The Golden Dragon Emperor

Scroll 3: The Warden’s Plea and Emperor's Speech

Darius kept his eyes on Arnold, rage filling his heart as he stared at the man, trying to control it, knowing it would get him nowhere.

“You knew, you knew that I was innocent…yet you stood there and let them take me in. I was telling everyone that I was innocent, yet no one batted an eye.”

Darius kept his voice low, but it still sent chills down the spines of all the men there.

Arnold lowered his head, clutching his fists on the cold concrete.

“It was an order from the supreme elders; I couldn't go against them…” he spoke slowly, his mind running through all the options he had to make. “I had a family, and if I wasn't-”

“You obeyed their order like their puppy,” Darius spoke again, his voice colder and more detached. “Trading the very justice you solely side with for a seat on the upper class.”

“It never crossed your mind that I had a family, that I was a child who witnessed something beyond my little mind. What did you do? You threw me into this hellhole and left me to die!”

His voice sent echoes through each wall of Zeta Doom; prisoners who were sleeping turned, shaking.

His words stabbed Arnold; the man couldn't say anything or even talk back to Darius.

The guards next to Arnold, barely standing, had their legs shaking out of their sockets.

They had never seen anyone make the Warden look so small.

Arnold placed his head on the ground, tears in his eyes.

“Please,” his voice trembling, as he forced the words to come out. “I know I can't change the past; I can't rewrite my mistakes…but please, can you save my family!”

Darius stood there, staring at the man.

“Leave this place,” he turned back, moving to his bed. “I have no interest in this conversation, and look for another way to save your family. I have nothing to do for you.”

He was about to climb into his bed when Arnold grabbed the cell door.

“What if I grant you freedom?!”

“Warden?!”

“What in the world are you doing?!”

The guards asked in horror. Darius was sentenced to life in prison; he had been thrown there to die and be forgotten.

Darius turned to look at Arnold; the warden had a small smile on his face.

“Yes, I can-”

“You think I couldn't have left if I wanted to?” Darius asked, raising his brow.

“I only remained here in this cell because I wanted to be here; there was nothing holding me in here, not the walls, not the guards, and not you…!”

Arnold shivered in fear; the guards standing with him shook in absolute fear.

They knew it was true…

There were about 300 security cameras and 500 trained guards surrounding Zeta Doom.

But the main reason why the prison was as calm and inhabited as it was…

Was standing right in front of them!

Darius Winters…

The Emperor of Zeta Doom!

The government and the outside world made it look like Arnold was the reason the prison was calm and secure.

But inside the walls, the truth was plain as day.

Darius had planned his escape a long time ago, but met the older man.

He decided to change plans; he needed years to master the seven-pillar technique.

He had finished mastering the seventh pillar not long ago; he had broken into the divine realm.

He only needed time to polish his abilities, ensuring that if he ever stepped out of the walls that held him.

No one would be able to stop him.

Arnold swallowed, looking at Darius.

He believed that offering him freedom would help him out.

“If you have nothing else to say,” Darius climbed out of bed. “Leave, don't disturb-”

“I can give you information about the man you described to me that night, and I can also give you information on what I uncovered that night that made them order for me to throw you into this place…”

Arnold whispered; this was his final chip, knowing that if Darius didn't like it, then he was doomed.

Darius turned to look at him, his eyes lowered. He was doubtful.

“What?”

Arnold saw he had piqued his interest.

“Yes, I can give you information on the man who attacked your family; his name is Sable Urion, known as Sable The Twin Serpent. And the information on that before it was-”

“Wait…”

Darius spoke, his eyes on Arnold still doubtful.

He had trained for thirteen years; he had even reached a level that mortals couldn't attain.

But if he had left the prison, he would be chasing the wind.

If this were true, he would have direction and people to haunt.

“How much can you give me?” Darius raised his brow, looking at Arnold.

Arnold, seeing that Darius’ attention was now fixed on him, knew that it was the moment he was waiting for.

“I can give you enough information to get what you want, and as you move to the next, you will find more, and it would be easier for you than nothing!”

Darius stared at Arnold; his bright green eyes shone in the dark cell.

His body released a powerful dark energy; it was strong enough to make the air hard for the guards to breathe.

“If I find out that you lied to me, you should know that there isn't a cell in this world that would hold me back from killing you.”

“I would never think of it!” Arnold replied, looking at Darius with tears in his eyes. “Please, will you save my family?”

“Go make the necessary preparations,” Darius said as he moved to the inner part of his cell. He took an amulet he had kept with him all these years. “I will help your family.”

“Thank you…Thank you!”

Arnold's voice echoed as he turned, hurrying down the hall. The two guards scrambled next to him.

For the first time in a decade…

The Emperor of Zeta Doom was about to leave the walls…

Words scattered across the prison grounds; Arnold had fixed the documents and everything necessary. Darius signed everything, declaring him a free man. He was given new clothes, and not the old prison rags he had on.

The moment he stepped out of the yard, silence sliced through the air like a plague.

Then right in front of him and everyone else, the inmates all came out.

Line by line.

Row by row.

They bowed, they bowed to the man who kept the prison in peace all these years.

“Farewell, Lord Darius!”

“Lord Darius, thank you!”

“We will never forget you!”

All these men were monsters; some of them were thrown there because the authorities couldn't control them, some were wrongfully imprisoned, some took the blame for something they didn't do.

All sent to Zeta Doom to perish!

The watchtower and all the guards were in awe… not even the ruler of the Country had ever received this level of respect.

Darius had watched over them for years; now he was leaving them.

Clearing his throat, he walked forward.

“Listen up carefully,” he spoke, looking around with a fierce gaze. “That I am leaving doesn't mean that you would return to being like senseless animals!”

“Train your anger and use it for something else, not senseless violence!”

“Maintain the peace, protect the weak and keep this place intact! Don't disappoint me!”

Darius's words filled the inmates' hearts with joy.

“We won't disappoint you!”

“We will be good!”

Darius smiled, bowing his head to the inmates one more time before he walked past Arnold, who stood there petrified.

In his years, he had never imagined he would see one person control Fallen War tyrants, Gang bosses, Mercenaries, and hardened criminals with his presence.

Darius Winters was beyond human comprehension!

The giant gates of the prison slowly opened as Arnold and Darius stepped outside Zeta Doom.