Arkon

ARKON

I stepped inside my new living quarters. The cell was larger than the previous one, with actual furniture instead of just a hard slab for a bed. A small table and chair occupied one corner, while a narrow but serviceable cot lined the opposite wall.

The air smelled fresher, lacking the musty odor of my old cell. A thin sliver of a window high up on the wall allowed a hint of natural light to filter through. It wasn’t freedom, but it was a definite upgrade.

My jaw clenched as I thought of Samira. This improvement came at a cost – her cooperation with that bastard Zhen’la. The thought of her working in his lab, potentially furthering his twisted plans, made my blood boil. But I knew she was clever. She’d find a way to sabotage his work, buy us time until we could escape.

I paced the length of the cell, listening to the sounds of other inhabitants nearby. Grunts, snarls, and the occasional clash of metal against metal filtered through the walls. The pit fighters – my new neighbors.

A buzzer sounded, and the door opened again. I tensed, ready for a threat, but it was merely an indication that we were allowed into the common area. I stepped out cautiously, immediately assessing my surroundings and the other occupants.

The room was filled with a menagerie of species, each more dangerous-looking than the last. And all of them seemed to be marked with various colors.

What for? Teams? Gangs?

Two Krell, their scaled hides covered in bony protrusions, wore red and gold as they sparred in one corner, while a lone Volcryn, its multiple eyes constantly shifting, sat alone, methodically sharpening a set of wickedly curved blades, clad in bright blue and silver. Nearby, a group of fighters huddled, discussing recent trades and upcoming matches, all with armbands or sashes, colors and patterns making a code I didn’t understand.

Not yet, at least.

I kept my expression neutral, moving to an unoccupied section of wall where I could observe without drawing attention. Years of bounty hunting had taught me the value of blending in, even in a crowd as eclectic as this.

“Fresh meat,” a guttural voice growled. The crowd parted, revealing a massive, scarred Mondian. His dragon-like features were twisted into a sneer as he approached me. “You must be Zhen’la’s big investment. The Vinduthi he thinks will buy him a place in our league.”

I remained silent, assessing the Mondian. He was easily a foot taller than me, his muscled frame speaking of countless battles. Scars crisscrossed his scaled hide, and one of his horns had been broken off at some point.

“What’s the matter?” he taunted, leaning in close. His breath reeked of rotting meat. “Vaunted Vinduthi warrior too good to speak to us lowly gladiators?”

The other fighters had stopped their activities, forming a loose circle around us. I could feel the anticipation in the air – they were hoping for a show, for blood to be spilled.

I met the Mondian’s gaze steadily. “I have no quarrel with you or anyone here,” I said evenly. “I’m just trying to survive, same as the rest of you.”

The Mondian’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, but you do have a quarrel, little gray man. You see, I’m Renak, and I run things around here. And you? You’re nothing but fresh meat until you prove otherwise.”

He lunged forward, aiming a massive fist at my face. I sidestepped, letting his momentum carry him past me. Renak whirled, snarling in frustration.

“I don’t want to fight you,” I said, trying to stay calm. “There’s no point in weakening ourselves before the real battles begin.”

Renak paused, considering my words.

Had I gotten through to him?

Then he charged again, roaring in fury.

Apparently not.

I braced myself, ready to defend, but unwilling to escalate the situation further.

Renak’s massive fist whistled past my ear as I ducked. The crowd roared, hungry for blood. I knew I couldn’t avoid this fight any longer.

“Fine,” I growled. “You want a fight? Let’s do this.”

Renak’s lips curled into a vicious grin. “Now we’re talking, Vinduthi.”

We circled each other, sizing up our opponent. Renak was bigger, but I was faster. I’d need to use that to my advantage.

He lunged again, this time feinting left before swinging right. I barely managed to block, the impact jarring my arm. Damn, he was strong.

I countered with a quick jab to his solar plexus, satisfaction flaring as he grunted in pain. But he recovered quickly, grabbing my arm and throwing me across the room.

I hit the wall hard, the breath knocked from my lungs. As I struggled to my feet, Renak charged.

At the last second, I sidestepped, and he slammed into the wall. The concrete cracked under the impact.

“Not bad, little man,” Renak wheezed. “But not good enough.”

He caught me with a vicious backhand, sending me sprawling. As I rolled back up, I noticed the other fighters closing in. This wasn’t good.

A Krell lunged at me from behind. I spun, catching its arm and using its momentum to throw it into Renak. They went down in a tangle of limbs.

But now I was surrounded. A Volcryn slashed at me with its blades. I dodged, but not fast enough. Pain flared across my chest as the blade found its mark.

I snarled, my instincts kicking in. Time seemed to slow as adrenaline surged through my system. I could see every move before it happened.

The next fighter that came at me - some species I didn’t recognize - found himself on the ground, neck snapped before he even realized what happened.

I moved like lightning, dodging blows and delivering devastating counterattacks. Bodies hit the floor around me.

A primal roar filled the air. It took me a moment to realize it was coming from me.

Through the chaos, I caught sight of Renak. He was hanging back, watching. Smart. He was letting the others wear me down.

But I wasn’t going to give him that satisfaction. I redoubled my efforts, tapping into reserves of strength I didn’t know I had.

Finally, it was just Renak and me again. We were both breathing hard, covered in blood - some our own, some not.

“Impressive,” Renak rumbled. “But this ends now.”

He rushed me, faster than I expected. His fist connected with my jaw, sending me reeling. Before I could recover, he had me in a chokehold.

Black spots danced in my vision as I struggled for air. I clawed at his arm, but couldn’t break his grip.

Samira’s face flashed in my mind. I couldn’t die here. I had to get back to her.

With a surge of desperate strength, I drove my elbow back into Renak’s ribs. Once, twice, three times. I felt something crack.

His grip loosened just enough. I twisted free, gasping for air.

Renak stumbled back, clutching his side. I didn’t give him time to recover. I launched myself at him, smashing my fist into his face with every ounce of strength I had left.

He went down hard, and didn’t get up.

I stood there, swaying on my feet, surveying the carnage around me. The remaining fighters stared at me with a mixture of fear and respect.

“Anyone else?” I rasped.

No one moved.

I nodded, then promptly collapsed.

When I came to, I was back in my cell. Every inch of my body ached, but I was alive. And I’d proven myself.

As I lay there, my thoughts turned to Samira. I hoped she was safe. I had to find a way out of here, to get back to her.

But for now, I’d earned myself a reprieve. And maybe, just maybe, some allies in this hellhole.

I closed my eyes, allowing myself a brief moment of rest before planning my next move.