Gerald, The Choker

Jordan went off to satisfy his carnal desires with a few of the girls he favored. I kept my smile in place the entire time, even after he left. My voice low in case he might hear me. "My, it seems our wonderful leader is taking the time to calm down for once. What do you make of that Isaac?"

I looked over at the man next to me, bald on top with deep wrinkles on his forehead. By all rights an old man, with streaks of gray tinting his brows and the beard that fell to his chest. Isaac laughed, "Nothing has really changed, has it?" He tilted his head back, despite slouching as always. He stroked his beard, before starting to walk further from the direction that man took. "I don't suppose we'd be fortunate enough for someone to do our job for us."

I kept my smile, walking next to the man as the slaves continued their work around us. They were fond of us, considering how well we treated them. Not only that, but the ones here at the Arena were well trained to the point they would actively filter out conversations like this one. Still one couldn't be too careful. "Indeed, but it really is a shame that Kyle and Shepard are out of the picture now. I know you have some unfinished business to tend to with that man."

Isaac grinned, "Yes I do, I was starting to think he would never leave the Arena. Now the opportunity has just fallen on our lap. How did your little talk with him go?"

"He was tired from the fight, and extremely thirsty, though I doubt the flavor in his drink will stick. Especially since he said he's going to try working as a bouncer for the Fire Starters. If Ace's talent is what he says it is, then it's likely he's able to just burn away the black blood and repair the body." We walked into my room, where I had various seeds stored, and plants growing as practice for my magic.

Isaac followed behind, since this was a better place to talk than the halls. He closed the door, while I harvested all the seeds I needed. "If that were the case, then why wouldn't this vice just heal their blue haired member? The slaves have told me he's still resting in the main area."

"It's possible it's painful, or even that it exhausts Ace in some way. I feel it's more likely that they want to use it as an excuse to get the man out of the Arena to pursue other goals." I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror I kept here. My features making me look like a snake, and very unsavory character. The way my eyes slanted, the sharp nose, and thin lips. I kept my green hair just above my browns, and let it fall on my shoulders, but it did nothing to help make me look better. I did make certain to keep my ears hidden under it however.

I focused back on the plants that would die without my magic. Isaac tilted his head, but letting my frown slide. "Makes sense, you're going to to scatter seeds onto the Arena for the next matches, aren't you?"

I smiled a little, "You know me too well. We have to win this match to further our goals. It'd be nice if Kyle just died to the skull shakes in a couple months. It serves him right for treating slaves the way he does." I poured a bit of water on my plants, feeling the vials of blood Marcus traded with me still in their roots.

Isaac grinned, "It would be 'unfortunate' if he were to go in such a way. Unable to rejoin us as champions. Though I have no need to remind you to be careful."

I stopped on one plant, noticing a couple black bugs crawling on one of my plants. Probably leftovers from the Entomancer earlier. To my pleasant surprise, they were eating the lice that infested a couple of my plants. Despite having two stingers, I decided to let them at least deal with the infestation to save me the coin for calling someone to take care of it later. I nodded, "Indeed, you never know who is watching. I did spend good coin to make sure this room could counter clairvoyants. I won't force you to speak freely if you don't want to."

Isaac laughed a little, "Of course, you might not want to kill those wasps by the way. They seem to have gotten into some disagreeable stuff somehow. Their blood is black, and I'm worried if your plants might get sick because of it." I felt around the roots, to find everything was properly sealed. I wondered if Mal had planted some bugs here to eavesdrop, so we both let the conversation die.

I collected my seeds, walking past Isaac towards the cell. He gave me a good luck, before I rested on the bench all the seeds just barely turned into seedlings as I charged them with magic. They would be ready to grow rapidly whenever I needed them. I'd deal with the monster bugs in my garden later.

The gate opened, while I settled on grabbing a buckler and short sword for this challenge. They were well maintained and the sword was properly honed. Magic weapons were typically frowned upon, but with an enchantress coming to fight, it was expected for them to use such. I walked outside to my spot as the announcer spoke my praises. It was roughly the same thing every time, as he was found of me. I gave him a slight bow as thanks, which made him smile.

He announced my challenger, while I watched the hooded figure come out into the open. Their gait was off, not unnatural enough to make me think they weren't human, but off to the point it felt they weren't used to walking quite yet. I briefly wondered if they had a talent that allowed them to grow limbs, or change their form or shape. That would make the fight itself more difficult. I looked my opponent over, trying to figure out what about them unsettled me.

I noticed a small group of figures wearing similar hoods, with a Fiend's Eye hood mixed in. A body guard? No, that didn't make sense, if anything this was one of the two body guards for the person with the hood. This woman was wearing a dark brown hood, carrying two swords as if they were daggers. An unknown style? No, I felt it was familiar in the same way that Jordan carried his daggers just in the fight before. "Well aren't you a creepy one?"

The woman stood where she was supposed to, without saying a word. Her lips painted pink, as I made out fine curly hair just barely peeking out from the hood. I noticed the runes on her sword, realizing she probably lied about being an enchantress, or the person who forced her to fight did. I glanced at the group of three watching, the leader opting to yawn as the announcer finished talking. The gong sounded, and Emma instantly lunged at me.

I stepped back, letting seedlings fall out of my sleeves, and fly in different directions as the force of both swords caused me to buckle my knees. I caught them with the shield, but they left dents. Runes of strength might have been used to give her more powerful blows, but still this was a bit too much. I saw her foot move, and quickly moved to the side to avoid a low blow. Her sense of gravity had to be truly off, since she fell forward trying to slash at my legs.

I jumped over the blade, as she dug the other into the ground to keep herself from fully falling. My feet hit the ground for a second, before she rolled over the hilt of her blade, dislodging it from the ground and throwing it right at me. I moved my shield in front of its path, only to see the sword light up faintly. I couldn't feel the blade connecting with the shield at all, and quickly move it away from me, as I dodged the other direction. The sword pierced through my shield as if it were paper, only catching as I moved.

My seedlings had started to take root in the soil, as the woman stood in front of me, slouched forward, her other sword tip touching the ground. I glanced at the group to see Ace was talking to the Fiend's Eye lady. Deciding to not waste any time, I had the thorn vines sprout and erupt out of the ground. Their roots growing deeper into the soil to help them remain stable, as they thrashed throwing Emma away like a rag doll. She skidded, her side covered in scratches as she made no attempt to cover the wound. I saw very little blood, as she got up without a single sound.

With the distance I now had, I was able to let more seedlings roll out of my sleeves, while pulling the piercing sword free. Definitely inscribed with runes, I looked to Kobe, holding up the blade in question. He nodded in understanding, and drew a line across his throat. This was going to be a battle to the death now. The crowd cheered, while calling Emma a coward, and a cheat. Which just had me rolling my eyes, as I watched the girl in question. She swung her sword at the air in front of her, before pulling down her hood.

Her features were symmetrical, with cascading curly hair that was hazel in color. She had a beautiful face, but those eyes were hollow. Her emotions were muted, as she stared into space passively. She wasn't human, but a homunculus, which meant her controller was the leader of the little group. It explained why she didn't continue to press her attack when Ace and his pet walked towards them. I saw a beetle placed on the back of the woman's head, two shades of blue, and huge compared to others I've seen.

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Deciding it best to ignore what was happening, I slammed my new sword against the shield, walking towards the artificial creature. Each bang helping to dislodge seeds while I walked. My objective in littering the ground with seeds that buried themselves, completed. The homunculus blinked a few times, before looking around lost. Finally smiling at me. I tilted my head back surprised, frowning as it seemed to flex its muscles.

I held up my shield, as she jumped back flexing her fingers and toes. "Such an interesting body. So this is how other creatures walk, how our que... lady walks. I can see why Gray likes it." I tilted my head, wondering if the homunculus' soul crystal was malfunctioning or something. To let the original personality slip out. I had the thorn vines hold onto the sword I left behind, while approaching the creature. I didn't have any seeds planted close enough to attack the thing, but it would eventually run out of space to hide soon enough.

She looked at me, tilting her head, before bowing a little. "I understand that this battle is to the death now, and it is unfortunate that I will lose something I gained so quickly. If it is alright, I'd like to fight with you for a little bit. I doubt I'll kill you, but do be ready if that happens." She smiled at me gently.

"Tell me where your soul crystal is, and I'll do what I can to avoid damaging it. Unless you want to be freed from your suffering?" I tilted my head towards her, while she drew a circle over her heart.

"I believe most of us have our crystals here, since I am definitely the ego of the homunculus, and not something else. Nope~" I nodded slowly; delusions and hallucinations were par for the course when a soul crystal was damaged. The process to make this girl a new body must have been a painful one to make her behave in such a way. She might not even remember her name, the best thing I could do was set her free.

Still I had to ask, "How many more are there like you? Who were you? Is there anything you want to tell me, before I free you?"

The girl put a finger to her chin in thought, "I think a good number of the Fiend's Eye is made up of our kind. After all, this is a way to get eternal life, I suppose. From what I've seen, and heard, you seem like a decent person. Can't tell you how I know that~" She winked at me.

I rubbed the back of my head, "Well, now I just feel bad for calling you creepy earlier. Still, this is a fight and Kobe gave the order. Is there anything else you want to say?" I pulled my shield in front of me, the sword I took from her at the ready.

She smiled at me, spreading her arms wide. "Nope~ Though, since you asked, I do have a request." I tilted my head, focusing on her. "I want a wonderful fight I can learn from. This will help the others learn how to fight as well. At least in this body, though I doubt that makes you happy to hear, judging by your frown." She pouted a little.

I shook my head, looking back at the small group to see them all watching. Kobe was likely to call their leader to speak in private. This was certainly going to be a problem, but finally I relented. I looked back to the eyes of the girl, trapped in a body she couldn't control, her soul probably leaking out of the crystal that trapped her. "I'll fight you properly, but I need to know if you can feel pain."

She shook her head, "This body doesn't have nerves, so the attack earlier doesn't hurt." She held her side.

I relaxed a little, "Thank you, I don't want you to suffer more than you already have." She started to approach me, her sword held in one hand, mirroring my stance. She didn't have a shield, but pretended she did anyway. I lunged forward, bashing her with my shield as she slammed her arm into it. Her sword wasn't glowing, which meant this was the strength of her body. "How many more were like you? Do you remember anyone important to you?"

She stepped forward, trying to kick between my legs. I used her strength to jump back, forcing her to follow me deeper into my field. All of my seedlings ready as I needed. She jumped forward after me, raising her sword up. She was halfway to bringing it down, when a spear shoot erupted from the ground, catching her elbow. Her eyes went wide, as she contorted the useless limb to toss the weapon to her other hand. "Lots, I don't know their names though. We're talking about those turned into crystals right?"

I allowed her to catch the sword, noting the frost on the blade. She swiped at me, tearing herself free while severing her arm. She hardly bled, since blood wasn't exactly useful to her body. I backed away from the swipe, while creeping roots latched onto her foot, pinning her. I kept my voice low and calm, "Yeah, where is it? What have you been through?"

She tilted her head, before striking at the roots. They froze, as she tore herself free, only to be slammed in the chest by my shield. She fell back, twisting her body to avoid another spear shoot erupting towards her arm. More thorn vines sprouted, catching her forearm. The sword torn away. "I've been through lots, had so many children. I was happy, then I became stronger, I couldn't have children anymore though." She tore her hand free. The skin of her forearm gone, as the crowd started to chant Carrion.

I lowered my head, "I see, and where was it all located." She was likely drugged, and force to make more slaves to suffer the same fate. I tossed the sword and shield aside reaching into my sleeves for the seed I'd need. She lunged at me, trying to punch me with her mutilated arm. I dodged behind it, pushing the elbow away from me. She spun with the momentum trying to catch me with her elbow. She opened her mouth as I flicked the seed inside. It crawled down her throat as she began to tell me the location. A spot in the Fiend's Eye territory.

Her eyes went dull again, when the seed reached the pit of her stomach. I was surprised to find they were the kind that needed to eat, but it likely made them easier to maintain. Her body slumped forward, while I grabbed the shield to keep the blood from getting on me after this was all over. The carrion seed found her blood, and began to grow as I poured my magic into it. The stomach tearing as roots spread through the bowels into the legs.

Her body creaked and groaned, as bones were dislocated and moved out of the way. Her skin crawling as the roots took what blood she had, driving themselves into the dirt, holding her in place. I was truly happy she couldn't feel it, since the other people I did this to were always screaming. Whatever organs she had were gripped by branches, as her arms were forced upwards, above her. Her head tilting back, as the first red shoot crawled out of her mouth, straight towards the sky. Her stomach caving in before the upper-half twisted and contorted.

The tree wouldn't let her body die here, forcing it to stay alive. It took all the nutrients it could, as I continued to force it's growth. What usually took years or decades, was happening in the span of minutes. I could feel all the curled branches preparing themselves. Finally the skin receded, and split, causing the entire torso to open and spread as the branches exploded out in a sea of crimson red leaves, and black slender bark.

It really was a beautiful plant, with juicy heart shaped fruits hanging from the lowest branches, while the skull adorned the top of the thing itself. At the center, was the soul crystal, where the heart of a person usually was. The battle was over, and I had the other plants that already grew, quickly shrivel and die. Their seeds ready for me to collect, while slaves began to clean away everything else. They picked the fruit, expertly taking out the small seeds inside it.

It wasn't enough to feed the entire audience, but it was enough for everyone to enjoy a single bite. I took those seeds, and left the Arena. I made it into the cell, before finding a slave named Erin there. She informed me that Kobe wanted a quick talk. I thanked her, before heading to the big boss himself.

Kobe drank some ale, while still sitting on his throne. I respected him as a person, given that he rose to power from this very Arena as a slave himself. Long before my time, but he told me as much with others confirming the story. While he didn't take actions to protect them, he aided those that helped to care for them where he could without seeming to have a bias towards it. Even now, barely anyone recalls where he started. Only those he trusted to some extent, or held a similar background were privileged enough to know such about him.

I lowered my head, walking to his side. The slaves brought the runic weapons before him, as he checked them out. Kobe's voice was low, "What did the two of you talk about?" He handed the swords back to the slaves, "Take them, and put them in the vault. They'll make decent prizes in another fight." The two bowed, and left quietly.

I nodded, and told him everything we talked about, while watching those under us go about their duties. Kobe listened, while stroking his goatee. After I finished, I went back to lowering my head. Kobe sat in silence for a good ten seconds, before finally speaking. "A gang is already picking a fight with the Fiend's Eye. They probably wanted to see if they were still strong enough to waste resources and indirectly give us a gift. Even if it meant wounding you until it was clear you would lose, then having the homunculus off itself."

"That's the impression you got from that?" I looked up to him, to see he was seriously contemplating it all.

Kobe nodded, "Yes, after all there would be payback if one of you were killed. Then the Fire Starters interfered with the fight, by interrupting the mental connection that one woman in the cloak had. The Princess pointed that much out, so it's clear who is fighting the Fiend's Eye. We don't need to know why, I don't even care. What I expect is retribution for those that interfere with my Arena. The party that lied to me, and entered their homunculus should be held accountable. Gerald, I want you to take a group with you tomorrow and raid the location in question."

I smiled a little, "Understood, what if the two gangs are at war when we move?"

Kobe smirked, "Crush them both, and leave after finishing the raid. I want everything of value, including how they make those things. I need proof that they are doing what we think they are. We took a chance trying to join forces with them almost two decades ago. Now they're trying to force us to take them in. They would not accept us when we were weak, and I have not forgotten how they cursed my men. Even if they survive their little gang war, we will destroy them. As for the other gang, I'm curious to see just how far they'll get."

"Understood, I'll carry a banner. That way the entire Underground will know just who is making a move and in control of the situation." I was dismissed, and walked back to my room. I was pleased to see that the lice were all gone, and even the bugs that ate them. I opened my drawers to deposit a couple of the seeds I took from the Arena.

I frowned, noticing that a few were missing. I wouldn't have noticed if I didn't count every time I added more to the pile. It just left me confused, since no one would be able to sell them. If anyone tried to grow them down here, I'd find out soon enough. It was just a little too strange, but there were other things to take care of.