5 The Ritual of Sacrifice

Yanoku City: Summer of the red moon. One week before the Hunt.

One week before the Hunt, citizens and nobles gather in the city's arena to witness the Ritual of Sacrifice. Five Champions, each representing a god, fight to the death. It was the highest honor for a champion to die during the ritual. Their spirits would be immediately accepted into their god's domains, to live eternally in their service. 

Zedd was seated next to his friend in the front row, next to the nobles and other faction leaders. Zedd, being Alistair's guest, was invited to assist to the Ritual of Sacrifice. He was observing the fighters with keen eyes.

"That man with the axes, who does he represent?" Zedd pointed at one of the champions.

"His name is Cane Mos. He represents Ulmir," Alistair replied. 

"So he's one of your boys then?" Zedd asked. 

"No he's not. He was a hunter once, an outcast now," Alistair bitterly said. 

Zedd's lips parted into a mocking grin. "Have the hunters lost their place to an outcast?" 

Alistair shot Cane a dark look. "The boy worships the Hunter God. The House of Ulmir accepted to give him their place at the ceremony," Alistair replied. He clutched his fists until his knuckles whitened. "Outcast or not, the House said Ulmir loves all his creations. Viraldo didn't object. With the empire preparing to move west, I think the master was happy to leave the hunters out of this one." 

"Were the hunters as happy as their master I wonder?" Zedd mumbled. 

 "The ceremony will start now," Alistair said then turned his gaze toward the champions. 

On the arena's north wing, a high structure was built to accommodate the chancellor and his guests of honor. Warriors with war paint on their faces stood behind the guests. They held drums that extended from their hips to their feet. The chancellor got up then raised his right hand. 

Drums were beaten, silence fell over the arena. Each warrior came forward, presented his weapon to the statues of the Gods then retreated. First was a man called Gerard, he presented his sword and shield then offered them to the Goddess of Fertility, Aella. 

A woman called Greta came second, clad in leather armor. On one hand she held a large oblong shield. On the other she held a spear. A red plume was attached to the spear head, a symbol of her affiliation to the God of Fire Na'ar. She didn't wear a helmet though. Her short black hair couldn't conceal her missing ears, causing many whispers among the audience. 

Third, a halberd wielding man came. He towered over the other champions. His bare torso shed light on his big and defined muscles. He presented his weapon to Osimir, the God of Sea, then retreated without a word. 

"That's Gedel," Alistair said, noticing Zedd's intrigue. "He's been Osimir's champion for almost a decade. Today he removed his armor in hopes of joining Osimir as one of his Fish Folk." 

"I wish Gedel a swift death then," Zedd commented, still eyeing the young man called Cane. 

A young man came next. He held a great sword in his hand which he presented to Adle, the God of Justice. "I offer thee my sword. Let thy servant die in glory, and join thine ranks as an angel of death." 

Cheers filled the arena as the young man spoke. "That's Herius, a noble's son. He went to fight without his father's consent," Alistair explained.

"Rebellious children are the worst," Black Eyes commented. "Which family?" he asked. 

"He's the son of Lucius the-" 

"Perfume artist, I know. That man has the gods on his side, but not yours." 

"What do you mean?" Alistair asked. "Why do you like speaking in riddles?"

"Not now friend, my favorite champion is about to come forward." 

Cane came forward, an axe in each hand. He wore leather greaves and leather wristbands. His upper torso was also bare, but he wore a bull helmet that concealed his face. The man was as tall as Gedel. 

"What a big bear!" Zedd said in admiration. He leaned forward to have a better look. "Do you think he's fast despite his weight? Please tell me he doesn't rely just on his brutish force." 

"I've seen him fight once. Just you wait, his skills will surprise you." 

"Does that mean you'll cheer for him too?" Zedd asked, like an excited child. 

"No, my money's on Gerard. We call him the Jackal. He's a careful fighter, stings where it hurts then distances himself from his opponent: a deadly tactic for tiring big beasts." 

"Will you bet on it?" Zedd asked. 

"What are the stakes?" Alistair asked, amused. 

"I predict that my friend Cane over there will slice your Jackal's neck." 

"What would I gain if that doesn't happen?"

"You set your price friend. You had something to ask me, had you not? If my prophecy comes true, then you'll do everything in your power to let me join the Hunt." 

Alistair smiled. "I'll play along. The Jackal can't be defeated so easily." 

"Very well then, enjoy the fight and may the better fighter win." 

Once the Chancellor finished his second speech, he gave the signal to start the fight. 

Cane was the first one to lunge forward. Axes in both hands, he came at the closest warrior. "Oh boy, I have a feeling the ceremony will be over quickly," Zedd said, still excited to see what the young man was really capable of. 

"Don't underestimate the Jackal. No one here's willing to throw their life away so easily," Alistair was intently observing the two warriors. 

Cane swung his axe, aiming for the Jackal's head. The latter brought his shield up just in time to block the attack. With a heavy thump, the axe got stuck and Cane struggled to wrench it away. The Jackal took advantage of the short respite and bashed Cane with the shield. 

"At close range, this kind of charge will throw the boy off-guard. The fight will indeed finish quickly." Alistair leaned forward to have a better look at the fight. 

Cane freed his hand from the stuck axe then stopped his charging opponent with one hand. 

"What unnatural strength!" Alistair exclaimed. 

The two champions struggled in that position. Their fight was brought to a short halt. The Jackal pushed Cane backwards while the latter tried to evade the sword swings that came from behind the shield. The Jackal looked like a child, flailing while the much taller adult held him from his head. 

Other gasps filled the arena. Another fight was taking place a few feet away. Two champions were ganging up on another while the Jackal and Cane struggled. Gedel, the lone fighter, had managed to evade the other two's attacks and injured Herius, the noble's son, in the process. 

"Looks like there's another skilled fighter in there," Zedd said, briefly turning his attention away from Cane. "This ceremony brings the best out of people." 

"If we don't put up a good fight for the Gods, how are we supposed to show that we deserve their company?" Alistair asked, still observing The Jackal and Cane struggling. 

Gasps filled the arena another time. Herius was knocked unconscious. Cane had managed to strip the Jackal of his shield then flung it aside. The shield hit Herius in the head, knocking him out cold. 

"That boy will have to live with the shame of losing consciousness during the ritual," Alistair commented. "His father won't be too happy about that."

"He'll be happy to have his son return to him alive," Zedd retorted before turning his attention to Cane.

Cane had been dodging The Jackal's attacks since he took the shield away. He danced around him with surprising agility and speed. It looked like the big man was toying with his opponent. In the end, The Jackal was panting. His arms could hardly lift the sword. Just as Cane was about to finish his opponent, Greta joined the fight. 

"That one wasn't too happy her friend got knocked out," Alistair turned to look at Zedd with a mocking smirk. "I think your favorite will join Ulmir after all." 

Gedel, the halberd wielding man, noticed that Greta had shifted her focus away from him. He saw Cane dodging the woman's relentless thrusts then decided to join in. 

"Gedel's angry too, Cane ruined his opportunity to die. That doesn't bode well…" Alistair was happy to comment. He could smell Cane's blood already. 

Cane was surrounded. He had to defend against three skilled fighters. The trio had surrounded Cane then slowly backed him up against the circular walls of the arena. 

'Once their offensive starts, the outcome of the fight will be decided,' Zedd thought. He was anxious to see Cane triumph. 

It was Greta who made the first step. The other two followed suit. The action happened too fast for ordinary eyes to fully comprehend what happened. What people saw was the Jackal, lying down on the ground while blood poured out of his sliced neck. 

"What in Ulmir's name happened?" Alistair exclaimed. 

"I won!" Zedd jumped to his feet, arms outstretched. He was beside himself with excitement. 

"Care to explain?" Alistair turned to look at his guest, annoyed at his euphoria. "And tone it down a bit will ya? Others are watching." 

"Apologies," Zedd said loud enough for the audience to hear. After he regained his composure, Zedd sat down and started explaining. "Cane avoided the spear thrust in an ingenious way. The wound on The Jackal's neck was self-inflicted. Look at Cane's axe." 

Alistair noticed the broken weapon. The axe was completely shattered. "What happened?�� he asked, frowning.

"Cane managed to step on the spear, lodging it in the ground. Then the halberd and the sword came at the same time. Cane hit the halberd with all his strength, shattering his weapon in the process. 

"That impact was enough to change the weapon's course, intercepting The Jackal's swing. Unfortunately for your friend, the deflected sword hit him right in the neck. That boy is reckless, crazy. I love how he fights."

Drums were beaten again, announcing that the ceremony had come to an end. The Chancellor stood up, thanked the fighters for their spirit then dismissed them. 

 "We shall talk tonight," Zedd said as the men left the arena. "We have a week before the Gate opens. I believe your master will let me participate." 

"That depends on tonight's conversation. I wish you good fortune. May Ulmir keep your head strong." Alistair extended his hand towards Zedd. 

"May Na'ar light your darkest nights," Zedd replied, shaking the man's hand.