"Hahahaa! This must be a joke. Right? This has to be a joke, doesn't it?"
"Welcome, Victoria Hosen, the newest member of the food chain arena, among the other warriors."
"HAHA! I WILL CRUSH YOU LIKE A BUG, VICTORIA."
"YEAH, YOU BETTER NOT MESS WITH ME IF YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOU."
"Ah! Would you kindly explain this nonsense properly, Mr. Akseroat leader Aarus? BECAUSE YOU'RE GIVING ME HALF-BAKED ANSWERS AND I CAN'T QUITE UNDERSTAND IT."
Aarus silently walked to the edge of the balcony. "Now, the battle for what you rightfully deserve begins. Welcome to the food chain arena, warriors. Now, I can explain the rules since all 64 warriors are here." Aarus raised his index finger in the air. "You, you monstrous creature with an attitude." Vik followed him from behind, her eyes twitching. "The first rule of the food chain arena is to select a common leader to govern the future of both races."
"What what what?" Vik's eyes widened in shock.
"I DESERVE THAT LEADERSHIP!"
"SHUT UP, FOOL. EVERYONE HERE KNOWS THAT LEADERSHIP IS NOT FOR JUST ANYONE."
"I'LL HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE IN THE ARENA."
"I LOOK FORWARD TO IT."
"Why is everyone yelling? I'm tired of this."
"Enough!" Aarus's gesture silenced the others. "The second rule is that the purpose of the food chain arena is to ascend to the top chain and prove that you are superior to everyone else. You will achieve this by fighting, just like animals. The battles will be to the death—"
"JUST WHAT I LIKE—"
"Please, be quiet." Aarus's voice drowned out the man's yelling. "Remember, if you choose to show mercy and win the battle without killing your opponent, you give them another chance. Those who lose but survive will fight another loser in the lower chain arena and can continue in the main arena, but the lower chain arena is a fight to the death. You will never rise without killing your opponent..." Vik lost all her distraction as Aarus coughed. All this arena battle stuff was quite bizarre to her. She had experienced so many strange events in a row that she couldn't decide which one to be surprised about.
"TELL US ABOUT THE RULES OF THE BATTLE, AARUS!"
"YES, TELL US!"
"Ohmm ohmm... ahh... there are no rules in battles. Your only goal is to fight to ascend. Now, everyone may disperse to their rooms."
"THAT'S HOW IT'S DONE!"
"I'LL TAKE YOU ALL DOWN. ESPECIALLY THE NEW GIRL."
"HAHAHAA! SAME."
As Aarus turned to walk towards the door, Vik blocked his path. "Hold on there, big guy. Don't you think there's a lot you need to explain to me?"
"Very well, warrior, I'm waiting for your questions."
"I can finally ask questions, huh? Oh, thank the gods, I offer my gratitude to you! Now, why are they both human and alien-like? Some of their faces look human, and so do some of their arms, legs, or hands, but they also have features like your dark green skin, reptilian skin texture, massive arms, claws, wings... how can this be?"
"I told you. You are a hybrid species. Like a mule—"
"So you're saying..." Vik started to tremble. "Even saying it feels horrible." Vik narrowed her eyes and slowly clenched her body before suddenly opening her arms wide. "ARE MY PARENTS A COMBINATION OF AN ALIEN AND A HUMAN? Ugh! This is terrible."
"No, it's not like that, and I told you we're not aliens, but you keep using it over and over."
"Excuse me, pardon me, I need some time to get used to it, after all, your name is a bit strange, and you keep interrupting, just explain properly!"
"You are special. Knowing that is enough, warrior, but Lostia and you are even more special. That's why you are not like them."
"Thank you very much." Vik began to applaud. "You really answered my question perfectly(!)"
"Is there another issue?"
"Well, you and your arrogant attitude, I'm not going to fight you. What is this food chain arena anyway?"
"I assume you listened to what I just said."
"Hey, hey! Yes, I listened, but there's a problem with this system based on killing each other... I can't understand the reason behind it."
"You're talking quite surprisingly for someone who mercilessly killed us."
"T-this is a completely different situation. You were a threat to Earth. I was someone fighting against that threat. I couldn't let you touch those innocent, defenseless people."
"Of course, you're right in your own reasons. I understand you, warrior, but now is not the time to plead for humanity because they won't show you any mercy."
"Wait now, I'm being bombarded with too many questions." Vik suddenly recoiled with a headache that appeared, bringing her hand to her head. "You... invaded Earth with a massive ship. Then you won the war... and now I can't make sense of your motive. Why did you attack those innocent people, why did you viciously leap onto us? And now you're talking about a food chain arena. WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE, AKSEROAT LEADER?"
"I will only give what is deserved to those who deserve it. Now follow me, warrior, I'll take you to your room."
"FINE, BUT!"
"Please, follow me." Aarus pushed Vik aside and began to walk. "At least tell me exactly what they are and why I need to fight."
"They are the same kind of beings as you, and whether to fight or not is up to you; I can't decide that."
"So if I don't want to fight—"
"Don't twist my words. Offering your head to the opponent or taking theirs is your decision." Aarus continued walking. "W-wait for me, stupid creature." Realizing she wouldn't get the answers she wanted, Vik gave up and started following Aarus.
"Here is your room." Aarus gestured to the dimly lit room. "It's practically no different from a prison cell. Sorry, I can't discriminate among warriors. Please enter your room."
"Well, I don't have much of a choice." Vik sat on the bed in the room without complaining. "Actually, it's not so bad. Still, I miss my bed at home."
"Your home..."
"What, does that bother you?"
"No." With a snap of Aarus's fingers, Vik was bound with laser shackles. "What's happening?"
"As I said, I can't discriminate among warriors." Aarus closed the door, leaving Vik alone in the darkness. "YOU FILTHY CREATURE! I'LL SHOW YOU." Vik never lost her anger towards him. "The war starts tomorrow. I suggest your first order of business should be finding yourself a weapon."
"What are you talking about?" There was no answer; Aarus had already left her alone. "So, I'm left alone. I wish Maria was here with me. I miss talking to her so much. Speaking of Maria, where is that guy who claimed to be my brother named Los? LIAR, YOU SAID YOU'D ALWAYS BE BY MY SIDE."
"SHUT YOUR MOUTH, NEW GIRL." Vik was stunned by the voice coming from the adjacent room. "Looks like I'm not alone after all."
"Yeah, you're not, so shut up and go to sleep already."
"Fine, fine, good night then." Vik started squirming in bed, feeling for the goodnight she expected but didn't receive. "How did I end up in this damn place?" Rambling to herself, she succumbed to the allure of sleep and drifted off.