The fairy's rapid journey back to the prison culminated in her slipping through a crack in the wall, swiftly navigating to Ty's cell. There, she found him asleep, lying on the ground, a serene expression on his face. "Aww, he finally fell asleep. I wonder how he did without—" Her thought trailed off as she noticed something alarming. "Why are there bandages on his arm? Is that dried blood?!?"
Concerned, she couldn't help but exclaim, "Ty, what happened!!" In her urgency, she jumped on him, attempting to rouse him from his sleep. Ty, half in a dream, mumbled incoherently, "Not now, Jade, it's Saturday, we can sleep in a little bit," before rolling over and snoring softly.
Sighing, the fairy decided to let him rest, understanding the importance of sleep after whatever ordeal he had faced. She nestled herself into his pocket, choosing to take a moment of rest as well.
-
As morning light began to filter through the small openings of the cell, Ty stirred, stretching his limbs and welcoming the new day. The sound of doors opening echoed down the long hallway, heralding Goey's arrival with a plate of food.
"Hey, looks like you got some good sleep. They should be moving you today, so try not to cause any issues, especially like what happened with Gui," Goey warned, a hint of concern in his voice.
Ty, feeling a pang of hunger, gratefully accepted the food from Goey. As he ate, he mused aloud, "Thanks, I miss when I didn't need food..."
Goey, puzzled by the comment, couldn't help but inquire, "Why would you not need food?"
"Oh, don't worry about it too much," Ty brushed off the question with a wave of his hand. "But where are they moving me now, if you know by chance?"
"I honestly don't know. It changes every year, but given the rise in rebel attacks, I'd guess somewhere tough. If I had to bet, probably close to the water, so they can get you on a boat as quickly as possible," Goey speculated, sharing what little he knew about the arrangements.
The fabric pressed against his eyelids, not painfully but firmly, a stark reminder of the control and secrecy shrouding his next destination.
The shuffle of feet and distant echoes of the prison's interior filled the silence as they moved. Ty, undaunted by the blindfolding, focused on the sounds and smells, trying to piece together a map of his journey. The air grew cooler, and the echo of their steps suggested they were moving through narrower corridors, perhaps winding deeper into or away from the heart of the prison complex.
The journey felt longer without the benefit of sight, each turn and each step forward a leap into the unknown.
Yet, Ty's resolve remained unshaken, his thoughts not on fear but on the anticipation of what lay ahead. The occasional murmur of voices, the opening and closing of heavy doors, and the changing air told him they were passing through various checkpoints.
Despite the blindfold, Ty sensed a shift in the environment—the air tasted of salt, and the faint sound of water lapping against walls hinted they were near the prison's water-bound edges.
Finally, the pace slowed, and the sound of a large door creaking open signaled their arrival. The guards' grips on Ty's shoulders tightened momentarily before they removed his mask, allowing light to flood his vision once again.
Blinking against the brightness, Ty's eyes adjusted to reveal a vast, unmarked chamber.
The space was stark, the walls echoing back the sound of their entrance. It was here that Ty found himself standing among thirty other individuals, each donned in orange vests, a silent testament to their status as contestants.
As his gaze wandered over the gathered group, Ty noted the variety of expressions—some wore determination like armor, while others masked their apprehension behind stoic facades.
The room itself was minimalist, with little more than the bare essentials provided for their brief stay. Narrow windows high above offered the only glimpse of the outside world, casting long shadows across the concrete floor.