Chapter 1
Inhale. Exhale.
It is not the first time, after all.
Inhale. Exhale.
I must survive. I must win.
Inhale. Exhale.
The gate is opening. It is time.
Inhale.
Today, I have a saber.
Exhale.
I am going to kill.
The massive metal gate opens before me. The scorching sun lashes my face. I taste sand on my tongue. I tighten my right hand's grip on the saber's hilt.
If only this sun were not so blinding.
I step out onto the circular arena, filled with sand.
This time there are three of them.
Three warriors in leather armor stand in the opposite gate.
Damn sponsors!
It is always like this. I fight a wall of armor, while I wear nothing but a loincloth.
The gong reverberates. I sprint toward them, gripping the saber tightly. They charge straight at me. They have not even split up.
Fools.
I reach the first one. He executes a powerful downward strike. I dodge to the left. I crouch for a split second and violently straighten up, delivering a blow from below.
Got you!
I strike straight into the enemy's exposed neck.
One down.
Out of the corner of my eye, I register an approaching spear tip. I execute a fluid roll to the side, landing right in front of the third opponent with an axe.
Now!
With a swift motion, I slash the saber from the bottom up. With my left hand, I block the axe's shaft, and my blade mercilessly deals with the enemy's throat. Footsteps reach me from behind. I shield myself with the corpse and instantly pivot in place. I feel the spear pierce his chest with a dull thud.
I release my grip and kick the body with all my might straight into the spearman. Blinded by the sun, he loses his balance.
It is over.
I lunge at him in a half-crouch and, with one fluid slash, slit his throat.
Inhale. Exhale.
My heart is pounding like a hammer. My muscles loosen slightly.
I survived.
I hear the roars of the crowd in the arena. The stands are bursting at the seams once again. I can see all of them—old men, youths, mothers with children.
I thought I had grown accustomed to this sight.
I wipe the saber on the spearman's leather armor and stand over the three bodies.
I survived today.
I bow my head toward them and salute with the saber.
Tomorrow, this could be me.
I hear the crowd cheering even louder.
They understand nothing. To them, it is just a game.
Despite these thoughts, I raise the saber high and swing it through the air a few times for their amusement.
I wonder if I will find a sponsor too?
However, I expect no change. To them, this is theater. Therefore, I adopt the role of an actor. A matter of life and death. Otherwise, I face the whip for disobedience.
Why must I be a fucking slave?!
I hear the metal gate opening behind my back. I take one last bow toward the audience and descend into the devouring darkness of the corridor.
Immediately, a hulking, massive guard blocks my path. He is nearly twice my size. Without hesitation, I hand him my weapon. Those are the rules.
At least for me.
Another giant escorts me to my cell. Along the way, we pass more locked metal doors, each with a small, barred window. They all look identical. Behind any of them could hide my next opponent.
We stop in front of mine. The guard turns the key and gestures with his head for me to enter.
I must be obedient.
But I have an overwhelming urge to grab him by the throat and choke him with all my strength.
I must calm down.
I step inside, showing absolutely nothing on my face, and the door slams shut behind me immediately. I try to control my emotions, but it is getting harder every day. I feel that if a light breeze were to push me, I would throw myself at his neck, tearing it apart with my teeth.
I have had enough of this cursed fate!
I lie down on the cot, but I do not close my eyes.
I do not want to sleep!
Inhale and exhale.
I cannot sleep!
The stress and adrenaline have drained the last of my strength, and when the tension finally breaks, I realize how fragile my life truly is.
I do not want to remember this anymore!
I try to keep my eyelids open, but they weigh on me as if made of lead.
I do not want to go back to this!
Sometimes I feel that my mind is my own enemy.
No... just do not fall asleep...
And that was the last thought that reached my consciousness before the darkness swallowed me whole.