Red shook his head in anger. He knew nothing useful about that blasted thing. All he had seen so far was a show of force from the Gearborn. Which was to be expected, but it still didn't make him feel any better. He was supposed to be working on escaping. Instead, he was stuck fretting over this stupid creature.
He rose and leaned against the bars. "Derrin, are you conscious over there?"
There was a cough, and he stumbled into view.
"About as much as I can be," His voice sounded ragged.
"I have to ask, since you seem to be an expert on this, while I definitely am not. Do you know what the hell that thing was? I mean, I'm not worried or anything, it's just…"
Derrin chuckled, "Of course, that would be your response. I'm surprised you aren't foaming at the mouth right now. But to answer your question, that thing…that's a Herald. That's what we call them at least."
"A Herald? Herald of what? That seems like a pretty ominous name."
"They're Heralds of Destruction."
Red burst out laughing despite knowing how fake it felt, "Bloody hell. Hah. I can't believe someone decided on that."
Derrin coughed, "I've met you, and I know what you are like. But I don't think you fully understand the situation, Red. Gearborn come in very different power levels, sort of like humans. The average Gearborn isn't much stronger than a regular human. Then there is a whole range of enhanced Gearborn that have a whole variety of names that I won't get into. These Gearborn can't control mist, but their raw abilities allow them to easily keep up with humans who can."
He paused and looked at Red, worry tainting his voice, "However, the most dangerous Gearborn are the ones that can control mist like humans. There are many different types, but they generally call themselves Steelforged. We call them Heralds because whenever they show up…destruction follows."
Red leaned against the bars of his cell, facing the window. Steelforged. That name was new to him, but Derrin certainly seemed scared. He felt cold listening to Derrin's words. He always seemed so calm and collected. Granted, he barely had known the man for more than a few hours, but still.
A strange sort of fear itched at the back of his head that he wasn't used to. Red tried to brush it off, but the feeling lingered. He briefly considered whether the herald was messing with his emotions, but he knew that wasn't the case. Growling to himself, he shook his head to clear away the thoughts.
It would be a lie to say he wasn't worried, but he'd been in tougher spots before. Once, he even had to haul his perfectly good parts home through the rain, and this wasn't nearly as bad as that was.
"So, this Herald, it seems like he can control emotions?" Red remarked.
He needed as much information about this strange Gearborn as he could. Now that he actually knew how dangerous it was, he needed to plan for it if it was even possible to plan for something like that.
Derrin sighed, "Heralds are at minimum a three-layer threat. There is nothing a mundane person or someone of a lower level could do. However, the real threat is that this Herald can attack the mind. I'm not sure how you managed to push off its attack, but most people wouldn't be able to do the same. Those with fewer layers or mundane people are doomed."
Red hesitated. He knew very little about the different layers of power. That was something that only those strong enough to unlock knew about. Still, he didn't need to know the process behind it to know that those with more layers were stronger than he was. Someone with 3 layers would be more than 3 times stronger than him.
"You're saying we're now doomed then?"
He sniffed, "Oh, we've always been doomed. This just means mental torture and not normal torture for us, well, I'm still unclear on why you are here, so it's just me, I guess. They'll just tear it straight out of my head, and I won't be able to do anything about it."
Red hesitated for a long time. He was unsure what to say, and Derrin seemed content with the quiet. Despite Derrin's words, he wasn't really concerned for himself. This Steelforged or Herald Gearborn didn't seem like he had an interest in focusing on him. Besides, there was nothing the Gearborn would need from him anyway. But Derrin…he was in trouble.
Finally, Red asked hesitantly, "What if we escaped?"
There was silence, then Derrin snorted a laugh, "That…honestly, I'm not sure why I'm even surprised by that statement. It won't work, though. Gearborn ships are like moving fortresses. I've never heard of anyone escaping a ship alive, and even if we did. That Herald isn't just going to let us walk free."
Red glared at him angrily. He had no reason to go and trash his plan so thoroughly. Especially when he already had a way out of the cell. It seemed that Derrin had already resigned himself to his fate—blasted man. Only a few hours since his capture, and he'd already given up hope.
Despite everything stacked against him, he wouldn't be so foolish. However, it did leave him in a predicament. Derrin was definitely an accomplished warrior, at least a far more accomplished warrior than Red himself. He could definitely use someone who can fight properly. What was he to do? He didn't know that he wanted to reveal all his cards yet, but he didn't really have any reason not to trust Derrin. The man liked his honor and all.
Red rubbed the bridge of his nose absently. It was good to know about the threat the Herald posed, but it also made his escape plan seem even more far-fetched. The biggest issue with the entire plan had originally been the need for somewhere to escape to. Now that seemed to have changed.
"So, would you still think we were as doomed if there was a way out of the cells and easy access to your weapons?"
"You really aren't giving up, are you?"
"Of course not. I'd be a fool if I did. My honor demands it," he joked.
Derrin let out a sudden breath of excitement, "Of course. You must do whatever it takes to achieve your honor."
Red blinked in surprise. Was that really all it took? Was it seriously this simple to get this dang man on his side?
"Would you be willing to help me follow my honor?"
Derrin scratched his head, "I am not sure what I can do to help, but of course. It would be the honorable thing to do."
Red let out a triumphant laugh, "Great. So you are in on the escape plan."
"Wait, that isn't what I meant?" Derrin sputtered.
"But you said you would help," Red replied with mock hurt.
"Well, I, uh, I just, of course, I'll help. Even if I die to make it happen," He managed.
"Great. I've got our first two problems already solved, so now we can start escaping."
"What! Now!"
"Of course not. Do you think I'm crazy?"
"Mostly."
"Well, patience is key. So we need to patiently wait until we can start solving the next problem."
"Wait, what's the problem you solved already? I've only been here for a few hours."
"I have a way out of the cells," He replied proudly.
"Wait, are you serious?"
"Of course, I'm always serious."
"I see. So now what?"
"Now. I will take a nap because I am exhausted."
Gearborn were like tigers. Graceful animals, their stripes dancing in the jungle. One didn't notice the danger till they saw their fangs. Even if one recognized the danger the animal posed, one likely wouldn't understand the vile torment that the animal could inflict on them. So too were the Gearborn for Red. He worried that, because he had never experienced their true horrors and pains, he didn't view them as he should.