Page 33 of Xeda

He spent one last day in the cell. It was a quiet night for the most part except for his dead queen telling him how much of a fool he was for trusting Ophilia and being forced to submit as he had. He ignored her, trying to remain calm, trying to remember Ophilia's words. The promise made that no matter what he endured, if he won these games, he was free, and that was all that mattered now. If he wanted revenge, he could search for it later.

When morning came, he went to the door and waited for Ophilia. When he saw her coming across the yard, he noticed she was not alone. Two others wearing blue-gray clothes in a style similar to Ophilia's, with a white band on their arms showing a blade surrounded by three stars, followed beside her. One male and one female by what he could guess.

As Ophilia came to the door, she only gave him a small glance in greeting before opening it. She stepped back and allowed him to exit into the yard.

The two strangers looked up at him, and he was unnerved to find they didn't seem particularly frightened by him, unlike the rest. The woman even grinned at him, her short tendrils of red hair swept over her skull by a breeze, her jet-black eyes examining him with excitement. Her skin wasn't as smooth as the male's or Ophilia's, and he could just barely make out the silver strands of hair behind her ears.

The male was hairless with icy blue eyes that studied Xeda as well, his mouth curled to one side as if he were amused by something.

"Lovely, just lovely," said the woman. She circled him before stopping again to face him. "Xeda, is it? It's all right, you can speak. Everyone in the games will have translators programmed to understand vrishan, so you’ll be understood loud and clear."

Xeda looked between them suspiciously, then glanced at Ophilia who only nodded her head. He turned back to the woman. "Yes, Xeda," he replied.

"Good, good. I am Warden Margo, and this is Warden James. We are so excited to have you participating this year, Xeda. I'm willing to bet you'll be one of our best contenders."

Oh, you have no idea, he thought. After his fight yesterday, he felt more than confident. He'd practically ran circles around the other fighters even as his rage had blinded him. But that was all he would need to win.

"He will definitely be one of the most anticipated fighters," commented Warden James. Without even hesitating, he gripped Xeda's arm, as if testing his strength. It took all Xeda's will not to lash out and cut his throat with his talons, his fingers clenching and unclenching as the male's hand moved up his arm and then his back as the man continued to examine him. Xeda's gaze flicked back to Ophilia and narrowed. She stared back with that pleading glare—a warning for him to bear it for now.

The man stepped away and smiled. He whispered something to Warden Margo who nodded. "Yes, I think so too," she said back to him. She smiled again, that wide grin, speaking again to Xeda, "And I think it's time we get you out of here and over to the city center. The wardens have deemed you fit for fighting in the games, and I have to say I am willing to fully endorse you if anyone should challenge that claim. After your fight yesterday, you are going to be truly something. And I think everyone else will fully agree at the opener." She turned to Ophilia. "Everything is in order. I take it you've got all you need from here?"

"I do," she said.

"Good, good. Then let's get on with it!"

They turned for the gates, and Xeda cautiously followed, aware of every guard walking beside them or on the walls with their guns aimed at his back should he suddenly decide to make a break for it. The wardens ahead of him talked with the guards casually as the gates were slowly opened.

Ophilia came to walk beside him. He peered down at her and felt himself relax a little.

"What's at the opener?" he asked.

"You'll be showed off as we make for the gaming center where all fighters will be staying. Then you'll be prepared for the festivities."

"Festivities?"

"Pregame celebration," she explained. "You'll meet the other fighters while the representatives of each house basically party until the sun comes up."

He hissed low. "I thought we only had the games. You didn't say anything about having to participate in more than that."

"It's part of the whole thing, Xeda. It's all for show. And understand, you will be judged on your actions outside the arena as well. The more liked you are, the more you'll be sponsored."

"The hell does that mean?"

As they passed through the gate and made their way to the shipyard, Ophilia explained, "Money. It's all about money. The more credits you have, the better enhancements you can afford. Stuff like armor, weapons, and even specific drugs that can give you an edge. Make you faster and more agile. But they are expensive, and the only way we can afford them is if individuals donate to you."

"Why doesn't the house provide the credits?" he asked, annoyed and confused.

"They do. You have a pot of funds from Sal, but the rules of the games state a representative can only put in a max amount from their house at the start. The rest must come from others willing to give. It's all a part of the game and ensures it's not totally a pay-to-win scenario. Of course, people do find workarounds, and I'm sure Sal has a few friends up his sleeve who will be putting credits into the bank but likely so will those allied to other houses participating. You want to have as good a chance as possible, so any extra credits you can garner from outside Sal's influence the better. Which means—"

Xeda growled. "Don't say it."

"Which means you need to be on your best behavior," Ophilia said. "I know it sucks, but it's one more step toward your freedom and mine. Better this than being stuck in that dirty cell."

"Yes, I get that," he said, his eyes staring daggers into the wardens' backs. "But you can't expect me to suck up to these people just for some armor." Though he had to admit it would be awfully nice to have anything to cover him. "I can win without it if I have to."

"I'm not saying you can't," she argued. "Yes, some without enhancements have done better, even against enhanced fighters. But I'm telling you it's rare. And, once more, I remind you, we need every advantage possible, no matter how confident you might be."

He clenched his hands, picking up the pace as he could see the ship now in sight. For a moment, he couldn't help but wonder how easy it would be to infiltrate the controls and take out the crew inside. Then he could just bypass this mess entirely. Assuming he could fly it, he could take off and be out of atmosphere before anyone could follow.

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