No, wait… I'm smarter than that. If I hurt the prince in front of so many people, there'll be no way for me to weasel my way out of the death sentence. I guess I'll just have to grin and bear it for- wait… If no one sees it then they won't know what happened. Just need to get in close and bait him. All I need is to whisper a little something in his ear.
"Listen… it's okay. I know your whore of a mother couldn't live with the fact that a mere knight rejected her. I can't imagine how it must've felt when she realized my mom was far more beautiful. Tying up loose ends is important. I mean isn't that why your mom ties her-"
Got him. Annnnnnnd he's off with a swing and a miss! One after another he just keeps striking out. Finally, the moment I've been waiting for. He hit the stage with all his ki and dust clouds begin to form around us. If I hit him now, nobody will see but I'm sure they'll notice the bruises. Think! Think! I got it! First I stomp to create more dust. Then I'll use my ki to force the particles together then thrust them into his airway.
Dammit, they noticed too soon. The teachers are beginning to clear the dust. A little bit more and I could've killed him. This is enough though. Even if he's not dead, he'll never breathe right again.
When the dust cleared I saw the prince clearly. He lay in the middle of the ring writhing and coughing blood nonstop. I almost felt happy for the first time in ages. Well, time to go back to class. Just then I felt something on my back. Bloodlust. It's not a new feeling, nor is it an oddity, but this was different. I'd never felt anything this strong seeking my life before.
"Where do you think you're going?!"
Suddenly a scruffy older guy stood directly behind me. Without any time to react, he swung at me, and as I closed my eyes, a large shockwave sent me tumbling back. Once I finally regained my balance, I looked up to see… Mr. Alder? He had easily caught the large man's punch. Looking more closely, I realized the old guy was actually the prince's bodyguard Jin.
Jin and my father had been best friends for a long time. My father had even passed on the cushy high paying job of a bodyguard simply because Jin wanted it. If I remember right, he was only a year younger than dad. My dad was thirty-two. Looks like the weight of betraying his best friend and seeing my face so much had aged him.
"What the hell are you doing? The prince was hurt by that bastard and you just-"
Suddenly I saw Mr. Alder tighten his grip on Jin's fist.
"Don't make me embarrass you in front of all these people Jinny-boy"
After that, I couldn't hear the rest of the conversation. It seemed almost like Jin was… cowering. I'm not sure what they talked about but after a few minutes, Jin glared at me and then walked away. Mr. Alder gave me a weird smirk and then nodded and walked away.
Regardless of what all happened, the school day continued as usual, albeit without the prince. I couldn't focus in class anymore though. Who really is Mr. Alder? Why did he protect me? Where the hell did he even come from? So many questions… None of them actually mattered to me though. I couldn't focus because I was hungry. Everything that had happened took up my lunch break so…
After school ended, I started my walk home like usual. However, unlike usual, Mr. Alder stood at the entrance just waiting. I was going to thank him but as soon as I got close I heard a voice in my head
"You're about to go through a lot, but you won't die as long as you don't give in. Never forget the tribulations your father went through nor why he went through them. Once you're released, come to the ravenous woods."
It was Mr. Alder's voice but as soon as I looked up again, he was gone. What the hell was he on about? I don't know and I don't really have the energy to care. Does anybody have a honeybun?
I didn't see Nessa after school today. Usually, she sees me off but not today I guess. I'd be worried if I wasn't so damn hungry. I'll check on her tomorrow.
Finally, I got home and warmed up some old noodles. Mike seems to have gone out to drink and pick up girls again. Same old same old. I'll worry about everything tomorrow. Goodnight world.
…
BOOM!
What the hell was that?? Suddenly, my bedroom door burst open. Two knights stormed in and grabbed me out of bed.
"Why is everybody who bothers me so f***in ugly? Everybody's fighting monsters in the forest and yet there's a bunch of goblins living in the palace."
Just because I'm scared sh*tless it doesn't mean I'm gonna miss a cue for a good joke. As they continued dragging me out of the house, I'm blinded by the light from outside. It's gotta be the middle of the night and yet it's extremely bright. As my eyes begin to adjust, I'm starting to realize that it isn't the sun blinding me but rather the torches that the townspeople are carrying.
Clearly, they're all here to watch whatever show these people seem to have in store for me. Hope they choke on their popcorn. I see Jen pushing through the crowd with tears in her eyes. Even over the chanting, I can hear her voice. At least one person cares about me. I give her a nod to let her know it's okay. Suddenly, I notice old man James in his doorway. It almost looks like he's crying…
"WHERE THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOIN WITHOUT THIS?!"
He took a step forward carefully and rolled a small tennis ball across the road. As my gaze moved from the ball back to old man James, I saw a strange look in his eyes. It wasn't spite nor was it hatred. Ah… I know that look. Same look pops gave me when I broke my arm.
"DON'T WORRY YOU OLD BASTARD! I'LL BE BACK FOR IT BEFORE LONG SO KEEP IT WARM FOR ME!"
Even from across the street I could read his lips as he whispered his reply.
"you better"
Out of nowhere, I noticed Mr. Alder leaning against his house. As quickly as he appeared, he vanished. I finally remember what he told me at school. I guess it wasn't just in my head.
Soon enough we got to the palace. Sitting on his pompous throne was the one and only blubber ball- I mean king Harold Williams the third. At his side was of course whore of a queen Jezabel. She was far uglier than anyone I had ever seen before.
"Kneel"
One of the supposed knights put his hand on my shoulder and attempted to force me to kneel. When my knees didn't buckle I could see that he and everyone else was shocked. Only knights of the highest standing and their kin were allowed to stand in an audience with the king. Without breaking eye contact I began to speak to the king
"Nice to see you again your Highness."
This form of address was disrespectful but since today may be my last day, I figure that I might as well say what I want. Suddenly, I started feeling cold hard steel on my skin as they began wrapping chains around my neck, arms, and legs.
"I heard you hurt my son?"
"No sire. Although the prince is weak… Like really weak… Like damn is that kid we- AHHHHHHH!!!"
I yelled in anguish as the cold hard whip struck and tore through the flesh of my back. Without even taking my shirt off they were already starting the punishment.
"No sire. I did not hurt the prince."
My legs are becoming extremely unstable.
"Are you calling my son and his bodyguard liars?"
Once again the whip struck my flesh as the king spoke
"No sire. I'm simply saying that the dust may have made the prince even more delusional than he already w- AHHHH!!"
"Why was your father put to death Logan?"
"Because he was too honorable to sleep with a hideous harlot like your- AHHHHH!!!"
No matter how many times the whip strikes me, I refuse to kneel or submit to this fat bastard, even if I should die.
"Why was your father put to death?"
"Because you couldn't please your wi- AHHHH!!"
This cycle continued for hours through the entire night. Even when the sun began to shine over the town they did not stop, nor did I fall to my knees.
"WHY WAS YOUR FATHER PUT TO DEATH?!"
Be- Because your mom is- AHHHH!!"
"I'm over it. Put this bastard to death!"
"Hold it!"
A very familiar voice yelled from behind me.