Chapter 7: Separated
It was dark.
Hiro was lightly cradling her arm, and every second seemed agonizing for her.
Eiji wrapped an arm around her, making sure not to touch her broken arm. He found that in this world, physical comfort did a lot to help someone.
Hiro welcomed the embrace, leaning into him and crying more.
"I'm so scared..." She whispered. "My arm feels like it has a heartbeat, and it hurts."
"I'm sorry." He sniffed. "I'm sorry I can't heal you..."
She shook her head. "You already saved my life... Your parents probably hate me, for taking you away."
He smiled sadly. "No... They'd probably love you. I wish... I wish I could go home, and take you to visit."
"What's it like...?" She asked softly. "What's it like where you live? Tell me Eiji..."
He held her closer.
"It's well... It's always warm. The sky is different than yours, because it's always glowing with this beautiful light..."
"Keep going..." She said.
He smiled. "And... And there are lots of tree's. In the spring, they all bloom with flowers, filling the air with... I don't know. It almost smells like honey, but more flowery... There's so many you'd be sick of them in a week."
His smile became warmer.
"Mom... She never gets sick of them... She would just lay in the field, and there'd be flowers in her hair... She's so beautiful..."
Hiro felt a warm smile cross her lips, momentarily distracting her from her arm...
The door swung open, and they jumped.
"Get up kids, it's time to head to the arena."
Hiro stood, and backed away. Eiji stepped in front of her.
"Stay away from her." He said warningly.
The man laughed. "Really kid? Are we doing this again?"
He walked up to Eiji, and punched him in his shoulder. The shoulder had been recently injured, and the same man who had plunged his blade into it punched him now.
It knocked him down for a moment, but he jumped back up.
"I'm serious! Stay away from her!" He yelled.
Eiji was terrified, but he would never let this man harm Hiro.
The man lunged at Eiji, but Hiro's foot shot out, knocking him into a wall.
He stood, and laughed.
"Damn Girll! You're all kind's of busted up, and still coming back! And with a blow like that!? I know where I'm putting my money!"
Hiro wanted to kick him in the head, but she had started to feel dizzy, and decided to try cooperating.
"What IS the arena exactly? What's it's purpose?" She asked.
He smirked. "You're a different sort, aren't you? Most don't ask questions like that until after their fifth round at least."
He shrugged. "Well, you could say it's... A right of passage. We've all been in it, and all the grown ups you see? Yeah, we all passed. Favored by the gods they say..."
"More like demons." Eiji said bitterly.
"I haven't met these 'gods' your talking about, and I don't want to either!"
"Shut the HELL UP!" He barked. "No one likes a snotty little heretic! They end up god food here!"
"Just listen to him." Hiro said.
"If we fight him, We're going to die! We won't have a chance! Let's just go with what he says..."
He smirked. "Well little girl, you just saved his life..."
His face became close to hers, and his hand trailed her waist.
She felt herself shiver as he Nuzzled her neck.
"I think I like you... You're smart... Here, take this little advantage as a token of my gratitude. And make sure you both head to the arena..."
He gave her ear a small bite. She tensed.
"Your entrance is seven..." He whispered. "The heretic's is five."
He left the room, and Hiro just stood there. She was tense.
Eiji was practically shaking with fury. Also with fear.
Hiro stood frozen for a moment, then slid down and curled herself into a ball.
Eiji walked up to her... He wasn't sure how to react to what he just saw.
Hiro started shaking, and began to sob silently.
Eiji knelt down in front of her.
"H-Hiro..."
He held her face in his hand.
"Im so sorry... but we have to get up... What did he give you?"
She held the device loosely in her right hand. It looked like some sort of tracking device...
"Keep that, I guess..." He said.
"We need to get over to this... Arena."
"He said my entrance is seven, yours is five." She sounded monotone as she spoke.
They walked over to the arena, Hiro still cradled her arm painfully.
They approached a large maze, with at least fifty different entrances. Hiro and Eiji walked over to their assigned spots.
They looked at each other fearfully.
The other children seemed their age or older... They stared at Hiro curiously, then stared at Eiji. They seemed the most different out of the entire group.
"We do have an interesting group this time, don't we?
Hiro and Eiji jumped as they heard the voice speaking to them in their thoughts.
" Well... It is the biggest arena of the year. So I'm not very surprised. Such potential... Such... Beauty in this struggle. As most of you know, there is only one rule in the Arena, but for those new comers, I'll reiterate. The first one to make it out of the maze and live, wins the round... Any questions?
Hiro raised her right hand.
Yes! Honestly this never happens... Nice to see some fresh blood, and asking questions at that! The girl in entrance seven, what's your question?"
"Yes, I have a question." She began. "You said, the first one to make it out of the maze AND live wins. You did not say the first one out alive wins. Did I hear you wrong? Or are you saying there can only be one winner?"
He laughed. "You're good! I've never seen fresh blood so smart! Yes, there can only be one survivor... The question is, will your injuries get in the way of your intelect? I could easily see someone like you winning a tournament like this, but your arm may just even the odds there!
Any more questions...?"
The other kids stared at her warily now.
Great, way to make Hiro a target. I bet he did that on purpose!
Eiji was extremely worried about Hiro now. Not only were they going through separate entrances, if someone else found her before he did? She was finished.
No questions then?
On your mark...
Get set...
GO!
They all entered the maze. Eiji made sure to go toward entrance seven biasedly.
He needed to find Hiro, and he needed to find her first.