“Tell me what happened Boris. Step by step. Do not leave out a single detail,” was the first thing he asked as soon as he sat down in the same office I'd been in yesterday. Sofia was here too, for some reason.

So I started telling him—everything from asking him to fight me, to the others, to when I was lying on the floor, staring up at the ceiling. I kept the prayer private, though. That was mine. I tried to emphasize Lieutenant Zenzele’s abuse as much as possible when I was recounting the events, because he probably wouldn't give a shit about a civvie getting beaten.

“So, what happens now? I’m not sure if I mentioned it, but Lieutenant Zenzele brought up your name. Lieutenant Daniel said you wouldn’t care, although I assume that is not correct?” I asked.

“Lieutenant Daniel has attacked a fellow Lieutenant, attacked a future Lieutenant or possible high ranker, and thinks I wouldn’t care about it. No, boy. I very much care about such insubordination, especially against the new Lieutenant. You will go back to training, and these problems will be dealt with.”

I would never admit it, but at that moment, he scared me. His voice was flat, so was his face, like six men's lives had come to a conclusion, and he would be the one to enjoy carrying it out.

“Sofia, since you have decided to bear witness to these events, please call one of the other witnesses. Tell them if they take long, I will look for them, and they will not enjoy what will happen if I find them.” And with that, he dismissed us.

I walked out of his office, and so did Sofia, not a moment later.

“So, Boris,” she said my name with a sneer, like I had been found out in a great lie. “I see not only did you lie to my mother about how you entered the Hadron Collider, you also lied to me about your very name. Do you enjoy lying, or is it something you just can’t help?”

I looked back at her as she sneered at me, like she had me all figured out.

“Wow. You’re not very bright, are you? Am I still supposed to not speak to the great general’s daughter, who gets up after everyone else and wants a pat on the back for it?” I sneered right back at her. What can I say? I didn’t like her arrogance or the way her face barely moved, even though she was sneering with all her might.

“You are not supposed to speak to high rankers, you absolute buffoon. Or is that too difficult for you to comprehend?” she shot back, her face almost forming an expression—one of contempt.

“Well, yes, Miss High Ranker. I clearly don’t understand such a shit rule. Or did you not notice?” I said, taking a step forward so we were an arm’s length apart, right outside the Colonel’s door.

“Are you unaware of the punishment?” she asked mockingly, “If you keep breaking the rules, I’ll speak to Colonel Walker and Lieutenant Zenzele to ensure you’re banned from ever setting foot in the ascension tournament.” She paused, smug, like she’d already won and was waiting for me to surrender.

“So, what will it be? Keep breaking the rules, or will you finally shut your mouth?” Her tone was dripping with the same condescension the finks had when they won a game of dice—certain of their victory and reveling in it.

“Is that seriously the worst punishment you can think of? God, you probably weren’t even spanked as a child. No!” I said with mock surprise, bringing both hands to my face. “Wait! I have the answer! I know you pathetic high rankers fight in the tournament too. You are the main selling point of the event, after all. Are you just too scared to face me? Do I frighten you that much after that little incident in the Hadron Collider? There, there,” I said, patting her shoulder with as much condescension as I could, “if you must cheat to make sure you never have to fight me, I will bow out gracefully beforehand. Wouldn’t want to frighten the poor princess.” I gave her a mock bow, just to drive it home.

Must say, it seemed to push her a bit, because her face remained still, but her eyes were practically popping out of her head.

She just kept looking at me, like I had killed her mother in front of her, before seething through her teeth, “If you touch me again, I will have that hand cut off. And no, you arrogant civvie,” she emphasized the word like it was the worst insult I would ever hear, even though I’ve heard it from every fink who has ever spoken to me.

“I know I frighten you,” she said after a moment, like she was choosing her words carefully to be as malicious as possible. “I saw how you cowered before Stoyan like a little boy. You weren’t so brave then, and I know for a fact—for a fact!” she raised her voice for the second part, like she was giving a speech, “that if you entered the ascension tournament, you wouldn’t even make it through the first match! You would cower, like you did then, the moment someone brought out a tiny little pistol. Because you are nothing but a coward and a liar!”

I swear she would have dropped a microphone there and then and walked off, feeling like a total victor.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“And you are an arrogant, spoiled brat who scares little girls for fun! I saw how you treated my poor Yelena! You are like every other fucking fink!” I shouted right back.

As we got closer, I saw she even took one step back, like she was going to throw a punch.

“I am like every other Blessed. Your superior!” she shot back, like she’d been waiting to say this since the conversation started.

“Oh really? You fuc—” I said, starting toward her, feeling the dice roll before the door slammed into her face far too quickly for her to notice.

She fell backward, landing on her arse. I stopped, completely shocked, as Colonel Walker came out of his office, absolutely furious.

“I have heard your argument since the moment you left! What is wrong with you?” he shouted, grabbing her by the arm she was trying to reach up to her face and hauling her to her feet.

“You are a high ranker! The daughter of Alexander himself! You are to conduct yourself with honour and respectability! Not get into petty arguments!” he continued, dropping her hand angrily as he whirled on me.

“And you! You may not speak to a superior that way! If you wish to do so, win the ascension tournament! Otherwise, be quiet and accept orders like everyone else! Or next time, there will be a far harsher punishment waiting for you! Now get out of my sight, and call another witness!” he screeched like a banshee, veins popping out of his forehead.

I was very angry, so I might have overstepped my bounds as I shouted right back at him, “Colonel, she is a complete and utter—”

I saw him tap his shoulder far quicker than anyone else I'd seen, and suddenly every piece of clothing I was wearing weighed a million tonnes. I dropped face-first to the floor.

“What did I just say? What did I just say?” he roared, spit flying from his mouth. “Shut the fuck up, Boris! I am your superior officer! You will not speak to me that way! Now get the fuck out of my sight!” He pushed Sofia out of his way, walking back into his office, and practically made the whole building shake as he slammed the door.

“You see? You will behave, Civvie. Or you will be made to behave,” she said quietly, turning and walking away quickly.

I was still trying to calm down. I almost shouted after her but decided Colonel Walker wasn't in the best of moods. I got up and walked after her, still seething, my fists clenching at my sides as I headed back to Sector B.

When I got back, I saw Sofia exiting the double doors, Marnus right behind her, looking both starstruck and absolutely terrified. She didn't glance at me as she walked past, so I simply stuck my foot out, tripping her before walking through the doors without waiting to hear her response.

I entered to see the Lieutenant waiting for me. She sat alone, casually smoking a cigarette at the table the other Lieutenants had used yesterday.

“Well, looks like you survived, at least. Oh, I forgot to make you do squats and situps this morning. So tomorrow, do that before you start training.”

She put the cigarette out before walking over with clothes in her hands. I realized what it was—fink clothes. The white tunic. This one was completely sleeveless, unlike hers, which had a single sleeve and three golden loops around it.

“Congratulations. You are now officially a sleeveless.”

I looked down at the clothes, then back up at her as she continued speaking.

“Put this on. Your ability doesn't really need work since it just seems to enhance your physicality, although what happens when your dice rolls a different number? Well, we'll find out before the tournament. For now, I'm going to have to work on the basics with you—start from the ground up. Basic hand-to-hand and weaponry drills,” she continued, almost interested in seeing what I could do.

I interrupted her before she could go on. “Lieutenant, I can't wear this. Do you know what I've seen people do who wear this?” I said, holding it up.

“Boris, I understand it might be difficult for you, but you are Blessed now—” she started sympathetically.

“I saw a man rip a woman in half wearing one of these. I saw a monster burn ten gangsters alive, laughing as he did so. And you want me,” I said in disbelief, holding up the uniform, “to be one of them? To be one of you monsters? Look at what happened literally yesterday. How could you ask this of me?”

She sighed, looking down, clearly thinking about what I had said. “You're right. I have no idea what I'm asking you. So, Boris,” she said, looking up and meeting my eyes, “what's the alternative here? You don't wear it, and if I don't punish you until you do, the Colonel will. And if you still don't, I don't think even The General's favor will keep you from being executed.” she looked sad, like she knew what she was asking and still had to ask anyway.

"That's what happens to deserters and dissenters. And not one,” she said, holding up her finger, “has ever survived after The General took power. So, what are you going to do instead?”

I looked at her, then down at the fink uniform. It would make my life more difficult, and I might not be able to break out tonight.

I realized I would have to break my promise with God. To bow. To accept. To do as I was told. I gritted my teeth, ready to shout at her, looking up at her—and seeing her bruised face. The bruised face she had received defending me.

I was absolutely furious. I seethed. I looked down at the tunic with utter hatred before sighing. I was breaking out tonight. God would understand, as long as it was just for a moment.

I looked up at the ceiling, the very one I had prayed to just yesterday. He had shown me what to do. Maybe the vow wasn't a part of his plan?

I sighed again, more aggressively this time, before pulling my shirt over my head and putting on the sleeveless tunic. White, ending at my waist, a bit too big for my shoulders, making me feel dirty.

I knew no shower would wash off this dirt though. I was breaking out tonight. It was just one day. How bad could it be?

I looked up and saw Lieutenant Zenzele smiling at me. “Thank you, Boris. Can we start?”