Quote:
Originally Posted by CNash
Good story... I'd like to see more.
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All you had to do was ask. ^^
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Chapter 4: The Fighting Pit
I had never been more frightened in my life. Everyone was kept in cells in the lower areas of the ship with umber hulks stationed as guards. I knew I could easily get out but with us in the air, I had nowhere to run and my concern for the well being of the other villagers compelled me to stay. I took the opportunity to try and sooth anyone who had been injured in the raid but this didn't sooth my own fears. I didn't spend long in the cell though. In what couldn't have been more than an hour, the very same neogi I had encountered at my home came down with another leading the way. They looked inside the cell until he saw me among the terrified crowd.
?Her, the little one,? he said.
?You're sure?? The other neogi said, ?Don't know what use you'll get out of her but who am I to turn down a good deal.?
?She should still be linked to me, go ahead and open it,? he said.
They opened the barred doors and gestured for me to come. Still under his control, I could only comply, helpless to resist his commands.
?Come to my quarters, I'm going to make you an offer you can't refuse,? the neogi said lauging to himself as he led the way.
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He led me to one of the many small rooms the neogi stayed in while aboard the ship. The room contained only a large cushion for sleeping and simple essentials for living along with locked storage shelves which I presumed contained his personal wealth and valuables.
?Sit,? he commanded to me in the tone one would address an animal, yet I could only again comply. ?Now then, do you have a name??
?M-Morah...? I answered nervously.
?Morah is it? Well, mine is Rex'tor but you can simply call me master my little pet.?
?Pet? I'm not some animal!? I said upset at this form of address.
?No but you are now property, bought and sold and you are my property henceforth. However, if you cooperate with me, you'll find your new position very fulfilling indeed.?
?W-what new position?? I asked.
?All in good time my pet, but for now, tell me everything about your unique talents,? Rex'tor requested. Unable to lie or even withhold the smallest detail, I then proceeded to explain everything I had experienced up to that point.
?I see, how very fascinating,? Rex'tor said stroking the hairs that grew from below his fang filled mouth, ?And there is no more of this flesh sample??
?No, master,? I said, now finding myself unable to address him as anything but.
?Unfortunate, but it matters not. Even I heard rumors of a skilled physician in the area which is why I went out of my way to claim you.?
?You intend to profit off my medical skills master?? I asked, hopeful that would be the case.
?While I'm certain your venture would have paid your way through life, you think too small my pet. No, I have bigger plans for you,? he said grinning, ?But until our next destination is reached, what say you put yourself to good use and sooth my neck?? He beckoned me over and lay his neck across the cushion. Unable to resist, I released my tendrils to massage him much to my disgust.
The next few days were spent waiting on him hand and foot through his tireless demands. He never allowed me outside his room, obviously wishing to keep my powers a secret to himself so that he and he alone could capitalize on them. The labor would normally be easy for me but I was fed very little which quickly began to take a toll on me and make the days more and more torturous to endure. I never learned of the fate of the other villagers and I feared dearly for their well being. A few days later, the ship would finally touch land again. There was much activity inside the ship then as everyone unloaded. I couldn't scarcely guess where we were but I eventually would finally find out when Rex'tor returned for me only after all his other possessions were unpacked. I was led outside to find the ship camped outside the bamboo walls of a large village in a vast jungle. The neogi were directing their slaves to unload the cargo in the ship in order to display it for sale to the inhabitants of the village. Rex'tor led me to his own stand which displayed a variety of weapons, armor and other equipment common to adventurers, all in various states of wear and use.
?Excellent, are you ready for your new purpose pet?? Rex'tor asked.
?W-what purpose master?? I replied, though I didn't truly want to know.
?Allow me to explain, you see, if there is one thing warriors cannot resist, it's a powerful creature to battle. You see, my business may involve the sale of armament to better equip them for battle, but there is another aspect to it. You see that cage??
He indicated a massive iron bound bound cage that was set up near his stand.
?In there I would typically place a monster and those daring enough could enter to fight it. Those who prevailed would win prize money and those who didn't...well their possessions would do them little good where they went so I would add them to my store.?
I felt ill to my stomach when I then noticed the blood that stained the interior of the cage.
?The gambling will be the best part though my pet. You see, since you are far more than you appear but I am the only one who knows that, I can look forward to great profits since none would be inclined to bet on you,? Rex'tor said as he rubbed his claws together and directed me to enter the cage. I slowly walked in, trying to divert my sight from the signs of death and carnage that permeated the cage and it only frightened me more to think I could become part of it.
?Master, I can't do this! I'm a doctor! I've sworn never to harm others!? I pleaded.
?Not anymore my pet, you can now consider yourself the star attraction,? Rex'tor replied as he resigned himself to his business, ?Oh yes, you can alter your attire too can you not? Do try to look the part now won't you??
In response, my coat was pulled into the mouths all over my body as they began to cover me in black resin again, this time taking the form of a revealing battle harness that only made my position all the more demeaning. I watched fearfully as the gates to the village finally opened a short while later as orcish guards looked over the bazaar and retreated to inform the village that traders had arrived. In no time and tall, orcs and various other beings swarmed the bazaar, interested in what they offered for trade. Many times I saw the neogi blatantly double deal their simple minded clients but I had been compelled to remain silent and thus could still only watch and pray that none would take up Rex'tor's challenge. That hope was in vain.
A massive green troll clad in blackened hide armor with a sword and shield strapped to his back approached Rex'tor's stand to examine his goods when he took notice of me in the cage.
?You get prize just for crushing little pip squeak?? he inquired.
?It's that simple my friend. Do you feel daring enough to take the challenge?? Rex'tor said apparantly hoping to placate the creature's pride.
?That be easy, me accept!? the troll said loudly.
?Excellent, just go up the stairs on top of the red X on the cage and wait,? Rex'tor said happily as he turned to the crowd, ?We have a challenger everyone! All who wish to place bets, you best hurry!?
The troll slowly lumbered his way into position on top of the cage as Rex'tor hurried to take as many bets as he could. Once satisfied he had all the money the populace were willing to give up, he turned to his umber hulk servant who manned the controls and nodded to it.
?Ready? Fight!? he yelled out as a trap door under the troll opened, dropping him into the cage.
?Heh heh, me gonna have fun with this!? the troll said as he drew his sword and shield and stared at me with feral eyes.
?Remember, do what you will with him, just make sure his equipment is left intact,? I heard Rex'tor's voice speak to me in my head. That was when I realized. Rex'tor wasn't starving me simply to save money, he intended for my hunger to drive me to fight.
?No! I can't do this!? I said starting to cry.
?Die!? the troll roared as he swung his massive sword at me. I lept away frantically only to land and find my arm severed. To the shock of the troll even moreso than myself, the arm split up into tendrils that quickly crawled back to me, up my side and reforming the arm.
?Ugh....the pain...so hungry...? I said, realizing that my power was draining on what little strength I had left.
?What? You grow back arms like troll? Maybe this be more fun than me thought!? the troll said as he pressed on his attacks.
Unable to stand the agony any longer, I opened a mouth on the back of my wrist that began to drool black resin, forming it into a short blade. As the troll readied an overhead swing, his blow was blocked by my own created weapon.
?What? How you do that?? was all the troll could say before having to block another blade from my other hand with his shield. Struggling to hold my ground, I called the spiked tentacles from my back to come into being. They acted quickly and impaled the troll through the chest while his hands were occupied. The troll roared in pain before backing away to free himself from their grip. The holes in his chest quickly began to close as he narrowed his eyes at me.
?You not ordinary little gnome...but I still not lose to you!?
I already felt repulsed by the simple act of harming even a foul creature like a troll but I couldn't take it anymore. The hunger gnawed at my being like I was being eaten alive by leeches inside. I had to eat. I had to eat something, anything. As the troll charged forward with his weapons raised, I acted instinctively and threw my tentacles out at his leg. The troll fell over as the tentacles entwined and smothered his leg completely, leaving only a bloodied stump as they retracted. He clutched it roaring as I got up and walked closer. I only wanted a little taste. But now all resistance was gone as I looked at the massive creature with predatory eyes and discorporated my body into a mass of tendrils that engufled the troll as it struggled to escape the cage. His cries lasted for only seconds as he was pulled in and torn asunder by the countless mouths that dotted me. When I reformed my body, all that remained was his armor, weapons and belt pouch. Not even a drop of blood was left.
?The winner and still queen of the cage, Morah!? Rex'tor called out gleefully as dozens of bewildered spectators clutched their fists angrily at realizing their bets were lost.
?Truly incredible,? came his voice in my mind, ?I can see this is going to be a very profitable venture indeed. You, my pet, are going to see me to the position of administrarch for certain!?
I didn't care about any of that as I lay down on the blood stained floor of the cage. My body felt strong and euphoric now but now it was my mind that suffered. What was happening to me? I thought I would go on to become a great healer and reliever of pain and suffering and now I was relegated to a life of death and carnage. As bad as it seemed then, the worst was, as always, yet to come.