The gritty sand of the arena floor collects an additional drop of blood, followed by another as it gracefully falls from the young mans' arm. A faint metallic smell mixed with the dusty fumes enters his nose, the sound of the faint shuffling sounds produced by his opponents' feet are present within the man's senses.
The young man stares at the large figure opposite with a faint trace of excitement and apprehension gleaming in his feline-like grey eyes. Following the sudden movement by his opponent, the young man steps forward while positioning the small rusty axe in his grasp low towards his hip and rotating his body shielding view of the weapon from his opponent.
Following the large figures wide swing with a heavy-looking club, the young man places his front foot firmly into the sandy ground and with a sharp twist in the waist swings the axe with an upwards motion while lifting his spare arm into a bracing position to receive his opponents blow to his flank.
Blood is sprayed into the vibrant rays of the sun as the axe is firmly planted into the large figures chin, which is suddenly jerked sideways as the young man receives the follow-up blow. The young man, thrown to the ground cradles his fractured left arm while gazing at the crumpling large figure in front of him.
His handsome face expressing both pride and guilt, which slowly morphs into pain as the adrenaline coursing through his body slowly fades. His senses slowly expanding, allowing the deafening sound of cheers and applaud to overwhelm him. As he gazes through the ecstatic faces in the crowd, his vision stops on a veiled woman dressed in an elegant purple dress which hugs her beautiful figure. The veiled woman stands out within the usual destitute audience that gathers to watch this cruel sport almost religiously.
His vision is shifted after hearing a group of men moving closer towards him, from his past experiences he ensures his back is straight and shoulders back as he stands to follow the group out of the blood-soaked arena towards the dim tunnel entrance. While masking his expressions of pain, he glances back over his shoulder searching for the mysterious veiled presence only to find the usual patrons gazing back at him.
***
The recently victorious combatant was escorted by the group of eight large men all adorned with expensive looking, silver breastplates and silver long-swords on their hips. The group proceed for a few minutes through the dark passage before reaching the young man's residence, consisting of a small bed, a chair and table which is illuminated via the bright sun entering from the small window with bars high up on the wall of his cell. A bunch of books were stacked neatly in one corner of the room, a peculiar sight in the room of a slave.
The door to the cell is opened before one of the men shoves the young man named Kailen into his cage before locking it behind him.
"In you get Kailen, be a good boy and be quiet like normal. We'll get you a pill for your arm tomorrow so bear with it until then."
A balding middle-aged man in the group said, as they turned and left Kailen to sit and experience the pain of his broken arm in silence and solitude. None of which surprised him, he has gotten used to the ways of this place after 3 years. Kailen's excitement from the bout had vanished and now he was left with the guilt which would always follow.
"It's a dog-eat-dog world, only the strong persevere. There is no mercy for the losers."
Muttered Kailen as he sat reflecting on his recent opponents' vacant lifeless eyes as he fell to the floor. After experiencing this situation repeatedly over the past few years, he was able to clear his head.
Reaching for a wooden bowl filled with water, Kailen could see his reflection. His black hair, short on the sides with a few inches on top which was poorly cut and uneven in places. A horizontal scar marring his sharp arching eyebrows, which sit above his feline grey eyes. A defined, strong jawline rounding off his overall handsome appearance.
Lying on the bed, the smooth, cold metal collar around his neck forced him to shuffle in the bed to get comfortable. Eventually, after what seemed like hours, exhaustion overtook pain and he fell asleep.
***
Kailen was awoken by the distant sound of footsteps approaching from down the corridor, he sat upon his bed awaiting his guests. He was greeted first by the sight of the balding middle-aged man known as Benny, together with his posse of armoured goons all of whom looked upon him with disgust.
Kailen paid them no heed as his vision was glued to the approaching figure wearing the same tight purple dress which flowed elegantly from the shoulders to her feet, with a split down the side exposing part of her right leg. Her pure and elegant dress covering what seemed to be a devilishly seductive body. Her face still hidden behind the veil, Kailen could feel her gaze locked on him.
"This is him m'lady, his names Kailen."
Benny said respectfully to the enchanting woman.
"A diamond in the rough indeed huh..."
She quietly said to herself, which caused confused expressions to appear on the Benny and the guards' faces. The lady possessed an incredibly beautiful voice, that sounded like music to the ears. She turned to face Benny and said curtly.
"I want him."
Kailen continued to observe her, not saying a word. Kailen understands he has no say in this decision.
"Lady Lana, you must understand that he is a popular combat slave that has a big draw. His cost would be considerable."
Benny replied with further confusion visible from his expression. Lady Lana turned and handed him a large clear stone with a red flame in the centre, a rare fire spirit stone.
"This will cover the costs and then some, I'd imagine."
Benny excitedly grabbed the spirit stone with trembling hands. Although confused as to the reasons she will pay such a high price for this slave, the offer was too good to refuse.
"Yes, m' lady this will certainly suffice. Kailen get up, you belong to the Lady Lana now."
Kailen internally was confused, although he didn't know the exact value of a fire spirit stone. Kailen knew it was incredibly rare and worth a fortune as it would allow a cultivator to enhance their muscle fibres with a fire qi. His thoughts were interrupted by Lady Lana as she purred.
"Come then my dear Kailen, you won't be sleeping here any longer."
"May I bring my books Lady Lana?"
Kailen imagined a slightly surprised expression would be visible on her face under the veil as she took a slight pause before replying.
"Sure, bring what you want."
As Kailen started to collect his handful of books, he heard Benny and the others joking quietly that they'd miss him. Kailen's eyes grew cold as he promised himself to return if he'd ever get the chance.