I can't catch my breath. My body is overheated, my muscles exhausted. I’m fighting the same faces once again. The same opponents I’ve already defeated.

  Today, three more souls have joined the already massive circle of warriors.

  I don’t want to kill them. Every time I deliver a mortal blow, I see the silhouettes of their parents, wives, and children above their corpses, mourning the fallen with loud laments, roars, and grief.

  When I look at my bloody, trembling hands, the corpses of these warriors stand up and scream at me. They shout what they wanted to achieve in life. Their goals, their reasons for existing.

  Akar, you Murderer! Honorless dog! /K

  That is the last thing the ghosts tell me. All my visions end the same way.

  I see myself tearing apart countless women with my own hands, one after another. Every time I close my eyes, I hear their piercing screams, shrieks, and pleas for help. But help never comes. Always. Only. Me.

  I bolt upright in bed, drenched in sweat and gasping for air. The same nightmare again. The same vision. And that same feeling of self-loathing.

  Why is this happening to me?! /K

  I can't do anything but scream in my thoughts. I'm not here by choice. I’ve been raised here for as long as I can remember. I’ve been a slave since birth.

  Do I have the right to live? /K

  I always ask myself that question.

  But I can never answer it honestly.

  I hear someone approach my door and turn the key in the lock. It’s the same massive guy I see every day.

  Without a word, I get up and walk right out of the cell. It always looks the same. Every third day, I fight in the arena. On the other days, I train, either alone or with the others. Unfortunately, today is fight day.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  I approach the main metal gate. Another massive man stands in front of it.

  Looking at them now, they actually look pretty similar. /K

  As I get closer, the guy by the gate shoves a plain wooden spear into my hand.

  It’s more of a sharpened stick than a spear.

  At least I’ll have good reach. /K

  I stand alone now in front of the huge metal gate. I hold the two-meter spear in my hand. My heart is pounding like crazy.

  Not this again. /K

  Inhale. Exhale.

  I’m so sick of this… /K

  Inhale. Exhale.

  Inhale.

  The gate opens. I step out into the slightly shadowed arena.

  Exhale.

  I think they want to get rid of me. /K

  Four warriors emerge from the opposite gate.

  My shitty luck… /K

  I see two of them hang back, pulling out slings and loading stones. Up front, one has an axe, the other a sword. I run toward them. They run toward me.

  I hear the stones whistling past my head. I close the distance. They’re smart; they attack together.

  I dodge the sword. I catch the axe on the shaft of my spear. With the butt of my weapon, I strike the sword-wielder’s knee.

  Smack. I feel a stone hit my left shoulder. Whistle. Another flies right past my face. I feel the sword slice my back as I parry the axe.

  A shallow cut, thankfully. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot a stone flying straight at me. I can’t dodge it. My heart is beating frantically. I’m suffocating, gasping for air. I jerk my head hard to the right to soften the blow. Crack.

  My ears are ringing. My vision is blurred. I thrash blindly as I feel my body being slashed and pierced over and over. Frustration swells inside me. I’m scared. I’m furious. I barely manage to parry an axe swing, but it snaps my weapon in half.

  Another stone hits my leg.

  I’ve had enough...

  The sword plunges into my ribs and gets stuck.

  Let this finally be over…

  I am terrified of dying.