Chapter 3 : A Proposition
The first thing Zoro felt was a heavy headache attacking his head. Then a terrible pain grew all over his body until it reached his fingertips, it was as if he had been hit by a giant. His whole body felt limp. He growled and opened his eyes, but it was all dark and blurry. He blinked for a moment to let his eyes get used to the darkness.
" … Where the hell is it?"
He tried to recall his last memory, but it was useless, he can't remember a thing. The heavy nausea made his mind couldn't work. He moved his body into a sit position, one of his hand was supporting his body to stand against the cold floor while the other held his head, cursing the pain he suffered. He tried to recognize the surroundings. It took several minutes for him to realize that he was in a large dark marble hall. He wasn't sure though, since he couldn't see farther than ten feet from where he was.
"… A marble hall? … How can I end up here?"
"Aaahh, you're finally awake. Welcome to my domain Roronoa Zoro." A deep thundering voice spoke from the darkness. It made him startled a bit. There was something about this voice that made him shivered.
" … Who are you? How did I get here?" The swordsman asked, impatient. He had so many questions in his head.
"I am your host, you can call me Lord Baalbisan. It didn't matter how you end up here, because from now on you're going to stay here as my slave."The intimidating voice replied.
"Bold words you got there. But you're wrong if you think you can hold me here." The green haired man threatened in calm tone.
"You dare threatened me? HAAHAHAAHAHAAA!! That's why I like you Roronoa, you always intimidating even if the situation isn't on your side. You have no doubts kill whoever dares blocking your path. You really are a beast!" The voice commented, his laughter echoed throughout the chamber.
" Hmph, It took courage to talk about me the way you did. But since you didn't even dare to show yourself that makes you more of a coward than I thought!" He snapped.
There was no answer. The large stone chamber was filled with long creepy silence. The swordsman narrowed his eyes and listened carefully, hoping to find a clue of his capturer whereabouts.
"What now? Still lack of courage to show up in front of your slave?" He taunted his opponent to walk out from the shadows.
"Oh, don't waste your brave words too much young man! You'll need all you had left to face me soon!"
Then he saw a pair of red glowing evil eyes appeared from a few feet away. Memories were suddenly flashed back in his head, made him unable to breathe. It was the same wicked fiery glow that haunted him in his dreams lately, made him restless all the time. All colors were drained from his face as the terrible dreams reappeared in his mind. He was running through a dark forest as fast as he could, trying to escape from something. He couldn't figure out what was chasing him, but he knew he must get away from it. His was wet with sweat and he breathed heavily from the exhaustion and fear. Even though he already fled as far as he could, he knew the creature was still somewhere near, watching him from the shadows, trying to snatch him. The Swordsman was rarely scared by something, but he was totally freaked out in his dream. His heart was pounding so hard, he thought it was about to jump out from his chest. He could hear its claws were reaching for him no matter how fast he ran. Then suddenly he heard a growl from his side, before he could react, something push him violently to the opposite side. He crashed his body to the nearest tree trunk, broke his hand and finally falls. His head was landed on a solid rock. Warm blood flow down on his face. His vision blurred and he could barely move. The physical pain he suffered was no match for the desperation and fear he felt. A cold wind blew toward him, freezing his bones. A monstrous figure came out from the mists, a pair of red evil eyes were staring hungrily at him. The sight sent tremendous shivers to his very core. Then the frightening creature suddenly pounced, feeding on him. He could only screamed painfully while his body was being ripped apart. He woke up with the same sweat and horror. The nightmare kept coming every time he slept. He even felt an eerie feeling of being watched in his consciousness. The whole thing was driving him nuts!
"It … It can't be! … You can't be real!!" He gasped.
"Now now, a fearless man like you shouldn't say those miserable words the cowards would say wouldn't you?" The terrifying voice had now turned to low tempting female voice.
A female creature came out of the shadows, she had a seducing female body shape with thick red scale and large dragon-like wings on her back. She had long dark red claws and a scaled tail. The she-creature was approaching him with slow tempting steps. Being a prominent fighter he was, Zoro constantly gain his composure and think his next steps rationally. He would not give up without a fight, no, he's Roronoa Zoro The Pirate Hunter, he would rather die than surrendered to his enemy! His right hand reached for his swords but they were no longer hanging on his waist like they used to or anywhere near him. He already presumed that. He was learning his opponent carefully. In front of him was a powerful creature with an ability to manipulate things by his magic. He was in the creature's domain, unable to detect the surroundings clearly and without any weapon, which was a huge detriment on his side. So he continued to the next possible step. The demon stopped, she realized that the green haired man was about to ask something from her.
"If I'm going to be your slave, then you should prove yourself worthy of it. I won't kneel to someone I don't respect." He started.
"What are you trying to say human?" The demon asked curiously.
"Give me back my swords and a change to fight you properly! If I win, you must promise to release me immediately." He said it although he didn't put much faith in her upon keeping her words. But his main goal was to get himself a fair fight, he would kill the creature once he beat her anyway.
"… and if you lose?" She narrowed her fiery eyes in suspicion.
"I will take an oath to be your loyal slave and obey anything you want me to do. You have my words." He answered.
"Quiet an interesting offer you got there. Unfortunately, you're in no position to propose something here. You already are my slave and I can do anything I want whether you will it or not!"
"… How disappointing. I should've guessed that one's coming. No one could expect a fair deal with demons!" He snorted. "You better show your best shot 'coz I won't let anyone took my pride without a fight."
"If you insist…" The devil grinned in satisfaction, showing her disgusting sharp teeth. Her glowing eyes were gazing at him intently.
"This is it…" He thought.
"Be prepared, human! Because I'm going to show you what FEAR is! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!" The demon mocked him in high wicked laughter.
Zoro gulped nervously while he prepared himself for any sudden attack, a cold sweat flowed down on his forehead. He was just challenging this powerful cunning demon to attack him in his unfair state. But he didn't regret it. At least he would've fought her the best he could before he died.
