Present day, 12 years later. Sounds of pounding, and punches echoed throughout the room. This room seemed different. It's walls were brown, with white tiles that were surprisingly gleaming. The room was wide enough to fit a large capacity of people, looking much more like like a hall than a room. The walls are windowless with the ceiling almost four storeys high, with the large bulbs and crystals emitting their dying light. The sounds of kicking and groaning grew louder, the hall was filled with large hard uneven, rough metal rods for training. In the hall, someone was continually fighting against a stick, punching and kicking, each one harder and faster than the last. A caramel skinned female arched herself against the walls, her busts juggling hard which made her uncomfortable. Clicking her tongue, she cleared her throat.
". So you're leaving today huh?. ". She raised a brow and threw a gaze at him. His biceps were bulging hard, elegantly embraced by scars to show his current state. His sweat gleamed on his body in the dim light, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead racing to his scarred chest. He continued kicking, his black blood just spilled a little and stopped. His long black hair swaying in choreography with his body movements. He stopped, turning towards her, he walked. His foot leaving soft prints of his blood on the white tiles with each step. His new orange knickers that were gifted to him by the leader was now ragged and torn, dampened with filth. He shifted his eyes towards her as he came close to her.
". You will miss me? ". His deep voice immediately shrouded the air, given a sense of authority and control. He looked at her in eyes, her black irises were trembling terribly but her body wasn't. She looked away.
". Yeah. ", was all she could say. A part of her white hair covered her face, white hair that had thickened with filth over the years turning it light brown. He smirked, held her chin and turned her face to him. ". You can come with me. ". He said. She looked at him, then her lips curled in disgust.
". Go away, don't you get tired? ".She placed her hands on his sweaty chest, pushing him, and stood up straight. He took some steps back.
". I was sold to death, no return for me. I told you. If I follow you, how would Gustav earn on me to send to him his profits.?. ". She asked, placing her right arm on a metal rod.
". Since you were sold without return, you died in the arena. It's not as hard as that. ". He said, shrugging. The lady sighed, and shook her head.
". Or you don't want to be free, Vana?. ". She looked up at him as he asked that question, and scoffed.
". Who doesn't want to get out of here.?". She rested against the wall again. ".I haven't seen outside in sixteen years, do you think many things have changed overtime?. ". She asked, still looking at him. He turned his back, walking back to the rod he was training with, he arched his hand for a punch against the rod and released it. His punch instantly broke the rod, sent it flying , hitting the other metal rods with a large clanking sound.
". That's why you have no reason to stay here anymore. ". The man removed his long hair glued to his face by sweat, and looked at her. His crimson eyes still gleaming in the low light, he heaved a deep breath.
". Gustav told me he would award me with two things of my choice, that is within his power. Since I survived my stay here. ". The man walked towards her and rested on the wall beside her. He looked at Vana, she closed her eyes. He looked at her body.
". So you plan on using his awards to take me out of here with that.? ". She looked at him, he smiled.
". Yes, of course. ". He looked at her busts, Gustav had evolved to giving sports bra to the women. He preferred it when it was just only a thin cloth to cover their nipples, but what does he care. He has seen it unclothed repeatedly, time and time again.
". The heck is wrong with you,? ". She looked at him, concerned. ". You weren't like this when I first met you, Kato. ". She said. He shifted his gaze from her busts to her eyes.
". Really?.". He asked, raising a brow. ". I was, and you were too. ". He stated. She shifted her head back in disbelief.
". Me!. " She exclaimed. ". How, explain?. ".
". We first met after I took Heng Tae Sung's head off, you came up to the stage, introduced yourself but didn't tell me that my knickers were gone. My nuts were dangling right there.". He looked at her. ". I noticed you were looking down, but I didn't fathom or ask myself why?. ". He turned back to the metal rods and his gaze remained on them.
A soft laugh echoed throughout the hall. Vana, took a deep sigh after her laughter, turned to him. ". And I didn't notice you do the same?. ". She asked him. Not looking away, be answered.
". I told you, I was always like that. ".
". Not always. ". She remarked. ". It was just because of the mistress that sold you. That's why you were reduced to that state. ". He shook his head, still not removing his gaze.
". What do you mean, "reduced"?.". He asked. Vana placed a hand on his shoulder.
". Did you think you were exalted by that incessant abuse?. ". She threw him a question, to answer what he asked. He finally shifted his gaze, he cast her a glance, then looked back at the rods. Silence was evident for some time. She knew she had struck him there, but was not sorry for it. He always talked about his mistress as a good person, when she isn't in reality. He was brainwashed for sure, or could it be he was enjoying the intimate abuse and time he had with his mistress. She began pondering over it, the hall door opened. The stone door screeching as it was pulled up to open. They both looked at the doorway to see who was approaching. A voice called out.
". Kato, Musaru Kato. ". The light outside the room, casted the shadow of the person. The figure walked in. It was a lady, a beautiful one at that, like maybe in her early thirties. Damn, Kato thought. He began walking towards the door. Vana, still against the wall, looked at him. He finally reached there. He looked at the woman. She was beautiful, plush lips, a red head, nice face with a beautiful body figure. She was dressed in a black sports bra and ash joggers, with black sneakers. Damn, was all he thought.
". I am. ". He said. She looked at him.
". Ok, my name is Lanel. You are on the roaster tonight before your leave. Also, since you don't have the ability to use supernatural powers. Gustav released me to you as your protection. ". She said.
". Damn, Gustav was right. This kid is hot as hell, how can someone look this good while in this dump". Lanel thought.
". Protection? ". He cocked a brow. ". I don't need one. ". Kato replied.
". It's what I'm assigned for. He told me you won't accept. That I have to stick with you, till I die. ". She stated. ". I heard you are immortal, but don't let that get into your head. You don't know how much the world has changed.". She looked at his chest. She just began to realize he had a strange scar on he abdomen to his chest, with black mark on his chest.
". I guess the black mark is his replaced heart, but the scar..... It looks weird. Like.... Like it's breathing. ". She thought. ". She looked at his face. He wasn't looking at her but at the magnificent ceiling in the place she was standing. It had amazing good designs. His long hair swayed away from his face, then she saw another replica of the strange scar, looking like it was breathing. She shook her head.
". Why did he tell me to do this,?. I don't want to be next to someone who's body is made out of maggots. Dammit. He is dead already, why should I ne with living corpse. ". Lanel thought hard. Kato's skin color was different from normal people. He was a whiter and more pale green with a constant cold body, than the warmth and color of a normal person.
". They are definitely aware of him, that why Gustav told me to protect him. But why would Gustav do so?. ". She thought.
". Who I'm I against.?". Kato asked. Lanel looked up at him. He was tall alright, more than six foot two.... She thought.
". Up against Nozeh, your leader. ". Lanel replied. Kato just looked at her, and nodded his head.
". Alright. "
* * * * * * * *
Bright light and screams of celebration echoed throughout the arena. This was a fatal anx important match. A must watch for every of the spectators. Two of the best players of the same captive calendar with exceptional talents were finally going head to head. Battle would be fearsome and the cheers of the spectators stated that exquisitely.
The two players stood inside the playground, wrapped around and sealed by 20 feet octagon titanium cages. The referee appeared, and ordered the match to begin.
Nozeh lips curled to a wicked smile. A shockwave was felt. These two fighters, we're hitting and blocking each other's attacks. A knee strike was countered by Kato's elbow hit. It was defended. He tried again, each attack faster and heavier than the former. The gasps of the crowd was heard, they were entertained. The two fighters seemed to be locked in their position still delivering and blocking attacks.
". So are you going to kill me or will you wear me out?. ". Nozeh asked. Kato didn't reply, no attack had been hit successfully. Their knickers were ripping slowly from the powerful kicks and blows. Nozeh, threw a punch, Kato had a narrow miss but the punch had slightly cut across his nose. Black blood rolled out. Kato looked back at him, but Nozeh vanished. He immediately knew what was coming and reacted. Turning is body abruptly, he twisted himself to his back,raising his hands, he blocked Nozeh's blow. The shockwave flew both of them apart from each other, hitting themselves on the opposite side of each cages. Kato stood up, his hair blocking his view. He blew the strands of hair away from his face with a puff of air.
". I've wanted to kill you, for a long, long time. ". Nozeh held his shoulders and exercised his neck joints. ". Your head was supposed to be broken inside that wall years ago,". He disappeared. Kato looked sideways quickly. He did a handstand, as if predicting Nozeh's attacks. He caught his head between his thighs and flipped him over, causing Nozeh to land head first on the ground. Nozeh gained a cut on his forehead, almost instantly, he gave Kato a lower blow in his abdomen, he was pushed back. Kato vomitted blood. Without hesitation, Nozeh landed a kick to his face. Kato's reaction time was quick, he stopped Nozeh's kick with his left hand, but his wrist broke. He felt the pain, it made him spill blood from his nose. Nozeh punched him on his face, Kato's nose got smash inside breaking instantly. He fell on the ground, recoiling from the fall, he performed a quick front flip, catching Nozeh's head between his thighs again and flung him across to the steel cage. Nozeh gained his stand and didn't hit the cage. He smiled. Kato was still bleeding.
". I knew it,. Your regeneration is slower now, unlike years ago.". Nozeh suddenly appeared at Kato's side, landing a kick. It was unsuccessful. Immediately, he landed another, Kato used his elbow to counter the attack, smashing into Nozeh's thighs causing a fracture, causing his leg to twist. Kato looked at him, Nozeh stared into his eyes. Kato suddenly felt something was wrong.
". It's not only you, ". Nozeh said. His leg suddenly twisted and was restored to normal. Kato realized the answer and knew this match would be tough.
". I have regeneration too, but it's much faster than yours. ". Nozeh punched him, Kato couldn't react quickly and fell from the blow. Nozeh kicked Kato's head, causing it to tear off immediately. Kato's head was stopped halfway in the air as his blood congealed. Nozeh mouth curved into a more sinister smile. He smashed the head. The blood spilled and splashed out , sullying everywhere and thing on the playground. The white floor stained with black blood.
". Which means... ". Nozeh recognized the voice. He was still alive. Nozeh immediately struck Kato's black mark and took out his heart. His heart had an unusual color, black and yellowish orange.
". So this is your source..... ". He squished the heart. ". Foolish. ". The arena was quiet. Nozeh looked at Kato's body.
". I know you are not dead. Stand up let's... ". Kato didn't let him finish his sentence, he kicked Nozeh in his god eggs fiercely, Nozeh's face twitched, and he screamed, groaning in pain. He held his groin, rolling in Kato's blood. Maggots started squirming in the blood. Nozeh was still disoriented from the pain, Kato reformed again.
".That means.... ". Kato started to say. Nozeh looked at him, still holding his groin and trembling in pain. His face stained by Kato's maggot filled blood. The maggots began invading his face, boring holes and moving, tearing apart the flesh. The pain was excessive, Nozeh began punching himself as hard as he can. The look on the Kato's face made everyone shocked. His mouth tore open, with some flesh threading and still trying their best to hold his mangled face together. His mouth tore, stretching close to his ears to form a sinister smile, his skeleton visible through the tears of his flesh. Maggots moving in and on his skin, his red eyes began glowing in the arena. His shadow from the bright lights were cast against Nozeh, and Nozeh saw it. For the first time in years in the arena. He was sure of it, his body was not trembling from pain, but from fear. He looked at him, highly embraced by fear. Kato's smile grew more sinister making him uglier, his chest still hasn't regenerated to cover the hole. It was empty. His cold red eyes defined only one thing.
". You..... You. How can this be?..!! ". Nozeh exclaimed.
". He's going to keep pounding me faster, till I can't regenerate. ". Nozeh was scared, furiously struggling to remove the maggots invading him and put a stop to his pain. ". I should have never let him live. ". He regretted it.
". This... ". Kato's deep voice pierced the silent arena. ". This is.. ". He squat before him. His mouth had torn and reached his ear. His muscles weren't red. They were corroded by maggots, squirming in it. Nozeh was now sure, Kato was a living dead. His teeth was black. His strange scars on his face and abdomen were breathing, like they were alive, furiously. His smile grew wider and more devilish.
". This is my gift to you. " Kato smiled. Intense pain suddenly shot into Nozeh. For the first time, since after Brody, the leader of the veterans slaughtered their teammates, he felt he was in the face of true horror. This was Kato's playground.