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“You didn’t possibly think you’d win, did you?” The colonel let out an unsympathetic chuckle, kneeling down to his prisoner and brushing the hair out of his face. “It’s almost sad how easily you got captured.” The low light made him look all the more intimidating. He was so much bigger, stronger. He towered over him even if Agito had been standing up straight.
Agito bared his teeth, struggling in his thick shackles. “You’re a coward.” He growled, kneeling on the metal floor of the cell. “Your soldiers wouldn’t have caught me if they hadn’t used tranquilizer gas. You know they can’t defeat me otherwise.”
Shunack frowned in mock disappointment “Hmph. Even your insults lack any real edge.” He scoffed, then shook his head. “... I expected so much from Neutral City’s precious hero… but this…” He sighed before placing a boot against Agito’s chest and pushing him backward, flat against the floor. “…Is disappointing.”
Agito gasped in shock, grimacing in pain as the armored boot pinned him down, he tried not to think of how seeing the colonel standing over him made his stomach turn, and even more horrific, made his cheeks feel slightly warm.
Shunack leaned down, kneeling as he shifted his weight forward, entirely on the boot pressing on Agito’s chest. The boy below him coughed, struggling to breathe. Then just as easily as he had pinned him, he patted Agito’s cheek and stood back up. Slowly he began to circle around his prisoner. Looking down at him before a smirk grew on his face.
Agito gasped for air, his chest hurt, his heart pounded, and nausea filled his stomach as he tried to even his breathing. Through it all he was still struggling in his bondage, hoping to loosen the arm cuffs somehow.
“Oh, look how he panics.” Shunack mocked. His expression never changed as he reached across his body and began to pull his sword from the sheath belted around his waist. Fear glinted in the boy’s eyes and Shunack reveled in it.
Agito scoffed, still grimacing, he knew his skin was bulletproof and that no sword could simply pierce it, but the sight of the blade still scared him. But below that was something else. He didn’t want to name it, didn’t want to give the feeling power.
Shunack’s expression suddenly morphed into a scowl. He stopped drawing his katana and instead leaned down, towering over Agito.
Then in one quick motion that Agito didn’t have the foresight to dodge, Shunack grabbed him by the shoulders, dragged him to his knees and punched him hard in the face.
Agito cried out in shock and pain, clenching his teeth as his skin stung, but the colonel just rolled his eyes, kneeling on one knee to inspect the damage done, running a thumb along the bruised cheek. Agito tried hard not to think of how, somehow, he was blushing brighter now.
“Don’t touch me!” He shouted, but his voice shook with every word.
Shunack’s eyes flashed with an ominous fury and he raised his fist again. This time, he punched him even harder than before, straight in the nose. A loud crack rang out.
“AHH!!!” Agito’s face exploded with pain, despite knowing his abilities would heal the possible broken nose, he recoiled and curled into himself. Tears welling at the edge of his vision.
“Keep your mouth shut unless I tell you to speak.” Came his cold response. Then he took a step back, still holding his fist up, a warning. Shunack scoffed at him for a moment longer, an unimpressed glare on his face.
“Now…” He folded his arms across his chest. “Apologize.”
“For what?!” Agito glared hard at him despite the pain coiling through his face. He could feel his healing abilities trying to repair the damage. But even still, the feeling remained. He fixed his gaze and tried to look brazen, aiming to put all his anger and frustration at this man into a single expression.
Shunack let out a sigh as a smile curled on the corner of his lips. “It’s your fault isn’t it? That you got caught.” He began to pace around him again. “You’re the city’s hero, you’re Agashi’s only son, a protector of the Forest. And yet-.” He paused, allowing him to register the words before continuing.
“You’re sitting before me in chains. Tell me, what’s a hero who fails his duty?” He raised his eyebrows expectantly.
Fury suddenly boiled inside Agito. Bringing up his father crossed a line. “I haven’t failed! I’ll keep fighting for my people! For the Forest!” He tried to sound assured and confident but the voice that came out was full of terror. “I’ll find my way back to them!”
Shunack blinked twice before snickering, a smug look on his face as he leaned down and gave him a gentle pat on the head. Then stood up straight and leaned against the wall behind him, still smirking down at his captive. It was difficult to tell what was amusement and what was disdain. Intense red light from factory exhaust bathed Shunack’s face for a moment, shining out from the cell’s narrow windows.
“Escape?” He taunted. “Now, how would you do that?”
Agito considered using his enhanced strength, reaching out to the Forest within him and growing roots and vines from his skin so he could break out of these shackles and then make a break for the nearest exterior wall. But then again, Shunack had the exact same abilities, had them for years longer, and was so much stronger than Agito could ever be.
Frustrated, he remained still, kneeling on the ground. It seems his body had already repaired the damage done to his nose, but a stinging pain still remained. And along with it, that feeling he still refused to name. The feeling that made his cheeks flush each time pain crashed through him.
Shunack let out a huff, shaking his head. “You really are naive, aren’t you?”
Agito growled to himself. Hated how much he was blushing at being so subdued. Furious, he turning his face away from the colonel’s glare.
Shunack frowned the second Agito turned, his smirk dropping to a cruel scowl.
“Look at me,” He growled, a threat in his voice, moving Agito’s head with his gloved hand. “I want you to look me in the eyes, can you do that for me?” It was clear this wasn’t a suggestion; it was a command. Shunack looked almost disgusted with him, his eyes flickering over Agito’s face as the fingers of his free hand began to ball into a fist.
Agito shut his eyes tight in preparation for the punch he knew was coming.
Shunack only grunted in annoyance, tightening his grip before delivering a hard punch across his face, this time, the impact hit his chin.
Agito felt it instantly, everything stung and his ears rang. His jaw ached and it hurt to clench his teeth. When he opened his eyes, Shunack was still staring down at him, looking pleased with himself.
“I’m looking at you now, happy?”
Agito hissed through his teeth, grimacing in pain from the new bruise.
Shunack grinned downwards before leaning closer, his voice dropping to whisper as he spoke. He stared into Agito’s terrified eyes with a predatory glint in his own.
“Yes.” Shunack breathed, letting his free hand rest on Agito’s cheek before running a finger down his face. “That’s a good boy…”
Agito’s whole body shivered in horror. His blush deepening despite himself. Shunack was just so close to his face, close enough to feel his breath.
“What are you-?” He started.
The colonel wore a smug, almost satisfied look, letting his fist fall to his side as he spoke.
“Just having a little fun.” His tone as smooth as silk. Shunack’s fingers went to his chin, tilting Agito’s head up slightly as he held him still. He brought his face down slightly, almost as if to place a kiss on his cheek… instead, he delivered a hard, sudden slap to his other, already bruised cheek.
“Ah!” Agito cried out, wincing from the sudden sting. But more than that, he hated the warmth blooming in his gut. “Leave me alone!” He shouted, trying to sound powerful.
Shunack only sneered. “Oh, do you not like that?” He asked, standing up and taking an exaggerated step back, crossed his arms and staring down at him with a familiar mix of annoyance and amusement. He shook his head before sighing.
That only made things worse. Agito felt anger boil inside him, next to the fear and the unwanted arousal. Without thinking it through he stood up, even despite his hands chained behind his back, and charged at him. Hoping to land a kick or stun him or- something. Agito knew he had to at least try.
Shunack didn’t look the least bit concerned. He reached out as Agito approached for a kick and grabbed onto his shin. The momentum from the attack vanished as the warrior was throw back flat on the ground, Shunack still holding his ankle. A cruel smile curled across his lips, he looked unimpressed.
“Now, was that a smart move?”
“Let me go!” Agito squirmed, refusing to let go of his anger, and trying hard to free his leg. Shunack’s grip continued to hold. “You keep taunting me, you know exactly what you’re doing when you slap me around!” Agito narrowed his eyes, frustrated. He hoped desperately that the low light was enough to hide how flushed his face was. The way his thighs trembled, being restrained that way.
Shunack’s expression immediately darkened as he spoke, flashing him a cruel look. Another red glare burst from the windows, like the industrial city itself was breathing every so often.
“Oh, so you know what I’m doing?” Shunack snarled, standing in such a way that his lose black pants revealed a bulge straining against the fabric. That alone was enough to cause Agito to take a shaky breath. Shunack grinned down at the boy. “What then? Tell me.”
“You-“ Agito began with a trembling breath, still scared to name the feeling despite what he knew was true. “It’s like you want to work me up. Is that it? Are you trying to make me….are you trying to…” The words felt stuck, his throat suddenly tight.
Shunack scowled down at him, he let out a deep, low laugh as he spoke in a voice full of malice.
“You think you’ve figured it out, haven’t you?” He muttered, releasing his grip on the boy’s ankle. He didn’t seem disappointed, instead, something close to delight danced in his eyes. The scowl he wore became a vicious smile that made Agito inhale sharply.
“You’re cruel. Taunting and teasing me, hurting me until you get the reaction you want!” Agito hissed in response. Shakily sitting up on his knees. He tried not to think about the bulge but the image was caught in his brain.
“You know that i’m scared of you,” He regretted the words the moment he spoke them.
“Oh, you’re scared of me?” Shunack’s voice was barely a whisper, he sounded victorious, turning his sharp gaze on Agito again, who was slowly trying to inch away. Easily he crossed the distance between them, Shunack’s hand curling into a fist. There was a dark look in his eyes again; his breath ragged as he held back the urge to strike. “Is that all you’ve got?” He spat, clear he was barely holding back.
“Go ahead!” Agito growled, not thinking clearly “You clearly get something out of hurting me.” His tone was accusatory, but robbed of any strength. Agito wasn’t sure why he was goading him on. He didn’t want to think about it.
Shunack let out a grunt of rage before another punch connected. He was so fast Agito could hardly see his fist move before it reached it’s target, his jaw. He fell backward, the impact rocking him. He felt his vision blur momentarily; shaking as tears welled up in his eyes.
“AH!!” Agito cried out, tears slipping down his cheeks as his chest heaved in shock and his body trembled. Though even despite the pain, he felt an ache between his legs and cursed low under his breath.
Shunack wore a cruel, mocking smile before he spoke. Leaning down, bringing his voice to a whisper.
“I know you enjoyed that.”
He brought his face closer, yet the smile remained, though now it was one of sheer, malicious sadism, and he could not have cared less about hiding it.
Agito continued to cry, embarrassed and still reeling in pain.
“What’s wrong?” His amusement was palpable, one could almost taste the taunt in the air as he spoke: it was like thick, vile poison. He grinned, holding that smug look in his eyes. It was clear he had no regrets. If there was any other emotion visible on his face, it was pride in what he had done.
“You’re just so easy to mess with. I hardly had to do anything but slap you around a little.” Shunack flashed him that same cruel smile. “You’re weak.”
Agito’s cheeks flushed at the humiliation, despite the anger on his face. It was definitely a stupid, reckless move but he tried to kick at Shunack’s legs, finding it difficult to balance with his hands still bound behind his back.
Shunack easily dodged the clumsy attempt. He kneeled down on one knee and looked at him, peering over his shoulders at his chained wrists. “Bound and helpless. Is that how you like it? I have to say, I like you best this way…”
Agito whined despite himself, angry and horribly tempted to rub his legs together for some kind of friction. Even so, he refused to debase himself in front of Shunack. Not only was he a Ragna soldier, he had betrayed Neutral City. He had abandoned his promise to the Forest. He had been the reason Agito’s father overused his powers, caused so much grief, and that was something he could never forget.
Shunack seemed to delight in seeing his frustration as he spoke again, moving in close, leaning over Agito again and whispering straight into his ear.
“It suits you. Being a punching bag… a toy for me to hurt… a slave for me to keep…” He breathed, a vicious smile curling across his lips as his eyes flashed. He seemed proud of himself. “So weak…” Shunack whispered.
As if in time with Agito’s racing heart, the sky outside lit up red once again, illuminating both their faces in the industrial fire’s glare for a few seconds. He trembled hearing the words, trying not to think of how being called Toy and Slave, and especially Weak made his body feel so warm and aching. He knew his pussy was wet between his legs and hated himself deeply for it.
Seeing Agito’s response glint in his eyes, Shunack let out a low, throaty growl of laughter as he shook his head, a satisfied look on his face.
“...Does my good boy enjoy when I hurt you? Does it turn you on?.” The question was barely necessary.
“Don’t call me that! I’m not yours! I hate you!! I can’t control how my body reacts, I hate it!” Despite his words, he wondered in horror if Shunack would try to do anything else to him. Would he tear his clothes off? Make him say humiliating things? Make him-
Agito tried to stop his thoughts there before they spiraled.
“I’ll take that as a yes…” Shunack said in the sweetest, most taunting voice, a condescending smile on his face as he stepped back and looked Agito up and down.
Suddenly, Shunack reached out and tore the front of Agito’s red top clean off with barely any of his strength. He squirmed, embarrassed and speechless as the rest of his clothes were ripped from his body.
“Wait no! No stop! WAIT!!” Agito found his voice and pleaded, unable to even hide his pussy, couldn’t shield himself when his hands were chained behind him. Tears stung in his eyes being stripped almost bare. Left with only the collar the Forest had given him, and the shackles binding his wrists.
“Easy there.” Shunack leaned down, close enough to Agito’s face to almost touch his lips to his. He cast his gaze down, between Agito’s legs. “Oh that? Don’t worry. I’ve always known.”
Agito shut his eyes tight, hoping Shunack wouldn’t go through with the kiss.
“NO no No! Please!” He begged,
his voice whimpering, full of fear. His heart was pounding, shame and embarrassment and arousal all mixing together as the cold of the cell floor pressed against his bare skin. He shivered, feeling like a cornered, wounded animal.
Shunack took his chin and held it.
“You do like it. Even now, when you’re beaten, naked and helpless, you enjoy what’s happening to you…” His breath soft and hot against Agito’s skin.
“Fuck…” Was all Agito could whimper, heat on his cheeks. His body clearly did and he hated that. What could he even do? If Shunack chose to rape him he’d have no way of stopping him. Agito was too scared and too horny to think clearly, thinking of the sting of pain when Shunack punched and slapped him. And the cold of metal against his naked body. It was just too much. He was running on panic, like a prey animal caught in a hunter’s gaze.
The Ragna colonel’s expression shone with triumph and Agito tried to imagine he was anywhere else but pressed up against his worst enemy. He felt frozen, the words seemed to get stuck in his throat.
He watched in horror as Shunack’s hand slowly traced it’s way down Agito’s bare skin, over his chest, midriff and finally between his legs.
“N-no!” Agito begged, but his voice was small and shaky. “Please don’t.” He said, even as some dark shameful part of himself wanted to feel something inside him.
"I know you want it…” He whispered, voice laced with the enjoyment of this moment. Steel blue eyes gleamed with malicious intent. Shunack immensely enjoyed Agito’s pathetic attempts to deny it. Once again the factory exhaust outside bathed the room in red, Agito winced at the bright light.
"Such a good boy..." Shunack breathed out quietly, wearing a cold smile as he leaned in and finally kissed him. His lips were rough, lingering a little too long before he pulled away.
Agito had shut his eyes, blinking them slowly open as they welled with yet more tears. He didn’t want to think of how someone so terrible had stolen something so precious as a kiss. His bare thighs trembled, refusing to looking at the hand between his legs as it began to stroke just above his cunt.
Shunack could almost taste his captive’s fear and the shame. “Tell me… who’s in charge here?” His tone again filled with cold, mocking arrogance.
Agito felt pure humiliation burn at his cheeks ”I-“
“Say it.” Shunack pressed, his fingers stroking just above the boy’s tdick.
Anger flared in his eyes as Agito felt flickers of pleasure from the touch. He’d have to go along with this if he wanted it to end. He repeated to himself this could be worse, that the colonel could have just killed him if that’s what he wanted. “Y-You are…..”
Shunack let out another cruel, low laugh, his eyes twinkling with malicious joy. He seemed so proud of his handiwork… of Agito, humiliated and helpless and completely under his control. "Now... say my name. My rank. Show me who you belong to."
Agito grimaced as hatred spun in his mind, his chest refused to stop pounding, but he obeyed. “…Colonel Shunack…I belong to you...”
As if it was a reward for his compliance, Shunack’s fingers began to press inside Agito’s cunt, slowly entering him as his fingers curled. His eyes narrowed and he breathed in deeply, breath hot against skin as he spoke once more.
"And why do you belong to me?" His words a clear command, his free hand stroking Agito’s bruised cheek.
Agito growled in defeat, trying to think of words that would satisfy the man. Making this less painful for himself was the goal now. “Because you’re stronger than i’ll ever be.” The next words made his pussy pulse against the fingers inside him, he told himself he was only saying these things so Shunack might be gentler. “I belong to you because… it’s my place.”
"That's better, pet..." Shunack’s satisfaction clear as he took in the words, he pushed in a third finger to join the rest, relishing in Agito’s whine of surprise. "What does my good boy want right now?"
“I want you to….” Agito stopped himself. This was horrible, he couldn’t say that he wanted it. It wasn’t true, and he hated himself for obeying. But they were just words weren’t they? They didn’t mean he actually meant them. His voice shook with fear and fury. “I want you to fuck me.”
“I need to hear you say please." Came the eerily calm response as the three fingers in his cunt curled. They were much thicker and longer than Agito’s own, filling him in a way he’d never experienced before.
Despite the shame and humiliation on his face, he complied. His mind screamed that he shouldn’t want this. He shouldn’t give in like this.
But still he said softly. “Please..please fuck me.”
"Good boy..." Shunack praised with a smile, thrusting his fingers inside, watching Agito let out little grunts and gasps as the stimulation. His eyes ran up and down the boy’s bound, vulnerable body, then licked his lips.
Shunack finally drew them out, and Agito felt his cunt clench involuntarily around emptiness, he whined in response though he soon realized it wasn’t over. Shunack was unlatching his fly, freeing his erection with ease and effortlessly pushing Agito onto his back. Roughly parting his legs as he sobbed, horror filling his veins.
“Easy… i’ll make it feel good.” His voice almost sounded gentle.
Agito cried, trying not to stare at his cock. Knowing in horror that was going to be inside him. Instead he looked off to the side, eyes stinging with yet more tears, squinting at the returning exhaust fumes through the window. Clearly not wanting to hold back, Shunack grabbed him by the thighs and began to line up to Agito’s pussy.
“Fuck!” He heard himself scream, trying to squirm away, unable to break Shunack’s ironclad grasp. “Wait no don’t-“
“Shh shh.” Came the calm response. “You asked me to.”
Tears fell from his eyes uncontrollably. “No!! I don’t want this!!” Agito pleaded desperately. “I only said those things so-“
Shunack muffled his words in one quick motion, using the gloved hand to pry open his captive’s mouth, catching a hold on his tongue and massaging it.
“Mpphh!” Agito continued to struggle, hating how he could taste himself on those fingers. There was absolutely nothing he could do as he felt the cock slide against his wet pussy, only to slip inside with terrifying ease. He threw his head back and tried not to moan around the fingers in his mouth.
Instead of the expected discomfort and pain, it felt…he didn’t want to describe it as good. But it was one thing for certain. Pleasure. And that scared him more than if Shunack had made him bleed.
Shunack’s expression was as smug as ever, pressing himself all the way inside Agito’s cunt and finally releasing his tongue. “Ohh that’s so good. Good boy.”
Agito just whined, his body jolted at the stimulation despite himself. Clenching his teeth in hopes that would hold in any moans as Shunack pushed his bare thighs to his shoulders, bending him practically in half. And worse, it emphasized how much bigger the man was compared to him, and the new angle of his cock hit him in such a way that finally tore a groan from Agito’s lips.
“That’s it.” Shunack’s praise continued as he began to thrust. His pace fast and yet clearly still restrained. He seemed laser focused on his victim’s reactions, like they were precious to him.
Panting, Agito let out quick gasps, unable to summon the voice to scream. Barely able to squirm and writhe in the colonel’s grasp. The whine that escaped from the next thrust was the most pathetic sound he’d ever made in his life. He tried to clench and push out the intrusion but Shunack’s strength was still too great, the attempt barely did a thing as the cock hilted deep inside him.
Agito moaned, more shame heated his cheeks as he imagined being seen like this. If Yolda or even Hajan were to break into Tria city, into this cell to rescue him, they’d find him a quivering naked mess, crying and moaning around Shunack’s cock, of all people.
More tears fell from his eyes as he thought of Toola, picturing her face with his mind and trying desperately to focus on how she had touched him, he tried to think of Cain, of careless trysts in the Forest together. Though his current reality ripped the comfort of those memories from him with a sharp thrust.
Snapping his hips forward, Shunack once again buried himself in Agito’s tight heat, punching out another helpless moan from his captive. He pounded in and out, much faster than before, his grip on the boy’s thighs bruising. Each thrust filling Agito’s brain with a wave of pleasure.
“AH!!” More moans fall from his lips involuntarily as Shunack fucked into Agito like he was nothing but a toy, a hole to use. The room lit up in red for a moment again, but Agito had come to expect it.
Eagerly the colonel’s armored hand snaked down to the nub of his tdick and used two fingers to pinch and roll against it until Agito was full on gasping and squirming wildly from the stimulation.
“Where is your place?” Shunack’s low voice demanded between hurried thrusts. “Tell me again.”
“N-No no no!” Agito sobbed, shaking his head back and forth as he felt his cunt pulse from a thrust that pressed right against the inside of his walls. A spot more sensitive than the rest.
With a unrestrained growl Shunack grabbed Agito by the waist and flipped him onto his stomach, the boy screamed, still taking his cock.
Suddenly his face was pressed against metal, shoulders cramping from his arms chained behind him. Shunack clearly didn’t care and continued to pound inside, grabbing one of Agito’s ankles with one hand, the other reached down to pin him to the floor.
“Answer me.” He demanded, an edge in his voice that Agito knew not to disobey.
“My place ..is -Ahh!! FUCK!” He growled, grimacing from the friction of the faster thrusts. “Hurts!!”
“Answer.” Shunack’s armored hand reached into his hair and made a fist, pulling just enough to make Agito whimper.
He sobbed onto the cold metal, pleasure coursing through his veins as his body begged for some kind of release. “M-My place is here..” Agito moaned in defeat.
“Good boy.” Shunack cooed. That seemed to be his favorite term of endearment, and Agito hated the way his cunt responded to hearing it. “And tell me again…who do you belong to?”
“I’m …yours.” Came Agito’s broken groan, he was barely thinking clearly as the armored fist in his hair released and instead grabbed at the back of his neck. Fingers hooking around the band of his leather collar, pulling hard.
Agito gagged, coughing and struggling as the collar dug into his throat. He felt another hand reach around to his cunt, bare fingers rubbing against his tdick. The pleasure came like a wave, unable to stop his body from reacting explosively.
He came with a wordless gasp, still struggling to get air into his lungs, his thighs shook uncontrollably from the aftershocks.
“Gooood.” Shunack purred, offering more praise, clearly enjoying the way Agito had tightened around his dick. His hand still firmly pulling his collar.
Then a moment later Agito heard the clink of metal as the pressure against his throat suddenly released. Though along with it…the collar itself. Left completely bare and shaking from his orgasm.
Shunack unceremoniously tossed the band of leather behind him where it landed with a small thud. “Don’t worry.” His tone one of fake reassurance. “I’ll get you a new one. I can’t have you wearing the Forest’s collar if I own you, now can I?”
Agito could only sob and moan, more hard thrusts tearing the most pathetic sounds from him. He could barely believe it was his own voice. He’d been beaten, he’d accepted that now. Some part inside still wanted to fight, but the other, the one that won over, wanted to lay there and cry.
Every snap of the soldier’s hips forced another lewd sound from Agito’s lips, he could feel how his cunt twitched and tightened around Shunack’s cock. Every movement jerking him back and forth like he weighed next to nothing. His eyes fluttered closed, tongue falling limp from his mouth. Only able to pant and cry and scream at the continued violation.
Shunack’s thrusts were frenzied now, he gripped Agito’s waist, flipped him over once again, still impaled on his cock, and squeezed into the skin of his midriff.
“You’re mine.” The whisper had possessive intent, Shunack leaned all the way forward while still fucking into him. A hand grabbed the back of Agito’s neck, pulling him into a searing kiss, wet with tongue and lust.
Agito squirmed under him, moans muffled. Shunack suddenly paused his thrusts and In a horrible moment of stillness Agito realized too late just what was happening as warm heat pooled inside him. He tried to gasp but the soldier’s tongue was still forcing it’s way into his mouth, his cock still hilted deep inside him. He was trapped, forced to feel the last of Shunack’s orgasm as he toyed with his tongue.
The colonel broke the kiss, a trail of spit briefly connecting them as he rose to his knees to watch Agito writhe before him. Shunack slipped his cock out easily, leaving the last of his cum to drip out, grinning darkly at how wet and limp his captive had become.
The room was once again alight in a red glow, every time serving him the reminder he was surrounded by factories and military industry. That, along with the cum dripping from his pussy, made him sick to his stomach. There was no green here, he felt so lonely here, and yet he feared he’d never see home again.
Agito stared at the gunmetal ceiling and pictured the town in his mind, the expanse of the Forest behind it. Yolda’s office in the tower. His father’s house. The well. The market. The main collection of houses. Faces spun in his brain. Faces of his loved ones and their embrace. Toola. Cain. Yolda…Dad. He worried if he didn’t cling to them, he’d lose those memories. He lay there panting, his chest rising and falling with his shaky breathing.
Shunack leaned forward again and he didn’t have the strength to try to push him away. Agito felt himself be pushed back onto his stomach. The sound of metal shifting behind him. A moment later his wrists were free, but he found it too exhausting to move. Shunack lifted him into his arms with ease, cradled in an almost gentle way.
Agito was so tired, laying limp as he was carried out of the cell, the lights around him changing as they left the prison section of Tria City and headed, he guessed, to the colonel’s personal quarters. This new room was lit with dull white light, and even the fear of what was coming for him wasn’t enough to keep him awake.
“Sleep well, pet.” Came a whisper into his ear.
He felt something soft beneath him, sinking into red blankets. The last thing he remembered before slipping into sleep was more cold metal against his skin as Shunack locked a solid metal collar around his neck with a final click.