8 Chapter 8 - Do People Change? (1/2)
IMPORTANT NOTE:
”...” Speech
'...' Griff's inner thoughts unless stated otherwise.
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”You see this kid?”
The announcer still wearing a mask asked Griff, pointing at a door at the end of the corridor.
”It's a mana chamber. It will suck your life force while consistently replenishing it. The pain you will feel... let's just say that it is otherworldly. Losing consciousness, but consistently regaining your stamina! That better teach you how to treat our esteemed guests...”
Griff was struggling as the thought of being inflicted pain and feeling it consistently horrified him.
”That's the look I like! Show fear!”
The announcer laughed.
”I like despair, despair little friend. More!”
He kicked Griff through the large black door that was the entrance to the mana chamber.
”Somebody will bring you food. You'll stay there for a week.”
The door was closed from behind Griff as nothing could be seen. He was alone in the pitch-black dark. In the abyss.
”Why...”
Griff clenched his fists as he looked at what he presumed to be the ground.
”Why is this happening. I... I only wanted to... what did I even want in the first place.”
Griff could feel the chamber suck his mana, his life-force.
”IT HURTS. IT HURTS.”
The pain Griff felt was surreal...
'Maybe... maybe James escaped? But he doesn't even know where I am in the first place... I'm really hopeless.'
Griff crawled towards the wall and sat there.
”No, I'm... weak... even worse.”
What had happened in the death match lingered in his mind. He felt weak. He really did. The power he felt from being alive was being sucked away. His body was shriveling up. He felt something in his mouth. He touched his mouth to see blood. His nose was bleeding as well. Small cuts were on his arms. He felt fuzzy, losing consciousness slowly.
'Damn it...'
The healing factor of the chamber kicked in and started to heal Griff's stamina. He was just about to lose consciousness...
The door started to open slowly.
'Food?'
A woman wrapped in a black cloak entered the room and placed a tray with a little piece of burnt bread and a small cup of water. The figure got up and was about to leave. However, she turned to Griff and lowered her hood. From the small amount of light coming through the corridor, Griff could see her face.
”Hello Griff... Those are some nasty wounds you got there.”
”This... I'm dreaming right? T-This isn't real!”
”Oh, little kid.”
The woman looked down on Griff whose cuts had healed finally. Ann grinned devilishly.
”This is no dream... It's a nightmare.”
She turned to leave but stopped when Griff grabbed her ankle. His eyes were shadowed by his hair due to the darkness.
”Why...”
”Why? Because I work for them. Because they give me food, money, clothing! Because they let me do what I like! What else is there little boy?”
”... You know what Ann? I never liked you anyway. Looking at us with a smile all the time. You like seeing me like this don't you?”
”*Sigh* Little Griff, your still so much of an idiot. Don't you get it? I'm a slave trader. One who kidnaps adventurers. And most of all, I'm a master of deception.”
She stepped on Griff's hand holding her ankle.
”Gr..aah!”