Chapter 25 #3
And then there are these. Pohan tapped his wrist where a black symbol had also been inked into his skin.
They magically collect every experience that we go through in the trials.
Every instance of fear, pain, and death.
The syndicates then sell our experiences off to be used as weapons.
Who doesn’t want to make their worst enemies experience some of the most horrifying pain and deaths imaginable?
They wouldn’t dare do such a thing to the champions. But for us? They make a fortune.
She stared at the upside down crown inked into her skin. At the time, she’d thought they were just mocking her, trying to be cruel. Turned out it would be used to inflict all the torture, pain and even death that she would experience onto others. That was the legacy she’d leave behind if she died.
She ducked as if to check the ties on her boots. “And the champions? Why are they so eager to go along?”
The champions, if they win the trials, get a cut of the money their kalator generates. If they don’t win, it goes to any beneficiaries they choose. The amount is so significant that a couple of nations require the money instead go straight to their kingdom’s coffers.
It was all about money in the end. Money and cruelty. Glancing up at the spectators far above, her head wagged from side to side. She wasn’t exactly surprised.
Pohan glared up at the crowds, his entire form rigid, and fire blazed in his eyes. One day, this rotted out alliance of demon kingdoms will get what is coming to them.
She glanced at his torn wings and already ragged state. It would be highly unlikely that he’d live long enough to be able to enact the vengeance he desired.
“Let’s head back,” she said.
They walked to the rim of their island and stopped.
“Shit,” she murmured.
Some demon had gone around and knocked out the floor between them and the edge of the pit. There’d be no running across.
Jump.
“W-what?” She coughed into her arm to cover her look of surprise.
Jump and I will catch you and swing you the remainder of the distance.
“That’s your plan?”
Do you have a better idea?
“Why did you even bring me?”
He extended his wings. I know my abilities, and I won’t make it weighed down by weapons. I have to have good momentum at takeoff to reach the other side. This was the only way.
“The spikes…”
Your armor, vampire.
She tugged on her clothes. “How do you—”
When you landed, I saw a flash of dragon scales.
She touched the armor through her clothes. Would it protect her from being flung full force into the metal spikes? If he threw her too hard, most likely not. If he didn’t throw her hard enough…
But it was that or stay there and not fulfill her mission. “I want the long sword, the spear, the knife, and the ax. You can have the bow, arrows and second sword.”
Fair enough. Now wait for me to climb to the top of this thing. We must time it just right.
She swallowed, looking at the bodies impaled beneath them. Yes, just right.
And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t reveal that I have a means to communicate to minds.
“If you don’t mention my armor, we have a deal,” she said.
He nodded. Await my signal. He headed for the large jutting rock in the middle of the island.
She backed up to the far edge of the plateau while Pohan climbed to the top of the stone. He pointed in the direction they were going to launch and she took a shaky breath, wiping her free sweaty palm on her clothes. It wouldn’t do if she slipped from his grasp because she was nervous.
Right then, a spark of cold ache started in her thigh. Her heart sank. Zarathos was in danger. The announcer commenced speaking words announcing the start of the champions’ portion of the trial.
She shook her head, pushing aside the sudden piercing need to be by his side. It was crucial that she focus on the here and now.
She gazed across the pit, determining where and how she could land. If she turned at the exact right angle, she should be able to wedge herself between the poles instead of impaling on them. But there would be no room for error.
Pohan opened his wings and slashed his hand through the air. Aryana took off, racing as fast as her strength allowed as she launched out over the open pit.
She raised her hand.
Pohan caught it and with a loud grunt, he swung her forward, but her sweaty palm slipped loose and sent her off course. Shit. Shit. Shit.
She twisted midair, frantically searching for a safe landing. Spikes tore through her clothes, grazing her right arm, causing a jolt of pain to shoot through her. The weapons clanked loudly.
For a moment, she lay still, breath caught in her chest. Then she looked around. Somehow, she had landed between the spikes and she'd managed to keep all the weapons on her.
Her forearm throbbed with a fiery ache. She touched it. No blood, no break. Her armor must have withstood the blow.
She let out a long breath and glanced up. Pohan had landed on the top edge above the pit, on the main floor of the arena. He nodded down at her.
Quickly, she climbed downward and hurried over to Neri. “Here.” She gave her the ax, then she moved over to where Jesir still huddled. “For you.” She held out the spear.
His eyes widened as he took it from her. “Th-thank you.”
She lifted her gaze to where Pohan waited. Grabbing onto the spikes, she made her way up. When she reached the top, she handed over the extra sword and the bow and arrows.
We made a good team, vampire. Perhaps we will try it again. With that, he shouldered his weapons and moved across the arena’s main level toward where the champions were lost in their own bloody battle for survival.
Aryana gripped the sword in her hand, sensing that familiar tug that would lead her to Zarathos. She needed to get to him before he became the demon trial’s next casualty.