Chapter 4: Destruction and a New Purpose
Akira stood in the center of the arena, his eyes glowing red. He could feel his skin throbbing, turning as hard and black as the shadow itself. There were a lot of people around, but his attention was focused on only one thing—victory. His body felt incredibly strong, and every muscle responded to that power. He knew that his body had changed forever, and that this would be his only path if he wanted to survive.
His opponent, a huge warrior with a two-handed sword, tried to attack, but Akira was no longer the weak slave who had once come here. He was a monster. He dodged the blow, feeling the air crack from the speed of his movement, and instantly reacted by striking back.
His fist, clenching with incredible strength, crashed into the opponent's chest, and he collapsed to the ground with a dull crunch. Akira stood like an ancient deity, watching his enemy fall. Suddenly, his eyes noticed something. Not the audience. Not his companions. No, he was looking straight inside himself.
The dark energy that had awakened in his body for the second time now seemed familiar and alien to him at the same time. It was like two worlds intertwining in his body. An energy that he couldn't ignore, but which could also consume him. A new heart was beating in his chest, no longer human. She was bothering him. And the scariest thing was that he didn't know what would happen to him if he completely lost control.
The gladiators began to approach him, but Akira ignored them. He was obsessed with the idea: a way out. He had to get out of this cycle of violence. He knew that these arenas, these slaughterhouses, were traps for the weak. And he wasn't going to waste his life becoming part of this endless cycle of killing for fun.
At that moment, his gaze landed on one of the guards standing around the perimeter of the arena. This was the same guardian who always watched all his fights, and this time Akira saw in his eyes not just indifference, but a hidden threat. The guardian was not just a soldier — he was the link between Akira and his tormentors, and at that moment it became clear to him that his victories in the arena would not be as careless as before.
Akira felt that his time had come.
⸻
At night, after the fight, Akira stood in an empty cell again. There was no peace in his mind. He knew that if he wanted to get out of this hell, he had to act. I had to find a way to escape.
But how? The whole place was surrounded by guards. The traps and mechanisms that guarded the slaves did not give the slightest chance of escape. And all these years, he had been a part of that system, powerlessly obeying the rules.
However, he was strong, and his strength was increasing every day. Akira couldn't help but notice that his body was getting tougher and his mind more calculating. He felt like something more than just a slave or a gladiator. He was something destructive. And this may be his advantage.
His thoughts were interrupted when the doors of his cell opened and the same guard entered. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his face expressed indifference, but hidden anger could be seen in his eyes.
—You're the best in the arena, Akira,— the guard said in a cold voice. "But you need more." You have to prove your loyalty. If you want to get freedom, you have to do more. You must become the weapon that we will guide.
Akira stared at him in silence. These words were familiar to him. Every slave in this system has heard them. Freedom was not an option. She was a reward for her service. But Akira wasn't ready to be anyone's plaything. He knew that this path only led to more control over him.
"I'm not going to be anyone's weapon," Akira said, his voice low and firm. "I'm going to be free."
The guard tilted his head slightly, assessing him. A slight smile flashed across his face, and he took a step back.
— You don't know what freedom is. And you won't know until you accept your role. However, you will decide which way to choose. But know one thing: if you don't become a part of us, you won't have a place in this world. We will give you a chance to become something more than just a slave. But you have to accept this power and use it.
When the guard left, Akira remained in the shadows, bathed in the light of the moon. He could feel this power, this dark energy inside him, continuing to grow. He realized that now he would need to use her to escape. And if only he could learn to control it, he could use it as a weapon.
But it didn't matter, because he had already decided that he would not remain a slave. He'll escape. And he will fight to free himself, no matter the price he has to pay.
⸻
The next day, Akira entered the arena again. The fight was scary as always, but this time his strength was almost unstoppable. His fists clenched the ground, and his body, like a giant black rock, simply scattered all the opponents. He felt no pain. He was on edge. And every blow was part of his path to freedom.
But deep in his soul, something whispered to him that even freedom can have a price. And maybe it will be worth even more than he can imagine.
His journey was just the beginning.