Chapter 8: Paragox 2

As the group of slaves, led by eight vampires, made their way through the vast hallway, Zephyr kept a keen count of the vampires. He understood the importance of accuracy in his observations; any discrepancy in the count could pose a significant obstacle to his escape plan. Zephyr made mental notes of each vampire, committing their features and distinguishing traits to memory. It was crucial information that would serve him well in his quest for freedom.

As the group was led through the hallway, the journey didn't last long despite the large number of slaves and the distance Zephyr was trailing behind. The hallway was illuminated by torches lining the walls, providing light for the humans, though the vampires had little need for it.

Upon exiting the hallway, the group found themselves in an enormous space resembling a vast, sprawling ditch that stretched for miles. The sight before them was daunting, and Zephyr couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as he surveyed the vast expanse ahead.

"Oh, my. It looks like this is the mine they talked about, Paragox," Zephyr thought, impressed by the beauty of the expansive ditch.

Paragox, he recalled, was the name of the mine where humans were turned into slaves to mine a particular crystal. Zephyr wasn't quite sure what the crystal was, but the name itself carried a weight of significance, hinting at the importance of the operation taking place within the vast expanse before him.

The humongous ditch they found themselves in was wide and stretched high to the top. When one looked up, they could see the harsh sun of the Earth, its rays raining down and scorching their skin. The cave provided some relief from the blistering heat outside, offering a slightly more comfortable environment. However, the sun's intense rays penetrated the giant ditch, inflicting a tingling sensation that burned and hurt the skin, making it painful for any of the humans to bear.

"Where are those bastards? Oh, I know, they ran away from the sun," Zephyr thought, a wry grin tugging at his lips. He had observed the peculiar behavior of the vampires as they reached the end of the hallway and were about to venture outside. Slowly, subtly, the vampires had maneuvered their way to the back of the line, avoiding the direct sunlight. It was a clever move, one that Zephyr recognized immediately, having once been one of them himself.

Keeping a close eye on the vampires, Zephyr had noticed their retreat from the sun, unlike the other slaves who only became aware once they were already outside. The irony of the situation wasn't lost on Zephyr, and he couldn't help but emit a short, mirthless laugh at the vampires' attempt to evade the sunlight.

"What the hell are you laughing about?" a nearby slave whispered to Zephyr, confusion evident in his voice as he failed to see any humor in their dire situation. To him, they were about to endure even more suffering in this hellish place.

"Well, you won't get it," Zephyr replied, his smirk betraying a hint of malice as he refused to meet the man's gaze.

The slave couldn't help but wonder if Zephyr was somehow unhinged. Shaking his head slightly, he turned away, choosing to focus on the daunting task ahead rather than dwell on Zephyr's enigmatic behavior.

As Zephyr observed the composition of the slaves, he noted that the majority were males, with fewer females present. This distribution seemed logical to him.

'The females are only a weaker species, used mainly for reproduction,'Zephyr reasoned to himself. 'Well, I don't know much about them. I never had a spouse for reproduction, but I feel like I should find out more about the female species. I only know they are used for reproduction.'

Reflecting on his memories and observations, Zephyr realized that he had much to learn about humans and their behavior. While his understanding was still limited, he recognized the importance of experiencing firsthand to truly comprehend the complexities of human nature.

'These humans are all different, each with their own unique personalities, much like vampires,' Zephyr contemplated, acknowledging the diversity among the slaves. 'In a way, they aren't much different from supernaturals, or at least some of them.'

Despite his former status as a king who had extensively studied various supernatural species, Zephyr recognized that there was still much more to learn. His encounter with humans had opened his eyes to the complexity of mortal beings, prompting him to realize that they were not so dissimilar from the creatures of the supernatural world.

"Hello, humans. Welcome to Paragox," a voice boomed, echoing throughout the vast ditch and amplifying its reach for all to hear. "As you all well know, it goes the same every day since your arrival in this place: mine for the crystals."

The slaves turned their attention to the other side of the ditch, their necks swiveling almost simultaneously. All eyes focused on a large glass structure attached to the wall, resembling a massive rectangular window, from which the voice emanated.

No one among the slaves could see through the glass; its surface remained opaque to their eyes. Only those on the other side had the ability to peer through it. However, despite their inability to see through the glass, the slaves could still hear the voices that emanated from it. The material of the glass was made from the very crystals that the voice had referenced, rendering it both translucent and sound-conductive.

As realization dawned on Zephyr, a sudden revelation struck him.

"Wait a second," he thought, a surge of understanding flooding his mind. "The crystals the voice is talking about... In Zeph's memories, they were all captured for something... I didn't quite get it until now. It was about some crystals of some sort."

The pieces of the puzzle began to align in Zephyr's mind as he connected the dots between the memories he had inherited and the present situation he found himself in. The significance of the crystals, once obscure, now became clear to him, shedding light on the true purpose behind their captivity in Paragox.

"It seems that these crystals were formed when something called 'The Merge' happened," Zephyr thought, pondering the origins of the crystals. "I can't remember anything about the crystals; they might have come into existence after my death."

The knowledge about the crystals piqued Zephyr's interest, stirring a desire within him to learn more about their properties and potential.

"If these crystals are as strong as the memories say, then perhaps I'll be able to grow stronger somehow," he speculated, considering the possibility of harnessing the power of the crystals to his advantage. With newfound determination, Zephyr resolved to uncover the secrets of the crystals and their significance in the world around him.

"Listen up, humans," the voice echoed, commanding the attention of all the slaves. "If anyone's able to find that crystal, they will be greatly rewarded and have their freedom."

The announcement stirred a sense of urgency among the slaves. They had been searching for the elusive crystal for what felt like an eternity, with no sign of success. But now, with this unexpected proposal from the enigmatic voice – the apparent leader of their captors – a glimmer of hope sparked within them, driving their motivation to new heights.

As the humans found newfound motivation to escape their torment, a loud series of thuds reverberated through the air. A large shuttle opened, revealing creatures mounted on eerie horses, their presence sending shivers down the spines of those who beheld them.

"Good heavens, skeletons on horseback," Zephyr observed, his expression devoid of interest.

*****

Hello! Thank you for reading. Please don't forget to vote for my novel in the WSA if you enjoy it. Your support would be greatly appreciated.