"So what do you know about the Colosseum?" asks Eve.
"Well, for starters, it's the biggest power tournament on earth. It happens every 27 June. The fights are only for criminals who are caught. For the ones that lose, that's basically their execution. There's no such thing as surrendering."
For the first time since fighting her clone. This information makes her blood run faster.
"Hmm, interesting. And what about those who win?"
"There are no criminals that win except Gladys, the absolute. Five-year champion of the Colosseum. He is a huge, mindless brute, from what I heard."
"Oh, I will enjoy winning, and by the way. When the champion wins, does he get set free or something?"
"Not a chance, he is locked until next year."
Eve doesn't respond, and they keep walking the paved road. Not that much until they reach the town that houses the Colosseum. Around them, a bunch of people walk the same route. From the elderly to the young. Almost everyone is attending this yearly event to see their beloved champion win again. The walk from Scholars ' Rest to the City of the Colosseum is approximately two hours.
The looming shape of the Colosseum is getting closer and closer. A monumental structure that can hold hundreds of thousands of people. It's almost the same height as the towers of brass from Scholars Keep. The ground floor is a solid wall built out of a mix of marble and sandstone. There are ten entrances along the ground floor, each made to buy tickets and to avoid congestion. The upper floors have beautiful sculptures of many warriors and massive arches along the walls. Just like the ground, it's also made out of marble and sandstone, giving it a pale white colour. The arena is more on the simpler side, with sand on the ground and two colossal wooden doors for those who have their fates sealed.
"You know..." Elyon's voice falters for a moment.
"Let's turn back, this is a bad idea."
"Oh come on, don't be such a worrywart. Nothing will happen to me."
They keep walking in silence, then after a while. The buildings start to flood past them. People of all ages, excited to see what types of fights await inside the Colosseum, gather in many groups near them. Eve and Elyon decide to stop for a bit in the middle of the road. They overhear a young, cheerful kid ask his parents.
"You think something new will happen this year?"
His mother tells him in a cheerful voice.
"The possibilities are endless here, kiddo."
The kid gives his parents an ear-to-ear grin, then he grabs their hands. The three of them walk hand in hand away.
Eve stares at the family walking away, her expression unreadable.
"Elyon, I didn't really have any reason to fight here other than to get strong. But now...I do. I will make sure to win, so that kid gets a hell of a show."
Elyon stares at her for a while, then responds.
"Just be careful, alright?"
"I won't guarantee anything."
Half an hour later, they arrive in front of the Colosseum. The building looks monstrous up close. They feel unimportant next to it. Like they're standing next to a colossus that considers them nothing more than ants. An uneasy feeling starts to brew in their guts.
"So, how exactly do I enter the tournament?"
"I'm not exactly sure. I will leave this task up to you. I will head to take my seat." Elyon turns his face from Eve and looks at the sun. Today is a sunny day.
Eve watches as Elyon leaves and heads into a line. She sighs and does the same, going to a different line.
A few minutes pass, then a shout is heard from Elyon's line. Eve turns her head to see the commotion. In turn, she sees Elyon with his waving his hands in the air, shouting. "Everyone, look here."
"What is that idiot doing?" Ask Eve under her breath.
The whole line turns towards him, more importantly, the guards that sit at the end. Even the receptionist there. Unbeknownst to anyone, his irises turn to the number "4". Then, everyone who turned their heads towards him is blinded. Because the sun was right behind him, he multiplied the sunrays that entered the people's retinas.
The people stay still for a single moment. Screams are heard in different locations of the crowd. Then, curses, everyone there has their hands on their eyes. Trying to block something that isn't there anymore. After a few minutes or so, most of the people regain their vision. They open their eyes to see the man who blinded them. But he is gone, lazily sprawled in a seat on the second floor.
Eve, who watched this whole mess happen, suddenly exhales loudly, then grins, then thinks to herself.
What a bastard.
Minutes pass, then a few hours pass. Elyon's trick becomes a memory in Eve's mind. Her mind drifting to a place, then to another. The people in front of her entering the Colosseum, disappearing one by one. The same way a beast would its prey without putting any effort. Then she is brought back to reality.
"Ma'am? Are you alright? Do you want some water?" It's the receptionist, she is quite beautiful in the eyes of Eve. A young girl, probably no older than twenty-five. Blond hair that's tied into a neat bun. Piercing blue eyes, soft, delicate skin. And with a worried expression that doesn't suit her. She reminds Eve of the white lilies in the restaurant. The one she and Elyon ate. Delicate, a sharp contrast to her whole being.
"No, I'm fine. I want to join the tournament."
The lady's expression turns from worried to confused "Uhm, I'm not sure I can allow you to participate. Only bad people do, and you don't look like one."
Her words, yet normal, touched her deeply. A faint smile visible on her face. Then she takes off her hood.
"I'm Eve, the cursed child."
The people behind her were too busy talking, the guards too busy scanning the crowd for potential criminals. No one paid her mind any mind. Except for the receptionist, no emotions visible on her face.
"My point still stands."
Eve expected her to scream, to call the guards, anything but this. She wants to say something, but no words leave her mouth.
"I heard about you. What you did and every crime you committed. The people in charge desperately wanted you here. But they never got the chance to capture you. You may be a criminal, but you are not a bad person. Every time I heard about you, I wasn't cursing you or telling you to die. I just thought you were alone in a cruel world."
Eve's gaze turns to the ground, her eyes squinting, not wanting to let anything fall. She is too strong to cry right here. How did this random girl make her almost cry? Is she kind? No, that's not it, not in this world. She is trying to manipulate her. And it's working.
"Just let me fight." Her voice quivering, almost quiet.
The receptionist sighs, "I will let you fight. Just make sure to win, alright? I put my trust in you that you won't get hurt. And if you do, please try to escape." She calls the guards over, telling them she is Eve.
Eve's gaze is still glued towards the floor, her mind still in shambles.
As the guards grab her by the arms and start pulling her inside, the receptionist turns towards them.
"Hey, Eve, my name is Sarah." Eve smiles in her head, then she is pulled inside. She also fell victim to the beast that is the Colosseum.