Redemption Run

Chapter 8

The guard came back after what felt like hours of staring at a wall, or the corridor outside my cell, at least as far as I could see. As soon as I saw that smug grin on his stupid unshaven face, I knew I was in for another bad time.

"Looks like you're going to be more useful than I thought." said the man as he opened the cell, "Come with me, now."

I had no choice in the matter - the asshole wasn't kidding when he said he turned the collar up to eleven; I felt like a prisoner of my own body. At least when Felice took control of my actions, it was consensual.

The guard led me out of the cell building. Something was more wrong than before; I could smell it in the air. Citizens of the village, orcs, vampire, and so many others were all just frozen in place, as if they had been paused in time.

"So what's happening?" I managed to ask, even though it felt as though my mouth was full of cotton, "Where are we going? What are you going to do to me?"

"Your damned rebellion had infiltrated my village," said the head guard, "They managed to take out some of our villagers with stealth before they were caught. I was going to have them executed, but one of my underlings thought of a better idea. How would you like to fight one of your own?"

"I don't think I'd like that idea much at all." I said.

"Well too bad." said the man, "I've seen how you fight on the projection screens, and I've seen how your party fights too. I think it'll be fun to see what happens when you have to fight each other."

Suddenly, I had an idea. Felice must have read my mind, because she started laughing harder than I ever heard her laugh as long as I'd known her. I had to put all my strength into concealing the growing smile on my face.

Fortunately, the guard didn't seem to notice what was going on with me, since his back was to me, and we carried on.

"You know, I've been keeping track of you," said the man, "For the last half a year, ever since you got out of the emperor's games."

"Should I be flattered?" I asked.

"Be silent!" the man said. I clammed up immediately.

"As I was saying..." the man said, "I thought it would be really interesting if you were forced to fight... one of your own?"

It was just as I had thought. Of course, I had to play the part, so I widened my eyes and tried to look surprised and scared. It must have worked, since the man's eyes widened as well, and the evil smile on his face grew even wider.

"This is going to be fun." said the guard.

I silently agreed. Felice stifled a laugh, despite the fact that no one could hear her when she did it.

As we walked around a building, I saw Nal, Rey, and Ari on their knees with their hands tied behind their backs, surrounded by guards. There was no sign of Kydro, which made me even more worried.

"Hey!" I said.

"I said silence!" the guard said. I clammed up just as the three looked up at me grimly.

"Yes, yes, we've captured your associates," said the guard, "As soon as I'm done with you, I'll deal with them as well."

"This guy really likes dragging things out like a Bond villain, doesn't he?" I said to Felice.

"Uh, a what?" Felice asked.

"Never mind." I said as we arrived at our destination - some kind of barn. The guard opened the door and motioned for me to go inside.

"After you." he said.

I stepped in without a word, my hand already going for my sword. The guard shoved me as I walked past him, for no reason since I had already been on the way in. On the other side of the barn was someone else that I couldn't see in the darkness.