Hearts in Chains
Chapter Three: Sold Hearts
I watched it all unfold, when they announced the morbid type of match up next. I refused to go all the way down to the tunnel although Phil tried to convince me otherwise but no, I refused too. I needed to watch…I do not know what compelled me too watch. Maybe it was fear, fear for Roxas.
I think I was worried that he may fall this time…We had both fought countless times against various creatures but never once have we either faced another prisoner of war. Not only was this his first time, it was against someone he acted as if he hated.
Yes, acted. I was not blind, although we were often enclosed in the darkness. I could see the farce Roxas constantly put up. Seifer, as much as a prick as he was reminded him of home and was a beacon of sorts for him. As long as he was still there some semblance of his past still existed.
I thought maybe things could have ended well once Roxas disarmed him but of course, those sadists…Those murders. They refused to let it end like that; they had to push the envelope. I didn't only fear for Roxas' survival then, I feared for his mental sanity.
As soon as the morbid excuse for a match ended and the gate was lifted by Phil I dashed out, sliding right beside Roxas and looked to Seifer. It was too late. He was already passed on and in a way, I envied him. He died a true warrior's death and died to protect his friends. Moreover, he was finally free from this maddening world that was laced in insanity.
Of course, Roxas didn't think the same way. He continued to bawl and I had to practically pry him away from his corpse kicking and screaming as the Keepers came to dispose of his body. It infuriated me just as much, but there was not a single thing we could do to prevent it. The only thing waiting for us if we tried was a severe beating.
I knew trying to console him would be a fruitless effort so honestly, I did not try. He did not want my pity or my sympathy and he did not want my words. He wanted his friend back and that was all there was too it. So, I gave him space. And just like that, within time the tears ebbed and he calmed down a bit as I walked down the tunnel with him, Phil ahead of us.
I would have preferred to get my rest and I would have greatly preferred Roxas getting his as well. However, that was not a luxury we had. We had to go be shown off like pieces of fucking meat. For some slaves there was a point in it since they may be well be bought and be forced to go be a personal slave.
But as for Roxas and I, I already knew the end outcome. We would be sitting there in the cage as people passed by, not daring considering purchasing us. As if we were some toys that could just be bought…It was sick, honestly. We were just like tools people could purchase to do work, we weren't even considered humans. Hell, we may as well have been considered heartless for all I cared. Though nobodies is probably a more fit term because honestly that is what it was like; we were nobody.
Our lives matter just as much as a drop of water in a desert of withered crops matters. If our lives were lost, it was not a loss but an inconvenience to those we worked for. How dare we die on their time and make them have to go spend munny to purchase another one of us.
Fuck them.
Roxas and I were never purchased. It wasn't because we were considered useless, it is because of two simple factors. That we were young and we were 'dangerous'. The young part is a factor simply because we would not be obedient tools for them. We would try to escape at every turn and undermine their authority or some convoluted idea. We still had a flame we carried with us, we had yet to be extinguished.
Honestly, it would always be that way, so I always proclaimed they should never get their hopes up. No matter what happened, I would be getting out of here. And I would be free and I would avenge my family. To die trying was not an option.
And the dangerous part is probably more true than anything. At first glance, we look to just be a few teenagers with a plethora of scars on their bodies. Our looks were not exactly rugged, our baby blue eyes and spiky hair was more charming than anything.
The charm wore off real fast.
When Roxas and I battled it was allegedly brutal. It was the tenacity we had when we fought, the cut-throat tactics we went through. Okay that was more me. I was more concerned for survival than anything else like fair-play. If an opponent showed weakness, I did not just use it, I abused it. I broke them with it.
Roxas was a bit more valiant, just as he gave Seifer his sword back for one final clash. That explained why he was certainly more loved than I. However, Roxas had a mean streak as well. When he fought, the power in his strikes were telegraphed to the crowd and showed that he was just as tenacious as I was for survival. The difference being that our means for achieving it were different.
So with all that said, we knew no one would buy us. It was too much of a risk and it always resulted in us sitting together in the cage and bullshitting instead of actual resting up.
"You feeling better?" I asked, frowning a bit and turning my head to look to him. His face was buried into his hands as he let out a sigh. "I feel terrible." He whispered and then groaned, rubbing his thumbs in a circular motion to massage his forehead.
I could make a speech about how Seifer wouldn't want him moping around but everyone needed time to grieve and I would allow Roxas that time as I watched another one of the prisoners go up to the showcase as he was called.
The selection screening was rather interesting. People got called up to a little pedestal behind rope and bound by the arms with one heavily armed guard and was examined by whoever picked them out. Oh did I mention you were only in rags that barely fit your body? Luckily, Roxas and I were always spared from this embarrassment.
"How did you kill that giant heartless anyways?" Looks like he was trying to get his mind off it. I chuckled a bit and shook my head. "It was crazy man. I back flipped off its hand to its shoulder and man, I have never been so close to peeing myself."
Roxas looked at me from his hands and gave me a disgusted look and scooted away a bit. I narrowed my eyes and then rolled them. "I said almost, calm yourself." We both sat silent for a moment before laughing together as he moved back. "So, that doesn't properly described how you killed it."
"I basically ran up its arms, got to its neck, chopped away, then beat its hand back. It fell, I got on top its head and jumped off and slid down its back with my keyblade tearing through it." I didn't exactly feel like giving details about everything.I just got done fighting a heartless the size of a building, give me a break.
"Just full of surprises, aren't you? Jeez, sounds like the matchmakers are trying to kill us." Roxas grumbled. I didn't dare mention his match and sighed. "I am surprised they haven't pitted us against one another before…" "They know we wouldn't fight." Roxas responded curtly.
I wanted to bring up the example of what just happened to Seifer but chose against it. To my surprise, I didn't have too. "Even if there were hostages, I wouldn't fight."
I was surprised, to say the least. I opened my mouth to speak before suddenly a voice cut through the air. "7672! Up to the pedestal now!" I blinked a second as my mind drifted from my question to the order given.
What…?
I slowly turned my body to face the guard by the cage entrance. "You sure you go the right name there, Herc?" The guard flinched at the nickname and chose to ignore it. "I am well aware of what I said, 7672! Now get over here."
This was just a fluke. Some newcomer or 'fan' coming to get a closer look. I complied as I moved towards the entrance. I would just ask Roxas once this was all done with.
I was bounded with rope, as expected. I gazed past the slot in Hercules' helmet. "So, are you positive thi- Ow that hurts! Come on now, you do not need to fracture my wrist bone. You know I won't run, what would be the point anyways. You could outrun me even if I got a fifty meter head start."
Hercules sighed as he loosened the bonds. "It worries me just how nonchalant you are with me. I am supposed to be an imposing authority figure." "You're too kind for that, I know you Herc." "Call me that again and I will tighten your bonds."
I rolled my eyes and followed him to the pedestal where I finally got a look at who was glancing at me.
Shit.
It was the same red-haired girl as before and she had that same grin…I could feel my bones chill and my blood run cold. "What's your name?"
Well you certainly don't beat around the bush...
It was such an innocent questions…It betrayed the expression she carried.
Her eyes were filled with glee as if I were some toy on the top shelf to be won. I couldn't shake the feeling in my gut that something was off and that she seemed eerily familiar…Nothing came to mind…Maybe I had simply seen her before in the stands during one of my previous matches.
As for her question, to hell with it. I wasn't answering easily. Being stubborn was the prime quality no one wanted in a slave and what drove people away in hordes. I simply huffed and turned my head away from her.
"Guard, could you please make him answer me?" Hercules frowned a bit as he shoved me a bit. "Tell her, or I will." I shrugged and shook my head. Why the hell would I care? I just didn't feel like complying. Had to keep up the act.
I refused to be bought. That would mean abandoning Roxas, and I was not going to do that. Guy was practically a second brother to me and we would get out together and get our own vengeance. So unless this girl planned to buy both me and him, I wasn't going to do shit to make her want me.
Hercules let out a frustrated sigh. "His name is-" "No! Make him say it!" The girl protested, and I could catch her pout slightly. Hercules visibly flinched as he looked to me and yanked me close. "Please don't make me…" He whispered only so I could hear. I knew what he was referring to.
Punishment.
Hercules hated to be violent, it just was not in his nature. He was too kind. You know that saying people give before they do something, 'This will hurt me more than it hurts you'? I let out a defeated sigh, it would probably hurt him more to whip me than the pain I would get from it.
"My name is Sora." I grumbled as I straightened up on the pedestal and shot a glare to the redhead. She wanted to play hardball then I could too, just wait for that next question. Suddenly, the distance between her and I was gone as she leaned over the rope and cupped my cheek, her eyes going half-lidded as she looked me up and down.
What the actual hell!? What was this girl doing!? I mean, it was allowed and no one could stop her but it sure wasn't a damn good idea! "You know, I just love the name Sora."
I sure as hell didn't at this particular moment in time. I could even see Roxas from the cage snickering like a douche at my peril. God how I wanted to switch names with the twat…And while we were at it, places. Though the rising crimson in my face betrayed me, I spoke in a cold and sarcastic manner.
"Oh do you? I should change it then. In fact my name is now Roxas. Looks like that appeal is gone now." Shut up, it wasn't lame.
Okay, it was.
"Oh really? Mmmm, then I guess I like more than just your name." She whispered as he hand gently combed through my hair. It was at this point I kind of freaked out and yelped, recoiling back and falling straight off the pedestal, my legs dangling up in the air.
"My, very well endowed aren't we?" Was she talking about…?
I suddenly slammed my legs together and bit my inner cheek. Curse these poorly designed rags! Who did this girl think she was!? Get her out of here right now, dammit! Hercules picked me up and I could catch him snickering, bastard. I'll remember that next time I have to use the bathroom and you have to watch me.
I was set back on the pedestal and the girl was now giggling like crazy, which only infuriated me more. "Can you go now?" I growled, regaining composure. "How much is he?" Ignored.
Hercules seemed a bit taken back by her inquiry, she was considering? "Um…500,000 munny." "I'll take him."
…
No no no no no nO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!
"Um…ma'am do you have the munny to afford this. You don't look much older than him…" Yeah Herc, go! Tell her how it really is! "Here is my munny." She pulled out a bag that size of my head jingling with orbs.
Oh shit.
I did the first thing that came to mind, even if it would cost me a beating later on. "If you do I promise that I will try to escape every chance I get. I will plan for your death. I will start an uprising with the other prisoners and overthrow you. I will burn everyone and everything you love-" I was cut short when the collar of my rags was yanked forward and our faces were only now an inch apart. She smiled.
"Mmmm, no you won't.~ I can tell you just don't have it in you." Was that a challenge? "You're mine now, Sora." I wanted to puke. The way she said my name. The way she grinned. The fact I was about to be torn away from the one friend who carried my burden. The fact I was just leaving the burden on his shoulders…
I did the only thing within reason and that was struggle, pulling away and trying to get away. It didn't exactly work since I only fell to the ground in a heap and bumped my head.
What happened next passed by in a blur…She purchased me, and I was fitted with new casual clothing…Then a slave collar was put around my neck, rather tightly if I may add. This was all irrelevant. All I could remember was seeing Roxas' expression…
It was bittersweet. He was happy that I no longer was trapped here…That I didn't have to risk my life. But yet, he wanted me to stay. He wanted to face the dangers of the unknown together and…god dammit so did I! And my reason for being unable to?
Her…
Roxas' PoV
We were supposed to stay together until the end…We were supposed to face every challenge together. Although it was impossible during fights but the support we gave to one another…We always had each others back.
Even when everyone wanted to bury us beneath the ground we stood on we held steadfast and never faltered…We vowed to make it out of here together. Everything we did was to pave the way for the other.
Now I had lost two of the most important people to me in the past hour…
But now, just like that he was pulled away from me…I should be happy; he may have not been free but he no longer had to fear death. He no longer had to dance to the tune those Grim Reapers played for us, and in many ways, his chances for freedom increased.
In here, escape was less than five percent. No I didn't do the math but honestly, what chance did two teenagers in rags with the chance of having a weapon unlikely have when facing countless guards who were armed to the teeth and had more metal strapped to them than a skyscraper.
We faced several beats within the Coliseum, but there was a great difference from facing actual people. It wasn't the strength but the intelligence. The monsters we face were not intelligent and relied solely on instinct. It was the other way around with humans.
They could develop tactics and adapt. Add in their superior armaments and multiply the number of them and the product was that we were fucked.
After a few minutes of the transaction for my companion, I had put myself into a corner of the cage, staring out past the iron bars that confined me. That used to confide Sora. Past them walked people…They were no different than I. Maybe on the outside of course, but within we were the same.
It's…It's bullshit! This isn't fair! I glared past the bars at the people who strolled away happily, smiles everywhere and cheers mingled with laughter. How could they just disregard the people forced to compete…We were all humans, but we were classified as nothing more than dirt.
I hated them. I hated every last one of them. They did nothing to try and prevent this inhumane treatment. I did not know the location of this city I was in but if I ever escaped, I swear on everything that this Coliseum would burn. It would fall. Everything would fall.
The only people I had ever met from this wretched abomination of a place that had any compassion were Phil and Hercules. I wanted to be angry that they didn't stand up for us, but for some reason I made myself understand even if the logic I used were contorted.
They did all they could to help us, behind the scenes that is. Doing it up front would mean opposing the powers that be, and no one wanted that…
With every second that passed, I felt more and more things. Each moment my heart began to absorb anger that I used as fuel, every minute my sadness dissipated. I also felt Hercules stare filled to the brim with pity.
"I'll escape. I will burn this whole city to ashes and free Sora…It's my destiny…" I whispered to myself as I bit my inner cheek, my mind drifting to Seifer. Why couldn't he be the one to do this…Why couldn't he want to cooperate with destiny? He…
"76927…Pedestal now." The command sounded empty, and I slowly turned my head to Hercules who stood at the cage door. Was this some sick joke…? Was destiny trying to spit in my face?
I slowly lifted myself up and sauntered towards the taller guard. My arms were tied as Hercules spared me a pitiful look. "Roxas…I…" He whispered under his breath before I cut him off.
"Don't." I warned. I did not want his pity.
He obliged.
I walked with him to the pedestal and put myself upon it, looking up front to see who had intruded on my brooding.
She did not seem to be an ideal slave owner…She had a petite form and stood smaller than I, even on the pedestal I could tell. She had pale blond hair that framed her face nicely and cascaded down her shoulders. Her eyes looked identical to Sora and I's, except they had a much more delicate air to them.
Her think pink lips were slightly apart as she observed me silently, her hands fidgeting with the fabric of her white sundress. Certainly not usual attire people wore to the Coliseum.
"What is your name…?" Her voice was…soft and gentle and when her eyes locked with mine, I suddenly felt all the anger and annoyance within me dissipate. Who was this girl and how did she disarm me so easily of my anger…?
"Roxas." I replied, my tone flat, despite the fact I would have desired for it to be more cold. It was not to be I suppose, I just sounded bored.
"My name is Namine…"
I blinked a few times, a bit taken back. Usually it was just an interrogation where the prisoner got prodded with questions. Or at least that is what I witnessed happen to Sora and that girl. She on the other hand, sounded more as if she was trying to have a conversation with me…My curiosity was peaked.
Before I had the time to even come up with a retort another question was sent my way. "Do you want to leave?"
What kind of question was that? Every person here wanted to leave. That is like asking a heartless if it wants a heart. Well, I suppose I was an exception but I did technically want to leave. Just not as another persons slave. I raised my eyebrow as I responded.
"Why does it matter what I want? I have no say in whether or not you buy me." Was she trying to give me some false delusion of hope? That perhaps I could control what I wanted for once. Tch, I was not buying what she was selling that was for sure.
She visibly flinched at my comment, which only served to raise my curiosity even farther. Why the hell did the words of a prisoner even matter to someone who was free? "If you don't desire to leave then I will leave you be."
…
"Forgive my suspicion," I started sarcastically, narrowing my eyes "but why? Why does my opinion matter on what I want? It's always about what you people want. I am just a prisoner who has to jump when told too jump, even if it means going right off a cliff." My response was impulsive, one that I didn't give much thought too.
So was hers.
"Because you are a human just like me. I am sorry you have had such bad experiences but believe it or not, you do have choice right now. You can stay here, or leave." Her gaze was different now, it was firm and I could sense the pureness within her words.
I couldn't just leave…could I? I had to protect them…I had to protect Fuu and Olette. But could I really? The boys and girls were constantly separated, lest we come together and have a kid…They didn't want us to taint their World with our youth, bastards.
Really though, what was I doing here that would protect them? Realistically speaking, I had a better chance of going with her and escaping to come back and free them…Staying here was a gamble. There was always the chance I could be killed in combat, and then everything was pointless. Plus, escaping from here still proved to be more impossible than before without Sora.
It would be a lot easier to escape from the grasp of Namine than of the Coliseum. The plan wasn't completely thought through but at least it was a more fruitful beginning than in here…
"I want to leave…" I spoke without thinking any farther, before I could second-guess myself. If I waited any longer doubt would creep into my mind and I would shut down this opportunity...This had to be the right choice...This was destiny.
A smile dawned on the lips of Namine as she gazed over to Hercules. "May I purchase him then?"