First Friend

When the sea changed, the world did as well. Few people were gifted powers of unknown origin. These powers cemented themselves within those individuals and spread through them, creating 'Bloodlines'.

There are four Great and eight Lesser Bloodlines. Apparently, I'm one of them. Disgusting.

Those with the power of Bloodlines are worshipped like gods. I've never been worshipped.

Why was I born with these abilities? I'm not sure... perhaps I am a bastard. Someone meant to be discarded, a mistake.

Those with a Bloodline ability all belong to a 'house'. I belong to a house as well... albeit a slave house. I chuckle, without humor. The sound of the guard's footsteps approaches.

These powers are strong, but all power comes with consequences. When I use my flames, it's as if my blood has turned to ice. It hurts.

The flames don't burn humans; I've tried... and caught a bloody beating for it. At most, it would make the victim feel like they've been thrown into an ice bath.

I haven't met any other bloodline users. Atleast not here, not that I've been anywhere else. I was told that I was sold as an infant, nothing more.

Curse the bastards who had me then sold me like an animal.

It doesn't matter...

***

I'm dragged to the mess hall. The pale boy isn't there... his dead then. That's what I thought until I realized the bucket of slop was gone.

In the shadows a hungery wolf devours his meal.

"Shadar", is his name. He told me as he tossed me the remaining slop, about half of what there was.

We have time before the spectators arrive, so we get to know each other. There isn't much to know about me... so that conversation doesn't last long. Though it turns out he was also sold into slavery by his parents, abliet recently. He doesn't seem to blame them. Apparently it was either he go or his sister.

We're also the same age, I've never met anyone my age. Not many sixteen year olds would survive in the pit. I wonder how Shadar has survived, though I'm not surprised he has. His a crafty guy.

Shadar asks for my name, but I haven't a name to give him. He looks at me intensely, then thinks for awhile.

"How about... Mavro?" He asks, softly.

"Mavro... not bad I guess. What's it mean?"

"Um, it means... black. Like your eyes." He says, suddenly embarrassed.

"Seriously?" I ask, laughing.

Shadar's pale face suddenly turns red.

"Well I think it's good..." He says, softly. "Aye, it's a good name. Thank you." I tell him, with a smile. I haven't smiled or laughed in a long time.

Shadar smiles happily. "Good! Now follow me quickly."

Before I follow him, I take his hand and put small sweet in it. The one that was thrown at me. He looks at it with an expression I've never seen before, thankful. Clutching the sweet tightly with a smile.

***

He leads me to a window with iron bars and gestures for me to get on his shoulders, because the window is too high up. I've noticed the window before but never bothered to check what was on the other side.

What was on the other side... a beautiful blue sea... I want to jump in. I wonder what it tastes like, what it feels like...

As I was wondering all these things, Shadar's shoulders suddenly gave out. I come toppling down onto him. We laughed. It felt good to laugh.

Our laugher was short lived though. As a guard stands over us with a mean expression. "Having fun are we?" He asks, menacingly. Shadar's about to answer... luckily I stop him.

Although that doesn't stop the guard from taking out his whip. "On your knees." He orders.

"I take it for the both of us", I tell the guard, firmly.

He glances at my already bloody back and laughs. "Fine, but don't blame me when you die in the pit."

Shadar tries to intervene. The guard simply shoves his thin body aside.

Shadar cries, hating himself for being weak.

"Sorry for being selfish... but I don't want to see my first friend in pain." I say to him, as I'am brutality struck on my bloody back.

This is not like me... to take a beating for someone else. Someone who i just became friends with... but I haven't made a single friend in all my life.

Knowing he will still feel pain in the future, i still want to protect him, spare him from pain if I can.

When did I become such a fool?

***

When whipping is over, I'm mercilessly thrown into the muddy pit. My back aches. It burns, as if someone had put hot coals on it.

I stand up, gazing up at the crowd, as they look down at me with sneers.

My opponent steps in... it's not a large man nor a beast... it's Shadar.

Ah... how cruel. The guard who whipped me, leans against a wall - looking at me with a mocking smile.

When I get out... he'll be the first to die.

The crowd is silent. They don't know who to bet on, the bloodied boy or the skinny one.

The Owner frowns, his meaty lips curling down.

Shadar stares at me and I stare at him. What do I do?, didn't I just say, I don't want to see him in pain. Now I must he the one to inflict it. I won't, I refuse too.

"I give up", Shadar says, loudly for all to hear. I'm stunned, does he not realize his a slave?! Slave's don't have a choice, you fool!

It seems the spectators are surprised as well. The Owner on the other hand... smiles, chillingly. An opportunity has presented itself. "Very well." He says, with a smirk.

The spectators are outraged, the owner simply lifts his thick hand, calmly. "Now, now don't fret. I promise, you all shall be thoroughly entertained."

I'm dragged out of the pit. Shadar remains. He is unfazed, ready for whatever punishment he will receive.

The Owner smiles, as he orders five guards.

A few moments later only four of them return, struggling to keep hold of the ropes tied around "The Butcher". Not a sea monster... not really much of a man either. His freakishly huge, muscles bigger than, Shadar. His starved for meat... human meat. As his name suggests he was infamous for butchering people... and eating them.

My blood runs cold and not because of my flames. I've only faced that monster once... and barely made it out of the pit alive. Though, I was much younger then.

The Owner speaks as the Butcher enters.

"A fight to the death, it is."