Vyse sat quietly in his cell, thinking upon what had transpired. Yufatoma had apparently fell quickly to Nasrean forces with no opposition. He had overheard the guards talking about the details; it seems that Daigo retreated all of his forces once he saw the sheer numbers of the enemy, and that admiral Propher simply seized the city and did not harm it. This at least left hope, that perhaps Vyse could later liberate the land he had failed to protect.
As Vyse lay quietly upon his cot, Aika and Fina remained in a cell on the other wing of the cruiser. Aika wistfully stared out the small window they were allotted, as Fina sat quietly upon her metal bed. With a lamented sigh, Aika began to speak.
"It's been days now, I'm sure we'll be in Nasrad soon." Aika looked up into the sky; the red moon. They'd be arriving within the hour. Like Vyse, Aika found little success in making sense of recent events. The most she could was enjoy Fina's company in her confusion and depression.
"What do you think will happen to us once we get their, Aika?"
Aika closed her eyes and lowered her head for a moment. She then raised her head with a broken smile and her voice echoed fragile faith. "What happens, I'm sure we'll escape. I mean, if we could escape the grand fortress, than no prison could hold us!"
Aika ended her statement with a trademark laugh, and was pleased to see that she had helped uplift her companion from the depths of despair. For the first time since their capture Fina drew a genuine smile, and though she didn't say it, this meant more to Aika than Fina knew. Aika could only think how much it would have meant to Vyse.
A soft patter of footsteps arose from the far end of the central isle of the lower brig. Through the silence and darkness a lone figure sauntered through dank and rusted surroundings. Vyse arose and made his way to the front of his cell as the man drew closer. As the little light the dim lanterns could throw hit the figure, Propher's form was revealed. He made his was to Vyse, and addressed him from beyond the bars.
"Vyse the Legend. How fitting for filth like yourself to rot here."
"Propher!" Vyse quickly reached to his waist for his blades, but drew empty handed. His blades had been confiscated, and his contempt could only be conveyed by a violent stare and a fruitless lunge at his enemy that was impeded by his prison bars.
"Sit down scum!" Propher reached his arm out, and by forces unknown to Vyse, sent the blue rouge hurtling violently towards the back wall.
"AUUUUUUGH!" Vyse crashed against the side of his cell, and slid slowly to the ground, obviously in pain. He slowly rose, wiping the blood from the side of his mouth.
Trying to suppress his pain, Vyse spoke slowly as he struggled to stand. "How...how did you? Forget it! What do you want?"
Propher laughed with a sense of twisted satisfaction and began to speak. "I only came to tell you that Lord Vera has sent me a transmission regarding the fates of both you and the whores you travel with. Anakin has decided to be very kind to you three and will plan for your blood to be spilled in the Nasrean arena in front of all his loyal citizens. You will all die without honor, as you lay in pools of your own blood while spectators take joy in your pain. I hope your as excited about the news as I am."
"As a matter of fact, I am." Vyse replied cockily, as he fully regained his composure. Vyse remembered back to his battle in the Valuan coliseum and all the glory that came with it's victory; the outwitting of a world power, the defiance of a single pirate family against an invincible armada. Perhaps Vera needed a re-enactment.
"As long as you're happy." Propher turned away, and made his way back to the bridge. Vyse was left standing alone, pondering what he had seen in Propher's eyes. a sense of regret, of conscience. Upon further thought, he dismissed the thought; he had the problem of always looking for the good in others, even if it had died long ago.
As the cruiser sailed over the barren deserts under the red moon, the city of Nasrad revealed itself from the veil of endless sky and sand.
"Prepare to dock at port 4 outside the entertainment district. Shackle the prisoners and prepare to escort them tot he arena. Failure to properly transport them will result in a personal appointment with me."
A rapid banging made its was quickly down the corridor, earning the immediate attention of both Aika and final. Before they could speak, a group of Nasrean guards burst into the cell and violently pushed themselves upon the two, chains and locks in hands.
"Let go, you monster!" Aika screamed as she was wrestled to the ground as her arms were shackled behind her. She thrashed violently, till she heard the voice of Fina calmly speaking her name. She glanced over to see he companion lying prone also, who simply gave her a disapproving nod. She's right. Not here, not now.
The two were quickly escorted thought he cruiser and unto the passenger ramp into the city. Looking down the ramp, Vyse already stood, their, arms bound, his escorts both seen with bloodied faces.
"Heh, looks like he didn't go so easy." Aika spoke with a smile as Vyse looked up, happy to seethe two had missed so dearly during their seemingly eternal voyage."
Propher ordered his men to begin marching them to the arena holding cells for the time being, and with that the group moved out.
Excitment filled the Nasrean corner pub as the news of Vyse's public execution swept throughout the city. Not a faithful Nasrean was not caught up in the jubilation, as loqua flowed like sweet nectar from the fruits of the gods. Amongst the celebration, one remained stoic, simply staring downward as he sipped his drink.
"Come friend, join us! For today, the moons bless us!" The drunken Nasrean, inebriated by both loqua and misguided joy, approached the seated man, who quietly put down his drink and began to speak.
"I refuse to lower myself to you, scum." The man spoke in monotone, his sloppy, blonde hair hanging just above his navy eyes. "You take pride in seeing a man die who saved your country from Galician rule. He freed your land by his victory at Soltis, and you fools could not spare one warship to aid him. And here you are now, happy to see him die only because your leader tells you too. Pathetic
"What! How dare you!" The man, enraged by the stranger's comments, slowly unsheathed his blade as he continued to speak. "I know who you are. Your the last one. I can tell by your the color of the skin, your accent, and you stupidity. We destroyed your ship, and killed all of your fellow soldiers, except for you. And now, I will finish what Anakin has already started. You shall pay with your blood, Valuan!"
Grabbing sword, the man violently swung it, aiming directly for the Valuan's neck. Without even a glance or an ounce of emotion, he ducked his head down, dodging the swipe, hand reached into his sleeve. Gripping his hidden dagger, he pounced from his seat with amazing speed, and lodged his dagger into the assailant's chest."
"Die in ignorance, fool." The Valuan spoke with anger as he retrieved his dagger, wiped the blood from its once glistening bade. He quickly bolted from the bar, knowing that amidst the drunken jubilation it would take the others a few moments to realize their countryman's death.
Standing out in the Nasrean streets, the mysterious Valuan reached towards his back, gripped his archer's bow, and muttered to himself with unshakable resolve. "The Arena". He would already have left by the time the authorities arrived.
"Get in there, bitch!" The Nasrean guard violently shoved Aika into her cell within the underground dungeons beneath the arena. Aika did bother fighting back; she had no chance against a blade with her bare hands. She lay down on her steel bunk and closed her eyes; the darkness pervading her cell meant nothing to her, she was only concerned with well being of Vyse and Fina. She knew that soon enough they'd be together in the arena pit, and they'd either valiantly escape together, or die honorless deaths together. She could not bear to think about the second, but the thought would not leave her mind. For the first time in her life, she was truly afraid to die. A tear rolled down. A single tear. And another, before long, she lay face down, weeping bitterly.
Before her uncharacteristic fear could consume her, she could both a sense someone approaching. His pompous ego seemed to precede him, as Aika sat up lay her eyes upon her visitor. With each step, Aika grew more fearful as her instincts revealed the man's identity before her eyes were able. He made his way to the front of her cell, and with key in hand, unlocked the entrance and stepped in.
"Hey red." Vigoro spoke with his sexiest voice, equaling even more disgust from Aika, as she cowered herself against the wall. "It seems fate has brought us together. Reminds me of our time in Valua, huh beautiful."
"Ugggg, get away from me you filthy meathead!" Aika shouted with fear and disgust as Vigoro approached closer. If she only had her boomerang ."What are you even doing here?"
"I'm the second admiral of the Nasrean fleets. I go where I want. And do what I want. Come on, you can only run for so long." Vigoro, ever persistent, saw this as his chance to finally have fun with he girl he had for so long sought after. "You know you want me."
Upon hearing those words, a stream of logic and cunning seemed to flow over Aika, who quickly saw her opportunity. Her complexion quickly changed from one of fear and disgust to one of desire and interest. With her sexiest voice, Aika spoke.
"You got me, Vigoro. I'm done playing hard to get." She placed one leg over her other, and moved her finger to signal Vigoro over. Seeing no deception, Vigoro moved close and placed an arm around her
Don't throw up, Aika. Only a little longer and it'll be over. Just stay strong.
I'm glad you've finally accepted it, red. I'm too sexy to resist." He slowly creeped his hand up Aika's side, who, through her discomfort and nausea, kept up her act. "Say the words I want to hear, Vigoro."
"Give it to me red."
""I will" Lodging her knee into his gut, Vigoro, paralyzed by both pain and surprise, fell to the ground on his knees, breathless.
"Thanks, idiot" Aika stood over him, flaunting her cell key "How nice of you to free me."
"Wait, You can't leave! I thought you loved me!" Vigoro, struggling to his feet, spoke with desperation. "Please! Anakin will kill me!"
Aika, already out of the cell, looked back, and locked the door behind her. "Awwww, poor baby. I'm sure you'll have plenty of time to make an excuse while you're here by yourself. Bye, baby."
Now, I've got to get to Vyse and Fina fast. I can't let them go out into the stadium. Now where's my weapon?