Emperor Sal popped a grape into his mouth. “Good pick,” he said. “Juicy and the flavor’s well balanced. You’re the new head chef, right?”

The chef wiped some sweat from his brow. “Yes sire.” No food taster? Has he no fear of poison? Unless… could the rumors be true?

“Such a shame, what became of your predecessor. Shocking that after so long he’d make the mistake of stealing from me.”

“Yes sire. I prepared three options for today’s dinner, would you like to hear them?”

“No, I’d like to see your judgment.”

The chef bowed. “Thank you, your highness.”

A moment of silence passed. Sal eyed the chef. I don’t know where this is going so it must not be important. “Something on your mind?”

“Umm…” Now’s my chance! “May I ask a question of my king?”

“You may,” the emperor said dryly.

“There’s a rumor that your highness can see through the fog of time. I was wondering if you’d seen anything of my fate.”

Sal glared at him. “Have you thought about that question at all?”

The chef didn’t answer. His shaking hands had found their way to his apron and seemed to be trying to wring the thing out despite it being dry.

“Fine,” the emperor sighed. “I think you’ll have a long career in this palace.”

The chef’s eyes widened, he seemed near tears. “Really?”

“Maybe. I advise you to make it happen starting with today’s dinner.”

“Of course, sire!” he bowed again and then scurried away.

Sal picked up another grape. He toyed with the idea of showing that naïve chef what his ability could really do. Upon eating the grape, though, he decided against it. Good servants were often hard to come by, after all.

Then the head of the guard entered. He glanced back at the door for a moment with a “what’s with that guy?” look on his face before returning his attention to the emperor.

Now this I was expecting. “Gabriel! How goes the search for Lang’s opponent?”

By now Gabriel was used to this from Sal. The emperor insisted he couldn’t read minds but sometimes one had to wonder.

“There was an unexpected complication,” the head guard said. “I had planned to put her up against a defected soldier. Unfortunately, this soldier was put back into the circle without my knowing.”

“You should make those under you more aware of your plans. Did he win?”

“Well, it was his fourth round. If he had won, then that would’ve been bad on its own, what with them both one win from escape. But it turns out he lost. I didn’t see it happen, but I saw the soldier’s corpse leaving.”

“Do you have any replacements in mind?”

“There are a few options, but none seem quite as safe as that one. I’ve looked at the upcoming schedule just in case we need to put off her-”

“That won’t be necessary. What about the challenger that killed the traitor?”

“Him? He’s a new prisoner. Fights with a conduit, the Soldier’s Hilt specifically. Like I said, I didn’t see it happen.”

“Him or not,” Sal locked eyes with the guard, “I’m sure you’ll find a replacement.”

Gabriel stumbled backward a step. He must have seen something! “Yes sir!”

The emperor leaned back. That’s the end of that. He popped one last grape into his mouth and waited for the head of the guard to leave.

On his way out, Gabriel turned back for a moment. “I think a food taster would be prudent sire.”

Sal chuckled. “Come now, if I were going to die then I would tell you.”

----------------------------------------

The evening sun cast beams into the cell. In the next cell over some anonymous man was breathing heavily, clearly in pain but unwilling to let screams admit it. Shouts from the audience of the Golden Circle gleefully cheered on far worse pain.

The old man John sat pensively in his shaded corner. He’d found shadows safer after entering the dungeon.

He muttered quietly to himself. “...one look at the ring and he immediately soaks his hands…” “…used that thing like he’s killed before…” “...froze that guy’s guts into a blade impaling him. Surely he can’t bring the hilt here…”

John took a deep breath and stopped. I sound crazy. He stood up and got on the box to look out the window. The prisoners in the ring were unfamiliar. They seemed evenly matched, a sign the guards were going for a more dramatic fight to end the day. I guess they both knew what they were getting into.

A few blows were exchanged before David got back. John jumped at the clank of the cell door, whirling around to see the movement. The guard locked the door and walked away without a word. David leaned onto the door and then sank into a sitting position.

The old man turned back to the window. This only lasted a moment, though, as the dread from the man behind him twisted his head back. The need to say something was palpable. He stepped off the box and approached David.

“I saw you in the ring today,” John said.

David leaned away a bit.

The old man took a step forward. “You were pretty effective out there, Joe. Seems like you really know how to use that… uh… what’s it called again… that sword-not-sword…”

“The Soldier’s Hilt,” David muttered.

“Yeah, that. I could never get the hang of any of those conduit things. Always wanted to see one, though. Say, you’ve got one, right?”

The hidden prince glanced up at him. “Challenge the circle, they’ll give you one to fight with.”

So he’s unarmed. “No, no, I wouldn’t stand a chance.” John sat against the wall, on David’s right. “Not like you did anyway. What’re you in for again? A loaf of bread?”

This time David’s attention turned fully. What are you after? “Maybe more than one. What of it?”

“Just wondering where you got your skills. Can’t steal swordsmanship from a baker.”

Does he see through me? “I’ve done more than just steal. I was a soldier once, like Roben.”

“Like the man you killed.”

“Is there something you’d like to say? I might not have looked like it but I can be patient.”

“No worries, no worries. I can just be a little curious is all.”

“About what?”

“Well, we’ve got loaves of bread here. They aren’t great but they’re there. So if stealing a loaf of bread is worth getting in here, how is taking a life worth getting out?”

“You’re asking for my plans? I told Roben in the ring.”

“Couldn’t hear it through the circle’s barrier.”

Good to know. “Well, long story short I’ve got business outside.”

“Sure, more loaves to liberate.”

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David stood up. “I’m no thief. Or…” Thinking better of it, he sat back down. “At least I’m not just one. A man killed my father, I’m out for his head.”

“You’ll take five lives for one? Relax kid, the emperor’s guard will catch-”

“That fucking lunatic won’t do a thing! He’s the one that did it!” David caught himself speaking louder than intended. “We were in his court once. That snake stripped me of everything I had. Family, land… All he left me was my life. That’s his only mistake and it’s one I don’t plan on copying.”

John was a bit relieved. So he’s not just crazy. “Fair… Say, yesterday when I said the guards match the challengers, I should clarify that they decide who fights who and when.”

“Obviously. What of it?”

“Well, nobody’s beaten the circle in a long time, despite there being fights somewhat regularly. Any idea why?”

“If nobody’s getting free then… they must be dying in the ring?”

“Yes, but I’m saying the reason why. All the guards need is for each challenger to die eventually. Doesn’t matter when. They match prisoners closer to escaping with newer ones whose skills give them an advantage. And if they can’t do that then they can just delay someone’s final rounds for months or years until they find someone who can off them.”

David was silent for a time. Then, “so you’re saying it’s a losing game.”

The old man nodded.

“Well… it’s the only option I’ve got.”

They rested on that for a moment before John changed the topic one final time. “Say, if you can use a conduit then you must have some supernatural ability, right?”

David looked into the old man’s curious eyes and sighed. He got up and walked over to the puddle in the corner of the room. The liquid was a foggy brown, seemingly water washed in either through the window or from some other crack.

“It works like this,” he said tiredly.

One hand went down to the water and stopped just above it. Without touching, a ripple emanated around a circle in the puddle. His fingers tensed, another ripple spread, and a rough blob of liquid came out seemingly frozen.

A bit of muddy liquid peeled off and fell on his hand. His brow furrowed as he focused more on holding it together. This was for naught, though, and the water unfroze within a minute of being stopped.

“It’s unstable without a conduit,” he said, irritated at the muddied hand. “Happy?”

“Hmm…” Seems like it could maybe be useful for a jailbreak. No… if he got through the door or the window he’d still have the rest of the dungeon to deal with. “More or less, yes.”

----------------------------------------

The emperor’s box towered beside the rafters of the Golden Circle. Its placement may seem odd at first glance since the best view belonged to seats nearer the ground. This was motivated by something other than entertainment value, namely the stadium’s proximity and connection to the dungeon under the city. The emperor could hardly be seated at the level nearest the dregs of society.

Not that Sal was in attendance, though. The imperial box was empty but for a stray few guards and their leader Gabriel.

The head guard was anxious about the match that was about to unfold. His highness said there was an opening next week, so then it would be. He must have seen something. So what if Roben was dead? If the emperor said there would be a replacement then one would emerge. His highness mentioned this Joe person before reassuring him again. He must have seen something. So here he was. Nothing would be missed this time.

Gabriel leaned forward as a figure flicked into existence.

----------------------------------------

David was ready for action. The other fighter hadn’t even appeared when he placed the hilt to the ground and drew out a blade.

He looked around to get his bearings. The stadium to his right resembled the view from the cell window. Sure enough there were barred windows to the left, but he couldn’t identify his.

The announcer’s voice boomed from all directions. “...and facing him, back for his third round we have Slint ‘The Spider’ back to catch another in his web!”

Wait, what? David saw the spindly figure of Slint appear at the other side of the ring. I forgot to ask who I’d be fighting! No matter, I saw him fight the other day. I already know he’ll try to nullify my ability. Just need to beat him before he can do that.

The announcer finished his piece and the invisible walls of the circle quieted the noise of the crowd.

Both swordsmen were immediately in motion. David charged forward. Slint avoided him, running to the side. David raised his sword and released the blade, flinging it into Slint’s path. This stopped him, giving David a moment to close the distance.

Air and metal clashed. The metal blade jabbed low, but was parried by its lighter counterpart. This chained into a quick lunge which Slint barely dodged, despite not being able to see the blade.

David lifted his arms and forced his blade down only to be blocked by Slint’s sword.

Why would he block instead of dodging? Doesn’t he realize there is no blade?

This seemed like a teachable moment. David released the pressure and stepped back. Seeing an opportunity, Slint stabbed forward into the trap. One moment, the Soldier’s Hilt was deactivated. The next, its fearful line crossed the spot Slint had just stabbed into. A button press froze the point of intersection, and the conduit separated a notch from the blade.

David loosed the notch into his hand and tossed it at Slint as a taunt. The blade was still attached, but looked like it would break if he so much as swung it too fast.

Slint’s face read with an amusing transparency. It started shocked at the state of his weapon. This gave way to a blank expression of thought that ended in him gingerly setting the damaged blade down, turning, and hightailing away at top speed.

David almost laughed. He’s a sloppy swordsman but a fast runner.

He walked to the center of the ring, pulled a blade from the ground, and chucked it right into Slint’s path just as before. This stopped him in his tracks. Slint turned toward David with a stance that looked ready to bolt away at a moment’s notice.

“You know, the last guy I fought wanted to spend the whole thing negotiating.”

Cautiously, “Oh yeah?”

David bent down and formed another blade. “Yeah, he seemed to think we should just agree who the winner should be. You got any particular reason to live?”

“I got a wife and kid outside, does that count?”

“Not sure, I’m not Roben.”

David swung his arm to fling the blade again, but the rock released earlier than he intended. I didn’t press the button! He must already be trying to defang me!

Slint sprung back into his path, now nearing a fuller circuit around the ring. David knelt to reform his blade. The sensation of it was odd: he could see the hilt touch the ground and could feel the cold on his fingertips, but something said his hand hadn’t gotten to the ground.

No matter. He reactivated the blade and started after Slint. They made contact before Slint got back to where he’d set down his damaged sword. David swung his hilt, but found that the blade had again fallen off. While David adjusted, he was only barely able to half-block a kick that Slint sent into his side.

David doubled back. This is going to be a lot harder if I can’t use my conduit. He pressed the button and swung the air blade into the ground. It made contact, no failure so far. He deactivated the blade, reactivated it halfway in the ground, and pulled up a partial blade of rock. It felt heavy in his hand, up until it crumbled and fell to the ground like before. With all his force, he swung the inactive hilt through the air. This produced another wrong-position-feeling: sight and touch said the hilt had swung through the air, but something said his hand hadn’t swung so easily.

That again, what’s happening? The feeling got stronger when he placed the hilt on the ground again to reform the blade, but went away when he pulled it out. The weight of the thing was the same, but there was something wrong about it. He forced it through the air again, but before it crumbled he could swear his hand felt ahead of where it clearly was. The hand was visible and he had felt the weight of the blade restricting his motion, but somehow his body was telling him otherwise.

Motion pulled his attention away from this. Slint’s damaged weapon was slung over his shoulder and he was running away from David with it. A chill went down David’s spine.

He’s running too fast, that sword’s heavy! Oh god, I was wrong about his ability!

David scurried over to the nearest wall. He put the hilt against it. No discrepancy, good. He activated the blade into the wall. The Golden Circle seemed to be the same type of ability as his and Roben’s, so the hilt was frozen with the air which intersected the wall. He pulled himself up. A handhold of frozen air appeared in his other hand a bit further up the wall and he pulled himself further. In this way, he managed to climb the invisible wall of the ring.

Please support my weight!

A long ways above the ground, he hoisted himself up onto the hilt. By now, Slint had come over and was standing below him perplexed.

“What are you doing?”

“You know damn well what I’m doing you lying bastard!”

“Lying… don’t tell me the family thing was that obvious.”

“You make your ability look like it stops other people’s abilities from activating. It doesn’t! It’s all illusions, visual, tactile, everything! All just mind games you’re playing with us!”

“Oh, that so?”

Weren’t you terrified a moment ago? Is your sword even really broken? “Yeah, I’ve heard of abilities like yours. You control perceptions, perceptions of entire crowds it seems. But you’re sloppy. Nobody can run that fast with a sword that heavy!”

“Okay. So what?”

“So I’m up here and the fact that you can’t stop my hilt is showing everyone exactly what kind of fraud you are!”

“Fair point,” Slint said and then vanished.

…and now he’s invisible. Should’ve thought before taunting.

The world began to spin around David. It was obviously an illusion, but at the same time it was enough to make him lose his balance on the hilt. He swung off of it, deactivating and grabbing it as he fell.

The ground hurt, but at least he didn’t land on a blade. David closed his eyes and began swinging the deactivated hilt with seeming randomness.

Slint, seeing this, stepped back for a second. In principle he could’ve just outlasted David while invisible, but he wanted to end things quicker. David’s back was against the wall and the space in front of him was clearly blocked by the swinging: it was a defensive maneuver. His sides, however, were open.

David’s arm was getting tired.

This better work, I’ve only got one shot.

A stabbing pain split into his left side. Within a split second, he’d activated the blade and cut through the one spot the pain could’ve originated.

The illusion collapsed. Slint lay visible just near David, blood spilling from his abdomen.

“How… did you…?”

David opened his eyes. A piece of iron was stabbed into him, jagged at the outward end. It seemed the sword really did break.

“Extreme pain,” he rasped. “Illusions can’t block everything.”

“But… I was…”

“Invisible? Only problem there is I didn’t know where you were.” He tried to get up but couldn’t stand the pain of moving. “Just had to… ah… to funnel your path…”

“Where did… you learn…”

“From my brother.”

David pulled a blade of rock from the ground and held the hilt like a javelin. He tossed and Slint was impaled just below the neck.