[Chapter 60] Hope – The Underground Coliseum

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“Why is it still open?”

Hope regained consciousness, wincing at the throbbing in her skull. Her arms and legs were restrained with rope. They knew to not use metal.

“Maybe debris is blocking the passage. Give it a second.”

The first voice was Sarah Godspeed. Orthos Braslin was the second. Hope chuckled soundlessly. They set me up good.

Playing dead, she sneaked a peak. For a second, she recognized the Stone Coliseum, but then saw a bright cavern ceiling. The Underground Coliseum. Twenty feet away, Orthos was kneeling and fiddling with something. Sion Gale sat nearby on a golden chair while Sarah was above, grimacing impatiently at a podium.

Hope discretely tested her bonds. Must be an unearthly material. All her equipment was gone. I only have the metal around my arms.

“Finally!” Sarah yelled triumphantly. “It’s sealed.”

“So time to kill her?” Sion got up. Am I about to——.

“No!” Sarah cried sharply. “Not yet.”

“What?” Sion lowered his spear.

“Have you forgotten how the amulet works? “The way in might be closed now, but it wasn’t a minute ago. Simon Black is a master at time manipulation. Try anything and he could show himself.” Sarah pointed to an opening in the arena’s wall. That must be the secret passage.

“So what do we do?” Sion frowned.

“We wait.” Sarah answered. “The Laughing Man’s instructions were clear: five minutes after shutting the exit. Only then will it be safe.”

“Do as she says.” Orthos chimed in. “Simon scared the daylights out of me when he appeared at my shop. If not for the explosives, I would’ve been caught.”

“Fine” Sion collapsed with a sigh, “I’ve waited weeks, what’s five more minutes?”

I must get free… Hope gathering steel near her hands and created serrated blades, slowly sawing through. She repeated the process for her ankles. … Now what? She was confined with an immortal, with only enough metal for a single blade.

I really screwed up. In the end, all her efforts had lead nowhere. No, it’s worse than that. Her drive to improve had been exploited to bait her. Orthos dangled some mithril and that’s all it took. She knew she was weak and had tried to change, but it was useless. Her eyes watered. And now I’m crying. She hated that.

Suddenly a violent wind swept the arena. She felt herself dragged away and discovered herself on the far side with Light knelling nearby, dimensional pouches in hand.

“Why is it all or nothing with you?” Her brother said. “Becoming strong is great, but you don’t need to do it alone.” Behind him, the others arrived, phoenixes in tow.

“Thanks,” Hope wiped her face and took her equipment. They are amazing, making it here. If we survive, I’ll try to be less stubborn.

“What a touching reunion.” Seon mocked, ripping the sandstorm apart with one swing of his spear. The immortal stood poised adorned by golden armor. In stark contrast, Orthos stared wide-eyed, and Sarah’s mouth hung open.

“How’s this possible…” Sarah mumbled. “Sion! Didn’t you notice them coming?”

“Oh, I’ve known for a while.” The immortal answered smugly. “But so what? The entrance is closed. I admit Simon Black is intimidating, but nine brats who aren’t even saints? Why are you panicking?”

“I was just thrown off.” Sarah composed herself. “I don’t like surprises. You should’ve warned me.”

“I suppose I could’ve…” Sion admitted, turning. “Did you finish rigging the arm?”

“Yes, timer is set.” Orthos affirmed nervously.

“Great,” Sion seized the container and tossed it in a high arc. Everyone froze as the explosive-ladened biological weapon spun through the air. A horrified Sarah caught it with both arms, then laughed softly in relief.

“ARE YOU MAD?” She screamed.

Sion spoke coldly, “Activate the Blood Arena’s barrier. If one of them makes it out, I won’t be able to guarantee your safety.”

Sarah reacted instantly, slapping a palm on the podium. The arena’s opening slammed shut, and they felt a forcefield locking them in.

“What about me?” Orthos panicked. “I’m stuck here too!”

Sion shrugged, “you’ve already fulfilled your role. Protecting you is no longer critical. My apologies. Do your best to survive.” His partner cursed foully.

“What are your plans for Kain’s arm?” Rose demanded.

Sion cocked his head playfully, “I suppose there’s no reason not to tell you…”

“Sion!” Sarah exclaimed.

“We’ve got fifty minutes to waste. What’s the harm of enlightening them? Unless you believe I might lose…” Before this open menace, Sarah shrunk back.

“So the arm…” Sion continued. “I’ll be chucking it into the Hollow under the Pillar. Thanks to Karissa’s ‘Eye of the Storm’, the pulverized fragments will scatter across the lower Isle and Spiral City, the two safe havens thousands are being evacuated to.

“That’s…” Rose stuttered.

“Both will be overrun.” Soul concluded.

Sion smirked, “Nirvan will indeed go up in flames, but the Isle conveniently has an army moored off-shore. Faced with the disaster, Karissa will be forced to stand aside. I’ll be joining Xavier and Coralin in suppressing the werewolves. Once the dust settles, the Isle will belong to Lithorn. Hope Skyfell’s death will be the icing on his cake.”

How vile. “Orthos!” Hope hollered. “Why’d you do it?” His betrayal hurts most.

The middle-aged man flinched, “Adventuring as a demolitionist is expensive. I must spend months manning the shop for each expedition, so I’m always looking for extra cash. With the sums offered, I couldn’t say no.”

Hope shook her head. At least I will never be like him. No matter how power hungry, she would never sacrifice others.

“This concludes our Q and A.” Sion said. “Sarah, initiate a deathmatch.”

“You sure?” Sarah asked, blood draining from her face.

Sion sneered, “You’re about to be complicit in the murder of millions. Don’t get cold feet just because you must dirty your own hands.”

Sarah grimaced, and searing red runes appeared on the walls.

“We’re now trapped. The Blood arena won’t open until one side is dead.” Sion smiled nonchalantly. “This was how Arther met his end. He chased me, the impersonator, only to find the real thing. Ironic, isn’t it?”

“Stop playing around,” Sarah shouted. “and get this over with.”

“You heard the lady.” Sion swaggered forwards. “You’re facing a living legend. You should understand, right? How powerful I am.”

They did. We’re probably going to die, but we’ll go down fighting. She gripped her revolvers. I’ve a bullet with his name on it, dammit.