Eternal flame

Chapter 2

The door to the small, grim room creaked open with a groan, and the heavy footsteps of the guards echoed down the corridor. I tensed in the metal chair, the chains rattling with my movement. The faint light from the torch outside flickered through the narrow crack in the door, casting long shadows that danced on the cold stone walls.

The door swung wide, and a figure stepped inside, silhouetted by the dim light. It was the man who had administered the injection, his dark robes flowing around him like a shroud. He moved with a deliberate, almost sinister grace, his eyes gleaming with a cold, calculating focus.

“Good evening, Dragonfire,” he said, his voice smooth but laced with an unsettling edge. “I trust you’ve had some time to reflect on your performance in the arena.”

I glared at him, my throat dry and my mind racing with thoughts of what might come next. “What more do you want from me?” I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady despite the fatigue and fear gnawing at me.

The man smiled faintly, his expression unreadable. “You’ve performed admirably. The crowd was thrilled with your display, and your... powers seem to be developing nicely.”

I frowned at his words, still trying to understand the full extent of the “enhancements” he had injected into me. “What are you talking about? What did you do to me?”

He moved closer, his gaze never leaving mine. “I infused you with a unique serum designed to heighten your physical abilities and enhance your combat prowess. The fire you wielded was merely a glimpse of what you’re capable of. It’s a tool for survival in this arena.”

My heart sank as I processed his explanation. “And if I refuse to participate in your games?”

The man’s smile widened, though it lacked any warmth. “Refusal isn’t an option, Dragonfire. You’re already part of the entertainment, and the games must go on. However, there are ways to make your experience more... bearable.”

Before I could respond, the man gestured for one of the guards to approach. The guard stepped forward, carrying a small metal box. He placed it on a nearby table, his movements precise and practiced.

The man opened the box, revealing a collection of strange, metallic objects. Among them was a pendant—a silver chain with a red gemstone set in the center. It seemed to pulse with a faint, rhythmic glow.

“This,” the man said, holding up the pendant, “is a symbol of your new role. It’s a means to focus your powers and control the fire within you. Wear it, and you’ll find that your abilities become more manageable.”

He approached and placed the pendant around my neck, the cold metal pressing against my skin. The gemstone’s glow intensified as it settled in place, and I could feel a strange warmth spreading through me. It was as if the pendant was somehow syncing with the residual effects of the serum.

“Consider this a gift,” the man said, his tone devoid of any real compassion. “A tool to aid you in the trials to come. And remember, the games are not just about fighting. They are about survival, strategy, and proving your worth.”

I glared at him, a mix of anger and confusion in my eyes. “What are you really after? Why are you doing this?”

The man’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Our motives are not for you to understand at the moment. What matters is your role in this twisted spectacle. You’re a gladiator, Dragonfire, and the arena is where you must prove yourself. Beyond that, your focus should be on surviving and perhaps discovering the true nature of your captors.”

He turned to leave, pausing at the door. “Oh, and one more thing,” he added. “Your dragon, Toothless, is indeed safe. For now. But his fate, like yours, depends on how well you perform in the games.”