Chapter 13: Chapter 13 - A Choice due to helplessness
In the borderlands between the Selvius Kingdom and Aidiac Kingdom lay a nondescript small town that had become the grim sanctuary for illegal immigrants and fugitives on the run from their respective Kingdoms.
The town's existence teetered on the fringes of lawlessness, and it was here that a clandestine underbelly thrived.
In the heart of this town, concealed beneath the dusty streets, an underground match arena slumbered in darkness, a place where humanity's darkest instincts surfaced.
It was a pit where men fought with primal fury, each brutal bout a desperate bid to earn their next meal.
Clank
As the echoes of clinking coins and hushed murmurs filled the dimly lit chamber, the roars of the bloodthirsty audience erupted, drowning out all other sound.
Spectators occupied rickety wooden chairs that encircled the sunken arena.
The central pit, three meters below the crowd, was a cruel theater, its sand-strewn floor saturated with the sweat and blood of countless contenders.
"Whoo-hoo!, kill that bastard Golaith!"
The cheers reverberated through the chamber, shrouded in a cloud of sweat and tension.
The crowd's raucous enthusiasm was driven by the raw brutality unfolding before their eyes.
"Kughhh!"
Two warriors clashed within that merciless pit, their bare bodies glistening with exertion under the harsh, flickering torchlight.
Golaiath, the reigning champion, had his massive hands locked around the jaw of his opponent, a defeated and tearful warrior.
"AaaGggghHhhh!"
He exerted relentless pressure, tearing at the hapless fighter's face, leaving it a open, bloodied mess.
The crowd's voices reached a deafening crescendo, a chorus of bloodlust and sadistic pleasure.
"Cheeerrrrsssss! "
In that gruesome arena, the fallen warrior's lifeless body lay, his jaw agape, and his face utterly disfigured.
A wave of approval and excitement surged through the audience, prompting a frenzy of betting.
"I bet on Golaith! " shouted one enthusiastic gambler, leaping from his seat and clambering atop the shoulders of those around him just to place his wager.
"Take mine too! " chimed in another, contributing to the growing mound of bets stacked at the counter designated for Golaith's backers.
The counter was soon swarmed by a horde of desperate bettors, all placing their faith, and their coins, on the relentless champion.
The chaos and excitement in that macabre place seemed to know no bounds, as the underworld of the small town revealed its darkest facets to the world.
In the shadows of that grim and brutal world, a petite cloaked figure came out of dark entrance, her presence nothing short of mystery to these people —Presence of a child in such place.
"Here, two copper on me," she declared, her tiny hands placing the meager bet on herself.
The audacity of her wager drew the collective gaze of the onlookers, their eyes widening before they exchanged puzzled glances.
"Pffft, is that girl drunk or something?" one of the spectators quipped, setting off a wave of laughter among the raucous crowd.
""HAHAHAHA!""
Yet, the man behind the counter duly noted her name, recognizing that even two copper coins could buy a full meal in their desolate existence.
"You can enter the ring now," the man behind the counter spoke without sparing the small girl a glance, underestimating the possibility of a child enduring a battle where even seasoned warriors often faltered.
Undeterred by the mockery hurled her way, the girl made her way toward the arena, her mind resolute on a singular goal: earning money to provide food for her fellow orphans.
WHOOSH
Within her grasp, a sword materialized seemingly out of thin air, prompting gasps of astonishment and alarm from the audience.
"A S-spirit sword User!? " someone stammered, their voice trembling with fear.
"Hey, return my money!" an irate spectator lunged toward the counter, recognizing the outcome before it even played out.
"Sorry, but it's non-refundable," the man behind the counter retorted with gleaming eyes, his gaze fixed on the bluish aura-emitting sword in the girl's hands.
This was a legendary ?Spirit Sword?, a weapon intrinsically linked to its wielder's soul, allowing it to be summoned at will.
These experts were particularly feared due to their ability to infuse their strikes with a devastating intent capable of cutting through the very fabric of space on cost of their life, at least according to rumors.
Golaith's eyes locked onto the spectral sword, and the girl, feeling inexplicable emotions surging up due to her being a sword spirit user and at such small age being able to manefest it.
SWISH
Little Girl's figure blurred befor it vanished and reappeared in front of him in a blink of an eye.
'Damn it!'
In that moment suddenly the girl's speed seemed to wane, granting Golaith the opportunity to halt her attack and push her backward.
'!?'
As his hands made contact with the girl, she was sent hurtling, crashing into the wall.
BANG
THUD
"AGGGHH!....cough.....Haa.....haa" Her eyes widened as she made contact with the wall, feeling a surge of pain assaulting her body.
SILENCE
A chilling silence descended upon the arena, the audience collectively bewildered.
She had endured numerous trials and confronted the cruelty of the world, all to protect her sister even going far as to stand against her love.
"Yes, Arvi, it hurts"
The woman observed the two sisters, recalling the day when a young girl, barely able to speak, had arrived at her doorstep, holding another child in her arms.
She had begged for food for her little sister. Despite her status as an adult and the director of an underfunded orphanage, she had decided to take them in.
Even in the face of financial challenges, she had never lost hope, all because of these two children.
"Oh, you can speak now?" the woman said, her attention turning to her assistant who had finally removed her hand from her mouth.
However, she quickly covered her mouth again, realizing the volume of her voice.
"I mean, we've got funds for our orphanage!" the assistant excitedly conveyed, a hint of joy and relief in her voice.
The woman smiled at the thought of the arrangements for today's meal.
"How many coppers are they?" she asked, turning her gaze to her assistant, who shook her head in disbelief, confusing her.
"They are gold coins!" Her widened eyes and excited expression confirmed her excitement as she nodded in agreement.
" R-really "
"G-gold, and, well, you said coins," woman stammered, her excitement building at the prospect of gold coins.
She knew they would be enough to feed all the children in the orphanage for months, but she wanted to be sure,"How many coins did you say?"
The assistant's face beamed with excitement as she responded, "It's a total of 20,000 gold coins!"
Amayara and the woman were both taken aback, their minds reeling.
"What?!" the woman exclaimed, shocked beyond belief.
'!?'
'No, it can't be, please, God'
Amayara's eyes filled with tears, and she looked at the assistant, her thoughts overwhelmed by a sense of dread not wanting to let her fear come true.
" They are donated by Crown prince of Selvius Kingdom"
DRIP
'He had memories too'
Her eyes that were only wet, broke into tears like a rainfall, she wanted to protect everything in this life — her sister, her love.
But destiny seemed to be cruel yet again, as tears rolled down her cheeks, the little girl in front of her, Arvi, also began to cry, her eyes welling up.
" Sniff...sniff...Sichter.....don't cly...sniff"
However, before Arvi could start wailing, her big sister held her close, her mind replaying the moment that had irrevocably altered their fate.
// Past life memory //
"What is the meaning of this, Jenny?"
Amayara questioned, following the girl who had recently gained her freedom.
They had met in a desolate place, but Amayara's shock was palpable as she locked eyes with the emerald orbs before her.
"Edward!?"
Swiftly, she turned her attention to Jenny, her anger seething.
"You, how dare you betray Ryuk!"
WHOOSH
Her hands summoned a sword, the blade pointed accusingly at the girl who had been the recipient of Ryuk's benevolence, but who had now seemingly turned against him.
"Stop it, Amayara. You know you can't fight all of us alone," Jenny warned.
" T-this!?"
Amayara's blue eyes blazed with defiance, and she turned her gaze to the others gathered around.
"Guess you're all here, aren't you?" she noted, realizing the situation was dire.
Observing everyone around her, Amayara understood what she needed to do,' None of them would leave this place alive'
CRACKLE
Her sword emitted an overwhelming blue aura, her eyes brimming with intent to kill.
"I know where Arvi is"
Edwards words caused a brief pause in the confrontation as Amayara's attention shifted to him, who smiled knowingly. He saw his opportunity and continued, "You already know how manipulative Ryuk can be—"
HUSH
Before he could finish, a sword sliced through his side.
"Don't try your luck, Edward," the woman warned, her voice edged with a threat.
Edward clenched his teeth, staring at the woman, before relaxing and the a smile formed on his face as he continued, "If you follow me, I can help you reach Arvi"
Amayara regarded the man and the women surrounding him with a blank expression, realizing the danger of this situation.
"I could just hand you over to Ryuk, he has many ways to make people like you talk"
As she began to move toward Edward, a woman's voice rang out, chilling her to the bone.
"Aren't you a loyal one, Amayara?" The silhouette of the woman gradually became visible, and Amayara's mind went blank.
'Lady Alisia!? '