Chapter 28

Emeric walked down the familiar corridors to his cell. The journey from Lachand had been long, especially in the company of Nedes.

However, Emeric realised that things had changed between the two of them. He wasn't sure in which manner, but neither wished the other dead anymore. Which was probably a good thing.

Emeric saw movement in the back of his cell when the guard unlocked the cell gate and ushered him before untying his wrists. Emeric rolled his shoulders to relieve the tension that had built up as the guard relocked the cell again with a downgrading click.

Before Emeric could react, a body barreled into him and arms wrapped around his middle in a huge bear hug. "Where were you?" Kedo demanded, his voice breaking with emotions as he tried holding tears back. Emeric patted him on the shoulder, "They took me to another city." He simply stated.

Kedo turned angered, red rimmed eyes on him, "Why didn't you tell me before you went? I thought they killed you." Kedo protested as tears started building up in his eyes. Emeric sighed sympathetically as he sat down on his thin blanket, "I didn't know they were taking me until we were on the road." He replied softly.

Kedo also sat down, pulling his knees up to his chest and rested his chin in them. They sat in silence except for the occasional sniff form Kedo as silent tears rolled down his pale cheeks. He was staring straight ahead with dead eyes. The sight of him in such state concerned Emeric. The younger Rogue usually conversed animatedly, but now he had a haunted look on his face.

"What's wrong?" Emeric ventured carefully. Kedo remained in the same state. After a few silent seconds passed, he couldn't keep his composure and started crying, "I want to go home." He replied just louder than a whisper as more tears left trails on his cheeks.

Emeric looked at Kedo with hopeless sympathy. Seeing his young pal in such a broken down state and not being able to do anything to help him was the most deprived that Emeric had ever felt before. Kedo was like a brother to him, perhaps even closer than a brother could have been. They only had each other, and Emeric felt as if it was his responsibility to care for the kid...he wasn't doing too great by the looks of things.

Emeric put and arm over Kedo's shoulders and pulled him closer, "I know kid. I do too." Emeric replied softly, "I promise, as soon as I can get us out of here, we'll be miles away."

The promise felt empty to Emeric, but he couldn't give Kedo anything more than words. Somehow it didn't feel like enough.

"I miss my parents." Kedo whispered through more tears. The words brought a shower of emotions over Emeric as he too remembered his kin. His heart physically ached as he thought of all the good times together, but there was just no way he could have it back.

The younger boy's silent cries echoed through the silent cell hall, a reminder of the hell hole that all the Domers found themselves in.

After a few minutes, Emeric decided that the crying had to stop. He had to distract Kedo from his grievous situation, and so, Emeric did the only thing that would have comforted him at that age.

He recalled the song that his mother had always sung for him in his younger years. The comfort that had come form her words had been uncanny. With a soft sigh, Emeric started singing his song to Kedo. His voice was steady and had a comforting note to it.

None of the occupants tried hushing the song, they too were comforted by the promises that the words held. Besides, Emeric had a good, pleasant voice that was worth listening to.

Kedo's cries gradually died down into soft hiccups and sniffs as he took in every word and every promise that Emeric sang. And it wasn't long before the young boy fell asleep into a temporary relief from the cell.

*****

A few days passed containing the usual training session from dawn till dusk. However, on the third morning, instead of taking them too the training square, the guards took Emeric and Nedes to the Dome. They were put in the waiting cell as spectators stormed onto the stands, eager to watch the new battle, the approaching deaths.

"What's going on?" Nedes asked as a guard passed the cell. He smirked at the two prisoners, "Battle against Deepdale." he deadpanned before trudging away. Emeric shrugged at Nedes and then turned to watch the Dome.

"The rules will probably be the same as in Lachand?" Emeric voiced his thoughts. "Probably." Was all he got from Nedes. The prospect of battle brought back unwanted memories of their fallen comrade.

It didn't take long for the large stands to fill with spectators and after a few more minutes, the spectators stood in a ready silence, anticipating the battle ahead. The weapons were placed at the ready. As Emeric's eyes landed on the weapon a few feet away in the Dome, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end with anxiety.

He didn't notice that the guards had approached until they roughly grabbed him by his elbow and dragged him into the arena. 'No.' He thought desperately. He had a bad feeling about the fight. His tuned in sixth sense was warning him of imminent danger, more than the usual dome battle held.

Emeric winced inwardly as the lock clamped shut on his cuff. He felt trapped like an animal pressed up in a corner. His eyes once again traveled to the weapon that lay in the pale dust. It was a large hook spear. It was similar to a normal spear, but instead of just housing a spear head, it had a secondary blade that had been twisted into a savage hook next to the original spearhead. A truly destructive weapon.

A hook spear, in the hands of a blood thirsty Domer, could be catastrophic if Emeric failed to get his weapon in his own hands.

The starting horn mournfully called out over the Dome, calling for blood and death.

Emeric climbed up the chain as fast as always. He repeated the action that he had done more times than he could remember. After wrapping his legs around the pole, he grabbed the chain to retrieve the key...

However, the sight that met Emeric left him completely speechless as all the color drained from his face.

There was no key...The hook had been hammered into the pole, preventing Emeric from releasing the chain...There was no escape...

Emeric watched in terror as his opponent released himself, took the hook spear, and strode towards Emeric...An executioner approaching the accused...