Days seemed to blur together as we settled into a grim routine leading up to the auction. We were fed every two to three days, just enough to keep us alive but never enough to muster the strength to fight back or even argue. Occasionally, I was taken out of the cell to help with cleaning duties, or Lance would summon me for a quick study session on the anatomy of demons and not in a good way…or in a way I wish to remember, although I would argue or laugh which would make him give up on his research on me. Just out of pure irritation.
This grueling schedule consumed about ten hours of each day, like clockwork. On rare occasions, if I was fortunate, I would be sent to work in a mine not far from the auction site, but still in this weird portal world I walked into. A dimensional rift? I don't know. all I know is I would be blind folded so I wouldn't know or plan how to escape. Over time, the white streaks in my hair, once black and dyed, began to reappear there old white hue, a small reminder of the person I used to be.and also a small suspicion from the guards on if I actually am a demon.
"Alright demon, you're done for the day," a burly guard grunted as he roughly shoved me back into the cell with Aria. The clinking of the chains on my ankles and wrists echoed around the small, dark space. The cell door slammed shut and locked with a resounding clang. Within seconds, I collapsed to the floor, my bloody hands throbbing from the relentless labor and my legs aching intensely.
"Have you been focusing on your breathing?" Aria asked, her tone strict yet carrying a soft undertone as she took in my battered state. "You know it's the fundamental of your mana and gathering energy." She hummed softly, her eyes meeting mine with a mixture of concern and determination.
"I've been trying," I panted, struggling to sit up in a cross-legged position. My muscles protested with every movement, but I forced myself to focus on her words, knowing that mastering my breathing was crucial for what lays ahead.
Tonight, Aria hummed softly, her hopeful smile lighting up the dim room. Life has been incredibly tough lately, but I've tried my best to maintain a positive outlook, especially with Aria by my side. She's been my rock, always cheering me up when things seemed bleak. However, I've started to notice that she's looking weaker and more sickly each day. It's clear that the lack of food is taking its toll on her. She's been sacrificing her portions to make sure I have enough to eat, a gesture that both warms my heart and breaks it. She reminds me so much of my mother.
Despite the dire circumstances, I can't shake the feeling that things are going to get better. Yes, I've essentially signed my life away to the demon continent, but what choice did I have? The people here have done nothing but try to kill me, offering no help or kindness. In stark contrast, this demon, Aria, has been my salvation. She's risking everything to help me, even if it means endangering her own life. Her selflessness gives me hope that perhaps, just perhaps, there's a light at the end of this dark tunnel.
"Tonight what?" I asked Aria as she sat down in front of me, her eyes fixed intently on my chest as though she was observing the flow of my mana. She seemed to be lost in thought, her gaze intense and unwavering.
"Tonight is the auction," Aria hummed softly, her voice carrying a note of determination. "We're getting out tonight." Her words were like a lifeline, a beacon of hope in our otherwise grim reality. As she spoke, a small but genuine smile spread across her face, illuminating her features with a glimmer of optimism.
Her confidence was infectious, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to believe that escape was possible. Aria's unwavering resolve gave me strength, and I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together. Or that's what I made myself believe.
(Alex pov)
"Ok class, listen up! At the beginning of next year, we have a tournament between us and the other schools. We must train hard and win. There will be beast men there, demons, elves, everything in between. We will show them that our school is stronger and better than all!" the physical education teacher yelled out, trying to inspire us. I sighed and shook my head as i looked at catolina and Nate, the only two from the group that i had gym with.
"I swear he repeats this every day," Nate huffed, rolling his eyes. Catolina nodded calmly, glancing at Alex. "Yeah, it's like he's trying to be some kind of epic hero or something," she said in a composed tone still void of emotions. I couldn't help but smile at her reserved comment. Despite the teacher's repetitive pep talks, he knew that the tournament was serious business. The competition was fierce, and the schools we were up against were known for their strength and skill.
As the teacher continued his speech, my mind drifted to the intense training sessions ahead. I knew we had to give it our all if we wanted to stand a chance.
(Ashton's pov)
"Move it, you damned demons!" a guard yelled at Aria and me, his voice filled with venom. He jabbed and prodded us with his staff, which had a metal rod on the end that crackled with electric currents, ready to deliver a painful shock if we dared to resist. Aria stayed silent, her eyes fixed on the ground, and obediently followed the guard's commands. Her quiet demeanor hid a fierce determination, a silent promise to endure whatever came our way. I could see the resolve in her eyes, and it gave me strength. I followed in her stead, mimicking her quiet compliance, though my heart pounded with a mix of fear and defiance. The guard's harsh treatment was meant to break our spirits. The further we walked to the entrance, the more it became apparent just how deep our cell was. Whenever they dragged me to work in the mines, they blindfolded me so I wouldn't know the way, but I never realized it was this far down. Aria could sense my anxiety and placed her shackled hands on mine to calm me. As they added more slaves to the same chain, who looked far worse off than we did, we began to approach a set of stairs. Dark—it had always been dark and cold. I'll finally get to see the light again soon and feel the warmth of the sun. The thought of sunlight and warmth filled me with a glimmer of hope, even as we trudged up the seemingly endless stairs. Each step brought us closer to the surface, and I could almost imagine the feeling of the sun on my skin, a sensation I had almost forgotten.
After trudging up the creaky, winding staircase, each step echoing through the narrow passage, we finally emerged into a grand, opulent room. It was like stepping into a different world—an elegant lobby that seemed to radiate light from every corner. The brightness was almost overwhelming, forcing me to blink several times to adjust my eyes to the sudden glare and clear the hazy, blinding effect. "Hurry up," the guard groaned impatiently, his voice cutting through the dazzle as he led us briskly through a series of ornate doors, each one more elaborate than the last.
"Where are we going?" I whispered to Aria, but she just shook her head, giving me the silent treatment. I figured she was trying to tell me to keep my head down, so I did just that. As I stared at the ground, my eyes caught sight of my swollen, bruised wrists, shackled tightly to the cold, unyielding chains.
Aria's silence was both comforting and unsettling. I wanted to reach out to her, to somehow find solace in her presence, but the weight of our situation kept me rooted in place.