Chapter 3: The Underground

The bed was too comfortable. It had been a long time since I had gotten more than five hours of sleep, however I over did it. The sun was setting and when I looked at the clock on the wall it read quarter to six. I had no idea I needed the rest but I thought this was a good thing. When I got up I saw that there was a mark on my wrist that wasn't there before. It was faint but the sun hit it enough to show a small cut. I got my shoes on and got up. I went into the main sanctuary and Kirei was waiting.

"It's about time you woke up, I was beginning to worry."

"Yeah it's late." He had to know why I had the scar. It could have been something minor, from the fight I had with the elder mage, but I doubted that. I could converse with Kirei, but trusting was out of the question. "Do you know anything about this?" I unrolled my sleeve and showed it to him.

"You cut your wrist on the bed post." He approached me, and grabbed my wrist tightly. "I sealed to wound to stop the bleeding." He let go and I fixed my sleeve. I let out a slight chuckle and he heard it.

"Hazel, I would not lie to you in a house of God." I doubted it, there had to be a reason. I would have felt my wrist get cut open. And I checked the wine that Gilgamesh gave me and didn't sense anything. Unless he was that powerful, and there was a drug I couldn't sense. But if I asked further he would have reason to kill me. I had to walk out, and end the conversation.

"My apologies Father Kotomine, but I've not exactly had good experiences with executioners." I passed him and began to walk out. "Thanks for your hospitality, I won't stay for more than a few days."

I continued out the door. I didn't know what it was but his demeanor made me uneasy. I knew my father was friends with him, but I couldn't understand how he could trust to do business with someone so deceptive.

Anyway, my priorities were different for now. Night was about to fall and that was my time to live. I had to get money; that was my goal. My skills were obviously rusty if an old mage almost killed me, so I had to stay sharp. I still had a hundred dollars, but that wouldn't get me out of the city. I remembered the place I first fought at when I was in Fuyuki five years ago. If the ring still existed, then I would have a chance to fight. Heck, being it's 1999, people think the world is going to end. They bet like crazy which only helps me out in the end.

I walked alone for a while but thought Gilgamesh might follow. That seemed to be becoming a pattern with him. It didn't bug me, but I couldn't tell his reason. Boredom, fascination, or because Kirei told him to keep an eye on me. I wasn't going to fangirl over him though my father wouldn't understand why. He was a legend, and there were so many questions I could ask. But, he would refuse to answer them, and I had other priorities that were more important, like staying alive.

"Still running?" He was right on cue.

"Just going out for the night." I turned to face him. "You're free to join me. I have to make a few bucks so I have enough to get out of here."

"And how are you going to do that?" He began to walk with me.

"There was an underground fighting ring when I was here last. I want to check out, see if it is still running."

"Do people still fight for status?" There was a cynical tone to his question.

"Yes. But not so much for me." He smirked but I ignored it. "I just want to get some more cash so I can get out after more mages arrive." I had promised that more would come so he could fight some. I wasn't going to back out of that. We walked in silence until we approached the tunnel. There was a door but that was only a decoy, the rock wall on the right side was the actual entrance. The tunnel smelled as most did, of garbage and dead rats, but I had grown used to it.

"This doesn't look pleasant."

"What did you expect?" I put my hand against the fake door, and Gilgamesh stood in the center of the tunnel. I did a tracing spell and could tell there were still people inside.

"I hear voices so it is still going on." Gilgamesh scoffed.

"I have better things to do than watch mongrels tussle with each other." Then why did he come? Like he had so many things to do.

"Like what? Drink wine with a priest? Seriously, what do you two talk about, world domination?" He smirked, I guess I was right but I didn't really care. As long as he was sticking around with me, he would get to see the street life.

"Sounds like you missed the excitement." I said.

"Don't pry into my affairs. I know why you're here."

"Why's that?" I was curious.

"You're mad that I saved you from death, so now you have to fight those beneath you to regain your status." I paused.

"I don't need anyone's approval."

"But your own?" I was frozen. I had always critiqued myself because I hated losing. That was both my biggest strength and weakness, and I didn't want it to show. The fight with the elder mage was a wakeup call, but I still survived. I had a big ego like Gilgamesh, I'd build myself up just to feel better. He must want to fight as badly as I do, but now was not the time.

"You're really trying to find my breaking point, aren't you?" I walked away from the wall and stood in the center of the tunnel and faced him.

"After last night, you admitted I would win in a fight against you." I chuckled.

"A legend going after a vagabond like me? Then you'd just be a hypocrite. Fighting someone beneath you." I wasn't afraid to spin it against him. Until I saw the full extent of his power, I wouldn't officially challenge him, I would respect the legends told to me and assume he could kill me. But I hated being told that I always fight people weaker than me, I've killed over a hundred mages and executioners combined, which was uncommon.

His eyes were just like a snake's, piercing and cold. He didn't like what I said, maybe because he had the same weakness. Either way there was tension, and I had to break it. He didn't take it as funny, and if I didn't say something the outcome could be worse.

"I'm sorry I should rephrase that." I cleared my throat. "Sorry, my king I am but a lowly peasant who does not wish to die by the hands of someone so noble and fearless. Forgive my actions for I only wish to achieve a life without interruption much like yourself." I bowed before him and laughed, but it only seemed to tick him off. Oh well, there was a reason I wasn't a comedian.

"Step aside." He passed me and banged on the door, but didn't know that wasn't the entrance.

"Answer me." He waited a moment before I saw three golden portals open, all with swords. I quickly stepped in front and made a shield using my left arm. They were deflected, but only one penetrated my shield by about two inches. He grabbed the sword and tried to plunge it into the door but I evaporated my shield and went to grab his throat with my right hand and knocked out the sword with my left. But, my arms were thrown back, there were chains around them.

"Wait." I was up against the wall, his hand was above my left shoulder. He looked into my eyes, and seemed surprised that I was able to block an attack that close. Just because he was a king didn't mean I would fight him any differently. It wasn't difficult, but if he attacked the entrance, I wouldn't be allowed inside and I wouldn't get paid.

"You dare stand in my way?" He was serious. So I'd be the same.

"I don't want to challenge you. But I have my own priorities, and if you're going to be an issue then I have no choice." I felt the chain tighten around my wrists.

"Why do you care to fight?" He said. "What is your reason?" I wasn't going to break down. I stared at him dead in the eyes.

"Because I have nothing left. But myself." I sighed and looked away. "There is no one waiting for me in Hell, so why cut my life short by fighting you now?" He lifted my chin with his right hand to look at my eyes. He smiled, then chuckled and walk backed as the chain loosened and disappeared into a golden portals.

"You're a fascinating person, Hazel." The rock door opened and the bouncer came out.

"Who the hell…" I remembered the bouncer from the first time I fought. "Oh it's the freak with the gold eyes. Come to make me broke again?"

"I didn't take that much." He hated me last time for hustling, but I couldn't help that none of the guys wanted to hit me. They were trying to be gentlemen, and I took advantage of that. "Do you have any fights available?"

"No." I didn't believe him.

"You're lying." He looked away. "Must be a big shot, huh? Come on, at least now you know that I'll win." He sighed.

"A spoiled brat from out of town. He's good. No one has taken him down." He paused. "It's an elimination tournament tonight. First round starts in ten minutes."

"Sign me up."

"You sure? Don't want him to hurt that pretty face." He grabbed my cheek and I slapped his hand.

"I've been beaten up before." I began to walk through the door, but the bouncer reminded me of something.

"Is Snake Skin with you?" Gilgamesh looked annoyed. I was right that he should change his look.

"Yes. Here, get us two beers. Keep the rest." I handed the bouncer twenty dollars for the beers and tip. Gilgamesh and I began to walk down the hall.

"Why would you order a commoner's drink for a king?"

"You already stand out enough, Snake Skin. Don't make it worse." We walked down the steps to the arena in silence.

The place was completely dark except for the arena, which was a ten by ten foot wooden platform. The arena was in the front with bar stools and tables scattered around it. We sat towards the back because most people wanted to be up front where the action was.

I took off my jacket and long sleeved shirt. I had a black tank underneath. Some guys looked but I didn't care, the more derogatory comments, the harder I'd hit them. I put my hair in a ponytail, made my gloves tighter, and I was ready. But, the scars on my arms showed from where they placed the amplifiers.

"Where are those from?" Gilgamesh asked. This wasn't the place to tell him. The bouncer came with our beers, I took a sip.

"I'll tell you after I win." I took one more sip. I wasn't going to have anymore, but just needed a little bit to get my blood pumping. I walked to the front since the rounds were about to start. Gilgamesh sat in the back to observe in silence.

The rounds started and it was fairly simple to take them all down. I wasn't afraid to go for the opening, even without magic, I still wanted to be a strong fighter. If I couldn't defend myself, then I would be screwed when I ran out of mana.

It was the final round and the pot was worth at least five hundred. That was more than enough to get me through for the next month. I was against the rich kid, his name wasn't important. He was good, but I would be able to beat him.

I walked up to the arena. He was shirtless with jeans and eyed me like a piece of meat. It was getting to the end of the night and the others who were eliminated had learned their lesson, but this one was still smiling.

"Don't judge me by my looks." I said as I took a sip of water.

"Do you want to make a personal bet?" I was curious what he had to offer, but if it was money I was limited.

"I only have eighty dollars." He smiled, but it was more uncomfortable to me.

"No. I mean something else." I looked at the corner and saw a black jacket and pants. It must have been designer made, one hundred percent leather. Something Gilgamesh would like, and people wouldn't make fun of him for. Still looked rich, but was better than snake skin pants.

"Okay. I'll take your jacket and pants if I win." He laughed. Probably thought it was stupid for what he was about to wager.

"And if I win, I want a night with you, to do whatever I want." Gross. But I knew I would win, he's just a cock who thinks he could take me down.

"Fine." We shook hands.

"Good." He pulled me closer, and put his hand on my butt. "And when I win, trust me, I'll take advantage of that promise sugar." He squeezed and smacked it then walked away. He didn't know he would get the beating of his life.

"Whoever wins this match wins the pot. After the bell rings you fight, the one still standing wins. Are you ready?" We nodded at the bouncer and the bell rang.

He went to round house kick my face and I ducked and tripped him. He got up quickly and began to throw punches. I dodged them and kept on the defensive. I had to wear him down because he was used to being able to throw a ton of punches and win.

I kicked him again and he grabbed my leg and threw me to the ground. I stayed down and he landed one in my face. He went to punch again I wrapped my legs around his left arm. I managed to pull him to the floor and stood up. He rubbed his shoulder blade as he got off the ground.

He tried to go after my balance by trying to trip me as I had done, but I was too fast. He began to start punching again and thought it was time to end it. I saw an opening and grabbed his arms and kneed him in the sternum. He spit out some blood and was on the ground. I straddled his chest and began to punch his face repeatedly until I was sure he wasn't going to get up.

The bouncer came over and called it. I had won the pot, five hundred and eighty three dollars to be exact.

"What the hell are you?" My opponent asked, lying on the floor with a bloody face.

"Someone you shouldn't call sugar." I helped him off the ground. "Now pay up." He grabbed his black pants and jacket and I walked away. Gilgamesh was still in the back, stewing over his crappy beer.

"Let's get out of here." He followed. The exit was a different door which lead out to the river. I stood over the railing and Gilgamesh stood next to me, putting the money into my pockets. Once I did that, I handed him the clothes.

"What's this?" He asked.

"A gift. Take it as you will. Thought it would help from being made fun of." He grabbed the clothes and put the jacket on. It fit flawlessly. Of course I wouldn't tell him that. He stepped into the public restroom to change. I was surprised that he wouldn't turn around and go back to the church. When he came out he was changed.

"This will do." He said. It was the closest thing to thank you that I would get, but it worked. I stayed where I was, I still had to put my long sleeved shirt on. Once I did that, then put the jacket on and caught a glance from his red eyes.

"What?" Maybe he was offended that I changed in public? Maybe he was board. Either way I had done what I needed to do. "We can go back to the church if you'd like. I have no other plans."

"No." I was surprised.

"Okay, then what would you prefer?" I figured I'd ask. Kings generally liked to be asked permission for doing things, and Gilgamesh was no different. He turned his back to me.

"Let's walk, you have yet to tell me how you got those scars." This was strange, out of character. He was walking away and I felt a pull. I was so used to the loneliness that having another person to converse with seemed to help. Even for how selfish and cocky he was, at least it was entertaining to talk to him. With slight hesitation, I followed him and we began to walk down the pathway, away from the river and into the city.