Chapter IV - Zera
"Throw him in the cell!" Abu ordered. His voice filled with hatred.
Zera didn't even struggle as they threw him in the cell.
"You know your august position may seem like a miracle, but it is very precarious. You're playing a dangerous game, Abu," Zera said.
"Shut it, you buffoon. This is my realm. Perhaps we should just execute you instead," Abu responded.
"Your rash decisions will lose you this war," Zera said sagaciously.
"That's it! Final warning, prisoner. Remember, I have not yet decided what to do with you," Abu responded. "High guards, follow me."
Zera stared silently at the ground as he heard the door slam and the guards march away.
He grabbed his provisions and started to eat. He opened the casement and looked out the window. Zera saw the vista of lush green hills and rivers. The freedom that was out of reach, just like his times as a gladiator. The feeling comforted Zera in a way, but it also reminded him of dark memories.
It was at least ten years ago when he had fought in the interstellar finals.
"Tul! Remember your training. Relax, you are a very powerful fighter," my trainer said.
It was the Protoss against Zerg, the classic battle. Two rival sides that often fought for each other's blood.
"Tul! Tul!" the Protoss chanted.
"Thur! Thur!" the Zerg chanted.
Although peaceful at the moment, it was clear fighting might break out at any moment.
"Fighters! Unsheath your weapons!" the announcer shouted.
I activated my two energy blades, and my opponent, Thur, extended his claws.
Thur stared at me with murder in his eyes. I glanced around at the chanting crowd, anxiously awaiting the announcer's voice to commence the battle.
After another wave of chanting, the announcer spoke. "Fight!"
I recalled my training: the zerg like to start with a full charge. After a few taunts, Thur started to run straight at me. Terror filled my body. Instinctively, I side stepped and dodged the attack.
Thur continued his charge and hit straight into the wall, destroying the tapestry that once covered it. I pressed my advantage and ran straight at him. As he was getting up, I slashed towards his chest. I should've known better, but as I tried to slash, he was already up and ready to fight. He grabbed my arm and swung me around. He threw me straight into a wall.
My heart pounded as I got up. I wasn't used to being thrown around. Even throughout my years of being a gladiator, this was the first time I ever felt genuinely scared.
I entered my defensive stance, and activated my shield to replace one of my blades.
"FIGHT!" I heard the crowd chant.
My defensive looking stance baited Thur in. He was yet again charged at me. I parried his claws with my remaining energy blade and waited for the perfect moment to strike. I backed up a little bit, and Thur opened up this position to run towards me. I ran towards him and bashed him with my shield. I quickly transformed my shield into a second energy blade and started to attack while he was dazed. I got a good slash across his chest and one across his arm. Finally, I knocked him onto the ground.
"Tul! Tul!" the crowd yelled.
I looked at the announcer.
"Victory for Tul!" he yelled.
As I had expected, the zerg started to taunt the protoss and throw objects at them. Eventually, fighting broke out between the groups, causing a lot of chaos.
I looked towards Thur, and helped him up.
"This isn't over, Protoss," he said with immense hatred.
Zera stared at the side of his room where the brazier crackled. The candelabrum had already started to rust. It was like the flame in Abu's and Thur's voices. It echoed in his head.
"This isn't over, Protoss."