Tuziku jolted awake.
His chest heaved as he sucked in air, his vision blurred by darkness and the faint glow of a single flickering candle.
His arms and legs were bound tightly to a cold bedframe, rough rope biting into his skin no matter how hard he struggled.
"W–what...?"
What's going on?!
His heart began to race.
As he glanced to his side, Kavin sat nearby, leaning back in a chair. The dim light carved his grin into something unnatural.
"Looks like you're finally awake."
Tuziku froze.
"Where am I?!" he shouted.
"Where's my father?!"
No answer.
His eyes drifted downward.
His shirt was gone.
Panic surged through him.
"What do you people want with me?!"
Kavin's smile widened.
"Oii, Jiqu. Our little guest is ready."
Footsteps echoed through the room.
Jiqu stepped into the candlelight, his shadow stretching across the walls.
"Good. I was getting bored."
Tuziku strained against the ropes, his breathing uneven.
"Let me go! I didn't do anything!"
Jiqu walked closer, resting a hand on Tuziku's head as if comforting a child.
"Shh... It'll all be over soon."
A sinister smile spread across his face.
"For now, at least."
Tuziku's eyes filled with terror.
"All... over?"
Reter entered the room carrying a metal pot filled with steaming liquid.
"It's finished, Jiqu!"
Tuziku's breath caught.
"Now, let's begin your purification," Jiqu said softly.
Those words alone made Tuziku's stomach twist.
"You didn't really think someone like you could walk into Fuyu without being cleansed, did you?" Kavin sneered.
"A filthy Hinkonian breathing our air?"
"I just came with my father!" Tuziku cried. "I didn't do anything wrong!"
They didn't care.
Jiqu stepped forward.
The candle flickered.
"Aghhhhhhhh!!!"
Tuziku screamed.
Pain tore through his body, stealing his breath, his thoughts, and his voice.
He cried until his throat burned and tears soaked his face.
And still...
No one came.
Not his father.
Not anyone.
Only laughter.
By the time it was finally over, Tuziku was barely conscious. His body trembled violently from the agony.
Painful burns covered much of his torso.
They left him there.
Broken.
And in the silence, one thought remained clear:
He would never forgive the Land of Fuyu.
Tuziku passed out.
The next morning, he awoke to find his father sitting beside him.
"Fa—Father..." Tuziku groaned.
"We have to leave... now!"
Aughh... my stomach...
"Shh... it's alright, son," his father said quietly.
"Huh?! What do you mean it's alright?!"
"D-Did you know about this?!"
"I'm sorry, Tuziku..." Helmon sobbed.
"It was the same for me too."
"I—I don't understand..."
His father bowed his head.
"The only way someone from Hinkon can enter Fuyu is if they receive permission. But in order to live within their lands, one must undergo a three-day purification ritual."
"You—you knew about this?!"
His eyes widened.
"Wait... three days...?!"
Despair flooded him.
The door creaked open.
"Alright," a familiar voice said.
"Shall we begin today's session?"
Mr. Jilaal stepped inside.
CHAPTER END