He would die. That much he knew to be true. He had been on his way out for a while now. A part of him looked forward to moving on to the next life. The only thing that had kept him here was his granddaughter. For the past ten years, he had lived in pain and misery. The only light in his life had been her.
Ten years ago he, his wife, his son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter had been on a road trip. His son had been driving when a drunk driver hit them. Everyone died on impact except for him and his granddaughter. He had been injured severely, his lungs had taken great damage from the seatbelt. Thankfully, his granddaughter had been sleeping only receiving a few scratches from broken glass.
He had been sixty then, was seventy now, but felt eighty. His injured lungs had reduced his life expectancy while taking the enjoyment away too. The injury caused an incessant aching pain that served as a constant reminder of the death of his family. He had been ready to pass on then. Yet, as he was wheeled into the hospital looking at his young granddaughter, he couldn’t let go of his life. He wouldn’t dare let go, leaving her alone in this world.
He wanted to die then and there when he heard of the death of his wife, his son, and his daughter-in-law who he had taken and loved as a daughter of his own. His injuries were serious and he could feel the darkness encroaching around him. Yet seeing that little girl standing there alone, he knew he didn’t get that pleasure. He didn’t get to move on, to let go. The only option he had was to survive and so that is what he would do.
That was ten years ago, he had survived after numerous surgeries. He had raised his granddaughter, Alyssa, well. She had gone into nursing, he always wondered if that was because of her sweet heart or what happened to her parents. Maybe his own poor health had something to do with the decision too.
He just hoped that she made the decision because that was what she truly wanted to do with her life. Of course, no matter what he would support her in life, no matter her decisions. She had graduated only recently and was already working.
She had her own apartment, friends, and support outside of him. She knew this day was coming and while he knew his passing would hurt her he had done what he should. He would leave her a small inheritance, he had worked hard to pay off all his debt, medical bills, and her schooling. He would leave her the house which was worth a small inheritance. He even sold most of the things he owned to make selling the house easier for her. His funeral and tombstone were paid for and he was ready for the inevitable.
Alyssa would be okay, she had always been a strong girl. She was someone who had lived on after her parents' early death. He was happy with his own life. He was even happy he had stayed to watch his beautiful Alyssa grow up into a young woman. A part of him wanted to see more, maybe even grandchildren. Yet, he knew no matter how hard he tried he would not see that day. Besides he was ready, he was ready to see them again. Hold his wife’s hand and tell her how much he loved her.
Sitting in his recliner, a smile appeared on his face as he felt himself falling. Falling into the comfortable abyss. There was no pain in the abyss, no sorrow, only peace. The cold touch of death began to grip his heart.
Boom! He was jolted out of his musings at the sound of smashing feet. His face was covered in a bright blue light that blinded him. He blinked away his confusion, he hadn’t expected to wake up again. The cold grip that grasped his heart had filled the surroundings.
As his eyes adjusted he looked at a strange screen. Was this the illusion of a dying man? He thought. He began to read the annoying thing in his face, a voice reading the same words.
As he read he almost laughed out loud. This, spirit, or whatever it was, had actually said kill or be killed? He would just die. He didn’t know why he would have an illusion like this before death. He had long been prepared to die.
His brow furrowed as he looked through the darkness. There were others here, in a barred cell. He could feel the cold around him clearly. This couldn’t be an illusion. Maybe a game the Reaper played before people died giving them another chance at life?
He wouldn't play, he had done everything he needed to do in his life. He closed his eyes and his breathing slowed turning raspy. The lungs that had been injured ten years ago, began to fill with fluid. Just to breathe had been a constant battle in his life. His injury suppressed his lungs, causing pain and making him unable to take a full breath.
He no longer fought the feeling of suffocation, instead embracing it. Allowing himself to fall into the cold that surrounded him, the darkness that was deep within him. As he fell the world changed, the cold became denser and almost tangible. He had felt this before, the feeling of death.
He had almost died in that car accident, in fact, he should have. The doctor told him he had never seen anything like it. Only his will to live had allowed him to survive. He had refused death then but now he could finally relax. The cold grip reappeared sliding through the darkness and taking hold of his heart. He felt himself fade, slow, and finally stop…
“Do you know what is going on?”
He wanted to leave the voice alone, to say nothing. Yet, when he heard how young the voice was, he couldn’t help but respond. That voice was even younger than his granddaughter’s. He didn’t even look over at the boy, simply telling him what he knew.
“Wait a moment. It will be explained to you.” He barely got the words out. His breath was barely coming out at all now. The faintest of smiles appeared on his face. He would see her again, hold her.
Ding! The noise resounded in his eardrums and then the voice sounded within his soul once more.
“When I, The Colosseum, chose someone, the entire bloodline of the family is taken. Your granddaughter has been transported into a safe area. She will be protected by me, fed, taught, and even have social interactions.
She will be safe and probably happier than her previous life. However, if you die, she will immediately be sent into the female cages, taking your place in the arena. She will be forced to fight until she dies or becomes a mechanism of death. If you win, upon your tenth fight, she will no longer have to fear being sent into the arena. You will be reunited with her, even if you die later she will never have to fight.”
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The words shook his entire body. For a brief instance, he ignored them but when he truly understood them, his old eyes snapped open. The gaze of one that was in their final moments of death, sharpened ever so slightly. His eyes narrowed as he looked at the notification and the words that accompanied it.
He read the words again and then again. He took in a deep forceful breath. The breath only entered maybe ten percent of his lung capacity. With that deep breath, a sharp pain stabbed into his lungs. Sharp white familiar pain coursed through him, pushing past it he coughed sending more agony through him but bringing up a slight amount of mucus.
He was close to death... He could let go and give in, the pain would be gone, and he would be with them again. Tears filled his eyes, NO! His sadness would be gone, his body was already falling apart, and his lungs were full of dense mucus. His eyes were dim and hazy, the last bit of light already fading. NEVER…
He disregarded the pain, the need to be released. Instead he began removing death's grip on his heart. He took control of himself once more, another deep breath followed by a little more air entering his lungs. Holding the breath and forcing the oxygen to enter his lungs. As he exhaled he coughed out the mucus that had built up.
He continued, the pain building with each breath. Coughs racking him the coldness in his lungs turned hot, sharp, and spiking pain jolting him. Leaving him no question that this world was real and not an illusion.
His eyes had become dark and hazy began lighting up ever so slightly. The coughing made his old body sore and tired. He felt how easy giving up would have been. But for his granddaughter, this option could never be entertained.
His eyes became brighter, the coldness in him faded, and he pushed death away for a second time in his life. The pain had hurt just as much as the last and would continue to hurt, that was fine, he would continue.
Knowing he was not in an illusion or a dream, only fed his determination to continue. He felt the pain, the cold earth beneath his hands, the vacant look of the others. His breathing never stopped and his pale deathly skin began turning back to a normal color.
Tears streamed down from his sharp eyes. His breathing slowly evening out close to his normal. Perfect, no. He hadn’t breathed perfectly for ten years, but they would function again. An hour passed as he forced one breath after another. He had long become familiar with these breathing exercises. They were the only thing that kept him alive. His lungs were slowly dying, and this forced them to work day after day.
As he settled into his breathing exercise his gaze began to light up within the darkness. Never. If there was even a chance of his granddaughter suffering. Even if all of this was a dream, an illusion, or a lie. He would go through this torture a dozen times over for her. He hadn’t persisted through his suffering and fought for her to have a good life just for her to be tortured by that thing.
He did not understand what was going on, but he began preparing. He read the notifications again and looked at his status sheet. He began understanding a little more but he was also confused. Beginning to think of his next moves. What would he fight? How could he prepare?
As the time ticked down, the old man made a vow. He had gone through the vicissitudes of life. He understood how cruel the world could be. The spirit that could do this might make him face another human. He prepared, making a promise. No matter what this thing throws at me, I’ll kill it. I don’t care what appears I will not lose.
Fight 1: 6:24: 19
Inferior Human: Allen Wells
Credits: 0
Items: Tier 1 Spirit Token | Boxers
Cultivation: Realm 1 Step 0
Intent: Low-Grade Realm 1 Death Intent
“...You are aligned with ice, water, darkness, death, and life…”
The status sheet told him to fight hand-to-hand. A part of him wanted to go against the spirit just to spite it. Yet, this is what he was the most practiced in. Hand-to-hand was something he had actually practiced before in his younger years.
While not applicable to a true fight he had also practiced tai chi for the past ten years to keep his health in check. He was certain hand-to-hand would give him the best edge. If he picked a random weapon, he might do himself more harm than good. He was only concerned that if his enemy had a weapon he would be at a massive disadvantage. Yet what was he going to do, get in a sword fight with someone? No.
He would not let his anger at the spirit turn to foolishness. Going against the spirit only for his own hubris. He would do whatever he had to do to win. As soon as he made the decision he felt a pressure then appeared in a strange world.
There he saw images of people practicing martial arts and hand-to-hand fighting. He began flipping through them, practicing in his mind. He felt as though he was truly there within the scenes. Finally, he knew that watching more would only confuse him. He had picked a few scenes that struck him, then pulled himself back into the real world to think about what he may encounter.
The old man's eyes did not dim with time. In fact, they only brightened. The desire in them grew stronger. He looked at the young man beside him who had passed out. Probably entering the same strange world he had. He felt some payment was due. Without the boy's voice, he would have let the darkness take him, and his granddaughter would fight in his place.
“It's time young man,” he said. Taking the time to look in to the young boys eyes and remember his face. By the time the young boy had gathered himself and thanked him, he had long zoned out ready for the battle.
A flash appeared in his eyes, and he was in a completely different world once again. This time was completely different though, he truly felt his body had moved to a completely new location. Instead of a world within himself. He fell to his knees vomiting. He wasn’t sure what had just happened but his body was dizzy and disoriented.
He gathered himself quickly hearing the cheers all around him. He looked up preparing for an enemy but was met with a wall. Weapons covered the wall but directly in front of him were different types of gloves and gauntlets. He ignored the weapons further down on the wall as he had already made his decision.
His eyes caught a set of black leather bracers that would cover his forearms completely. This would allow him some leniency if the other person had a weapon. As he touched them he was stunned to feel that they were indeed leather but more like metal in hardness.
He didn’t hesitate to put them on, knowing that they would make a massive difference. At least he would have something between him and his enemy. As he looked at the many weapons on the wall, his thoughts shook. Should he take one? What if his enemy had a spear? He would be at a major disadvantage.
Before he could act the wall disappeared before his eyes. He let out a breath moving on, now was not the time to dwell on such a matter. Facing the other side of the arena he prepared for his enemy.
He had to stay confident and stay true to what he knew. And he knew whether man or beast he would kill whatever appeared. As the strange fox appeared before him he let out the breath he didn’t know he was holding. Just because he would kill a man for his granddaughter, didn’t mean he wanted to.