In the dark cell, Jonan was trying to devise ways to escape the bandit stronghold, he knew that he had to act fast, or else his fate would be no better than that of those who died before him.
Astrid had stopped crying, but her face was downcast, and her eyes were hollow and devoid of emotion, she had resigned herself to fate.
Looking at the old man and the girl made it more difficult for Jonan to think for himself, he would feel regretful and responsible, but it's not like he can give up now.
He has so much to do outside, he has to get out of this hell hole as soon as possible.
After contemplating for long, he couldn't figure out any way out of this, his first thought was to make an escape, but that wouldn't be possible anymore with the bandits fully alert from before, and now he is all alone without help from anyone else.
Then, the other way would be to bide his time and increase his strength, but how can he increase his strength in this prison, and he doesn't have much time to waste too.
Gritting his teeth, Jonan felt his headache, but he couldn't come up with any better idea.
The old man kneeling in the corner of the cell could not help but look at Jonan, who was deep in thought, he knew that the boy must be thinking of escaping.
"Young one, I can't make you quit, but listen well, if you try to escape from here, it will be your death or worse."
"hahh, I just can't think of any way to get out of here, and even if I quit, my life will still be worse than death, so why should I mind," Jonan exclaimed with a frustrated sigh.
The old man was a bit stunned, "looks like you are a stubborn one," said the old man, and after twisting his body he said, "remember how I told you, that only those with strength can leave this place."
"I know it's quite simple, but I cannot increase my strength here, and that Bandit leader is a powerful man whose strength is equal to a grade two beast."
The old man shook his head, "All the bandits here are quite ferocious in nature, but are only able work together because of his strength, if you somehow are able to take down their leader in a fight, your chances of escaping will go far higher."
Jonan was in a trance after listening to the old man, while it's true that he is no match for the bandit leader, but it is not like he cannot give him a fight.
If he is able to completely heal himself, then maybe he might have a chance of attacking the bandit leader, and if he is lucky enough to even injure him, then he might have a small chance of escaping.
Closing his eyes and breathing deeply, Jonan started resting and tried getting himself in his peak condition.
Meanwhile, in the Bandit's lair, Shakaan was lying with two women wearing torn robes and with matted hair, their eyes empty, as if their souls had been broken a long, long time ago.
He lay in his coarse wooden throne, the flickering torchlight dancing sinister shadows across his scarred face.
A man in tattered leather armor approached, bowing slightly, "Boss, that boy. what should be done about him."
Shakaan scoffed, taking a sip from his crude metal cup, "Hah! From what I can see, that whelp still has some fire left?" He grinned, baring his yellowed teeth. "I figured he'd have lost all hope by now."
The subordinate shifted uneasily. "I don't think he will, I am just afraid we cannot leave him alive for too long, or who knows what trouble could surface."
Shakaan's grin widened into something more feral, "That's right, then we'll give him something to truly despair about, I'll play a little game with him myself, haha."
The bandit tilted his head, "A game, boss, that too alone?"
"Yes, a hunting game that I will personally participate alone," Shakaan said with a cruel chuckle, "Set it up, tell the men that I will personally hunt him down in the arena, let's see how long he lasts when he realizes he's the prey."
Trapped in the dark cell, Jonan's fists were tightly clenched. Although his body still hurt and his wounds had not yet healed, his determination was far stronger. The anger within him was raging deep, igniting the endless fury. He vowed to try his best when the time arrived.
The old man watched him, eyes filled with both admiration and worry, "you're not ready," he said grimly.
"But I see it in your eyes, you've already made your choice."
Jonan took a deep breath, his tone cold as steel, "even if I die, I'll make sure to bring that son of a bitch down with me."
With the flickering light in the distance casting macabre shadows on the stone walls, the stage was set, the hunter had announced his hunt, but this time the prey would not be defenseless.
The following morning, Jonan and the rest of the prisoners were abruptly awakened by the clatter of wooden bars being pounded with spears, the guards shouted commands, yanking them out of bed.
The cell door creaked open, and several bandits stormed in, grabbing Jonan by the arms.
"You, boy!" one of them sneered, "Shakaan has a special event for you."
Jonan did not struggle, he understood what this was, this was his time, his rage seethed beneath the surface, but he compelled himself to remain calm, he needed all the strength he could muster.
As they pulled him through the dripping, torch-lit passages of the fortress, he saw how the girl began to shrink back, too frightened even to glance at him, only the old man looked up and nodded to him slowly, a wordless message, fight well and perhaps survive.
The doors creaked open with a protesting sound, and in front of them stood a large, earthy-filled pit bordered by rough wooden spikes.
The same jungle was visible again, from where Jonan and his cell companions were escaping before, there were bandits on horses, all jeering and hollering, eager to see blood.
Shakaan stood on a raised platform, clad in thick, dark leather armor, his muscular arms were crossed over his broad chest, and his wicked grin stretched from ear to ear.
"Welcome, boy!" Shakaan bellowed, "Today, you get to entertain us!" he threw his arms wide, basking in the applause of his men.
"This is my hunting ground. You will run, you will fight, and in the end, you will die, but if you impress me... maybe, just maybe, I'll let you live, haha haha."