Fight to Die (Harry Styles)

Seven

Chapter 7

• Harry •

The days are spent in hard training; almost identical to the training I have received my whole life. Given that it is the same, it is no harder than normal and it doesn't feel like I am actually in a different place.

Today, I am awoken with the knowledge that today is the Eve before the great Games commence. I don't know the customs practiced on a day such as this, but I decide against asking someone and instead just take it as it comes.

No one bothers to take me from my cell; in fact, I am brought my breakfast so that I don't even have to leave. A few hours pass and I assume it is around noon. I decided to pass the time by sleeping so maybe I could be well rested for what is to come, but when I awake for the second time, I am even more tired than I was when I went to sleep.

Minutes after awaking, the cell door screeches open and the guard orders me to come with him. He walks down several hallways, none of which I am able to remember. The air is cold between the stone walls and the sound of dripping water echoes through these tunnels. He takes me to an open room where there are several women.

As I observe the room further, I notice the tables set up around the room with various glass bottles on top of them. So, I'm here to get ready for a party. Of course, this party will be no fun for me, but it is still a party.

"Have him ready in an hour."

The guard shoves me forward and I am left amongst the women. They immediately crowd around me and begin their work. I don't know what they are doing, but I don't really care. It is all for show.

In the end, I am bathed and redressed in some kind of impractical armor that does not cover my chest at all. It's really only a few leather straps that cross my chest and back then connect to the metal skirt-like piece of armor. If this is what is considered fashionable, I don't understand. One of the women styled my hair so that it go up slightly in the front. I also don't understand how that is possible, but I decide to just go with it.

The guard returns and I notice that he is wearing nicer clothes than before as well as being shaved and cleaned. He black hair is shorter and his tan skin is free from dirt. He takes me from the room then leads me outside where a chariot is waiting. It is strange that we would be going to the place in a chariot; they're typically only used for wars or racing. Maybe this is what is considered high class in Rome? I don't know.

The guard steps up onto the chariot and tells me to stand next to him. He takes the reins in his hands, "the others left already. We will be the last in a sort of parade. People have gathered around to watch this. You can wave and shit, just don't be annoying. Understand?"

I nod and hold on to the railing of the chariot just before he urges the horses forward. We lurch forward and quickly exit the ludus, entering the city. It take a few minutes before we see people, but once we do, they all go crazy. Men cheer and women scream and fling themselves towards the chariot in an act of lust. I want to laugh at them because I find what they are doing utterly ridiculous, but I do not.

None of these people know my name and that is also humorous because they appear to be cheering for and obsessing over someone they do not know. They only know what I do and that is enough for them to give me praise. It's quite disgusting, actually. They delight in death, but they do not know the real consequences of it.

We go through a crowd for at least thirty minutes and not once do I wave. I do not need to further entertain these people; they don't deserve it. Once the crowd thins, I sigh in relief seeing as the excessive loud noises have ceased and I can finally hear myself think.