My neck hurts.
It's not the normal kind of pain, either. It's cold, tight, like the metal is digging straight into my skin. I pull at the collar, trying to find a latch or button, anything—but it doesn't move. It feels like it's part of me now.
The dungeon around me is silent except for the dripping of water somewhere in the dark. The stone floor is freezing. My hands are shaking, and I can't tell if it's from fear or the cold. Probably both.
I look at the heavy wooden door where that guy left through. It's locked from the outside. Of course it is.
"Okay," I whisper to myself, trying not to panic. "Think. You're in another world. You got… summoned, or something. There's a creepy guy who says you belong to him. And now you're wearing a collar. Totally fine."
My voice cracks on the last part. I hug my knees to my chest.
For a long time, nothing happens. I just sit there, listening to my own breathing, wondering if I'm going to die here before I even understand what's going on.
Then I hear footsteps again.
Slow. Steady. Getting closer.
I scramble back against the wall, eyes fixed on the door. The lock clicks, and the hinges groan as it swings open.
It's not the same man.
This one looks younger, maybe in his twenties. He's holding a tray with a bowl of something that smells like soup. His dark hair is tied back, and there's a faint scar running across his cheek. He doesn't look cruel, just… tired.
He sets the tray down and glances at me. "You're awake."
"Who are you?" I ask, trying to sound brave, but it comes out small.
"Someone like you," he says quietly. He touches his own neck, and that's when I see it. A collar—just like mine.
I freeze. "You're… collared too?"
He nods. "Everyone down here is. Don't try to fight it. It'll shock you if you resist."
"Shock me?"
He gives me a look that says you'll see, then gestures toward the soup. "Eat. You'll need your strength. The Overseer doesn't like weak recruits."
"Recruits?" I repeat. "For what?"
He doesn't answer. Instead, he glances toward the doorway like he's being watched. "Just… follow the rules. Don't speak unless spoken to. Don't touch anyone without permission. And whatever you do, never remove that collar."
"I've already tried," I admit.
His eyes darken. "Good. Don't try again."
He leaves without another word.
I stare at the bowl of soup. It looks weirdly thick, like someone mixed broth with ash. My stomach growls anyway. I take a small sip. It's salty, bitter, but it's food.
I force it down, bit by bit, until the bowl's empty. My body feels a little warmer, but my mind is still spinning.
Who are these people? Why would they summon me of all people? I'm not strong or smart or special. I was just walking home.
A low buzzing noise suddenly hums in my ear. The collar. I grab it, startled.
Then—pain.
It's like fire crawling through my veins. I gasp and fall to the ground, clutching my neck. The pain lasts only a few seconds, but it's enough to make my whole body tremble.
A voice echoes from somewhere unseen, cold and sharp.
"Subject seventy-three. Move to chamber three. Now."
I stare at the ceiling, shaking. "What… what was that?"
The collar buzzes again, harder this time. I stumble to my feet, realizing the pain only stops when I start walking toward the door.
It's controlling me.
The hallway outside is dim, lined with torches that flicker like they're struggling to stay lit. I follow the glowing red mark that appears on the floor in front of me, guiding me forward. Other people pass by—men and women, all wearing the same collar, all walking with the same blank, tired expression. Some glance at me, others don't even look up.
When I reach chamber three, the doors slide open on their own.
Inside is a massive circular room filled with strange machines. The air hums with energy. At the center stands the hooded man from before—the one who summoned me.
He smiles when he sees me. "Ah, there you are. The new one."
I glare at him. "What do you want from me?"
"You'll find out soon enough." He gestures toward a large crystal device pulsing with blue light. "Stand there."
I hesitate. The collar buzzes again, stronger this time. My body moves on its own, like invisible hands are pushing me forward.
I step onto the glowing platform, heart pounding.
"Good," he says. "Let's begin the compatibility test."
I open my mouth to ask what that means, but then the crystal flares brighter than before. The air turns cold. Symbols light up around my feet.
Pain shoots through me, stronger than anything I've ever felt. My vision blurs. I can't scream—my throat locks up.
The man watches, calm, as the machine drains the air from the room. My hands shake violently, and light begins to seep from my skin. It doesn't feel human. It doesn't feel right.
Something inside me is waking up. Something that shouldn't exist.
The crystal cracks. The lights flicker. The man's calm expression shifts to alarm.
"What… what is this?" he mutters.
The air explodes with energy. The machines around us short-circuit, sparks flying everywhere. The pain in my neck vanishes, replaced by something else—something burning, alive, and powerful.
The collar glows white-hot. Then, with a sharp snap, it breaks.
Everyone freezes. Even the man steps back, eyes wide.
I gasp for air and stumble off the platform, clutching my throat. The collar lies on the ground, split in half, smoke rising from it.
The man whispers, "That's impossible."
I don't understand what's happening. I just know one thing—something inside me broke free, and I can feel it pulsing under my skin like fire.
He takes a cautious step toward me. "You… what are you?"
I shake my head. "I don't know."
Then the ground trembles. The broken machines light up again—on their own this time. The same glowing circle from the bridge appears under my feet, brighter, wilder.
The man yells something, but I can't hear him. The light surges upward, swallowing everything in blue fire.
For a moment, I see something in the flames—a shadow with glowing eyes staring straight at me. It speaks, but the words are like whispers in my mind.
You were never meant to be bound.
Then everything goes black.