CHAPTER 29 CAUTERISED WOUNDS
Captured. Again. How many times is this now?
The prisoners were bound together with thick, vine-like rope. The Gorillon and Lupine were at the front, with the Consumers following, then Luisante and the family of crying children, then the rest following. Cato was still offline, dragged by one of the strange figures who led them back towards the mountain. From under the hoods, each of them was seen to have the curious red and blue pigmentation on the same halves of their bodies. Each of them carried two swords, and none were similar. The strange energies oozed from their bodies, as the bound Consumers were trudged along to the mountain.
Their captors brought them to a steep curtain of rock where the other mountains dissapeared from view, flanked by outcrops of rock and forest. The wall was strangely smooth, with a set of crude stairs carved up towards it. To the untrained eye, it was blank, plain stone that was suspiciously smooth, but Kad could feel ancient arcane writings at work. If one were trained to see, they would be able to see carved symbols that melded with the rough scales of the mountainous hide. The scars were unseen glyphs and symbols, and as the Capitan alone walked towards it, he placed a red hand in the centre.
As he did, Kad could feel the purple energy swirling towards each of the cloaked figure's palms. He placed his blue hand by it next, and the unseen runes glowed. A dull violet barely visible under the veil of sunlight. The birds chattered and the stream trickled, and soon the earth began to move. The face of the mountain began to rumble and tremble, reminding Kad of the metal doors beneath the earth he had encountered a life-time ago. With a tremendous crack, the wall of rock split, becoming gargantuan doors that opened, and once more, his party was escorted into the mountain.
“Rangers return'th!” A deep voice cried out from within.
The sharp smell of damp rock once again reared its head, as the captives stumbled over the rocks. Bimi held on strong, but his old legs were failing him. Next to him, Naika held her head down, her teeth gritted, but a determined sense of willpower stored within her chest. The group was escorted into a large stone atrium, filled with wooden structures and bridges. Blades of light sliced their way into the stony halls, slits unseen from the outside had been carved into the mountain. Kad could hear stunned whispers and cautious chattering, feeling so much of the strange energy, he was under threat of being overwhelmed. Over fifty of the strange Calistan people were here, his vision becoming a distorted kaleidoscope unlike anything he had ever felt before. Many bore the same smell as the rangers who captured them; damp robes and wild dirt. There were other sensations though, perfumes and noble outfits, and even smaller deposits of the same energies that could be children. All were watching, all mesmerised by the new prisoners. The Capitan brought them to the centre of the hall, and before them was a set of ornate walls carved into the stone, with a second set of stone gates, already opened.
“Rangers return'th.” He called out again, this time to a guard on the wall.
The guards were adorned in strange metal and leathers, wearing something that was a cross between a coif and a half-helm, wielding terrifying, serrated pole-axes. The guard nodded at the Capitan, eyeing the prisoners curiously.
“Send word to the Judicator.” The Capitan called. “Tell him it is of the utmost urgency.”
“It will be done.” The guard called back.
More of the Calistan people came to watch them, entering through the gates. Inside, they saw buildings of stone, but some were altered with strange, anomalous materials. No buildings were identical, many houses and structures were built roughly, with slanting windows or roofs, no order or delicacy had been instrumental in their placement or construction. The Capitan and his rangers led the prisoners through.
“What is this place?” Luisante asked, half with anger, the other fear. “Where are you taking us?”
“This is Drezwi.” The Capitan answered, not looking back. “Soon thou will meet with the Judicator, who guides us in the teachings of The System.”
Kad could feel the familiar air-flow from the tunnels. There were dozens placed around the cavern, leading deeper into the mountains, presumably to where the Sect of the Spider had led them before. He tried not to remember the cavern of screams and horror, but he could hear them through the caves. The sounds of cultists begging for their mothers and gods, the roar of the monstrosity.
This is the last time. The last time I will ever be captured again.
He tightened his fists against the vines that bound his wrists. The street they were led through was packed with the Calistan, children and women, all afraid but curious.
“This is your city?” Luisante asked.
Finally, the Capitan looked back.
“This is our Outpost in the mountain of Samaragard. Our home-land lies elsewhere.”
“Just what are you going to do with us?” The Satyr asked, trying and failing to mask his fear with bravado.
“Thou trespass in our lands, yet thou fate is uncertain. The System guides, yet they are few'th enough who are trained to dispense thy judgement.”
“Who is this Judicator? What does he want with us.”
“Thou will see.” The Capitan said with an unsettling grin.
*****
The captives were brought into a town square of sorts. The buildings converged around a stone platform, barely raised, big enough for the population of the outpost to be mustered in. Around it, two large statues were made of Calistan ancestors, each with a different pose. Between them, was a stone plinth on a raised section accessible by stone-steps. The captors mustered the group of confused adults and crying children into the centre. The crowds assembled to gawk at them, as the rangers stood nearby, waiting. The robot, Cato, was dumped unceremoniously in front of them. As soon as his metallic head hit the ground, his red eyes flashed open.
“Oh.” Cato said, turning online. “Is it morning already?”
The robot's eyes shuttered in a blink, as he turned to study his new surroundings and company, noticing that his arms and legs had been bound together.
“We have moved? What did I miss?”
His group of comaptriots remained silent, waiting anxiously for this Judicator to arrive. Cato studied the people, and recoiled his head.
“Oh no.” He said, almost in a panic. “Bimi Enkovu! Kad Ekisziku! We are in trouble, big trouble!”
“Yeah, we noticed.” Kad said grimly, showing Kad his binds.
“No, you don't understand!” Cato said urgently.
From somewhere in the crowd, they was a calling of a deep voice, and the people began to shift and part as someone made their way past. Cato looked at Kad with desperate eyes.
“These are the ones who attacked us, after we fell from the Segadora!” Cato's robotic voice had been infected with fear. “The flashes of red, the chaotic blues and purples...I remember it.”
Kad gulped heavily as the crowd parted to allow a figure flanked by guards. He too was of the Calistan, though there was something different about this one. He carried a nobility to him and a reverence that was hard to place.
“Make way for the Judicator!” One of the guards called.
The Judicator stood at average height for the Calistan surrounding them, at just over six-foot, but still taller than many of the captives before him. He stood proudly, and was dressed in a way to separate himself from the rest of the herd. His light hair was almost white, tied up neatly and raised high up his head. On his face he wore a veil of white and gold, with an amulet of three jewels draped along his chest, a ruby, a topaz and a sapphire. His fine cloak was shabbily stitched together like the rest of his people's clothes, but of finer quality. It was of a luxurious burgundy and a deep violet, his robes were a patch-work of green and brown. Most notable, was his skin, for although it was the same red and blue pigmentation, each part of his body had apparently been marked with white symbols embedded into his flesh. No symbol was the same from his forehead to the back of his hands. He lifted his veil, and revealed a face unmarked by either youth or age, his orange eyes burning fiercely. He stepped forward and the crowd hushed, many fo which bowed at his very presence.
“Your eminence.” The Capitan said, bowing his head too. “We found'th the culprits who summoned the Daem from within the cave.”
At the mention of The Daem, hushed whispers flared and burned throughout the crowds. The Judicator studied the group closely, revealing no thought through his eyes.
“Well sought, Capitan.” The Judicator said in a plain voice. “Do they speak'th?”
“Yeah we speak!” The Gorrilon shouted angrily.
Small gasps appeared from the group that surrounded them. Even the Judicator betrayed a look of brief surprise.
“You speak'th our tongue?” He asked. “From where'th do thy come?”
“We're from the city.” The Silver-Dvergr said, his haggard, tired eyes were red and watery.
Kad could hear the rumblings of people asking which city, wondering if it was their own.
“From New Peridios.” Bimi said with a croaking voice. “Across the sea.”
“The sea? There are none who come from the sea.” The Judicator said.
He turned and began to ascend the stone steps, taking the seat at the top of the mound, and resting easily.
“It has been many centuries since other people have spotted in our lands. You are not the Eves of the Sky, are thy not?”
Nervously, the High-Evean woman felt people staring at her, and began to shift.
“This city of yours, if there are more like you there, than why have we not seen of heard from any in this time?”
“We didn't think there were lands like this either.” Luisante added. “Not until the flash of light in the sky.”
At this, the Calistan began to murmur excitedly. The Judicator leaned forward in his chair.
“Thou saw'th this?”
“The whole city did.” Luisante answered.
The crowds murmured and the Judicator relaxed in his chair, a king on a throne. He clicked his fingers together, and within the crowd, a servant filled a chrome goblet with the contents of a flagon, and hurried to the steps. She climbed them nimbly and offered it to the Judicator, who took it without looking at her. He swirled the contents of the cup, an amused smile on his lips.
“Tell me of this city, outlanders. You appear'th a motley group. Who does thou bow to?”
“We have no king.” Bimi answered stoicly. “Our city was all that was known to us, for four thousand years. Each race was said to have journeyed there after a great calamity.”
More whispers rushed through the outpost. The Judicator bared his teeth in a rueful smile.
“Four thousand years thou say'th?” He said leaning forwards. “A curious number. Our ancients tell that was the time of The Daem, when the world was rushed with great evil that cleansed the lands in a flood of fury and fire, leaving only us. The Calistan survived, as it was, and so it shall be.”
He raised his goblet, and the crowd repeated his words.
“As it was, so it shall be.” They chorused.
The Judicator took the goblet and swallowed the contents in a single gulp before placing it back onto the tray the servant held, and she hurried back down the stairs and was swallowed in the crowd of scarlet and blue.
“I find thou to be most intriguing, creature. The old tomes tell of a Daem with two mouths that devoured magic, a terrible threat our ancestors fought against.”
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Kad and Naika straightened up, heat flooding to both of their faces.
“We are Consumers, oh lord.” Bimi said with great enunciation. “We are a peaceful people, though our origins are unknown even to us.”
Kad heard Luisante snort angrily, scuffing his boots on the ground. The Judicator smiled greedily.
“A curiosity, is what thou are.” He said indignantly. “Here in the company of other curiosities. Tell'th me, what brings thou into our lands?”
“We are from a settlement. Gentle Stream, outside of the mountain range.” The Gorillon said, trying to mask his anxiety.
“Thou come'th from a city, yet wish to settle our lands?” The Judicator asked, worry creeping into his face.
“These lands our new to us.” The Evean follower of Luisante said. “Ever since the flash-”
“The flash of light was our sign.” The Judicator said bitterly. “A sign from the Demiurge. A coming of a new age.”
“Yes.” The Evean said, gulping. “That's what our people thought so, too.”
“Be silent.” The Judicator said angrily. “We welcome thou's company into the sacred walls of Dwrezi, but we will not allow a Rugta-Wrog to speak in open forum.”
Angry murmurs surged through the onlookers, their angry stares turned to the two Eves in their party.
“For milleania, the victorious Calistan have stood as supreme rulers of the mountain passes, and where are the Rugta'Wrog now? Vanished, barely traces and whispers left behind, the scars of bitter wars have healed the world, cauterised wounds in the earth that only few can see. To let thy kind speak, is an insult to our ancestors.”
Angry cheers and insults flew from the crowd, an ignited army who fanned their flames onto an old, supposed enemy. Cato noticed this, and whirled his mechanical head around, before turning to Kad and Bimi.
“Kad Ekisziku, Bimi Enkovu, I believe now we have seen records of these people. On the walls of the destroyed building in the mountain, the ones called the Ska'Deen.”
Suddenly, the anger turned electric, as the Calistan hissed through their teeth, curses and expletives coursing through them. The Judicator turned angrily to the robot.
“How dare'th thou say that word here!” He roared. “Not for four-thousand years have we have heard that curse. The bitter name the Rugta-Wrog spat at us!”
“I apologise for any offence our friend has said-” Bimi offered, worried.
“Offence? I only recall the name they were given.” Cato said naively.
Shouts and jeers were thrown at them, and the group found themselves shrinking in their shackles. The Judicator stood from his throne.
“I, the sole Judicator of Drezwi, Subruksui of house Piesca, deem these trespassers colluders of the forgotten enemies of the Calistan. Thou enter our sanctified lands and speak dark words within our halls. In repayment for the kindness of sparing your lives and offering thou a chance to speak for thyselves in judicial forum, I can only sentence thy to death.”
A chill crept through the spines of each captive, as increased shouts were thrown at them. The Consumers, stood tall, while the rest of the captives looked to Luisante, who only snarled. People cheered at Judicator Piesca, whose angry grin was that of a predator staring at livestock.
“It is what the Demiurge demands!” The Judicator shouted.
Naika turned to Kad, her determination slowly fading. Kad could hear the almost-silent fidgeting of her hands on the thorny vines, trying desperately to unhook them.
“Wait.” He breathed to her.
Wait for an opening. Find the right time to strike.
She stopped suddenly, his voice almost drowned out by the demands of the Calistan peoples. Judicator Piesca soaked in the adoring shouts of his folk as if it were wine, his smile growing drunker by the second. The Capitan of the scouts who had captured them stepped forwards, awaiting orders. The Judicator looked to his soldier proudly.
“Capitan Tievs.” He spoke loudly, trying to rise above the shouting crowd. “Thou have served the Demiurge with honour. Thou spared their lives, and I charge thee with taking them, as the system demands.”
Capitan Tieves bowed his head, placing a fist over his chest.
“Thy will be done, Judicator.” He said solemnly, before turning to the rest of his scouting party.
Before he could issue an order, Naika stepped forwards, boldly.
“Wait a minute.” She called out, drowned out by the shouts. “Wait!”
No, what is she doing?
Some of the jeers began to drown out, as disgusted looks were thrown at her, but the Judicator smiled mockingly at her.
“Thou wishes to appeal?” He said, almost irritably. “If thou is truly one of the devourers, then thou deserves purging more than the Rutga-Wrog. There is no appealing against the system.”
“Then tell us of this system.” Naika pleaded through gritted teeth. “If it is a system of laws, then surely-”
Before she could finish her sentence, she was drowned with mocking laughter and gasps of disbelief. Many faces of shock were turned back to Judicator Piesca.
“The Demiurge is unknown to thee?” He said, barely daring to believe it himself. “Thou would admit to being a heathen on top of thy crimes?”
“We follow the teachings of Voss Nova.” The Evean woman said. “The true teachings, not like those blasphemers from the cave.”
Judicator Piesca recoiled slightly.
“Voss Nova? The Rugta'Wrog deity is still worshipped in thy city?” He said with a mocking laugh. “A false idol. Superstition. Only those of lesser races would still believe in such things.”
Derisive laughter flared within the crowds behind them.
“What thou say'th intrigues me though. Who were these blasphemers you speak of?”
“They said they were missionaries for Voss Nova, but they weren't.” The Silver-Dvergr said desperately. “They tricked us, wanted to sacrifice us for some sort of daemon.”
As shocked whispers reverberated, one of the Calistan rangers stepped forwards.
“'Twas no Daem, your Eminence.” She said. “'Twas a dark spirit, one of the Totems of the old age.”
Shock filled the Judicators eyes.
“A Totem? More faerie tales and myth.” He said, battling the belief in his voice.
The Capitan said nothing, but peered curiously at his captives.
“A great spider it was.” The Silver Dvergr said with great fear. “Horrible. Killed 'em all. She wanted to sacrifice us to it, take our blood.”
He paused and turned a bladed stare at Kad.
“But she took his instead.” He said with no hidden malice. “His blood poisoned it, turned it feral. We only just escaped, we didn't want to trespass, we were captured then as we are now. Please, let us go, at least our children.”
The Judicator stroked his chin, amused.
“It is as they say, Judicator.” The Capitan finally said in a low voice. “We arrived as the beast grew whole. We wounded the creature, yet it may survive.”
The Judicator smirked, chuckling lightly.
“I see.” He said, throwing a smug look over the crowd.
Finally, he stood, raising a hand towards his audience.
“Seal the tunnels leading to the cave immediately. The passage is lost until further notice.” He called out. “As for our visitors, I believe it is clear what course The System provides.”
Slowly, Judicator Piesca began to descend the stairs.
“The Demiurge calls for balance. As Calistan, it is our humble honour to enforce it. An evil act must be responded with a kind act.”
He reached the bottom and stood before the group, his eyes firmly on Kad.
“A death in exchange for life.”
Luisante's group began to struggle, but the rangers and guards subdued them quickly, holding them firmly. The other captives, seemingly, had lost their will to resist.
“The way I judge it, our people rescued thou. A good act, and now the scales are tipped. To balance them, a death must be repaid.”
“Wait a second.” Naika shouted amidst the cries of the arousing crowd.
“Your time for an audience has passed, Devourer.” The female ranger snarled.
The Judicator, however, was intrigued.
“Judgement has been passed, but last words may be spoken yet.” He said, eyeing her curiously.
“I wish to understand the Demiurge, before sentence is given.” She said defiantly.
Slowly, the surrounding struggle began to ease off, and all eyes were now on the strange, grey woman with two sets of teeth.
“What is it thou wishes to understand?” Piesca asked.
“A good act for an evil act, you say?” She asked as the Judicator nodded.
“What of it?”
“If it is a good act to save us, then an evil act must follow, that is surely death, correct?”
“Indeed.”
“So why save us at all? Would it not have been better to let us die to that creature?”
“Neutrality is the life-blood of the Demiurge.” The Judicator said with authority. “If one must act in a way, it should be as to not disrupt the balance. If one does, however, then it must be answered.”
“But if it is a neutral act to leave us to die, would that also not be evil?”
The Judicator looked stunned for a second, unused to having people question his judgement.
“An evil act, to let nature take its course? Absolutely not. Thou are pleading to a Judicator, girl. I have studied and trained in the laws of The Demiurge, and my say is final.”
“Know your place, Outlander.” The ranger spat.
“You have decided that would be neutral, and your say is final.” Naika said, raising her head. “Yet we say, if we were left to die, it would be an evil act. Your rangers saved us, and we are thankful. A good act. Yet, after that, we were captured by them. An evil act.”
A stilted hush grew over the crowd, and all eyes turned tot he Judicator. None of the Calistan dared to speak.
“We spared your lives.” The ranger said with spit flying out from her lips. “Gnas'tui, we should have killed them, for The Demiurge.”
The Judicator's servo's behind his brain were firing off rapidly. His lips moved up and down, but no words came out.
Mother-in-the-sky, keep that girl quiet or we'll die before we can even think about escape!
“I would say, that capturing us has appeased your system enough. There is no need to kill us, for then a good act will be needed to reset your system, am I correct?”
All eyes began to burn into Piesca. Sweat was forming beneath his nose.
“No-that is, that is not-”
“You have prized captives now, Judicator.” She said, bowing her head respectfully. “Accept our lives as payment for being saved, and we will serve you honourably.”
The Calistan gave meek noises of agreement behind her, some shrugged.
“No, she doesn't speak for us!” Luisante growled.
“You would rather die, outlander?” The Capitan sneered.
“I would rather die free than live as a slave.” He murmured.
The children whimpered, the youngest beginning to cry exhausted tears once more.
“What say thou, Capitan?” The Judicator asked with a slight quake to his voice.
The Capitan looked at Luisante venomously, but gave the others a more compassionate glance.
“They would be more useful in life than in death, your eminence, as long as thou believes The System to be sated. A boon to send to your father, perhaps?”
A spark flickered behind the Judicator's eyes at the notion.
“Curiosities to be displayed back home at Svari? Yes, I find that agreeable.”
Kad released his breath, suddenly aware he had been holding it in for some time. The Judicator stood forwards and addressed his people.
“Let it be known.” He shouted. “That Judicator Subruksui Piesca declares the outlanders lives for the Calistan. They will serve, both here and at Svari, their lives, servitude and gratitude, in exchange for their deaths being prevented.”
The crowd applauded, and Piesca bathed in his own glory. With a wave of his hand, several of Piesca's personal guard came through. Their armour was heavier than the majority of the guard's, gold and white half helms, plates and gauntlets were fitted over grey and white robes. Long pole-axes were in their hands, which they banged in unison on the stone floor.
The rangers and guards grabbed the outlander's by their arms and forced them up with a struggle, as the crowds began to disperse. Kad tried to resist, but much of his strength had been depleted. From amidst the rancour, there was shouting from the gate, calling for guards, and the Capitan hurried away quickly. The captives were marched out of the square and past the strange, unique buildings. A black-smith ahd been built onto a platform, with great sweeping stairs and a mouth-like orifice that belches smoke. A storage hall had been affixed with stone and wooden spikes over its skin to prevent thieves, leaving it as a rocky porcupine. The stone beneath their feet was uneven and callous, and Kad felt his legs buckle, stumbling.
“Get out of my way!” A voice shouted behind him.
He felt a boot collide with his ribs sternly, emptying his lungs further. He lurched onto the ground, out of the guard's grip, and writhed on the ground as the boot struck him again.
“You stupid son of a-”
“Stop!” A guard yelled.
Before another kick could be delivered, Luisante was grabbed by a second guard, and begin to write and wriggle, a guttural gurgle emanating from the back of his throat.
“What is the meaning of this?” The Judicator said, forcing his way through the rabble.
Kad tried to answer, but the only thing that threatened to leave his neck was bile.
“Just kill me!” Luisante shouted, distraught. “Or him! I won't be a slave, and I certainly won't be a slave with a killer!”
“What is thou saying?” Judicator Piesca asked, confused. “After the girl saved thy life, you would throw it away so carelessly? Is this not your comrade?”
Luisante spat on the ground at the notion.
“Not really.” Kad wheezed, struggling onto his elbows.
“If thou would throw thy lives away so willingly, so be it.” The Judicator said mournfully. “Or better yet...”
A brief flash of delight twisted at Piesca's face.
“What better way to serve the Demiurge? A contest between the two?”
The intrigued crowd began to murmur once more, excitement growing.
“One will live, and one will die. Fate will be your own Judicator.”
The crowd began to cheer, and Luisante were picked up and carried away.
*****
The proving grounds were close-by, into a darker part of the cavern where no natural light dare trespass. Torches were placed along a stone wall, and the pit below was marked by thousands of sword-swings and mishaps. The walls were engraved with ancient warriors and legends, chipped away by time. At the gates, were two larger statues of Calistan on either side. Each held a shield, and one had their right hand to the ceiling, the other, his left. As the captives were brought to it, two of the Judicator's guards stepped forwards. One raised his right hand, red energy coursing, the other his opposing hand, blue energy surging. A brief flicker of magical particles corresponded in each palm, and was quickly launched into the open palms of the statue. The one on the left was caught by the blue beam, and a fire sparked, but one that the watching outlanders had never seen before. It glowed an ethereal white, with blue crackles and sparkles. The opposite side, the flame flashed a thousand different colours in a single second before burning into a gentle, luminescent fire, that changed and danced quicker than the eye could detect.
“Prepare the fighters.” The Judicator called out to his entourage.
Kad was taken roughly away from the other Consumers, willing to struggle, but unwilling to spare any more energy.
This is it. Time to send the bastard to meet his brother.
The two combatants were taken past the wall and to a set of cages that emerged from the floor. The bars were made of a curious, white material, almost like bone, but colder and harder. Luisante was shoved in first, his shoulder colliding with the dusty ground, then Kad, debris and dirt spraying into the fine fibres of his cloak. The gate was shut behind them, as Kad could feel the energies of the other Consumers being pushed up a set of stairs and into the viewing platform, where the inhabitants of Drezwi began to excitedly fill. Immediately, Luisante scooted himself away from Kad like a turbulent child, resting his head on the solid bars. Kad spat onto the ground.
Pathetic.
Through all the scents of sweat and metal, was the ever rising smell of blood from the sandy circle. The proving ground was no Colosseum, the walls standing twelve foot high, with the ramparts of the walls filled with guards and now the gawking onlookers of the mountain outpost. The walls formed a ring with a large, square viewing platform filled with chairs for the social elite to watch their soldiers practise and be evaluated. Kad edged back to the stone wall behind him, and gently rested his head, drowning out the din of the arena. He breathed in deeply, but soon the echoing of Luisante's laboured, angry breath was eclipsing any notion of peace he could muster. From beyond the arena the rocky wall deepened, and Kad could feel the faint trails of a breeze that betrayed a cavern behind it. He shuddered, listening to the excited chatter, feeling fear among them. Luisante's group were forced onto the knees next to the Judicator, and Kad could sense their trembling nerves as they waited. Next tot eh cage were stoic city guards, and even they tapped their fingers on their pole-axes with excitement.
Seems we've caused an uproar. The whole city is getting ready for us to each-other while our friends watch on.
Kad didn't need to be able to see Luisante to know he wasn't looking at him. His brown eyes were knives, digging into the sandy floor, waiting to feel the warmth of Kad's blood as it drained into the dirt.
Fat chance it will be mine. I didn't come this far to be slain by some angry Vulpine as hundreds of aliens watch me.
Kad gritted his teeth, tightening his muscles. Much of his strength had been depleted, but he had enough left to kill the vengeful brother. He imagined himself gutting Luisante. Lying on the floor like Len, gasping for his brother, thousands of miles from home.
Clack.
Kad rolled his head. Something sank underneath him. Suddenly the vengeful hatred emanating towards him no longer brought him anger. It began to hurt.
If this is it for one of us, we should say something.
Kad turned his head, pulling back his lips, but the words did not come.
Don't be stupid. He wants to kill us, we want to kill him. This is the way it is.
Clack.
Does it have to be though?
“Hey.” Kad croaked. “For what it's worth, I'm sorry about your-”
“Don't even say it.” Luis snapped.
Kad chuckled darkly.
“'Course. Why talk to me when all you're thinking about is killing me?”
Luis did not reply, still resting his held on the cold metal. The din continued to grow.
“You ever thought about what it would be like if it were the other way around? If you killed my brother, but he and a bunch of his friends attacked you first? What do you do in that situation? Let yourself die just so some stranger's brother can live and they can take your stuff? Would you do that?”
Again, there was only silence.
“You never even thought about what it's like for me. For us. Hated wherever we go, called killers and thieves even as we're stripped of any right any other person and Sape gets. Its no wonder, is it? Why us Consumers have to fall to desperate means to survive. We don't have any other option.”
“Doesn't matter the reason.” Luisante growled. “You're still killers and thieves.”
“Sure.” Kad spat. “That's the kind of response I'd expect from some rich kid in fancy clothes. Like you and your brother ever had to struggle to survive.”
“You don't know what you're talking about.” Luisante snarled, anger growing in his veins.
“Right.” Kad said, knocking his head lightly against the wall again. “I'm sure it was so hard when daddy dearest didn't give you the attention you felt you needed, you're only friend was his Zwipe card.”
Luis snarled, finally turning to Kad to meet him with tired, hate-filled eyes.
“We grew up in the Lynchlands. Why would I be coming over here if I had everything I wanted back at the city?”
Kad shrugged.
“The same reason as why every other rich kid came over here. Hoping to find themselves and prove their worth.” He said with a mocking disdain.
Luisante turned, stung.
“My father spent his entire life servign those people. Working for those Vampyric aristocrats-the Trandafirs, in that big fancy hotel of theirs. Six days a week, he would be their server and butler, attending their lavish parties and serving food, for twenty-six years, and when his back was too broken to continue, they sacked him, turned their back on him. I'm not one of those people.”
Kad scoffed.
“Yet you still dress like them. Even without looking at you, I can smell the difference between a fine jacket and a cheap, dirty one.”
“Len was the one who wanted to be like them.” Luis said sadly. “Dad would bring us to some of the parties, sometimes, before we were too old to care for ourselves. Len was mesmerised by them. The clothes, the air of importance. The arrogance. He always thought that the only way to not be looked down by them was to become one.”
Luisante's gaze drifted away to memories of ancient memories of pained times. Before Kad could respond with some snarky remark, a new chorus of noise arose. Kad could feel familiar energies joining the captives.
That smell, that dark presence...
Before the Judicator, Capitan Tievs threw down a new captive his rangers had found, and his smile was that of a predator. The moping, murmuring woman landed on her face, unable to move, shaking with sobs. Naika and Bimi hissed and turned from her.
“Another from the cavern, your eminence.” The Capitan spoke. “Whom we believe to be the instigator of the dark totemic presence.”
“What is thy name?” Judicator Piesca asked with an amused smile.
Spider-scar.
Ular shook and sobbed in her binds, drool forming by the tusks at her top lip.
Clack.
“Can't that woman ever die?” Kad muttered.
Luisante scoffed.
“Another one you want to kill, consumey?”
“I don't want to kill anyone.” Kad admitted.
“But you will.”
“If I have to.”
With a signal, the guards opened the gates, a hand thrown in and grabbed Kad's cloak, dragging him out of the cage and onto his feet. He was pushed forwards into the middle of the arena, and Luisante was too, too tired to resist. They were placed in front of each-other, and the guards used a knife to cut the vines that bound them. Kad massaged his wrists as their blades were thrown before them. Kad looked up to Lusiante.
“For what it's worth, I am sorry about your brother.”
“I know.”
The two grabbed their swords, and prepared for combat.