I woke to a thunderous roar. My eyes cracked open slowly, and I struggled to rise from the cold floor.
My whole body felt stiff, as if I'd been asleep for years. I managed to sit up, feeling the softness of what
seemed like carpet beneath me.
Looking around, I found myself caged by four gray iron walls. In front of me stood a white metal door with a small window near the top. I wanted to peer through it, to understand the source of that deafening noise, but my strength had abandoned me.
Something was etched into the prison door in glowing letters: Tommy Luciano. Yes, that's my name. But why did they know it? How had I gotten here? Had I done something wrong? I couldn't even remember the last moment I was awake. Maybe I'd been at Murphy's, the bar I frequented. Maybe there'd been a fight and they'd brought me here. But that seemed impossible I hadn't fought anyone in years. I'd
promised my wife I would never return to those ways.
I felt something hard against my waist. Reaching down, I pulled out a familiar weight my Colt Python.
But why was I carrying it? I hadn't touched this weapon in two years, not since I promised Maria I'd leave
that life behind. I'd stopped killing. I was supposed to be a simple man now, not the same Tommy who
once terrorized the streets for the Browana crime family. I checked the cylinder four bullets. Sliding the gun back into my waistband, I forced myself to stand. I needed answers. Why was I imprisoned in this strange place? And what was causing that crowd's deafening roar: it sounded like a football stadium.
I stumbled to the door and looked through the window. Bright lights illuminated a vast square arena.
Strange aircraft sleek vehicles that hovered without wings or rotors circled overhead like metallic
vultures. This was definitely some kind of battlefield or arena, surrounded by what seemed like thousands of screaming spectators in tiered seating that stretched beyond my vision. The questions were driving me mad when suddenly, my prison door swung open. I swear I saw no one
operate it as if controlled by invisible hands. I hesitated, then slowly stepped out of my cage into the massive arena. Blinding spotlights hit my face. The crowd's roar became deafening, as if I were their champion. As my vision adjusted, I spotted another prison across the arena much larger than mine, with "FEARLESS"
carved into its door.
A chill ran down my spine. I knew something terrible was about to happen. While I tried to calm my
breathing, a mechanical voice echoed through the arena: "Ladies and gentlemen, let the battle
commence!" The larger prison door began to open. What emerged wasn't human not entirely. A giant figure stepped into the light, at least twice my height,
with massive shoulders that seemed to span half the width of his prison door. Wild hair and an unkempt beard framed a face that belonged in ancient legends. Black wool and animal skins covered his enormous
frame, topped by a bear's head worn like a crown. A long sword hung at his side. He was a warrior from
an age when the line between man and beast barely existed.
The crowd fell silent as announcers spoke from somewhere above: "From the barbaric lands of the North, undefeated in seventeen battles FEARLESS!" The warrior's eyes found mine a predator studying its prey. Panic shot through me as I drew my weapon, finally understanding this twisted show.
I was here to fight this creature to the death.
The silence transported me back to better times walking through Prospect Park with Maria and little
Sofia, lying on the grass, feeling a peace I never thought a man like me deserved. Those simple moments
had shown me that even someone with blood on his hands could find redemption.
The crowd's renewed screaming snapped me back to reality. The warrior was charging toward me with inhuman speed. I tried to raise my gun, but there was no time. His massive fist connected with my chest, sending me flying backward. Pain exploded through my ribs as I crashed to the arena floor.
Looking up, I saw those furious eyes approaching and heard him speak in some ancient tongue more
beast than man. I steadied my weapon, knowing I could end this quickly with a single shot.
But I hesitated. This isn't who I am anymore. I'm no longer a killer. I promised Maria I'd never use this weapon again. I've changed I don't want to be the monster I once was. I don't want to return to that darkness. The warrior drew closer, his bloodlust palpable. My heart hammered against my ribs. Sweat poured down my face. But if I don't kill him now, he'll tear me apart. What choice do I have? I can't surrender, but I can't become that beast again. The internal war raged as the physical threat loomed larger. I'm sorry, Maria. You're the most important person in my life you transformed me from a creature into a human being. But I have to fight beast with beast. I have to break my promise. I can't just give up my life.
You know I never accept defeat. I always fight. I'm sorry, my love. I hope you understand.
The warrior raised his sword above my head, a cruel smile spreading across his face. I lifted my Colt
Python the weapon I hadn't fired in two years. The weapon I'd sworn never to use again. The weapon
that had brought me nothing but disaster. The weapon that cost me my wife. The weapon that destroyed my daughter's innocence. The weapon that ruined my life and countless others. The weapon that had turned me into the same kind of bloodthirsty beast now standing over me.
I pulled the trigger.
The gunshot echoed through the suddenly silent arena. When I opened my eyes, the giant lay on his back, the bullet having found his chest. Blood seeped through his animal skins as he breathed heavily, his blue eyes still burning with rage. Even on the verge of death, he remained fearless, reaching toward me as if he hadn't given up.
I'd never met anyone so fearless.
I raised my weapon toward the warrior's head, then stopped. Why was I hesitating? He tried to kill me. My hands shook as I waited for an answer that wouldn't come.
Maria, I want to kill him. Yes, I want to be a killer again. I'm sorry, but this is my true face. I've always been a murderous beast and nothing else. I was never truly good it was just a mask, a lie I told myself. A lie I
told you. I can't be a good person. I'm a beast, just like him. I'm nothing more than Tommy Luciano, killer
for the Browana family. Violence has always been my master it's the only thing I've ever been good at. I fired the final shot. The arena fell silent. I wondered if they would kill me now, or if another warrior would emerge and this nightmare would continue.
But I didn't care anymore. If I could fight here and kill all my enemies, so be it. Violence was what I'd
always been good at. It was the only thing I'd ever truly understood.
The End