Freed

The cage rattled with Su'ayun inside. She had woken up from the murmurs hidden under the shadow that surrounds the stage. 

The room, to which Ned had managed to deduce as a mini arena or stage of some sort, clamored with people as soon as the cage dropped down from the unseen ceiling of the cave. 

Without mana to fuel most of his skills and abilities, Ned had to rely solely on his senses. He saw darkness, only the lamps stuck on a low-rose wall gave light to the arena. He heard whispers, people of some sort surrounded the circular stage. Sometimes, he was able to catch laughter, women, and men. Metal against metal, glass clinking. The stink of iron and dirt came whiffling from the center muddled together with the smell of meat, juices, and other beverages. 

People, he thought. People came to see us. Su'ayun. But why?