Day 5

I didn't manage to sleep. I couldn't understand myself.

'Why the hell I saved someone who enslaved me?'

After many hours I concluded that I didn't' even blame Elija for what he did to me. It was my fault for still clinging to Earth's values in Astria. This world was more brutal, more dangerous, and even the values were different.

'His strength and statement about wanting to control his own life got me hooked probably…'

'Damn. I should just let him die. Maybe I would be free already I that happened.'

'Or maybe I would be dead. Eaten by Sin Wolves.'

"What are these creatures? Sin Wolves?" – I asked Fergus who was the only one who talked to me since I was a slave.

Surprisingly before my guard buddy could answer me, I heard Elija's voice. After the fight, he was recovering inside the carriage.

"They are creations of the Church of Sin." – He took a bottle from his robe and drank its content. It was filled with a pink liquid. – "A wolf's soul mixed with the essence of greed and blood of wind elementals thanks a blood sacrifice of thirteen lesser demons of the seventh level of Stasis Realm."

It was an awfully specific instruction. – "You know it so well…"

"I had a contract with the Church of Sin many years ago."

The carriage became silent once again.

After an entire hour of awkward silence, I asked another thing. – "The…thing…you used to kill all the Sin Wolves…"

"Bloodline." – Elija seemed particularly grim.

"Bloodline?"

"Yes, a power some people are borne with. Some can control elements, some can transform, some can do even more overpowered stuff." – He took out a cigarette. It was the moment that I discovered the existence of cigarettes in Astria. – "I can create…shadows of myself."

I saw that his expression became even gloomier than before, so I stopped asking questions.

No more wolves attacked us. I heard another howl once in the distance, but Elija muttered something like 'you dare, bastards?' and the howl was interrupted midway.

[…]

I was shocked when I saw Altariana for the first time. It was enormous. Before that, I considered this word something like medieval Europe on Earth. But after seeing this city I changed my mind.

This jewel of Fregas family wasn't just a normal city on the ground.

It had seven different levels and from the fourth level until the seventh, there were majestic towers of different forms floating around them.

The levels weren't connected by columns or something similar but by a huge glowing waterfall.

Above the seventh level floated the biggest tower. On top of it, there was a flower made entirely from crystal.

"Better see the Sword of Koti as a slave than never see it as a King." – Said Elija. It was my first time at Altariana but I understood what he meant. Suddenly I felt something burning in my chest. It was the first time I felt the purple flame inside my body.

"What are those towers?"

"These are the towers where the mages live. In the top tower lives the only known XII Hex mage of Astria!"

We entered the city through a majestic gate decorated with scenes of the battle of thousand races.

The guards of the city saluted Elija but he just scoffed.

[…]

The first level of Altariana was as imposing as it seemed from outside. The streets were full of people but surprisingly I felt that every single passer-by could destroy me.

"It's the pressure of the city itself. Altariana is a former city of Koti Empire." – Said the old merchant as he saw me being suppressed and pale. – "You will get used to it."

[…]

We arrived in front of a huge hexagonal building and Elija suddenly turned towards me.

"I enslaved you, but you saved my life. Why?"

I was stumbled by his question.

"Because of your desire to fight for your life like a common guard. Nonplacing yourself above a slave and casually fighting alongside me."

I said directly what I thought during the last night.

He nodded.

"We live in a brutal world, Eliot. I will give you a slim chance to return your freedom."

Elija pointed towards the hexagonal building behind him. – "This is the Arena of Altariana. I will sell you as a fighter here." – He paused for a second. – "There is an ancient custom of giving freedom to a winner of thousand challenges. It was a Koti Empire's tradition but Fregas family follows it even now. It's your only chance for freedom."

"If you really have some power from eating some strange fruit, you will need it."

[…]

Apparently, Elija knew very well the administrator of the arena so the whole transaction was very smooth. The old merchant's face twitch then the administrator offered 1 gold for me, but he said nothing and accepted.

After that, he turned to me. – "If thanks to some miracle, or thanks to your abilities to manage to regain freedom, come and find me at the tavern "Seventh Sea".

He passed my slave contract to the manager who immediately electrified me for no reason.

"Slave, come here, trash!" – He screamed.

That was the real start of my life as a slave.

The manager used the contract a few more times before "conducting" me towards my cell.

There was some smoke coming from my electrified body when I fell on the straw bed inside my cell.

'So painful, f*ck.' I thought.

"Psss, man, hei." – I suddenly heard a voice near my cell. It was coming from another cell. – "I am Marian, nice to meet you. Finally, I have someone new to speak with. Please tell me that you're not a muscle-head like everybody around me?!"

I had difficulties moving my mouth. – "I…am…Eliot…"

"Eliot! Nice to meet you. Such a great name! I had once a friend named Elior, but he died. He was really a good guy…

While my new neighbor was still talking, I slowly fell asleep, exhausted by the day and by many electric shocks.