Inside the Prison
Aiden helped adjust the helmet on Garron's head, tightening the straps before stepping back.
"Can you see?" he asked, already slipping into the role of instructor.
Garron shifted slightly, peering through the narrow visor.
"Yeah, sort of," he replied, sounding uncertain but ready.
"Good. Then we're moving to a quick lesson."
Aiden picked up a rifle from the ground and held it up.
"First rule," he said seriously. "Your finger only goes on the trigger when you intend to shoot. Until then, keep it off."
He demonstrated, placing his finger along the side of the trigger guard.
"This," he continued, tapping the magazine, "is where the rounds are. When you run dry, pull it out, grab a new one, and push it in like this."
He smoothly performed the motion, making sure Garron watched closely.
"Got it?"
Garron nodded, absorbing the rushed but clear instructions.
Without wasting time, Aiden picked up his own helmet and slipped it on. He pulled up his sleeves, unclasping his forearm armor, and removed the pieces.
Walking over to Garron, he strapped the extra protection around his knees.
"I don't need it, but you do," Aiden said firmly.
He turned next to Lyanna, who stood nearby, her expression tense as she processed everything.
"You'll stick to your original role as the corpse cleaner," Aiden instructed. "We don't know how much they know about us yet. If things go bad, you're a prisoner, and we escort you. No fighting unless we find another set of armor for you."
Lyanna met his gaze, uncertainty flashing in her eyes. The place around her was strange and unfamiliar, filled with technology completely alien to her, yet none of it felt magical.
"Aiden... this whole place," she whispered. "I can't sense any mana. Not even the slightest bit. How is that possible?"
Aiden stepped closer and lowered his voice.
"It's... complicated. Even for me."
He glanced toward the deeper corridors ahead.
"But I'm sure your brother will explain everything once we get back."
Lyanna did not look reassured, but she nodded.
"Right... let's get this started."
They moved quickly, passing through the burst-open doorway into the inner halls.
No reinforcements were waiting.
The lack of response made Aiden suspicious.
The deeper they moved, the worse it felt.
Everything about this mission was shady.
They continued down the corridor in silence, passing patrols and groups of guards during shift changes.
Each time, Aiden kept his pace steady. Lyanna trailed behind, keeping her head low. A passing guard glanced at her but did not seem interested.
They passed without issue.
Aiden spoke quietly as they pushed deeper.
"Which cell was it?"
"315," Garron replied. "But it's in a separate block. We don't know the section."
Aiden clicked his tongue softly.
"Fine. We'll ask, then."
Before Lyanna could protest, Aiden stepped toward a nearby guard.
"Hey buddy," Aiden called casually.
The guard turned, matching his friendly tone.
"Something happened?"
"Yeah," Aiden said, gesturing behind him. "That's the clean team back there. She claims she got orders to handle a cleanup in the cell 315, but I can't remember which section. Mind helping us out?"
"Cleaning, huh?"
The guard paused, thinking.
Come on, don't think too hard about it...
"Ah, right. That's Section A. Though I thought the cleaning was scheduled later. Still, I'll notify the general. He'll be happy to see the team already here."
The guard stepped forward, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Wait... why is there only one—"
Crack.
Aiden moved instantly. He twisted the guard's neck in a brutal motion.
The man collapsed silently.
Lyanna rushed forward, helping Aiden ease the body down.
"Did you really have to do that?" she asked, her voice tight with tension.
"It was this or let him call in that general. Taking the prisoner out of the cell silently will be a problem if we have to go past someone high up," Aiden replied coldly.
"So what now? We're going in loud? That's suicide," Lyanna said, worry clear in her tone.
"We'll see. Worst case, we get the information and get rid of him"
They set the body down and got ready to move again.
Aiden pulled the guard's knife from his belt and added it to his gear.
"You need two?" Garron asked.
"In case I need to throw one."
Lyanna kept her eyes away from the body.
"Can't I take his armor?"
"No," Aiden said. "You're still the corpse cleaner. Changing here could raise questions. Besides, we don't have time. Someone will find this body soon."
He glanced around and frowned.
"Strange though... there's no cameras here."
"Camera?" Lyanna asked, confused.
"Like a spying spell?"
Aiden paused.
"No... not exactly."
Or maybe it is...
They pushed forward.
Another long corridor stretched ahead.
They moved quickly and turned left, heading deeper inside.
After passing several sections, they reached Section A.
"That A?" Garron asked, pointing.
"Yeah... that's it," Aiden confirmed quietly.
He glanced up at the marking.
"It's not the same script you know. Don't think too much about it."
The door swung wide open.
What waited beyond was overwhelming.
A vast, multi-layered hall stretched out before them.
Levels stacked upward until the ceiling was lost in shadow.
On every floor, rows of cells lined the walls. Floating steel platforms ran through the center of each level, supported by thick cables, serving as bridges. Guards moved constantly. Some walked in groups, while others questioned prisoners.
Shouts, arguments, and footsteps echoed from every direction.
For a moment, the sheer noise and scale blurred Aiden's mind.
He turned to Lyanna and Garron.
"Do not interact with anyone unless they speak first. Nod if needed. No talking unless necessary."
They nodded.
The chaos played to their advantage.
No one noticed as they blended into the steady movement.
315...
Aiden ran the numbers.
Each level held a hundred cells. That placed their target on the third floor.
Without drawing attention, they weaved through the crowd, passing guards as they climbed higher.
"Lyanna, avoid making contact," Aiden said quietly as they neared the cell.
"We shouldn't linger by the door, especially with you still in uniform."
Lyanna gave a quick nod.
The door itself was plain and heavy.
Aiden glanced at Garron."You're up. Think you can handle it?"
Garron crouched down by the lock."Yeah. This won't take long."
Aiden gestured for Lyanna to cover Garron's right side, while he kept his eyes on the hallway.
Moments later, the lock clicked and the door eased open.
He's skilled at this, Aiden thought.
Without waiting, he stepped inside first.
The cell was dark.
Too dark, for prolongated stay.
A bench sat at the far end.
A man was sitting there.
"We're here to get you out," Aiden said quietly.
Lyanna and Garron followed.
As the light spilled inside, the man's face became visible.
Thin. Haggard.
His eyes froze Aiden.
Yellow irises stared back.
Damn it.
Before Aiden reacted, the man lunged.
Aiden slammed into the wall.
"Hey!" Garron rushed in and shoved the man back.
"What is happening?" Garron asked.
The man slumped back into the seat.
Despite the sudden violence, he smiled faintly.
"Bones... we meet again. Isn't that funny?"
Aiden's eyes narrowed.
"Aren't you clever, Ro," he said coldly.
"Did you think I wouldn't recognize my brother's voice?" Ro asked mockingly.
"You damn thieve!"
Aiden's eyes narrowed further.
"How do you even know that?"
"I've learned a lot... a lot" Ro replied, sounding bored.
Lyanna stepped forward, confused.
"Wait... are you two brothers?"
"No!" Aiden snapped.
"No!" Ro echoed.
If only it were that simple.
His mind spiraled.
Why would Ro be the prisoner? Last time I saw him, he was at the other prison... he was sent as a scout, right?
Was he captured?
And why would Zane send me?
Wait.
He knew I lied about the body switch. That's right. He knew Ro was the prisoner... but he still chose me. Why? Why me?
It has to be connected to me. This place... this whole thing! its somehow connected to my world! Right?
It has to be. It's too familiar. That has to be the reason... doesn't it?
But how did he know?
Aiden stepped toward the door.
"You're not going to hand over the information, are you?"
Ro smirked faintly."Just so you can kill me after? No. I want out first."
Aiden cursed under his breath.
"We can't just walk out with a prisoner. And doing it quietly is no longer an option. If we try to pass him as a corpse, they'll check. Then that general will know..." he muttered.
Still, he saw only one option.
"Screw it."
He turned to Lyanna and Garron.
"Take Ro and get ready to run. Go the way we came in. When you get the signal, move."
Lyanna's eyes widened.
"Wait! What signal?"
Aiden did not stop.
"When the gunfire stops," he said, disappearing through the doorway.