ã€ŠFuture Unknown: The Beginning of Hellã€‹


 Chapter 1

    ¡°It must be morning again.¡±

    My voice softly faded into the darkness as if the objects around me absorbed the little life the words contained. The rings around my eyes were the same size as they were yesterday. They were the same size as they were the day before, and the day before that. Their black hue circled around my eyelids fading into a somewhat dark blue on the soft young flesh of skin that eventually blended into my cheeks. Damn, come to think of it, I must look super attractive by now. I slightly chuckled to myself as the thought ran through my head. But besides that, it was just another ordinary day.

    Light barely flooded in. There wasn¡¯t much to do here except sit around and because of this I kind of just stared and thought. I think about the world my mother used to read to me. A fantasy world of magic and happiness, where adventurers could wander the plains as far as the eye could see. With the image of people conquering their dreams, a smile slowly crept its way across my face. However, the shuffling of feet disturbed my peace. It brought me back to the reality that I was forced to live within and made me realize that dreams were just dreams.

    The closer it came the louder I could hear them. Their feet dragged heavily against the ground creating a light and soft grinding echo. They continued to scrape heavily across the cemented floor as it came closer and closer to me. As the noise stopped, my neck dropped my head from looking up at the blackish ceiling, so that I could look outside. Someone, some man stood there. One of his hands tipped up the brim of his glasses. The faint light behind him casted a slight shadow over me, making the air feel darker than usual.

    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you.¡± I said blankly.

    My eyes glazed over his human-like figure. A man dressed from head to toe in all black. A black top-hat with a red circular stripe covered the top of black floppy hair that streamed halfway down his face barely making his eyes visible, except for the marks of red fangs that hung beneath his eyes. His white porcelain skin complemented the color of his clothes marvelously. As my eyes focused on his appearance once more, he tugged his hand forward with a grin. Sharp canine fangs that lined the corner of his mouth appeared in greeting. I could tell by the quick swipe of his tongue that he enjoyed the job that he was entrusted with. Within his clutch hung white hair that wrapped its way around his black glove, tangling in bits of locks. They entranced my eyes as they skimmed over the woman¡¯s body. I glanced at her in adornment.

    But was it really adornment?

    She was beautiful, I would admit that. But, I no longer have the mutual feeling of love or lust. Blood covered her body dripping from a gash on the side of her forehead. It trickled down the sides of her voluptuous breasts, letting me notice that there wasn¡¯t a scrap of cloth on her.

    ¡°It would be a shame to get these all bloody.¡± He acknowledged while flexing his fingers and wringing the locks once more around his hand.

    My eyes buried deep into hers. They were pink, slowly fading away. Not a speckle of light left hung in the center of her pupils, but yet she still seemed alive as if holding onto a single strand of hope that someday her life would be saved.

    You¡¯re looking for a hero aren¡¯t you. Out of all the places you could have gone to search for one, it had to be in this decrepit city.

    A tiny flick of her soul burned in and out. With a small whisper, it could be lost forever.

    Why should I care for her well-being? It¡¯s not like this affected me in any way. And it¡¯s true, this had no influence on me whatsoever. Trying to become her savior. What am I, a hero now? What would I accomplish by going against the system? Probably nothing.

    ¡°Hey brat,¡± The man standing said with hostility. ¡°I know our meeting was a little shorter than usual, but enjoy. It may be your last.¡± He said with a chuckle.

    He looked at me with narrowed eyes. Pure hatred resonated from the dull color of his pupils. I could see it swirl in and out of the darkness. My eyes hinged upward to look back into his. We locked eyes for only a moment, but that was all it usually took. Sparks flew as they scorched the wall next to me. But still, I held my ground. Several more whirled on by, causing smoke to pool around me, covering my body in filthy grey ash, just to watch the cloud of dust dissipate into the surrounding atmosphere.

    ¡°Hey. Hey. Brat!¡± He yelled.

    ¡°Huh?¡± A yawn escaped my lips.

    With strenuous effort, my hand slowly rose to cover my mouth, but the effort gave out halfway through. A massive exhale escaped my lips as two tiny teardrops emerged on the corners of my eyelids. Eventually, it reached its intended destination, but at that point there was no reason in it being there, so it dropped back down to my side.

    A large box surrounded me on all fours, as I pressed my back to one of the three hard walls that at the very moment supported my life. My pale pink skin looked dark as the shadow of the man still overcast me.

    ¡°Yeah, what do you want now?¡±

    ¡°What are you; deaf? Listen. You have a visitor.¡± He said with irritation.

    ¡°Oh, a visitor? Well, isn¡¯t that nice. It¡¯s been awhile since I¡¯ve had one of those.¡±

    Next to me, where the sparks hit, small piles of charcoal lay at the base of the wall. Where they hit, tiny indents gave notice to an unusual phenomenon.

    ¡°He should have known by now that wouldn¡¯t have worked.¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°Yeah. Someone actually came to see your lame ass.¡± He seemed to sneer with sarcasm.

    ¡°Oh¡±.

    Another yawn.

    This time my hand didn¡¯t even make it to my face.

    ¡°Man, when did I get so tired all of the sudden?¡± I said in a whisper. ¡°I thought I got used to this already.¡±

    He flipped his head forward and with a grin still held across his face, walked away casually, dragging the woman behind. Her feet trailed upright as blood trailed from the puddle that formed from where she stood moments ago.

    ¡°Tsk. Sleazy bastard.¡±

    My head dropped.

    ¡°Why did she have to come to a place like this? It¡¯s not a place for children. But I¡¯m one to talk.¡±

    It hung there as I stared into the floor. Her eyes burned in my mind.

    Why is it that I watch so many people die?

    Maybe this was the reason why I stopped caring, because there were always more questions than answers.

    I slowly leaned over as if to fall on my side, wanting nothing more to do with this world, just to go back to dreaming of a world full of glory and honor. To a world where magic existed. To a place that made the impossible, possible.

    That¡¯s just too wishful. I don¡¯t deserve that.

    With footsteps approaching, my concentration broke. I sat upright as my head jerked up to stare at a boy coming from around the corner. His face was the first thing I noticed, red eyes that complimented fair pale skin. Marble grey hair with hints of a magenta undercoating that bounced around back and forth with each pronouncing step as if to say, ¡°I am here¡±. A small onyx looped earring hung from his left ear and two small band aids covered one side of his cheek. He resembled the age of extravagant youth, but slightly taller and much more built. His defined muscles bore through his half cut off black graphic jacket that was lined with animal fur, a material that is almost impossible to get in today¡¯s day and age. Black and prominent tattoos line up and down each arm creating a beautifully made full sleeve. Banded bracelets gripped each forearm over the bandages that covered his fists. A pair of metal dog tags hung from his neck, clacking back and forth as he walked with his hands stuffed within his pockets. He wore silver capris, ripped at their ends. No shoes covered his soles, just bandages that wrapped around the arches of his feet.

    I watched as a grin spread across his face.

    ¡°My. My. What have we here?¡± He said sarcastically, looking at me through the wrought iron bars that separated the two of us.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    Not a word was said for a brief minute. We stared at each other intensively.

    ¡°Well. This is awkward. Not much of a talker as of lately, I see.¡± He continued on.

    My eyelids began to twitch. Within the dead of silence, they slowly began to pinch together. As if urged by temptation, my back pushed off the wall and I lunged at him, catching him by surprise.

    It happened so fast.

    My left fist slipped through the cracks, connecting with his forehead, driving it back with massive amount of force. Instantaneously, a shockwave was created that howled throughout the corridors. Bars bent from the wind pressure and cracks emerged within the cement. His head snapped backwards as he flew into the darkness. The force of impact stopped me short of the bars, allowing me to land back onto my two feet.

    ¡°Well, I guess that settles that.¡±

    I took a couple of moments to check my breathing.

    Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

    ¡°To have the nerve.¡±

    I shook my head from side to side as I walked back into the middle of the cell. With the back of each hand, I brushed off my shoulders, sweeping away tiny particles of dust that may have happened on them.

    Footsteps.

    ¡°Still coming back for more?¡± I said with a sigh, tilting my head back, looking over my shoulder into the receding darkness.

    Cracks echoed as the steps got closer, reemerging back within viewing distance. The muscles on his neck flexed as his head bent from side to side. The back of his forehand wiped his face, checking to see if there was blood. All that showed were a few scratches. It didn¡¯t surprise me in the least.

    This boy wasn¡¯t your average, typical teenager. And he wasn¡¯t just some random dude who happened to stroll into this place just about to have a ridiculous conversation with me. In the past, I knew him, and we just happened to be childhood friends, the best-friend type of friends. We weren¡¯t the most flawless of people, but hell, who was? There were so many types of stupid shit that we fought over. The two most prominent things were, power and women. I said it; I was that kind of kid. I wasn¡¯t the smartest, but I wasn¡¯t the dumbest. I left potential behind, not tapping into the person I should¡¯ve become. We would argue about which girls we would marry and which ones that we could have a ¡®thing¡¯ with. It¡¯s funny, because we were like literally eight-year-olds talking about multi-marriages.

    His name; Darren Smith. A pure bread athlete and a natural fighter. He would talk big when we were younger but he couldn¡¯t get a girlfriend to save his life. The amount of times he would be turned down was incredible. I have never seen so many rejections in my life.

    ¡°That was definitely well deserved, Arius. I¡¯ll give you that.¡± His hand was still rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°If you put a little more backbone in that one and actually used your dominant hand for once, you could have seriously hurt me. Right?¡±

    ¡°What are you trying to imply?¡± I said softly as one eyebrow raised in question

    ¡°Now. Now. I just came here to chat. No need to get so hostile.¡±

    ¡°What do you want?¡±

    ¡°Really? No need to be so cruel. Can¡¯t you be a little nicer to an old friend?¡± He said with a chuckle.

    Before I had any time to reply with a smart-ass comment, he walked away for a brief moment, to emerge with a small stool. Placing it down, he popped a squat right in front of me.

    ¡°So. Ari. Let¡¯s get down to business. When are you doing it?¡±

    ¡°Doing what?¡±

    ¡°You know. Doing it?¡±

    I knew exactly what he was thinking but honestly, it just wasn¡¯t really worth it in the long run. There wasn¡¯t any reward in what he was trying to discuss. It was like, if you put a mouse in a maze, but there really wasn¡¯t an exit and somehow, someway the entrance where you first started became barricaded.

    ¡°You know that¡¯s not happening.¡±

    ¡°But why?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll say it again. It¡¯s just not happening. How many times do I need to repeat myself. The answer isn¡¯t changing.¡±

    He let out a deep sigh as if discouraged by my words. With a few glances in either direction, he leaned closer to me. ¡°I could really use you right now. You know, for old times¡¯ sake.¡±

    ¡°Darren. Don¡¯t you think I would have done it by now, if I could have?¡±

    The earlier frown turned into a deeper state of disappointment. ¡°Seriously? Ari. Are you really going to tell me that? You know you are spoon-feeding me bullshit.¡±

    He paused to search my face for an expression.

    ¡°There is nothing holding you back. I mean look at them. These flimsy bars, couldn¡¯t hold you.¡±

    He got up from his comfortable little stool, approached one and flicked it with his index finger. A metallic ring emanated from its core as it quivered from side to side.

    ¡°Think about it, these bars are as weak as the world. Rotting away slowly, burying itself within the ecosystem. A wasted potential, even you¡­¡±

    ¡°I know.¡± I jumped in with annoyance.

    ¡°Then why not do something about it.¡±

    ¡°And what is it that I¡¯m supposed to do now. Our fight has ended long ago. It¡¯s been finished. There is no need to go through with it again. The result will be the same.¡±

    ¡°Is that what you think? I never thought you would be the person to give in so easily. It was that quality alone that I followed you.¡±

    I looked at him intently. To be honest, I really did believe myself when I said it. I have been in here for so long, I no longer have anything of value to fight for.

    ¡°Even if I could Darren? The government wants me dead. There is a bounty on my head.¡± I paused for a moment. ¡°You seem to know absolutely nothing.¡±

    ¡°Dead? A bounty on your head? Yes. Yes, one-hundred million dollars. That¡¯s right. I completely forgot about that increment.¡± He began to chuckle. ¡°Honestly, for how dangerous you are, they kind of undersold you.¡±

    ¡°What is that supposed to mean?¡±

    ¡°Never mind, that¡¯s not the point.¡±

    He gripped one of the broken bent bars. I watched as he squeezed hard enough that his veins surfaced all

    the way up to his bicep.

    ¡°They want you dead so bad that you¡¯ve been down here fiddling with your thumbs for quite some time. Isn¡¯t that, right?¡± His eyes glanced to the right, then to the left. The bottom half of his lip twitched with unease while his eyebrows shifted up and down in annoyance.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Yeah. Sorry. I apologize.¡± He continued to look around as if paranoid.

    ¡°You don¡¯t seem it.¡±

    ¡°To be honest, I came here to ask you questions. One in particular.¡±

    I looked at him. Deep within his eyes he seemed to be worried about something. I couldn¡¯t understand why. What could he be so paranoid about. His expression provoked curiosity and his lips went from unease to anticipation as if expecting a certain outcome.

    ¡°What do you want to know? Not like I really have a choice in the matter.¡± I said as I headed back deeper into the cell and sit against the wall. My hands rested on top my knees, back pressed, feet placed before me as my toenails curled at the end digging into the stony floor. I tilted my head up to stare into his menacing eyes. Yellow moonlit pupils pierced my icy blue as we waited for who was going to make the first move.

    ¡°Do you remember how you got here?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a pretty specific question.¡±

    ¡°Ari. Just answer it.¡±

    ¡°No. Is there a particular reason why I should?¡± I responded with curiosity.

    For a couple brief moments, we sat in silence. His eyes bared deep into mine.

    ¡°Is that all?¡± I said, trying to rip apart the silence.

    He hesitated for a second. ¡°Yes.¡±

    I bent my neck down to look at the floor. With a slight smile, a chuckle emerged. My hands slowly reached up to my face to cover my eyes as my head dropped back to peer into the darkness of my hands. Within moments, I began to laugh uncontrollably. For a moment, I thought I lost my sanity. Like, this was the moment when all hell would break loose.

    ¡°Are you, all, right?¡±

    This darkness, it was what kept me warm. Its very existence comforted me whenever I needed it most. It shrouds itself within my thoughts protecting me, but in essence, it wasn¡¯t protecting me at all.

    ¡°Ari!¡±

    Shifting my fingers, I created openings for my eyes. The ceiling was as black as a night sky. I could see Darren. A faint smirk crossed his lips. His pearly white teeth hinted pure treason.

    My laughter died out. With a quick sweep of my right hand, I slapped the wall. The loud clap ripped him from his thoughts, causing a glare to come my way.

    ¡°Darren.¡± I looked up to see the countless red streaks that lined the walls. ¡°What do these remind you of?¡±

    ¡°Huh? You have got to be kidding me, right? I haven¡¯t even finished questioning you. Why do you get the right to ask yours?¡±

    ¡°Just answer it dammit!¡±

    ¡°Fine. Fine. I know when you get like this, there is no going back. Got to keep the anger tied up in the bag, or so they say.¡± He put one hand to cover his eye. ¡°Damn. I should¡¯ve just asked you them all at once, because now you even listen.¡±

    He stepped forward, peering into the corners of my darkness. His eyes glowed, moonlit yellow, like a tiger. His nostrils flared as he took a deep inhale.

    With a frown he said, ¡°there¡¯s so many.¡±

    Blood marked the walls. Perfect roman numerals marched their way across its deplorable, bleak landscape. Who knew how many there were. Well, I knew. No one would dare take the time to count them, unless your job happened to deal with the deceased.

    ¡°But, I guess that¡¯s beside the point. Logical or funny answer?¡±

    ¡°You choose.¡±

    ¡°The most logical one would be the number of days you¡¯ve been here.¡±

    ¡°Nope.¡± I replied without hesitation. ¡°Guess again.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this game right now.¡± He looked from side to side once more as if he was expecting someone to come out of the shadows.

    ¡°Guess, Darren.¡±

    I had the urge to vent. For the first time in a while, I felt like talking my frustration out with words. I wanted someone to hear me and actually care about what I was saying.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. That¡¯s the only answer that I have right now. Why does it matter anyway?¡± He turned to face me, gaze locked onto mine. ¡°Haha. Just kidding. How many?¡±

    ¡°Plenty. This is the world that you want to save? The remnants of ancient heroes are just a legend to breed hope so that it can be torn from us. Humanity is not worth saving. We are too na?ve as a race. Once we fail we sit down and pout afraid to do anything else because we can¡¯t find a way around the problem. These lines, they are souls that will no longer reach heaven or hell. They will dwell within my body awaiting their judgment day, when I receive mine. These souls for the time being won¡¯t even be judged by purgatory itself. They are stuck within me with no place to call home because of my selfishness. So, for now, I am there home.¡± I sighed to myself.

    ¡°So? What¡¯s your point? You pity yourself for trying to retain your old memories?¡± I watched as he took a second to formulate his thoughts again. ¡°Why should you care. Humans do what they want regardless. That¡¯s what makes us selfish.¡±

    ¡°And why I believe they are unworthy too live.¡±

    ¡°That is only your belief. People change, you know that better than anyone else.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t deny it yourself.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about it.¡±

    ¡°You will eventually, too move on. But seriously, you shouldn¡¯t give a damn. Your body count is hundreds of times higher than this. Maybe even thousands.¡±

    ¡°Yeah maybe.¡± I took a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯m being executed tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°Unfortunately, I know. I apologize. That was the other reason why I came here.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°I came to pay my final respects.¡±

    ¡°You might as well leave then.¡±

    Why did I even bother? No one would ever care how I felt. It¡¯s not like my feelings mattered. This is why I no longer have any.

    I looked at him with hated eyes. ¡°Go back to where you belong. I don¡¯t want you here.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s harsh.¡± A grin emerged from his lips. ¡°Yes. Your majesty. By the last order of my king, I will move forward with my duties.¡± He turned away with a slight laugh and ran his hand through his greyish-hair. ¡°See you on the other side. Arius. King of Chaos.¡±

    He chuckled as he raised his hand in farewell.

    ¡°Oh. And don¡¯t worry, the rest of humanity will remember your name for eternity. I¡¯ll make sure of that.¡±

    ¡°The other side?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll be there soon enough.¡± He grinned evilly as he looked over his shoulder.

    ¡°I thought I told you not to call me that. Darren. King of Patience.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I know, but when do I ever listen to you? And I thought I told you to never call me that either.¡±

    ¡°Shows how much of a respected King I was.¡±

    I reached into the depths of my pants, pulling out a small object. It was a small amulet, lined with seven speckles of colors.

    ¡°Here. I¡¯ll be dead soon anyway. Take it. Think of it as an early birthday present.¡±

    I tossed it to him.

    Snatch.

    Without looking back, he plucked it from the air. His sense of perception and depth was always incredible, it slightly blew my mind.

    ¡°Happy Birthday, you damned idiot. I still will never forgive you though for what you put me through.¡± I whispered.

    He looked over his shoulders with a grin but continued to walk away without saying a word. I let him. I no longer cared anymore. There was nothing to say. This is where our friendship ended. It was where our paths split in two, hoping that one day we may see each other as friends. But, there was always the possibilities that we could face each other on the battlefield as enemies.

    Who was I kidding? I am being executed tomorrow.

    ¡°So long old friend. You decide how you want to deal with humanity. I¡¯ve given up on them a long time ago.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t worry.¡± His voice echoed from the depths of the darkness.

    ¡°Another round?¡±

    A warden approached my cell.

    ¡°Yeah. You could say that.¡± He said with a slight smile. ¡°How did it go?¡± He glanced over in the direction where Darren made his final exit. ¡°Looks like you scared him away.¡± ¡°

    ¡°Yeah. Maybe.¡±

    ¡°Savor his words. They will be the last meaningful ones you ever hear.¡±

    ¡°If only they were meaningful to be begin with.¡± I mumbled.

    The way he acted, the way he portrayed himself, it wasn¡¯t the Darren that I once knew. Why was he here? Why did he ask me that question? Could he be connected to why I am here? Here we go again, way too many questions and no answers. I may as well stop thinking about it before I begin to get pissed at myself.

    ¡°Hey. Hey. Brat! I¡¯m talking to you!¡±

    ¡°Oh, hey. What¡¯s up? Did you say something?¡±

    ¡°God, you¡¯re such a little imbecile.¡± I watched as he lowered his glasses down the brim of his nose while gritting his teeth.

    ¡°Me?¡± I pointed to myself in confusion. ¡°I¡¯m an imbecile?¡± I slightly smiled. ¡°Well, thank you.¡±

 Chapter 2

    Tomorrow makes five years.

    The air is always damp, heavy with heat. Its moisture was not of relief but sadness, grief and bitterness. These were the ways to best describe it.

    I am a prisoner.

    I am a victim of this feeling.

    The feeling of suffering that seems to suffocate my entire being.

    Footsteps halted outside the cell.

    ¡°It¡¯s your turn.¡± Someone said with unease.

    He was different that the warden. His soul wasn¡¯t all that tainted, but enough so that it allowed him to live as one of them. He was shorter in stature, scrawnier in size, similar to me; roughly five feet, eight inches. But his personality probably wasn¡¯t as low as mine.

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    I matched his eyes with my crashing icy blue pupils that seemed to freeze his deep forest green. The tone of my voice halted the movement of his keys. He hesitated, becoming nervous. Sweat ran down one side of his face. One eyelid twitched perpetually. His eyes darted back and forth trying to avoid contact. He acted more like a kid than a guard dog.

    Worse comes to worse, a warden was responsible of killing the inmate they are in charge of. Well, wouldn¡¯t that be quite a show?

    Slowly the keys began to make their way to unlock my cell door.

    ¡°Are you sure you want to do that?¡± I said with a slight grin.

    Again, the keys halted.

    His hand shook uncontrollably.

    ¡°Why?¡±

    The small scraps of metal dangled inches away from being unlocked. But as if by some miracle, his hand stopped shaking. As if gaining confidence, he swallowed and thrust the key in. Another second of hesitation was taken before he unlocked it with a single twist and opened it in exquisite fashion. The door slid open with tremendous strength as his eyes shut tight bracing for some kind of extreme impact.

    Well, that¡¯s what supposed to happen.

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    He looked at the cell.

    ¡°Why isn¡¯t it opening?¡±

    ¡°The door is kind of broken.¡±

    I forced myself to get up and began my slow walk towards him.

    ¡°You see. I kind of got into a little scuffle with a visitor. This is the result.¡±

    He looked at the bars in amazement.

    ¡°Wow. That¡¯s impressive.¡±

    With a quick glance over his shoulder, he seemed to get the chills again.

    ¡°Get out!¡± He screamed with confidence as if trying to hide anxiety and fear.

    I stopped, briefly pausing to look into his soul. The little black ball quivered, terror loomed over his tiny heart.

    ¡°Damn talk about a quick 180.¡± I mumbled. ¡°Okay. Okay. I¡¯m coming. Age comes with a price you know.¡±

    Within a heartbeat my hand tapped his shoulder. Our eyes meet through my peripherals. His head began to creak towards me to match the level of my eyes.

    ¡°Just do what you need to do already and get this over with. Newbie.¡±

    He stood in silence looking back into the cell.

    ¡°Wait, did you do that?¡±

    ¡°Do what?¡±

    ¡°That.¡±

    The broken bars were separated to either side. It was as if a supernatural lifeform left its cage.

    ¡°Yeah, maybe.¡±

    As if shaken out of shock, he reached behind his back under his robe and pulled out silver hand cuffs.

    ¡°I¡¯ll never get used to how fast you move. You do realize; you probably could have escaped by now?¡± He interestingly questioned. ¡°More like you could have if you really wanted to.¡±

    Damn this kid is weird. Flipping 180¡¯s like it¡¯s going out of style. It¡¯s almost like he has a personality

    disorder.

    ¡°Is that so?¡± I replied with a soft grunt. ¡°Are you encouraging me to try?¡± I looked over at him, as he finished tightening the cuffs around my wrist, covering the marks of other ¡®aggressive cuffers¡¯.

    ¡°No, not exactly. I wouldn¡¯t want that. It would then become my responsibility to kill you; and I don¡¯t necessarily think I¡¯m up for that kind of important task. Well not yet at least.¡±

    I gave a slight chuckle. ¡°Okay, kid.¡±

    ¡°You give off a pretty powerful aroma. It¡¯s pretty scary.¡± He said as he scratched the back of his head. ¡°I¡¯m just saying that it seems like you¡¯re the type who could have already made his own freedom. That¡¯s all.¡± A dumbfounded expression prominently stood on his face.

    ¡°Freedom. That sounds amazing. But here, in this world. Freedom has cost humanity its slavery.¡±

    ¡°Why do you say that?¡±

    ¡°People don¡¯t like being bound to rules or regulations. That¡¯s just human nature. We set ourselves up for failure as a race once we try to control one another.¡±

    ¡°I guess, what I am trying to say is that you are the type who could have created his own freedom.¡±

    I looked back forward. ¡°Maybe. Maybe not. But where¡¯s the fun in that?¡± I said with a grin.

    ¡°You¡¯re insane.¡± The halfhearted bellowed chuckle didn¡¯t reassure his opinion.

    ¡°This world isn¡¯t as kind as you think. With that mentality, it will surely be your demise kid. I¡¯ve witnessed the horrors that comes with that mentality.¡± I whispered.

    ¡°Huh? Did you say something?¡±

    It was the same ritual that happened every night. A cage stood before us. Its giant iron bars reached towards the heavens above us, almost as if reaching from the depths of Hell. Doubled-cell gated doors stood on all four sides. Their wrought iron seemed chiseled to perfection at first but rusted over the years from the decay of blood that encased them. There wasn¡¯t a ceiling for light. Well not necessarily at least. This was the only place within the entire building where light seemed to penetrate from above. I still never really understood why that was.

    ¡°Maybe soon, I will figure it out.¡±

    ¡°Stop.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    He gently removed the handcuffs.

    ¡°I¡¯ll come by later and tend to those marks.¡±

    The doors of death slid open in either direction.

    ¡°No need.¡± I mumbled without hesitation. ¡°They don¡¯t bother me.¡±

    Unconsciously, I began to rub the muscles in my wrist.

    ¡°Surely that can¡¯t be true.¡±

    Step.

    Step.

    Step.

    I began to make my way up the small marble steps and into the arena, leaving him behind. Little balls of blue fire lit the way with every step.

    ¡°Well, if you need something. Don¡¯t hesitate to ask.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. My freedom. But that would be too much to ask of a child.¡± I mumbled.

    My hands searched for the depths of my pockets. Looking back over my shoulder, I watched as the warden began his performance to close the gate. With a single point of both fingers, he raised his arms and extended them to either side. One quick motion, he brought both hands together, forcing a loud clap. The doors slammed shut with incredible speed causing a blasted screech to echo on both sides of the arena. I reached for my right ear, pinky shoved inside, trying to bring my broken eardrums back to life.

    ¡°What a pain. Are they really trying to be annoying?¡±

    ¡°Here.¡± A soft murmured sounded behind me,

    A sword hung there. Floating through the giant iron bars as one unknown hand held it upside-down.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    ¡°Oh.¡±

    It was rusty, dulled down from constant abuse.

    ¡°I guess it will do.¡±

    I stepped over the body that lay pathetically on the floor. He looked dead to the bone, soul drained, jugular sliced.

    His hand seemed to reach out.

    ¡°He must have surely known that there was no way.¡± A look of disappointment came over me. ¡°Damn. He doesn¡¯t have a soul. Where did it go?¡±

    The blood from his fresh wounds continued to soak him through. It pooled endlessly, staining his skin and hair crimson. With a reaching hand, I grabbed the hilt of the sword. I pulled, but it didn¡¯t budge.

    ¡°May the souls of the dead be with you.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    I yanked the sword out of their possession.

    ¡°Yeah. Whatever. As if I need any more of them.¡±

    At the other end, a man stood there. He was twice my size, rock-hard muscles protruding in every direction. A sleeve of skull tattoos lined each arm. What stood out was the mark that was imprinted on his deltoid. The mark of the military.

    ¡°The military. Why would a marine be here? I wonder what he did to be down in the depths of hell.¡±

    But it slightly made sense. Physical ability meant everything here. I pierced the sword into the ground.

    What could you possibly be up to now? What is your new goal? Darren, what is exactly going on.

    ¡°Are you scared? If you keep looking at the deceased, you¡¯ll be lying next to his in no time.¡±

    The echo of two fists pounding together raced throughout the cage. His bellowing voice drifted throughout the entirety of this vast space, but the neurons in my brain were scattering around violently that I didn¡¯t pay him and mind.

    I felt betrayed.

    What was his purpose this time? Was this always part of the original scheme? The method that we came up with to get our payback. However, the last time I saw him was that faithful day when she died.

    ¡°You¡¯ll be bowing down, begging before my feet for your life. The look in his eyes. The way he begged for mercy was merely ecstasy. The way he prayed for me to spare his life as if I was some god. This power he granted me, for only just a moment before his execution.¡±

    Was this guy seriously still talking?

    ¡°I told him. It¡¯s kill or be killed. That is was the way of this world. The laws that hinder our freedom. So, boy, familiarize yourself with it. Say your prayers!¡±

    Every little word that came out of his wretched mouth was annoying. I wanted to grab his face and drag it through the floor, making him eat his own words, forcibly.

    I didn¡¯t care if he screamed for mercy.

    I didn¡¯t care if he pleaded.

    I didn¡¯t care if he cried because I would kill him regardless of whatever he did. It sounds like a great idea. My blood boiled. Its heat rose through me. It¡¯s incredible how my imagination can just get me riled up and ready to fight.

    ¡°Calm. Calm. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Control yourself.¡± I began to whisper to myself.

    Suppressing the anger deep within my stomach, I stood for a moment, meditating.

    ¡°That was a close one. No need to waste more energy than needed.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you ignore me, puny ant! You may regret that you didn¡¯t have any last words to say. If I were you, I would be praying to your weak god.¡±

    My meditation halted. Anger slowly seeped upward into the depths of my brain. I slowly turned my head to stare deep into his eyes.

    ¡°Weak?¡± A wicked grin lined my face. ¡°Is that what you said? Is that what you call it? Weak? What makes my God weak? Why would a God be considered weak? They create and destroy. It¡¯s the basic laws of nature. What God do you pray too lieutenant? Zeus? Athena? Or the one and only God that your religious freaks believe in?¡± I retorted. ¡°If I saw a God, I would slaughter it from the inside-out. I would make sure their name was forever erased from the history books of humanity. I don¡¯t care what kind of beings they are, whether idiotic or immortal. They don¡¯t deserve to stand within the presence of fools. They should stay non-existent in the depths of humanities imagination.¡±

    ¡°¡­Huh?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I have ever seen a man of your stature stoop so low as to talk so degradingly. Yes. That¡¯s right. Lieutenant, I know who you are. I know the sins that you¡¯ve committed. I know the reason as to why you are here. The chaos that you possess. I didn¡¯t thing the military believed in such things. All I thought they did was fight for honor and glory, but I guess that was too much for your branch to handle. Or is it, you forgot which side you were actually on? The countless children you have raped. The mothers and fathers that you slaughtered by your own two hands are endless. All at a single command from the higher ups. Don¡¯t go acting like you know the way of the world.¡±

    He bit his lip hard enough that blood slowly trickled down one side of his chin.

    ¡°You probably don¡¯t understand what a God is. You are a military dog.¡± I gestured on. My arms hung in the air with suspense. ¡°The military if the reincarnation of the sins that havocked the world. The sins that look up to good that he cast away as he sat on his throne of light. But a god is someone who is immortal, someone who can change the fate of the world in the blink of an eye. Someone who has the ability to right all wrongs or even wrong all rights.¡±

    ¡°What did you just say punk?!¡±

    ¡°A god is someone who can¡­ What am I saying? I am a god. Although that sounds arrogant to say, it¡¯s true. I am the chaos that maelstroms in the hearts of people. But, that¡¯s not the point. As for you, a military dog provides action, not just words that the average citizen uses to flaunt with. They don¡¯t abuse authority when given too much to handle. They don¡¯t cower in fear behind the masks of others. They don¡¯t wrong the people who look up to them to make things right. You are just worthless trash. You abandoned your ideals long before anyone else.¡± I grinned with ease. Half of my lip was raised so only a portion of my teeth were visible, but they were misleading. ¡°You don¡¯t deserve to walk the same earth.¡±

    ¡°Why you?! Do you really think you can kill me?!¡±

    ¡°So, you understood where I was going with this.¡±

    ¡°A runt like you with no upbringing doesn¡¯t stand a chance!¡± He screamed.

    Blood still dripped from his chin creating small tainted speckles on the marble flooring.

    ¡°Is that an invitation? But, surely, I promise you. I have fallen deeper into the depths of hell than you ever will. Well, it¡¯s not like I necessarily had a choice.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±

    ¡°Never mind. You won¡¯t understand. But, you¡¯re right. The laws of this world, is kill or be killed. The wrongs that make the right. I wonder how many I really need to make to create a single right.¡± I looked down at my hands as I clenched and unclenched them in repeated motions. ¡°These are simply enough to change the single course of the world.¡±

    ¡°Really? With your bare-hands? I don¡¯t know what world you have been living in, but I¡¯m still an ex-marine.¡± He flexed one of his biceps, watching the peak rise. ¡°No one has been able to penetrate me.¡± His head turned back to look at me, eyebrows raised, lips curled upwards slightly at the ends.

    ¡°Wow. You really are a moron. That sounded wrong in every way, shape and form. How was it that you made lieutenant?¡±

    I stood there, my hands searched for the depths of my pocket. Honestly, I didn¡¯t necessarily enjoy this. I needed it though. It was a subconscious action that I must perform.

    Everything is supposed to serve a greater purpose. Here it doesn¡¯t. The cycle continues its circle, unyielding the slightest changes.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to kill you!¡± He yelled at the top of his lungs, ripping me from my thoughts.

    ¡°You¡¯re making the first move?¡±

    He charged with his sword raised high.

    ¡°Does he even have a strategy?¡±

    It hung there, poised to strike down and rip through my flesh at any given moment. His legs galloped across the white marble floor as fast as his bulky body could allow him.

    ¡°Damned fool.¡±

    Three bounds.

    Two bounds.

    One bound left, and the decent of his sword began with all his might.

    I lightly turned my head creating a tilt to my body, dodging the blade seamlessly as it roughly missed my entire body. The force of impact was unreal. It connected with the ground, cracking the marble. A wisp of dust traveled up my side as I still slightly leaned, ready to move at any fraction of a second. I watched as our eyes met, his with fury, mine, calm and collect. I gave a slight grin as I stared into the depths of his eyes that lusted for blood.

    ¡°We are similar but yet, so different.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re not though. I¡¯m better.¡±

    From the movement of my dodge, I spun naturally counterclockwise, positioning myself to jab an elbow. With a single strike, my elbow landed. The right oblique, a soft part of the body where there isn¡¯t much muscle, just like the indents of the arms and legs, except he had more than the average person so I had to press a little harder than normal. My elbow pierced itself within the muscle like a blade.

    Crack.

    A heavy grunt escaped his sealed lips.

    ¡°Did that hurt?¡±

    Saliva sprayed from his mouth.

    ¡°You bastard! I¡¯m going to kill you!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right. The last one you¡¯ll ever see.¡±

    I arched towards him, looking up towards the light that filtered through the roof. It flickered in and out as if someone was tampering with its beauty.

    ¡°Are you one of them?

    ¡° ?O-One of what?¡±

    ¡°Are you one of the sinful?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°You know exactly what I mean. I just explained this to you. It¡¯s really a simple question. Just answer it.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you are talking about.¡±

    ¡°Yes or No? Are you one of them?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°No response. I guess I had too high of expectations that you would know something. Well, it was just an accusation, nothing more. Why would they let a rat like you know of the things they were going on?¡±

    His breathing slowed down but the grunting continued. One hand covered his ribs.

    ¡°I should just end this.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t start getting cocky! This isn¡¯t over!¡±

    He swung his sword at me. I ducked to dodge the oncoming blade, backing out of hand to hand combat range. My hair flowed elegantly as the braids behind my ears bounced up and down.

    ¡°Oh? But it is.¡± I replied coldly. ¡°I told you, I am a god.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about? You are mortal. There is no way a God would let himself be stuck down here for this life of misery.¡± He bounced up and down on his toes.

    ¡°Who said I didn¡¯t have a choice?¡±

    ¡°Well then, that¡¯s your fault. But, surely, I can tell you aren¡¯t a God. You are human, but a man. So, let¡¯s handle this like men.¡±

    He tossed his sword away, flipped his hips, changing his stance. Pain bloomed in his eyes, but he tried hard to keep it hidden.

    ¡°Interesting.¡±

    Changing stances was a military tactic. It was never certain in battle, but there was always the opportunity that you may face someone stronger than you. By being ambidextrous, it covered up weaknesses that your opponents would figure out during a fight. I examined his body closely, pinning locations in my mind of where I could potentially strike. By guarding his right hip, it left several parts of his body exposed on his other half. However, he seemed confident enough in his abilities to guard both from his assessment of my first strike.

    ¡°I should¡¯ve just finished you off. Why did I have to hold back?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re just weak that¡¯s all. There is no shame in admitting defeat.¡±

    ¡°That was a rhetorical question, dumbass. I guess. It¡¯s time to kill you.¡± I said with a smile.

    I charged.

    Flash.

    In a matter of a couple of steps, I was under his leaning body. His eyes couldn¡¯t follow. My right foot planted between his legs, simultaneously I drove my left hand, palm outward into the left side of his ribs. I felt them crack on impact and there was no doubt that they shattered. As the impact hit, the pressure traveled in a straight line through his body, wind surfaced on the other side as it blew through past the bars, whistling.

    The specialty of my fighting style, they bypass any object I touch allow the full force to exert itself. His face grimaced in pain as his body rotated to compensate for it. I switched feet, taking a step forward between his shuffling feet, planted them and landed a second blow. Again, wind surfaced on the other side as it blew through past the bars, slightly bending them from the pressure. His ribs shifted out of place, broken and shattered, obliterated within his body, floating between muscles and organs.

    The edges of my mouth curled. ¡°What a beautiful sight.¡± I said with happiness as a smile arose on my face. ¡°Don¡¯t you just love the sound of that?¡±

    He staggered again. And, again my feet switched. His arms reached out in either direction in front of him to prevent a third blow. Fists closed, trying to crush my head with a single blow. It was futile though. My palm shot through them before they could come together. His first stopped right over both of my ears. The pressure took his breath away. I felt his sternum cave in. Blood coughed from his mouth and splattered over my face. Wind slowly swirled on his back, and within a moment¡¯s notice it blasted past through the bars, shaking them with vigorous strength. It howled loudly. Echoing like a pack of wolves.

    ¡°Don¡¯t consider yourself a fighter if you can¡¯t manage to protect yourself.¡±

    ¡°What could you possibly know about me?!¡±

    ¡°Actually, everything.¡±

    He slowly regained his breath, though still wheezing. His head hung.

    ¡°What could you possibly know about me. This is all I have! Since the moment I was born, I was destoned to be a fighter. The struggles I had to face. The obstacles that I have had to overcome. The family that I built myself. Everything was by these two hands.¡±

    ¡°So, you do understand.¡±

    ¡°But, everything was stripped away from me by that mad. Family, honor, rank, title. Everything can be taken away but one thing. Everything but my name. It is what keeps me going. It drives my ambitions. You can never take it away from me! I was the Lieutenant! I am the Lieutenant! I was the top official within the military! I was the youngest. I was the youngest. My true ambitions have yet to be fulfilled! I will get my revenger. That man. That man.¡±

    ¡°And, look at you. Look where you are now. They threw you aside, didn¡¯t they? They no longer found use of you.¡± My eyes drifted to the light. ¡°In this world, people fear what they cannot comprehend. The powerful falls from their pedestal and the weak continue to groan for mercy.¡±

    ¡°Then. You too. Are looking for that person?¡±

    ¡°No. Unfortunately, I don¡¯t need assistance.¡± For a moment I stood there, believing the words that spewed from my pitiful lips. ¡°The greatest loss in life is not death, but what is lost inside of us when we die.¡±

    His short paces of breath came in and out at a rapid pace. Blood pooled in the corner of his mouth, dripping down his cracked lips. He used the back of one of his thick hands to wipe off the excess that dribbled from his chin.

    ¡°It sounds good, right?¡± I chuckled. ¡°I read it in a book once.¡±

    But in fact, it was the truth. Whenever I die. I have always lost something that was once precious inside of me. The memories of those that I once cared about slowly cease to fade from my existence.

    ¡°What are you?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a funny question. Everyone has been dying to know. I¡¯m the same as you.¡± My head cocked back and I gave a half-hearted laugh. ¡°People have asked that same question for as long as I could remember but the answer never changes. I¡¯m just simply put, human.¡±

    ¡°Human?¡±

    ¡°I am the sin that you have committed.¡±

    The response threw him off-guard. I took advantage of it and circled behind him, watching as his pupils tried to follow me. Once behind, I jumped up, clasping my legs around his neck, slowly squeezing, making his breath sizzle away. Saliva sprayed from his lips as it mixed with blood. His hands tried to grasp my feet but it only made my legs crush his neck even more. They fell to his sides, limp.

    ¡°There. There. Don¡¯t you feel so much better.¡±

    ¡°God¡­¡±

    I rocked forward letting him fall forward onto his knees, but still, I continued to squeeze. Tighter and tighter I constricted my legs. The skin around his neck began to contort and twist from the constant struggle. Drops of tears fell to the marble floor.

    ¡°God¡­What did I do wrong?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. Let it all out. Confess your sins.¡± I leaned in to whisper in his ear. ¡°Beg for the help of a savior. Plead for the mercy of the lord. Pray to the false god that you believe in, because I promise you. Your God won¡¯t come to save you.¡±

    ¡°No. That¡¯s not true. Miracles. They do happen.¡±

    ¡°They never do.¡±

    As if my words produced some kind of spark, he gave one last effort to throw me off.

    ¡°I will not die here. I will survive!¡±

    His knees pushed him off the ground as he began rocked backwards. In doing so, I leaned back as well, dropping my weight, letting gravity do its job. My legs snapped upwards, letting his body draw an arc in mid-air. He was taken off his feet before he knew anything had happened. I looked into his eyes as I leaned over his body. A moments exchange that seemed to last for a lifetime. Blood plastered my face. The black rings cirlced around my eyes.

    ¡°The devil. You are the devil.¡±

    The coldness that my face portrayed sparked a lust for blood. As tears streamed down his face, the remaining bit of saliva furiously flung itself from his open mouth as his tongue flopped around violently.

    ¡°God! Save me! The devil has come to take my soul.¡±

    I dropped him on his head. His skull splintered outward as the soft tissue that encased his forehead peeled away letting bone bust through. Blood rushed out profusely as brain matter followed in suite. Behind me, his feet slowly fell from the awakened black sky to lay on the bloody earth beneath him.

    ¡°Rest easy. May your soul never find its way to where it should belong.¡± I slightly bowed my head as I sat on top of him.

    My hands were covered in blood.

    Again.

    I watched as they filled the cracks in my fingers and palms once more. Will this ever stop? Will, I ever be freed from this curse? How many more do they want me to kill? These cracks only continue to get darker and darker and the blood just soaks in deeper making them wider. The cracks are like canyons that rush with the blood of others.

    ¡°Well, I guess he is no longer one of the sinned. I did it again, didn¡¯t I? I probably lectured his as well.¡±

    A pair of eyes caught my attention in the distance. They were noticeable, hidden from the light, standing within the darkness that kept everyone else blind. A face that never showed itself, blanketing itself within the night.

    ¡°The hunt continues. Does this mean that I need to hold up my end?¡± I murmured with a smile.

    I looked down at the giant-like figure that lay before me. His back rippled with muscle. Not a single one twitched. Blood spurt in every direction, covering my body as my hand pierced his flesh. For a second, I fumbled around to find it, flicking my wrist here and there.

    ¡°Ah. There it is.¡±

    Within the palm of my hand sat a small grey circular object, resembling a wisp-like tennis ball.

    ¡°The human soul.¡±

    It is what gives us existence in this world.

    It is what materializes us from our consciousness.

    Without it, we are just walking corpses, a host for others. Turning it, black speckles spotted here and there.

    ¡°So, you are tainted. Just not fully.¡±

    Pop.

    Swallow.

    ¡°Ah. That felt great.¡±

    A smile spread across my face as I looked up. The presence of eyes finally faded. My body ached. I couldn¡¯t feel its pain. But it was there. I could sense the constant brutal beating.

    ¡°Come.¡± One warden said.

    The gate opened.

    ¡°Yes. Yes. I¡¯m coming.¡±

    Why can¡¯t they just have names? It would make my life so much easier. Turning back, I stared at the pool of blood that seemed to freeze to the ground, staining the marble flooring.

    ¡°I hope to never see this place again.¡±

    They took my hands and placed them behind my back, escorting me back. The bars were no longer broken. Red streaks no longer lined the walls.

    Was it just my imagination? Was this a different cell? Or were the murders just a hallucination? If so, does that mean I can finally fall asleep?

    They opened the door and tossed me inside, locking me in.

    ¡°Enjoy your last fated night.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Sure.¡±

    ¡°Man, you really don¡¯t care.¡±

    I made my way to the back, where I sat down on the floor, hunched over.

    ¡°Maybe today...Will be the day.¡±

 Chapter 3

    Slowly drifting. That¡¯s what I felt. The only thing my body could feel. Consciousness slowly fading from my mind. Giant white clouds rolling through the sky. Sunlight poured through them. The wind ruffled my hair. Its smells calmed my senses. For a moment, everything was fine.

    But as if the calm came before the storm, black clouds quickly rolled in, swirling their way into the sub consciousness of my brain.

    Within moments, a loud scream jolted me. Sweat beaded down the sides of my face.

    Left.

    Right.

    Left.

    Alert. My pupils were wide-eyed as they laid in the center of dark rings.

    ¡°Again?!

    I knew it all too well. The same vision. It was the same vision, the same one every time I try. It drags me from the small blissfully moments of happiness. Anger and depression, are forcibly dragged from me.

    ¡°Dammit.¡± I mumbled.

    I have heard the screams of the raped.

    I have heard the screams of the tortured.

    I have heard the screams of the dead.

    Their voices never go away. They come to haunt me like everlasting nightmares. It is because of them that I can¡¯t sleep. I envision their faces, the deceased as their blood engulfs me, drowning me in the depths of hell. It bubbles and spills over the very walls that I am incased within. Their skulls bobble up and down within the thick fluids. They howl. They moan. Their voices never cease to fade. I hear them plead. I hear them cry. Their blood seems to never wash off. Its color won¡¯t ever fade. It blooms like a blood-rose as its thorns continue to prick and stab at my wounds, never letting them heal. No matter how hard I scrub, I can never atone for my sins.

    I let out a sigh.

    ¡°Why?¡±

    In this era, nothing was a secret. There was no escape. The rapid advancement of technology made sure of that. I looked down at the bracelet band that wrapped around my left wrist over neatly wrapped bandages. It really pissed me off feeling tagged.

    Location, heart rate, blood pressure, vitamin levels, anatomy structure, even doubts. Everything was known. Everything was understood. That¡¯s why I¡¯m here.

    A loud cranking sound emerged. The chains rose and fall, letting gears spin and fit into each other.

    ¡°Let the shift begin. In this living prison.¡±

    It just sounds better when anything inanimate turns alive. We were part of an experiment. An experiment that seemed to use the weak from humanity. Every night, cells would shift randomly. It made escape almost impossible. Well, almost. Cages that were empty the previous night were replaced with new specimens.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    Life here was never easy. It never has been.

    People struggle, we all have. I¡¯ve been willing to throw my life away. The scars on my back are still hot from the smelting iron being slowly forced into the soft flesh of my skin. It burns. I can temporarily feel the scarred X that aligns my back perfectly. They made me a piece of artwork to be auctioned up on the black market. Of course, no one bought me. Nerves no longer exist within me, except for the very tips of my fingers. Every last one of them has been withered away into the darkness of my blood. I can still feel the last remaining sensation of pain, from the tears that dripped down my eyelashes. My emotions are forever lost. Love, happiness, sadness, they have all been peeled away from my very existence. However, my body still screams in agony. My pseudo smile still remains, hoping that it is enough sometimes to warm the hearts of people.

    My dreams were once pure. They had their significance in the world before me. The ideals that followed these dreams were once righteous. They had meaning that could give blessings to something so grand. These so-called ideals were once so pure that they could put the smiles back on children. To help the people who couldn¡¯t stand on their own two feet, that needed the extra pillar of support.

    I wanted to be a savior to all.

    I wanted to be the king of a kingdom.

    I wanted to rule with an iron fist. but show the people that I had love and respect for them.

    The thought was childish. It was an ideal that one could think of as selfish and irresponsible. It came with a lack of knowledge. Knowledge that may have helped someone who understood what it meant to take responsibility for their actions and understand the consequences that may follow in suit.

    Maybe I wasn¡¯t old enough? Or maybe I was too na?ve to think every answer had an answer.

    Within my mind, I thought of myself as a king. I seem to believe that I had the power to change the world. I used to think that I could protect the world from the evil that lurked within the shadows. That I could stop the darkness from creeping up on the weak. For all that it was worth, that I could slow down the process of corruption. To eventually halt it in its tracks.

    ¡°I was na?ve. I¡¯ve led innocent people to their demise.¡±

    That¡¯s right. It was me who lead them to their deaths. They lied in the streets bleeding away. Hundreds behind me. Because of the war that I waged. People suffered because of me. Ideals fall apart someday. They will never become reality. That¡¯s what I¡¯ve been told. That is what I have witnessed.

    The world is constantly changing. It¡¯s revolving like the seasons that come and go. The revolver is always reloaded and someone from time to time has to bite the bullet. It doesn¡¯t show mercy to the weak. For some reason, it doesn¡¯t show mercy to the strong either. It¡¯s a sensation that brings pain to everyone at one point or another.

    Love, it knows no mercy. It does not stop for you or me.

    The train that I departed on was of some sort, different. Those years were the best of my life. The most that I could remember about my past.

    I wasn¡¯t pushed off.

    I didn¡¯t fall off.

    I didn¡¯t do anything to endanger anyone. Not the passengers, nor any of the people who provided service. The train that I was on, vanished. Out of thin air, it no longer existed. I hung in the air as the base beneath my feet was swept away like a rug.

    It felt like a dream, almost as if I was living a lie. That my reality crumbled within a dream itself. The person who I thought was always beside me was just an after-image in my thoughts. I soon came to terms to realize that no matter how I looked at it, she was really gone.

    I promised her happiness. A better life than the one we were living. Her words to this day never leave my thoughts as she died in my arms. It was the least that I could have done for her. Let me be the one to see her final breath. To be the one who watched the tears run down her face as she said her farewells to this cold-hearted world. It was this moment when my ideals changed. The day when the harshness of reality hit me. The physical manifestation of a bullet that would pierce right through my heart, severing all ties to the emotions that made us humans weak. The person who my world revolved around crumbled at the feet of my existence by the revolver and the wind would carry it to a world far away from home.

    The person who had to bite the bullet.

    That person was me.

    I am no longer the person who I think I used to be. My mind screams for a savior, not that I will admit it. Playing it off cool, as if I can live on my own without the thought of another. However, I need someone. My heart needs saving. It needs someone who can wipe away the tears. It wants to be held close so that it can feel the warmth of another. I am no longer the person that I wanted to become. The smile that comes across my face is but in my mind with blank emotions. I stand on the tracks at the cross-road waiting. I wait and wait for the day when it comes back. I believe as if these visions are real. Everything that intervenes with this notion becomes destroyed. My heart weighs itself on the scale of the world. The demon that has been locked away would be unleashed. Its presence was known to everyone and everything. My bloodlust eyes paved the way towards darkness. No one was safe. Friendships were torn. The bonds that once held us together now became nothing more than a distant memory. One voice constantly fills my head.

    ¡°Welcome back Wrath.¡±

    ¡°Wrath?¡±

    ¡°Welcome back into the world my greatest child.¡±

    It says the same thing over and over again on repeat.

    I want no one in life. The bodies pile up. The stench of rotting flesh cease to fade. I felt as if I was helping them in their own cause. The blood would never wash off. The pain that would develop in my heart would make me more human than I was to ever be. It would create an aura of depression that overcasts my entire being.

    The rain hardly ever stopped. It drenched me through, day by day. Year by year as sadness and grief flood around me. There was nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. All I could do was look up at the stormy clouds and accept everything for who and what I was.

    Somebody.

    Anybody.

    ¡°Please save me.¡±

 Chapter 4

    Light rarely settled here. By now it was something that I was quite used to.

    121 North LaSalle Street.

    That is my current address. I know they say not to give out addresses to strangers. However, we live in a new world nowadays. The date is somewhere within the year 2075. Time has changed everything. The world has become so deformed, so bleak, that its survival is unprecedented.

    This is the place that I will become executed.

    It was them who wanted an all-out war with our nations. If we could wipe ourselves out, it would become easier for them to pick off the rest.

    The weak.

    The traumatized.

    The oppressed.

    It was the perfect colonization tool. Using us, to get rid of us. No one understood their intentions. No one knew what they looked like. People thought that they looked like us, or so they thought. There was no evidence. The forensics weren¡¯t there. Our technology grew, but it wasn¡¯t for us. Our police academies turned into monsters. Darkness devoured their souls. Blood engraved within their minds. They became trained pit-bulls who exercised to kill. Who shot on command.

    Without control, we were ants moving around. They took their sweet time to slowly crush each and every one of us. They watched how we responded as we gasped for breath. There was nowhere to hide. We were inferior. This is what they wanted, right?

    War has never been an issue between nations. There has been plenty of bloodshed throughout human history. A push of a button is all it took. Just look at World War one and two. It didn¡¯t take much to fuel that fire, a couple mass murders and some important hostages and you have yourself a declaration of war. But what happens if you structured a war. If you planned everything. How it was going to begin? How it was going to end? The mortality rates? What happens if it was structured like a board game? A wager so large that was put on a single outcome. What happens if they bet on our civilization?

    Well, you would have to ask them that.

    With strife came remorse.

    With danger came fear.

    Loved ones fell on their knees before terrorists who acted like demons. Rage pumped within their blood. It coursed through their thin delicate veins. Humanity left their very being. We were the perfect specimen. Gun powder infested the air that we breathed. Blood stained the very hands that created our civilization. The hard-working eras such as colonialism and industrialism were destroyed in a matter of months. The next thing that came was; The Third World War.

    It was known as the ¡°Last War¡± or ¡°the bomb that could be heard around the world¡±. Mutations covered us. They scratched and crawled across our paved streets. Gas blinded millions or killed off the rest. We were infected, no one was safe. People tried to fight but couldn¡¯t. There wasn¡¯t anything to fight. We didn¡¯t have the forensics. It was a global holocaust.  The world burned red and blood stained the very soils that we harvested. Bones were the rakes to harvest our crops and the earth was our graveyard.

    Almost no one survived.

    The remains of bones, ashes that were caught in the fires and the bodies that were laid to waste were considered the plagued zone. Earth looked like hell. The crust burned brownish-red. It was the perfect atmosphere for them to flourish. Rich in nutrients. Fruitful in diseases.

    We would rebuild.

    They would help us.

    This was to make themselves stay unknown. They would help us regain what we thought was still ours. Another era in our history books. It was called the Reconstruction era. New cities emerged over existing ones in what used to be the United States of America. Ten so to speak. These came to be known as the Ten Great cities. Their walls built to be impenetrable. They were massive in size. No one could climb it without falling off. Others climbed it for that purpose alone.  Buildings seemed to reach towards the heavens. Skyscrapers rebuilt quickly, interlaced and connected to each other. No one knew why.

    There was two parts to every city. The slums and the needed.

    The slums were people who weren¡¯t needed. People who were of no use to them. They killed us whenever they wanted. No explanations were needed for cold blood murder. We were the poor, always scraping just to get by.

    The needed were hesitant to help us. For those that did, became one of us. They were the people who were to help them in their cause. Government officials, doctors, office workers, that was their employment.

    It seemed like a normal economy on the outside. However, on the inside, it was a whole different beast.

    Some see them as destroyers, enemies within our ranks. Others view them as heroes, worshiping them, saying that they created a peaceful place for us to live. Throughout history, we have come to know that peace comes with a price. Watched as a civilization, technology monitors the rights of our freedom. Security is above par, in fact, almost perfect. Slander of the government leads to charges of treason. Treason meant death. Death meant no escape. They made sure of that. Sometimes they let people escape but only for enjoyment. The enjoyment of pursuit, which became known as the hunt. Their hands reeked of blood. They didn¡¯t care if the bodies piled up. Who your family was. What your name is.

    Blood lined the streets. It was fresh. A new kind of fresh. The bodies of adults lay on the side of the abandoned roads who were no longer needed. The bodies of teens lay on the side of the abandoned roads who were no longer fit to be a part of the new world that was being developed. The bodies of children lay on the side of the abandoned roads who were seen with no future. They were murdered in broad daylight. Thrown on the side of the street like ragdolls. Birds would flock and pick at their young fresh meat, their beaks tearing them apart from the inside out. Their screams can still be heard, engulfing the night air as they were eaten alive.

    Nothing is ever the same, life is like a dynamic waterfall. The flame of freedom has wavered and died out.

    ¡°How is it as a race, that we are still alive?¡±

    The prison was always so quiet. Well for five minutes. A dead silence so serene and peaceful that it crept across the floor around me. But who was I kidding? Definitely not myself. For ten minutes, straight after the five-minute mark, screaming howls throughout our darkness.

    It used to send chills down my spine. I could only imagine what was taking place. Now, it was just whatever. I knew what was happening. There wasn¡¯t a need for an explanation because not every one of them was a cry for help.

    Hint.

    Hint.

    Those cries no longer reached my ears. They¡¯ve closed long ago. It reminds me of the needed walking down streets on their way to work in the morning, ignoring the massacre that took place overnight. They would turn their backs on the children and family¡¯s bleeding in the streets, ravaged by beasts.

    The wall behind me, it was made of stone, nothing out of the ordinary. A human could have broken through this easily one-hundred years ago with just a chisel and hammer, but with today¡¯s technology, it¡¯s been infused with something known as a reinforcement mineral. A mineral that could handle a thousand explosions, or so that¡¯s what we¡¯ve been told. I haven¡¯t tested it out yet, so I can¡¯t say that it¡¯s me-proof. It was more like, I didn¡¯t want to test it because causing a commotion would create work for myself. More work, meant more torture. I didn¡¯t necessarily feel like going down that avenue.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    ¡°However, it may make the prison a little livelier.¡±

    With one hand I reached out, pointer finger extended. My head cocked to the left, letting my eyes examine the blood that oozed from freshly new wounds.

    ¡°This sucks.¡± I said with a deep sigh. ¡°This lifestyle wasn¡¯t what I envisioned it to be.¡±

    My finger picked and scraped up some blood from a fresh laceration on my shoulder.

    ¡°If they are going to kill me, can they just do it already.¡±

    My ribs showed through a bunch of bandages that covered the majority of my body. Their outlines were prominent, protruding from the lack of nutrients. Someday I will starve. But honestly, they should be spurting in all directions.

    Oh, maybe it¡¯s time that I introduce myself. My name is Arius Ayers. I am a fifteen-year-old male student at one of the inner-city Chicago high schools. Well, I used to be. Since a certain incident that happened before I was old enough to enter middle school, I have been residing in what is known to be one of the most classified prisons of the remaining world. It¡¯s been four years, three-hundred and sixty-four days and trust me, its felt like an eternity. That¡¯s all.

    With the blood on the tip of my finger, I began to mark the wall.

    ¡°Another one. Another one. And another one. This will all end tomorrow. Well, hopefully. I¡¯m sick of being in this pathetic hell-hole.¡±

    For several moments, I stared at the blood. Little droplets fell as they made their way to the floor as others created streaks, drying slowly as they adventured their way down the sheer height of its stony features. Faces emerged to associate themselves with past memories. I reached out to touch the wall, but before I could, the tips of my fingers hesitated, hovering over the blood.

    ¡°Why?¡±

    I turned to press my back into the wall, drifting away in the darkness.

    ¡°The people I have killed. The people that I¡¯ve tried to save. In a matter of time, their faces will disappear into the shadows. Again, I will see you soon. I promise.¡±

    The gloominess of my voice bounced around with piercing strength, amplifying themselves into the faded world beyond. The sound of a door closing in the distance caught my ears. Footsteps replaced the quiet and serene atmosphere.

    A set of eyes peered inside.

    ¡°How¡¯s my favorite prisoner doing?¡±

    ¡°Huh? Oh. It¡¯s you. Just fine. How about you?¡±

    ¡°Why thanks for asking. You know, just enlightened.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s satisfying. I¡¯m glad that you are finally reaching the state of nirvana. May the light be with you.¡± I chuckled. ¡°Are you enjoying the likes of this place. This wretched place.¡±

    ¡°Of course, I enjoy it. After all, this is my home.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. I know. You don¡¯t need to boast about it every day.¡±

    ¡°Arius.¡±

    Whenever said something with my name, I knew something was about to go down. It didn¡¯t matter if the world was ending, if someone started a sentence with my first name, there was always trouble about to follow.

    ¡°Yes. What is it?¡±

    ¡°Your fight last night. It was pretty impressive. I must say, what style of martial-arts was is?¡±

    ¡°Martial-arts?¡±

    ¡°Yes. What else could it be?¡±

    ¡°An irregular form of fighting.¡±

    ¡°Maybe, but it has to be associated with a kempo school.¡±

    ¡°Why would it be kempo?¡±

    ¡°Kempo is the most common form.¡±

    ¡°So, let¡¯s say it was kempo, why would it matter if I told you?¡±

    ¡°No. I guess it wouldn¡¯t. Just curious.¡± He glanced at me from the corner of his eye. ¡°I was hoping you were going to tell me, but it looks like I¡¯ll never know now.¡±

    Kempo. I haven¡¯t heard that word in a long time. How many types of martial arts do I really know? All I know is that there are a lot.

    ¡°I guess you won¡¯t. But maybe one day.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a letdown. I was hoping for a little more of a reaction.¡±

    ¡°Like what kind of reaction?¡±

    ¡°Maybe we should fight so you can find out? Or would you like to taste my fist, no matter how absurd that is. There isn¡¯t a way you would be able to lay a finger on me. But something along those guidelines.¡±

    ¡°Oh. What¡¯s the weather like today?¡±

    ¡°Completely ignored the question. Arius. I have no idea. I haven¡¯t been out today because I¡¯ve been stuck babysitting your lame ass all day.¡±

    ¡°Remember, I never asked for a babysitter. It would be nice if I had a say in the matter, but I guess that¡¯s too much to ask for. Here I thought I was going to find out what it looked like today. But damn, its too much to ask for.¡±

    ¡°Why not go check it out for yourself. I can let you out if you want.¡± He said with a grin.

    ¡°You sure? I won¡¯t get in trouble?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Why not? No one¡¯s stopping you, well except me of course.¡± He gave a deep laugh. ¡°Well, you would have to tell me your secrets and beg for your life as I¡¯m kicking you in the face. But we all know you would never stoop to that level. Maybe you could find someone to let you out.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s not happening. There¡¯s no need for me to beg for my life here.¡±

    ¡°Oh. That¡¯s interesting.¡±

    I watched as turned back slowly, making his exit.

    ¡°Behave yourself. You never know who may come around next time to watch your ass. Hopefully they are in a good mood to let you out.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no need.¡± I mumbled.

    For a brief moment, time stopped. His eyelids froze, closed halfway, looking away. A split second later, I was placed beneath the sun, the star of fire. The scorching heat beat my body with battering rays. With one hand, I covered my delicate face. Skyscrapers circled around me, converging to a single point in the sky. The sunlight glittered off their glass paned sides while reflecting the hustle and bustle of city life. I kept forgetting how futuristic this city of Chicago had become. With a quick glance, I watched as frozen people seemed to make their way around, avoiding the dead bodies that lay in their wake. White doctor masks lined people¡¯s faces of all ages as to not breathe in the pollutants. Children ran through the streets avoiding cars as they seemed to honk at them endlessly. I looked to see a little girl, dead in the middle of an intersection. Her white dress covered in her own blood, limbs broken in different directions. The car that hit her, struck the side of a building. Glass seemed to fly everywhere, the husband dead in the front seat while the woman made her way to safety on the phone, throwing up signs as if to curse the child. No one seemed interested in helping her. Cops stood nearby watching, donuts stuffed in their mouths. Flocks of ravens began their descent, ready to rip out her organs.

    ¡°The circle of life in this wicked city.¡±

    Their reactions caught like a camera. Some stared in disgust. Others pinched their nose to avoid the smell. The difference between the slums and the needed were prominent. You can tell by their appearances alone.

    Who had influence and who didn¡¯t.

    The sun shone bright, not a single cloud dared to be near its radiance as if scared of being burned alive. Its crystal blue almost seemed to fade as if noting the atmosphere was dying.

    ¡°Well, I guess tomorrow will be a good enough.¡±

    A heartbeat later, my body lurched back into its cell, leaning back against the wall, witnessing as time slowly began to speed back up to normal.

    ¡°I just hope you begin your begging tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°And why would I start tomorrow?¡±

    He turned back to stare at my menacing gaze. ¡°Because it¡¯s going to be a great day.¡± He said with a huge grin.

    ¡°So. Tell me, warden. What exactly is going on? Coming to me when you aren¡¯t on your rounds. That¡¯s so unlike you.¡±

    He matched my challenging eyes. ¡°How would you know that im not on my rounds?

    ¡°How stupid do you think I am?¡±

    ¡°My. My. I guess you do have some brain cells left. And here I thought I kicked them all to the curb. But seriously, can¡¯t see a friendly prisoner of mine?¡±

    ¡°And when have I ever been caring and friendly to you?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right. You¡¯re pretty cold-hearted.¡±

    ¡°What are you doing out there?¡±

    ¡°Kidnapping. Assassinations. Murdering the youth.¡± An evil grin swept across his face. Pearly white teeth glistened in the low light. ¡°I love watching children beg for their life. Especially their mothers. It¡¯s because they become so protective that they are willing to exchange their life for their precious kin. Oh. How it makes my heart ache. I just want to slaughter them both.¡± He leaned as his grin got wider.

    ¡°Yep. You¡¯re crazy.¡±

    ¡°?Oh? And you¡¯re one to talk. Wrath.¡± The corners of his lips grew taller. ¡°The amount you kill exceeds anyone¡¯s here. You are pretty much a god in this cell compared to others. But, I guess gods can still be executed.¡±

    ¡°Wrath?¡±

    ¡°Wait, you don¡¯t know? Guess I shouldn¡¯t spoil the surprise then.¡±

    ¡°What does that mean? Is your boss really running out of time that he has to resort to my death?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s amusing. What makes you think of that?¡±

    ¡°For three years, I¡¯ve been intrigued. Thousands of faces, none have come back. What is your end game, Warden?¡±

    ¡°Kid. I don¡¯t understand.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t play dumb.¡±

    Menace swelled up in the center of my pupils shrinking them in size, focusing on his with high intensity.

    He pulled out a smartphone. A loud snap echoed. With one quick glance at his phone, he began to laugh uncontrollable.

    ¡°Wow, this is incredible. This reaction, it¡¯s so priceless. It may be the first time I have elicited a reaction out of you.¡±

    He showed me the picture of the hatred in my face.

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to create a collage for your death. I may even crave this very picture on your tombstone.¡±

    He put his phone back into his pocket, fixed his tie and repositioned his eyes to gaze back into mine.

    ¡°This is priceless.¡± He paused for a moment. ¡°Oh? And about the bodies, they will eventually make their way into the wasteland.¡±

    ¡°The wasteland and the city are the same thing.¡±

    ¡°Tsk. Tsk. Arius. No, they are not. The difference between the two are the kind of beasts that roam the lands.¡±

    ¡°Semantics.¡±

    ¡°Call it what you want.¡±

    ¡°Let me rephrase the question. What kind of experimentation are you trying to come up with this time? Why do you need our race?¡±

    ¡°So, you finally remembered? I was wondering how long it would take you to come back to your senses.¡±

    ¡°Remembered what?¡±

    ¡°Wait. You do remember, or you don¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°What is it that I am supposed to remember? Actually, I don¡¯t need to remember anything. I have a general idea as to why you need us.¡±

    ¡°Oh. That¡¯s interesting. But before that, how about I ask you a question first.¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°Would you be interested in making a deal?¡±

    ¡°It depends on the deal.¡±

    ¡°Join us? You are more like us than any of these infected rats.¡± I watched as he scanned his eyes around the other cells.

    ¡°True it would be interesting to see what your planning. Plus, you do seem to have the upper hand in controlling the masses.¡±

    ¡°Is that a yes?¡±

    ¡°But unfortunately, I have to decline.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°There aren¡¯t really any incentives.¡±

    ¡°You could¡¯ve had anything you wanted, that should be enough of an incentive.¡±

    ¡°Why should I be a subordinate for something I could easily obtain on my own?¡±

    ¡°And you really believe that?¡±

    ¡°You should know it yourself.¡±

    ¡°Well, whatever you say. You would have made a great ally to have.¡±

    I looked at him with an icy blue piecing gaze. ¡°But, your better as an enemy.¡±

    ¡°Well, there isn¡¯t any point in pressuring you. You¡¯ll be a dead man tomorrow anyway. However, I will let you in on something interesting.¡± His smirk turned into a snickering grin that showed both rows of teeth. ¡°These bodies are the hosts for what is yet to come.¡± They rolled off his tongue with ecstasy.

    ¡°Oh? That does sounds interesting.¡±

    ¡°Yes. Yes. Hold onto it for as long as you like, even in the afterlife where the dead can no longer speak. It may suit you well there after all.¡± He looked at me with ungrateful eyes.

    ¡°Is that why I am needed? Am I the center host?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s going to be a funeral no one will ever forget.¡± Taking a deep inhalation, I watched him blush with joy.

    ¡°Funeral?¡±

    ¡°You will make a fine specimen. A celebration of victory.¡± His tongue flickered around his lips.

    ¡°Victory? Please. Now it¡¯s my turn.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°How about we make a deal?¡±

    My pupils bore into his. For a moment, everything seemed to stand still. The breathes of people sucked in. Not a single murmur echoed.

    ¡°It better be good. Since you¡¯ve already decided to decline mine. Don¡¯t keep me in suspense, tell me.¡± He replied with a devil¡¯s smile.

    ¡°Would you put your life on the line to complete your obsession?¡± I glared at him with cold eyes. ¡°Are you one of those people?¡±

    ¡°Keep going.¡±

    ¡°Do you want to fight to the death with me?¡± I said with an evil grin.

    He pondered for several seconds on the idea, but there wasn¡¯t much to think about. His head cocked back and let out a great big laugh.

    ¡°Challenge accepted.¡±

    This is where it all began.

    Where the fury of revenge and hatred started its cycle within my blood once more.

    ¡°Rage on.¡±

 Chapter 5

    It was unexpected to see a warden accept the challenge of a prisoner. They were the type to work from the shadows. Guarding us was enough proof to be considered top-notch dogs.

    ¡°I guess some of them really do love fighting too.¡±

    I was itching to move, wanting to sink my fangs into his soul. I wanted to taste its juiciness. The taste that I haven¡¯t tasted for years.

    Two wardens stepped out from either direction of my cage. I looked at them curiously. How long have they been there? How much have they heard? The warden turned around as two more wardens stepped out of the shadows to stand behind him.

    ¡°Five wardens. Interesting.¡±

    The closest two, opened my cage, ushering me out. I crept my way into the lowly lit light immediately placing my wrists behind my back.

    ¡°Get it over with already.¡±

    A hand pushed me forward. ¡°Move.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± I said with disgust as I looked back over my shoulder.

    ¡°Move, I said.¡±

    ¡°Alright. Alright. Whatever. Someone must be having a bad day¡± I replied, shrugging my shoulders, removing my hands from sight into the depths of my raggedy pockets of my pants. ¡°It¡¯s not like I cared anyway.¡±

    ¡°You should be honored that he is fighting you as an equal.¡±

    ¡°Why¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°You are the first prisoner to have their challenge accepted by a warden. Not even the grand champion himself that you just beat had his granted. He wants to fight you on equal terms. Not that you will win, since he is the strongest among us.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s the strongest?¡±

    ¡°Yes, you will soon realize his strength.¡±

    Through the visible darkness, they escorted me to the arena, weaving in and around cells.

    ¡°Trying to confuse me since the changing already happened?¡±

    The long reaching lowly light florescent bulbs flickered in and out. Little black bugs kept hitting it. Most likely flies. They probably hoped that on the other side there was an escape.

    To my left, a small light caught my eye in the distance. Is that an exit?

    A shove pushed me forward.

    On instinct, my foot planted into the ground, my body stopped, snapping around. We looked at each other, face to face. A nasty look swept across mine as our eyes locked only a foot apart.

    ¡°I will kill you.¡±Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    It was only for a few seconds but felt like several minutes.

    ¡°Keep your head forward.¡± One of the wardens in front of me butted in disrupting the silence.

    ¡°Tsk. Whatever.¡± I looked down and grunted with annoyance.

    How did he know? He wasn¡¯t even looking back. I turned around, taking a step forward but to only be halted yet once more.

    ¡°We¡¯re here.¡±

    Giant doubled-doored gates loomed in front of me. Light flickered from the top as it filtered through the darkness, giving the arena a halo effect. Was it moonlighting? Maybe today will be the day where I finally find out. One warden pointed both index fingers towards the gate. With a quick motion, he separated his hands. The gates slid open at an alarming speed, creating a loud bang as the doors stopped ajar.

    Magic? Telekinesis?

    However, for him it seemed to require directly pointing to the intended objects. So, his magic seems to be incomplete. Well, it doesn¡¯t lack power like other users though.

    ¡°Step inside.¡±

    Without hesitation, I made my way up the five small steps.

    ¡°Neat, magic trick.¡± I said with a small grin. ¡°Maybe one day I can show you a better one.¡±

    ¡°Really now?¡±

    ¡°Jk. Jk.¡±

    The tips of my fingers tingled. Was this excitement? Or something of less importance?

    Chains sounded in the distance. A small shockwave swept through the entire prison, causing my pants and hair to ruffle. Gears could be heard, grinding and turning.

    ¡°Are they really shuffling again?¡±

    Small amounts of movement could be seen around me.

    The warden stepped into the ring from the other side as the gate closed behind him. All black, like every warden, whether they were male or female. Well, I guess I could say that they each had their own accessories that complimented their individual styles. For a moment, we locked gazes. I could see the seriousness within his burning eyes. Looking past him, I watched as two wardens stood at each end of gated doors, hands covered within their robes.

    Who would make the first move?

    ¡°Arius. I¡¯ve been waiting for this.¡±

    ¡°Oh?¡± I grinned a little as my eyebrows lifted pulling the lids of my eyelids, revealing slightly alert pupils. ¡°Why¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°Over these few years, I¡¯ve gotten the pleasure to watch you, studied you, but yet, I learned almost nothing. Your upbringing. Your past. Where you studied. What makes you tick. What drives you. Where your source of power comes from.¡±

    ¡°Creepy. You sound like a stalker.¡±

    ¡°In the discussions we¡¯ve shared, you barely speak. In the heat of your battles, nothing¡¯s revealed. Your secretive, hiding your true abilities. Maybe that is why our master is so interested in you.¡±

    ¡°So, what about it. Does this make me worthy to be your special specimen?¡±

    ¡°Yes. That is part of it.¡± He hesitated for a second. ¡°I know how you slip out of your cell every night.¡±

    ¡°Really? Then why haven¡¯t you stopped me?¡±

    He gave a dark smile. ¡°Where could you possibly run off too? There isn¡¯t a place on this planet that we couldn¡¯t find you.¡±

    I stood there in silence for a moment. He was right, there wasn¡¯t a single place to hide anymore. I could run forever and even that was limited. Air travel was only permitted to the needed and any individual who commits a crime instantaneously becomes part of the slums.

    ¡°Do you really enjoy watching this world?¡±

    ¡°No, I really don¡¯t care for it.¡±

    ¡°You know there¡¯s another?¡±

    ¡°Another what?¡±

    ¡°A world similar to this. A world where we soon will too conquer.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°I guess it doesn¡¯t really matter explaining it to someone who won¡¯t understand when they can¡¯t recall who they are. Tomorrow it¡¯s supposed to rain blood.¡±

    ¡°Is it? I guess the weather does change in short amount of times.¡±

    ¡°Ha, you fool. I would¡¯ve thought you were smarter.¡±

    ¡°Who said it would be my blood?¡±

    With one hand, I squeezed my stomach and looked down. I guess the worst-case scenario may happen soon enough. It¡¯s not that I felt fear, because I couldn¡¯t. I don¡¯t even feel empathy to those who make me suffer because of what may happen. I don¡¯t know exactly what it was, but all I knew was that it could never be released no matter what. At least that is what she told me.

    ¡°Right, mom? And here I thought I could finally die in peace. Dragging down this murderous intent with me. Hoping that they found a way to make the impossible, possible. But, I guess I can no longer do that.¡±

    My head tilted back as I looked over my nose at him as the skin pinched together.

    Saliva dribbled from the corners of his mouth. He looked excited.

    ¡°Your information was troublesome to find. No need to be ashamed. We all make mistakes at one point or another. Even professionals like myself have made mistakes. Ah¡­who am I kidding. I haven¡¯t made a mistake since the day I was created.¡± He licked his lips with excitement.

    ¡°Created? What does that mean? Is he not a demon?¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°Pick your weapon Arius. Anything you want. I¡¯ll be nice just this one last time, as the last face you ever see in your wasted life.¡±

    I took one of my hands from my pocket, reached my arm back and put up two.

    ¡°Two swords. The dullest ones possible.¡±

    ¡°Why settle, when you can have something much greater? Show us your true power. Arius.¡± He chuckled. ¡°Show us what it means to be Wrath.¡±

    ¡°Wrath?¡±

    ¡°Oh wait. You can¡¯t, can you?!¡±

    Both blades were handed to me through the iron bars.

    ¡°You¡¯ve lost that ability long ago. Haven¡¯t you.¡±

    They were light in weight, easy to redirect. However, this was cheap metal with low durability. I flipped both swords through my fingers showing a great sense of handiwork until they pointed downward.

    ¡°It¡¯s only a matter of time until that power rests in our hands.¡±

    They were what I was used too.

    ¡°I will have what is inside of you. Even if I have to tear you, limb by limp so that I can devour your dammed soul! This is for the Black Cross Alliance!¡±

    ¡°I have no idea what you are talking about. But, I thought I was the insane one. You have surely surpassed me in that category.¡± I murmured.

    He reached out his arm. I watched his extended fingertips, hovered with anticipation. His black glove shone within the light, the contrast between light and dark. An evil expression swept and took hold of his face.

    ¡°Watch closely, this only happens once in a lifetime, kid.¡±