MUTATION: THE FATE OF A SOLE SURVIVOR

Chapter 15: The City has Fallen

                My eyes opened automatically, as if they were programmed to do so. I sat up straight on the bed I was laid on and examined the room I was in. There were other beds in the room, ten to be precise, most of which were empty and housed only two other men in worst condition than mine. There were bandages wrapped round the wounds I had gotten from the fight against Benny. Normally I'd feel pain, but I felt none of such at all. I removed the bandages and discovered that my wounds were all gone, with not so much of a scar.

"You bear all my pains and wounds. Sorry friend", I said while closing my eyes. I got out from the bed and grabbed a pair of clothes from a rack. I put them on and proceeded towards the exit while moving stealthily to avoid causing attention. I moved swiftly, bypassing the guards as they patrolled the lotus. Just as I was about to escape and enter the prison area, I ran into Ananias as the latter stood still blocking my escape path, looking as someone who knew I'd plan to escape. I gasped and staggered back while putting on a defensive stance, while Ananias frowned and stared at me deeply.

"Thou always had the eyes of those seeking freedom from the boss", he remarked while his right hand held the whip.

"Tch. I should have known that someone like you would have noticed", I replied while trying to figure out the best possible way to overcome this situation.

"Then will thou tell me of the miracle that healeth thy wounds?". He asked as he paid attention to the face that was supposed to be bandaged.

"I won't tell you anything Ananias, and I'm not afraid of you either", I replied with much confidence now than I ever had before.

"Does thou believest in thyself that he can best me?".

"We'll just have to see which one of us will emerge the victor".

He stared deeply into my eyes, and then took his stance. "You shall not pass".

"You shall not stop me", I replied and took my own stance as well.

Like a cobra, he attacked first, quickly launching the tip of the whip mercilessly towards my face. An ordinary man wouldn't be able to react at all, but for some reason, his attack seemed so slow that I was wondering if he was going easy on me. I caught the whip and pulled him towards me while dashing forward. I punched him right on the face and made him fall back first on the floor. I raised my right leg to stomp him, but he quickly rolled over and got to his feet. We engaged in a hand-to-hand combat, with him succeeding in kicking me in the stomach and spearing me into the weapons' room, where they stored the gladiators' weapons. I grunted as I wiped the dust off my face, then saw Ananias rushing towards me with a cub over his head. I rolled away quickly to avoid getting hit and got back to my feet. I had to dodge more of his attacks until I got hit on the chest, which sent me flying into a pile of weapons and shields.

"What rage consumes thy soul?", Ananias asked as he approached me. "What bloating anger and madness drives thee insane?".

I slowly got back to my feet and held a knife at hand. "You will never understand. We won't rest until it's over".

"We?".

I suddenly broke into a run and speared him to the floor before he could react. I began raining blows upon him and then tried to stab him, but he grabbed the knife as well and tried to wrestle it off my hands. Then I screamed as though it was the voice of two people, broke through his struggle and brought down the knife upon him. He closed his eyes to accept his fate but heard a large noise very close to his left ear. He gasped when he opened his eyes and saw the knife firmly driven into the ground. I got up and began walking away, while he got to his feet and looked at me.