Chapter 19: Liam

Boy I'm excited for this one

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It all happened so fast. One minute we were flying in the air, the forests starting to give way to flatlands. Then, something hit, hard, into Amber's side and we were falling. Everything went dark after that.

After I regained consciousness I wrestled my heavy eyelids open. Now I sit, my body aching and my head pouring, in a dark room. I believe it to be made of wood, based on the small vertical cracks that let light seep into the room. My back is against the wall, the open area filled with only three other bodies. What looks to be Kate is laying on her side on the opposite wall, most likely still out cold. That or dead. But it's totally not the latter. It can't be. Right…? Reid is in the corner of the room closest to me. He's upright, like me, but slumped over. Also out. But next to Kate is another form. A man, clouded in darkness. A single ray of sunlight filters through a crack in the boards and illuminates piercing grey eyes and dark skin. I avert my gaze from the stare of the stranger.

I try to move my arms, but find them to be tied behind me. My whole body aches and I groan as I attempt to move. No luck, the chains tieing my wrists together run under the floor, locking me in place. I can only move a few inches before being catapulted back in place.

It's just then that I notice the sounds. Rattling, shaking, footsteps, talking. All muffled from the walls but still prominent. Are we…moving? I turn myself as far as possible, only getting halfway before tilting my hips to get farther, planting my cheek against the wood. I close one eye and peer through the small slit in the warped, cold wood. I see what looks to be the side of a person, based on the clothes. He eventually moves, showing green. Vegetation is my guess. It's definitely moving though.

I start to panic, searching Kate for her sword. No luck. She and Reid are still out. I try not to let that familiar anxiety build in the pit of my stomach. No luck. I turn to the stranger who hadn't stopped staring at me this whole time.

"Uh…H-hi mister?" I try, my voice coming out shaky and weak as I try to control my rising fear. He doesn't move, doesn't blink, doesn't even breathe, those eyes just keep drilling a hole into my soul. I shift uncomfortably, my chains clanking around. "D-do you know where we are? O-or how we got here? U-uh w-we we don't mean harm…or anything." I stutter along, trying everything in my power to bring strength back into my voice. Are we being kidnapped?!

With an almost silent huff, the man leans forward. His chains drag along the wood as his full-face comes into the light, like a dramatic scene from any movie ever. And I might as well be in one, cause this guy looks like he came straight out of the Hollywood hot-men-inator. I do a sort of flinch, breath hitching at the same time, not sure what I should be feeling. His eyes are dark and deep, irises like the swirling grey mist at the top of a mountain: deadly yet awe-inspiring. His jawline is perfectly sculpted, his bushy eyebrows and nose fresh from a hot model magazine. His dark hair falls in coils, framing his face, cascading over the bridge of his nose, brushing along his dark chocolate skin. He looks like he comes straight off of Mount Olympus. And from what little light shifts onto his broad shoulders, he's super muscular. And doesn't have a shirt on. My mouth goes dry just looking at him and I try not to get too flustered.

"You got captured. Welcome to hell." I swear his deep rumbling voice shakes the whole carriage. I shift, trying in vain to bring saliva back to my throat.

"W-what does that mean exactly?" I croak out. He smirks. Goddesses. I think I'm gonna faint.

"You'll find out soon enough," He looks me up and down which makes me suddenly aware of my scrawny body, lengthy legs, shaggy hair, eye bags, and basically everything that's the opposite of him. "Twig." He decides finally, saying it with a sort of amusement in his voice. He then leans back into the darkness, signaling the end of our conversation. I wish it wasn't.

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Eventually, we stopped. Eventually Kate and Reid woke up. Eventually, we were hauled outside where we saw that Amber had been chained as well and had been trailing behind our carriage the entire time.

Let me tell you, Hot Chocolate was even hotter in full light. With rippling muscles, broad shoulders, strong arms, tall stature, and his perfect face, it took every ounce of me not to continually stare at him.

All four of us get shoved into a line, Reid at the front, then Kate, me, and finally Hot Topic at the back. Amber lumbers behind us, her legs, muzzle, and wings all chained together with half a dozen men holding her. The men that encircle us are wearing dark clothes, dirty, and have their faces covered. Bandits? Kidnappers? Slavers? Slavery is illegal in New Eladea but I have no idea if the new countries changed that in their borders. What's happening? Where are we going?

People at the back push us forward, so we start walking, our chains clinking against one another. I focus on the breathing, keeping it steady, and keeping my heart rate down. I can't have a breakdown here. Not now. But even so, I dig my fingernails into my palm, no doubt cutting the soft flesh. I hear Kate try to whisper things to me, no doubt to calm me, but I can't hear it. We aren't close enough. It's still a sweet gesture though.

Finally, we come across our destination. An old, run-down fortress. It's not necessarily a castle, but not a house. More a building made to withstand a battle. An old military base perhaps? Either way, it doesn't matter. It looks as if it's gonna crumble in on itself if anyone inside sneezes too hard. We cautiously enter the old outpost. I try not to take notice that Big Guapo behind me has to duck slightly to fit under the archway.

We walk through dark, damp hallways. Eventually, we make so many turns I can't remember which way is out. I do remember though, that Amber hadn't come in with us. She can't fit. I hope she's ok.

I try not to take notice of the sounds echoing through the stone hallways. Screaming. Yelling. Laughing. The sound of metal cutting flesh. I shutter and try to shake away the thought. Don't think about any of that right now. Just try to find a way out.

After what seems like forever the lead stops us. We halt at what looks like a caved-in doorway. But instead of stopping at the ground, it kept going. A giant hole is in the ground, the roof at the bottom. Sunlight shines in, illuminating the bottom. Before I can register what's down there, the bandits push us in.

I get the wind knocked out of me, but other than that I'm fine. With the help of Reid, I get to my feet, looking up the twenty feet to the opening of the hole. The bandits disappear over the edge.

I take the time to look around. The depression in the ground is filled with people. Mostly men, they all stand around us, some dirtier than others. Some look mangled and deformed, starved, while others look like they haven't been here that long. Some are riddled with scars, and some, terrifyingly enough, have fresh wounds.

One of the biggest steps forward, coming to about my height. He looks me up and down and scoffs, deciding I'm not the "best specimen" I guess. So he moves on to Stud Muffin. He only comes to the giant's chin, the handsomer man glowering down at the new challenger. His luxurious hair falls into his eyes in just the perfect way. They have a staring contest for a long time, but eventually, the random guy squints his eyes and slowly moves back, not breaking eye contact before giving a look of "I'm beat" and blinks.

"Uhm, mister, do you know where we-" I start to ask before being cut off by a new voice.

"How have you been, you filthy dogs?" A man appears at the mouth of the hole and we all look up at him. He had long graying hair and a satisfied look about him. Unlike any other bandit, he doesn't have his face covered. He has to be the boss. "I see we got some fresh meat. And some impressive bait at that." His gaze finds Steamy Spartan and they have a short stare-off.

"So, my wonderful entertainment, I want you to pick. Today is the 7th day of the week, and it's just past noon. You all know what that means." Fear sweeps through the crowd like a plague, grabbing everyone by the throat and not letting go. "But, as the incredibly merciful master I am, I give you the opportunity to choose. Either the most able-bodied of you get chosen, or one of our newbies can have the pleasure."

I'm so confused I'm scared, terrified even as every other body in the pit turns to us with an expression, not unlike a shark. They're hungry and desperate. They won't hesitate to bite. Kate pushes me back with her shoulder, her arms still chained. I end up next to Reid, pressed against the wall. Kate stands in a defensive stance before us, entirely ready to take on this entire mob with her hands tied. Literally.

Before this moment she had never seemed more brave or selfless. Have I ever given her enough credit?

"Woah, Woah, calm down you animals. You can't kill em now or else you ruin our deal! I said one of the newbies. Now either they can volunteer to take on the Beast or you all can choose one-" The leader man starts. But before he can finish his sentence Kate steps so she can see him clearly.

"Me. I'll fight him." She says it so confidently I almost believed she was serious. She…isn't serious right? Oh…

"Kate!" I hiss, running at her, my eyes wide with fear. She doesn't know who this Beast is! She could die! I don't doubt her skills but I can't see her get hurt. I just can't. She gives me a hard look that stops me in my tracks. But I also can't convince her otherwise once she's made up her mind.

"HA HA HA HA!" The leader's laughter ricochets in the pit. "A bit eager are we? I like that in a woman. But, if you're so eager to die, who am I to stop you? Bring her up!"

Immediately bandits were making their way down, the rest of the captives crowding to one side of the hole. They grab Kate roughly, almost making her fall over. I yell for her but soon my arms are pinned behind my back. Reid's are too. They drag us up the pit, towards the leader's awaiting grasp.

I glance back down the hole, desperate for someone to help me. But no one does. I'm only met with a wall of hungry stares, all either wanting to tear me apart or watch me be torn. All except Signor bello who catches my gaze and holds it, giving me an inquisitive look that I can't quite place.

Finally, we meet face to face with the leader. His shirt is ripped down the front creating a jacket to show off his abs and his pants are a little too tight to show off more. But even so, he doesn't even begin to compare to Angel Face. He pulls Kate close, his face an inch from hers. It takes everything in me not to go feral at that moment. Reid looks the same.

"Tough girl. Too bad you have a death wish. I would've happily accepted you into my harem. You would have been…" He licks his lips in a way that makes me want to vomit. He holds her cheeks and she tries to pull away but she isn't very mobile at the moment. "Taken care of."

He looks at her one last time, glancing down at her lips. Ewwwwww. And did he just smell her?! I swear take these chains off me and I'll-

"Take her to the arena. It's about time I have my entertainment."

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The Beast wasn't entirely bad. Just a big hairy dude. Smothered in blood. And scars. With a giant axe. And giant muscles. Like, HUUUGE muscles. This is gonna be a disaster.

Kate had been separated from me and Reid and taken somewhere separate. I and my friend on the other hand were taken to an old battle arena modified for these animals' needs. The fighting area was at the center, with stands of people circling it. We were led to this one particular area with a cage. Of course, instead of being sat next to it as a human being, we were thrown into it.

Kate came out not long after, with nothing but her undergarments and a rusty old sword. As soon as the rabid creatures around me caught sight of her the whistles started. And the vulgar comments. I want to strangle each of them in turn. But then came the big reveal. The Beast was released. To be honest, he didn't look all that bad at the time, but now as they battle it out, I know I was wrong.

You'd normally think that a big dude with a big weapon = slow and uncoordinated. Well, that's normally the case. Most of the time.

This guy looks like he has trained with that very axe his entire life. He swings it with precision and purpose, deadly and horrifying. Kate is one of the most skilled swordswomen I've ever met, even rivaling that of my sister, but she's struggling.

I and Reid push ourselves against the bars, watching in horror as she's thrown to the ground again. I think a girl outside our cage is flirting with Reid, trying to seduce him, but I don't pay attention to it. I don't pay attention to the slobbering dogs screaming and wailing around me. I don't pay attention to the constant roar of both outrage and pleasure. I don't take notice of the pain in my hands or my aching shoulders. All that matters is her. Only her.

My eyes never leave her as she picks herself back up again, throwing herself against her opponent. I whisper a constant prayer under my breath to the goddesses. I can't lose her too. I just can't.

She slips under The Beast's legs, coming up behind him before he can react to stab into his back. It doesn't get deep but she rips her sword out before he can whack her. She runs at him again, dodging from left to right like a gazelle, except she isn't running away from the danger. She's running towards it.

This goes back and forth for I don't know how long. She dodges and stabs, he swings and throws. It's an equal match where once one gets a leg up the other follows shortly after. No winners in sight. Until she does it. She tricks him into tripping on his own axe and is brought on his back. She doesn't hesitate to land on top of him, raising her blade for the final blow.

But she never delivers it. A bandit runs from the sidelines, heading straight for her. He tackles her around the waist, throwing her off her opponent. She lands on her back with a huff and the lacky runs off, desperate to not get caught in the crossfire.

That dirty bastard cheater…

The Beast regains his footing and axe and lumbers over to Kate, who is still trying to catch her breath.

"Get up…comon get up." I mutter to myself. I hear Reid saying something like "Don't let it. Don't let it happen, you got this."

He raises his axe above her head.

No, no, no, no please no. This can't be happening.

Something clutches my heart, squeezing it and not letting it go. My throat closes up, my eyes welling with water that makes my vision blurry. The whole world spins around me as I try to focus on what's happening. That familiar feeling starts in the pit of my stomach, but stronger this time.

Just when I think it's all over, it isn't.

With a mighty roar and a column of flame, Amber appears above Kate. She shows The Beast off her and stands over her protectively, growling, her spikes bristling dangerously. Off her back comes…Hot Stuff? What is he doing here?

He yells something and through a tunnel in the side the arena comes a sea of former prisoners. Some hold weapons like swords and axes, some with something makeshift like rocks or stones. But they charge with the vigor of revenge. They fan out into the crowd, cutting down every bandit that had imprisoned them. I let out a laugh, relief flooding through me.

"Liam!" Reid calls. I turn, looking at what he's holding up. It's the key to our cage. My eyes then trail down to the body of a guard laying within arms reach. Oh.

I gesture for him to open it and he does, fitting his skinny arm through the gaps between the bars. He finally gets it open and we go charging out. We run through the chaos happening around us, weaving through the bandits and prisoners locked in battle. We finally find ourselves in the arena, where Prince Charming is there helping Kate up.

"Hey!" I greet with a wide grin. He nods at me with a small smile.

"Hello."

Kate walks forward and puts her hand on my shoulder, touching Reid's arm. Kate never initiates physical touch. I stiffen and look at her in disbelief. She just gives me a small smile in return.

"So what's all this then?" I ask

"This is my fifth time in one of these places, safe to say that I'm practically an expert on mutinies and moral." Knee Melter says in that deep rumbling voice of his. I nod, trying not to get distracted.

"Well we thank you. Seriously." I say.

"Yeah, thanks for getting me out of those chains. They hurt." Amber says eloquently.

"No problem. I love doing whatever I can to destroy these places." He responds.

"Well, do you want us to help clean up?" I ask, gesturing to the chaos around us. I'm doing surprisingly good. I haven't fallen to the ground or started crying yet, so I think we're in the clear. The secret is to avoid eye contact, as beautiful as those eyes are.

"No, I'm alright. This is gonna go on for a while. You four should get going." I'm almost sad to be leaving, as terrible as this place is. Because it means I'll never see his beautiful face again.

"Well, alright then. Thank you again. I owe you my life." Kate answers for me before climbing atop Amber. Reid follows. I reluctantly do as well.

Amber extends her mighty wings and flaps them, propelling us upwards. He stands there, aline in all his glory. How does the wind from her wings not immediately ruin his hair? How does it make him look better?

"Hey, hot stuff! I never got your name." Wait…did I just say that outloud?! He smirks.

"It's Rowdan. And yours, Beautiful Twig?" He calls up to me. I feel my cheeks heat up. Did he just call me…beautiful?

"Liam!" I call back as we slowly grow out of earshot. "Liam Emmerson." And I watch in satisfaction as his jaw drops to the ground.

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Word count: 3456
(No I'm not making that up)

Hey guys! Thank you for being so patient with me haha. I hope you liked the chapter! It was a bit of a longer one. Thoughts? On Rowdan? The characters? Anything really? I love to heat it!!!

(Oh yeah and here's some art I've made)

(Really proud of this one)^

(This one isnt that good)^

(Also really proud of this one)^

Cya next week!