Chapter Text
Evpark was getting sick and tired of this prison, he almost wished he had let Nufuli kill him. It wasn’t ideal but he knew Aw0f would revive him. He had been relieved to be out of the warm cell. Not only did it dehydrate him but it started to make him antsy. In the lava making him on edge enough that he couldn’t sleep.
He moved forward, frowning as Puqi led him through the terrain that was almost as worse as the warmth of the prison.
By the time Puqi led him there he was annoyed and just wanted to go to sleep. There was a prisoner already there and clearly ready for him. He entered the ring sighing in annoyance.
“You’re gonna fight this guy, have fun!” Puqi laughed, clearly needing to have entertainment. Lucky ass.
Evpark looked at the random chungie frowning. He didn’t like the fighting but he needed to live so whatever this random person did to piss off vanguard he hoped it was worth it.
He moved forward trading blows with the prisoner, successfully getting a few good punches in before the prisoner got a grip on his hair and kneed him in the stomach. Evpark coughed swinging and missed letting out a surprised sound when he was shoved forward.
Evpark snarled, his head hitting the floor, sweat clinging to him. He heard vague laughter in his ears and he shivered. He pushed himself and swung, hitting the other prisoner square in the jaw. His heartbeat thumped loudly in his ears and laughed. The prisoner remained firm on top of him though, blood coming from his lip and the guy balled his fist and slammed down.
He moved on instinct dodging the blow to his shoulder and kicked up forcing the other prisoner off of him and rolled away his tail thumping the ground. He forced himself on shaky legs and let out a small wheeze. He refused to look weak but he could practically feel his gills closing up slightly.
“Come on Evpark you can do better than that!” Puqi’s voice yelled from outside the platform
Evpark felt a bit of panic fill him when the other prisoner stood but he ignored it moving and swinging his sword in the other prisoner's side. Evpark yowled, the prisoner digging his own sword into his stomach. He wheezed, breathing shakily and cried out when the sword was pushed up.
“Stop the fight!” Puqi screamed, sounding.. scared?
Evpark ignored Puqi, taking his own sword and forcing it up, feeling the other prisoner go slack and collapse to the ground. The sound of thunder in his ears signalling the death had him grinning. It took him another moment before he remembered he also had a sword in him.
Hands grabbed him and he hissed, thrashing and ignored the pain in his side as his eyes focused on Puqi's bright yellow eyes.
“Don’t touch me!” Evpark snapped, his voice slightly slurred.
“You stay still. That’s an order!” Puqi snapped, and he felt more hands on him holding his arms back.
Evpark growled slowly, keeping his eyes focused on Puqi, tugging on the grip on his arms but the nameless guards didn’t budge. Evpark watched Puqi grab a weakness potion and almost immediately began thrashing.
“Let me go- you jackass- I said LET GO!” Evpark screamed, glaring at the others watching Puqi step forward.
“Guards open his mouth.” Puqi said, moving forward her face annoyed.
Evpark grit his teeth but was too tired to keep his mouth shut against the roughness of the guards. Evpark spit at Puqi but his jaw remained wide open. His eyes were hazy and full of anger as Puqi opened the bottle.
“This could’ve been easier if you didn’t fight me on every little thing.” Puqi muttered, bringing the potion to his mouth.
Evpark growled as the weakness was poured into his mouth, his eyes hazy but no longer angry, just pure exhaustion. The guards let his mouth go and he swallowed the potion.
“I hate you..” Evpark hissed, blinking slowly at Puqi.
“I’m aware. Guards once he’s out we can treat him. Figure out a cover story to tell Nezo.” Puqi stepped back and the guards sat Evpark on the ground.
Evpark hissed quietly. His eyes fluttered and he shut his eyes.
___
Evpark’s eyes fluttered open and he shifted frowning at the rope keeping him secure. His head moved to the side and he snarled his tail thumping on the ground. He hated weakness no matter what he tried to do he always felt hazy and heavy after. His eyes moved to the side and he blinked slowly and barred his teeth.
“That’s not a nice hello, is it now Evpark?” Nezo asked, crouching down and smiling.
Evpark said nothing glaring and growling, his tail thumped against the floor harder. He ignored the creeping fear that hit him. His hands flexed and he stared at Nezo bitterly.
“I need some answers from you.” Nezo hummed, smiling brighter.
“Go to hell.” Evpark muttered, blinking a few times.
“Some would say we are already there.” Nezo sighed, lifting his head up and grabbing a bottle of fire resistance.
Evpark growled softly, tugging on the rope feeling his throat tighten and barely held down a panicked chirp. The weakness is still running through his veins making his heart slower.
“Puqi tells me that a guard prefired and went too far to stop you from leaving. I don’t believe her. I want to know how you got hurt.” Nezo said calmly
Evpark glared shaking his heard tiredly baring his teeth.
“I highly doubt you wanted heat in the condition your in.” Nezo spoke calmly.
Evpark froze at that, fear making his head buzz.
Identify.
His hands were tied behind him he was attached to a pole.
Problems coming..
Heat. Warmth while he’s clearly injured wouldn’t be good for him and his gills would close up.
What can he do..
“Don-” Evpark muttered, pulling on the rope more.
“It’s a simple yes or no, you aren’t well enough to give me a full explanation yet but I need an answer. Is she keeping something from me, yes, or no.” Nezo said, crouching in front of Evpark again, opening the potion.
Evpark tried to pull himself away and growled. If Puqi found out he had said anything to Nezo he would be in worlds of pain. He couldn’t deal with that.
“And before you say anything, Puqi has no idea you’re here or that I’m onto her. So a simple head nod will work in this situation Evpark.” Nezo smiled sweetly.
“I just-” Evpark hissed, pain shooting down his throat and he shut his eyes. His head fell back against the wall and he breathed shakily.
Nezo hummed, tilting his head closer. “Don’t talk. Just shake your head yes or no.”
Evpark opened his eyes, staring up at the lights for a moment, tears forming and he blinked to get rid of them quickly.
Evpark nodded quietly and hesitantly, not looking at Nezo.
“Hmm that's unfortunate..” Nezo mumbled thinking quietly, “Thank you for the honesty Evpark”
Evpark turned his head to say something when he felt another wave of weakness splash on him. He let out a weak growl but was too exhausted to fight it.
___
“Like this, step forward, strike, step back and block.”
Evpark moved, copying the movement hesitantly.
“Again. Be more confident in yourself. With a passion kid.”
Evpark moved, stepping forward swinging his wooden sword, taking a step back and blocking with his sword. He followed the movement moving a little quicker and with a bit more of a smile
“Better, good job. Now, again. This time quicker than before.”
Evpark nodded, jumping forward swinging, shifting back on his heel moving backwards and quickly raising his arm to block.
“That was amazing kid! Good, now try it like this.”
___
Awareness came back to him and couldn’t stop the soft pained chirp from leaving him. He turned his head, letting out a weak groan. His head felt like a weight and his body felt like lead.
He really was starting to hate this place.
Evpark shifted and took a breath and shifted his legs under him. Pain spiked through his side and he snarled. Blinking quickly and thumping his tail twice he flexed his hand letting out a small sigh of relief at the untied wrists.
It took him a moment to force his legs under him and stand. His side burned but with his healing it should be fixed at the latest the next night. He felt hot and huffed. Lava surrounded his cell which only managed to piss him off. Realistically if his internal clock was still right, he had to have been here close to a week.
He limped forward, his eyes trailing around the cell aware of the guard's back that was to him. Noticing that he focused his attention back to his side. He pressed a hand to the wound and grit his teeth squeezing his eyes shut.
“Oh I fucking hate this.” Evpark hissed
“You’re new to this section.”
The voice had Evpark stilling and he looked to his side. Clearly the other had been there far longer than Evpark had but he didn’t point that out. He blinked and sighed.
“Geez thanks for the very warm welcome.” Evpark said bitterly
“Well, are you going to introduce yourself?” the voice said, his voice softer than what he was used to.
“No. I’m not giving you my name. Jerk.” Evpark snapped, his tail thumping against the floor.
“Hm.”
Evpark scoffed. He wasn’t sure what ‘hm’ meant but the other was annoying him. He clenched his fists and leaned against the wall again. He shut his eyes and sighed, his eyes stinging with tears as he curled up tightly.
He kept his back to the other prisoner breathing shakily and keeping the scared noises that threatened to come out in. He blinked repeatedly and got rid of the tears.
“Evpark.”
He heard a noise from the other cell, from the sound it sounded like the other prisoner sat down too.
“Nice to meet you Evpark. My name is..”