2 years before present time; Jainic's Point of View

I stopped really thinking a while ago. This had just become a routine; get up, check if I there was food, eat if there was any, or stare at the walls if there wasn't any. Let's see... today must not be one of the days that they remembered me. I couldn't even remember how much time had passed since I first got here. A couple of years? Maybe a couple of decades? I couldn't really remember much of anything, about my childhood, because I was sure that I had one, or why I was even here. All I knew was that after some time, I had stopped actually growing older. I couldn't notice any more differences to my body shape, or even my hair or nails. But today was special. Today something happened that broke the routine that I had learned to live with.

At first, all I saw were small lights. They were nice and they felt warm, so I stood up and tried to catch them. But they would only come just barely close enough then they would flit away, as if they were playing a game. I tried and failed several times until I finally sat down and crossed my arms. Again, they came near to me, but this time I managed to catch one.

I opened my hands with a bit of fear that I accidentally crushed the light, but it was there and it made no move to escape. Then right before my eyes, it transformed into a butterfly. It looked like the butterflies that I used to see somewhere, or maybe they were just in my dreams? The butterflies seemed too real in my mind for them to be just dreams, and sometimes I saw this boy with me whenever I looked at them.

I remembered that boy as being nice to me, or maybe I made him up. I really don't know anymore, it's been too long, but I do know that sometimes I also dream about some really mean people and they yell at me all the time. But at least they said something, which was better than the silence around here. The silence is so loud I can barely stand it, so I think back to those people yelling at me so that I have some noise.

Now all the lights are transforming to butterflies and I didn't notice it at first, but I am smiling at them. How long has it been since I ever smiled or laughed? Too long for sure. But the butterflies are so pretty and they're all staying beside me, flying around lazily. Are they going to stay, or will they leave me?

No, I don't want them to leave me. I'm always alone! I stood up and I watched myself act from inside as I grabbed the nearest butterflies. I tore their wings a bit. Not too much that they died, just enough to make sure that they wouldn't ever get far. Then this way, they would always stay with me and I would never be alone.

One year and a half before present time

Asher looked on as Jainic's sanity became increasingly strained. He knew that a child with eyes like those that Jainic had would be special, but he didn't figure out how special until he noticed that Jainic's body preserved itself. Jainic was practically 150 years old by now, but yet he still looked in his teens or early twenties at the latest. He had been in this prison for over a century and other than feeding him every three or so days, he was relatively left unforgotten.

Asher had to go away a lot of times to ensure control over the world's population and deeds but had always hurried back home. Somehow, destroying cities didn't bring him much excitement or the same thrill that it used to. The only satisfaction that he got was that in his mind, these were the type of people that had made life unbearable for Jainic.

Upon coming back from one of these excursions, he would just sit there and watch, as Jainic would start talking to himself to keep from going completely insane. He then used his powers to bring about the butterflies that Jainic had seen and had watched in curiosity as he ripped their wings to prevent them from going further. Then one night, he used his magic to bring illusions of people that looked real enough but were in fact just a mixture of parts from different people that he had killed. Jainic welcomed them eagerly and started talking to them while Asher would make them answer back.

After a while, Asher decided that it was time to finally show himself. He talked to Jainic and Jainic was more than delighted with him. He carefully cut back on his other illusions so that they came less frequently, but he was still a constant. He enjoyed finally being able to speak with Jainic and spent practically all his time with him.

One year and 3 months before present time; Jainic's Point of View

I watched the young girl as she faded away. She was cute and really fun to talk to. She played games with me and they were really fun. Oh, here comes another person, but he seems different than those people that came before. He seems more... confident.

"Hello Jainic."

"Hello," It would be rude not to reply back because he was here to talk to me, and I liked talking to people. "What's your name?"

"It's Asher."

"Asher," That was a nice name but it seemed long. "May I call you Ash?"

"Yes, you may." Then he smiled at me! He's really handsome and he has the same eyes as me! He's taller than me and he has golden hair. He must exercise a lot since he had really nice muscles on his body. Maybe he'll know what happened to me that got me stuck in this place.

"Ash, why are your eyes the same as mine?" Well his eyes are not all the same because instead of my black, he has a bright green there, but the pupil is still as gold as mine.

"Why?" He smiled at me again and my stomach did a weird flip. "Because I'm like you."

Like me? "How are you like me?"

"Well, people have never really understood us, they just passed us by without caring about what happens to us. They were mean to us and they will pay for that."

I realized by the end of his sentence that I was staring, but I didn't care. He was the same as me, he felt what I had to go through and he could understand me. Then, all of a sudden, I didn't feel very good. My head started throbbing and I was getting a headache. I remember clutching my head and falling to the ground in pain before I blacked out.

When I woke up, I was lying on the bed and I turned to see Asher there. I must have worried him, just falling down like that. Come to think of it, why did I fall down? It wasn't like me to just fall down even if I hadn't been fed very nutritiously all my life. My life, I never remembered my life before, so why was it coming to haunt me now?

The cruel life that I tried in vain to forget; that I shut inside the dark recesses of my mind never to come out. It hurt to even think about my past, but I knew that I wanted to remember it. Wanted to, or had to? There's the difference, I had to remember my past, no matter how painful. There was something important in those memories that I need to know. My inner war waged, I stopped suppressing the flood of memories and broke the dam that held them back.

So much pain! But still, I continued on; I wouldn't rest until I find the answers to all my questions. About why I was here or how long I've been here.

Like a river flowing through my mind, my memories started to trickle in little by little. Yes, it was so long ago that I had ever been outside. Since I was around ten I was already here. Those people that I kept dreaming about, they were real and they were so cruel to me, selling me for a gold piece. That boy that was nice to me, that was Kaibi! I wonder how he's doing and what he's become. Oh, wait, I lived there so long ago and even if I couldn't really have any ways of confirming, I must have been here longer than the eighteen years old that I look like. I almost forgot that I wanted revenge on them, but now that I remember, I will get my revenge. I will never be trampled upon or ordered around anymore!

1 year and 3 months before present time; (Right after last scene)

To say that Asher had been worried when Jainic suddenly collapsed would be an understatement. He quickly picked Jainic up and carefully laid him on the bed, pulling the blankets up. He thought back to the recent conversation he had with Jainic. It was sad really; Jainic was always well educated if anything because of the amount of books that he used to read. But what he noticed when Jainic talked to his illusions was that he asked plain questions and was delighted in simple childish things. Jainic's mind had receded over the past few decades and it made sense that he didn't remember all that happened or else he probably would have gone extremely insane from thoughts of revenge that Asher knew he had.

Asher looked down as Jainic started stirring and then as he opened his eyes. Jainic's eyes were a bit confused at first and then unfocused for a bit before Asher noticed a rather furious look in Jainic's eyes.

"How are you feeling?" Might as well start with the simple questions then work into deeper questions.

Jainic looked at him for a second, his eyes softening a little. It was nice to know that whatever he remembered didn't really affect his personality all that much. "Just, confused, mainly."

"About what?"

"About everything."

"Care to tell me?" Asher thought that this was probably one of his first conversations ever. He never bothered to talk to people, since he only encountered them prior to destroying them. He turned his attention to Jainic, who was starting his story from the very beginning and telling it to Asher. He listened intently because he never really got to know what happened to Jainic as a child.

After a while of relating the story Asher laid down on the bed and hugged Jainic close to him, listening to Jainic as the he related some of his experiences.

After the tale

Asher looked down at Jainic, who was valiantly trying not to fall asleep. What a touching story.

"You've endured a great deal, little Jainic."

"I'm fine, I've learnt to live with it." Jainic looked away as he spoke.

Asher was unsure about how to respond to the statement other than by holding Jainic just a bit closer. Jainic had lived such a tough life that he grew up way too fast and never got to enjoy his youth.

"Ash?" Jainic called out to him softly.

"Yes? What is it?" Asher was still getting used to the nickname. Come to think of it, if he got a nickname, then Jainic should get one as well.

"You'll stay with me, right?" For a moment, Jainic looked a bit vulnerable, like a child that was afraid to be alone.

"Of course I will, I'll stay with you forever." Asher smiled reassuringly and stroked Jainic's jet-black hair. Black. No, that's not a good nickname. How about Night? That doesn't sound quite right. How did those people from Wiaru Nevue say night in their language? Their language was music to the ears, always sounding as if their words were gentle. Was it Xiao? No, it was Xian. Xian was perfect for Jainic.

"Xian." Asher tried out the word and Jainic looked at him, confusion showing in his eyes.

"What does that mean?"

"Night. May I call you that?"

Jainic thought it over for a bit, but then nodded his head. "That sounds nice." With that, Jainic fell asleep with a small smile on his face.

1 year before present time

Asher looked up as the jingling of keys outside the door got louder. Jainic was fast asleep but Asher had been wide awake, watching his Xian sleep and just thinking. His thoughts were interrupted when the door swung open and light filled the small cell.

He quickly made himself invisible to everyone but Jainic, so that whoever was coming in wouldn't see him, but Jainic wouldn't worry about where he was. Speaking about Jainic, the boy woke up because the sudden light startled him from his sleep. He was currently trying to get under the covers because the light was too bright.

A man's voice filtered in, "I'm terribly sorry... I forgot... well, no, but--... yes, I understand." He spoke to another figure, whose voice was faint and indistinct, though his displeasure was perfectly clear

"Please, just leave. I'll take care of things here." A person appeared at the doorway and for a moment his face was covered with shadows.

Asher watched as the head Page stepped into the dim lighting inside the small cell. He had seen the Page on several occasions when he took time to wander around the castle in his free time, which was some decades ago. Since then he had been busy looking after Jainic, making sure that his precious Xian was all right and just giving him companionship.

The Page carefully walked to the small bed and noticed that someone was moving under the covers. He was a bit shocked, noting the fact that this Jainic had been here for a century and was still alive. He immediately felt guilty after thinking that. He had been very busy with all the guests and taking care of the keys that he hadn't had time to go to this floor in a long time. The people in these cells were supposed to only stay here for a short while, until they could be assessed and properly placed. He had not realized his supposed assistants has so reprehensibly neglected their duties.

He approached the bed step by step and called out softly, "Please, don't be afraid, I'm not here to hurt you." He held his breath as the figure started moving and soon was above the covers. All the Page could do was stare for a moment. This wasn't what he was expecting. The boy didn't look older than eighteen but the Palace records showed that he had been here for over a century. "I'm taking you away from this place." His voice almost betrayed the guilt he felt as he extended his hand for the boy to take.

Asher watched the Page carefully as he made his way to the bed. Asher knew that the Page was feeling incredibly guilty over the whole situation and that calmed him down a bit. At least he's repentant; though feeling guilty wouldn't have done anything if Jainic died in here.

"Go on, take his hand, he's going to take care of you." Asher saw Jainic's hesitation, but he took the Page's hand.

"Will you come with me?"

"Of course, Xian. I'll come with you." He smiled at Jainic again and then turned to see the Page's slightly confused expression.

The Page didn't know what exactly happened. The boy, Jainic, took his offered hand and then proceeded to look to the right and start talking to someone. He must have been here so long that he started to hallucinate. The familiar pang of guilt caused his stomach to sink as he led Jainic out of the cell.

Asher followed the pair invisibly. The Page led Jainic to the main floor, where they went to a room where a servant took Jainic's measurements. Then they stopped by the office that Asher had been in when he first came here.

After a quick knock, the Page opened Tenchi's door and ushered Jainic inside. The Page walked to the side of desk, where he saw that Tenchi was indeed there, just not visible because of the papers on the desk.

"Hello Tenchi, how are you today?"

"Fine thank you." Tenchi looked at Jainic and then back at the paper in her hands. According to the transaction that she managed to dig out from the impossibly huge storage room, Jainic had been in the cell since the fifth era, year 75. It was the seventh era, year 24 at the moment. He should not be alive.

*Then again, I shouldn't live this long either! He's extremely pale, not having seen sun in all those years. Though a bit frail, he looks quite handsome. He may still make a good key.*

The Page told Jainic to wait outside and instructed a servant to watch over him. When the Page came back, he cleared his throat softly, snapping Tenchi from her thoughts.

"What do you think?" He somehow knew what she was thinking, having been friends with her for ages.

"I think that he would make a good key." Tenchi smiled at the Page, knowing that that was what he was thinking also.

"Then I will make sure to reserve him for the gentlest masters."

"Yes, that way he'll have care..."

"...and it's the least we could do." The Page met Tenchi's eyes and knew that he finished the sentence correctly.

"Yes, that also." Tenchi sighed, also feeling guilty for the poor boy. With that, she turned to her paperwork and the Page took his leave.

Asher followed the Page out the door. *However reasonable their intentions are, Xian is mine, and no one will have him other than me.*

The Page went up to the fifth floor and down the eigth hallway. After walking for a while, he stopped outside a door numbered 104 and proceeded to open it and motioned for Jainic to follow him.

Going through the hallway and past all the doors brought back less than amusing memories for Asher. He remembered searching for Jainic amidst the twisting corridors and all those rooms, only to find that Jainic was underground.

He entered the room right behind Jainic and began looking around. The room's walls were a faint powder blue and all the furniture were different shades and hues of blue. There were rich midnight blue velvet curtains hanging around the windows, and the chairs all around were a soft lilac blue. There were quite a few doorways leading to various places. Asher followed as the Page showed Jainic around the suite.

The door to the immediate left led to the dining room. The floors were made of marble and the kitchen walls were covered with tiles. The cabinets, tables, and chairs were all made of Mirwood that was stained blue. The kitchen wasn't too spacious, but could easily fit six people around the table and a few around the main cooking place. Asher knew that Jainic knew how to cook and prepare food since he worked at the inn, but that had been ages ago.

The next room was a bathroom that was just a tiny bit smaller than the previous room. There was a large tub to the right, a stall right beside it, and a large mirror and dressing table to the left. All were designed with a wave motif sculptured around the edges. He went up to the tub and stall for a closer look. It seemed that the water for the tub was pumped through using pipes and a valve designed for regulating the flow of the water. It was interesting to see the advances of things from six hundred or so years ago, when people bathed in streams and rivers. The stall was designed so that there was a pipe protruding from the wall, which Asher assumed was to bring water. He wanted to stay longer, but the Page and Jainic were already on their way out. Well, he had some time to explore the surrounding further later on.

After the bathroom came the bedroom. It was the largest room so far, with a comfortable looking canopy bed. There were several chairs around the room that matched the chairs in the main room and there was also a loveseat by the window. A chest of drawers was to the far right, and beside it was a vanity mirror and a dresser. Asher noted with some amusement that Jainic had gone over to the bed and was testing the softness, and finding it up to his standards, he immediately sat on it.

The Page smiled, still with a bit of sadness, but tender like a parent looking at a child. "From now on, this whole suite will be your home. There will servants coming in during the morning to light the fire and prepare a meal. If you have any questions, please tell them."

Asher looked a bit suspicious, but he realized that the Page was truly genuine in his concern for Jainic's well-being. Jainic in turn seemed to like the Page and seemed at ease around him. After a few more exchanges of words between the two, the Page left.

Finally alone with Jainic, Asher sat on the bed and pulled Jainic into an embrace, which his Xian was all too happy to return. Contented like this, Asher pulled them to the middle of the bed and under the covers. After a short time, Jainic fell asleep.

Asher was contented with being able hold his Xian and look at his angelic features as he slept.

Asher was startled from his slight reverie by the thrashing and yelling of Jainic. He grabbed at Jainic's flailing arms and started talking to him, trying to soothe him. It took a few minutes, but it worked. Jainic woke up and looked at Asher with such wide and child-like eyes that Asher was struck speechless for a moment. Vulnerability was etched into Jainic's face and body. When Asher met Jainic's eyes, he saw an internal fear that haunted the boy.

Jainic cautiously leaned into Asher's arms, staying awake the rest of the night. Asher watched his precious Xian for further signs of unrest, but saw nothing more than the occasional quivers. Xian, I promise you that I will always be here for you...