Where there is ruin... (Ireland)

[Aiden Finnegan]

Jaxen dropped the mask and Aiden nodded coldly. The man’s clothing shifted and warped into something out of a video game. Was that suppose to scare Aiden? He had seen the man use an Illusion weave countless times before and this was no different. A copy of Aiden’s spear followed suit and he could only roll his eyes.

“They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” Aiden said with a mock-bow. His spear was thrust out to meet the other man’s in an instant. Flashes of blue and white light flared across Aiden’s vision as the flaming shafts collided. Any outside observer could quickly tell that neither had practiced a day in their life. Still, Aiden felt a very slight reflex in his muscles as he blocked Jaxen’s blows. The spear almost felt natural. Almost.

They continued on in that manner for a time before a voice broke through Aiden’s focus.

Sage.

“You two are idiots!” Sage yelled.

Aiden staggered and barely recovered with a block to his left.

Sage kept yelling at them, his words cutting through Aiden’s focus like silk. Every word was true, but despite that, Sage did not get it. The snake fellows had quite literally led them all into an arena that looked to be modeled after the Colosseum in Rome. Who else was going to fight? Not Sage. Absolutely not Sage.

“And for what. To entertain a bunch of cowards?” Sage kept on.

Any other time Aiden would have taken the same course, but could Sage not see? They were not on Earth. They may not even be in their own dimension. Wherever they were, they were at the mercy of these snakes.

Aiden had seen one too many movies, read one too many books to know that they had to play along if they were to survive. They had to play by the rules set forth, but they had to find a way to operate outside those rules. And so, they fought.

“You see. This is why they hunt you.” Sage proclaimed.

That is why Aiden had to win. He could ensure that they all lived. He could disarm Jaxen or knock him out or – something ­– that would result in Aiden being the winner by default. Surely that would be enough. Surely. Aiden did not trust Jaxen to do the same.

Sage kept right on, but Aiden no longer heard him. The weight of the slitted eyes began to press upon him as he danced with Jaxen Marveet upon a dirt-covered floor. Ice formed at the base of Aiden’s spine and gooseflesh rose across his limbs, the eyes still staring – not even blinking. It was as if they were gazing into Aiden. It felt wrong.

“You want to watch the world burn in here.” Sage’s voice broke through.

Aiden faltered.

Jaxen’s spear caught at Aiden’s left arm, flame slicing clean through a small bit of cloth and flesh. A puff of smoke and a sharp scent caught in the air as Aiden stifled a gasp. He pulled his own spear tight across his chest and gave a full-bodied shove, sending Jaxen sliding back a pace.

“Fine. But the Atharim will come.” Sage said.

Aiden pulled himself up and whipped his body to the side, gazing down at his left arm. No blood. The wound had been caused by flame. Cauterization? Aiden thought hazily. It hurt like a bitch, but he still seemed to have no trouble with his left arm. He looked up to Jaxen, who hadn’t a scratch on him. Aiden shook his head, trying to regain his focus.

Sage’s words echoed and he was met with an inhuman hissing noise from the crowd. Aiden turned his head to check on Sage and saw some of the snakes on the dais begin to rise, staring at Sage and issuing forth the guttural sound. Aiden felt his body turn toward them instinctually, all thoughts of Jaxen fleeing.

“I’d sit back down,” Aiden called out to the rising snakes. The haze across his mind retreating slightly, Aiden took a step towards the dais. The flame of his spear seemed to intensify slightly, blue flames flaring where skin met shaft.

Slitted eye shifted back to Aiden and more bodies rose in attention.