The Celestial Prototype and Typhon

The space was dark. Completely empty. As if Sylas was sitting in the void itself. He could feel the solid below him, but he couldn't see it. Remembering the events that had just happened moments ago, the reality of his situation finally dawned on him. There was nowhere to run, there was nowhere to hide. To him, the person standing, smiling in front of him was like a relentless hunter. But the question still haunted him.

‘How?’

‘What kind of blessing did he possess to the point it turned out like this?’

“How about we play a game?”

Standing in front of Sylas, Kei had finally spoken up.

“It’s a very simple and easy game, honestly. Win, and I will return your body to you.”

“And if I lose?”

“Well, it’s best that you don't find out.”

“... Fine. I’ll play your stupid game– AHHHHH!!”

The moment Sylas mentioned the word “stupid game”, it was as though he was electrocuted. The pain of the shock was so sudden that it caught him off guard.

“What the hell?!”

“Ah right, you didn’t let me explain the game yet.”

“Then hurry up, idiot– AHHHHH!”

Once more, Sylas was electrocuted as Kei rubbed his temple in disappointment..

“The game is, tell me the truth or you die. Simple, isn’t it? Oh right, you get electrocuted every time you lie or swear, so watch your tongue and don’t say more than necessary.” Kei smiled at Sylas while saying that, with one of his eyes glowing red once more.

“... What do you want to know?”

“That’s a good boy. First question. Tell me about this Celestial Prototype you mentioned.”

“I don’t know anythin– AHHHHHH!” Sylas screamed as he was electrocuted once more.

“What did I say about lying?”

“F-fine… it’s a secret project that was passed down to my father by the previous king.”

This time, it seemed as though Sylas was telling the truth since he was not electrocuted.

“Good. Now we are getting somewhere. Now, what does this project involve?”

“I don’t know anymore than tha– AHHHHH!!” Once more, Sylas felt the electricity surging through him.

“Hah… Dogs learn more easily than you do. Don’t you know it’s just going to become more painful for you?”

“O-okay! I-I’ll tell you… It involves an experimental unit with an extinct species…”

“And?”

“It’s an extremely powerful species. And this… thing, has a blessing so powerful that it took them a long time to finally suppress it…”

“And why is it called a prototype?”

“I’m not sure… All I know is that it can’t die. And they did something so they could control it… That’s all I know, I swear!”

“Hmm…”

Kei could tell that Sylas was being honest this time. Kei let out a slight chuckle as he asked the next question.

“What were you planning to do with the prototype?”

“...”

“Delaying your answer won’t make this end.”

“I… was planning to use it to destroy Rovinj…”

“Then?”

“I would have spared Celena… and taken her back as a slave…”

Hearing that, Kei’s brows furrowed, then he smiled before snapping his fingers.

“I won’t ask you why you are so obsessed with Celena. I can already guess why. But either way, congratulations, you won!”

Sylas’ body began to reform below him before looking good as new. It was as though his head was never severed from his body. Sylas smiled in relief before his facial expression turned into one of confusion as though he just realised something unpleasant.

“Why… can’t I move my body?”

“Hmm?”

“YOY LIED TO ME!”

“??? Did I? I did say I would return your body to you, and I did just that. Ah right, don't worry. I reinstated your body's nervous system so that you can still feel any sensations happening to your body.”

“What good is it if it doesn’t work?!”

“Hah… hahah… Hahahaha.”

As Kei started laughing, Sylas looked terrified. Just then, the solid darkness beneath their feet had started to crack. From the crack, a hideous hand emerged.

“You didn’t expect me to forgive you after what you and your people had done, and planned to do, did you?”

“What are you…”

“I’m just doing to you what your people did to mine… now, you will know how truly painful it is, when someone gives you hope and trust, before they crush it all in front of you.”

“You… you’re one of them, aren’t you?!”

“Oh? Have you finally figured it out?”

As Kei, with his hands behind him, started walking away, the crack widened and from it, a hideous beast clawed its way out. On its back, it had wings, for its legs, it had what seemed like coiled snakes, on the shoulders, was what seemed like multiple snakes. The mere appearance of the beast had Sylas shrieking in fear.

“Oh right, let me introduce you to my pet. Its name is Typhon. I hope you haven’t heard of it. Cause then at least you won’t know what’s coming.”

“Ty…phon…? Impossible… IMPOSSIBLE!! That thing should be dead!”

“Oh… so you DO know what it is… I thought I could at least spare you from the nightmares that this beast comes with but… oh well…”

As the hideous creature started clawing its way towards Sylas, the latter started screaming incoherently. In the midst of all this, Kei started walking away. Watching him do so, Sylas began cursing at Kei.

“Don’t you walk away from me! I’ll find you, even when I die! Once they find out you killed me, the whole of Barghest will come for you! There will be nowhere for you to hide! You’ll be next! Mark my words, you hear me!?!”

As the creature’s march came to a halt, so did Kei before turning around to face Sylas for the last time.

“Go ahead, come for me. In fact, I want them to find me. It would make my job so much easier. After all, this is the first time in so long that I’ve had such a promising lead. And now, there’s no need for me to hide anymore.”

As the hideous beast started gnawing its teeth into Sylas’ helpless body, the last face Sylas saw was something that would haunt him even in the afterlife. The face of Kei, whose eyes were both glowing red, now seething with rage. And from that day forth, the Crown Prince of Barghest was never seen again.