Chapter 22

KAIDA'S POV...

A prisoner? Asking to see me? Bearing gifts too?

That was just totally unheard of. Everyone was skeptical.

I heard a footstep approaching behind me and completely turned away from the window to see who was coming up at me.

It was Thane.

He looked a little concerned as he came to stand in front of me, causing me to look up at him.

"What do you want to do?" He asked gently.

I furrowed my brows and tilted my head in confusion, "What do I want to do?" I questioned him back.

Thane smiled a little, raised his hand, and slightly patted my shoulder, "What I'm asking is, what do you want to do about the prisoner outside, do you want him gone, or do you want to give him a listening ear?" He asked more clearly.

I bit my lips and looked at the door. 'Should I listen to him?' I asked myself.

What if I Iet him in and he caused another chaos? Axton and Zarek were both unconscious, how could they defend themselves if the prisoner came with trouble?

I sighed, but I had to listen to him. I was curious, and he had already said he didn't come for trouble, from their demeanor so far since they found out about me, I believe he meant what he said about not wanting to fight.

I looked back at Thane and nodded at him. "Okay, let's hear him out."

Thane narrowed his eyes at me; he looked as if he was deep in thought before he nodded, then slowly, he held my wrist protectively and then led me toward the door.

Andre stood aside when he saw Thane bringing me over to the door.

"Dr. Thane, do we let him in?" Zen asked politely.

I was watching Thane's face to see what he wanted to do.

He slowly shook his head at Andre then, still holding my wrist, he moved very close to the door and asked.

"Prisoner 32987, Do you swear not to cause trouble when this door is opened?" Thane's voice was calm yet assertive.

"I promise, Doctor, it shall be a dishonor to me if I do not keep my promise in the presence of the great purifier," The prisoner replied from behind the door.

Thane glanced at me, wanting to make sure I was okay with the whole arrangement.

I was about to ask Zen to unlock the door when the prisoner spoke up again.

"I come in peace, as a representative who was sent by Hugo. As an apology for our earlier misbehavior, Hugo has provided numerous supplies which I have brought with me. We would like to plead with the great purifier to forgive us, we were ignorant," The prisoner spoke in a very polite manner, his claims of bearing numerous supplies surprising everyone.

I could feel from the tone of his voice that he was sincere; although I knew that these prisoners could be mischievous, I still had to trust my instincts.

"I want to see him," I raised my face toward Thane and nodded.

"Are you sure?" He asked me with a raised brow.

I nodded.

"Open the door, Andre," Thane ordered.

Andre nodded and immediately went to unlock the door.

Thane's hand tightened around my wrist, but not in a painful manner as if he was holding me to make sure he could save me on time in case of any threat.

The door opened and Thane stepped out, leading me out with him.

I saw the prisoner, an average-height slim guy with shabby clothes, his eyes lightened up the moment he looked upon me.

The prisoner made to step toward me but Thane raised his hand, stopping him from getting close to me.

"I never knew prisoners could be this loyal and well-mannered. After causing all the trouble, now, you're asking for an atonement," Thane scoffed, his voice sounding like a mock to the Prisoner.

But, the prisoner surprised me when he didn't reply to Thane's taunting, Prisoners were known to be erratic and intolerant, yet, this one quietly ignored Thane and spoke to me

The prisoner brought out the old backpack he was carrying on his shoulder and knelt before me in reverence.

"Great one, I'm honored to be before you," he spoke with a tamed excitement as he opened up the big backpack in front of him and started bringing out the supplies he had come with.

After bringing out the supplies, he looked back up at me, desperation evidence in his eyes. "On behalf of the other prisoners, here's what I brought; please accept our offering; Please, forgive us, great purifier," His eyes shined in expectation.

The prisoner hunched his back as he bowed, showing his extreme reverence and adoration for me and my title as a purifier.

Seeing the total submission the Prisoner was portraying in front of me, I quietly turned to Thane to see his expression, and as expected, he looked indifferent, bored even.

I sighed; I understood he wasn't moved; he wasn't even reasoning any word from the prisoner's mouth, based on their conflict-ridden relationship, his indifference was expected.

"Please rise on your feet, Prisoner 32987," I spoke gently to him.

The prisoner shook his head, "Please, great purifier, I shall only stand when I have received forgiveness from you," The prisoner kept kneeling with his head bowed.

I sighed, "You can stand, Prisoner 32987, you and your mates have been forgiven," I told him sincerely.

Suddenly, the prisoner excitedly sprang up from the floor and walked over his supplies on the floor, wanting to get close to me.

However, as the prisoner tried to approach me, I suddenly heard heavy running footsteps behind us, and before I could understand what was happening, Zarek suddenly appeared just in time to protect me before the prisoner, intercepting the prisoner from reaching me.

"No! Stop!" The prisoner screamed before he fell to the floor.

The way Zarek tackled the prisoner to the ground surprised both I and Thane. It was as if he was an upgraded machine; he moved so fast and his attack was very accurate and precise.

He demonstrated his rapid physical recovery and significantly enhanced combat abilities after purification, astonishing everyone and instilling fear and awe in the prisoner he was holding to the floor.

At that moment, I was surprised to feel Axton's dark shadow behind me, he had also awakened.

Axton sensed the danger and quickly came to stand in front of me, his green eyes doing a quick scan over my body.

"We're leaving," He said to me.

Axton looked behind me and spoke to his team members, "We're joining the other prisoners at the central square. We need to collectively discuss our next step," Axton ordered decisively, not sparing the prisoners behind him a glance.