Florida woke up slowly, leaving her eyes shut as she struggled to remember what had led to this. Slem, that bastard. We both stumbled upon a room undisturbed in the chaos, staring at each other from across the hallway. Dropping our weapons, we both entered, our situation forgotten at this unexpected paradise. Clean hallways, shining lamps, the place was perfect. No screeching in the dark, there was even a couple garden squares. Neither of us having the upper hand, and both knowing that being injured means almost certain death with no one to patch you up, we put aside our hostility, and explored the area together. Then we reached that altar, coated with blood, and Slem started titling his head like he heard something. He turn to me grinning, says “I accept”, and the next thing I know I’m in chains. We were out looking for someone, but that’s about all I remember. She pulled her arms apart, thinking to test her bonds, and was shocked to find them missing.
Florida stood up and looked around the room. Another altar, this one charcoal black with an insignia of what appeared to be a sword and a spear clashing. No windows, but there was light coming from somewhere. Walking behind the altar, passing boxes of food, clothes, and oddly shaped coins she spotted a lone flashlight. A trap. It has to be. Why would someone waste batteries like this, those things are rare, and getting rarer. Sneaking closer she saw a sign.
Outside. Waiting. Look for white tape. Take nothing. Kraskar be with you.
-Halkaw
What’s with this note? Can’t you form full sentences? Maybe it’s not a trap, seems like this Halkaw had plenty of opportunity. He’s probably waiting, watching to see what I do. Should I take something? Nah, seems like there is nothing useful here, probably moved his supplies with him. Wonder who Kraskar is.
Florida stood up, and began traversing the pathway casually, certain that whoever this Halkaw is, harming her was not his goal at the moment. The area seemed familiar, it had the same layout as the seminar room she went to for class, but instead of wood and concrete, the walls were made out of a stone only a shade lighter than the altar. Reaching the divide between the stone, and the normal campus materials, Florida took a breath and then stepped into hell once more.
Notice
You have left the temple of Kraskar, the lord of battle and retribution.
For entering with one Kraskar has taken notice of, Kraskar is now watching you.
Events while inside:
-Slave ownership transferred from Shem (deceased) to ____ Halkaw (name hidden)
-Released from slavery by current owner (____ Halkaw)
-Incurred debt with ____ Halkaw of 918273 Malkor
-Regained conscious
Seeing this hovering in front of her, Florida felt a variety of emotions. Despair was overcome with hope which was crushed by cautiousness. She reached down, and pulling her tag out from her shirt, she gazed intently at the writing.
Florida Moltak
Title: Debtor, Softball Club President
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Kills: 0
Reputation: None
Position: Watched by Kraskar, in debt to ____ Halkow
Bounty: None
She took a deep breath, collected herself, and began a search for white tape.
*************************
Mark sat on a table in the darkness, attempting to create an edge to his pipe with his file. He had succeeded at creating a point, and carving out some finger holds, but sharpening it seemed beyond his limited tools. Guess even after the apocalypse, men always seem to be waiting on a woman. He wanted to give her the option of leaving, letting her go her own way. It was hard gathering supplies for one person, and two would be exponentially harder.
Luckily Karskar seemed to value not only battle, killing, and getting back at those who wronged you, but also simply enjoyed the destruction of, as he put it “One of Partol’s followers.” They apparently had a long past, and none of it good.
Instead of the usual trade of one kill for 100 Malkor, he had given Mark 7500 for the method, and victim of the killing. Although it gives me a steady supply of food, and medical equipment, I need to find other sources than murdering people left and right. So far I’ve only fought those who attacked me, or stole or killed others, but eventually those will run out. I don’t look forward to ending the lives of some poor innocent people, if there still are any out there.
“Hello?”
The door creaked open, allowing Mark to see the girl standing outside. So she didn’t leave. Mark silently put down his tools, and watching as she entered the room, moved towards the door.
“Is this the right place? Halk---“
Mark slammed the door shut, enclosing the room in shadow, and causing the girl to jump and whirl.
“Don’t say my name.” He told her, frost creeping into his voice.
“O … Okay.”
“Why did you not leave?”
Florida slumped down into a chair, tension slowly leaving her body as she realized that she was still not in danger. She thought about saying ‘I don’t know,’ or some such, but his tone of voice showed her that the answer was important. She still hadn’t got a good look at him, but for now she would assume he was certainly dangerous, and perhaps unstable. That would explain the sign, and his anger at his name.
“There is a strength in numbers these days. Releasing me from my chains, and giving me a decision gave me hope you were peaceful. I also wanted answers, who are you, why did you help me, and what do you know about the event.” Let’s hope honesty works.
Mark walked to the table, and stood, looking at his tools, at his hands, at himself, as he digested her response. Logical, brave, and determined. She could be a companion. Or also a traitor. Hmmm. He began packing his supplies in his backpack, and putting his makeshift weapons on his belt.
“Follow me.”