The Seekers Reunion (VI)

"Ohhh, ladies and gentlemen we have a winner!" the announcer was quick to confirm that he was the winner of this round.

"I lost. What are you waiting for? Finish me off" he said without looking at me.

There was a moment of silence where I kept thinking. In the end I kept my katana in the shealth and turned around.

"I don't need to take your life. I'm only participating in this tournament to get Maria back"

"But, the Objects-"

"I'm not interested in collecting them. You can do whatever you want with yours, as long as you don't interfere in my way I don't care what you do"

"You..."

I started walking away from the stadium towards the exit.

"That I can't allow" said a new voice causing me to stop abruptly.

The sun seemed to suddenly go out leaving only a light like from a large spotlight illuminating in the middle of the site. I turned to admire how a figure descended from above.

An older man in an elegant suit, tie, white shirt and top hat. He had the appearance of being wealthy or at least coming from a noble family.

"Who are you?" I asked in bewilderment.

"Congratulations on your victory Asriel. I introduce myself, I am the organizer of this tournament. You can call me Rowen"

"So you're the one behind this"

"Indeed. I am amazed by your victory, I never thought you would have so much potential. Now you must eliminate your opponent, it's a duel to the death after all"

"I didn't agree to any of that. I'm not interested in getting his Object"

"No no no no, this wouldn't be a show if there were no consequences"

"Killing people just because they lost seems enough to you? Nonsense"

I decided to ignore it and leave.

"Getting so sentimental over that girl?"

Hearing his words I stood still. A cold chill ran down my back.

"What did you just say?"

"You mustn't let that cloud your judgment, this is a coliseum. We must provide worthy entertainment for those of us who watch"

"Don't change the subject! Don't tell me it was you who came up with the idea of kidnapping her?"

"We need to take the necessary steps to get you to agree to participate. You're number 16 after all, we couldn't start without you"

"Shut up! Where are you keeping her? You better not have touched a hair on her head or I won't forgive you!"

"Don't be afraid, she's... let's say, unable to attend at the moment"

"You wretch!" I said, drawing my sword. "Tell me where she is!"

"Even if I told you you won't be able to get there, as she is not in this world"

Without waiting any longer I went running towards him to cut off his head. Just as I was about to do so something metallic prevented me. As I realized another weapon was in my way.

"Zeke! Damn you, are you working for this guy?!?"

It was himself, with his scythe he was stopping my attack.

"I can't let you hurt mister Rowen"

"Stand back! I'll kill him for what he did to Maria!"

"Calm down young Asriel. What I was saying before was not in that sense, I meant that she is not in this dimension"

"What the hell are you talking about!?"

"You've already been in a Holder dimension, haven't you? She's currently in something similar, just to make sure she doesn't interfere. In the same way, it's your trophy that will drive you to strive for victory"

"You're all crazy! You'll pay for this!"

At that instant I felt a strong blow that sent me away. Zeke had kicked me making me move away.

"Calm down, the time will come when we'll face each other. Sure, if you manage to win until that time"

"You..."

"But first, a few details need to be adjusted"

Zeke started walking towards Rick who was standing there watching everything that was going on.

"W, what are you doing?"

"As stipulated by mister Rowen" he said raising his scythe to bring it down swiftly. "The loser is punished with death"

"... ah?"

Those were his last words as his head slowly fell from his shoulders.

"No... what did you just do?"

He didn't have to kill him, it wasn't necessary. It was already declared that I was the winner... why did this have to happen?

"This time you'll get a free pass young Asriel, though next time you must keep the rules"

His briefcase began to glow and turned into a sphere of light that rose and disappeared.

"What is your purpose? I asked.

"To get the maximum show possible, one filled with emotion, sadness and above all... despair"

"Crazy bastard"

"Anyway, if you don't want to abide by the rules you will be penalized. Keep that in mind young Asriel, is that clear?"

"..."

"I'll take your silence as you understood. I hope you give us a good show, until then" he said rising into the air and disappearing from sight along with Zeke.

As he vanished, the sunlight returned to illuminate as usual. The doors from where I entered opened inviting me out.

How did it come to this? Damn it...

Maria, I hope you're all right. I promise I will rescue you no matter what it takes.