Chapter 1

Adonis stepped into the crowded arena, people were shouting and screaming from their seats. He adjusted his mask and stepped out onto the sandy battlefield. He took a deep breath as the metal gate closed behind him, he watched as the iron bars were slowly raised across the arena. Adonis tried his best to calm his shakes as the beast growled and grunted. The man's eyes widened slightly when he saw the beast from the shadows. Gnashing teeth trapped in a muzzle, giant chains clanking holding the large monster back.

A horn was sounded as the beast was released from its cage. The crowd went silent, the only sound being the monsters clicking and groaning. The beast was twice the size of a normal human, large, furry arms with large hands, all of them equipped with blade-like claws. Its face was deformed, smooshed, and melted like a candle. Its muzzle was flattened against its skull and its mouth was hanging open. Part of its lower jaw was missing, making its tongue hang out its mouth. Both eyes were gouged out leaving bleeding empty sockets. Its ears, large and torn. The monster looked like it used to be a hell-hound, the scars on either side of its neck were enough proof. The beast sniffed the air and its ears twitched.

It was searching for him.

Adonis grabbed a rock and threw it against the wall making the beast's head snap back at the sound, an audible crack was heard when it took a step. The hound's right paw was bent at an odd angle and there was bone poking out of its skin. 

The human pulled out his machete. The weapon was pathetic. Blade chipped and rusted, it wouldn't do much against the animal's thick hide. He quietly crept closer to the animal as it frantically searched for its opponent. He ran at the animal gaining its attention. The hound swiped its claws desperately, there were more cracks from its arm as it slammed its paw on the ground near Adonis. Dust was blown up making it hard to breathe and see. The human stifled a cough as he tried to get to the animal's broken leg. The animal thrashed and growled in irritation, kicking up more dust making it impossible to see. 

"Over here you blind mutt!" he yelled, the animal charged at the man. He tried his best to get out of the way. The beast's claw still caught on his cloak ripping it from his body, he glanced at his arm as small cuts started to bleed. The animal turned to its left, trying to bite at its foe. It snapped its head back to the right and caught onto Adonis's shoulder, he screamed and stabbed the beast in its eye socket. The animal reeled back, whimpering and crying as it shook away the pain. 

The animal growled and turned back to the human, it was now familiar with his scent. The animal charged and tried to claw at Adonis, he stumbled to the left and stabbed his blade into the animal's broken leg. The hound whimpered and tried to pull away as it latched onto the human's side. Adonis cut down the middle of the animal's leg and tried his best to pry the bone apart. The animal yelled and thrashed more, Adonis winced as the animal's bone split making a crunching noise. 

The animal tried to walk only for its bone to crack more, the bone stabbed through the skin making the animal fall over whimpering and crying in pain. Adonis pinned the animal's head down and sat on its back. He could feel the animal's bones crack and pop under his weight. He stabbed his blade into the animal's eye once again, the blade managed to slice through the animal's skull. Adonis got up and backed away from the animal eyes wide. It shouldn't have been possible for him to cut through the animal's skull, especially not with the machete he had. It was like the animal was already rotting before, like it was already dead.

Adonis looked away from the corpse as the crowd cheered, he closed his eyes and let out a shaky breath. There's no way it was already dead, I was the seventh fighter today, and all others must have done this… He glanced back then left…

"Your blood type sir?" a nurse asked as she loomed over Adonis, he looked up at her, his mind blurry from the blood loss.

"AB…" he trailed off, he leaned back as the nurse carefully tended to his wounds.

"You'll need some rest. But when you're well enough you'll have to train with the other newbies," she mumbled, Adonis sighed and tried his best to relax. There were already many people in the med-bay, some had only a few scrapes while others were missing limbs. The atmosphere was dark and gloomy, almost suffocating. The nurse stuck an IV into Adonis's arm. Making him wince. 

"You should rest, this group will be heading out in a day," she mumbled, Adonis looked away from her and up at the ceiling. He felt his heart sink when he realized that he would be away for more than just a week.

"Don't worry! We'll be fine okay? I'll try to scrape up some money and get us some food while you're gone," Lev smiled energetically, he was sitting on the couch with Zero sleeping in his lap. His smile faltered when Zero started to cough and whimper. Adonis kneeled down and gently pressed his hand to the child's face, he looked up at Lev who was looking at him with worry.

"It's getting worse, isn't it?" Lev asked.

"They're warmer than before… and they look sicker," he mumbled. That was true, Zero's normally dark skin was now pale and blotchy.

"I… how long do you think it will take?" Adonis stood with a sigh.

"Maybe a week… let's hope their sickness doesn't get worse," Lev nodded.

"Stay safe okay? We're counting on you," he whispered, Adonis pulled the elf into a tight hug. Lev sighed stressfully and pressed his face into his friend's neck.

"I'll try to send letters or something… I'll find some medicine. Just try not to get sick," Lev hummed and pulled away.

"And you should be more careful! Cause I won't be there to clean up those injuries of yours," they both let out weak laughs. Adonis ruffled his friend's hair before turning and leaving.

"We love you, idiot! Stay safe," Lev called, Adonis froze and turned back to face his noisy friend.

"Keep yelling and you'll wake up Zero!" he whisper-yelled, Lev covered his mouth and mumbled a quiet sorry. Adonis closed the door and left for the main city.

"I love you, idiots, too…" he whispered… 

He closed his eyes, a small pang of guilt shot through his heart. He wishes he stayed… maybe he could have stolen medicine, then they wouldn't be forced to be alone, and maybe Zero would be fine. At this point, he just had to hope that he could get medicine in time. Adonis sat up suddenly and looked around. The nurse had left to tend the other patients. If he waited for a night he could get the medicine…