Chapter 1

When the world wants you gone, darkness ceases to be frightening. Instead every nook on a mighty mountain's face, every hollowed tree, and every hole in the ground becomes the promise of a tomorrow.

The caressing breeze signaled no blockage in the ventilation.

"Good," Bigs thought, glad not to be adding this chore to his list.

He dragged his calloused hand across the tunnel wall. The cold, wet concrete biting and small cracks in the surface tearing at his skin. A soothing sensation that put his mind at ease.

"Doesn't it hurt?"

A maintenance worker going in the same direction was anxiously watching Bigs's hand.

Looking at the meager frame beside him, he stayed silent. His uncomfortable presence getting to him.

"I get it, alright. We'll fix it the moment we have time. I was just asking if you're alright, geez."

Increasing its pace, the worker put some distance between them, mumbling in frustration.

Bigs just focused on his task, smiling as water came trickling down his arm. As long as there were no tremors, nothing could sour his mood.

Ducking and moving sideways through the opening, the small maintenance tunnel opened into a Grand Hall. Unlike the tunnels, the tall ceilings allowed Bigs unrestrained movement while preventing the air from getting musky. Large white columns, overgrown with vines, were one of the Kingdom's signature structures. A practical marvel disappearing high into the cave's ceiling.

Only dimly lit, this was still the heart of the kingdom. Spacious as it was, it was also chronically overcrowded. Bumping into one another was guaranteed.

Unless you were Bigs.

At least twice the size of even the biggest citizen present, his colossal stature paved the way for him. Bigs remembered his early days where he'd try to navigate just as everyone else did, causing more issues than it solved. So he simply started walking forward and letting everyone around him yield their space.

Stares of admiration and fear followed him whenever he passed through the busy parts of the Kingdom. Used to the attention, Bigs marched on, finding himself at the center plaza and thus halfway to the next tunnel to inspect.

"Donchu have better places to be!?"

A tattered shadow rose from its lounging position, erratically swaying closer to Bigs. The figure was large, and defined muscles revealed themselves through the tattered rags that had become more hole than textile. A stark contrast to the spotless uniform Bigs wore.

He couldn't care less about some drunk looking for trouble, but upholding peace was also part of his duty.

"Biiiigs, you big-headed freak, I'm talking about you!"

Instinctively he scratched his bristled and crooked chin before retorting.

"Better a large head than a mead-inflated ego."

Bigs didn't inch as its swaying was stopped by the wall he called his chest. Delirious, it slowly raised its head until their eyes met. The moment of silence was met with a hearty laugh.

"You piece of shhit. At leascht you're shtill having... fun."

Taking a few steps back, his face soured.

"Aren't we having fun down here, guys? Look at our fallen species. Reduced to frightful cavedwellers. Can we even call ourselves human anymore?"

Bigs sized him up and caused him to flinch when his gaze lingered at where an arm should've been. A faint and familiar burning odor protruded from the area, softening his demeanor.

"I understand now. I'm sorry for your loss. But I don't have time for this. Drink yourself into a coma for all I care, just don't make it my problem. We're all busy as is. You've earned your retirement brother. Go enjoy it in peace."

The tattered figure scowled at him.

Turning to leave the veteran jumped and latched onto his back.

Angry Bigs was preparing to put the guy to sleep when hushed whispers entered his ear.

"Don't call me a brother Major. Look at me. If we were brothers, you would've been there when we need you. My brothers, my arm. LOST! Why? because you insist on patrolling yourself. So many died because we followed your orders, but when it mattered you weren't there, and when you did show you—"

He slouched off his back, sinking deep into repressed memories.

Bigs was about to leave when he snapped back to life, putrid disgust written across his face.

"I saw you, Bigs!" he shouted for everyone to hear. "Others only know your hideous face. But I saw what was beneath that ugly mask of yours. I know what you are, you... YOU!"

Knowing exactly where this was going, Bigs became heated as well.

"What? Say it! What am I? A mutant? A murderer? Whatever you're keeping, I've heard it before, so say it!"

As if activated by his taunts, his traumatized shaking was swallowed by a grin of insidious animosity.

"You're a savage!"

Bigs was stunned.

Seizing the opportunity, the veteran faced the upset crowd that had formed.

"A monsterous savage! That's your head of military right there. No Grand Major only a Grand deciever!

In an attempt to throw his final jab at Bigs, he was greeted with a bulbous forehead inches from crashing into his own.

With a thunderous blow, the veteran turned horizontal and lay flat, bleeding where Bigs's skull pummeled him.

Sweating and breathing heavily, Bigs stormed off.

"CALL THE GUARDS. Sober him up in a cell!"

he shouted into the crowd.

Too tempered to care who, he left knowing someone would see the order through.

"BIIIIGS!", he heard the man shouting from afar.

"You can oppress the weak with strength but not the truth!"

Dissapearing into the tunnels, the veterans maniacal laughter pursued him. Echoing in his mind long after having faded.