Chapter 26: Confident Self

Kalika tossed herself around on her bed. Opening her eyes, she looked at stony gray brick wall. She continued tossing and turning until she laid flat on her back, still unsatisfied with her position on the bed. The pain from the scratches and bruises she's gained through her training continued lingering. She briefly raised her scratched and bruised arm weakly, setting it back down soon after.

"Can't sleep?" Rakon asked.

Kalika peeked to find Rakon leaning on his back outside on the cell door. Despite the darkness, she could easily make out his red skin and silhouette.

"You again?" She rested her head back down. "What do you want this time?"

"Same as always. A nice chat. And perhaps a lot less insults and curses too." Rakon chuckled. He looked back to find Kalika now sitting in the corner of her bed, hugging her legs and giving a middle finger to him. Rakon could only smile in amusement.

Not long after, Kalika slumped her head to the wall avoiding gazing upon the demon before her. After a few moments of being silent she finally spoke.

"So tomorrows the day, huh…"

"That, It is. It'll be your big day." Rakon answered.

"Will I have to fight unarmed against that general?"

Rakon snickered. "Of course not. How do you expect to kill Ek without your blood blade? Don't worry about a thing, I'll make sure to deliver it personally to you when the time comes."

Kalika hugged her leg more tightly. "O…okay…"

"Hmm. You look unconfident there, Kalika. Are you feeling squeamish? Or perhaps you don't feel adequate for the fight ahead." 

"I… I feel just fine."

"Is that so… if that's the case, why is it that you keep hiding."

"I don't know what you mean…" Kalika kept staring blankly at the wall.

Rakon gave a piercing gaze at Kalika with a confident smile. "Surely you wouldn't think I haven't noticed Kalika. Your own doubts that are growing. Eating at you. Boiling within." 

Rakon turned away. "Heh. You're not doing yourself any favors."

"What would you know, Huh? Unlike you demons, humans can't even compare." She tensed up. Sinking her head back between her arms and legs. "You demons… You demons are just naturally more powerful than humans. You're faster, stronger, more magically adept." 

Kalika looked at her hands. "I… truly hate your kind."

Rakon could see clearly that Kalika was Sulking. "So you think you're too weak. A rich sentiment coming from a girl who's killed many of my kin and beasts in the arena. Not even a year ago you would've been sleeping like a baby, ready to kill your next opponent."

"You're talking like I should remember."

"You may not. But I still remember seeing you run circles around your opponent. How you would mercilessly cut their throats, spill their guts. It was a sight that made even your sister proud and was a thrill to behold."

Kalika glared back up. "I-I'm not some killer."

Rakon smiled. "Oh but that's what you became. A cold hearted killer with your own selfish goals. It was truly fun seeing you deceive your so-called friends."

"Shut up."

"The same ones you backstabbed trying to escape."

"Shut up!"

"Just like that last escape attempt of yours, where you threw yourself back into your sister's arm. All when you were in the graces of those Heroes." Rakon started to laugh.

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!!" Kalika was now shaking in rage.

Rakon paused for a moment. "Ah. You're right… You still remember that, don't you. Perhaps you reacted on instinct then. Seeing Lillian. Realizing the futility of escape… you were always quick witted when the need arose."

"How do you expect me to believe a word you say!??" Kalika found herself glaring at Rakon.

"You don't have to believe what I'm saying you don't want to. But at least know that it's not often that I sing the praises of others. You are a rare expectation, especially among humans."

Rakon crossed his and brought his head down as if reminiscing on the past. "If you want to take it a step farther, you can say that I respect you."

Kalika slowly released her clenched fist, exhausted from being always angry at this demon. She sat herself back down on her bed, resting her head at the palm of her hands. "You don't make any sense…"

 "Rakon… Why are you so obsessed with me?"

She heard Rakon chuckling to himself. He then turned to lean on his shoulder, looking at Kalika. "What a curious question to ask…"

To Kalika's shock, her chin was suddenly grabbed and lifted up to meet Rakon's Gaze. "Why ask?"

"H-how did he-?"

Kalika jerked her chin out of his grasp. "J-just tell me."

"The reason is simple..." Rakon brushed the back of his hand across from the bottom of her cheek to the temple of her head. It sent shivers down her spine, and before she realized it, she found herself in darkness.

She awoke a moment later knowing what had happened. She looked up at Rakon who looked satisfied.

"It's because you're never dying and never aging, Like art for the world to admire," Rakon said.

 He lifted one of her arms to reveal that all the scratches and bruises have disappeared, aside from a few tiny bruises. "You look like an angel. but secretly… you have the heart of a demon."

Kalika was stunned by his words. At that moment all the tension built up was released. she felt much more relaxed than she expected.

Suddenly, Kalika felt something wet beneath her hand. She quickly retracted her hand away from Rakon's grasp seeing him melt in front of her. Drops of blood hit the floor and bed as Rakon saw his hand reverting back into blood. 

"Oh… Looks like I over did it again." He looked back at Kalika. "I'll be seeing you tomorrow, be sure to be ready by then." 

Kalika witnessed Rakon become a simple puddle of blood on the ground, leaving her alone once more.

She looked at her now bloodied hand and watched as it slowly turned to a bloody mist along with the puddle. She shook, and her breathing became much heavier. She clutched her trying to control herself.

"Ridiculous."

********

The day has come for Kalika to finally fight Ek. Waking up, She found that her hands were still shaking. Rhonda arrived with a fresh pair of new clothes for Kalika and soon found herself ready for the day ahead.

Tilus arrived just as she stepped out her cell "Ready?" he asked.

Just as she was about to give her answer, The footsteps of something large approached. Kalika glances behind Tilus, finding Bjorn with some demon guards. He looked straight at Kalika bitterly.

"Follow us, Rakon wants you in the arena. Alone." He said.

"Fine…"

Kalika began to follow behind the escort of demons, stopping for a mere second hearing Rhonda's voice.

"Don't worry. I'll be back. See you later… Rhonda… Tilus…"

With those last few words she continued forth with her destination set.

********

"The arena's closed off? Didn't they say they'd stopped with those arena fights a couple months ago?" a Prisoner inquired.

A couple of prisoners sat just outside of the prison arena entrance, playing some card game. The demon guards stood just outside the door, maintaining their statue-like stance.

"That's what I thought too. Maybe fixin something up in there. Who knows.."

"Perhaps…"

The card game being played was trampled on by General Ek, who stormed towards the arena. "Arenas closed off! Now go!!"

"Tch. Hard ass."

The prisoners didn't argue as they quickly retreated with their card, away from the entrance.

"Seriously. I can't believe she's actually going through with this. What an idiot." Ek said.

The guards stepped out of the way of Ek, allowing him to enter. In one swift move, he pushed the door open revealing Rakon to be waiting. Ek Scowled at Rakon. 

"Remember Ek. His life hangs in the balance."

"Don't think you'll get away with this Rakon-!"

"You mean your MAJESTY!" Rakon interrupted. Rakon stared down at Ek with a gaze that could intimidate a Giant.

Ek shook, but quickly glared back. "You're playing a very dangerous game,' King'. When your brother and Kalika's sister comes back they're gonna rip you to shreds."

"You talk like they're an issue. But you should be more concerned with your fight against Kalika. After all… what would happen to Kel if you were to lose?"

"You conniving bastard. I never should have agreed to our contract all those years ago!"

"And you never should've sought to betray me." Rakon snapped. "I gave you and your brother so many chances, But now all of you have grown too attached to her."

"You're a damn hypocrite."

Rakon side eyed Ek, he then narrowed his eyes looking down on him. "I only do what's necessary to get what I want, unlike you."

Rakon then threw a scroll at Ek, who caught it.

"The terms of our agreement are there including the safe release of your brother. You just have to sign it. But read it over carefully. After that we'll start the match."

Not long after, Rakon turned to a bloody mist, leaving Ex alone in the empty area. He could only seethe in rage, helpless to the current predicament he was now in.

********

Kalia sat in a large hall that connected to the arena's side doors. Bjorn along with some of the guards stood guard, barring her from actually leaving. There was an unusual calmness, most likely connected to Bjorn power, but she didn't think about it too much.

Instead Kalika was lost in thought about the night before when she and Rakon conversed. Her thoughts then turned to when he affirmed her as a cold-blooded killer. She felt uneasy with these thoughts in mind.

"Hey Bjorn? Do you know… What was I like during those past nine, ten years?"

"What brought this about?" he asked.

"I'm just a little curious…"

Bjorn glanced at Kalika curiously. a silence hung in the air. But eventually Bjorn spoke up, making his mind up. 

"I can't say that I know a lot of what you did while imprisoned or in the arena itself. But I have heard from many of the guards the heinous things you've done. You've started riots, backstabbed supposed friends and fooled men to help you escape. You even killed the first warden for this prison"

Kalika was subtly surprised to hear these.

"Of course the only time I'd hear these would be when I had to keep an eye on you. At one time, you even tried killing me… Of course it didn't work out for you in the end… But I digress."

Bjorn gazed away from Kalika, almost uninterested. "Back then, If there was one thing you were good at. It was making enemies out of everyone. I'm sure there's a lot of prisoners here that still have some pent up resentment for what you've done. You only have yourself to blame for that."

Kalika thought back to the harsh gazes she felt from time to time. from the time she trained, to eating in the mess hall. she knew she couldn't escape their gaze. And yet, they never approached her. "Were they scared?"

Kalika averted her eyes from the demons.. "What a fantastical tale. But, I guess… There is some truth in what you've said.…"

Bjorn raised a brow hearing this.

"Alright I think that's enough." Rakon arrived with a rectangular box in hand. "You're all dismissed."

Bjorn glanced at Kalika once more. "Just because you have enemies, doesn't mean you're without friends. Unless you've already forgotten that is…" Not long after, he took his leave along with the guards.

Rakon approached Kalika, opening and revealing her red blood dagger inside the wooden box. she glanced at it, realizing that it looked a little different from before. Despite this, she can sense a familiarity from it. There was no mistaking that this dagger belonged to her.

She felt herself drawn to the dagger and without thinking she grabbed the blade. suddenly she felt a scorching heat within her hand. She winced from the pain. It was as though her very blood was boiling.

"Is something wrong?" Rakon asked.

"N…No… I'm just fine."

"Well then, if that's the case I'll lead the way. Your opponent is ready and waiting." 

With a smile Rakon led the way for Kalika and upon reaching the arena, he opened the caged door for her. She proceeded to enter the large arena with Ek standing ready in the very center. His face, grim and serious.

"Good luck." Rakon closed the door.

Kalika tried steadying her breathing. She looked around to see all of the seat's empty. It became obvious that this match between her and Ek was private, only known to a few select people. Upon looking at the balcony, she found Rakon up there observing them.

She ignored him, finally pacing herself to finally meet Ek at the center of the arena face to face. A wave of nausea hit Kalika, she tried controlling her breathing, but it was becoming harder and harder as her head started to throb and boil over.

"What the heck is going on, what's this weird feeling?"

Ignoring the strange feelings she posed her dagger in front of her. Her hands trembled from the weight of having killed someone again. She could only remember the one person she killed during a rigged match. But this time, it was against a demon where anything could happen.

Ek finally spoke up. "You're better off just forfeiting. Save us both the trouble-"

"Shut up!" Kalika's eyes looked determined. Even Ek could tell this much.

"I have to see this through. If I ever want to free myself from here."

"Fine. Have it your way. I could always use a little payback especially for this scar you left on my face." Ek stood tall with his arms crossed. He became much more serious.

Tightening her grip on her dagger, Kalika opted to make the first move to attack. She charged in squinting her eyes, thrusted her dagger, only to find it recoiled. She opened her eyes to find Ek still standing where he stood.

"Is that all?' Ek was unimpressed.

Gritting herself, Kalika attacks once again. This time with her eyes open. And like before, her attack bounced right off of him. Ek gazed more seriously at Kalika.

"Why can't I cut him!?"

Ek disappeared from Kalika's sight.

"What the- where'd he go!"

A pain ran through her chest and up to her neck. She quickly came to the realization that Ek landed a killing blow on her already. Blood curdled through her body, and died shortly after.

It wasn't long before she reawakened on the ground, this time with the blade in her hands becoming even hotter. Her body then moved on its own. A strike from Ek was blocked!

"Huh?" Kalika was confused.

Coming to her senses, she rolled out of the way of his second attack. Getting back to her feet, she quickly found herself on the defensive as she dodged attack after attack from Ek's blood blade, which was a dagger much different looking from her own. Eventually their blades clashed along one another, flashing sparks in the air.

Kalika found herself interlocked between parry and dodges with Ek. he sped up his attack, scratching and slicing at her hand and arms. She was barely able to keep up with his speed as he got faster.

Eventually their blades clashed once more, this time Ek stopped right before her, calmly holding his dagger in one hand. Kalika on the other hand still used both. 

Ek gazed at Kalika coldly. A flash of the same cold gaze flashed through Kalika's mind but this time, in the halls of the dungeon? This left Kalika in a state of confusion.

"Damn it, Kalika! You're just playing right into his hands!!" Ek exclaimed.

"Huh??"

"I DON'T CARE ANYMORE!! I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS HELL!!" Kalika shouted.

she was pushed back with tremendous force, sliding along the dungeon floor. Kalika blinked to find herself back in the arena, some distance away from EK who posed himself, ready to attack again.

"So you can still fight after all…" Ek said.