Chapter Text
No one makes the trek up to Blackrock on foot, it takes a special kind of idiot for you to scale the snowy mountains without any gear.
The region surrounding the city is caked in an eternal snowstorm, plummeting temperature beyond negative and limiting vision to the tip of your nose. Steep cliffs and edges dot the area, hidden by more snow that obfuscate depth that lead many to plummet to their demise. That is if they don't get blown away by raging winds or simply get lost and freeze to death first.
It took years for Blackrock to establish a single road to the center of Inpherno, and many more for the other regions to be aware that a city within the Blackrock region existed. Even then, the road is often closed and unused. Access is limited to a privileged few, while only small jeeps or buses service the solitary road, you have to apply for a permit that will be submitted for review if you even want to hitch a ride to Crossroad. Even when it's approved you'll have to cross your fingers and pray that the snowstorm is just light enough that cars can actually drive through. There's no other security measure, there's no need for any.
Scaling the mountain on foot is a death sentence, yet a particularly foolish Inphernal attempts to ascend.
A single piece of burlap fashioned into a small hood wraps his body, offering as his only source of insulation from the raging snowstorm, his left hand holds onto the fabric around his neck. If he lets go, the strong winds will send his hood flying off into the sky. His right hand holds a feeble branch, it serves as his walking stick. The ground is caked in snow that reaches halfway up his calf, every step takes a herculean amount of effort in the 6-inch snow. Snow-capped pine trees wave in the harsh winds, as if mocking him from even trying to ascend the mountain.
The cold nips and bites into his exposed skin, the teal suit barely resembles what it once was. Cuts and nicks surrounded by frozen blood are scattered around the Inphernals body, blood scabs fly off the paling skin into the wind. Reduced into dust as soon as they hit the snow. The thin suit barely acts as insulation from the biting cold, each second passes in sheer agony. Body vibrating at an alarming rate in a desperate attempt to warm itself, each breath sending bone-chilling air into his exhausted lungs.
The demon only knows of warm temperament, used to the sweltering desert sun and sweat pouring down his limbs. He's heard of the winter season, but not to this extent. He is woefully unprepared, he wants to go back home where it's warm and safe, where his friends and family are surely still looking for him.
He can't though, everyone he knows has long been cursed by the taint of the Church, a plague spread by the founder, Overseer. If he tried to cut off the corruption by its roots by himself, he’d die. That's why he finds himself in this unfamiliar climate, already fighting for his life.
He has lost feeling in his blue-tinted fingertips, his eyelids covered in frost are on the verge of closing forever. Keeping them open takes his entire strength.
With each lagging step and excruciating breath, he inches ever so slowly to the capital of Blackrock. The city shines red, as if a fire is eternally swelling within the city, combating against the raging frost. The demon chases after the brilliant fire, it offers so much to him. Refuge from the people he knew and power to destroy what plagues his hometown. Thus he chases the flames, no matter how much it will scald his hands, no matter how many hardships he has to endure. It will all be worth it, to see Overseer's head on a platter, and to see his brother again.
He soon reaches the border of the eternal flame, landing his feet on solid concrete instead of snow. In front of him stands the Blackrock recruitment centre, a tall glass skyscraper at the edge of the city. It's his destination, where he can find help.
All strength leaves the Inphernal in an instant, the stick falls to the ground, and so does he. Landing face first on the hard concrete, he embraces the murky darkness of unconsciousness. He doesn't remember much after that.
"No, really. I found him lying in front of the entrance! Face flat!"
"It's not that i don't believe you, but really think about what you're claiming for a second. A Lost Temple robed demon, just showing up at the border of Blackrock. You know Blackrock's currently at war with them."
"Why am I gonna think about what I'm saying when it's the truth?! Look at the cameras if you don't trust me!"
"My, this is quite a headache, a random Inphernal with a missing eye just shows up at Blackrock. What's more a Lost Temple Demon."
Katana slowly awakes to two voices bickering above him, he feels a soft pillow supporting his head, The mattress is also comfortable, allowing him to slightly sink into it, it's warm too. He didn't know beds could be this nice. It's nice.
He slowly opens his eye, curious to see whose so concerned for him. He's met with a pair of Inphernals dressed in black. They're both facing each other at the sides of his bed. Katana scans the room with his one eye, he's in a hospital room blanketed in white. Too white, in fact. The heartbeat monitor hooked up to him is entirely white, the ceiling, floor, chairs and doors are the same monochrome white. There's no windows, it's just a white wall with no decoration. There's a single black and red flag facing opposite his bed, it's the emblem of Blackrock proudly hanging above their heads.
The Inphernal on his left is wearing glasses, teal horns extend upward and over his head to resemble a deer. He wears a Black button up shirt with a bright red tie, sleeves extending to his hands. There’s a logo on the tie, the same logo he sees on the Blackrock flag. His back is straight while conversing, his voice clear and even, like every word he’s saying is definitive with no way to refute. His tone, posture and face show no fluctuation of emotion throughout his argument with the other demon.
On his right stands a much more emotive demon, his horns curve from his forehead up back toward the top of his head, curiously they are heterochromatic, the left horn being blue while the right one red. The black hood conceals the right half of his face, his visible left eye extending a bright cyan tear track down towards his mouth. A permanent scowl is attached to his face, his hands flail around in animated annoyance as his responds to the Doctor’s queries.
Katana raises his arms, and finds them wrapped completely in white bandages. He grips once, twice on both hands, they're still a bit numb but can feel the touch of the cold steel handrails on the bedframe as he brushes them. He's wearing a standard one-cloth white hospital gown in lieu of his teal suit, where did his old clothes go anyways?
"Ah, You're awake. How are you feeling?" The teal horned demon with spectacles asks calmly.
"Explain yourself, what are you doing in the middle of Blackrock?" The red and teal demon demands with an air of hostility.
"...Which question do I answer first?" His voice is hoarse, dry and his throat is achingly tight. Katana realises he's extremely thirsty, how long was he asleep for?
"Tch, If you're gonna act that way, I'll let the Doc do all the talking." He notices the red and teal horned demon is wearing a hoodie, with the sleeves ripped off. Tubes wrap around his back and into the back of his palm, said palms are wearing pitch-black gloves, with a sharp teal claw that line his fingertips. He makes his way to a nearby hospital chair and sits down, honing his glare into Katana while he waits for the doctor to continue.
"Then I guess mine, I am Medkit. It's nice to meet you, could you tell me your name?" The teal demon asks with a gentle smile.
"...Katana." He replies wearily.
"Hello Katana, do you know where you are currently?"
"...No." It's really painful to talk, he should ask for some water.
"Ah, you must be thirsty, here you go." Medkit hands Katana a glass of water, wow. It's like he could read his mind.
Medkit waits for a beat to let Katana gulp down the water, and continues.
"We're currently in the Korblox General hospital, located in District 24 of Blackrock. We found your lying outside one of the Korblox military bases, do you remember that?"
Katana affirms with a nod.
"Ah, so your memory's intact, good. Before we continue, I need to fill out your details for the hospital, could you tell me your point of spawn and why exactly you were found lying outside our bases?"
Should I lie about this? From what I know, Blackrock and Lost Temple are not on the best terms. And I was wearing Church of the True Eye clothes as well...
But they've been very hospitable to me so far, they still took me in, an Inphernal wearing enemy clothing and kept me alive.
So... It should be fine if I'm completely honest, it will gain their trust.
"I was with the Church of the True Eye, as I had to join them after what happened in my Spawn, Lost Temple."
A green eye. A plea that will never reach his ears. Not even the entire ocean can wash away the blood on his hands.
"However due to recent events, I had to defect from them, I thought Blackrock would be the safest place to protect me from them."
"Yes, Blackrock has had numerous encounters with the cult. They are a persistent bunch, you said you defected from them?" Medkit asks while scribbling down notes on a single clipboard.
"Yes, I intend to serve Blackrock from now on."
"...I see, no further questions." The scribbling continues.
Katana breathes a sigh of relief, the hooded inphernal is still staring daggers at him. But it seems like Medkit is his superior and is stopping him from doing anything, so Katana should be safe for now.
Finally, he can relax. Blackrock is a much nicer place than he first imagined, he always say military recruitment advertisements for Korblox when he was still under the Church. He can work under them without worrying about the church and return to Lost Temple when he's ready.
"May I ask, when can I be discharged?"
Medkit stops his note taking and faces Katana. "Excuse me?"
"I would like to be assigned and work for Korblox as soon as possible, I do not want to be a hinderance to you-"
"You think you can work under us? Do you even know what position you're in?"
What?
"As it stands, you are no more than a Lost Temple vagrant who happened to collapse in the middle of Korblox. What's more, you have admitted that you work for a cult that Korblox is at war against. Who is to say you aren't a spy still working for them?"
His voice carries the same flat and gentle tone, yet his tone underlines anything but benevolence. Was this the same demon who greeted him when he just woke up?
Katana leans towards Medkit to defend himself, but is stopped by a metal ring around his right hand.
He's handcuffed and only just realising it.
"You are currently under investigation as a dangerous individual, you will be tried under Korblox Military judicial court to decide your fate."
No, what? No. They have to believe me.
"I am not- I deferred to Blackrock because you would take me in-"
"Your personal feelings do not concern the Korblox Administration."
Katana's mouth is suddenly zipped shut, like an unknown force has wired his throat closed. He can't remember how to speak anymore.
"This is all the information I need, thank you for cooperating. Honestly, I expected more resistance." Medkit slots the pen onto the clipboard and sighs. "Your court date will be tomorrow, no attorney will be provided for you as you are not from Blackrock. Thus you are expected to defend yourself, we will escort you tomorrow when it's time."
The doctor nods towards Coil to let him know he's done. The hooded Inphernal rises from his chair and follows the Doctor out the door, leaving with one last sly comment for Katana.
"If the court finds you guilty of espionage, there's only one sentence that they will use. Death by Firing Squad" Coil mocks loudly with a smirk. His words are laced with malice, each word sticking in Katana's mind as a festering thought, chipping away his resolve and sprouting seeds of doubt. "Heh, good luck buddy. You'll need it."
He departs with a wave, and slams the door shut. Leaving Katana alone in the cold, white hospital room. to fester the implanted doubts in his mind, doubt turns into fear, and Katana finds himself trembling once again. All their posters in Lost Temple always show them as this prosperous, rich city. They were happily recruiting new Inphernals to join their military, all the people in their posters looked so happy. The radio said that they were happy, they accepted foreigners, so why is this happening? It can't be, this must be some sort of loyalty test, right? They wouldn't actually kill him just because... because.... Well they just can't! God, why won't his hands stop TREMBLING!
In a fit of rage, the prisoner slams his fists down onto the bedding. It helped to relieve some of his stress, his clenched fist punches something hard and cold underneath the bedsheet. Weird. Digging underneath the bedsheet, Katana's arm slides out something that shouldn't be there.
A single handcuff key, the metal reflects the harsh white lighting from the ceiling, yet nothing else looks as incandescent as it does. It's a way out. He can escape right here, right now. He can defect once again and search for another region to take him in, another region that might help him in his duty-
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...No, Blackrock is his only option.
What's to say the other nations won't give him the same, nay harsher treatment? Even if they don't immediately execute him, what incentive would they have to help him? But here? Here, he has Value. He's a soldier, fighting his entire life. That's value, usefulness that Blackrock wants. He will prove to Korblox that he can be a good soldier, and in return they will help him. His duty aligns with their eventual goal of destroying the cult anyways.
Katana tosses the handcuff key to the door, it slides underneath the gap.
There's no backing out now. It's either he kills Overseer, or die trying.
"We're really gonna keep him alive? Seriously?"
The elevator descends the hospital, a bit too big for two demons. The walls are streaked with red and black stripes, Blackrock's flag plastered on the top of the wall. Only the soft yet oppressive hum of the elevator can be heard. Coil leans against the wall, staring at the elevator door while ruminating over the unexpected visitor. Medkit types away on his phone, sending a few important messages to his employers.
"In most cases, we wouldn't even entertain that idea... But coincidentally, we do have a use for him."
The doctor hands the hooded demon a folder, it's freshly printed out. Likely this morning. Coil flips through the pages nonchalantly, barely skimming the contents.
"Korblox is interested in creating a special task force comprised of elite Inphernals competent in urban warfare, it's hard to find anyone like that in Blackrock. Everyone here keeps their heads down and studies, but don't know the first thing about actual combat."
"But Katana fits the bill."
"If he's telling the truth about his background, he's perfect."
Coil responds with a noncommittal hum, continuing further down the pages. "What's the point of printing out an entire document if everything's going to be redacted- Wait, what's this?"
"Ah, I didn't tell you. You're planned to be transferred into the task force. Korblox ordered you to, so don't complain-"
"No, this." Coil faces an Inphernal profile sheet towards Medkit, finger pointing at the picture. The monochrome photo shines against the harsh elevator light, despite the grayed out features. It's easy to tell who's on the picture.
"That's your team captain, who else is better suited to lead an experimental task force?"
"No, yeah. I get but I never expected to ever work under him, y'know."
Coil takes another look at the profile, double-checking the demon listed on it.
"Just never thought we'd be in the same team as the legend himself, Hyperlaser."