Leon POV
John and Sasha gave Mike the same tour they had given me when I first arrived, showing him around the safer parts of the prison as I accompanied them. Mike tried to assault the guards several times, but he was completely shut down as they subdued him within a few seconds, it was kind of embarrassing, but it did give me a good look at the guards' strength, they were powerful, but they were also not very mobile, so that should be good on my end.
As lunch rolled around, we all sat together, and Viper joined us. Mike was already talking about different ways to escape, his mind clearly working overtime on schemes and plans. I couldn't help but think that Mike, with his boldness and determination, might be a valuable asset in helping me get out of here. He was reckless, sure, but that kind of energy could be exactly what I needed. Even if he didn't have all the answers, someone like him could help stir things up enough to create an opportunity.
It wasn't every day you got to work with the son of Zeus, and I had a feeling his influence could tip the scales in my favor. For now, though, I just observed, letting him rant and plot while I kept my own thoughts to myself.
"Why do I keep seeing you?"
"Because I heard that your group got a pretty interesting newbie." Viper pointed to Mike, "You're amazing yourself, you got a visitor and came back with no harm."
"Well, I was respectful toward that bitch of a goddess."
"Bitch of a goddess? What are you in for?" Mike asked.
I pretty much told him everything, but he just laughed at my decision, calling me stupid for not accepting a great offer. I mean...the gods still clearly don't have the right to determine what I should or shouldn't be doing, and sending me down here is quite harsh.
"So none of you want to escape out of this hellhole?" Mike asked.
"Nope, I regret what I did and this is a sentence I deserve." Sasha answered.
"I personally wouldn't mind, but my goal would be different than yours." Viper said as he licked the back of his paw, "Zeus is a dick for sending me down here, and I plan on having revenge."
"I wouldn't mind, but I rather not take the risk." John shrugged, "And the risks are way too high, so unless you have a way to have a centaur sneak out of here alive and journey to find the end, you can then tell me, I'll join in, though Leon here would probably more likely to help you out."
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3rd Person POV
Lux once again approached the three judges and placed a parchment on the table before them.
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"I want the demigod, Leonardo Silver, tested in the arena," she said, her voice echoing slightly in the vast chamber. "One security guard should suffice for the trial."
The judges exchanged glances, their eyes narrowing as they considered her request. Beside Lux, another god stepped forward to do the same thing.
"I also request that Michael Jayson Hawk, the son of Zeus, be tested the same way and be relabeled as 'risk' instead of 'safe'." the god added, placing his own parchment beside Lux.
The judges leaned forward, examining the documents. After a moment of deliberation, they nodded in agreement. The parchment glowed briefly as the lead judge, Rhadamanthus, signed off on it with a swift, decisive motion.
"Approved," he declared, "Both requests will be carried out. However, even if they win, the relabeling process will still have to be approved from the higher-ups."
Lux gave a subtle nod of thanks, her eyes flicking briefly to her companion before leaving.
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Leon POV
So, a bit of a half-day time skip here, and let's cut to the chase. I'm currently in an arena that is now filled with a good amount of souls where there were 2 gods overlooking the whole thing as I was partnered up with Mike. All of this started when they yanked me out of my cell in the middle of my sleep, right alongside Mike, whose eyes were darting around like he could find a way out if he just looked hard enough. Neither of us had a clue where they were taking us, but it didn't take long to realize we were in for something serious.
We were chained and cuffed as were were then dragged through the fields and into the arena, we were walking through this corridor that was dark and thick with the stench of blood and sweat. Finally, we reached a set of heavy iron doors. They creaked open, revealing a large, dimly lit room filled with racks of weapons and armor.
As I scanned the room, my eyes landed on her, Lux, standing off to the side, arms crossed, watching us with that same cold, unreadable expression. The sight of her sent a jolt of irritation through me, and the irritation worsened once she and this other god told us we were being tested to have our rank be basically demoted, and we couldn't try to lose either since gladiator fighting in the underworld is to the death, so we'll have to try our best no matter what.
"Alright, I can finally prove myself!" Mike yelled excitedly as he slammed his fists together, which produced this short burst of crackling lightning.
"Alright I don't know who you 2 doofuses are, but let me go back to my sleep or I'll insult really hard. I know we got some warning for profanity and strong language, but I will seriously get mad."
"You're right, he does have a mouth." the other god said to Lux.
"I'm not fighting."
"You don't have a choice." Lux responded as she was now looking at her nails.
"Alright, you annoying bitch of a goddess, you might want to think twice before going down that road. People hate that trope, Lux. Like, really hate it. You start off all high and mighty, making life hell for everyone, and then at the last second, you decide to turn over a new leaf. And you think that’s gonna cut it? Nah. By that point, everyone’s already written you off. And here's the thing, redemption arcs don’t always work. In fact, sometimes they backfire.
"This trope is clearly overused, so come on, lightbulb, why not just be nice now? Call this off before I actually get angry, and maybe, just maybe, you won’t have to dig yourself out of a hole so deep even a god couldn’t climb out of it. Trust me, Lux, it’s not worth it. That path you’re on? It leads to everyone hating your guts, and no amount of last-minute heroics is gonna change that."
"Oh wow, that is a hell of a mouth." the other god gasped in horror and amazement.
"You shut up, you dress up like you're from the great depression. And you're so irrelevant that I'm not even going to describe what you look like to the readers. So, let me go, I'm already down here against my will, and you might as well let me rot in my cell instead of stringing me along."