Lightning struck the ground as I tended to the abundant fields, a burning scent filling the air. I move away from the shock site but feel a whip lash across my back.

“Work Mongrels!,” shouted the Overseer, A large pot bellied man, drunk from hours and hovering above us. He was a useless overseer as we worked and talked as he watched. 

“Excuse, sir?”  I looked around in the maze of workers and maize when I noticed a child at the base of my feet. The child was no older than 5 years, a rosy cheeked dusty bundle of cuteness. 

“Can you help me? I can’t pull the carrot out ”  He continued pulling on my rags

“Here Kid”I pull the carrot out and hand it to the child, saddened at the state of this small kid

“How did you get here kid”

“ Mommy and daddy went to take a nap, they are coming back soon, they followed the strong men back to the castle”I felt my stomach twist and turn realising the horrors of where this child was brought into. I feel a stick tap on my back.

“Bakar, send the child over here” Sir Hao requested. Sir Hao was the oldest one of us slaves and helped most of us accustom to this place. He sure did with me.

“That child was brought into a world no child should even see, and we are for now his only caretakers”I carried the kid by his armpits over to sir Hao. The guards didn't bat an eye to sir Ofnir as he would help them keep the slaves in line and do their stupid jobs for them, But neither the slaves nor the guards truly respected.

“Child, you have come a long way from the one sheltered child you were, and i see you in this young on-”Sir Hao was interrupted by a thundering roar

“Listen here you animals, the knights of the house have come back from a victorious conquest and will be honoured by the lord with an induction ceremony and you guys will be given a chance for freedom” murmurs and whispers spread across the field like a swarm of locust after a long feast.

“SILENCE!” He shouted back, turning all the slaves to a standstill. No one dared to speak, lest they pay with their lives.

“Anyways, half of you will be taken and will fight a series of gladiatorial battles for your freedom, may the best of you win.” And with that he picked his items and left. There was a melting pot of reactions in the crowd. Some were crying hysterically,others were shell shock

And there was a certain group jumping in happiness, maybe the madness finally got to them.

As I turned back to look at Sir Hao, he looked awfully calm.

“Are you okay sir?” I asked him worryingly.

“Clear that shocked look on your face. I'll be fine,if I am to die here then it is long overdue.”

I begin to pack my stuff as the bell for the end of the work day begins to hound our ears, signalling the end of another part of this never-ending cycle.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“Come to my cabin after dark” Sir Ofnir said as he began taking the child over to his cabin.

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The moonlight in this region was glorious, trickling down onto the earth as if led by an army of tiny fairies. The night was cold, but the winds were calm. A serene night to be out but i can't focus on that.

“Come here child” It was sir Hao in the corner of his cabin, looking at an old tattered picture.

“Child, what do you know about the nation above ours”

“Nothing really” I was pretty much clueless to the workings of the world around me.

“HACHOO” The little kid that Sir Hao brought sneezed so loud I thought it would alert the guards.

“Don't mind him” Sir Hao lightly chuckled at my sudden jumpiness.

“Child, I hail from that land, it is a land of many warriors and hundreds of clans, much like ours. I was brought on a siege of this nation and was captured as a slave.” He took a moment to take in a deep breath.

“My children and wife were left in the hao clan in the north of that nation. You are strong child. Even though you may not have a seed or your heavenly phrase, you have the heart of a champion” He lets out a big sigh before continuing, as if a massive weight was lifted off his chest.

“I have a selfish request but I also have a gift. If you somehow make it out of here, please take this jade shortsword to the Hao clan and hand it to either my wife or children. In return, I'll give you this dagger imbued with the power of Heka, the deity of magic. It was given to me by a merchant from the west I helped long ago. It will help you through make it through the ceremony”

I look down at the item placed before, I have never seen or used a dagger before. All I have ever known was farming. But I must get out of here.

“Anything for you Sir, but what's this shortsword for?”I ask, confused at what importance this blade holds.

“The less you know the better,now get home before the guards begin their rounds”.

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My arm burns, stained by the coal of branding and the seals of enslavement. I try to run but I can't, even if I fight it burns even harder. The brand burns as I get farther from the main house. The better slaves get closer cabin to soothe the burning that haunts us all.

“Get up, the lord himself has selected you. Be proud” They snicker as I am chained and dragged towards the coliseum.

“Please leave me alone, please not me” a young lady from the newest batch of slaves tried to beg and scream but all she did was excite those jailers. Those bastards had a devious smile as they pulled her by the hair and her to the rest of the growing line of cunts being sent to our deaths.

We begin our trek into the largest structure in the area, a masterfully crafted building with a statue of the first house lord in the front. As we approach a set of diverging corridors, we are separated into groups and freed from our chains. I get near the grates and see a hundred upon thousands of people sitting around waiting for us to enter the gladiatorial arena below them.

“Ladies and gentleman” A man from a small box began speaking. I was perplexed as to how his voice could reach down here, but then I noticed how silent the whole arena had gotten.

“Today, We are gathered here to celebrate the greatness of our soldiers and knights,members of the great nation of imperial Aeonia. Tonight we shall also anoint a few notable soldiers to the rank of Knight. Please raise your hands and raise your voices for the knights of the house of Kirikuri”

A thunderous roar rocked the stadium as all the spectators clapped for the soldiers who I couldn't see from my opening. The other slaves in my group were restless, we knew we wouldn't have to fight each other but everyone was on edge. It was life or death. Freedom from this hellscape or being dragged back into the current. 

“Settle down, settle down. We will now begin the ceremony with a speech from our lord”Said the spokesperson. Then a figure that shined with a golden glow stood up, his royal garments fitted with gold from top to bottom, with what I assume is his wife by his side in clothes even more flamboyant than his.

“Denizens of my land, nobles of my kin, soldiers of my blood. You all have fought valiantly and the results are for all to see. Now let me not bore you with a long speech and allow us to celebrate the beginning of the induction ceremony” and with that cheers spread across the coliseum and a sickening feeling set in me. I have to survive this, one way or the other.