"I really think I'm gonna die this time"
I let out a groan as I leaned back on the iron bars that separated me from the colosseum.
Somehow, I managed to survive a month in this hellhole using some dirty tricks, but this really might be the end.
I stood up and turned around to find my opponent already in the colosseum, looking at me with bloodthirsty eyes.
Just my luck.
"I'm probably gonna be sent out there soon, aren't I?"
I sighed and gripped my spear tightly, having it slip out of my hand would not be ideal. After all, without a weapon, I'm pretty much defenceless. Unlike these children of Hades and Apollo, I don't exactly have any powers that can help me in one on one combat.
Curses slipped through my mouth as I thought of my parent.
"Out of every god I could've gotten, I just HAD to end up being related to the weakest one didn't I?"
The only real power I got from that woman was a stupid curse. Go figure, what else should you expect from the Goddess of chaos?
While submerged in my thoughts, the bars that separated me from the demon known as the daughter of Harmonia started lifting, causing me to sober up instantly.
"Maybe I should ask her to give me a painless death?" I thought, walking into the arena somewhat optimistically.
I looked up at the girl and her demonic eyes answered my question.
"I guess I'll suffer even before death" I mumbled with annoyance
The moment I stepped into the arena, the monster in front of me spoke.
"Oh, Ashton! I'll have to get some payback for the last trial if you don't mind. That poison you slipped into my meal wasn't too pleasant on my stomach. But I'm sure it'll be quite pleasant when I rip your teeth off one by one~" I heard her say
You know, something about my teeth getting ripped off doesn't seem all that nice if I'm being honest. I'd be okay with having my head ripped off instead. Ignoring the gruesome pain of losing your head, it seems like a much better way of going out than dying due to loss of teeth.
Although I've heard that some boys my age find attractive females hurting them to be enticing. I don't think I can understand how someone can feel satisfaction from being in pain.
"Eva! You're not allowed to kill your opponent!" I heard a voice say from the stands. Maybe I can live another day after all.
I sighed and got into a fighting stance, preparing for my tragic fate.
Somehow, the ridiculous trials I've had to go through since coming here no longer surprised me.
My head turned towards the sky and I simply stared at the clear blue scenery that my eyes gazed upon. I did not, for one second like how my life turned into what it is now, but I don't regret it, after all, it was either this or death.
Despite being caught up in a life and death situation, I couldn't help but think back to my final day of a normal life. The day I was forced into entering this atrocious world.
Wednesday, the middle of the school week. You're not close to the weekend, nor are you still adjusting to school after the weekend. It's a rather awkward day in my opinion. My sincere apologies to any Wednesday lovers, but it really seems like the most average day of the week.
Despite that, I walked off the bus expecting the same day as usual. No matter what day of the week it is, I've always felt the same level of enthusiasm when coming to school.
I adjusted my schoolbag to avoid it hurting my back as I entered the hallways of my beloved high school.
As per my usual day, I went to my locker and got ready for my first class of the day, history. A subject I wasn't really enthusiastic about, but I didn't exactly hate it either. To me, it was more like a class that I could zone out for majority of the lesson but still get a semi-decent grade in, not that I'm bad at other subjects. In fact, I'm rather gifted when it comes to academics, history just doesn't interest me that much.
I ended my pointless thoughts and gathered my books, preparing for my class.
I started walking towards my allocated classroom and noticed some of the people around me giving some strange stares.
"Well, it's to be expected. Did I think today was going to be the day I magically become popular and loved by everyone?" I thought to myself as I walked through the hallways near my class.
Unfortunately, the rude treatment didn't end with some weird stares, eventually, I heard some whispers here and there.
"Hey, that's him isn't it?" I heard some geeky looking kid say to who I assumed was his friend.
I'm shocked losers like him are capable of making friends.
"Wait, here comes the cursed guy!" A random student said moderately loud, subtle enough that the entire hallway didn't hear them, but it was loud enough for me to make out what they were saying. But I could tell they were trying to spite me.
Well, it's not like they're saying anything wrong. Actually they couldn't be more accurate when describing me.
I am a cursed guy after all.
Unfortunately, It's pretty difficult to hide this little characteristic of mine. Rather it's practically impossible.
I've been to multiple schools in multiple locations, yet somehow, rumours that I'm cursed always seem to spread. I guess thats just evidence that I am indeed cursed.
I bet you're probably thinking something along the lines of "But thats not right! They shouldn't treat you like this regardless!"
While I appreciate your concern, that way of thinking just doesn't make sense. After all, treating your problems like a plague is basically human nature. You can't just ask a human to not be a human right?
"The only thing thats wrong is this curse, this god forsaken curse" I thought angrily
Nearing my classroom, I smiled, I felt glad that I wouldn't have to deal with any more gossip in the hallways.
Unfortunately, my rare state of joy wouldn't last all that long.
"Look at him smiling, that bastard...!" I heard a male voice behind me say
"A peaceful day is always going to be too much to ask for huh?" I sighed
"I picked up a rubber for him, and then my girlfriend broke up with me the next day!" The boy said angrily
I couldn't help but snicker, attracting the attention of the boy.
"Your relationship won't be the only thing that's broken if you keep talking like an idiot" I threatened, gesturing at his legs.
The boy fumed and walked away, I could tell he was going to hold a grudge for quite a long time. Not that it matters to me, what could a bug possibly do to disturb my life?
Finally free of distractions, I entered the classroom and took a seat next to the window in the back, the perfect place to not pay any attention in class.
"A rubber huh? That's a new one" I thought to myself, thinking back to the situation that had just occurred
I leaned back on my chair, trying to balance it in the air. The people in this school always find some way to be more idiotic, honestly it amazes me.
While submerged in my thoughts, I noticed the teacher come into the classroom. They begun writing some topic on the whiteboard, but as per usual, I turned the other way and paid no mind to the class.
As I looked around aimlessly, I saw that some of the students in the classroom where staring at me and were giggling. Did they find my aversion to this class humorous by chance? That would be a shocker, usually I only make people laugh because of my curse.
I wonder, If there was a place where I wouldn't have to worry about my curse, would I be able to make people laugh like a normal person? Would I be able to make friends like a normal person my age?
I sighed, shaking my optimistic thoughts away.
"Having thoughts like that are useless, after all, there's no way a future like that could exist for someone like me" I thought sadly.
It did make me angry though. I mean, who wouldn't be mad when they've missed out on their entire teenager life?
"Ashton, are you with us?" I heard the teacher ask, disrupting my train of thought.
"Yes, I am" I lied, hoping the teacher wouldn't suspect anything.
The teacher responded with a cheeky smirk, causing me to internally groan.
"Then would you mind answering the question on the board?" They asked, continuing to flash their annoying smirk. Now that I was really looking at the teacher, they had a really punchable face.
Ignoring my violent thoughts, I looked at the whiteboard and read the question mentally.
"In Greek Mythology, what incident caused the Trojan War?" Was what I read on the board.
Let's see, what was the Trojan War again?
"If you can't answer, then you'll be spending your lunch in my office" The teacher said, already knowing I didn't know the answer.
I looked around and noticed the students in the classroom giggling and laughing yet again, but this time it was for a different reason.
"I guess I'll just have to take the lunch dete-"
My thoughts were cut off by a disturbing displeasure that ran across my spine.
"Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure I read about the Trojan War before" I thought to myself, recalling certain memories
Suddenly, images of a land that was filled with castles of gold flooded through my head, within these images I could make out three angelic looking females fighting over what appeared to be an apple. One image stood out in particular, it was a purple eyed lady with the appearance of a witch.
"Let's see... The Trojan War was..." I mumbled while rubbing my temples
My eyes widened as I figured out the answer.
"The Greek Goddess Eris dropped an item called the "Apple of Discord" into a party amongst many powerful Greek deities. She labelled the apple with the message "For the fairest one", this caused a dispute amongst some of the Greek Goddesses who said they were the "Fairest one" and that they deserved the apple. This small dispute eventually broke out into the incident in Greek Mythology known as the Trojan War" I stated confidently
As I let out the breath I had been holding in, the disturbing feeling that ran along my back slowly dispersed.
"That- That was an excellent answer Ashton, Well done!" The teacher responded shocked
They weren't the only one who was shocked, the entire class was looking at me like I suddenly grew horns. Assuming they all saw me dozing around earlier, it makes sense for them to be confused on how I answered the question.
"That was a rather odd feeling, did that weird displeasure jog my memory or something?" I pondered.
My thoughts were cut off by the sound of the school bell going off.
Before the teacher could start interrogating me, I rushed out of the classroom, ignoring the stares I got from my classmates, I was focusing on the intense sensation that replaced the disturbing discomfort I felt earlier. This was was a feeling that was unfamiliar to me, I felt...
Thrilled?