Blood and Bliss

The roar of the crowd was deafening, a twisted chorus of excitement and bloodlust. The Pit of Reckoning, a massive stone coliseum at the heart of the Kink capital, stood as a symbol of terror for the Delians. Here, under the watchful eyes of their oppressors, prisoners were thrown into brutal death matches—not against each other, but against the monstrous creations of the Kinks.

Leo had never seen a Gnarth in person, only heard the horror stories whispered in the dead of night. The creatures were nightmares given flesh—hulking, twisted forms with elongated jaws, rows of jagged teeth, and coal-black eyes that reflected nothing but hunger. The Kinks had bred them for one purpose: slaughter.

A horn blared, signaling the beginning of the next "game."

Leo sat among the other enslaved villagers, forced to watch. The punishment for whispering the prophecy had grown severe. Anyone suspected of believing in the old legends was thrown into the Pit as a warning to others.

The iron gates at the arena's edge groaned open, and two figures stumbled into the light—an old man and a young woman. Leo's stomach twisted. He recognized the man. High Priest Elkar, one of the last keepers of Delia's forgotten gods.

The crowd jeered, hurling insults and stones.

From the opposite gate, the Gnarth was released.

The beast slithered forward on muscular, reptilian limbs, its gnarled body covered in thick, blackened scales. Its elongated skull tilted, sniffing the air before letting out a guttural snarl that sent chills down Leo's spine.

Elkar helped the woman to her feet, whispering something to her. They had no weapons. No armor. No chance.

Leo clenched his fists. This isn't justice. This is extermination.

The Gnarth lunged.

The woman screamed, scrambling away as Elkar shoved her aside. The beast's massive jaws snapped shut where she had stood moments before. Elkar turned, not to run, but to face the monster. He raised his arms—not in surrender, but in defiance.

"The blood moon rises!" his voice rang out, clear and unwavering.

Gasps rippled through the Delian spectators. Leo's heart pounded. The prophecy. Even now, in the face of death, the priest spoke of the coming liberation.

The Gnarth struck.

A sickening crunch echoed through the arena as Elkar's body was torn apart. Blood stained the sand. The crowd erupted in cheers.

Leo couldn't breathe.

The woman tried to flee, but there was no escape. Within seconds, the Gnarth was upon her. One bite. One scream. Then silence.

Leo's nails dug into his palms, his entire body shaking.

This wasn't a game. It was a warning. A declaration that hope itself would be devoured if it dared to rise.

But as the crowd cheered and the Kinks laughed, Leo made a silent vow.

One day, it will be them in the Pit. And I will be watching.