the entire mess hall like a bell.
“I can’t believe it,” the same boy thought. “I barely saw him move.”

“What do you think you’re doing, punk?! I’ll kill you!” the boss snarled.

From the watch, one guard leaned toward his partner.
“Shouldn’t we step in?” he asked.
“Nah,” the other replied. “I want to see how this plays out.”

Two prisoners lunged at Eden at once. But he moved with ease, dodging and countering with surgical precision. One well-placed kick was enough to drop the boss. At that moment, the eyes of the second guard gleamed faintly.

The chains on the prisoners’ ankles and wrists clattered to the floor with a metallic roar.
“What…?” Eden murmured.
“How is this possible?” the other guard asked.
“This is bad…” he thought, taking a step back.

“I missed this feeling,” the freed prisoner whispered, watching his unbound hands.

Wasting no time, he began launching energy-filled attacks at Eden, who was now at a disadvantage. Still, Eden’s expression showed no fear.
“I’m at a disadvantage… but I can still beat them.”

Then he vanished from everyone’s sight.

“Impossible?!” one guard shouted. “Alert central! A prisoner has escaped!”
“Relax,” the other said, unfazed. “He’s still here.”
“What? I can’t see him! Did he use a technique with the chains on?”
“No. He’s just running very fast. Against such weak opponents, it’s a valid strategy.”

Meanwhile, the boy who had warned Eden tried to take on the boss. The strike was useless.
“What do you think you’re doing?” the boss roared. “Disappear!”
He conjured a sphere of scorching fire.
“Is this going to be how I die…?” the boy thought.

But at that exact moment someone stepped between him and the flames—the green-haired boy.
“What?”
The sphere slammed into him full force, throwing up a cloud of dust and heat.

“Look what you caused,” the boss said. “You deserve this for challenging me.”
When the smoke cleared…
“Too bad,” the green-haired boy murmured, smiling. “I expected you to be stronger.”
Everyone watched him, unscathed.

“Bastard!?” the boss screamed.

At that instant Eden dropped down from above like a lightning bolt, his kick driving into the prisoner’s skull and pinning him to the floor.

The guards began descending quickly.
“Everyone stop! Hands up!”
Eden raised his hands without resistance.
“Take the wounded to the infirmary. Now!”
“Yes, sir!”

One of the guards approached Eden, looking at him hard.
“What are you trying to do?”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Eden said, raising his hands with a resigned smile. “It was self-defense — they tried to stab me.”
“I don’t buy it for a second,” the guard grunted, crossing his arms.
“That’s true, sir,” a firm voice intervened from the side.
“And who are you?” the guard asked, turning with a frown.
“I’m prisoner number 59 — Amine.”
“A prisoner? And why should I accept the testimony of a criminal?”
“Sir,” the third guard interrupted, “I can corroborate the account.”
“You?” the other guard said, surprised. “Wait a second…”
“I’m the rookie, sir. Orze, at your service.”
“I’ll have to speak with both of you. This can’t happen during your watch.”
“With all due respect, sir, we were on break. So we shouldn’t be punished,” Orze said with total calm.
The other guard looked at him incredulously. “What are you doing?” he thought. “The roster clearly says our shift!”
“Give me the roster,” the superior ordered.
The paper changed hands. The guard scanned it…and fell silent.
“What…?” the other guard murmured, completely baffled.
“Fine. I’ll go talk to the supervisors. You two, keep doing your job.”
“Yes, sir!” both answered in unison.
When the superior walked away, Guard 2 couldn’t help glancing at Orze.
“What did you do? How is that possible?”

Eden watched in silence, thinking.
“He just follows orders… another loyal dog of Guayas. Doesn’t seem a bad sort, so I’ll show some consideration,” he reflected coldly. “I won’t torture him. I’ll kill him quickly.”

————————————————————

The scene shifted to the infirmary, where Eden lay propped up beside the green-haired boy. Both were bandaged, but neither showed signs of surrender.
“Why?” the boy broke the silence.
“What do you mean?”
“Why did you defend me?”
“You’re wrong. I only wanted to beat that jerk up.”
“Do you always lie to yourself like that?”
“Maybe…” Eden let out a short breath. “Can I ask you something?”
“Shoot.”
“Why did you jump in to protect the other guy? Did you know you could have died?”
The boy stared at the ceiling, as if seeking an answer in the cracks.
“I don’t know. I guess I wanted to die… in a manly way.”
“Die?”
“Yeah. It’s a long story, but I’ve got demons from the past that keep me awake.”
“I get it,” Eden said, without irony.
“And you — what are you doing here? You don’t look like one of these people.”
“It’s complicated. I’m looking for something. But first I have to get out.”
“You’d better forget it. I’ve seen many try to escape… none of them made it. At least, none came back to tell the tale.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you,” Eden said with a calm smile, “but I don’t intend to give up. I don’t know what demons chase you, but mine don’t scare me anymore. If someone tries to stop me, I’ll crush them with whatever little or much I have. I’d rather die trying than live wondering ‘what if…?’”

The boy looked at him for a second… and then a fleeting image crossed his mind: someone else, years ago, had told him the exact same thing.
“Idiots… everyone’s an idiot,” he whispered with a half-smile. “But I think I might be the biggest idiot of all.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
The boy reached out his hand to Eden.
“I don’t know if your plan will work, but count me in.”
“What?”
“You won’t get anywhere doing it alone. It makes sense to form a team, right?”
“Suppose so, but…”
“Relax. I’m stronger than I look,” he added with a relaxed grin.
Eden watched him for a moment. Then he took his hand.
“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Eden.”
“I’m Takemi.”

A third voice came from behind, leaning lazily on his shoulders.
“Then we’ll be an unbeatable team.”
“Huh?” Eden turned and saw Amine. “You too?”
“Of course. You think I’d miss this?”
Eden gave a short laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Amine asked, frowning.
“Nothing, nothing…”

But beneath it all, Eden’s mind was already mapping the next moves.
“The first move worked. I’ve already got my first pawns… I just hope I don’t grow attached to my bait.”