Conversations

Within the slave chambers, the two old friends laughed heartily for a few dozen seconds before finally shifting into a more serious focus. Seeing Sieg's somewhat pale visage, Arren furrowed his brows. 

"Enough about me, what about you? How bad was the beating? Which bastard did it?" 

Sieg's eyes shifted to the side, his expression turning embarrassed along with carrying a hint of resignation within it.

"Well… Damn, why even conclude that I suffered a beating?! Is your faith in me so miniscule?"

For a moment Sieg appeared to almost answer honestly, however, he instead began to sourly complain. Arren sighed. 

"Cut the shit Sieg. Within this stage you are a mighty tiger, sure, however today was different. Combat may be my specialty but we both know it isn't yours. So again, how bad and by who?"

Arren and Sieg had known each other since the days when they had first separated from their mothers, they had both turned six back then and they both felt concerned of what exactly their fates would be upon entering the slave role stages.

They had been within the same white room back then, then even more astonishingly, they ended up within the slave soldier role. Arren had thought that Sieg was rather endearing since the days of the white room. Regardless of his social ability, there was no denying that he was smart and kind. It was his company, however casual it may have been, which helped Arren first overcome the terrible anxiety which plagued him upon separating with his mother. 

For that simple reason, when he saw the youth struggle so intensely within the first and second stages of the soldier role, Arren had gone out of his way to help him. Thanks to that, when the end of the second stage arrived, Sieg just barely managed to survive.

Arren was truly relieved for that, he even readied himself to watch his friend's third arduous struggles within the third stage, determined to assist him in whatever way he could. In retrospect, it was almost comical. Their roles had immediately reversed upon entering the third stage, Arren's ineptitude was exposed while Sieg's true talent was unraveled. 

And so here he was, this time it would be him bitterly struggling for survival while his friend watched worried from high above. 

It was a terrifying sensation. So much so that it sparked a deep sense of reverie for his friend's own will. He had never given up on his life, even when everything was so hopeless. Arren hoped to be like that too, similarly, he hoped to overcome the odds as well. After all, if Sieg managed to do so twice, then doing so once was the least he could do. 

Sieg hesitated to answer Arren's question for a few seconds before sighing in defeat. 

"It was by Walker 23, he was quite feral too, shattering my left arm then stomping my face to the sand." 

Arren's eyes shone with a hint of murderous fury. 

"That bastard is dead tomorrow!" 

He spat angrily. However Sieg's own reaction was mellow, he merely shrugged it off.

"No need to do anything. I know my fighting skills have not improved so I only have myself to blame when it's all said and done. Besides, this was just a one off. He can beat me in a magicless fight, but I'd like to see him do so again in tomorrow's Battle-Grade Day."

Sieg's voice turned serious, a small sense of murderous intent surfacing from beneath his words. Arren took a moment to chuckle inwardly at the fact that this youth was once shy and appeared harmless. 

He nodded. 

"True enough, then be sure to scorch him tomorrow, I'll be watching your duel with a wide grin in solidarity." 

Sieg smiled. However, his expression turned pensive. 

"Hey, the end is coming… After this stage, those who win will be moved to the capital…" 

He hesitated but then added. 

"You better give it your all and prepare for not just tomorrow but the final Battle-Grade Day next week. I want to hear that you will make it there at least." 

Hearing Sieg's worry, Arren felt grateful to his friend. However at the same time, he remembered something troublesome and could not help but comment. 

"Sieg, you talk about me making it past this stage, about hearing of me making it to the next stage, but you know full well that I've heard your words before. When you and that bastard enact your scheme, will you really try to drag me with you?" 

Arren sat properly, his stare serious as he genuinely felt curious to hear Sieg's response. They locked eyes for a few moments before Sieg sighed once more. 

"Look, I won't force you. Not because I'm above doing that but simply because I know I can't do it. Just imagining dragging you around while you viciously fight back is a headache. My skill with magic won't help either in that situation. And if it is truly what you want, then I will respect that. However, we won't have a choice to do anything if you die. As much as I want to rush it, the plan can only be executed after the final Battle-Grade Day ends. So please, stay alive. I will respect what you decide, so survive and let's bitterly argue about how stubborn you are when the time for that fateful choice arrives." 

Sieg spoke sincerely, his heart filled with turmoil over the thought of a possible disastrous ending. Arren's crimson eyes intently watched Sieg for a few long moments. Eventually Arren could only nod. 

"Fine, whatever. I have to survive regardless. So stop worrying so much okay, focus on your own battles to come. If anything I think currently you have the means to dethrone one of The 10 Swords." 

Sieg shook his head. 

"What nonsense even is that? Are The 10 Swords a joke to you? Do they look so easy to topple?"

Arren smiled wryly

"Why not? Did you perhaps not hear me do that very thing this morning?"

"That doesn't count and you know it!" 

Having had the important topics dealt with, they both entered a friendlier stage of the conversation. 

Eventually, their discussion came to an end and Sieg bid his farewell. He then made his way over to a room located opposite of where Arren's own was situated. When he arrived he first peered into the room before his steps suddenly froze. 

Before him, Reed's tanned back was facing him, the person seemingly preoccupied with something as he crouched low to the ground. That was not what had startled Sieg however, instead it was the small streams of dripping blood which littered the floor above Reed's feet. 

Sieg's brows knitted slightly as he coughed a few times. His doing so immediately made Reed's body jolt in surprise as he turned his head at a record speed. His expression was that of obvious wariness. However, upon seeing Sieg's familiar figure, his body relaxed and he let out a sigh of relief.

"Sieg, it's just you… Damn don't scare me like that." 

Reed stood up from his crouched state and properly turned to face Sieg. As he did he discarded a small shard which he was grasping. Sieg's blue eyes could not help but wander towards the source of Reed's bleeding. His knitted brows somewhat relaxed as he pointed to Reed's chest, specifically to the left side of his chest where, right above his heart, was a faintly glowing circle engraved with many patterns of lines. Around the skin of that circle were small gashes which Reed seemed to have caused to himself, thus the bleeding.

"Another experiment?" 

Sieg asked. 

Reed naturally understood Sieg's concern and quickly waved his hands. 

"Yes, but do not worry, I am not foolish enough to carve it out. I value my life, you know."

Hearing Reed's reassurance, Sieg's brows finally relaxed. 

"Good then." 

He said simply as he stepped inside the small room. Although Sieg knew Reed had been experimenting within his own time, he had never seen him carve so near his chest before. After all, if anything threatened the slave mark, then he could very well trigger it to pop open a hole onto his chest by accident. 

Reed reached out for his gray shirt and began using it to clear out his trickling wounds. 

"You done talking with Walker 248?" 

He asked neutrally. Sieg nodded.

"Yeah, sorry did I take longer than usual today?" 

Reed shook his head.

"No, no, one should cherish their loved ones before their passing after all."

Hearing his mockery, Sieg snorted. 

"Reed, stop with the shit talk. He will be okay, and after you see for yourself, I will convince him to come with us." 

Reed could not help but roll his eyes at Sieg's proclamation. 

"Even if he survives, you really believe he will agree… To escape with us that is? That dog is far too afraid of death to ever try something so bold. I hate ambitionless people like him, actually I hate every slave here beyond you." 

Sieg merely waved his hand as he stretched his back leisurely. 

"Sure, sure. Like I said, I'll convince him. However, before anything else we need to make sure the plan is still solid. So, on that note, have your experiments achieved a breakthrough yet?" 

At this moment, Reed flashed Sieg a wide grin, exposing his pearly white teeth. 

"I believe I finally figured out the method." 

Grasping to where his slave mark was, which dimly glowed with white radiance, his voice suddenly had a spike in complicated emotions as he continued. 

"This was the final part of my prying. We should finally be ready." 

Sieg turned exuberant at such a revelation. 

"Is that so?! Did you really figure out how to break the slave mark?!" 

Reed nodded, his grin turning even more radiant. 

"Naturally, I am an unrivaled genius after all." 

And so, while the night entered its late stages, two slaves silently discussed an outrageous scheme. One which perhaps no slave within The Sounra Kingdom's history had ever dared to enact.