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"Do you know what this collar does? It's made specifically to restrain people with certain attributes. The runic inscription on it suppresses the wearer's mana and slowly drains the victim's elemental powers until it dissipates entirely. The process also puts a significant fatigue on the body, so don't be surprised if you can barely walk after mere seconds." ~ Amodstel Joleph --- Mahin tried to catch some rest for the night but found himself increasingly restless as several days passed by without any events. His mind was constantly swimming on what unpleasant fate awaited him after he was to be led away from his cell into slavery in another continent. The guards never told him exactly when he would be taken away, but Mahin knew things were hopeless one way or another. He quietly gazed at the dim light emanating from the runic collar that was locked around his neck, tugging against the contraption with his fingers despite knowing full well that it is not going anywhere. The collar has effectively drained away his powers, and the effects have already started to exhaust his body. It was a strange and frustrating feeling, finding himself struggling to muster enough strength to even stand up and move around as if he was a frail old man. It wasn't fair. He had nothing to do with the ambassador's murder, but he was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time. The court demanded a culprit and Mahin became a prime suspect since he was still considered an outsider from the group- effectively a scapegoat to be cast away. His friends, not even the young prince, could do nothing but watch helplessly as the court quickly condemned Mahin for execution in seven days. Mahin had no say in this matter whatsoever, and was forced to languish in prison until the execution day. The night before the execution day, Mahin faced an unexpected visitor from the young prince Satoa himself. Satoa was no older than Mahin, and he was the one that took Mahin in back when both were children, despite objections from his peers. The prince knew by instinct that Mahin would never have committed the murder, but he was powerless against the higher court's clear intent to get rid of the outcast. He did however, offer Mahin a choice- stay here and face execution the following noon or be sold into slavery as part of a secret trade deal with a hostile kingdom. Mahin reluctantly accepted to the offer, resigned to the fact that there was nothing else he could do. Satoa painfully acknowledged Mahin's decision, and the two shared what may be their last goodbyes, solemnly wishing that it did not end this way. |
