Chapter 33 : A NEW REALITY (3)

Kim looked at the others helplessly. Just how weak was he? he wondered. They were still coughing and gasping for air when a robot came to the door and said," Follow me please." Not waiting for them, it turned and walked away. They looked at each other and slowly dragged themselves and followed it out of the medical wing.

The dimly lit hallway with its low hanging ceiling and, combined with the robot's cable dragging on the marble floor made the whole scenario seem mysterious and foreboding. Still they followed, daring not to look back in case Albert was there, watching. The hallway seemed endless and just when Mwas was about to speak up, a flood of bright light hit them rendering them temporarily blind. The robot stopped for a moment, as if waiting for their eyes to adjust to the sudden brightness. Then, without talking, it continued walking. Still adjusting to the light, they followed the robot. Just where were they going? The question hung in the air around them unspoken.

A few minutes later, the robot stood in front of a large, neon lit wooden door. " I leave you here," it said meekly and walked back the same way they came. The door opened automatically as if it was waiting for the robot to leave. Looking at each other, they stepped in. Again, bright light hit their eyes and they squinted. Slowly adjusting to the light, they looked around stupefied.

The room was large with high walls and an even higher ceiling. The ceiling had low hanging neon lights that flickered endlessly. The light bounced off the marble floor giving the whole room a magical feel. There was a large open area at the center. Leza beams segmented areas near the walls creating cubicles and in these were their fellow villagers. It looked like a prison cell, each holding a single villager. " Welcome to the dungeon," a heavy metallic voice said behind them. They turned in unison. It was a bot, a very large bot.

It had a large barrel sized arms and even larger legs. Its head was a bit smaller with round shaped eyes and a mouth that seemed to have been welded in place. It had a large body and a core in its right side. Its whole body was a myriad of colors. "Oh you must be Master Albert's special guests," it continued looking at them, scrutinizing them. Its eyes settled on Shiru. For some reason, it's gaze made her feel uneasy. "Alright, he told us to treat you special and special we shall", it continued then looked around. "You are not to be separated then", it said as it stepped past them and went towards the cubicles. It looked around on both sides twice. It stood in the last cubicle on the left wall. " You don't mind in sharing do you old one,"? It asked a man who was sitting in his own cell. Not waiting for an answer, it opened a screen on its left arm and pressed a few a few buttons. The leza beams opened up and rearranged themselves. The cell became larger and spacious. It turned to the four and shouted," Get over here," its metallic voice commanding.

Pushed by an unknown force, they found themselves walking toward the new cell. The bot stood there looking at them . They entered the cell. The bot pressed a button, the beams closed. "Its done master," the bot said quietly looking at the door. There he was, looking refreshed and wearing a casual aqua blue suit and white shirt. Albert. He had been there the whole time watching. Kim grit his teeth, how many times had he lost to this man? Albert crossed the room and stood before the new cell. He looked at the youngsters, stole a glance at the old man, then said," How are you going to pay me"? He asked coldly, his eyes fixed on Thia.

"What do you mean"? Shiru asked simply. " A flash of anger crossed Albert's face. "You see, I used the remaining nanos I had on you and I need them back," he said in a quiet tone. Mwas instinctively hid his gray arm behind him. " Unfortunately," he continued, his voice getting lower and hinted underlying anger. " I cannot retrieve them as they're now part of your fragile bodies so I'll just have you pay for them." Thia looked at the man and asked, " How do you expect us to do that"? " Its simple, you will participate in the underground tournament", Albert replied with a smile that openly showed a darkness within him. "House AL has never had any luck in the tourney but, with you three, I think we'll do just fine," he continued as his smile widened wickedly.

Everyone fell silent, absorbing what he had just said. " You're asking a bunch of kids to fight for you"? Shiru asked in disbelief. 'What the hell is wrong with him' she thought. "Yes" Albert replied simply. Shiru was about to argue with him when he said," Silence", she was unable to speak. " They're children? Don't make me laugh. They are brats who have been sheltered for far too long in that stupid world you call a village. They need to see the outside world where children as young as ten hunt and kill hounds for breakfast," he ranted staring darkly at Shiru. "Don't call my home stupid," Kim said venomously, he had had enough of this man.

Albert turned to the boy and looked at him, hard. Kim looked back at him, his green eyes alight in defiance. Amused, Albert said, " Still heart." Immediately the other three collapsed, like trees falling after being cut. Kim was horrified. He rushed to Thia's side and tried to make him sit up. This can't be happening again.

" You see, defiance will lead to death and because I need to conquer the underground, you will do exactly as I say all four of you," he said curtly." Beat". Thia heaved and tried to get up. Mwas and Shiru also heaved and gasped. Kim looked at Albert in frustration. " You will be my pawns and win the underground for me anything less and I'll kill you one by one", he concluded as he stared at them. He turned, gave instructions to the bot and left.

The old man had sat there watching, not saying anything.