Sylas

SYLAS

I pace. Back and forth along the bars, bars which this time have enough energy to throw me back against the rough stone at the rear of the cage. I've stopped trying to get out. Instead I pace.

Without my Alex, my skin itches, and my feathers feel like they're filled with sand while I'm unable to rouse to shake it out. The mere thought of her being at the mercy of the Zavaro causes a rage I don't think will ever dissipate.

What's worse is all the memories I thought I had, they're still mist, hovering on the very edge of my brain, taunting me with what I should know, but I can't quite grasp.

"And here we are again, gladiator." Maxym looms up to the bars, stopping short and wrinkling his nose. "What have you done this time to warrant the lux treatment?"

Behind him, Blayn stands. He looks terrible, his tattoos standing out starkly on his skin, eyes dull.

"What's wrong with Blayn?"

"The procurator was not happy with his performance recently. He's been made to parade daily," Maxym says, looking over the bars.

"Vrex," I swear with an added growl.

There is nothing Blayn hates more than being paraded, poked and prodded by all and sundry. Made to perform in a cage for entertainment.

"Vrex indeed." Maxym checks over his shoulder. "You'll be okay though, won't you Blayn?"

Blayn lifts a lip and snarls.

"He'll be fine." Rych steps out of the shadows too. "I'm taking his place as far as I can." He lifts his hand to touch Blayn who flinches violently as Rych backs off.

"The fact remains, what are you doing back here, ?" Maxym asks. "You were supposed to be far, far away with your mate."

I risk everything to fire my arm through the bars and grip him by the throat.

"Do you remember anything from before you came here?" I demand. "Anything?"

"No, I don't." Maxym stands firm, not even attempting to pull free. "Neither do you, neither do any of us," he replies evenly.

Rych nods his head, and Blayn shivers, his feathers rattling like knives.

Every single Gryn sent here to fight has their own special attributes. My healing and speed, Blayn's stamina, Maxym has a hide almost as tough as mine and the ability to avoid things he can't see, Rych with his easygoing nature, charming and manipulating, even Klynn has a speed to match mine and who knows what else, given he's a secretive vrexer at the best of times.

"We are not what they tell us we are," I growl. "Our memories…they were stolen from us. I was not from a farm, I was free."

Maxym flares his wings. "What do you mean? Has mating addled your brain? Free?"

I clutch at my forehead, the memories so close I can taste them.

"We…were…free," I force out past the blocks which want me to stay silent, to be someone I am not.

Maxym narrows his eyes.

"Our memories were altered, memory implants." I slam the heel of my hand into the side of my head as if it's going to help.

"There's something in my head?" Blayn growls. Claws unleashed, he reaches for his hair.

"No, Blayn, there's nothing in your head," Rych says rapidly. " means there have been memories put in there which are not yours. Not that there is anything in your head."

Blayn snarls, eyes wild, but he sheathes his claws, and his heaving chest subsides a little. A Blayn storm has been averted…for now.

"There's nothing in my head which shouldn't be there." Klynn appears from beside Rych.

"That's what they want you to believe," I snarl at him, willing my brain to allow what I need to break through. "But finding my mate, it cracked them open, not completely, but the Zavaro did something to us, and I don't yet know why."

"Zavaro?" Rych murmurs.

Maxym goes almost rigid.

Even Klynn goes quiet.

They've all been in contact with the Zavaro, I can feel it. They can feel it.

"What do you remember?" Maxym asks me.

"I…can't. Not yet. But what I do know is I'm back here for a reason, and they took my mate and my young."

Rych snorts. "Your mate is with young? You're a quick worker."

"She is filled, ready to grow ripe and round." I sigh before snapping back with a growl. "We were lied to. We can have young."

There is a silence which settles over the caged area.

"What do we do?" Klynn asks.

"I'm going to fight for my mate. I'm going to fight to regain my memories. I do not belong in the dome for the reasons which put me here. It is all a lie." I look over at the rest of the Gryn, my fellow gladiators. "You are welcome to join the fight, or not. You are welcome to stay or leave as you see fit. All I ask is you don't get in my way."

Klynn produces a sword from behind his back. "I'll fight anything for anyone, just as long as there is blood," he rasps.

Blayn releases a blood-curdling growl and looks entirely feral. Rych grins with abject glee.

As a fighting force, it'll have to do.

"I presume you have a plan, ?" Maxym taps the bars. Sparks fly from them, but he doesn't get flung across the room.

"I have to fight. There is no other option, but if we can get to the procurator, force him to tell us what he knows about the Zavaro, then we can take back what's ours," I reply.

Klynn cocks his head on one side. "Maybe it is true," he says. "Maybe you are a leader after all."