《BY Light & Litany》


 Chapter 1 – Caged

    Lumen rubbed his leg. It hurt severely, stinging and throbbing. He had been injured by Nemarion Lion in a duel for his life. The elf had barely left the arena alive. His leg was torn open, a nasty gash stuck on his body, only hidden away by his bandage.


    He couldn¡¯t remember how long he had been here. He wasn¡¯t fit for this life, he knew that, but he was a servant of the coliseum. In reality, he was just another slave for the merchant lord who owned it and a source of entertainment for the crowd. Everything around him was colorless, thick with sweat, rust, dirt, and soot. He often dreamt of flower fields and the cute nymphs he used to coil with, a distant memory from an age long past.


    Lumen chomped on the stale bread in silence. His fingers trembled as he dipped it into the cup of water he had gotten, using it to soften his parched throat. Every bite was a cruel reminder that he was still kicking and that one of these days, maybe even today, he would get killed. He was trapped here. It had been years. His family, their faces, he couldn¡¯t remember them. His ribs ached as well.


    The door to his room opened, or rather, his cell. It was the manager, a subordinate of the lord of the coliseum. He came in with grinning teeth and jingling coin purses and threw them at him, it was probably copper coins not gold. Tthe magic control rod was hidden behind his back. One wrong move, and he would send Lumen into an electric coma.


    ¡°Oh, Lumen, you frail thing, your match is starting in a few moments. What are you doing, eating at an hour like this?¡±


    It was my first and only meal, you devil.


    The copper coins wouldn¡¯t get him much, as he had to buy his own medicine. That was how it was here. A survival game.


    ¡°B-but Mister Gaius, I just came from the battlefield. I¡­I¡¯m hurt.¡±


    He snapped his fingers. ¡°Chop, chop, elfy, or someone will be passed around the lower-ranked gladiator quarters tonight. I know how they look you, these starved animals.¡± He giggled ominously, rubbing his hands together.


    His long nose was in reach. It would only take a hop and a kick, and he could slit his throat with his dagger.


    Lumen tightened the linen around his legs and swallowed what remained of the stale bread. The humans¡ªhe hated them. He hated them all except two, two who treated him like a person. He was older than most of these mortals, yet they treated him worse than an animal.


    Lumen took his short sword and followed the merchant out the door.


    ¡°Come along, Lumen. The audience is becoming impatient. They want to see your little knife ears.¡±


    Lumen swore inwardly. One day, human, I will kill you.


    As they passed the waiting room, two big, burly gladiators called out to him. They were Torren and Ans. Two of his tormentors, thieves, and general scum.


    ¡°Well, well, well, looks like the show is going to get wild, Torren.¡±


    ¡°Lady? Not with those ears. Could cut off my knob with those,¡± Ans laughed.


    Lumen smiled. He was going to cut them in their sleep. Gaius yanked him by his ears.


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    ¡°Hurry up, you fool.¡±


    Lumen let out a moan, gritted his teeth, and stumbled onto the sand.


    He walked toward the center.


    The crowd was sparse today. At least he would have fewer fruits thrown at him. It took him a whole day to get the sticky stuff out. Lumen looked below him. The sand was dry and caked with red liquid. Blood from the previous fighter. Judging by the lack of organs, Lumen assumed he was still alive.


    Lumen stared up at the crowd. Their hunger remained the same¡ªunending and insatiable.


    He started looking around. Usually, by now, they would have released his opponent, yet Lumen could see nothing. Then, his ears heard a rustle. Little antennas stuck their heads out of the ground, causing craters to erupt as they emerged.


    He jumped backward and gripped his leg. The pain was catching up to him.


    Ironbone crabs.


    They were as big as dogs but built like little rusted iron doors. They moved in unison, armored chitin clicking and clinking. They chipped all over the sand as they scuttled closer like a small troop. He could hear laughter from the crowd as he retreated.


    He glanced at the crowd. They could be annoyingly distracting.


    Lumen moved once again. Then they reacted. Sharp legs skittered, and their pinching claws snapped at his legs.


    The first crab lunged at him, its pincers clamping onto his shin guards, testing how far they could plunge. Another came from the rear, slamming itself against the blade he held out protectively like a shield. Its shell was penetrated, but the creature managed to slither out of the metal of his blade.


    The crowd roared from afar at his struggle. He saw the manager approach the crowd, watching with a nasty grin before tossing something at him. Something that smelled horrible. Something raw, like animal meat.


    The crabs responded in a frenzy.


    Lumen staggered backward, barely dodging a claw aimed at his injured leg, threatening to chomp off his femur and snap at his toes. The creatures learned fast that they could overwhelm him.


    Lumen cursed. It would be so simple if his mana flowed adequately. But the [Core] of his mana was fractured. It hadn¡¯t worked properly in a long time. He could drain mana from the air, but it would hurt without his [Inner Core] to stabilize him.


    The elf did his best to evade. He had managed to splinter and ruin one crab. However, there were still six left. It would be so easy to give up, to succumb¡ªbut he kept fighting.


    ¡°You can do it, Lumen,¡± a voice came from the stands.


    He turned and dodged.


    ¡°Lady Ysella!¡±


    Yes, I can. I can do it for her.


    Lumen shivered, and then¡ªfor a brief moment¡ªsomething awoke in him. A spark of mana and light. He focused inward.


    ¡°Mana Burst!¡± he shouted on command. A reddish aura envelopedhim, strengthening his body.


    He pivoted, moving to the side. The next crab lunged at him. He stepped towards it, twisting his blade under its carapace, cleaving through it, forcing the rest of the crabs to back away and reevaluate.


    More came at him. He parried them all. Slashing, stomping, and kicking. Blood, thick and dark, painted his legs as pieces of their chitin littered the sand.


    He turned his back. One last crab remained standing.


    Larger than the rest.


    Its shell had a different color, almost tempered like hardened iron. Every strike he made¡ªeven with the mana burst transformation coating him in magical aura¡ªdid nothing. His blade started to crack. It would wear and tear soon.


    The thing snapped at him, and he vaulted over it, circling and kicking it forward. Pain flooded his chest, and he heaved. His vision started darkening. [Mana Burst] had taken too much of him. His body was a mess. He didn¡¯t know how long he could keep going without recovery.


    The creature turned its back and leaped at him. Its pincer pressed into his calf, and he screamed.


    Pure agony.


    Flesh tore from his body, bones grinding under pressure.


    A scream ripped through his throat as he forced his weight onto the oversized crab, shoving his blade into its head and driving it inside its lower eye socket. Again, and then again.


    Then it stopped twitching.


    The arena erupted in cheers¡ªif you could call them a crowd, even.


    Lumen stared at his leg. His wound had reopened. The nasty gash bled. They expected him to be victorious. Instead, he felt hollow, like a corpse.


    He fell to the ground, succumbing to his wounds. His face meeting the sand.


    Footsteps ran toward the center. Gladiators hauled him up in the air, carrying him back into the training quarters. He didn¡¯t resist them. He couldn¡¯t. His eyes closed, and he fell asleep.


    The last thing he heard was someone from the crowd calling out his name.


    ¡°Lumen!¡±

 Chapter 2 - Respite

    Lumen lay numb on the wooden bed frame, his body aching severely. The wounds from battling the crab pulsed and throbbed. He tried keeping his breath steady, but the pain and adrenaline were suffocating. He drew breath like a piston.


    A man wearing an overly tight white robe stepped into the room and immediately dropped to his knees. It was Evander, a fellow gladiator relegated to healing the population of the Colosseum, one of the few people Lumen trusted. Enough to call him brother or brother-in-arms.


    His hands reached for the bandage covering Lumen¡¯s leg, and he immediately ripped it off.


    ¡°Argh!¡± Lumen gritted his teeth as the man tended to his wounds. His hands pressed against the sides of Lumen¡¯s leg, and a glowing aura left his fingertips, fizzling in the air.


    ¡°Hold still, Lu!¡± Evander warned, his voice low, almost growling. His hands were warm against bare skin. Then a chilling sensation enveloped Lumen¡¯s leg, and the wound slowly started to close. His flesh knitted together, and the bleeding stopped. The pain almost disapearing.


    It was a magic spell called [Healing Surge], an act of intense mana manipulation. Though spells were typically used by mages and the like, Evander had picked it up while tending to his own wounds on an adventurer¡¯s excursion.


    Lumen used to be able to do magic, until he couldn¡¯t. He couldn¡¯t remember when that happened. One day, he just didn¡¯t. The next, he was here, naked in chains.


    ¡°T-Thank you, Evander,¡± Lumen croaked out.


    ¡°Honestly, Lumen, you need to stop conforming to the death battles. Retreat if you have to.¡±


    Lumen shook his head. ¡°No. I¡¯d rather die than be lashed in humiliation. The torturer stares at me sometimes¡­ a little too much.¡±


    The torturer stared at him as if he was Fae-Elk, it was uncomfortable, even willing to go easy on him. Which was weird.


    Evander sighed and turned his head. Footsteps approached. A half-bald face appeared in the doorway.


    The manager, Gaius. He was smirking, holding a large glass jar with a very big needle at the tip. Then he approached Lumen, who did not resist but bared his shoulder to the rat of a man. Gaius didn¡¯t hesitate or care one bit. The needle pierced Lumen¡¯s skin, siphoning away the mana he had obtained by slaying the crabs.


    He winced, biting his lips.


    It was a practiced motion and a necessity to keep the fighters of the arena stagnant, so they did not grow too strong. A year ago, one such madmen of a gladiator hid his mana, and cultivated on night, he overwhelmed the guards. Fled never to be seen again. Perhaps. He should do the same?


    ¡°Almost forgot the quota, my elf boy,¡± the manager said, his tone smug. ¡°Can¡¯t have you getting stronger again.¡±


    Lumen clenched his fists as his life force was drained and stolen away. He watched as his mana swirled in the translucent jar, his own earned power taken. A mental flash interrupted his thoughts.


    [Core Weakened]


    Evander¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°That¡¯s enough, Gaius, or would you have me splatter the contents of your head on the floor?¡±


    Gaius laughed. ¡°Oh, please, Evander. We both know how that would end for you. Me? I¡¯m just doing my job. Fall in line.¡±


    Evander backed away. But his hands remained firm on his gladius. The gladiators, the strong ones like Evander they could make demands. The threat of rebellion against the overlord dogs was a scary prospect.


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    The manager pulled the needle jar from Lumen, smiled as he stared at the blue swirling contents, humming as he strode out of the room. There was still excess mana left in him. Uncontained mana tended to strain any fighter. He¡¯d prefer to cultivate, but he didn¡¯t have a lot of choices.


    ¡°Slavery. They can call it what they want. It¡¯s inhumane. And one day, this land will see men freed from their chains, and the drums of liberation will rage as their corpses hang in the streets. One by one by one.¡±


    Lumen spoke, a little at ease. Evander was kind to him¡ªwouldn¡¯t hurt him like the others did. They had a sympathetic cause. ¡°I never took you for a poet, Evander.¡±


    Evander gave him a warm smile. ¡°I know you think the same. You¡¯re just too timid to admit it.¡±


    Lumen said nothing, looking down at the ground, a pained expression on his face.


    Elves were either seen as pure beings or animals, depending on the enlightenment of the civilization. Rhomia, however, was a complicated state. People here didn¡¯t judge one on one¡¯s race but rather on one¡¯s value. Though it was human-dominated, an exotic elf made for a fine tourist attraction. He had known long enough where he stood with these fools. And they would bleed for it. He swore.


    Evander kneeled beside him, speaking softly but firmly. ¡°You did well out there, Senior Lumen.¡±


    ¡°Senior?¡± Lumen looked at him strangely.


    Evander gave a hearty laugh. ¡°You really are forgetful sometimes. You taught me how to fight in the field. You don¡¯t remember? I was wild a bloody bandit, before we started dueling.¡±


    Lumen frowned. Was his mind really that messed up? He couldn¡¯t recall any of it. His memories were like the rain¡ªit came, then it went again. And sometimes, it came back.


    ¡°You really don¡¯t remember?¡± Evander asked, exasperated. ¡°You were a monster on the battlefield. A devil. That was years ago.¡±


    Lumen¡¯s fingers twitched.


    That couldn¡¯t be, could it?


    There had to be a reason for his stagnant amnesia.


    ¡°Anyway,¡± Evander¡¯s face hardened. ¡°We¡¯ll speak about it tomorrow. You should take a bath. We can spar in the morning. You seriously don¡¯t remember?¡±


    Lumen¡¯s gray brows furrowed together. ¡°No. And I don¡¯t want to deal with it now.¡±


    Evander nodded.


    Patience was the key here. His opportunity would come around.


    Remove the collar when he got the chance. Cultivate enough mana to fix his damaged core. Escape with his life. Live out in the wilderness. The trees, the tall grasses. Then find his way home.


    Did he even have one?


    He turned to Evander. ¡°About that bath. Is the public bath vacated?¡±


    ¡°Mostly, although I did see a few members from the female division sneak inside. Want to take a tour?¡± He winked. ¡°You know you want to see them in their prime, sweaty bodies being washed in the water.¡±


    Lumen blushed and shook his head. ¡°No, no, I can wait.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, I¡¯m sure they¡¯d let you in. You look like one, after all. They¡¯d let it slide, me I¡¯ll be kicked out or worse.¡±


    ¡°Do I really?¡±


    Evander smiled. ¡°Of course. If it weren¡¯t for how you plunge a blade into your enemies, I¡¯d even call you cute.¡±


    ¡°Okay. That¡¯s enough¡±


    <hr>


    Evander led him to the baths, it was the one luxury they could revel in inside these hellish games of the humans. Lumen stuck his toes into the water, getting a feel for it. The water was warm, clear, and inviting. Steam rose in the room; it doubled as a sauna.


    Lumen undressed himself. He wouldn¡¯t need the bandages thanks to the healing. But healing was a luxury he wasn¡¯t afforded every day. He slipped into the water. Kicking his feet. His back was scarred, and his skin was delicate. No beating had disfigured him.


    He exhaled, closing his eyes. Letting the tension fade, the exhaustion started to creep through, waiting for him to change. He ran his hands through his hair and noticed Evander watching him. His gaze lingered a moment just too long before turning away. Lumen was too drained to care, or perhaps he even enjoyed being admired from afar.


    He needed to focus on his working memory. He needed to remember. Furthermore, he earned mana from every beast he slew. A portion of it was always extracted by the management crew. Gaius hadn¡¯t drained all of it. Some of it remained.


    He needed to [Meditate], internalize the power.


    He breathed in deeply, in and out, letting his body relax further. Lumen closed his eyes, reaching inward toward the fractured core of his. The excess mana stirred, sluggish like a river uncontrolled. His center was a dam, and he needed control. Lumen pushed it inside, strengthening it. It closed, just a bit.


    And then it drained him. Too much. Too soon. He wasn¡¯t ready yet. He lulled his head back against the tub, his breath becoming ragged.


    Not yet. He required more time. Tomorrow, he would have a good time. A very good friend of his would visit. As she always did.

 Chapter 3 - A Taste of Something Else

    The courtyard was bathed in the light of the afternoon sun. Warm red stone, loose dirt, and the distant smell of meat being cooked hung in the air. Lumen and Evander¡¯s swords clashed; every time their blades met, metal chimed and sang as they moved in a dance of death.


    Sweat beaded on Lumen¡¯s shoulders. His breath was controlled, but irregular, Evander was much taller than him, stronger in every way, athletically faster. There should be no reason to believe the fight would end in Lumen¡¯s favor


    Yet Lumen persisted. His brain called out to his hazy past. Quick, light, and nimble. He shifted his footwork, if he couldn¡¯t get through Evander, he would have to go around. He twisted as Evander¡¯s heavy-handed strike threatened to tear him down. Then, with a sharp parry and a kick to the gut, Lumen disarmed Evander, sending his blade rattling against the stone of the courtyard.


    Lumen exhaled, smirking. Perhaps he wasn¡¯t as weak as he had believed.


    Someone started clapping, slow, deliberate, and drew their attention. Evander grumbled but conceded, running a hand through his damp hair. They both turned to look at the newcomer.


    A red-haired woman spoke, her tone indulgent and suggestive. ¡°Very impressive, my little Lumen.¡±


    Lady Ysella stood in the shade, watching them with amusement. She wore a navy blue stola that clung to her body, the soft fabric teasing her curves and accentuating her large breasts. She walked with a steady pace, her leather sandals laced up her toned calves. Every movement made Lumen stir.


    From her pocket, she pulled out two fruits¡ªsome dark kind of pear, native to Rhoamia. They shone under the light of the sun. Lumen¡¯s throat was dry. It was¡­ alluring.


    ¡°A present for Evander the Unrelenting.¡± She tossed one to his brother-in-arms. Then tossed the remaining fruit to him. Lumen bit at it, watching as Evander fumbled, flustered. Blushing at the sight of the woman, he nearly let the pear fall to the floor.


    Silly fool.


    Evander kneeled, took her hand, and kissed it. ¡°My lady.¡± He turned to Lumen, who stood a bit uneasy.


    Ysella¡¯s gaze settled on Evander. ¡°I have some catching up to do with my elven friend. You wouldn¡¯t mind, would you?¡±


    Evander shook his head. ¡°Of course not, Lady Ysella.¡±


    With a wave, Evander strode off. He eyed Lumen one more time before he left. There was a glint of something in his eyes. Jealousy, perhaps. He wouldn¡¯t put it past his friend. Lumen shifted as Ysella¡¯s gaze stopped on him. A sense of warmth enveloped him. Her scent¡ªshe smelled of rare wines and something rich and meaty.


    She is meaty.


    Her arms wrapped around him.


    ¡°You look better,¡± she purred. ¡°But still so small for me. Come here.¡±


    She pressed his face into her breasts. They were large, soft, delicate. She held him there, her stola threatening to spill as she squeezed tight, the heat of her body sinking into him. He tensed, his face burning red, his pale skin flushed.


    She laughed at the sight, but let him go.


    ¡°Tell me, how have you been without me?¡± she asked, brushing her fingers along his neck and cheek. She played with his grey hair, then stuck a finger into his mouth, keeping it there and making him suck on it. Then she pulled it out slowly.


    A sensual display, she loved to tease him and touch him.


    He finally answered. ¡°Horrible. I¡ªI might try and flee earlier than planned.¡±


    Ysella hummed. She wasn¡¯t surprised. The ¡®inhumane¡¯ behavior of the humans toward him was maddening and frustrating. She reached into her sash and pulled out a small, black metal coin, Rhoamian script etched into it.


    ¡°I¡¯ve arranged a special day for us. For today. You¡¯ll be free, for a little while. And should I not satisfy you, my maids are eager to assist you,¡± she teased him.


    He hesitated.


    She did this often, paid a price to collect him for a day or two, offering patronage and food when the coliseum would misuse him. Freedom was dangerous. Even a day or two of leisure could make him ill-prepared for tomorrow. But who knew? Perhaps tomorrow wouldn¡¯t come.


    Ysella watched as he decided. He nodded.


    Her smile deepened. She gave him a little kiss on the cheek, then one on his neck. Then she grabbed him by the arms and started running out of the training grounds.


    As they passed the other gladiators, frowns and death stares were sent his way. Two assholes in particular¡ªone of them spat on the ground. Lumen kept his head low.


    The streets below the hilltop were alive with movement. Merchants and street sellers bustled, miniature humans weaved through the crowds, and every smell imaginable stewed in one spot.


    Lumen pressed closer to Ysella¡ªhis mistress, his caretaker. The human stares were predatory. Some were curious, but all looked at him like he was alien. Ysella stopped near a plump woman¡¯s stall, staring at the dresses on sale. The woman¡¯s eyes roamed over Lumen with a smirk, then she called to him.


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    "An elf cinaedus, how strange."


    Lumen didn¡¯t know what that word meant. But Ysella tightened her grip on him, as if to say: he is mine. She pointed at a blood-red stola. The fabric was soft and airy, draping as it hung. ¡°I want that for him.¡±


    The woman nodded, and Ysella slapped his butt as she pushed him inside a covered area. ¡°Go try it on. And remove those dirty sandals¡ªyou¡¯ll go barefoot for the rest of the day.¡±


    Lumen grunted, uncomfortable. But he couldn¡¯t resist her command. Alone in the changing spot, he slipped on the fabric. Its silk was unfamiliar against his skin. He adjusted it, folding it properly in place, then glanced at a long glass mirror.


    A stranger stared back at him.


    No. Not a warrior. Not a gladiator. But an elf. A soft. Feminine. Elf with light gray hair and red eyes.


    ¡°Weird,¡± he said to himself.


    As he stepped out, both Ysella and the merchant lady smiled at him.


    ¡°Perfect,¡± Ysella murmured, her eyes flickering. ¡°You¡¯d think you were one of my exotic servants.¡±


    She plucked his training tunic from his hands, bundled a few coins inside, and tossed it at a nearby beggar.


    "You won¡¯t be needing those anymore."


    ¡°Wait, Lady Ysella, that¡¯s the coliseum¡¯s property, I¡¯ll be¡ª¡±


    He¡¯d be lashed for it. And for a long time.


    She held up a hand. ¡°I will get what I want. Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll get you new clothing. Maybe armor. Maybe a new sword.¡±


    He sighed. But didn¡¯t swear, she just didn¡¯t really understand what he was going through.


    They started moving again, stopping at a sweet''s shop. Honeyed pastries were on display, soft candied fruit, strange puffy balls from the eastern side of the world.


    "Pick whatever you like," she said.


    She took a basket off the stall and handed it to him.


    The shopkeeper stared at him warily, then turned to Lady Ysella. ¡°She has pointy ears. She doesn¡¯t bite, does she?¡±


    Ysella giggled. ¡°No, she does not.¡±


    She?


    When the basket had been filled and coins were exchanged, she watched with amusement as he started nibbling on a small fruit. Like he was some critter out on display. They moved once again.


    A stroll through the city incensed a sense of normality in Lumen. He felt free of his burdens. Ysella never once let go of his hand.


    Her villa was quiet from the outside. There were fewer merchants, fewer guards, fewer servants tending to the place. Just rustling wind and the sound of the running fountain caught his attention.


    ¡°Where are your servants, Lady Ysella? Did something happen?¡± Lumen asked, curious.


    She shook her head. ¡°No, I lent them to the governor of the city. They needed laborers and manpower for the upcoming festival. Why do you ask? Was there a particular servant you spotted? I know you like the ones with the round butts, I¡¯ve seen you, you lech.¡±


    Lumen¡¯s cheeks turned red again. The woman was affluent when it came to sensual matters¡ªshe swung into sexual matters, and she made him swing too.


    They passed the entrance guards, who greeted her with a salute, and entered the garden. Settled under a large tree¡ªits leaves wide enough to cover a building with its stature. Lumen felt strangely nostalgic near the tall tree. It was also strange to call it a garden when it was more like a partitioned-off forest that Lady Ysella possessed.


    On the blanket next to them were various foods¡ªwines, cold-cut meats, and small delicacies. It was an extravagant affair, every time they met up. Or rather¡­


    Lumen had a strange, intrusive thought.


    She was overly nice to him, cared for him when no one else did. Was it because she was attracted to him? Was it because he was an elf? Was it because she wanted to use him?


    She flicked a finger in his face.


    ¡°Hey, pay attention to me.¡± She said pouting and blowing her lips.


    She took his hands, holding them together.


    "Tell me a story," she prompted. "Something from your home."


    Lumen swallowed. It shouldn¡¯t have been a difficult request¡ªhe was from the great forest to the north, the land of¡­ the land of what?


    Fuck!


    His memories were slipping from his grasp, and he didn¡¯t know why. He tried recalling as best as he could, forming pictures, tying words to a concept. Planting imagery to be merge with an association.


    "I¡­ had a sibling, I think. We didn¡¯t listen to our parents," he said slowly. "We went past the boundary once. Outside the protected zone. And I¡­ I¡­" He stopped, clutching his head. It ached.


    A flicker of a scene¡ªtrees stretching endlessly in twilight, the smell of damp, wet earth. A shadowy figure loomed over him. An orc with tusks as long as knives. An intruder? A barbarian? A savage? A murderer?


    Blood. Splatters of blood and limbs.


    Lumen stopped. He started breathing heavily.


    "I don¡¯t remember," he whispered. "I don¡¯t remember much these days. Something is wrong with me."


    Ysella wrapped her arms around him before he could react, pulling him closer. Her fingers stroked his hair, her warmth grounding a small part of him.


    "Shh," she whispered, lips brushing his temple. "It¡¯s alright."


    Her scent surrounded him, enveloped him, made him a part of her. They had made a promise once. He couldn¡¯t understand.


    ¡°Soon, you¡¯ll be free,¡± she murmured in his ear. ¡°There¡¯s a new law coming soon, a month from now. I¡¯ve already made preparations to have you move here, to stay with me, and with me alone.¡±


    Her words sank into him, soft and heavy, like a warm bath. She brought something to his mouth¡ªa liquor of some sort.


    ¡°Drink this. It calms you, eases stress. Balicot wine from the middle islands. People drink it there like medicine.¡±


    Lumen opened his mouth as pushed the wine cup to his lips, feeding him like he was hers.


    His fingers tightened on the fabric of her stola.


    One month.


    Could he bear it?


    He stared at the sky.


    The sun started setting, casting them in shades of orange, red, and purple.


    Ysella continued to hold onto him, her touch lingering, teasing at his edges¡ªsomething unspoken between them. She was losing her dress, and her hands worked into his. He didn¡¯t move. He didn¡¯t trust himself to say anything. He knew he should resist. He should question her motives.


    But instead, he only breathed in the warmth of her body and thought¡ª


    Maybe he could endure a little while if it meant she would endure him.

 Chapter 5 - Rigged Match

    Lumen sat cross-legged in his Spartan room. It was dimly lit, and the door was locked from the inside so he would not be disturbed by anyone. His hands were folded, and his eyes closed. His body tingled with energy, and a bluish aura surrounded him.


    Manifested energy.


    Every breath he took, small fractured bits of mana enveloped his [Weakened core]. He was attempting to knit it closed, the corrupted core that resided within him. Why did it break? He did not know. When did it start breaking? He couldn''t remember. And yet, something was off this time, as he tended to mend it. Something about fixing it now was strange.


    A flicker of a memory graced his head. He was staggering through the wilderness, running from something. Out of food and water. No energy left. His body battered and broken. It was a golden field. Something was chasing him. Something that could fly¡ªperhaps a great eagle, or maybe, yes, something scaly like a dragon. He came to the border, and then... he was wrapped in chains.


    His thoughts were interrupted.


    A knock on the door, repetitive and wrathful. The person at the door smelled like cheap liquor and fried dough. It was the manager¡ªwho else was drinking excessive amounts of beer daily?


    "You''re fighting in a moment!" His words cut through his tranquility like a heavy dagger, loud and disruptive. A pestilence. "Are you in there, you little twink? You''ll be fighting Toren. And here''s the catch: I know you can beat him, but I don''t want you to. I''m raking in hundreds of gold coins, and I do not want you to win."


    He slammed the door one more time. "You hear me, you fucking elf? I''m giving you half an hour to get out here, or there will be whippings and lashings."


    Lumen gritted his teeth. The rat bastard. One of these days, he would cut his throat.


    The man stepped away, his footsteps heavy as he went down the corridor. Lumen didn''t relax until he left. Another day, another fight. Fighting to lose was even harder than fighting to win. He had to ensure that he wasn''t killed in such a maneuver. The gladiators were a wild and ruthless bunch.


    But what choice did he have?


    Lumen gripped his new long blade. A fine gift it was indeed. He took his whetstone across the steel, sharpening it just a little bit further and further. If he couldn''t stab Toren, he would have to cut him, weaken him.


    Lumen stood up, swinging the blade around. How long was he going to be willing to bend his knees? The end of the month? Wait for Yssella to rescue him? No, that would be foolish. Something...


    It was stirring within him, and the longer he remained caged in this place, the longer he would draw himself to death.


    "Let''s get this over with."


    *******


    Lumen stood in front of his barbarous opponent. Taking in the view, there were a lot more people today. Strangers of all sorts. Some foreigners by the dressing of their clothing. All here to gawk at people being harmed for entertainment.


    They were a sick bunch, or was it simply a human custom to see other''s suffer for the thrill of it. How many of the fools up their could even fight.


    Toren put his foot down hard, kicking sand his way. Lumen coughed as he waved the sand away. The bald man laughed. "I''m going to love making you squirm, you knife-ear."


    Lumen remained silent and calm. If he let the brute take hold of his mind, he would end up losing his temper. Toren approached, bringing down his battle axe in front of Lumen. The crowd roared. Lumen bared his arm slightly, just enough that it would make an open wound. His blood splattered on the floor, coating the sand crimson.


    Toren swung again, bringing his sword down to meet Lumen''s blade. Lumen parried but was sent slightly backward due to the man''s overwhelming strength. It was a good thing Toren didn''t concentrate his mana, if the fool even knew how to do that. Or Lumen would be in a predicament.


    Lumen struck at the overlarge fiend, jabbing his arm slightly. Toren backed away as Lumen started an assault, then spun around and brought his axe in a circular formation.


    "Is that all you got, whelp?"


    Whelp? Whelp! No. Lumen was old, older than this boy in front of him. He was ancient, older than every human that stood here, and yet he was treated with improper respect. He would show them. He would show them.


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    Lumen focused on his mana. He absorbed the blow from the beast man. The blow pressured him, but his mana compensated, stunning the giant. Lumen saw an opportunity. As the man''s heavy axe was in the process of being raised, Lumen struck his blade out like a pointy rapier. The blade jabbed just above the man''s heart.


    Cheers erupted from the crowd as he tore into the man. He swore he heard his name being uttered at least once. There were more encouraging cheers for the man in front of him. "Toren, Toren."


    He stepped back away. His eyes turned bloodshot red. "You little bastard, I''ll show you."


    The bald man started raging. He grabbed the axe in both hands, then started swinging it like a whirlwind. Wish-wish. The bloodthirsty crowd encouraged his enthusiasm.


    Lumen wondered. If he won by accident, would he be punished severely? There were fools in the crowd who expected him to lose. Fools who bet their life savings on such a frivolous thing. He''d spare them this once, but Toren would get a nasty slap on the ass.


    Something shifted inside of him. A memory, a flicker of an idea. Lumen''s stance changed as the whirlwind of axes came at him. Mana flooded his feet, his footwork lightened. He felt nimble, like the wind. A skill he had long forgotten.


    [Mana Step]


    It would enhanced his speed greatly, propell him to greater heights.


    As he pressed forward to counterattack, he slid underneath the area of effect, kicking Toren''s legs, making the man lose momentum. The axe was sent flying, and the beast tripped. He stood over him as the crowd erupted in boos and awe.


    The manager called out to him from the nearby stand. "Lumen, what the fuck are you doing?"


    Right, he was supposed to lose. Time to get on that track again.


    Lumen sighed. More memories flooded in him. He was in a forest, eating fish, catching fish, with someone¡ªa lover of a bygone era, an elf, much like him. It ate at him that he couldn''t recall any of it.


    And yet, this was the wrong time to focus on it. Lumen dropped his sword, seemingly damaged by the whirlwind. He fell to his knees, feigning defeat. Hands grasping the sand, and like the sand that slipped away, so too did he feel his life was.


    The crowd erupted in triumph and cheer.


    "Toren! Toren! Toren!"


    Toren stood up and let out a war cry. He stepped towards the kneeling elf and raised his fist, then slammed it into his face. Lumen was sent flying to the ground. The bald man was unsatisfied, and he started running, grabbing Lumen mid-air, pressing hard. Lumen''s head collided with the ground, then Toren swung Lumen and threw him against the barrier.


    The manager stepped in.


    "Enough, you big oaf. You''re done."


    Lumen groaned in pain and cradled himself together. His limbs were sore; something broke again under the onslaught. Now, he just had to wait. Blood leaked from his nose, thick and red.


    "I''m not satisfied!"


    The manager was surrounded by several guards. "You can''t kill him, he makes me good money, you fucking ogre. Get in line, you won''t."


    Toren spat on the ground, then announced loudly, "I''ll gut you in your sleep. Or maybe I''ll do worse." He started cackling. Then walked away after leaving his ominous message behind.


    Lumen struggled to stand up. This humiliation needed to end soon. Lumen seethed as they dragged him away from the coliseum. The guards threw him in the healer''s chamber, where Evander was currently on duty. Lumen would lie to say he wasn''t jealous. Evander didn''t have to fight so much because he could do healing magic, which made him a precious resource for the lord of the coliseum, whom they never saw, strangely enough.


    The door closed behind them. Lumen clenched his fists together and started shaking. Something dark whispered inside of him, something that was asking him to kill and kill and kill.


    Evander took him by the arms, gentle and caring. "Come on, senior, let''s get you fixed up."


    "What if I don''t need your healing, Evander? I''ll be fine." Lumen shouted.


    "You''re angry. Take a moment, to breath, then let me fix you up."


    Lumen didn''t respond. The battering and the abuse hurt him more than anything else. His rage was set aflame. Toren, the manager, the humans, the lord of the colliseum, they needed to pay.


    "Next time, I won''t kneel. Not for them. Not for anyone."


    Evander put his hands on Lumen''s shoulders and whispered in his ear, voice low, "What if you don''t have to?"


    "What?" Lumen was surprised; it wasn''t like Evander to whisper.


    "You hate this, don''t you? What if it never had to happen again? What if you could leave tomorrow? For a better place, maybe."


    "What are you on about?"


    "I heard rumors that tomorrow¡­" He paused, looking to see if Lumen was paying attention. "A very powerful noble will be visiting."


    "So what, more fighting for their entertainment?"


    "No, I heard she''s looking for exceptional fighters, exotic ones. If you could prove your worth, you could leave¡­"


    "She?"


    "A foreigner, from the far north, they say she''s very strange, a mystic of sorts."


    Lumen pondered. He would be trading one master for another. But if he could leave this dastardly place, perhaps he could survive.


    "Who is this noble¨C"


    There was a knock on the healer''s room. A red-haired goddess peeked inside. It was none other than his patron and lover, Lady Ysella. She looked concerned, and there was a flicker of a tear in her eyes.


    She ran towards him, hugging him. "Oh, Lumen, you did well, but I was afraid you would¡ªI was afraid you would die."


    "Arrghh," he cried as she hugged him, pressing against his ribs. "I''m okay."


    "No, no, you''re not." Evander was silent, his eyes darting to his mistress, staring at her physique. He didn''t blame him. Everyone wanted her.


    Ysella touched his wrist, then opened the basket she carried. "I brought you some fruit and some medicine; it should dull the pain."


    Would it? He wasn''t so sure.


    "I appreciate the gesture, Lady Ysella."


    "Don''t be so cute."


    She kissed him on the lips, making his friend blush in envy and awkwardness.


    "Lady Ysella, I mean not to be rude, but this is a private chamber. I need to tend to Lumen''s wounds."


    "Oh, shut up, Evander. They planned on killing him out there. If that would happen, I would burn this coliseum down."


    He blinked in surprise. Did she really care that much for him? That she would kill teh other humans.


    Evander laughed. "I''m sure you will," but his eyes said a different thing. He wasn''t amused by her behavior. Did Lumen misjudge his friends stares, he thought they were gazes of Envy. Evander handsome as he was a gentle man, he didn''t know this more sinister side of him. He''d ask when he had the chance, perhaps he didn''t like Ysella. Or maybe he still had the sinister heart he had before.

 Chapter 6 - Strange Visitors

    Lumen woke up weak and disoriented. Everything about his body felt all wrong. Standing up, his legs were wobbly. But why? Did he always feel this way? Why did his mana core feel like it was cracking again¡ªas if something had clawed at it during his sleep? Perhaps a phantom of sorts. His skin burned with feverish sensations, yet his limbs were cold. A sign from his inner realm flickered at the edge of his vision.


    [Broken mana core]


    Shit, it hasn''t been broken in months. He must have really taken Toren''s attacks the wrong way.


    He realized he was still in the healer''s room. Small medical apparatuses on a work table and a cabinet of medicine took up half of the space. He walked up to the mirror at the edge of the room. He stared at himself. Pale skin and silver hair, so fragile. His lips were slightly parted and trembling. His eyes, reddish like beads made of blood. Even weak as he was, his beauty remained striking, almost ethereal. He supposed he did look like a doll.


    The door slapped open. And a heavily armoured man stepped inside.


    Evander strode in, not in his healer''s uniform but clad in full gladiator armor, a massive glaive resting in his hands¡ªhis signature weapon. He tossed Lumen a fresh undershirt and undergarments. "Get dressed. The organizer wants everyone in the courtyard in a few minutes."


    Lumen barely managed to steady himself as he dressed. Evander eyed him down, a scowl on his face. He stared at Lumen but said nothing. His lips moved slightly, was he keeping something from Lumen?


    Lumen sighed. "Another day, another spectacle."


    "Be hopeful and it might be you''re last spectacle." Evander strode out, he was in pissy mood.


    As he stripped, he sneaked a glance at himself in the mirror. Was it malnourishment that made him so frail? Or was it because he was an elf?


    Once again, he couldn''t remember. And he wanted to know. He needed to know. It was this damn mana core of his. Disrupting everything.


    Lumen strapped the armored plating to his chest and secured the greaves to his legs. A belt tightened around his waist, and he sheathed the sharpened gladius gifted to him by his mistress. It was time to see what this spectacle was about.


    As he left the healer''s room, he stumbled. His vision blurred, but he concentrated all his mana on keeping himself steady. Just a few moments, that was all he needed. It wasn''t like these strangers and visitors would want to buy a frail thing like him. He was of no importance.


    A misstep lead to a accident. Lumen nearly tripped over his own foot. A guard caught him just before he hit the ground. Lumen stared up at the bearded man.


    "Watch where you''re going, twink! If something happens to you in these halls, that fat bastard will start looking at me."


    Lumen nodded to the guard. "Apologies, honorable guard."


    There was nothing honorable about them, they made a habit of abusing the gladiators when no one was looking.


    He strode forward, doing his best to regain composure.


    As the sunlight graced him, a little strength and energy returned¡ªbut only briefly. He stopped at one of the public taps, pressing his head below the pipe and swallowing some water.


    Lumen coughed. Shook his head. Too much water at once. He washed his face with the excess before striding toward the courtyard.


    Many warriors were already standing there. Every gladiator stood in perfect formation and line, their muscles tense, eyes sharp. The buyers hadn''t arrived yet, but judging by the tense stance and red face of Gaius, Lumen assumed these weren''t small-shot buyers looking for warrior slaves. Something was happening.


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    The air buzzed with anticipation. Lumen didn''t know if he wanted to be here.


    As he approached, he ignored the stares of the gladiators and walked over to a stern Evander, his glaive held tight in his hands. He raised his hands to his brother-in-arms.


    Seriously, what is up with him today? Evander gave him a brief nod but said nothing, choosing to remain silent.


    The manager paced up and down, biting his fingers, his lips pursed as he muttered to himself. He was clearly nervous about something.


    A guard rushed into the courtyard, addressing the manager. "Master Gaius, the strange lady has arrived again, she''s at the gates."


    The manager flipped. Threatening to throw the guard with a rock. "Well, what are you waiting for, moron? Let her in."


    The soldier scowled, then scuttled back towards the entrance of the complex. The entirety of the coliseum and its outer areas were walled off for various reasons, not that a thief, or worse, would have a fun time in here. Lumen eyed the row of warriors he stood in. It seemed that the female warriors weren''t part of this auction; they must not have been to the client''s taste.


    The guard returned, marching. Three strange and beautiful women were behind him. The one at the center was draped in long, flowing robes, her hair the color of lilac. She moved with an unnatural grace, and her beauty was inhuman. Lumen coudn''t help it, but his eyes loomed at her wide hips and her large breasts she possessed.


    The energy inside Lumen stirred. The lady in the center was emitting an overwhelming amount of mana. He felt his knees nearly buckle in response.


    The other two were just as striking. One was a bronze-skinned girl with short, messy, curly blonde hair. She carried a hammer that looked like it weighed more than she did. Her gaze was sharp, like a predator scanning the field for prey.


    The last was a blonde elf, eerily similar to Lumen, though she was dressed as a maidservant. Was it customary for elves to serve humans? Perhaps he was meant to as well. Back home, he... couldn''t remember again. But her eyes locked onto him, like she had recognized a missing piece of a puzzle.


    The trio moved like they owned the place.


    The manager bowed profusely, panic evident in his every movement, before instinctively cowering forward. He prostrated himself. Lumen had never seen him behave like this before, except in the presence of the Lord of the Coliseum. Whom rarely showed their face.


    "Lady Amaris, Farseeress of the East, we have been expecting you, my Lady."


    Farseeress? Lady Amaris?


    He had never heard of her before. Whoever she was, she was powerful. He eyed her as she surveyed the pool of warriors.


    She swatted her hand in the air. "I have no need for your unwanted flattery, Master Gaius, yes?"


    He nodded nervously. "Ah, if you are hasty, may I suggest some of my finest warriors?" He pointed to the two burly oafs. Toren and ans. They were anything but warriors, barbourous brutes, indeed.


    Lumen snorted¡ªquietly, as best as he could manage.


    The trio''s eyes flicked toward him. He shut up immediately and looked away. Their gazes moved on, but the elven maid''s eyes lingered. Before he knew it, they were staring at each other. Her crystal green eyes were alluring.


    He swallowed. It wasn''t every day he was scrutinized like this.


    Lady Amaris murmured, then sighed. "Not exactly what I''m looking for. They''re not very handsome."


    Toren, unable to control his anger, started shaking, his muscles bulging. "Why, you fucking wench! I''ll have you know I''m the strongest this city has seen! Perhaps I''ll prove it to you right now!" He stepped forward, bringing his fists up to strike her.


    "You fool!" Gaius shouted at the lunatic. "You''ll get us all killed!"


    Well, It was bound to happen sooner or later. Toren was a loose cannon.


    Lumen considered intervening, but it appeared unnecessary. Not even Evander whom he considerd chivalrous moved.


    Amaris waved her arms, then swatted at the oaf. A torrent of wind was conjured out of thin air. The air condensed, then visibly shifted into a whirlwind. The spiraling force grabbed the angry brute, lifting him off the ground and spinning him through the air before tossing him to the far end of the arena.


    A spell!? he didn''t see her chant anything.


    Lady Amaris held her hand over her mouth. "How shameful, Master Gaius. You are unable to keep these animals under control. What would the Lord of the Coliseum say about this?"


    Animals? Would she see him as one as well?


    The manager bowed once again. "My apologies, my Lady. This one has been a problem for a while now, although he is favored by the people."


    "I am not they, and he just tried to attack me, remove him, or I''ll order my subordinate here to dispatch him. Self-defense is a law here, yes?"


    He turned toward his guards, who stood frozen in shock. "Guards! Why are you just standing there. Throw him in the penal chamber!"


    Gaius wiped sweat from his face. Lumen watched, amused¡ªfor once, he felt genuinely happy seeing someone get what they deserve. Perhaps they should have dispatched him. When Lumen turned his head, they''re eyes were littered on him. Then turned away again.

 Chapter 7 - Poison!?

    Lady Amaris peered in her direction, she walked over to Evander, who was gawking by the looks of it. She pointed at him and announced. "Hmm, I''ll take this one with me."


    She hovered over his healing friend. "What''s your name, tall, dark and quite handsome if I do say so myself?"


    Evander coughed, then announced his name, readjusting his glaive as if displaying his martial prowress. "It''s Evander, my Lady. Just Evander."


    She touched his chest, her finger trailing all the way to his neck. "Evander, hmm. Do you have any special skills, Evander?"


    "I have a knack for healing magic, though I''ve never properly pursued the arts. Apologies for my inadequacies my lady."


    She pondered. Gaius looked nervous, walked over, and tried shooing Evander away. "Wait, this one is one of our healers. He''s very valuable, in fact. Keeps the other fighters alive. We can''t sell him."


    She giggled. As if Gaius''s statement was unhinged.


    "Just name your price. You are a subordinate of the Lord, aren''t you? The Lord of the Coliseum told me I can pick whatever I want. And let it be known that the Farseeress of the east always finds a diplomatic way to get what she wants. And well, if not there are other ways."


    Was that thinly veiled threat. Lumen hoped so, Gaius deserved worse than that.


    Gaius choked, then sighed. "500 gold. I''m afraid you might not have sufficient funds. It''s hard enough for even of the ruler of the city to procure that much."


    Everyone''s eyes went wide.


    Five hundred!. You could buy a whole district of houses with that.


    "Done." she said. Then clapped her hands. "Evander, pack your things¡ªyou''ll be coming with us."


    Evander pointed at himself, then stared at Lumen, his mouth wide and open. But then his, smile dropped. Well, Lumen was happy, at least. It was one less of them that had to suffer here. he hoped that Evander wouldn''t. Lumen gave him a smiled, and then blinked.


    The lady was in front of him, kneeling ever so slightly, her face next to his.


    Gaius walked up to her, ready to spout more nonsense. "Uh¡­ that one''s not¡ª"


    "Shhhh." She shut him up. "You, what''s your name?"


    "Lumen," he answered, reserved and meek.


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    "Lumen, you poor cute little thing," she dropped her voice considerably. "You''re not from around here, are you?"


    He shook his head. Then she pressed her palm on his chest, her fingers twitching a little too long. He felt a faint trace of mana, threading below his core, probing something unseen.


    He gasped, then caught his breath.


    Lumen shivered as the strange sensation he had felt all morning accumulated. He clenched his robe tighter. There was a flush on his upper chest and neck. He felt weaker now than he did before. Vulnerable in front of these three women.


    She leaned in, her lips brushing against his ear. Her eyes were wide and unblinking. "You''ve been poisoned. I''d drink nothing but water for the rest of the day."


    "P-poi¡ª"


    She stopped him from speaking, pressing a finger to his lips.


    "Keep it to yourself, until I can comeback to you."


    Comeback to him. What for, what could she possibly see in him.


    His stomach dropped. That made sense. It made sense why his mana core always felt destabilized. Factor in the fact that he could never use the full brunt of the mana he obtained from the monsters, and it was like a missing bolt in a construct.


    "This cute little elf," she shouted. "I want him."


    Laughter erupted form all the other galdiators. One whispered. "I wouldn''t call that thing cute, it''s older than my uncle." Another wave of cheers and chuckles all to his dismay. He ignored it, his blood could be boiling for something stupid as that.


    No! He was poisoned and he needed to know why.


    The manager shook his head. "As much as I want to get rid of the little knife-ear, I''m afraid he''s been bought and paid for."


    So it was true then. Ysella had made an arrangement for him.


    "By who? I was under the impression that the internal nobility didn''t buy the ''services'' of these less fortunate men. Explain yourself, Gaius. Weren''t their laws in this city preventing gentry to own non-human servants."


    Gaius stumbled and jumbled his words up and down. "I''m afraid the deal was prearranged. He is untouchable. A local patrician has claimed ownership of him. The laws are changing at the end of the month."


    Lady Yssella! But he could be free in a moment¡ªhe didn''t want to stay here another month.


    "Can you tell me who?"


    "I''m afraid that information is classified."


    "Would any other warrior interest you?"


    She shook her head.


    The lilac-haired woman stepped forward, pressing her finger on the man''s chest. "I will return for him. And him alone."


    She was dead set on it, hell, she may even sought the truth. But he was wary of her, a seer of sorts. Who knew what devilry she would use to trick and bewitched, or was he being paranoid. Poison she said.


    A deadly silence ensued. It filled the coliseum. The other barbarous gladiators stared at him so sharply they might as well have cut him. What made him so different was likely the thing on her mind.


    "Get your things, Evander," she commanded. His friend nodded, putting his hands on his shoulder. She ordered her subordinate to retrieve money from a pouch. The bronze-skinned girl produced the gold, an ungodly amount.


    Lumen stood in silence, wondering. Poison. Poison. Poison. Who stood to gain from his poisoning?


    Everyone did. And he hate to say it, even Evander. He was a burden, to the man. But it had to be recent. He hadn''t drunk anything since¡­ since¡ª


    Shit! It couldn''t be. But why!


    The elf maid gave him a weird stare¡ªa telling look. She pointed to her head, muttering a few words.


    "Don''t think, just feel, meditate."


    Gaius scratched his head. He was on the verge of being furious. Lumen didn''t know how he would react once this transaction was complete. Lumen didn''t care either. As the women left with his friend intow. Lumen retreated to his chambers, and shut his door, closed the binds of his spartan cell and closed his eyes.


    [Meditation.]

 Chapter 8 - Abduction

    A weak Lumen woke in the suffocating darkness, the sting of the cold air biting at him. Something hung around his neck; he couldn''t discern what it was, but it felt sharp, like thin metal wire biting into him. He tried resisting, but his hands were tied behind his back. An unseen presence loomed behind him.


    What the hell, what is this?!


    He would have thought it was a horrible dream, if not for the fact that he couldn''t see anything. His mouth was gagged, and his feet were tied as well, bindings around his ankles. He felt helpless as muffled voices started swirling around him.


    He tried moving his mouth, screaming anything, but he could only make whimpered noises.


    Two men were carrying him¡ªone by his legs, the other dragging him by his torso. One briefly slapped him on the butt, excessively spanking him. "Quiet down, twink, we''re trying to be discreet here."


    He recognized the voice. It was one of the guards. They had him blindfolded, gagged, and tied him up. To take him where? His mind shuddered at the thought, and he started struggling, wiggling his body in rapid shakes.


    They slapped him again. This time, a knife was placed next to his ear. "One more misstep, and we''ll cut your little ear."


    Lumen stopped moving. He tried focusing on his core. His mana wasn''t working properly; he felt weak. He couldn''t fight back. His fate would once again be left in the hands of others. Why did this happen? Was it because of those strange women? The women who had taken Evander away from him. Who left him in this bleak place?


    They stopped near a pair of stairs and slowly moved down. They were taking him out of the dormitory, but to where and to whom? Lumen started shaking. He was afraid, very afraid, fearful for his life.


    He heard two more voices. They were arguing, a woman and a man. The voices were familiar indeed. It was none other than Gaius and Lady Ysella. He grimaced. After what he learned yesterday, he still couldn''t believe it. Was this Gaius'' doing or his loving mistresses work?


    "I told you, Ysella, if the lord of the coliseum finds out about this, he''ll have me stripped of my position and thrown out of the city."


    He heard Ysella stomp on the ground. "I already told you, you fat fuck, I will handle the arrangements. You make sure those weird women don''t follow me."


    "This is ridiculous. You need only wait a month; they can''t legally buy him anyway."


    Lumen hated it. He hated being treated like a human commodity, a slave. He yearned for the open field, the tall trees, the blue sea, the open sky. These humans, they lacked basic decency. The humans of Rhoamia, at least.


    "There are procedures and protocols to follow, Lady Ysella. Things that ensure the system remains stable. The elf has to appear for the next few weeks. There is a retinue of onlookers and visitors that pay extra to see him fight. You''re ruining our original arrangement."


    Ysella started laughing hysterically.


    "Lumen is mine. I only agreed to poison him these past months in exchange for eventual ownership. You got what you wanted, Gaius, a good show and a great sacrificial puppet, but that time has ended. I want what is mine, and I''m not keen to share. No weird witch whore will take him from me."


    Lumen felt chills go down his spine. Of course, now that made sense. Evander had made it a constant reminder months ago. He was a menace on the field. But everything started to become vague and drowsy. Why? He couldn''t understand. The poison she had given him, likely in the guise of food and wine, had torn at his core. That was why he had become so weak and dull. He had let a woman get into his head.


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    It was his own fault. But Ysella... Ysella would pay for this.


    Suddenly, Lumen was being heaved around. He felt his body swaying from left to right. With a whoosh, he started flying through the air, landing against something heavy. It bounced slightly. It had to have been a vehicle, judging by its buoyancy.


    A caravan!


    "Hey! Don''t hurt him, I''m not paying for damaged goods."


    "You get what you ask for, lady, leave it at that," one of the guards beckoned.


    Ysella was taking him somewhere. He heard her climb into the back, then she shouted to Gaius. "I''ll give you what I owe you in a week or so. For now, I do not want to hear or see you. Goodbye Gaius."


    "You are a fool ysella." Gauis said.


    She walked over to the other end of the caravan. "Drive!" she shouted, probably to a servant of hers.


    "Yes, Lady Ysella."


    He heard the galloping of hooves and the neighing of two horses. Setting them off, the caravan, or carriage, whichever it was, starting to taking off. His head rocked and bumped against the floorboard of the vehicle. He felt soft hands touching his head, but he moved away.


    Ysella removed his blindfold. She stared at him, her expression soft, and to Lumen, honestly psychotic. He scowled. He had been heartbroken earlier, but now he feared for his life. She was not who he thought she was. Was that why Evander had made it a point to give her weird stares, subtly nodding to him? Was he trying to warn him?


    Ysella lifted him and pushed him against silky cushions and a warm blanket, tugging herself in with him. There was a faint smell of incense and some kind of jasmine plant. His arms and legs were kept bound.


    She whispered in his ear, making him tingle. Her breath was warm.


    "I''m sorry, my love. I had to do this. The law prevents a patrician like me from owning an elf, and I needed to do what I could to keep our love between us. When I heard that those witches wanted to take you away, I had to save you."


    Saving? That had to be some kind of delusional affection. And how did she hear, was Gauis under her paycheck the whole time.


    "You don''t understand yet, but you will. You belong to me, Lumen. I saved you."


    She started stroking his cheek, like she did whenever they were together, but it was much less gentle than before. Possessive, almost, and dominant. She squeezed his cheek tighter and giggled.


    Slowly, she removed the mouth gag from his mouth. Lumen was furious. He spat at her. "Poison! Poison! You poisoned me! I haven''t had a single clear thought in a month. I have been suffering in agony because of your whims."


    "Oh, Lumen, I had to. It was the only way to obtain Gaius''s trust. He needed you weak, but alive, and I needed you with me. It was only for a little while. Don''t worry, you always told me that you wanted to be away from the smog of the city. We''re going to one of my villas. You''ll have everything you want, with me, of course. I''m going to spoil you rotten."


    She stuck her finger in his mouth, and Lumen bit her.


    "Ow!" she hissed. "Lumen, you''re developing bad manners. This isn''t how I taught you."


    "I''m not a pet. I¡ª I barely remember who I was. What did you even give me?"


    She sighed. "It doesn''t matter. But looks like the effects are wearing off a little too soon. You must be hungry. Sorry I couldn''t make it yesterday. I had to deal with some rebellious fools. Put their heads on a guillotine, the idiots, who do they think they are."


    She reached into a bag and started pulling out pieces of food, pastries and the like. Lumen fought against his body. His stomach started rumbling, but he bore the pain. "Here, little pieces of chocolate tart. I''ve added some medicine to keep you happy."


    She took a spoon and scooped a large piece, then brought it to his mouth. "Open up~say aaah."


    Lumen butted his head against her, slamming his forehead into hers, sending her reeling backward. The carriage came to a stop. The driver, presumably one of her servants, came running around.


    "My lady!"


    Blood flowed from her nose. She appeared to be dazed, then started scowling, glaring at the driver.


    The man nodded and ran back to his seat. Lumen used the opportunity to gauge his surroundings. They were leaving the city, by the looks of it. If only his mana could function, he could free himself.


    Ysella stood up and produced a whip. "Naughty, naughty boy."


    "Stay away from me!"


    "No, you''re my property, and you need to be punished."


    She brought her whip around and lashed at him.


    THWIP!


    Lumen, tied up like a lifeless doll, bore the pain. He couldn''t move. His own heartbeat pounded in his ears as the whip grazed him.


    THWIP!


    She started humming a sweet, eerie lullaby as she lashed out at him. "Why do you have to make this so hard?" she shouted.


    The caravan rocked forward as it moved, gods-know-where she was taking him.

 Chapter 9 - Awakening

    The caravan came to a creaking halt. Lumen stared at the haunting moonlight, shining on them from afar. Lumen felt the tension rise. Ysella had climbed out and spoken to an armed group of riders¡ªnot simple men. Professional killers, trained hunters, mercenaries with a dead and horrible sense of morality.


    Even Ysella, composed as she pretended to be, was cautious around them. He''d go as far as to say she feared them. But thankfully for her, coin was their god. And they obeyedher for now.


    The leader, a man with a jagged scar running along his eyes, had peered at Lumen like he was a piece of freshly plucked fruit. Like he was something to be bargained with and toyed with. The negotiations she had with him were brief. He was supposed to escort them through the Shadow Valley, a place where monsters loomed and humans were scarce.


    The man had made one thing clear, that she was not in control, that their lives depended on him, that he wanted a bonus for the sudden job and for his time. Ysella had agreed, and the caravan had set forth. Much to Lumen''s dismay.


    He stared at her as she hugged him. She was desperate, which was why she resorted to these efforts. But why go so far for an elven slave? Why did she not abduct another one if the law prevented her? Why was she so obsessed with treating him like a dress-up doll and a fuck toy?


    It was obvious, wasn''t it? It was because of his appearance¡ªhe had the drive of a man and the vigor and grace of a young beauty. She wanted that all to herself. Everyone wanted a piece of him. How foolish he was to think, she different from the other humans.


    She whispered again. "Soon, Lumen, you''ll be free, and you''ll have whatever you want."


    What he wanted was to be far away from her. "You couldn''t give me what I want, Ysella. You''re a poison ivy."


    She appeared puzzled. "Women of every kind, a loving wife such as myself, your own personal villa, food, anything you desire¡ªservants, entertainment of all kinds. You need only love me as your mistress."


    He started shaking. "Loving wife, No, I want my memories back!"


    She looked away, hiding her face from him. She refused to look him in the eye. "I can''t let that happen. The man you were before was so much more barbaric and cruel. You''re better this way, meek, forgetful. Medicine, once a day. Will keep you this way."


    "No! I refuse."


    "You don''t have a choice, we''re going to have so much fun tomorrow."


    He wanted to be whole. To go back home, wherever it was.


    Lumen closed his eyes. He was beginning to tire. Perhaps he would be a slave all his life¡ªconsigned to serve others, consigned to serve the whims of this malignant woman. Ysella loomed over him, a knife clutched in her hand, just in case something did go down.


    Sleep started taking him, and he drifted¡ªthen the wind started running on legs. Lumen could hear it in his ears, vibrations. People were coming. Multiple footsteps. His eyes went wide. Ysella noticed this.


    "What''s wrong?!" She started shaking him. "What''s wrong? Tell me."


    She stuck her head out of the covered caravan, then shouted to the riding mercs. "Something''s wrong! Be aware¡ª"


    The merc who rode just behind the caravan blinked in surprise. He stopped silently as an arrow impaled his stomach. He tried pulling it out, his mana flaring, but another hit him, an arrow that glowed like a nightlight.


    The mercenary cavalry started shouting and panicking. The caravan stopped. And he could hear the driver scream. Lumen shuddered. Blood started spurting everywhere, and screams followed. Dark figures descended upon them.


    The shadows cleaved through flesh, and the horses of the riders started running off. Blood splattered inside the carriage walls, painting Ysella red. A man with an elongated glaive landed out of thin air and slammed into the ground.


    "Evander!"


    Three more figures emerged. They moved unnaturally. It was them¡ªthe ones who came looking for warriors for servitude. The one at the center, Amaris, the blonde girl with bronze skin, and the elf that looked like him.


    Every one of them, besides Evander, did not fight like a human. They were predators, killers. The mercenaries didn''t stand a chance. They were torn apart like nothing. Their weapons and whatever power they had were not sufficient. The mercenary leader had charged in, insubordinate amounts of mana flaring around him, and shouted a few spells.


    "Body enhancement stage 4: Metal Skin! Burden of the Juggernaut!"


    His skin turned silver like metal, and then he brought his blade around, charging at the four.


    Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    Amaris, the strange mystic, said a single word. "[Doom.]"


    The mercenary continued his advance, then stopped, then wobbled, then fell to the ground, incapacitated¡ªpossibly dead.


    Ysella started panicking. She started to tear her hair out and scream. She dove to Lumen, clamoring to tighten her hold around him while his ribs still ached in pain. She clutched him like he was her last hope as her hired consorts were massacred. The caravan remained quiet. The world outside was bathed red in blood.


    The strange women walked closer, observing the pair. Evander kept his distance, sitting on the ground and looking up at the sky. They did not speak to Lumen¡ªonly to each other.


    He could hear faint whispers.


    "Is it really him?"


    "What if it isn''t?"


    "What about her?"


    Then their judgment lingered on the red-haired patrician. The one with the bronze skin stepped inside, a giant mallet in her hands. She slammed it against the caravan, causing it to collapse. The rear wheels broke apart, and the pair slid down.


    Lumen struggled. He wanted to be free of his constraints. The lilac-haired woman tried grabbing Ysella, but she kept clinging to Lumen.


    "Noooo! Let me go! I do not know you people. I''ve done nothing to warrant this attack! Do you know who I am?"


    Amaris answered, "I do know who you are, Ysella Claudius. And you''re right¡ªyou committed no crime in Rhoamia. Perhaps you skirted the legal lines with slave trades, but the crime here is what you did to my lord Lumen."


    Lord Lumen. What the fuck?


    "I¡ªI was protecting him! Those gladiators, the overseers¡ªeven the people mistreated him. I took care of him, cuddled him when he was saddened. We don''t deserve this! Leave us in peace!" she begged.


    "I would not call poison, caring for someone. But your head is already twisted and fucked up. I will make it quick."


    "Kimmi? Hold her down for me, will you? She needs to pay for her crimes," Amaris asked the brown-skinned girl, who started complaining.


    "Do we have to? I hate blood," Kimmi moaned.


    "She desecrated our lord. Death would be a mercy."


    Our lord. What the fuck was this about? And did why Evander look like he didn''t care?


    Kimmi pulled the woman away from Lumen, who started crying tears. Amaris brought the blade down, aiming for her neck.


    Lumen didn''t understand why he did what he did. But something spurred inside of him. He concentrated what was left of his mana into propelling him in front of the blade.


    [Mana Jump.]


    The blade briefly pierced his ribs, and Amaris gasped. She pulled away before the sharp edge could impale him.


    "What?!" Everyone stared at the spectacle..


    The elf girl shook her head. "Lumen, you Idiot, what are you doing?"


    The elf addressed him like she knew him.


    He didn''t know why he did that. But perhaps part of him still loved her, clung to her warmth. While everything she had done was bad, even the illusion of safety¡ªhe didn''t want her to die. He had shared brief, intimate moments with her.


    Ysella said nothing. She fell down, her eyes went hollow. She didn''t beg anymore, she didn''t plead.


    "Please, let her live, whatever your reason may be." Lumen begged in her stead.


    "That''s ill-advised, Lord Lumen. She poisoned you for months, possibly longer. Your mana core is all broken up¡ªyou''re a few weeks away from dying in your sleep."


    Lumen shuddered. But the woman nodded. "But you are powerful and wise. I will cede your request."


    Seriously,what the hell was up with their attitude.


    Ysella buried her face into the bloody ground, quiet and broken.


    Everyone turned on him. The bronze-skinned warrior, Kimmi, took and tore away his restraints, freeing his body. Lumen half considered bolting¡ªhe didn''t want to trade one crazy for another. These people kept calling him lord.


    They settled their gaze on him. "Lie still, Lumen. We will fix you."


    He sat still. He didn''t understand what exactly was happening, but he bore it.


    Ysella started screaming like a banshee¡ªa sound he had never heard from her. It was raw and desperate, like something was being ripped from her body.


    Kimmi walked over to her and slapped her across the face. She shut up.


    The elf girl stopped next to him, pressing her hands to his body. Soft warmth spread through him. He recognized the sensation from all the sessions with Evander, healing magic¡ªbut this was like nothing he had felt before.


    Evander watched from the side. Not directly at him, but at the elf girl''s work.


    "Pay close attention, Evander," Amaris announced.


    Amaris also put her hands on him, pressing down. They had ripped his upper clothing off, leaving him bare. Her nails dug into his chest, and he gritted his teeth. He felt a fire burn inside his mana core. It twisted and seared and reshaped. His vision darkened¡ªthe pain was unbearable, and he staggered.


    Then memories started floating through him. They were still fragmented, but he had small glimpses into his past, about who he was.


    A short scene flashed in his head. He had fought with a dragon, got badly injured, and fell out of the sky. The humans had chased him down and chained him at the border. He wasn''t alone¡ªthere were others with him. Elves. Whether the girl next to him was one of them, he could not tell.


    Lumen''s eyes closed and then reopened.


    He looked inside himself. Then words flashed inside his head.


    [Weakened Mana Core] > [Flickering Core]


    Lumen felt a surge of mana rushing through his body. Energy returned to his frail, weak arms, and he felt strong enough to stand on his own again.


    [Core Refinement: Basic] [Stage 1+ Achieved]


    Core refinement. Was he cultivating again? Was he so weak He used to be so much stronger, and yet he couldn''t remember.


    Lumen stood up, scrambling as his head hurt. Everything wasn''t there yet. He had too much¡ªtoo much pain. His body writhed, and he started sweating. He heard them speaking. They were all kneeling except Evander.


    "Lord Lumen," Amaris addressed him. "I wasn''t sure before, but now I am. I have been looking for you."


    He watched her approach, and she loomed over him. "You are beginning to wake up. It will take a while, but I''m sure in time you will remember who you are, my dark king, my dark lord."


    She went up to his hands and started kissing them. He couldn''t believe her behavior.


    Evander shrugged when Lumen stared at him. "What can I say? I knew you were never normal, not even for an elf."


    The girl called Kimmi grimaced, like she was disgusted, but then she started kissing his hands as well¡ªreluctantly.


    The elf girl turned away, stoic and conflicted. She walked away, standing alone. Her head bowed in the opposite direction. She didn''t appear to "worship him" like Kimmi and Amaris did.


    "What the fuck is this?"


    His breath caught.


    The lilac-haired woman watched him closely, her gaze knowing. "You are waking up."


    And as the last of his shattered core knit itself back together, he began to remember, just somethings, but mostly weird feelings, some of them evil in thought.