Opening my eyes introduced me to an unfamiliar ceiling, as my blurry vision struggled to focus. Pain flooded my brain, becoming the only thing I could focus on. My body felt as if it was on fire while every muscle I had ached.

“Tap…Tap…Tap…Tap…”

My chest tightened for a moment. Hearing someone’s footsteps made me nervous; currently, I’m at my most vulnerable, unable to even move as I shiver in pain in some room I am unfamiliar with. I could hear the tapping of the shoe’s halt, but I felt no presence next to me. I decided to look to my left only to see a man at the side of a bed looking down at a body that seems to be sleeping, I can just barely see the chest slowly rising. Wait, what the hell is happening right now? Wasn’t I just fighting in the arena? I thought it was a till the death, one side takes all kinda deal? So why am I alive? I obviously lost consciousness. I mean, I’m not complaining about surviving, just a bit shocked and lost by the situation at hand. Let me just look to my other side.

Yeah…more beds, so it seems like I’m in an area for the injured. Not gonna lie, knowing this definitely released some stress. Although I am still wondering why I’m alive, actually, u know what. Not gonna even think about it, time to move forward. Definitely, don’t wanna jinx it. They obviously left me alive for some reason, so let’s keep it that way.

(Ezra):” Hello! excuse me!”

Trying to catch the attention of the man, I called out to him. I’m a lot more banged up then I had initially thought. Just that action alone caused a lot of pain. Looking over at the man I called out to, I can see him slowly turn his head towards me before going back to his previous task. I did not really know what else to do; instead, I just sat there. It seems like he’s doing checkups on the other beds. I suppose he will come my way when he’s done.

“Tap…Tap… Tap…Tap”

I closed my eye’s listening to the tapping of the shoes as the man walked, taking in the rustling of clothes as he checked over the patients. It was all so…oddly calming. I can’t put the finger on why, but, as I listened, my pained body felt slightly better as I slowly drifted off.

(Man):” Are you ready for a quick checkup?”

(Ezra):” Hmm…Uh..ah…yeah.”

Damnit, I was so close to falling asleep again.

(Man):” Alright, let’s get these bandages changed and have a look at your wound.”

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

(Man):” Hmm…Yup, everything seems fine. We stitched you up and have given some medication that will accelerate the healing process, so let’s just rebandage it now.”

(Ezra):” Sir, do you happen to know why I was kept alive? I was sure that I was done for?”

(Man):” I just help the injured, I don’t know too much about what happens within the arena. I did hear something about a mercy plea happening during a fight right before you came in so, if that’s related to you, then, that would probably be your answer.”

(Ezra):” Mercy plea? I wouldn’t think that would be allowed in that situation? Weren’t we put in there to slaughter each other?”

(Man):” You are not wrong about that. In certain situations where it boils down to a one versus one, the winner can ask the loser to be judged. When given a thumbs up, they are allowed to survive. In cases of being given a thumbs down, they have no choice but to end the other person. Usually, the judgment is only successful if they are a capable fighter that can make a lot of money or are unique in some way.”

(Ezra):” Gotcha, thanks for the information.”

He nodded at me before turning away, continuing his rounds. My body has been progressively feeling a lot better, especially compared to when I initially got stabbed. That medicine must be fucking magical. I guess I got pretty lucky there. Managed to just barely survive, I wonder why they passed my mercy plea. I don’t remember doing anything that amazing and only managed to hardly protect myself against one person. The recollection of the feeling the sword gave when piercing another man’s flesh made me cringe slightly as a slight shiver went up to my spine. Ugh, I don’t even want to remember. Such a gruesome experience I am hoping to put behind me. I am sure I will have to deal with much worse shit in the future, so I better find a way to adapt as soon as possible.

(Ezra):” Oh yeah, just a quick question, how long have I been out for?”

(Man):” umm…Only for about a day.”

Oh, wow… a day, and I am already feeling the effects of healing that’s insane. This place has some interesting secrets. I was mainly happy when I found out plumbing existed, and now seeing the odd mix of medieval themes with modern makes me question what kind of place I have come to. What kind of backward ass world has thatch-roofed houses with plumbing along with medicine this effective…so odd. My body was beginning to feel a lot less sluggish, the aching lessened a lot as well. I decided to sit up, taking a better look at my surroundings. Partitions were setup around beds spread throughout the room. Not the most comfortable of beds but, enough. I mean, what else could I ask for? Its better than the floor or a large stone platform.

After some moments of silence and daydreaming, I heard the slight creaking of the hinges as a pair of guards entered the room. They looked around before stopping in front of the man doing his rounds. They saluted, continuing to walk up to him.

(Soldier 1): “Afternoon Mr.Edgar. We have come to see if Ezra has awoken yet.”

(Edgar): “ah, wonderful timing. He awoke not long ago, I have already done his checkup he should be fine enough to walk.”

(Soldier 2):” excellent! we shall take him to see the boss then.”

My body was beginning to heal, but I still had a slight struggle when getting off the bed. Sliding myself to my feet, I walked over towards the guards. I continued to walk out the door as they turn around, leading me down the hall. After doing some zig-zagging through the hallways for a bit, we stopped at a large door.

(Soldier 1):” Go ahead, the boss is waiting for your arrival.”

I reached out for the giant golden handle, slowly opening up my view to a spacious grandiose room. I suppose it’s quite fitting for a prick that runs a business such as this. This room definitely costs a fortune just looking at the fine details carved into the door and walls, not to mention the paintings spread across the room.

(Short fat man): “ho-ho… Ezra, welcome. I see u have healed up well. Now, let us get right into why you are here. I can assume you are also interested in why you are still amongst the living.”