Chapter 61
Enemies For Friends
With their escape attempt prevented, Erin and the others were quickly taken back to their cell with Durge now sharing the cell with the redhead and her friends. The only one who wasn’t there was Arkay, who had been taken somewhere else, much to the displeasure of Ryle. The blonde had almost charged at the gangsters in sheer rage, but the cat boy had managed to stop her by telling her that he was going to be alright. Even with his reassurance, the others had to make sure to hold back Ryle, as her boiling anger could have still blown up at any moment.
For a couple of days, the group was forced to simply wait inside their cell, as there was nothing they could do for themselves. Every so often a guard would come and give them some food that consisted of dry bread and tasteless soup to keep them alive. It seemed Grandall was still going to put them through the games he had in mind and wasn’t about to change his mind.
Finally after waiting for a couple of days, a large group of armed guards came to take them to where the games would be held. All of them were put in handcuffs as they were escorted to a truck that then transported them to another building. Once inside, they were taken to a large room, where the handcuffs were taken off and the guards left, locking the large door they had walked through as the made their exit.
Erin and the others took a look around at their new surroundings. The room they were now inside looked like a locker room that you would see at school gymnasium’s and sport stadiums. While almost completely empty, there were rows of benches on the floor, allowing people to take a seat. On the left side of the room against the wall were large plastic containers that seemed to have some sort of red cloths inside. On the left side was a large screen on the wall, like a very big TV. Besides all of this, the only things were the dim lights on the ceiling and a door on the opposite end of the room.
“What is this place?” Erin asked. “It looks like a locker room without the lockers.”
“This is the preparation area for the participants in the games hosted by the Laughing Ogre clan,” Durge replied as he walked up to one of the plastic containers and started rummaging through its contents. “People who take part in the games are taken here to prepare themselves before the games begin.”
“Prepare? What do you mean by that?” Ryle asked. “I don’t see much to prepare myself with!”
“You’ll know soon enough,” the orc replied without taking his eyes off what he was doing. “Goddammit. It’s always hard to find stuff that’s my size…”
Before any further questions could be asked, the screen on the right side of the room suddenly lit up, bringing up the face of Grandall. Erin, Ryle and Lexton immediately turned their eyes on the screen, while Durge simply kept looking through the plastic containers.
“Glad to see that you all have finally arrived!” the gang leader said with a smirk. “I was afraid some of you might have killed yourselves by now. Good to see that we have some gutsy contestants this time.”
“None of us would ever do that,” Erin said as she glared at the screen. “We are going to beat your game and get our friend back.”
“Yeah! What she said!” Ryle yelled in agreement. “Where’s Arnie!? You better not have harmed him in any way! Otherwise there will be hell to pay!”
“Oh, he’s fine. Trust me. My daughter shouldn’t have gotten bored of her newest toy yet,” Grandall said nonchalantly. “Anyways, judging by the way you are all still dressed in your own clothes, I’m going to assume that Durge hasn’t told you what you’re supposed to do there. Go to the containers and pick up clothes that fit you. All contestants in our games wear the same outfits, so you all need to look the part as well.”
Erin, Ryle and Lexton turned their attention back to Durge, who had finally found clothes that fit his massive physique. He was almost done changing into the contestant outfit that reminded Erin of a prison inmate. The clothes consisted of a simple red shirt and red pants, along with dark gray shoes.
“I have to say, Durge, I always had a feeling that your employment underneath me was going to end abruptly, but I never imagined that it would be like this!” the gang leader said with a laugh. “Honestly, what made you suddenly decide to betray me? Was it that warrior’s pride or honor or whatever the hell your people call it?”
“I told you already a long time ago that I don’t believe in such crap. Nothing good comes from following codes of pride or honor, so I couldn’t give a damn about my tribe’s rules or even my ancestors. All of them can rot in hell for all I care,” Durge said as he glared at his former employer. “However, I do believe that there are limits to what even the worst scum should be willing to do. And harming kids is way over that limit.”
“Oh my, how noble of you. You’re a real hero, aren’t you?” Grandall said in a tone full of mockery. “Too bad it won’t be of much use to you soon. Now tell your new friends to get dressed or else I’ll have some of my guys do it for them! And I can promise you that they won’t be gentle…”
Having delivered his threat, the TV screen turned off, leaving the group on their own again. With no other choice before them, Erin and her friends simply walked up to the plastic containers and began to look for clothes that were the right size for them.
“So, Durge, what can we expect from these games?” Erin decided to ask, hoping to gain useful information. “Are we going to be fighting against something or face some other challenge?”
“I can’t tell you the exact details of what we will be up against, as the details in regards to these change every time the game is held,” the orc answered. “However, there is often some form of an obstacle course, along with some opponents that we have to defeat. We will only know the full details once the whole thing starts, though.”
“Well, that certainly sucks! You mean to tell me that despite having stood by watching these things numerous times you don’t have any useful information?” Ryle asked. “Some help you are turning out to be already…”
“Hey, the rest of the Laughing Ogre clan might like these sick games, but I don’t,” Durge said with a frown. “I don’t take pleasure in this type of pointless brutality.”
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“Oh, is that supposed to make you look like some sort of a hero then!?” the blonde asked angrily. “You don’t like harming kids and you don’t enjoy these sick games, yet you’re working for people who do! Not only that, but I’ve seen the way you fight! You’re a bloodthirsty monster that will kill anyone who gets in your way! How the hell is anyone supposed to look at you as anything but the criminal scum that you are!?”
Erin and Lexton were both taken aback by Ryle’s sudden outburst. They turned to look at Durge, fearing how he might retaliate in anger over such accusations. However, much to their surprise, the orc didn’t even look angry. Instead, it seemed like he was sad.
“...I’ve never considered myself a good person,” the orc said in a low tone. “Nor do I even intend to make you believe such things about me.”
Without saying another word, Durge walked to the door that led to the area where the game would be held and walked through it. Erin and her friends were left in shocked silence, as they could only stare where the orc had just been.
“...You’re a real asshole, Ryle,” Lexton said, finally breaking the silence. “That was honestly uncalled for and kind of cruel as well.”
“Oh, bite my ass!” the blonde yelled at the kobold. “It’s easy for you to take his side, since you don’t know him the way I do! Had you seen the massacre he committed, you would be singing a different tune!”
“You say that, but I’m starting to have a hard time believing Durge would ever be able to do anything like that,” Erin said with a slight frown. “I mean, not only did he support Lex’s offer that could have saved us, but he was even willing to risk his own life by trying to free Arnie. That doesn’t seem like the violent monster that you’ve described to us.”
“Yeah. Sure. Because NO ONE EVER has put on an act to throw people off, before stabbing them in the back,” Ryle said sarcastically. “Besides, even if he wasn’t the same guy, he still worked for the people that are putting us on a death show, while doing whatever horrifying things they can think of to Arnie! Say what you will, he was still willingly working for these types of people!”
“You heard him yourself. People like him have a hard time making a living, unless it’s through a life of crime. I’m willing to bet that he has his reasons for working for these people,” the redhead said. “Besides, it’s not like any of us are saints either. I’m a trained assassin and Lex was scamming people to make a living. You as well, Ryle, were a bounty hunter that tried to kill me. No matter how you look at it, none of us has a right to go judging anybody here.”
“...Fine. If you want to put your trust in that guy, then go right ahead. However, I’m going to make sure to keep my distance from him, because I’ve seen what he can do with his bare hands alone,” the blonde said in a frustrated tone, as she finished putting on her new outfit and began walking to the door leading to the game grounds. “Just don’t come crying to me, once he has his hands around your necks. Got it?”
Once the blonde had left, Lexton turned towards Erin with a question on his mind.
“Do you think we can possibly trust Durge with helping us out?” the kobold asked. “While I’m sure we could use all the help we can get, the guy has a shady past. I can’t believe that I’m saying this, but Ryle does have a point.”
“I wish I could say yes without having doubts about it myself, but I don’t think we have a choice. Whatever awaits us is undoubtedly going to be a tough challenge and we could use his help. I just hope that Ryle’s outburst didn’t ruin our chances with forming even a temporary alliance.”
Once Erin and Lexton had finished putting on their new outfits, they followed after Ryle and Durge into a much larger room that only had lights on the ceiling and a very large metal door on one end. The door was so heavy that it was obviously made to be opened through remote control only, so for now they were locked there.
Besides Erin, Ryle, Lexton and Durge, there were a lot of other people, all wearing the same red clothes thus meaning that they would also be taking part in the games. From what Erin could tell by looking at the people around them, most of them were just normal people with no combat skills at all. The redhead assumed that they had either been kidnapped for this specific purpose or had some big debts towards the Laughing Ogre clan that led to them being brought here. Besides the ordinary people, Erin also noticed some who were most likely not your average law-abiding citizens, as they had gang tattoos and battle scars on their bodies. They were also much calmer than the normal people, who were all terrified, if not panicking.
Erin quickly spotted Ryle leaning against a wall and walked up to her with Lexton. She didn’t want their group to get separated as that would only make things harder for them.
“Ryle, where’s Durge?” the redhead asked, looking around for the orc. “I think we might be able to work together in order to get through this.”
“You seriously want to work with that guy? Even after all I’ve told you?” the blonde said with a snort. “Go ahead, but I’m not going to find him for you. I think that’s a terrible idea and I’m not about to help with it.”
“Ryle, I get that you have a problem with the idea of working with him, but we could use the help,” Erin said with a slight frown. “We have no idea what’s going to happen next. Having a few extra hands wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
“Even if those hands are going to strangle you? Sure. That’s really helpful,” Ryle said sarcastically. “Maybe we can recruit some of the other people here? I’m pretty sure I saw a couple of serial killers and cannibals over there. I’m sure you would love them.”
Knowing that further inquiries from the blonde would only result in similar responses, the redhead decided to go look for Durge herself. She quickly told Lexton to stay with Ryle so that they wouldn’t have to risk her going on her own, before going in to search for the missing orc. It didn’t take long until Erin found Durge, as a lot of people were apparently keeping their distance from him. It seemed like he wasn’t unpopular only among the Laughing Ogre.
“Durge. I’m glad I was able to find you,” Erin said as she walked up to the orc. “I see that your popularity isn’t any different here either.”
“Meh. I wasn’t exactly expecting much,” Durge replied with a shrug. “After all, not only am I from a warrior tribe, but I was also part of the group that got these people here. I’m not exactly expecting to make many friends around here.”
“Well… You might have some potential friends here. Temporary ones at the very least,” the redhead said, getting the orc’s attention. “Would you like to form an alliance with us? It can only be until we get through this, if you want. We are not going to force you to-”
“Sure,” Durge replied, cutting off the rest of the offer.
The sudden reply caught Erin completely by surprise, as she hadn’t been expecting it at all. She had already imagined different outcomes, such as Durge bursting out into laughter, getting angry or begrudgingly accepting the offer. However, she had not foreseen him accepting her offer so fast like it was no big deal.
“I… What?” was all that the redhead could utter due to her shock.
“I said I accept forming an alliance with you. Didn’t you hear me?” Durge asked with a raised eyebrow. “You’re the one who brought it up, so I thought you’d be happy to get a quick response.”
“I’m just… a bit taken by surprise here,” Erin said, finally pulling herself together. “I honestly wasn’t expecting that you’d accept my offer so quickly, if at all.”
“Hey, knowing what we’re up against, I need all the resources I can get my hands on, okay? And since no one else here is exactly rushing over to make any offers, I’d say yours is the best one on the table right now,” the orc explained. “Might as well take what I can get to improve my own chances.”
“...I see. You’re more of the logical type, huh? I was honestly afraid that I would get caught up in an argument, trying to get you to accept my offer,” the redhead said with a small smile. “Although, I still can’t help but wonder, if you base your decisions on logic, why would you betray the people you’re working for just to save Arnie? I hate to say this, but that didn’t seem like a smart move.”
“I might do my best to be logical and reasonable, but there are times when that doesn’t cut it and you have to do things that are honestly kind of stupid,” Durge answered. “Like I said, there are limits to what you should be willing to do.”
With their new alliance made, Erin walked back to Ryle and Lexton with the orc following behind. The kobold was somewhat surprised by the redhead’s new companion, while the blonde simply glared at the new arrival.
“So, you decided to go and make friends with the guy I kept warning you about, huh?” Ryle said as she shot a glare at Erin. “Just remember to keep him away from me and that I will say “called it,” when he inevitably screws you over.”
“I see that your friend isn’t exactly fond of the idea of having me around,” Durge said. “By the way, mind telling me what exactly I did to her specifically to earn such scorn?”
“Think there might have been a mistake?” Erin asked.
“Nah. I’ve done a lot of nasty shit in my life, so I’m sure she’s pissed off at me for a good reason,” the orc said. “It’s just that I’ve done so much that most of it I’ve pretty much forgotten about by now.”
The redhead let out a sigh and was about to answer, when the large door began to open. It seemed like the games were about to begin.
Erin and her group began to move towards the game area along all the other participants. Whatever personal grudges and issues they had with each other would have to wait for now, as they didn’t have time to solve any of them. Right now, they would need to focus on the challenges ahead or they would surely all die. The redhead could only hope that they could all work together until this was all over.
image [https://i.ibb.co/Tb16W2D/Ch-61-Pic-1.jpg]