Chapter 210

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Ares had told them what the catch would be to taking his route, or at least one catch. Knowing him, there probably others involved in this route. Still, it was their best lead. They went through this route, and if they had the chance to free some enslaved people, they would do it. They were suppossed to be the heroes after all. And whatever these people might have done to be sent to Hell, they didn't deserve to be enslaved for all eternity. Sure enough, it was not long before they encountered a wagon. Three soldiers and a driver were transporting a dozen young women in chains. The heroes couldn't resist fighting, and winning. It seemed unlikely that any courts would hold these men accountable for this. It was tempting to just kill them, or let these twelve take their revenge. But they all knew that this would merely send them to the Lake of fire. As much as they might have deserved it, they would probably be released fairly soon. Those who committed great evil in Hell were more likely to do better than low level offenders. The heroes gave these villains a five minute head start, before their captives could take their revenge. It wasn't the best of plans, but it was the best that they could think of at the moment. During these five minutes the heroes spoke to one of the captives, a woman who called herself "Gladiator."

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Gladiator: Thank you, for what you tried to do for us.

Phoebe: What do you mean "tried."

Gladiator: I fear most of us will be enslaved again before long.

Andrew: Who are you?

Gladiator: My name is just Gladiator.

Andrew: I've heard that those barbaric games have been revived here in Hell.

Gladiator: I was one in my world. I am from the "Slouching towards Bethlehem" world. Those games were revived, many of us were desperate enough to try this. It's ironic, we were fighting so hard to survive, even though we knew we were just postponing the inevitable. My sister and I, we were both gladiators. We figured at least one of us would be killed soon, but there was always the chance we would be required to fight each other. We swore that, if that happenned, we would take our own lives rather than kill each other. Then it happenned, some perverts who wanted to see sisters kill each other. Despite our oath, when the time came, we couldn't do it. In the heat of the fight, I killed my own sister. I wanted to die, but I didn't have the strength to end my own life. I supposse a part of me felt I deserved to live, to suffer, for what I had done. Then one night, about a month before impact, I was required to have sex with a young woman, it was common for them to have any of us that they wanted. She held a gun on me as we had sex, but I felt I deserved it. Then we talked, and suprisingly we bonded. She convinced me it was okay to die, gave me the strength to end my own life. I am actually grateful to her for what she tried to do. I wanted to die, to have my pain ereased, to cease to exist, and she did her best to help on that.

Gabrielle; Maybe it's not too late to make amends.

Gladiator: I know where my sister is, but I cannot face her.

Gabrielle: Did she fight you, or did she let you just kill her?

Gladiator: She fought to live.

Gabrielle: Maybe she feels just as ashamed as you do.

Gladiator: Perhaps. Could you take me to this kingdom?

Gabrielle: Ofcourse

Gladiator: Thank you. It's not far from here actually. It's ruled by a woman who claims to be the daughter of darkness itself. But ironically, she calls herself Hope.