At The Romic Moon Pack
As the slaves received their sights, the cruelty of the world became clearer to them. The Packs rejoiced in their pains, agony, and their struggles for survival.
Guard Klau announced further, "The total number of slaves that began the game was 360, out of which 30 came back alive."
The pack roared with noises, "They are the extraordinary ones!"
Chats and laughter filled the air.
As Elara was infuriated by his brother's deed, she was also grieving by the rejoicing sounds of the Packs... mainly focussing on her.
Why was the world so cruel?
Despite what her eyes witnessed, she held in her grieves and hope to survive the cruel game.
As the Kings realized that King Gathrick was free with Eldric, they resumed their conversation but this time, they put Eldric in the middle of their jokes.
King Lucius, with a sinister grin, started the mockery, "Look at Eldric, eating in silence like he didn't see his sister. Are you here to dine with the Kings, or to curse us for putting your sister in the game?" he laughed, making fun of Eldric who calmed in his pose, not showing any form of bother.
The other Kings joined in, showing their interest in Eldric's mock. Their laughter reflected their hatred towards King Dravan.
"Poor girl, what flag does she hold, Eldric?!" King Emeric asked, scowling a ridiculous gaze over to Eldric.
Eldric's gut hitched. He cleared his throat by gulping down a chilled shot of liquor, "Yellow flag, Your Majesty."
"Poor girl!" King Lucius said, having a stain of mockery in his voice, "And what does the color imply?"
Their mock cut through Eldric's heart, yet he stayed composed and unwavering as they hurled insults. With a measured calm, he responded, "Mock me as you will, but I stand tall, serving with loyalty and dignity, Your Majesties."
King Jaxon wasn't satisfied by his response at all. He didn't expect him to surrender to them so quickly when they had not reached the peak of their mockery. "That was not fun, Eld." He sneered.
Rather, Eldric cast his gaze down, swallowing hard within his seat. As Eldric did not make a further statement, King Jaxon got annoyed, lashing out at him in a cocky tone,
"You played this game last year and you are fortunate to find a blue flag. Don't tell me you don't know what the yellow flag implies for your little sister." He taunted out his words, wanting to step Eldric's tail.
The atmosphere seems to be too thick for Eldric, his resilience and stoic face made King Gathrick chipped in, "Are you protecting your sister or something?"
Eldric snickered sheepishly, his expression was unpredictable, leaving the Kings with some doubts, —Whether he was still concerned with her sister or maybe not.
"What is there to protect?!" Eldric cooed out, withdrawing his gaze from the Arena, "You know I have been on your side since I was a child. How now will I start caring about her?"
"Good!" King Gathrick praised, sounding satisfied, "You clear the doubt. After the game is over, I will announce your reward. You will be a good example for the rest of the Pack."
Eldric was surprised to hear King Gathrick's merciful act "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will forever serve you."
As they resumed feasting, Guard Klau announced the next stage of the game. "All participants without flags should separate themselves from those with flag and those with flag should form lines according to their flag color."
All the participants started arranging themselves. Elara on the other hand got stuck where she was, the fragment of last year's game played in her head. She trembled, her mind brought to her the scene of how her oldest brother, Aric was killed.
—King Gathrick's words last year.
King Gathrick who newly ascended the throne, declared in the middle of the game, "I can see two brothers among the participants. I hereby add another rule to the game. If two siblings participated and one of them did not find a flag, the one with a flag will sl*ughter the other sibling without a flag."
Those words still registered in Elara's head till this year. Watching Eldric sl*ughtered Aric and seeing the bl*od gushing out of him made her traumatized.
She couldn't participate in the game last year because the rules of the game did not allow any slave under 20 years old while she was 19 years old last year.
Her feet trembled on the floor as everyone assembled themselves. Sadness brimmed her heart looking at Freya without flag.
'I can't face the same agony again!' she wailed within her. Turning Freya to herself, she urged, "You will take my flag. With that, your sister will not have to kill you."
Freya shook her head in rejection, "I can't, My Lady. I cherish those times I spent with you and I can lay down my life for you with dignity and pride."
"I promised the late King that I will protect you. Count on Fiora, she will protect you henceforth," she said, holding both Fiora and Elara's hands.
The air thickened with their miseries.
"This is the life we chose, My Lady," Fiora said, her voice weakened. She suffered more injury than Freya, thus, she lost the strength to bargain with her sister, however, she managed to urge Elara, "My Lady, you can have my blue flag. It should set you free if the color still has the same meaning as last year."
Elara shook her head, not agreeing with Fiora. "No, I can't! I didn't deserve this generosity from both of you."
As they all sober silently, Freya dipped her hand underneath her dress and brought out a coin. Opening Elara's hand, she flattened the coin on her palm, "My Lady, this is One Cent. It is the richest gift I have, please accept and never resent my decision."
Elara's mind could not hold her emotion, she hugged her and embraced Fiora too.
"Who are those slaves yet to assemble?" From the bass microphone on the stage, King Gathrick's voice echoed through the field.
Cutting through their conversation, Freya managed to say her final words to Fiora, "Fiora, protect our Lady even if it cost you your life. This is my last wish from you."
As soon as she said, she pushed Elara away from their midst.
As Elara stumbled to the floor, hot tears rolled down to her lips. After Aric died through the game and Eldric was set free, Fiora and Freya surrendered themselves to join her in the slave's house to be with her.
They didn't deserve to be slaves! All was because of her! If they had chosen a better life, they wouldn't have met this bitter fate!
Why would they keep choosing her over themselves?
Elara feels tormented and overwhelmed by her harsh fate.
After they all assembled, Guard Klau declared the outcome of the flag's fate to them openly.
"While those slaves without flag meet their death, the blue flag encounters their freedom!"
The air was heavy with absolute silence, allowing Guard Klau's words to resonate across the field.
"While those slaves with black flags become maids and servants for our kingdom, those with yellow flags would be sold out from our kingdom!"