DICORE [NO LONGER UPDATING]

Chapter 9

"You're here because of your own good, kid." Ectumus grimaces.

"What? What did I do?"

"You did nothing. I can just tell by your eyes that you're gonna be pure anarchy, left alone with your thoughts for too long." Ectumus' face stretches into a look that's stressed and tired, like a look Ellie would give me when I failed an assignment.

"You think I'm any match for this army of yours?"

"I've seen the scars on your face, kid. Where'd you even get those?"

"Not important. All you need to know is that I'm tired. You'll never guess how much has happened in the past few days."

"You think you're tired...!" Ectumus tries not to yell, his voice cracking.

"I don't care what happened to you," I snap. "I just need your sympathy, please! Please let me go! I won't do anything to Slime Star, you, or—um—I don't care! 897-D, or something!"

"All you're getting from me with your bargain is apathy. You won't get out of here, I promise."

I let out a low growl.

"What's your name, anyway?" He asks, pseudo-jovialy.

"None of your business, buddy."

"If you tell me, kid, I might consider your freedom offer."

I sigh. "Pelis."

"I KNOW THAT. Your first name, pal?!" Ectumus bares his teeth like a rabid dog.

"Pyro Pelis! That's my full name! Let me go, now!"

Ectumus is silent for a moment, but then he chuckles. "She named you...after..." He smiles a genuine smile, one that pulls on the corners of his mouth, lifting them till his cheeks crinkled the corners of his eyes. "I'm sorry, that's unrelated; back to freedom?"

"Yeah. Freedom." I say sardonically.

"I think I have a compromise. You see, the reason I'm keeping you here is that I want to use your chaotic energy for combat—You'd be a great fighter with proper training, you know, and I think I can work that into what you want...But you might not like this if you're really as tired as you say you are."

"What? Why? What is it?" I lean forward in suspense.

"Let's have a fight. If you win, you'll have the option to either become a warrior here, or go back to whatever ruin of a home you have left."

"And if I lose?" I can't help but snicker a little.

"If you lose, I'll drown you in blue slime. You'll become part of the Slime Star family. Forever." 

I imagine drowning like Ectumus' voice. Wet, muffled, almost having to scream to be heard.

"Forever. Okay." I echo, off-put by the circumstances.

"Unless you want to forfeit? Skip to the losing option right away?"

"No. I'll fight." I say, firmly.

"Alright. Weapon of choice?"