Anastasia: "Phase two begins now."
She declared, her voice cold and commanding as she issued orders to her people. Within minutes, Section D was secured by her loyal followers. Overhaul and Dabi were separated into different cells, their communication cut off abruptly. The masked man nodded in approval from the control room.
(Minutes earlier).
Dabi: "Nothing."
He says sharply, trying to cover his sudden fear and confusion. Just as he speaks, he feels an arm wrap around his waist, pulling him back. He looks over his shoulder and sees a guard with a distinctive crow-like mask covering his face. The guard's other hand reaches up, pressing something small and round against Dabi's neck.
Another guard enters the cell, this one also wearing the same crow mask. He approaches Overhaul and grabs him roughly, pulling him out of the cell without a word. Dabi is left standing there with the first guard, the small round object still pressed against his neck.
Dabi: "What's going on?"
He asks, his voice laced with suspicion. He realizes immediately that this guard is different from the usual hormonal idiots who often harassed them. This one was calm, collected, and eerily professional. The guard simply tilts his head, his masked face remaining expressionless.
Male Prison Guard: "Shut up and come with me."
The guard orders softly, his voice surprisingly deep and steady. His gloved hand presses the mysterious object harder against Dabi's neck. It's cold, almost like metal, but smooth as glass. Dabi swallows hard, realizing this guard was nothing like the others.
The guard leads Dabi out of his cell and into another one located deeper within the facility's underground levels. This cell is significantly more secure than his previous one - thicker walls, heavier door, even reinforced bars on the small window high above. The guard throws Dabi inside without ceremony and locks the door behind him.
(Now).
Dabi: "Damn it!"
He curses, pounding on the door with his fists. He sees movement in the room and freezes. There's someone else there - not an inmate like him. This person is dressed in pristine black clothes, their face covered by a sleek black mask that hides everything except their sharp eyes.
Man in the Black Mask: "You must be Dabi. It's a pleasure to meet you."
The masked man says calmly, his voice smooth and cultured. He steps closer to the cell door, his movements precise and deliberate. There's an air of authority about him that sends a shiver down Dabi's spine despite himself.
Dabi: "And who the fuck might you be?"
He snaps back, not impressed by the stranger's calm demeanor. He crosses his arms over his chest, eyeing the man warily. The stranger tilts his head slightly, his mask glinting under the harsh cell lights.
Man in the Black Mask: "I've been watching you for a long time, ever since you were brought into the facility as a child."
The masked man says, his voice low and mysterious. His eyes seem to bore into Dabi's soul, as if searching for something deep within him.
Man in the Black Mask: "Have you ever heard stories about the Goat Cult? About their search for ultimate power, for destruction?"
The masked man asks softly, his eyes never leaving Dabi's face. He watches closely for any reaction.
Dabi stares at the masked man, his confusion evident. He shakes his head slightly.
Dabi: "No, I haven't heard of any Goat Cult or their quest for power. What the hell are you talking about?"
His brow furrows.
Man in the Black Mask: "Well, they're not from this world."
The masked man continues, his voice taking on a slightly obsessive tone.
Man in the Black Mask: "The Goat Cult, they created the Book of Slaughter. But Anastasia... she wants the book. I want what's inside you, Dabi."
His gaze intensifies, fixating on Dabi hungrily.
Dabi's confusion deepens, his forehead creasing as he tries to make sense of the masked man's words.
Dabi: "What the fuck are you on about?"
He snaps, uncrossing his arms and gripping the cell bars instead.
Dabi: "What's supposed to be inside me that you're so damn interested in?"
Man in the Black Mask: "What's inside you."
The masked man repeats, his voice dropping to a whisper. He leans in slightly, his mask casting eerie shadows on his face.
Man in the Black Mask: "The power. The potential for destruction that's been growing within you since childhood."
His eyes gleam with an unsettling intensity.
Man in the Black Mask: "I want to create a demon."
The masked man declares suddenly, his voice filled with a manic energy.
Man in the Black Mask: "A demon named Random. And to do that, I need you, Dabi. The Goat Cult left behind tools, rituals... everything I need. But the key ingredient is you."
Dabi: "So that 'Kinky Drug' was all a lie."
He growls, his voice dropping dangerously low. His grip tightens on the cell bars, knuckles turning white.
Dabi: "You've been experimenting on us this whole time? Putting God knows what inside us for your twisted shit?"
Man in the Black Mask: "Of course it is."
The masked man replies casually, as if stating the obvious.
Man in the Black Mask: "Hell's Gate Prison is the perfect place for my experiments. No one cares what happens to the inmates here. They're already considered monsters."
He chuckles darkly.
Man in the Black Mask: "So convenient."
Dabi's eyes widen in realization and horror as he understands the full extent of the masked man's twisted experiments. There's nothing he can do right now, trapped in his cell with no way out. He feels utterly helpless, like a lab rat being observed and manipulated. The realization sends a chill down his spine.
(Meanwhile at Overhaul's Cell).
The prison guards roughly shove Overhaul into the cell adjacent to Dabi's, slamming the door shut behind him. But Overhaul isn't alone - Anastasia slips in behind him, blending seamlessly with the shadows. Her presence is unseen by the guards, hidden even from Overhaul himself for now.
Anastasia: "Kai Chisaki."
She purrs softly from the shadows, her voice like velvet.
Anastasia: "You're finally 18. I've been waiting for this day for so long."
She watches him hungrily, her eyes reflecting the dim cell lights.
Anastasia: "It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person."
Overhaul turns sharply, his eyes scanning the shadows.
Overhaul: "Who's there?"
He asks.
Anastasia: "Who am I?"
She laughs quietly, still hidden in the shadows.
Anastasia: "I'm someone who's been watching you for years, Overhaul. Someone who knows exactly who you are and what you're capable of."
She steps forward slightly, letting him catch a glimpse of her silhouette.
Overhaul freezes, his stump still outstretched.
Overhaul: "You've been watching me?"
He asks slowly, suspicion lacing his voice.
Overhaul: "How long? And why the hell haven't I seen you before now?"
His eyes narrow, trying to penetrate the darkness and make out her features.
Anastasia: "I watched you from the video cameras."
She admits, her voice smooth like silk.
Anastasia: "I saw you devour that prison guard like he was nothing but a snack."
She steps forward, her movements graceful and predatory.
Anastasia: "The fake Kinky Drug is working perfectly on you."
Overhaul's eyes widen in disbelief as he remembers Dabi's suspicion that the Kinky Drug was fake.
(Flashback).
Dabi: "That kinky drug they gave everyone in this prison. Something is changing us!"
Overhaul: "But All Might said it was for their kinky pleasures, for us to be used as toys!"
He exclaims, his voice rising slightly. He tries to pull his stumps free from Dabi's grip, but Dabi holds firm.
Dabi: "What if it was a disguise for something else?"
(End of Flashback).
The pieces click into place - this woman has been using him as a guinea pig for some twisted experiment, manipulating his powers and behavior like a lab rat. Rage begins to boil inside him.
Anastasia: "Soon you'll be my version of the Book,"
She purrs, snapping the crow mask onto her face. The feathers seem to absorb the light, making her even more shadowy and mysterious.
Anastasia: "You'll be my perfect specimen, my masterpiece. A puppet on strings, controlled by me."
She laughs softly.
This will continue in the next chapter.