I haven't gotten any sleep. I was able to nap for about two hours before a soldier came and took both Lauriel and me. We're now being placed in a car outside the castle, we're handcuffed, and there are dampeners on the roof.
"Switch with me," Helen says. "You're going to doze off." I think I'll be okay, the only thing keeping me up is the fear I feel in this unknown situation. 'The Abyss' does not sound pleasant. There are two other cars, one in front, and one behind us that the rest of our group is in. The soldiers drive us through the city, Ember City. The reports from our spies were accurate in their description of it. It's the complete opposite of Uboni.
There are no dampeners throughout the city, the Hazel trust that their citizens will act accordingly. Not that you can tell who, but multi-seals are also allowed to freely roam the streets. They aren't being hunted by soldiers, they're just regular citizens. There's no sense of the Uboni "posh," or "elite," status here either. The Hazel's may be obsessed with power and becoming the strongest royal family. But, they're on the right path when it comes to creating a peaceful environment for their people. We drive for about five minutes before arriving at a large colosseum.
Lauriel and I glance at each other as we hear the roaring of the crowd from the street. They unload us all and walk us in a single file line into the colosseum. We're taken to a room filled with cells. The cells just have a single long bench against the wall, no beds, sink, or toilet. We're placed in the cells in mostly pairs. Lauriel and I, Brianna and Rose. While David, Thomas, and Elijah share one together. After they lock us all in they leave the room and close the door behind them.
"Is everyone okay?" I ask taking a glance at David. He's wearing a Hazel armor chest piece but the burns from my fire are still visible on his neck.
"You went too far," I say to Helen inside of my head.
"Not far enough, I'm still stuck here." She replies.
"Obviously, I mean, take a look, we couldn't be better," Elijah remarks.
"We're either fighting each other or their collection of multi-seals," General Thomas says. Elijah walks to the bars of his cell and bangs on them.
"Where is our father, damn it?!" How long has it been now? It only takes a few days to get here from Athys! We should be saved by now."
"Keep your voice down," Lauriel hisses.
"I'm sorry." Elijah sulks taking a seat on the bench. "I haven't had a drink in a week, that's a fucking eternity."
"Any thoughts from our future queen? Brianna?" Rose asks sarcastically.
"No," Brianna says with her eyes solely on me. She's been staring at me this entire time but I've ignored it up until now."I'm still trying to wonder how my sister, a Valentine princess, became a witch overnight."
"That is the question on everyone's mind," General Thomas says.
"You all wouldn't believe me if I tried to explain," I say. "And apparently I'm going to be put on trial? I've done nothing wrong."
"I wouldn't classify attacking a knight as doing nothing wrong," Rose says.
"That same knight will also be put on trial for attacking her," Lauriel says. "As crazy and outlandish as it is, Alyssa seems to have a maniacal woman in her head. But, David, what's your excuse?"
David scoffs, "I no longer report to you, Lauriel. Nor the General, nor the Valentine. As of right now, my mission is to make sure that woman doesn't get a chance to take over again." He turns to me with piercing eyes. "You mustn't let her out."
"What's with this boy?" Helen asks.
"You report to us until I say you don't! What hell are you talking about." Lauriel says.
The roaring of the crowd outside suddenly grows louder and two Hazel soldiers walk in. "It's time, they want you all out quicker than expected." One of them says while the other unlocks the door to each of our cells. We're placed in a single file line once again and are told to follow the person in front of us. The cheering becomes louder as we get closer to the inside.
We enter a large arena, this place is gigantic. If I had to guess, it seats about twenty-thirty thousand. Rows of seats seem to go on forever. They form a circle around a deep pit filled with sand. The entire arena seems to sink about five feet. It looks like they're being swallowed by the Earth. It's clearly designed to withstand the elements, multiple elements.
The soldiers take us to where Charles and the Hazel family are seated. They sit on a large platform that is elevated a few inches above the seats around it. A man with a large drum sits behind them.
We're told to fill those seats and once I take mine, I notice in front of us is a long walkway that leads into the center of the arena, or pit. Directly across from us, on the other side of the colosseum is a group of people seated in seats that look identical to ours, with a walkway leading to the arena as well.
Once we take our seats, Hazel soldiers walk to the center of the pit and shoot fireballs into the air from their mouths. The man behind the Hazel family starts to beat his drum. He picks up in speed and rhythm, and the soldiers shooting fireballs synchronize their blasts with the drum before suddenly coming to a stop.
The entire colosseum grows quiet and one of the soldiers steps forward. "We have a special treat for the beautiful people of Espin today!" He yells loudly. "Today, we throw the hateful Valentine into the Abyss!" The crowd erupts again as everyone in our group trades looks.
"The colosseum hasn't been this packed in a long time! We're eager to get started just as much as you are! The first show will be the one and only prince of Athys, Elijah Valentine! As for his opponent, well, let's see…who do you want?!"
"Raven! Raven! Raven!" The crowd unanimously chants.
"Raven! Elijah Valentine! To the center of The Abyss! As always, no weapons are allowed. This is purely an element battle show."
From the other side of the stadium, a woman begins walking down the steps into the pit. Elijah looks around before being picked up by a Hazel soldier and shoved to walk down the steps.
"Well, damn, sir," he says fixing his chest plate and heading down.
"Good luck! Don't die!" Rose quickly shouts before retreating back into her seat. His opponent, Raven, looks completely unbothered. Walking calmly like it's an everyday stroll for her.
"We have to mine sand because of her if you can believe it." William leans over saying to us. "She may not be a witch but her ability eats up my money, she's a fan favorite here."
Elijah awkwardly steps around in the sand as both he and Raven reach the bottom. The group of soldiers walk over to the steps that Raven came down. Upon reaching the first step they turn around to face Elijah and Raven. The soldier who announced the fight raises his hand and pauses for a couple of seconds.
"Begin!" He shouts swiftly dropping it.
Raven points to the sky and a small group of clouds form. A few moments later, a lightning bolt strikes the sand near Elijah, seemingly out of nowhere. Nearly everyone in the crowd stands to their feet to cheer as it kicks a dust cloud into the air.
He manages to jump out of its way just in time. He then lines up a shot but another strike comes, forcing him to move before he can charge it. The impact and force of this strike knocks him to the ground. He quickly gets up and stands still for a moment as if he's thinking to himself when suddenly he runs full speed toward Raven.
He gets within a few feet of her and while keeping his momentum going, he reaches down and grabs some sand with his left hand. Raven notices what he's doing and points to the sky again but it's too late. He throws the sand into her face, blinding and disorienting her. He comes to a stop and points a finger at her face before deciding to aim at her leg. The crowd gasps as he shoots clean through her thigh with his ability.
The colosseum is completely quiet aside from Raven's screams while Elijah nonchalantly shrugs. The announcer runs down to the terrain and hesitates to announce Elijah as the winner, looking to William for guidance. William gives a nervous chuckle and gestures for the soldier to continue. The soldier raises Elijah's hand, announcing him as the winner and the entire audience erupts in boos. The Hazel soldier sends Elijah back to his seat and calls for someone to help Raven up from the ground.
"How about we get a warlock out here?!" The soldier yells, trying to excite the crowd once more. "Viktor, and Brianna Valentine! To the center of the Abyss!" It seems to work, the crowd cheers so loud that the whole arena vibrates.