Today is my first day of work. For the first time since waking in this world, I stepped outside the cave.
The air was cold and thick with dust. My tribe walked silently through a winding tunnel, the path dim and narrow. Yet I could see clearly. It must be one of our Vairak traits that our eyes adjust to the dark like second nature . Perhaps that's why we're used as slaves. Efficient in the shadows.
As I followed the others, the tunnel widened into a vast clearing. Mounds of rock and ore filled the area, and dozens of Vairaks were already assembled. Suddenly, they all bowed in unison toward a large stone gate.
Before I could question it, Amal tugged my hand and forced me to kneel beside him. I frowned. Why are we bowing? I wanted to ask. But no voice came from my throat. Instead, the answer came from the one who always lingered behind my thoughts.
"You are a slave now," the voice of my teacher echoed gently. "You bow to your master."
I turned my head and glared at the space where only I could see him. His face held no cruelty, only truth.
Then, the gate creaked open. The Karynx stepped in.
Giant figures carved from obsidian and stone, veins of molten lava pulsing between their jagged cracks. They carried whips that glowed with fiery light. The heat they brought made the air thick and unbearable.
All the Vairaks lowered their heads again and shouted, "All hail Chief Roco!"
He was larger than the other two great horns curled from his head, and his lava shimmered a deep crimson, like coagulated blood. He surveyed us with a grin.
"Good slaves," he said in a gravelly voice. "You did well. I'm so pleased… I'll increase your workload. Work hard, like you always do!"He laughed thunderously, the sound shaking dust from the walls.
A trembling voice rose from the crowd.
"Please… we can't. We've even made our children work. Please…"
A Vairak man stepped forward, clutching a frail child to his chest. The boy looked too weak to stand.
The guards flared with anger. "How dare you speak back?!"
They raised their whips, but the chief held up a hand.
Roco walked forward slowly. He looked at the man... and then tore the child from his arms. Without pause, he crushed the child's neck and let the body fall."If you lighten your burden," he said with a grin, "you work faster."
The silence that followed was deeper than fear. It was despair.
My chest burned. My hands clenched into fists. I want to kill him. I moved to stand.
Amal grabbed my arm, whispering in panic.My teacher's voice cut through: "You're too weak. You'd barely scratch him. Don't waste your second life like this."
I swallowed my rage and sat still, eyes locked on the monster's back as he walked away.
Someday, I swore silently.I will kill you.