Gods of Arena

Tyrone banged on the drum, suddenly, raising the tension in the people with the percussive noise, as the King of the Cradlands was meant to step out. There was an awful silence waiting for the king in the open fields. King Crane glanced at the people from his pedestal. He had gotten their support in a short time after the wars. They had easily succumbed to his power. He raised an arm for a continuation of the ceremony, then a celebratory noise ensued. "What happens next? I'm still new to this", Crane said to the female priest standing close to him.

She looked back and smiled. "Sit back and watch", she replied, as two men with chained hands were led into a field, bound by extremely low walls. "They are going to fight, aren't they?"

"I guess it's obvious" she replied. "They are prisoners. It's their execution day so one has to be killed on the field... and the other is just killed later"

"Hmm... I will build us an arena, someday, where our soldiers will train and test one another", Crane said, staring at the woman with sincere admiration. "I told you of the war, right?"

"I remember and I asked for the Snowpiercer", she replied. "You said you would get it for me"

"I will... but you'll promise not to fight in the war"

"Why?"

"It's for your defense only and we stand a better chance if you'll just be the guide"

The prisoners walked into the field and got unchained. The gate was closed, even though it was needless. If either of them was going to run, he could easily walk over the low walls. "You said there was a way out of here, Fred", one of them said angrily.

"I said there was a way out of here if we worked together", the second replied. "I'm sorry, Stan. You should have agreed to it in time. Now we just have to-"

Stan dashed at him, slamming his body wait into Fred and throwing him in the air. "We just have to fight, Fred"

Fred grunted, as he pushed himself up. "That's what I was going to say", he muttered and stepped forward, landing a kick on Stan's chest.

Stan staggered back a bit. He had just enough stamina and confidence to win the fight. He rushed back at Fred and swung a punch. Fred flipped backwards and landed on one knee. He closed his eyes and pulled back his right arm for a second. He pushed his hands forward, as Stan ran towards him, shooting Stan up. Stan landed back on his feet again. Fred got up, quickly. "This is not going to be easy for either of us", he said.

"They want us to fight till one of us is dead", Stan replied. "Hopefully, the other one will be left to live"

Fred jumped at him, kicking him in the chest. He pushed another punch at Stan's face and kicked his legs, Sliding Stan off his feet. He finally made his opponent fall. Stan pushed himself up, quickly, as he threw a punch at Fred's chest throwing him on the ground. Fred rolled away from Stan as quickly as he could. He couldn't stand so many heavy hits. Stan had almost everything to win the fight. He needed to be tactical and careful if he would stand a chance. Fred got up, slowly, as Stan approached. "Breathe, Fred", he whispered to himself. "Father taught you this"

He closed his eyes and did more of listening. Stan swung another punch at his face. He bent backwards a bit and kicked Stan in the groin, slamming his knee into his face. Fred kept his eyes closed, moving around his opponent. Stan straightened again and dashed at Fred. Fred sprung forward, going below Stan's attacking arm. He elbowed Stan by the side and pushed his hand at him, throwing him on the ground. He opened his eyes and moved his hands slowly in the air, as if trying to clear fumes. "How are you doing that with your eyes closed?", Stan asked, as he got back up.

"Father's lessons brought me here. Father's lessons will probably bring me out"

"That's a nice one but you're going to have to try that again", Stan said. "If you can put my back on the ground again, I will surrender to you"

He threw a punch at Fred. Fred guided Stan's hand across his chest and hit Stan by the side. Stan kicked with the back of his leg, pushing Fred back. Fred rushed at him, throwing an heavy kick at Stan's chest. Stan bounced back, landing on his feet again. He rushed back at Fred. Fred exhaled and rushed towards Stan, bending swiftly and pushing Stan by the chest. With as much ease as pushing against the air, he slammed Stan's back on the ground.

"Finish him! Finish him!", the people howled repeatedly, as Stan wasn't getting back up. "Finish him!..."

Fred walked to the gate and knelt down. A guard walked up to him. "It's either you kill him or he kills you"

Fred looked up at him. "Whatever's going to happen, I won't be a murderer"

****

"Take me to him"

The guard opened the door and led the king into the cell. "There he is", the guard said. "To be executed by dawn"

"He is the winner, right?", Crane asked. "Why does he have to be executed?"

"The two were offenders. They were going to be executed anyway"

"I was thinking he did well on the field", Crane said. "And we might need more men in the army"

"He's not from any of the seven tribes... and he only came to The Cradlands to steal from us"

Crane smiled. "I get it now. Can you give us a minute?", he requested. "I want to have a little chat with the young man❞

The guard walked out of the cell. "I just wanted to find Bedi'Odom", the prisoner muttered.

"What's your name?"

"Fred Odinson"

"You have a family name", Crane muttered. "You are not from the Cradlands but you are not from the Arenas either. That's fine by me. What was your offence?" "I stole... my parents are dead. I have no money to find Bedi'Odom", Fred replied.

"Bedi'Odom?"

"Yes. It's the paradise where flowers speak... where darkness is caged and light prevails", Fred said, enthusiastically. "I have to find Bedi'Odom. Please, you have to help me❞ "Your fighting skills; who taught you?"

"My father"

Crane nodded. "You will help me in a way and I will help you too"

"I will do anything. I need to get out of here"

"Alright. I am going to make you a soldier. You will fight with my army", Crane said. "In return, I will help you find Bedi'Odom"

(To Be Continued in THE CRADLANDS)noveldrama