The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 45: Home's nightmare (Part 2)

"Ladies and gentleman it's time for the surprise round. Just what will our Masters, our VIPs, sponsors and Heroes present as an offering this evening? Will Master Hendrick's White Stalker mercilessly kill the competition once more? Or perhaps Master Randall will finally claim the number one position and reveal the secrets he's been hiding? As always, we can expect Master Xiao to throw his beautiful bodies on the floor but who and what? Let's find out."

The man curled his lips into a grin, "Time to show me your worth. Go now, follow the guard." His words directed at us.

I stood up, "Are you seriously just throwing us away? Why did you even kidnap us in the first place?"

"Ha!" he laughed, "You'll do as I say if you want to live."

"You're telling us to die now!"

His smile twisted to something else and with a mod of his head suddenly Erin was wrenched from beside me. I tried to stop the guard who suddenly appeared only to be pushed back by Aura strengthened arms.

The man pulled Erin closer and pointed to a necklace on her neck, he then pointed to a similar neckless on the stone bust in the corner. "Bang." The bust exploded into rubble and my body turned cold. Endi and I didn't have the same necklace or any similar jewellery, Erin however, was covered in it. "Do you understand now?"

Erin began to tear up in fear and I could do nothing. I didn't have enough mana to stop him.

He cackled, "In the first place you two and the Grey girl were just extras. This fine lady streamer is who I wanted." He gripped her body tightly, smirking, "Frustrated seeing your girl in my arms? Don't think I haven't seen the way you look at each other. I'll tell you what. Win me the surprise round and perhaps I won't 'defile' her, as you may put it. The choice and opportunity are yours. Refuse and pop goes her arm, then maybe her foot. As for her head, I do have more imaginative tortures."

My fists tightened to the point my nails drew blood, "Fine! I'll show you exactly what you're dealing with."

"I hope so and don't forget your friend. I have so many expectations."

Endi stepped passed me, gently tapping my shoulder and nodding. We had no choice but to follow the guard and were slowly led behind the scenes to the pits of the coliseum. The guard shoved us into a large, sealed corridor. It was big enough for all kinds of monsters to appear. Endi and I seemed so small in comparison.

"When the gate opens go and fight. Run back this way and I'll shoot you dead, understand?" he smiled, challenging us to try run.

Endi and I ignored him, heading to the locked gate.

"Do you have a plan?" I asked Endi.

She laughed tiredly, eyes still lucid, "Kind of. Once we get in, I'm going to blow them all away. Take the mana you gave me back. You'll have enough to get Erin and run."

"Endi, I can't leave you."

"I can feel it Aria. I'm dying." a tear dripped down her cheek as she tried to smile, "I just wish I could see Ardent one last time."

"Ardy is coming!" I took her hands. "I know it. Don't let go now. I'll handle it. Promise you'll try to live. Promise me!" I gripped her tightly. My eyes showing how important it was for her to live. Her life, her being alive now, the chance we had again to keep her, we all needed Endi. If we lost her, it would be like we already lost it all. "Please."