I… No…
My eyes glistened. My hands trembled. I let go and reeled back. I clasped my mouth shut.
How could… What have you done?
I couldn’t help but gag, stumbling back and falling against the gates for support. I swallowed back the vomit and closed my eyes.
You killed her. You KILLED her.
What would Brother Deodonatus say? What would Adrian say…?
The crowd cheered sadistically and the announcer congratulated me. I couldn’t even look at the crowds. I couldn’t. I just couldn’t.
What has the crowd done to me?
I had never felt guiltier in my entire life. I felt like falling to my knees and breaking down. My breath was shaky and I couldn’t control my racing heart that so pounded against my ribcage.
Alongside my nausea, I was bombarded with mixed emotions.
I took a deep breath and timorously collected my sword, returning to the inside from whence I came. I couldn’t stand to hear the crowd applaud my name. I couldn’t stay and revel. I had nothing to revel about. NOTHING!
Jamaar was quite impressed that I wasn’t dead at my first try, but immediately sent me out for another. I couldn’t bear to do it. I tried asking him to rather go on the next day, but he wouldn’t listen. I had no choice. The last thing I wanted to get was flogged.
It’s one thing to fight, but completely another to kill.
So it went on.
For many more fights I fought all that I had to and took more and more innocent lives. The more I won, the more Jamaar’s smile grew whenever facing me. I rose in rank and did fight after fight. I didn’t have time for a break and or a rest. I did manage to pick up more slight wounds as I went on, but recovered well enough for the next.
All this kept me busy for hours and hours on end and each kill left me with an even bigger regret than the last.
Whenever I got the chance for a little break, I collapsed on one of the beds with my head buried in the palms of my hands for as long as I could before the next challenge.
The more I killed though, the more it felt like nothing. The kills didn’t affect me anymore and I was left emotionless after every kill, standing ready for the next.
My rank rose quickly and forced me to another series of kills, each component stronger and stranger than the last.
I sat for about a week and who knows how long in this godforsaken arena without a choice, captive as a prisoner when they discovered my strengths and skills.
I had turned into their puppet. No. Worse… Their favourite puppet.
I was forbidden to leave and forced to kill.
Intimidation held me here without a will to escape. I honestly thought that there was no end to this. No end to the crowds urging me to kill or the superiors constraining me against my will, only to fill their own desires and pockets.
You really went too far…
CHAPTER 31
A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL
CARLAYLIN
“Wake up!” a voice shouted, jerking me from my sleep. A set of sturdy hands wrapped around my forearm and yanked me from the bed.
Still caught up in alert, I tried pulling away, twisting and turning, writhing and squirming, but to no use.
There was little I could do and resided to what was most probably the best case of action I could stick to. I stopped the struggle and calmed myself, gathering my breath and allowed to happen whatever was about to ensue.
Raising my gaze, I saw three faces. Those of guards. They didn’t seem happy. Well, what guard doesn’t?
I would be a grump too if I was just a marionette.
“MOVE!”
I was jostled forward and almost ended up on my knees. It was no light push.
I swear they think I’m dangerous.
I gave in, fighting back the urge to curse and scold and kick and punch, agreeing to go wherever they were so willing and keen on leading me to.
Together with those lunatic guards, I was led down the arena corridors, feeling as though we were going in circles – duh – until reaching a single door at the top of that tower-like structure I’ve been seeing for more than enough times over these past few days.
The guards threw the door open and threw me in, sending me kissing the ground. I groaned as I tried to ease myself up from the ground. I pushed myself to my feet.
I dusted myself off and looked up, meeting the eyes of a cheating rat. I frowned with absolute detest.
It was little more than a mere office, cluttered with various papers and objects that lay in disarray about the place, some scattered on the wooden desk in the middle of the room. The desk was of only the most expensive would and most exotic design.
A single large chandelier hung from above that gave the room its light. Both the walls and the floor were made of dark stone, built with uneven blocks.
A slight breeze blew in from the open glassless window next to me.
The rat sat at his desk, hands firmly clasped together as he wore those formal clothes, ready for business. I seemed to amuse him.
Yet, there was another man, scrawny, dressed in a suit and wearing a pair of glasses, and rather tall. He stood near the balcony door and wrote a few notes on a scroll of parchment.
This must be the secretary, personally working for the cheat sitting at the desk. The man at the desk cleared his throat. It drew my attention to him.
“Ah… Carlaylin Thorel, is it?”
“Yes… Governor Du Perron.”
Maxus let out a little laugh.
“You know, it’s quite an unusual-”
“Surname. Yes! Yes! I know.” Du Perron raised an eyebrow. I crossed my arms and grimaced at the governor, the very same who had put me through all this with nothing but the force and intimidation brought on by his personal guard.
“Why did you summon me?” Du Perron smirked.
“I have some matters to discuss with you. It’s about your raising rank. When you do manage to reach the last… what are you after?”
“Why do you want to know?”
“My business is my own. It is essential that I know. Besides, this is my arena. This is my game.”
I gave a step closer and my arms slumped back to my sides.
“You know very well what I’m after. Drop the act, Du Perron!”
His smirk faded into a menacing glare.
“Look,” he sighed bitterly, letting go of his hands and sitting back in his all to extravagant chair.
“You can’t win this. It’s necessary that you do not.”
I irritably bit down on my lower lip and stepped closer, hitting his table with my fist.
“I’m pretty sure that I will. Nothing will stop me from gaining what I’ve been working for! For what I’ve came for! You have forced me to kill one too many times, Du Perron!”
I paused to give the man a break. I studied his facial expression just before continuing.
“I will win this artefact, even if it is the last thing I’ll ever do.”
“Don’t! If you take that star from me, there will be nothing more worth fighting for!”
I see…
I gave a single taunting laugh.
Du Perron ducked down and got an artefact in sight and placed it on the edge of the table, completely vulnerable to any Carlaylin attacks. It was the artefact I was after, the Star of Hallos. The Star was beyond words, beyond beautiful and beyond magnificent. It stood on a small flat, four-legged golden pedestal. The Star was but a large glass orb, shining brightly as I could see it contained what looked like a living star inside. It flickered with a wide variety of textures of different colours, looking like liquid fire.
The colour would depend on the mood of the area. There was a golden dragon figure twirled around the Star’s glass casing orb, his tail curled up down under. His body stretched around the orb like a swirl and his head up above. It looked like its sharp claws dug into the Star’s top, almost as though it was saying ,
“My precious!”
The dragon had strong Asian qualities to it.
“So you’re using the Star just to attract more unfortunate warriors to come and fight for you to gain YOUR desire of fame, success and money? You greedy bastard.”
Du Perron jumped up from his chair, apparently in a full out outrage.
“How dare you speak to me like that!” he bellowed, a bright flame of resentment kindled within him.
“As if your methods and doings are any better,” I spat.
Du Perron took a deep breath to recollect himself and gently flopped back into his chair.
“You have nerve to address me like this, overly confident, too much pride for your own good.”
Might I say the same?
“But I understand. That is why I will propose an offer.”
“Which is…?”
“You are far from your goal rank, but I will instantly grant you the rank of warrior to face your final competitor and my champion.” I pulled a teasing pout. “Aw, already had enough of me?”
Du Perron knew better than to stay on that subject and continued his offer.
“If you somehow manage to beat your last opponent, then I will grant you the prize you desire, but be warned. If you lose this I will personally take your life and kill your friend as well.”
It was shocking how he knew about Terrowin. I blamed that darn blabbermouth of a secretary down there at the sign up sheets. Nevertheless, he drove a hard bargain…
I took my time to think this through. If I lost this battle, Terrowin could be killed. I had to make the best decision…
“I accept.”
Du Perron slid a contract over the table and swung it towards me. I signed it. He then held his hand outstretched. I shook it with dignity, courage and regret.
What was I thinking?!
CHAPTER 32
I AM THOROUGHLY DOOMED
CARLAYLIN
I sauntered down the grey passage, almost too used to this whole thing. The large iron gates grew and towered above me. My determined eyes fell to the arena in front of me. A light shower of rain had come across the city and doused the earth.
I could hear the masses cheer, echoing throughout the whole arena, echoing through my mind. The sounds became distant as I focused myself. Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath.
My mind clung still to only one question: What was the next face I would fight? I was overly ready, overly confident that I could fight anything. I was well trained and my body was almost back to its full strength. I was strong. I was confident. I was determined. I was ready to grab the Star. A
I gave my sword a whirl and tested the sharpness of its blade. My agility had grown ever since I stepped foot inside Morrowburg’s arena.
Making good use of the little time I had to myself, I decided to readjust my shoulder and making sure I didn’t wear any faulty armour. I gave my sword a gradual swing and both my hands came to met with its grip. I brought the blade up to my face and I could see my reflection staring back at me.
My eyes softened only a little, for I almost couldn’t recognize the person staring back at me…
Carlaylin… Is it still you?
My eyes were grim as I swallowed, but soon hardened into something sombre as I pushed the thought to the back of my head.
I slumped the sword to my aside and looked down at its pommel, seeing the engraving: Cassius. My stomach twisted to knots. The more and more I noticed it – the resemblance I bore to Cassius. Whenever I looked at myself, I could see a part of him staring back at me.
Not a day has passed where I haven’t regretted the little time we had spent together. If only I had known it was him. If only I knew… It would’ve been different. Who knows if I will ever have that chance again. Swallowing back that marble, I tried to ignore my thoughts, focusing on what lay ahead. I couldn’t afford to lose my focus in any possible way
I stood silently for a while, pushing all my doubts and qualms to the very back of my head. I impatiently awaited the announcer’s booming voice to start the battle. I narrowed my eyes and my heart hardened. I kept one thought in mind: The sooner I do this, the sooner I’ll get it over with, the sooner I’ll get out of here.
I heard the thunder roaring in the distance and felt the rain getting worse as it pounded to the ground. I glanced up at the darkened skies that hung heavily with thunderclouds. A silent prayer left my lips, remembering what Brother Deodonatus had told me about the last battle. No one wins…
“Citizens of Ysellian!” the announcer called, his deep loud voice proudly filling the air and bouncing off the stone walls. “Welcome to the arena! You have all witnessed great battles and losses. You have seen combatant versus combatant, man versus beast, but there is only one question left that fails to escape our minds. Who will win the next?”
Geez. I wonder if this show was more expensive than the rest.
There was a moment of silence, giving the spectators a chance to mumble their sayings and opinions within the crowds and for the tension to grow.
The gates in front of me lowered shortly after. I cautiously gave a step back to avoid the spikes and standing too close.
“I will now present our contestants. First, I give you your beloved warrior! Someone who has come a long way to face this demon!”
I raised an eyebrow and wondered about whether he meant that in a literal sense, but soon collected myself and assumed that it would be for the best to rather forget about it for now.
Focus.
I walked onto the battlegrounds and raised my sword in glory and valour as I made my way toward the middle and into the main circle. The soon as my feet found their stance, I lowered it.
The crowd went wild and applauded. I came to a stop and looked in front of me, giving my neck a roll and loosening up my shoulders.
I’m ready.
Within the opposite gates I perceived a dark, unrecognisable figure, gigantic, glaring menacingly at me.
It was almost giant and definitely no other normal opponent I had ever faced before.
“I give you... Carlaylin Thorel!”
I ignored the crowds as they cheered and kept staring out in front of me, frowning and wondering at the dark shadowy figure up ahead. Who knows what that brute of a governor had in store for me, for all the other unfortunates who had managed to make it this far. A shiver was sent snaking down my spine.
I observed as the gates slowly lowered. I couldn’t help but gulp nervously.
At least I think I’m ready…
“Next up, I give you the beast you all know and fear! Tornius!”
The gates reached their end and the beast gave a step forward, emerging into sight. I gasped and nearly dropped my sword.
I felt as terror took a hold on me and drained all my courage. My hands were met with an involuntary tremble.
“Oh my… ah!” I yelped.
It was the largest Minotaur I had ever seen in my entire existence! I was almost breathless by just the sight of that monstrosity.
It must be from the Cult of Giants, though I never thought that I would see one of these in my life. Those things are rare… now I know why. For the sheer purpose of sick entertainment.
His two thick horns were huge and his snout even more so. His fur was a mixture of grey-blue textures and despair, if you ask me. The Minotaur even passed the height of the spectators’ seats. The beast, for some strange reason, wore dark armour. I felt sorry for the guy who tried to help put them on.
The Minotaur lividly huffed a gust of vapored air out his nostrils and stomped the ground with one of his hooves like that of a bull. I swear I could feel the earth shake beneath my boots.
He then slowly approached, stopping in front of me on the ring. I gave a nervous step back, avoiding not being stomped under his hooves before the fight even begun. I was scarcely bigger than his one hoof.
He took up more than half of the ring! Panic coursed through my veins an
d almost left e hyperventilating. I could feel it. My uncontrollable breathing.
I couldn’t take my eyes away from the colossal beast. I kept staring up at him with knitted eyebrows. He had only one weapon at hand, a giant wooden club with what looked like metal spikes jutting out. Typical but dangerous. I would hate to imagine a hit from that thing.
I imagine his coach standing there in front of him before the fight, asking him, “Choose your weapon, sir.”
No thank you, Alfred!
Du Perron himself emerged from his black tower up on his extravagant and most expensive skybox, raising his hands and evoking the cheers from the masses. He then lowered his hands and the crowds fell silent and settled down.
Du Perron took a seat and gave a devilish smile as he stared down at me, almost like I was little more than an ant to him.
If I had known that the final challenge would’ve been a darn Minotaur, I would’ve hit the governor over the head and steal the Star back at the office! This was… impossible.
Either I die a horrible and gruesome death, or all my bones shatter and I go disabled for the rest of my days. There’s no third outcome.
I cursed under my breath and returned an odious scowl. The governor ignored it and raised his hand. He waited for a moment, scanning the crowds, examining their eager expressions, testing their curiosity and anxiety, and let it fall. The announcer instantly took his place and declared, “LET THE FIGHT COMMENCE!”
My heart dropped.
CHAPTER 33
TWISTED PROMISES
CARLAYLIN
Tornius was the first to take action and gave a forceful swing at me. I could feel the hurricane of a wind rolling at me as I ducked and rolled out of the way, regaining myself in a crouch position.
When back on my feet, I tried backing away from his fire range.
He gave another strike at me, letting his weapon crash to the dark earthen floor, sending clouds of dust flying high into the air like a dynamic storm. The rain worsened and the ground became somewhat muddy.
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