I forgot how long we had walked the day before and my legs burn as we traverse each flight of stairs.
I'm nearly gasping for air as we reach the top.
The blonde man doesn't show a hint of exhaustion and only turns slightly to see if I'm still following. I'm led into a room with various weapons lining the walls and he speaks with a flourish of his hand.
"Choose your preferred blade. You have half an hour to get accustomed to it before the match begins. A guard will escort you to the entrance of the pit. Wait there until you hear your name called."
He then spun on his heel and left the room, leaving me alone.
I briefly think about taking a weapon and charging out the door, but I know I'll be caught and struck down.
'My cowardice plagues me even now, even when I've decided to die.'
I glance around the room and just decide to keep it simple and reach for a sword.
It had a thick back and a single edge in which to cut with, it's tip was slightly curved. This blade was meant for cutting flesh in brutal swings.
I swing it couple times to test my balance and almost fall forward as it's weight pulls me with it.
'What am I even doing, it's not like I intend on fighting.'
Resting the thick back on my shoulder, I wait for my reckoning. It comes swiftly and I'm directed to stand just out of sight of a rumbling crowd.
The energy in the air was palpable and a surge of excitement stubbornly wriggles it way into veins. The walls feel like their vibrating and suddenly I'm pushed from behind.
The guards thick accent was hard to understand.
"Ye deaf? Yer name jus been called."
Then a weirdly recognizable voice finally resonates in my ears as I present myself and walk towards blinding rays of sun.
"….. And his opponent this evening is a special one. Making his debut along side his close friend, please welcome Harrold Smith. These two young men grew up together and will now fight to the death."
I recognize the voice and see the old man who sat across from me earlier announcing the unbelievable with a booming voice.
'…Harry's gonna kill me? Hah. I hope he kills Will when he gets the chance.. what a bastard.'
"Ladies and gentlemen, please place your bets in the next five minutes."
I stare at my best friend as he walks towards the middle of the arena. He's a little disheveled and nervous, but there's unmistakable resolve in his eyes.
'That's good Harry, don't beat yourself up about this later..'
His voice is hard to hear over the huge crowd in attendance, it's a giant mass of bodies. It feels like the whole world is watching me.
"Fancy meeting you here, Kel."
I shake my head and chuckle grimly.
"Make sure you get out of here Harry and give William a good beating for making you do this."
It was his turn to shake his head.
"Kel, I told you already, only you can make it out of here. I know you can do it. You always doubt yourself but I've seen you, you're a menace in a fight and quick witted. You're the best of us."
My thoughts are messy as I try to reconcile that Harry had the same idea as me.
"Harry. YOU know I can't do this, I won't do it. What's the point, living a few more days? Maybe I get lucky and survive a month, or half a year. What then. This is a death trap, so why struggle?"
The old man is speaking again, but I can't hear him as I focus on Harry.
His face had grown hot and he shouted at me.
"Gods! Stop being such a child Kelrin! Grow a fucking spine for once and come at me damn it. This is why Gabby rejected your sniveling—"
I'm on him at once, my temper snapping into a raging flame.
Harry smiled, but I don't stop myself as rage consumes my being.
Steel rings as the crowd roars in approval.
My downward slash had been blocked by the flat of his short sword.
Shifting my weight, I slide my blade forward towards his chest.
Harry's moving as well and steps to the side and delivers a hard kick to my shin.
Dropping to my knees, I roll to avoid a thrust and take a large sweep at his legs.
He jumps backwards and I get to my feet.
We're both panting a little and before I come to senses, Harry provokes me again.
"Is that all you got? No wonder you couldn't save Gina when-"
Like a serpent strike, I lunge forward, fast.
Harry sidesteps once more and I feel a burning sensation in my side. His cut was shallow but long.
The pain only aggravates me further.
I drop low and kick my leg to side causing Harry to stumble as he tried to avoid my blow.
As he's off balance, I place two hands on the hilt of my sword as I swing upwards in a diagonal line.
I feel the power coursing through me and when my blade meets Harry's, it passes through without any resistance.
His hip to his shoulder are instantly dyed red and he stumbles back.
His voice is low and exhausted this time.
"Great job Kel. Great jo…"
His voice trails off as finally falls.
Shame and disgust flood my body as I realize what I've done. Tossing the sword down, I run his side and kneel.
His hand is already cold and sweat beads Harry's face as he looks up at me.
A bubble of blood pops out of his mouth when tries to speak.
"D-didn't mean any of that.. y- *cough* you know t-that right..? Just had to get you *gurgle* going."
My tears are blocking my vision of my dying friend.
"Harry.. damn it Harry! *sob* Harry you idiot… why-"
Im cut off as he speaks again.
"Promise me Kel, promise you'll make it out."
I'm inconsolable as I cry holding his hand to my forehead.
Blood splatters my faces from Harry's mouth as he urges me.
"Kel! Promise me!"
"I promise Harry.. I promise I'll make it out, I swear it.."
His blue eyes turn upwards as he smiles.
"Goo- *cough* good. I'll be very cross with you if you break this promise."
His grip was getting weaker and I know he's dead as his chest stops rising up and down.
Hands lift under my armpits as I'm hauled to my feet. A guard holds my hand in his and raises it in the air and the crowd erupts.
The old man is speaking again, somehow carrying his voice over the roar.
"What a fight! Couldn't tell if they were friends or foes the way they went at each other…"
Laughter echoes as a seed of anger buries itself within my chest.
It's a piece of coal that will not go out and stays ready to catch a flame.
"Let's hear it for Kelrin Bladebane!"
I'm not listening to the crowd as they feverishly give me accolades. I'm in my own head as I plan.
My resolve is hard and unshakable now.
My sorrow is replaced by hatred.
'I'm going to kill all of you. Every single person in this gods damn place.'