His green eyes, intense like glowing embers, watched Darius with the curiosity of a predator studying an unusual prey.
"Alright, kid..." he said, exhaling smoke in a slow, calculated breath. "Looking at you, it's obvious you've got an important past. And don't give me that 'I don't owe you an explanation' look." Darius simply narrowed his eyes but remained silent.
Astian smiled.
A crooked smile, the kind worn by someone who always gets what they want. "You want freedom... and I want money. Simple, direct. But there's a catch: you're my slave now."
He stood slowly, walked over to Darius, and crouched before him, staring him in the eyes.
"So fight, win, and bleed. And maybe, if you earn it, you'll make it to the Coliseum. There, you'll have your precious chance at freedom."
Darius held firm, his gaze unflinching.
His eyes burned silently, filled with wounded pride and contained fury.
Astian stood and turned his back, speaking like someone dictating a law.
"You fight for your dream of freedom… and along the way, you make me rich. We both win. What a beautiful partnership."
He paused and turned his head just enough to glance at Darius over his shoulder.
"The crowd wants blood, wants a show, a spectacle. Do that for them — and your path to the Coliseum will be much shorter. Or... rot in the underground with the others."
Darius didn't reply, but the glint in his eyes said everything.
The ship sliced through the cloudy sky like a metal blade, descending among armored towers and landing platforms lined with heavy weaponry.
The planet had an official name — but it was simply known as Caelyon, one of the many worlds directly overseen by the Solarii Empire.
A testing ground, a blood ring, a profit field.
Around them, military ships patrolled constantly, soldiers marched in every direction in gray armor laced with rune-plates, energy rifles in hand, faces hidden behind opaque visors.
The Empire's symbol — a black sun wrapped in blades — glowed on every chest.
The ship's ramp opened with a hiss, revealing the planet's stifling heat.
Darius was yanked out by chains attached to his cuffs.
His footsteps rang metallic against the ramp, still dazed from the trip and the prior jolt of electricity.
Behind him, two armed guards; ahead, Astian marched as if parading through a royal avenue.
"Enjoy the view, kid," the merchant said, spreading his arms like presenting an empire. "This planet's a haven of entertainment, fights, gambling, arms trafficking — and, of course… the slave trade."
They moved through an exterior corridor of steel, fenced with electric wiring and cameras. Several other chained figures walked nearby — beings of different races, all with downcast eyes and fresh battle scars.
"Years ago, none of this even existed. The old emperor forbade slavery," Astian said, with a tone both nostalgic and venomous.
"But the new one... much more liberal. I was one of the first to take advantage, built a kingdom on top of other people's misery… it takes vision for that."
Darius said nothing.
But inside, his blood boiled. He fixed his gaze on a Solarii Empire flag waving atop a watchtower.
Astian turned his head slightly, sensing the young man's silence, and smirked.
"You remember how things used to be, don't you? That face of yours… tells me you've seen the other side of the coin."
Darius didn't reply, his eyes just scanned forward, observing every detail — the soldiers, the circuits on the towers, the camera patterns, the types of visible weapons.
Everything was being memorized, even if unconsciously.
"Well… I don't care what you were, only what you'll become."
Astian pointed to one of the fortified gates ahead, where a group of fighters was being led into what looked like a trial arena.
"Your stage begins there. Prove you deserve the Coliseum… or die trying."
Inside the arena's base, a raised observation room provided a full view of the stone-pit arenas spread below.
Floating monitors displayed stats, betting odds, and live feeds.
Three figures observed the latest batch of fighters — all new arrivals, all prisoners of that bloody machine of a planet.
"These last ones look interesting…" said a man in a dark suit, with glowing rune eyes. "There's a kid with above-average strength, came in with Astian."
"I've seen the report. Took down a veteran with just a few hits," replied another — a woman in light armor, bearing the Solarii Empire crest on her shoulder.
"But he's still just a kid. We need spectacle, not just power."
The third overseer — older, dry expression, silver beard — took a sip of his drink before stating:
"The fights will be in pairs. That format's been pulling good numbers. A fighter too strong alone ruins the pacing… but in pairs, even a weakling can become a hero if he knows how to lean."
They tapped commands into their devices and orders began transmitting to the lower cell supervisors.
Darius was shoved into a wide metal cell, the walls etched with scratches, dry blood, and claw marks.
Inside, a man was already seated in the corner, calmly rubbing his hands.
He was tall, muscular, his hair shaved on the sides, a few small scars across his face.
His gaze was calm, yet alert.
The man looked up and studied Darius with a faint smile.
"You're Astian's new toy, right? The kid who broke his champion."
Darius didn't answer, just stared at him. The man shrugged.
"No worries, I'm also property of the old lion."
He stood and extended a hand. "Name's Rygar. Ex-mercenary from the Iron Rim. Got caught after a botched job… sold off like cheap meat."
Darius glanced at the offered hand, then finally spoke:
"Darius."
Rygar smiled, lowering his hand. "Cold and straight to the point. I like that."
Before they could say more, a metallic voice blared from the speakers:
"ATTENTION, COMBATANTS. TODAY'S FIGHTS WILL BE IN PAIRS. NAMES HAVE BEEN SELECTED. DARIUS AND RYGAR, YOU WILL BE FIGHTING TOGETHER IN THE NEXT ROUND."
Rygar whistled, surprised.
"Well… looks like fate loves irony. Let's see what you're made of, kid."
Darius crossed his arms, leaning against the wall.
"Just don't get in my way."
Rygar laughed.
A raspy, but genuine laugh. "So young, and already so full of venom."