Survival Games

Chapter 16~ Revelations

Real power doesn't come from hate but from the truth.

I won't die like this not until we revived Earthion. With so much willpower, I began to feel the energy coursing through my veins. This wasn't the end for me but for traitors like Harvey!

"Damn you, Harvey!" I yelled with hatred and I regained my voice and senses. Now I could see my surroundings. I'm in the cave and the embers of light don't hurt my eyes anymore. 

But he is nowhere to be seen. Sprawled on the floor, I noticed that I have a lot of cuts, and blood was oozing from my wounds but it doesn't stop me from fighting the fear I felt a moment later. 

When I tried to stand, a sharp pain erupted from my ankle. It was badly broken. With a grunt, I called Xiphosumi in my head but nothing happened.

"How odd for you to escape my power but Earthion power doesn't work in here," Harvey said in disbelief. 

"Curse you." My eyes looked frantically around. His voice seemed to surround me every second. 

If he tries to kill me, I would find a way to kill him first.

"My story about Xioria is true but I haven't told you that this place is not just a Haven," He paused and the embers of light went out, leaving me blind again.

"In fact, this Haven is also a prison for Earthics like me." He hissed with intense hatred.

"Why are you doing this? I'm your master." I replied in frustration.

He produced a demonic cackle and bellowed, "I am no slave of anyone! I'm free, my kind should be free!" With that, sharp pain in my ankle exploded.

I screamed from pain but before I lose every urge to fight, I pulled out the daggers that I'd been keeping in my back pockets.

"For many years, you have enslaved our kind. We are Earthics too but you treated us like dogs so when Locknis arrived we didn't dare to interfere, why do call it again--Karma?" He began again and tried to listen, not in his words but to his movements.

I have sharp senses that I mustered a long time ago. I can feel his movements even if my eyes can't see him.

He was circling me as he spoke, the wind seemed to slap me as he passed, the ground whispering into my ears. Then everything stopped, he was going to aim for my chest next.

This is my best chance!

Blinded by the dark, I threw my dagger forward and nothing came for me. A whimper echoed in the cave and I heard Harvey spitting.

"I'll get my revenge today Raven, I will." He continued forcefully.

"No, you won't." I now know where he is hiding and I won't let him escape death again. Enemies should be killed before they kill you. That was something I always learn from my enemies.

With my second dagger in my hand, I inched closer to where he is and put my arm around his neck to strangle him. Even if my leg and ankle are screaming from pain I reached for my weapon and aim at his heart.

But he bit my arm.

I screamed and released him.

He laughed again but this time, I can see him and I admit that I did a lot of damage than expected. Just like me, he was limping from a fractured leg, his left eye was black and bulging. He has more scrapes than I have but I don't remember that my first dagger caught him on the back.

He pulled out my dagger and coughed, spitting crimson blood on the ground.

He smirked maliciously with his blank eyes. He is weak but still fighting. I don't know what he wants to prove. It's like he was struggling to hold himself up but already suffering from his injuries.

"They are all gone. You and Gale are the Last Legends." It was his last words and he collapsed on the floor. Then his body turned into golden sand and dissipated into the thin air.

With his revelation, every spirit in the ceiling surrounded me and in a flash, they went past my limping body. I could only feel the coldness each time the spirits touch my skin. 

I don't know what to think. We are the Last Legends? How is that even possible? We were supposed to know if someone dies. Right?

How can I trust Harvey? He even tricked me but something in his words caught me off guard.

Relieved, I finally found the moment to breathe. It was like a load was lifted on my shoulders. Somehow, I can say that it wasn't bad to be alone at least you don't have to trust again. 

"Now how am I supposed to escape this place?" I asked myself, trying to stand but I can't. I wished I have the Gift to teleport.

A wince escaped my lips when I unconsciously moved my leg. It was starting to annoy me. 

Alone. 

And the worse is that the people I've learned to trust were either gone or betrayed me. How pathetic life could be? 

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. For an instant, I drifted off to deep sleep.

It was a restless sleep. I woke up suddenly, feeling my surroundings shaking.

Earthquake!

I needed to escape or else I would end up dead sooner than I expected. No one would help me but myself and at this time, I couldn't afford to be afraid.

When I finally stood, the pain came back from my body. Wincing and grunting all the way out the double doors. The doors were locked and I have no strength to summon any gift I knew I had.

Xiphosumi.

The blade was already in my hands. I didn't notice it before but I thought it was already there when I woke up.

The earthquake was making the ceiling fall apart. Sooner or later it would fall down on me and squeeze me until I die. I also kept staggering, trying not to lose my balance.

Then there was a loud crack and when I looked in the direction where the sound came from, I saw falling debris and it was about to crush me.

Xiphosumi, help me. Help me escape this place. I need you. I prayed silently, my eyes tightly squeezed shut.

Approximately, the debris would crush me in ten seconds. I was frozen in place. I couldn't move an inch.

10

Oh, please Xiphosumi.

9...8

Give me strength.

7

Oh, come on-- anybody please help me!

6...5

I don't wanna die.

4

Stupid Raven for being trusting.

3

I'm sorry Gale, I couldn't meet up with you again.

2

This was all because of my stubbornness, I guess.

1

Xiphosumi!

Will you release me? The sword suddenly pulsed in my hand.

Yes! I said gripping the hilt tighter with my hand soaked in my own blood.

And just like that, I thought my soul was leaving my body. There was a flashing light surrounding me. And it was warm, I could feel its intention to protect me. I opened my eyes and found myself crouching, my hand tightly wrapped around a glowing thing. Xiphosumi was glowing and it was protecting me.

Thank you very much---

"Am I too late?" A familiar voice spoke up.

I looked at the unfamiliar face before me.

Who are you?

The unfamiliar man bent down and removed the debris from the barrier. And then the glow was gone and the earthquake seemed to be at bay.

Soon enough, peace engulfed my consciousness and I drifted off to sleep.