Until Death – chapter 11

Until death

Chapter 11

Theme:- Emotion is my downfall

 

I watched as Ryan clenched his fist in irritation, his eyes burning with jealousy. All around us, the crowds were roaring with excitement, and I could see that they were clearly enjoying my talk more than the fight itself. “Enough,” Ryan barked in outrage. “And you, Rey Reed,” he said, pointing his finger at me. “You will face the consequences.” He said in a threatening tone.

“Can you do more than your tiny carrot d**k?” I teased, making the crowds cheer again like crazy.

“The rules of the game have changed,” Ryan barked at me, and the crowds went silent, getting ready to hear what he wanted to say again. Without being told, I knew I had just stepped onto his wrong side. “The second team will no longer face the venom woman again.” He said and tension-filled the whole place. I can see the crowds waiting patiently for what he is going to say. I also stood eagerly waiting to hear what he was going to say. knowing fully well that Ryan will not give us easy challenges. “Rey Reed and his team altogether will face the crazy venom.” He concluded, making me sigh in relief. The crowds murmured their disapproval, and disappointment filled their eyes. Without being told, I knew the crowds were aware of the damage I was capable of causing, let alone a whole squad.

“Such a lazy a$$ being,” I mumbled inwardly. But Ryan’s voice cut through the atmosphere again, “Not only that.” I raised my eyebrows in confusion, wondering what he meant again. My ears stood alert, and I could feel my team waiting impatiently for what he was going to say next. “They will face the Venom woman and all her squad altogether.” Ryan clarified, and the crowds roared again. Their voices were so high that I had to cover my ears so they wouldn’t get damaged. 

 

“If they are lucky to survive,” Ryan said amidst the noise, and the mic carried his voice throughout the whole arena for the people to hear. “They shall be given medication and enough time to rest so their wounds can heal.”

“I doubt that,” someone said from the crowd. “How did you expect them to defeat the Venom woman’s deadly squad?” The voice howled and the crowd screamed out again. 

 

They stood on their feet, shouting at Ryan to begin the game while some of them were already placing their bets again. Not long after, the cage door made a buzzing sound. Some men in black outfits match up with the rest of my team. The black-outfitted men moved towards the dead bodies, squatted beside them and dragged them out. Not long after the men had gone out, another man walked in with a basket full of weapons. Kira and Michael didn’t bother themselves since they already had a weapon in their hand. I dragged my limping leg towards the basket and selected a sword for myself. I’m not sure why, but I’ve been drawn to swords ever since I defeated the monster that resembles a hell boy. I selected three knives and strapped them to my waist. I moved towards the new guy and clung closer to him. I can feel my team gazing at me, wondering what I am going to do. 

“And who are you?” I asked him, making sure that my voice was cold enough to send fear down his spine.

“Nasir,” the boy simply said. “I am Nasir from Africa.”

“You are not welcome here,” I replied nonchalantly. “You can ask them, especially him,” I said while pointing at Vee. “I don’t accept strangers anyhow, because I don’t want betrayal amidst us.”

“I swear to the almighty Allah, I will not betray you.” The boy said, swearing with his life. 

The name Allah sparked something in me. It made me remember those days when I used to attend bible study with my mom. The preacher always told us about God and how he created heaven and earth. Guilty sprang in my body as I remembered the last time I worshipped him. I haven’t prayed ever since I was kidnapped years ago. 

“You are welcome,” I said sharply to Nasir, making sure that my gaze met with his own. “And I won’t hesitate to slice your throat if you mess with me, my team, or think of betraying us.” I illuminated while displaying the sword in my hand so he could see that I meant it. He nodded his head in understanding, and I dragged my limping body back to Kira and Michael while the rest followed suit. 

The crowds suddenly roared out again, clapping their hands in support of their stupid noise. 

 

“Those idiots,” I said, loud enough for my team to hear. “They never learn, and I will surely slaughter all their vicious players.” I clarified with clenched teeth, and my team let out a small scoff.

“As if you can fight them alone,” Manuel countered, and I quickly gave him a sharp look. I wanted to tell him how I have survived alone for the past four years, how I have slain a vicious beast and fought in a hole full of pythons. However, some fast-approaching footsteps interrupted us, stopping me from yelling at Manuel. I faced the direction, and saliva dripped from my mouth at the sight in front of me. I can feel my heart beating fast, racing all the way through my body, making an attempt to burst out so it won’t share in the pain I am going to feel. The same goes for my team. I can see the anxiety in their eyes. I can feel their urge to drop their weapons and prance away. I can feel their desire to surrender and the terror in their eyes. I am sure the reason why they are still standing is that I haven’t dropped my weapon and given up.

Well, I can’t blame them. We haven’t fought too many battles together, and they haven’t seen my skills except for Kira. Right in front of us stood about 50 dogs. They aren’t normal dogs, but mutated humans who walk like dogs. They have sharp teeth like a lion, and a long claw that can pierce anything. Their bodies are white and red, with hair on their bodies, which makes me guess that they are not wearing anything. In the middle stood a short woman, whom I presumed to be the venom woman. She was light in complexion with long dark hair that covered her whole face. But one could still make out her features. She has one eye like a cyclops and a sharp longclaw instead of a fingernail. She was wearing a black robe, which seems to be from the 15th century. Not only that, there were about 3 big Cobra snakes that were rotating around her body. Their bodies were coiling and glistening with the help of the sun. Without being told, I know we are doomed. 

I can hear my team gulping down nothing in particular, and the intention to disappear increases in their body. The crowds roared in excitement as they saw the fear in our eyes. Out of the corner of my eye, I see the man that brought in the basket of weapons, locking the gate with the padlock and chain. 

Ryan’s voice cut through the thick tension, “This is the show we have been waiting for.” He said happily. “Now, let the bloody battle begin.” He concluded, stressing the word ‘battle’. 

I tightened my grip on the hilt of my sword and decided to make the first move. I know if I hadn’t done that to inspire my team, none of them would have stepped forward. Even though the pain in my thigh and stomach isn’t helping matters, I ignore everything, let out a great battle cry, and charge at the incoming mutant dog with my limping leg. I slashed at the first dog that leapt at me, twisted my sword and slashed another dog into two. Three arrows whistle past my ear and lodge in the forehead of another dog. 

The rest of my team followed suit, and rushed into the battle, slashing the mutant dog left and right. I threw myself in the middle, aiming straight for the venomous human herself. I have just one aim: to ki*ll the woman and show the crowds that with my team, I am invisible. 

I activated my survival and fighting instincts at the same time, falling every mutant dog that stood in my way. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the new guys, Nasir and Vee, watching each other back and fighting together. I didn’t expect the new guy to be so brave, but it seems my first attempt has given them morale. The same goes for Manuel and favour. They weren’t relenting either. 

 

They were like a war machine, wreaking havoc on every mutant. Even though the dogs were big, strong, and fast. But my team is still dealing a lot of damage to them. I scan the arena cage with my eyes, looking for Kira, and I sigh in relief when I see her with Michael. Although seeing both of them supporting each other and acting as backups for others made me envious. All I wanted was for her to stand beside me, smiling and telling me everything would be fine. 

She was shooting her arrow expertly, circling Michael as if they were both dancing together. It was like she hadn’t sustained any wounds. However, I was distracted from my view when I felt something biting my wounded lap. I spun back, only to be welcomed by a hissing sound. Standing in front of me is the venom woman, while one of her snakes has just plunged deadly teeth into my leg. I felt the pain in my leg increase in multiple times, and the venom was travelling fast all over my body. It seems my dad is right; my emotions will surely lead to my downfall. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves and stayed rooted to the same spot so it could prevent the poison from travelling faster. One of the snakes lunged at me, and I barely managed to dodge its sharp teeth. I still haven’t regained my stance when the venomous woman plunges her finger into my wounded stomach. A painful growl escaped my lips as blood-soaked my wounded stomach. I felt her finger going deeper into my stomach, reaching for my intestines and ready to remove them. With the last strength left in me, I drew out one of the knives I had hidden earlier and stabbed her hand. She yelled angrily, backhanded me, and kicked me with her leg. I felt myself flying about 29 good feets backwards before my back collided with the arena’s sandy floor, causing pains to surge through my body. 

I coughed out blood, and I could feel my eyes going blurry. My breathing is becoming heavier, and the venom is circulating through my body faster than I could have imagined. I hold my breath, stay still on the ground, and hope for a miracle to occur. It now makes sense to me what my father meant when he said, 

“That day I fell in love, I signed my death warranty.” I could see the dissatisfaction in his eyes, and I could see him shaking his head in pity and disgust at the same time. I can imagine what he will be thinking about me. I have flunked him once again. 

 

“Rey Reed,” I heard my team scream in unison, followed by their fast-approaching footsteps. I could hear the crowds screaming and howling in enjoyment. I can imagine the look of triumph on Ryan’s face. I tried to stand up, grabbed my sword, and made a fool of him again. But I ended up lying back on the ground, followed by more blood that oozed out of my mouth. With my last strength, I managed to point at the venom woman. My teammates looked at her with fury, and I could feel their intention to tear him apart. Nasir was the first to charge her. The venomous woman sent out her snake to meet with him, but he slid past them and slashed the woman on the leg. Kira quickly removes two arrows, takes position, and aims at the venom woman. After what seemed like forever, she released the arrow and they sailed through the air. One hit a snake, pinning it to the ground, while the other missed the Venom woman by inches. Then, Michael drew out a knife and rushed at the venom woman, attacking her with different skills. Both Favour and Manuel weren’t left out. They were slashing at the woman, slicing all her flesh and creating wounds in her body. She was howling out in pain, trying her best to outsmart my team, but she wasn’t a match for the 6 of them. Finally, I felt my stability failing me. I can feel the venom wandering slowly towards my heart. 

I can hear my brain making a joke on me, followed by my heart, which is now beating slowly. Then my eyes supported those idiots and started closing involuntarily. Before I could say “jack,” I lost consciousness of my climate.

T.b.c

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