The Blade Keeper

Alex woke up in a room that was unfamiliar to him. The walls were painted a blinding white color with the only exception being the dark windows and a door. When he tried to get up, Alex realized two things.

Firstly, his head and stomach writhed in pain whenever he tried to move even the slightest inch. The second realization was that he was currently bound on a medical bed.

His feet were tied to the bottom corners of the bed while his arms were secured next to his sides. Alex could also feel something cold on his neck, presumably a choker or collar.

Alex started to cry.

He was tired and in pain. He was pretty sure that he had a broken bone somewhere or two from the kick he had received from one of the men who had kidnapped him.

Alex finally realized that his father went easy on him during their training sessions and that the world cold and harsh. The pain he felt on his stomach and head was incomparable to the kick he had received from his father.

He wondered whether or not Iris had managed to stay safe. The last thing he remembered about her was behind the silver babble from the amulet that the Duchess had made.

She was most likely fine. The Duchess was well known for her barrier magic.

Alex wondered how is mother was doing. Was she worried sick? Was she looking for him? Was she currently crying? The thought of his mother crying fueled Alex to stop his tears. Now was not the time to cry. He had to escape.

Suddenly, the door opened and two people walked in. One was a man wearing a white coat with a pair of glasses lying gently on the bridge of his nose. In his hand was a clip board and a pen making him seem like a scientist or doctor. The other man was someone Alex was familiar with. He was the kidnapper that had stood at the door.

The scientist analyzed Alex with a eerie smile before addressing the kidnapper next to him.

"Well done Bob. I honestly thought that you two would fail but you have exceeded my expectations. You have brought me the boy."

The kidnapper, who was called Bob, slightly nodded his head. Alex noticed that for some reason, Bob seemed sad.

"I shall speak to the higher ups about giving you a promotion. Not everyone can survive after incurring the wrath of a Sword Saint. We need more people like you."

". . . . It is an honor."

The scientist gave Bob a wide smile before squinting his eyes towards Alex.

"Let's see here," said the scientist before taking a quick glance at his clipboard. "You are Alex right? The boy. Anyways, hello Alex. I am Dr. Kade. It is a p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e to meet you."

Alex ignored Dr. Kade and continued to silently glare at him.

Taking no offense, Dr. Kade let out a chuckle.

"It's quite amazing you know. You have a strong will and mind when compared to other children. I can tell that you have been crying, your eyes are red and there are some droplets on your cheek, but to stop your tears this quickly. . . . I'd say you are the first."

The doctor started to feel Alex's body with an entranced look.

"It must have something to do with your bloodline. The blood of a Sword Saint must've strengthened your will. How fascinating."

Alex let out a low growl before wincing in pain.

"Oh my, are you in pain? Bob, I thought I said I wanted the boy in prime condition."

Bob quietly mumbled "At least the boy is still alive. Greg wanted to murder the boy but I convinced him to settle with beating the boy up."

"I can see that, Greg always did have quite the temper. Look where it got him now. Dead."

Bob let out a flinch and started to tremble. Alex didn't know exactly who Greg was assumed that it was the other man who was there when he was kidnapped. It brought Alex a small amount of satisfaction after hearing of Gregs death.

"If only you two captured the two children and left immediately instead of playing around? Greg would probably still be alive and I would have two children instead of one. And he was also an idiot wasn't he? To think that he could hold a Sword Saint back by himself. He deserved to die for that c.o.c.ky attitude of his-"

"I'm leaving," interrupted Bob coldly before opening the door and walking away.

The doctor clicked his tongue. "He is too emotional, oh well, that can be solved in time. Now you my boy, you are the real prize."

The doctor scrutinized over Alex as if his body held the secret to immortality. His gaze was so passionate that Alex was starting to believe that this "doctor" was one of the crazy people his father had talked about before.

The doctor placed down his clipboard before excitedly rummaging through his pockets in an impatient manner. What he took out was a small bottle filled with pills.

"Ah, here it is."

The doctor opened the bottle and gently took out a pill. He then turned towards Alex and gave him a smile.

"Open wide."

Alex sent another glare at the doctor and clenched his teeth shut.

Seeing the defiant look and Alex's face, the doctor let out a sigh.

"Don't make this hard on yourself and just open wide. I swear it won't kill you."

Alex frowned before turning his head away from the scientist. He was not going to cooperate with anything these people told him to do. Why would he?

The doctor let out a wry grin before grabbing Alex's nose, preventing Alex from breathing.

"Come on, you should've just listened to me the first time. I don't want to be rough with you Alex, and I won't. As long as you be a nice obedient child who listens to me."

Alex sent a glare at Dr. Kade before stubbornly holding his breath. However, his resolve was short lived and after a minute or two, Alex gave in and took a gasp for air.

Immediately, the doctor shoved the pill in Alex's mouth before for full shutting his mouth closed.

Alex did his best to spit the pill out but it was no use. Eventually, he had swallowed the pill.

Dr. Kade nodded his head, satisfied before whispering into Alex's ear.

"Don't worry. As I have said before, my goal is not to kill you. I wish to study your body and mind. You see Alex, you have special blood. Now this pill I gave you, it isn't too much. It's a simple test that tries your willpower. Now show me how long you can last."

The doctor took a step back before straightening his clothes. He gave Alex a wide smile that seemed inhumane before heading out of the room.

"A little piece of advice Alex," said Dr. Kade after pausing right as the door began to close, "do not let the visions consume you. I need you to endure a bit more before you break."

The world started to dim as Alex started to see a myriad of colors invading his vision. The last thing he saw was the back of Dr. Kade that strangely resembled that of a devil.