Chapter 4 - audience with the emperor

I sat on the cold floor of my cramped, dark cell, head in hands, staring into the black void of my palms. The chaos and brutality of the arena replayed in my mind, a relentless loop of blood and death. I touched my right eye to confirm my suspicions of it being useless and yes I had lost all of its functions. Never had I experienced such raw emotions or witnessed such horrific events. Rhistal's last words echoed in my head, haunting me. Why was I brought to this world, and what does my future hold?

As I was lost in my thoughts, a familiar voice snapped me back to reality. It was the master.

"Good show today, boy. The crowd loved it, and you're being heralded as the Lion Slayer."

"Lion Slayer," I thought to myself. The title felt hollow, undeserved. All I had done was have the lion fall onto my blade.

"But that's the least of your worries," the master continued, cutting through my introspection. "The emperor has summoned you to the dining hall. We'll clean you up and get you ready."

The emperor. The mere thought of meeting him sent a wave of nerves crashing over me. This man, who seemed so high and untouchable, had called for me. It felt as if I were about to meet the arbiter of my fate.

As the master left, two guards entered my cell, their expressions unreadable. They led me to a small chamber where a basin of water and clean clothes awaited. I washed away the grime and blood, my hands trembling with a mix of exhaustion and anxiety. The guards handed me a simple but clean tunic, a stark contrast to the ragged clothes I had worn before.

Once prepared, I was escorted through a labyrinth of stone corridors, each step echoing ominously. The grandeur of the corridor slowly unfolded before me—marble floors, gilded arches, and tapestries depicting this world's history.

We arrived at the massive doors of the dining hall, intricately carved with mythological creatures which felt somewhat similar to earth's. The guards pushed them open, and I stepped inside. The hall was opulent, filled with the scent of roasted meats and exotic spices. Long tables laden with food stretched out before me, and at the far end, on a raised dais, sat the emperor.

He was a man of striking presence, his face battle-tempered and lined with the scars of countless conflicts. His hair was a steely grey, cropped short, and his eyes were a piercing blue, sharp and observant. Every feature of his countenance spoke of a life spent in warfare and command. The lines etched into his face told stories of hard-fought victories and bitter losses.

As I approached, his gaze locked onto me with an intensity that made me feel both scrutinised and insignificant. He was draped in dark rich fabrics, a crown of gold and jewels resting on his head, signifying his unquestionable authority. His posture was one of effortless power, exuding a command that was as natural as breathing.

"Welcome, Lion Slayer," the emperor said, his voice resonant and smooth, carrying the weight of both respect and challenge. "You have provided great entertainment today and have helped me get rid of a problem i've been facing for countless years."

I bowed, trying to mask my unease. "Thank you, Your Majesty," I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil within.

"Sit," he commanded, gesturing to a seat with his right hand.

As I took my place, the weight of the moment settled over me. This was more than a mere audience; it was a test, a crossroads that would determine my path in this unforgiving world.

After a cold, nerve-wracking silence, the emperor leaned forward, his piercing gaze locked onto mine. "Where are you from, boy? Your hair is darker than most, and your eyes are narrow, as though they've adapted for some other purpose."

The question caught me off guard. How do I respond? He would never believe I came from another world. After a moment of deliberation, I reluctantly but boldly answered, "I don't know."

"You don't know?" The emperor's voice dripped with scepticism and a hint of offence.

"Yes," I said, maintaining my composure. "When I awoke in the cell of the gauntlet, I couldn't recall any memories."

The emperor's eyes narrowed further, clearly unsatisfied with my answer. "But surely you must remember your name."

"My name is Yoshida. Enma Yoshida," I replied, the words feeling foreign and hesitant on my tongue.

The emperor sat back, his hand on his chin, pondering. "What a strange name," he muttered to himself. Then, louder, he continued, "But that is not the reason I summoned you, Yoshida. I called for you to offer you a wish, one single wish of your choosing."

A wish. The word sent a flurry of thoughts through my mind. Freedom? No, there was no certainty I would survive in this godforsaken world. Money? Useless in a cell. New armour and weapons? Yes, that was what I needed.

I sat up straighter, mustering confidence as I faced the emperor. "The best armour and weapons money can buy."

The emperor looked taken aback, his brow furrowing slightly, almost as if he had expected a different request. His eyes studied me intently for a moment, as if trying to decipher some hidden motive behind my words. Finally, after a contemplative pause, he nodded. "So be it," he said, his voice carrying an air of finality. "Perhaps our paths will cross again in the future, Yoshida."

He lingered on my name, letting it hang in the air, his expression inscrutable. The words felt both like a promise and a warning, leaving an uneasy sensation in the pit of my stomach. The guards, sensing the end of the audience, stepped forward and ushered me out of the opulent hall.

As the massive doors closed behind me with a resounding thud, I couldn't help but glance back one last time. The emperor remained seated on his dais, a faint, enigmatic smile playing on his lips. The image of his battle-tempered face, framed by the grandeur of his surroundings, stayed with me as I was led back through the labyrinthine corridors.

The journey back to my cell felt surreal, the weight of what had just transpired sinking in. Each step echoed in the silence, amplifying the gravity of the situation. When I finally reached my cell, the heavy doors clanged shut behind me, sealing me once again in the familiar darkness.

As the night enveloped my cell once more, the events of the day replayed in my mind. The emperor's words lingered, an enigmatic promise that hinted at a future filled with both peril and opportunity. The prospect of new armour and weapons was a small comfort, but I knew that I had to prepare myself for whatever lay ahead in this brutal, unforgiving world.

The next morning, I awoke to the first rays of dawn filtering through the small, barred window of my cell. The dim light cast long shadows on the cold stone walls, and the silence was broken only by the distant sounds of the waking city. I lay there for a moment, gathering my thoughts and steeling myself for the day to come.

Determined to strengthen myself, I decided to begin training. The cell was cramped, but I could still make use of the space. I started with push-ups, my muscles straining as I lowered and raised my body, feeling the burn in my arms and chest. Each repetition was a reminder of the weakness from my previous life I needed to overcome, the strength I needed to build.

After a set of push-ups, I moved on to sit-ups. Lying on the cold, hard floor, I curled my body forward, engaging my core with each movement. The pain was sharp, but it fueled my resolve. I had survived the arena, and I would survive whatever came next.

Next were squats and Finally, I held a plank position, my body trembling with effort as I tried to keep it straight and steady. The minutes stretched on, and my muscles ached, but I forced myself to endure. This was not just physical training; it was a test of my willpower, my determination to survive and thrive in this world.

As I trained, the door to my cell creaked open. The master stood there, a small smile playing on his lips as he watched me. "Preparing for your future, I see," he said, his voice tinged with approval.

I nodded, breathing heavily but feeling a sense of accomplishment. "I have to be ready for whatever comes next."

"Good," he replied. "You'll need every ounce of strength and skill you can muster."

With that, he turned and left, the door clanging shut behind him. I resumed my training, pushing my body to its limits, knowing that this was only the beginning. Each push-up, sit-up, squat, and plank was a step towards becoming the warrior I needed to be.

Hours passed, and sweat poured from my body, but I did not stop. The pain was a reminder of my purpose, a testament to my resolve. By the time I finally collapsed onto the floor, exhausted but satisfied, I knew that I was stronger than I had been the day before.

As the day turned to night, I lay on the cold stone floor, my muscles aching but my spirit unbroken. I stared up at the small window, the stars barely visible through the bars. This world was harsh and unforgiving, but I was determined to carve out a place for myself within it. The training would continue, and so would my journey. With each passing day, I would grow stronger, more capable, and more ready to face whatever challenges awaited me.

to be continued...