Chapter 22

Emeric jumped into action as the starting horn blasted over the immense arena. He sped up the chain faster than ever. His ribs still complained with a dull throb as he hauled himself up, but he dismissed it as he unlocked chain from his cuff. He sent a small cloud of dusk up into the air as he dropped back to the ground and grabbed the dagger from the soil.

His opponent, a few years older than Emeric, was still dragging himself up the chain with evident difficulty. Emeric felt guilt gnaw at him when he realized that he would reach his opponent before the Domer reached the top of the chain. He was going to have to kill a defenceless man.

Emeric reached half a dozen paces away from the man and considered waiting for the man to unlock himself, but instantly discarded the thought. He knew that if it even looked as if he was hesitant to take the Domer's life, Kedo would suffer. And when it came to the life of a stranger and Kedo's, Emeric knew which one he was going to choose without a doubt.

As Emeric came to a halt, he flipped the dagger in his hand so that he held it by the glinting blade. In one fluid movement he drew his arm back and hurled the spinning dagger. Emeric shut his eyes as the dagger sliced through the air...He couldn't watch the result of his action.

There was a soft grunt as the blade sank into the Domer's neck. He fell back to the ground, dead before he reached the bottom.

Emeric paled at the sound and felt his stomach coil. 'What did I just do?' He screamed in his mind, not believing that he had truly become a murderer...that he had killed someone without giving them the chance to defend themselves...what had given him the right?

Once again he wondered what made his life worth more than the corpse's laying in the sand? Why should he live and not the other way around.

Grinding his teeth, Emeric told himself that it had been for Kedo and not himself...yet, the thought didn't give him the reassurance he needed so desperately.

Emeric walked towards the man, a small pool of blood already soaking the ground by his head. With a unsettled stomach,the Rogue sank down to his haunches next to the limp body. He knew he couldn't risk the man being dragged out with a pulse. Emeric softly placed his fingers against the man's neck, feeling for a heart beat...There was none.

"I'm sorry." Emeric whispered as he stood up and turned his ashamed back towards the corpse which seemed to reprimand him from where it lay.

The crowds were going wild and their cheers sounded like thunder in the sky.

"Reaper, Reaper, Reaper..." Their cheers shook the ground, but it also brought up unwanted feelings of hatred in him. Hatred towards himself...He had truly become a monster...Killing had become second nature...

As he was lead out of the Dome he wondered if it was fare. Killing someone to save a different person from pain. Was he any better than Calvert?

He shook his head and decided that he didn't have a choice. Kedo was the only person he cared about since the fateful day that his father had been killed. The bond between him and the younger Rogue and formed into something brotherly. He was starting to see Kedo as his own kin.

It has been a few weeks since Emeric had been allowed back in the Dome. A few weeks since his horrid beating. It was a wonder that he had healed almost perfectly considering the injuries he had sustained. His ribs however, were still a constant reminder of the turmoil he had been put through.

*****

Emeric winced as the cell gate locked behind him. He had expected to be taken to the training square and desperately craved the physical exercise, but there would be none of that. Kedo raised his eyes, which evidently lit up with joy when he saw that Emeric was back.

"Where did they take you?" Kedo asked, his young voice rimmed with curiosity.  He knew that he was always dragged along when Emeric went for training. This time however, the guards hadn't even spared a wicked glance at the kid.

Emeric hadn't explained the concept of the Domes to the younger boy yet. He didn't want to soil the Etreshian's innocents with the darkness of the world.

"Never you mind. It was just a small errand." Kedo nodded, but he sensed Emeric's darkened, almost disturbed mood.

Kedo fidgeted with his fingers as he took a breath to ask a question. "Emeric?" He started. Emeric couldn't help but smile. "Here we go again." He muttered under his breath.

Over the past weeks, Kedo had plummeted him with never ending questions. He recognised one before it was voiced. Kedo however, withheld his questions until Emeric gave permission to continue.

Emeric nodded, "Go ahead." he said after a while. A relieved sigh lept from Kedo's lips and then he hastily continued, "I was just wondering, since you really know how to fight, if you would maybe teach me." Kedo suggested nervously.

Emeric frowned. Self defence was, without a doubt, a good skill to have, but it was also the reason why he had ended up in the Dome. If he hadn't been able to defend himself against the Elites all those months ago, Cart wouldn't have noticed his talent and wouldn't have suggested that he be brought to the hell hole.

For some reason he was feeling extremely hesitant to grant the boy's wish, but then realised that it would be more sensible to teach the young Rogue in the valuable skill. It would most probably come in handy later on.

With a reluctant smile Emeric nodded, "Alright, kiddo."