Holy Gladiator

Chapter 5; the Duke

The room was dimly lit, the primary light source being a shrine in the center of the room entirely composed of rubble with a glowing sword chained to the roof.

Matilda and Gyle flank me as we approach the shrine. My gaze travels along the blade's fine edge, travelling up to its odd triangular design of the rain-guard. The crossguard took a peculiar form, with two small triangular shapes forming off the side in a wing design. The hilt holds an angelic look, the pommel being rounded.

"Wakey wakey!" Matilda jokes, shaking my shoulder. A group formed on the other side of the shrine, Gyle showing them to me.

There stands a chubby fellow with short light brown hair that partially covered one of his blue-green eyes. He held a smirk.

To one flank was a maid. Her hair was black and long, though it was clean and kept back. Her outfit had purple along it. Just above her skirt was a belt with odd-shaped knives. Her face displays a cold expression with glaring amber eyes.

To his other flank stood the noble, his hair lopsided, going over one of his eyes. His eyes match with the chubby fellow.

Behind them stands a tall, muscular male archer, a short spear maiden, A tall guy with a halberd and a male shield bearer.

I close my eyes for a moment to calm myself. As I re-open my eyes, I'm met with a disdained look from the chubby man.

"Luca, it's a pleasure to meet the devout. You can call me Vindal, Duke Vindal. Now don't fall asleep in my presence." The chubby man introduces himself before letting out a sigh, "and you're already acquainted with my nephew. Why don't you introduce yourself?"

"Lucious, it's a... well I can't really say a pleasure can I?" The noble answers, holding his head as he smirks. "You bashed my head into the ground! And seeing such enormous skill, I thought it best to inform my uncle of this. And-"

"Seeing you fight was... interesting. So I thought I might as well reward you. You seem to be distracted by this reward when you came in." He gestures at the blade.

"A.. reward..?"

"Yes, but you need to pass a challenge. That challenge is to live. Next week there will be a rival coming by with their gladiators. Your goal is simply to survive."

"May I request a dif--"

"No, you are going to ask for people to be freed. They will not be, Matilda and Gyle are prime examples. Tell her about yourselves."

Matilda starts confidently as Gyle shys away, "I was brought here at the age of 9! I grew up from being a slave to being put on the field ready to fight! It was there I proved myself and lord Vindal graced me with the cloak of shadows as it's called, an enchanted cloak that makes the wearer invisible at will!" The attention turns to Gyle as he lets out a deep sigh.

"Lived in a tribe that was raided by the Duke's dogs, like your town was. Afterward, I was able to escape with some others. We pillaged, raided and killed many before we were caught. I had to kill all the other escapees of my tribe and wound up here. I was offered some infused armour that was meant to offer more protection and make me stronger. Instead, I honour them by wearing our traditional garbs."

"See, now we're all acquainted. Now Luca, put your hand on the hilt."

At that, I let out a sigh, placing my hand on the hilt of the glowing blade.

A shiver ripples through me, along with a burning sensation trickling down my spine. I feel my legs start to give out as the burning intensifies. I fall to one knee, my jaw closed as it intensifies. Courage finds me as I open my mouth, letting out a loud gasp as I stand up definitely to the burning.

The sensation soothes as my gaze drifts upward. I feel this figure loom over me. They appear as an armoured human with no face. Two wings sprout from their back. They bend over, their head levelling out with mine. I look determined at them, as they quickly dissolve. As I see the room around me again, I take in a deep breath.

"May I take my hand off now?" I inquire, glaring at the Duke.

"Good job. You may return, see you next week. Good luck in the fight."

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

I enter into the living zone. The atmosphere is grimmer than usual, the room almost seeming darker as most are silent, though conversations still light up the room. Rose is huddled in the corner with Charles and Rhine. I walk over to them, putting on a smile.

As I get to them, I see Rose's grim look as she stares directly down. I sit beside her, taking her hair and humming as I braid it. Rose tenses up at first, but slowly loosens up. Rhine takes my lead, sitting down beside Rose, beginning to pat her back. Charles keeps himself sat down, letting out a sigh, his eyes wandering to the roof in contemplation.

That night and all the ones to come were dark, but the mood slowly lightened.

Many people came to me that week, asking for an audience, seeking someone to confide in. I heard them out, the mood lightened as that started happening.

It feels like a family...

Family... I wonder what they're doing now...