by Grace Hudson
299 found herself falling, twisting, tangled, her scimitar rising up towards her own face. She pushed it away, her hands hooking upwards as she tumbled to the ground. There was a flapping sound from above. 299 flung her head from side to side but still she could not determine the origin of the noise.
A blanket of ropes snapped down from the trees, the weight snagging 263’s trident and dragging the Epsilon Fighters, pinning them to the ground.
263 called out, attempting to unhook her weapon only to find it was snagged in the netting. She looked up to see a rough hand, reddened from the sun. The hand grasped the trident, pulling it through the rope netting. 263 groaned as the weapon dislodged from her fingers, tugged away from her grip and out of reach. She smacked at the ground, hands grasping at nothing.
275 roared in confusion, springing from a tangle of ropes, spatha at the ready as she crouched in Fighter pose. She halted as a finely honed metal tip gleamed in her field of vision, the point almost touching her nose. As her eyes unblurred, the wooden frame of Caltha’s crossbow sharpened into focus along with a pair of blue eyes staring down at her.
275 raised her open hand towards Caltha’s crossbow, the other hand lowering her weapon to the ground.
“Don’t move. I mean it,” said Caltha. “Stay where you are.”
275 kept her hands in the air, her eyes tracking the inhabitants filtering out from their concealment and securing the Epsilon Fighters underneath the ropes. Caltha raised a hand to signal two of the others. They approached to gather weapons, collecting, stacking shields and checking for any concealed threats.
“Make sure you get all their weapons,” she said, looking down at 275. “You’re not going to give me any trouble are you?” 275 shook her head.
263 edged towards her, hands outstretched towards their captors. 277 remained still but 275 was restless.
“I said don’t move, are we clear?” Caltha’s eyes narrowed, focusing on 263.
“We will not give you trouble,” said 263, raising her hands in placation. She caught 275’s eye, shooting her a warning look.
299 watched the proceedings with a practised eye, waiting until the group turned towards the dark haired one for instruction. 299 sized her up. The dark haired one was shorter than the others, though they seemed to listen to her, following her instructions without question. Though it made no sense, it seemed that she was one of the leaders. A fitting target, she decided. She watched as the short one pointed to the end of the rope, loosely wound around the base of a tree.
“Get that end, it’s coming loose,” said Caltha.
299 took the opportunity to slide the dagger from her boot, slicing through the ropes holding her down.
She sprang from her position, launching herself towards the dark haired figure. She grunted in satisfaction as her dagger connected with flesh, plunging to the hilt. Caltha fell on her back, the wind knocked out of her. 299 smiled, revealing the look that had made her the most feared Fighter in Epsilon Circuit. Caltha’s eyes widened, her mouth open in shock.
299 lunged forward again, gasping in a breath as something hard and cold entered her chest. It sliced through her, chilling her blood. She staggered back, the bloodied dagger falling from her hand.
She looked down at her pierced leather breastplate, watching in confusion as blood gushed from her wound, the polished wooden bolt protruding from her chest. She fell to the ground, blood soaking into the earth beneath her, hands twitching in the air.
Caltha lay, her back pressed to the base of a tree, her weapon angled towards the spot where 299 had once stood, its load discharged.
She scrabbled back with her feet, edging herself to an upright position. She fumbled with a new bolt, fingers shaking as she loaded the crossbow, swinging it to point at 299’s position on the ground.
299 rolled to the side, breath wheezing from her tightly muscled body. Caltha watched her chest rise and fall as she took another rattling breath.
299 coughed, letting out a small laugh.
“We send our gratitude to...” 299 whispered. Her fingers twitched, clenching into a fist. Caltha watched as the fist relaxed, fingers splaying out and becoming still.
“Cal!” Liam ran towards her, whistle swinging from his neck as 205 and 278 and two of the other Epsilon Fighters burst from the hole in the netting, their scimitars and bastard swords swinging through the air.
“Look out!” shouted Caltha. Petra and Ginny rushed from their position near the trees to intercept the Epsilon Fighters as they charged towards Caltha. Petra clashed with 205’s scimitar, her saber trembling under the weight. This one was strong, Petra thought. Too strong. She felt herself being pushed to the ground, saber locked above her head.
Ginny leapt through the air, her saber piercing 278’s chest. She tumbled to the ground, saber still hooked through a gap in the Epsilon Fighter’s leather breastplate. She kicked out with her leg, dislodging her saber and slicing towards another Epsilon Fighter armed with a bastard sword. The bastard sword tumbled to the ground. She looked up to find yet another Epsilon Fighter above her, spatha raised. Ginny raised her eyes to her attacker, waiting for the final blow. The Fighter swung her spatha then stopped, eyes growing wide. She collapsed to the side to reveal Liam kneeling behind her, crossbow resting on his knee, one eye closed.
Petra cried out, the strength in her arms giving way. The scimitar loomed above her, 205’s grinning face staring down. Petra fell to the ground on one knee, the scimitar slicing at her arm before she heard the thud of her opponent's body hitting the ground. She raised her head to see Caltha bleeding on the ground, wedged against the base of a tree, her crossbow pointing at 205’s former position.
“You did well today, Liam,” said Caltha, her voice thick with fatigue. She leaned back on her elbow. “Yeah, you did good,” she whispered.
Liam put his hand on Caltha’s forehead. “We’ve gotta get Raf.”
“No, don’t. We stick to the plan.” Caltha put a hand on Liam’s arm. Petra and Ginny helped Vern secure 263, 277 and 275 under ropes.
Reno and 201 listened to the cries as they rang out, the clash of metal on metal echoing through the valley. A piercing howl sounded out before everything became still.
“Fools, all of them.” Reno shook his head. “299,” he muttered to himself.
201 flexed her ankles, springing upright, eyes locked with Reno, watching for his next move. Reno looked at her in confusion. His eyes widened as a crossbow bolt pierced the ground at his feet.
201 took the opportunity to grab Reno’s spatha, hitting the hilt of her own sword on his wrist until he released his grip.
“201, what are you doing?”
201 dropped her spatha, kicking it out of reach. She grabbed Reno’s hands. Reno shook her off, sweeping out his leg to kick at 201's ankles, toppling them to the ground. 201 hooked her leg around Reno's as he reached for his spatha.
“Answer me, 201! What are you doing?”
“Quiet!” she said. She leaned closer to Reno, whispering in his ear. “I am saving you from being expired. Listen to me, Reno. Say nothing and do as I do, and nothing more. We are outnumbered, you must trust me on this. Do as I do.”
201 released Reno’s hands, raising her own hands in the air. Reno watched, eyes darting to the side, mirroring her movements.
“We will not fight!” called 201. “We have no weapons!” She pushed Reno’s elbow, urging him to stand. “We will not fight you!”
A low voice rang out, echoing around them. It was fierce, yet warm. The voice was strangely familiar to 201’s ears.
“You came here armed,” said the voice.
201 froze.
“You came here to fight us,” the voice said. “Now you have found us, I cannot let you leave.”
201 squinted, resting her hands on her head. She swiveled her head to the left, then to the right. She focused her eyes on a particular tree to her right but she could not see through the leaves to find the origin of the voice, though she was sure she had found the right one.
She slowed her breathing, hissing through her teeth to calm herself.
“Please. We will not fight,” she said, attempting to keep her voice calm and her breaths steady.
“Don’t move,” said the voice. “I’ll shoot if you move.”
201 closed her eyes, picturing dirty blonde hair woven into a plait, greenish-brown eyes crinkling at the corners.
201’s eyes widened. “Raf?”
“How did you…” There was a rustling in the leaves. “Only my friends call me Raf.”
“Please…” said 201. “Please Raf… Rafaella. Do not harm us.”
201 felt a presence behind her, hands grasping her own, securing them with rope. Reno stared at her, flinching as the ropes wound around his own wrists.
“Don’t move,” said a voice behind her. She nodded at Reno, signalling for him to remain still. Reno narrowed his eyes, glaring at 201.
“He said don’t move. I suggest you listen,” said the voice.
“We will not fight you,” 201 repeated. “Please.”
“How did you know my name?” asked the voice.
“Yes, 201,” Reno whispered through his teeth. “How did you know her name? I would also like to know the answer to this question.”
201 thought quickly, a cold sweat forming on her back. “I have heard of you. They say you are a great leader.”
“Do not be foolish, 201,” whispered Reno. “Everyone knows that a Vassal cannot lead…”
A branch snapped, sending a twig floating down from above. A pair of leather boots came into view, followed by legs encased in leather pants. Then a dark tunic, a blonde plait swinging across her shoulder as she alighted from the tree, a crossbow in one hand. She dropped to the ground, standing before them. She stood taller than 201, eyes darting to Reno and back to 201, assessing which of them would pose the greatest threat.
“They were carrying these,” said the one holding Reno’s wrists behind his back. Rafaella bent down to pick up one of the spathas, never lowering her gaze from Reno and 201. She flipped the spatha over in her hand. She raised an eyebrow at Reno.
“Nice. Where are the others?”
Officer Tor struggled against the ropes binding his arms. He smirked, fingers loosening on the fighting creature’s leash. Voices came from further up the path, growing louder as they approached. The rest of the camp’s inhabitants came over the rise, dragging the rope-bound 263, 277 and 275 along with them.
“This is all of them?” Rafaella glanced at the three newcomers.
Liam arrived, out of breath. “We tried to get them to surrender, but they wouldn’t listen. The big one, with the red hair. She hurt…”
Rafaella spotted Caltha staggering from the trees, hands gripping the bark to steady herself.
“Cal!” Rafaella rushed to Caltha’s side. Caltha wheezed, lowering herself to the ground. Rafaella touched her face, her arms, checking for wounds. She stopped, peeling back the layers of Caltha’s tunic, revealing a dark stain.
“Get Lina! Now!” Rafaella shouted, signalling to one of the outer cabins. The door burst open to reveal a small group led by a tall figure with white hair.
“Ma!” 201 watched as a little one ran from the cabin, ducking the hands that reached to grasp her tunic and keep her inside. She broke free, heading towards Rafaella and Caltha who sat huddled together on the ground.
Officer Tor stood behind at a distance, a saber pointed at his back, the fighting creature snarling at the end of the leash. The creature spotted Adira, its gold-tinted eyes locking in on her tiny form as she stumbled towards Caltha. The creature snarled, jaws snapping against the leash.
It jolted ahead, sending Officer Tor stumbling back against the saber. He arched his back against the sting of the blade, the creature releasing from his grip and charging towards Adira.
201 clenched her hands, unable to move as the sharpened jaws flew towards Adira, snapping and growling. Adira screamed.
“Break! Break!” shouted Reno, but the creature paid no attention.
The creature sailed in the air, landing and twitching at Rafaella’s feet. It squirmed on the ground, claws digging into the dirt, a stream of blood staining the grass beneath its midsection. The jaws opened and closed, snapping at nothing. Rafaella held the crossbow at eye level, breathing rapidly. She lowered the crossbow, loading another bolt and pointing it towards the creature.
Adira stood still, staring at the mouth of the creature. Its jaw twitched, falling open on a low whine.
“Adira…” said Caltha.
“Ma!” Adira edged her way to Caltha, cradling her head and patting her hair. “Please, I don’t want you to die!”
“Shh, shh.” Caltha shrugged her off, attempting a smile. “Who’s dying? Nobody is dying.” She grabbed Adira’s chin. “I'm fine.”
Rafaella pulled Caltha to her feet, slinging an arm around her shoulders. “You're not fine,” Rafaella whispered. Caltha stopped, turning to Adira.
“I have to go with Lina now. Get back in the cabin and don’t come out until Raf says it is safe. I will speak to you later about coming out before it is safe.”
“But…”
“No arguing. Go!” Caltha coughed, leaning against Rafaella. Adira ran to the cabin, glancing back at Caltha before disappearing inside. Caltha collapsed, falling against Rafaella’s shoulder.
“Come on, come on. Lina!” Rafaella handed Caltha over to Lina. “Go, get her out of here!”
Rafaella turned to face the others. Her face was pinched, her jaw twitching. “Get these two in one of the back cabins.” She pointed to 201 and Reno. “And split these four up, two in each cabin. I’ll deal with them later.”
Rafaella strode towards the main cabin at the front of the camp, unloading her crossbow as she walked.
Reno’s mouth remained open, watching the departing figure of Rafaella.
“Come on you two,” a voice said behind them. 201 looked back at the lifeless form of the fighting creature as strong hands led them towards the outer cabin. The hands shoved them through the doorway, pushing them down to the straw-covered floor. Their feet were secured with ropes and they were left alone, the door slamming behind them.
– 26 –
201 leaned against the wooden wall, ropes secured around her wrists and ankles. She looked at the straw covering the floor, the window above her head, the door on the right. She avoided Reno’s stare, though she felt it weighing upon her.
“201.”
She looked at her feet, wondering if there was some way to release them from the ropes, but they were well-secured. Perhaps, if given enough time…
“201.”
She looked up to find Reno staring over at her with a barely-suppressed fury behind his gaze.
“Yes?”
“Do you think…” He gritted his teeth. “Do you think perhaps now is a good time to tell me what you know?”
“What do you mean, Reno? I don’t know any more than you do.” 201 edged her feet forward, stretching her legs, attempting to make herself more comfortable.
“You’re a terrible liar.”
“Maybe I am.”
“You did this. Somehow, you did this.”
“I would think 299 did this, charging after Li… an unarmed opponent.”
“299 must be venerated. I will not hear you speaking of 299 in that way.”
“I will not venerate 299, and not simply for the reason that she expired 232. I will not venerate her because she enjoyed it.”
“Well of course, there is satisfaction in knowing you have done a great service to FERTS, the glory of earning the adulation at the Epsilon Games.”
“I will not venerate 299,” said 201.
“Why? Because you do not believe it is right to fight?”
201 opened her mouth to speak, closing it again. She twitched, shifting her position to make herself more comfortable. She thought for a moment, studying the ropes around her ankles.
“No. I do not believe it is wrong to fight. But it is the reason
for the fight that is important. 299 enjoyed it for the love of fighting. I will not venerate 299 for this reason.”
“How dare you? 299 was a great champion of the Epsilon Games ring! She gave thanks for her protection, gave thanks to the Pinnacle Officer. You have no right to say what you are saying!”
“Did you know that what one says and what one really thinks are not always the same thing?”
“You speak foolish words, 201. You make no sense.”
“I make no sense to one who will not see the meaning. You will understand what you understand. Every mind is different. A word spoken to one will mean something completely different to the next. Everyone hears what they are willing to accept, and nothing more.”
“There you go again, speaking senseless words.”
“Those who heard 232 speak in the Epsilon Games ring did not understand. Perhaps I was the only one who heard.”
“Enough of this talk. This is unforeseen. And unpleasant,” said Reno, struggling to adjust the ropes around his wrists, the skin becoming flushed as he rubbed the ropes against the wall. “Why must our feet be bound as well?”
“I am used to it,” said 201, shrugging. “It has not been long since I fell asleep bound to a cart. At least here it is warm, and there is straw.”
Reno furrowed his brow, turning away from 201.
“I suppose you will get used to it as well,” said 201.
“What do you mean you are used to it? You were not always bound.”
“I mean this.” She gestured with her head, signalling the space within the cabin. “This here is no different to my confinement at FERTS. Though I will sleep more soundly, knowing who is outside this door. How strange that you, an Officer, should find yourself in such a position.”
“Confinement? How dare you speak of FERTS in this way! How dare you speak of the Officers…”
“What is the time?” asked 201.
Reno scowled, twisting his wrists to read his timepiece, craning his neck. “It is no use. I cannot read it.”
201 leaned across to read the timepiece. “It is 06:19. Like I said before, at least the straw is warm. We might as well rest before they come for us.” 201 edged into the corner, stretching out next to the wall.