The underground cell is damp with a humid moisture and the air is claustrophobic. It had the smothering smell of festering wounds and unwashed bodies.
I'm trying to find Harry, but it seems we've been separated completely. When they unchained him, I had been shuffled a good distance forward.
The walls and floor are made out of the same stone and seamlessly meld into one another.
I've never seen such great craftsmanship, even the modern technology of Earth pales in comparison.
But it's so perfectly symmetrical that I can no longer remember which way I had come in from.
A disheveled man sits opposite of me on his cot. His hair is gray and clothes strange. He seems more jester than warrior.
His eyes are sad as he looks at me. His voice the same. It's lower pitch then I would've suspected due to his wiry frame.
"It's always terrible to see such a young boy die in this place."
Ever since I was reincarnated, my temper has always been quick to activate, even when I know there's no use in being angry.
"I'm fourteen you old crow, I'll be a man in a year. I'm not a boy."
His sadness is replaced by exhaustion as he waves his hand at me.
"Sure kid. Whatever you say."
I'm suddenly clenching the bars as I bare my teeth at him.
He isn't the slightest bit concerned as he lays down and puts a cloth over his eyes.
The flickering torchlight is constantly illuminating our surroundings; its dancing shadows make it hard to focus my eyes.
I quell my rage as I stare at my palms. When I squeezed the bars to the cell, slight impressions of my fingers had been left behind.
'I've had this strange surge of power flooding me when I get mad ever since I killed that man. My temper is also getting worse.'
I shake my head clear and dismiss my concerns.
'It's not like it matters anymore, I'm quite certain I'll die here. We're all going to die and just be forgotten as casual entertainment.'
I lay on the dirty cot in my cage; its previous owner had suffered a fairly bad wound. Dried brown splotches coated the ground under it in a thick crust.
My thoughts drift as I try to block out the groaning of dying men and fall asleep. I dream of my father of this world, he's dead now. Just like everyone else I've ever considered family.
I'm awoken by heavy footsteps and slurping. Getting up, I press my face to the bars and try to get a glimpse at the commotion.
The man opposite of me chuckles and explains what was happening.
"Mealtime boy-o. I'd stand back if I were you, they don't like eager appetites here."
His easy demeanor in this horrible place grates on my nerves and I defiantly stood where I was.
His warning seemed to be honest advice as the guard handing out rations came into view.
He took one look at me and crumbled the bread in his hand and tossed it through the bars, onto the floor. His other hand held a bowl of porridge, this was thrown at my face.
Unexpectedly my anger didn't flare, instead I was filled with a feeling of dread. The big meal on the boat earlier hadn't satiated my appetite, only stoked it.
I can feel myself falling to my knees as I despondently pick the bread bits off the floor and place them in mouth. I look to my left when I hear something else being tossed into my cage.
A water skin was leaking, and I hurriedly scooped it up, my thirst making me abandon shame.
I tried to scoop the porridge off my face and clothes and into mouth. Tears fall as helplessness sets in, it reminds me of when I had to dig through dumpsters for scraps.
'I should just smack my head on this wall and be done with it. What's the point in struggling if I'm going to live like this..'
I do not have the courage.
I have debated and tried to reason to myself into suicide, but I can't bring myself to do it. I've never felt like such a coward, I can take someone else's life but not my own.
Crawling into my cot, I kept sobbing until sleep once again stole over me.
I feel myself naturally rising and I'm alone with my thoughts until I hear footfalls down the hallway.
A voice I don't recognize calls out and waits a few moments to gather everyone's attention.
"Attention new arrivals.... We have a special offer for today only. This is a great chance to make a name for yourself and start earning your freedom. Anyone who wishes to volunteer can earn a full two gold towards their freedom. Normally, you can't earn money until the third match. We are being very generous today… so, who is willing?"
I can hear my own voice call back.
"I'll do it."
He walks over to my cell, and I see a blonde man with an impressive mustache staring at me.
"Are you the one who agreed?"
'It's better to die quickly, there's no point in waiting for death.'
Before I can talk myself into backing out, my lips are moving.
"Yes."
He raises an eyebrow at me, probably due to my willingness to fight so suddenly.
"Name?"
"Kelric. Kelric Bladebane."
His eyes narrow perceptively, and I wonder what he's thinking before my thoughts are interrupted.
"Very well…" he turns and addresses the other slaves, "I'm in need of one more volunteer, if no one speaks up, then I'll just have to choose myself."
Nobody did and he kept his word as he walked to the cell next to mine.
"What's your name."
"M-master please spare me!"
"Tell me your name, I won't ask again."
I hear William Kith begging and sobbing against his fate.
"Master.. I have something that would be e-even better. Please spare me and I'll tell you who would be a better match for him.."
"Speak."
Whispered words are shared and I hear the blonde man laugh.
"Very well, this will surely be interesting."
The blonde man comes back into view and opens the cell door.
"Follow me, your first match begins in an hour."
I solemnly walk forward, ready to accept my death with open arms.
I forgot how long we had walked the day before and my legs burn as we traverse each flight of stairs.
I'm nearly gasping for air as we reach the top.
The blonde man doesn't show a hint of exhaustion and only turns slightly to see if I'm still following. I'm led into a room with various weapons lining the walls and he speaks with a flourish of his hand.
"Choose your preferred blade. You have half an hour to get accustomed to it before the match begins. A guard will escort you to the entrance of the pit. Wait there until you hear your name called."
He then spun on his heel and left the room, leaving me alone.
I briefly think about taking a weapon and charging out the door, but I know I'll be caught and struck down.
'My cowardice plagues me even now, even when I've decided to die.'
I glance around the room and just decide to keep it simple and reach for a sword.
It had a thick back and a single edge in which to cut with, it's tip was slightly curved. This blade was meant for cutting flesh in hard, brutal swings.
I swing it couple times to test my balance and almost fall forward as it's weight pulls me with it.
'What am I even doing, it's not like I intend on fighting.'
Resting the thick back on my shoulder, I wait for my reckoning. It comes swiftly and I'm directed to stand just out of sight of a rumbling crowd.
The energy in the air was palpable and a surge of excitement stubbornly wriggles it way into my veins. The walls feel like their vibrating and suddenly I'm pushed from behind.
The guard's thick accent was hard to understand.
"You deaf? Yer name just been called."
Then a weirdly recognizable voice finally resonates in my ears as I present myself and walk towards blinding rays of sun.
"….. And his opponent this evening is a special one. Making his debut along side his close friend, please welcome Harrold Smith. These two young men grew up together and will now fight to the death!"
I recognize the voice and see the old man who sat across from me earlier announcing the unbelievable with a booming voice.
'…Harry is gonna kill me? Hah. I hope he kills Will when he gets the chance.. what a bastard.'
"Ladies and gentlemen, please place your bets in the next five minutes."
I stare at my best friend as he walks towards the middle of the arena. He's a little disheveled and nervous, but there's unmistakable resolve in his eyes.
'That's good Harry, don't beat yourself up about this later..'
His voice is hard to hear over the huge crowd in attendance, it's a giant mass of bodies. It feels like the whole world is watching me.
"Fancy meeting you here, Kel."
I shake my head and chuckle grimly.
"Make sure you get out of here Harry and give William a good beating for making you do this."
It was his turn to shake his head.
"Kel, I told you already, only you can make it out of here. I know you can do it. You always doubt yourself, but I've seen you, you're a menace in a fight and quick witted. You're the best of us."
My thoughts are messy as I try to reconcile that Harry had the same idea as me.
"Harry. YOU know I can't do this; I won't do it. What's the point, living a few more days? Maybe I get lucky and survive a month, or half a year. What then. This is a death trap, so why struggle?"
The old man is speaking again, but I can't hear him as I focus on Harry.
His face had grown hot, and he shouted at me.
"Gods! Stop being such a child Kelric! Grow a fucking spine for once and come at me damn it. This is why Gabby rejected your sniveling—"
I'm on him at once, my temper snapping into a raging flame. He always had a knack for getting under my skin.
Harry smiled, but I don't stop myself as rage consumes my being.
Steel rings as the crowd roars in approval.
My downward slash had been blocked by the flat of his short sword.
Shifting my weight, I slide my blade forward towards his chest.
Harry's moving as well and steps to the side and delivers a hard kick to my shin.
Dropping to my knees, I roll to avoid a thrust and take a large sweep at his legs.
He jumps backwards and I get to my feet.
We're both panting a little and before I come to senses, Harry provokes me again.
"Is that all you got? No wonder you couldn't save Gina when those men took her-"
Like a serpent strike, I lunge forward fast.
Harry sidesteps once more, and I feel a burning sensation in my side. His cut was shallow but long.
The pain only aggravates me further.
I drop low and kick my leg to side causing Harry to stumble as he tried to avoid my blow.
As he's off balance, I place two hands on the hilt of my sword as I swing upwards in a diagonal line.
I feel the power coursing through me and when my blade meets Harry's, it passes through without any resistance.
His hip to his shoulder is instantly dyed red and he stumbles back.
His voice is low and exhausted this time.
"Great job Kel. Great jo…"
His voice trails off as he finally falls.
Shame and disgust flood my body as I realize what I've done. Tossing the sword down, I run his side and kneel. I've killed the only friend I've ever had.
His hand is already cold and sweat beads Harry's face as he looks up at me.
A bubble of crimson pops out of his mouth when tries to speak.
"D-didn't mean any of that.. y- *cough* you know t-that right..? Just had to get you *gurgle* going."
My tears are blocking my vision of my dying friend.
"Harry.. damn it, Harry! *sob* Harry you idiot… why-"
I'm cut off as he speaks again.
"Promise me Kel, promise you'll make it out."
I'm inconsolable as I cry, holding his hand to my forehead.
Blood splatters my faces from Harry's mouth as he urges me.
"Kel! Promise me!"
"I promise Harry.. I promise I'll make it out; I swear it.."
His blue eyes turn upwards as he smiles.
"Goo- *cough* good. I'll be very cross with you if you break this promise."
His grip was getting weaker, and I know he's dead as his chest stops rising up and down.
Hands lift under my armpits as I'm hauled to my feet. A guard holds my hand in his and raises it in the air and the crowd erupts.
The old man is speaking again, somehow carrying his voice over the roar.
"What a fight! Couldn't tell if they were friends or foes the way they went at each other…"
Laughter echoes as a seed of anger buries itself within my chest.
It's a piece of coal that will not go out and stays ready to catch a flame.
"Let's hear it for Kelric Bladebane!"
I'm not listening to the crowd as they feverishly give me accolades. I'm in my own head as I plan.
My resolve is hard and unshakable now.
My sorrow is replaced by hatred.
'I'm going to kill all of you. Every single person in this god damn place. I'm not dying till your all in the ground!'