Song of Silence

A Story by Acropolix

Never expect the obvious.

The arena was stamped with people. The giant stone pillars shook lightly under the grand pressure of the jumping crowd. Screams echoed off the walls and caused a constant wave of exciting cries to bounce back and forth through the battleground. Zukai eyed around him as he stepped up to the blood spilled sand. His feet crushed small bits of rock as the weight of metal pressed down. His vision was limited by the giant wolf helmet that covered much of his face, as if looking through a keyhole. He threw his spear in the ground and lowered his massive tower shield and made a full 360 degrees turn with his head. The sun burnt intensely, already sweat dropped down Zukai's muscled chest on to his steel leggings. Fear was an alien word to this warrior, to Zukai Hellborn. His body was all muscle and strength, bringer of death. The gladiator had not lost a single battle in that arena, not even as much as lost a single droplet of blood. Many thought his blood was coloured black, filled with eternal hatred and anger. He raised his shield and motioned the crowd to be silent. Slowly the exciting cries grew softer untill nothing but the wind left a sound. His voice rang through the arena. Row upon row of spectators heard their favourite champion work himself into a mad frenzy.

"I am Zukai Hellborn, bringer of death. When your mortal body falls before my feet, even hell will spit you back in to this world!"

The crowd roared at the top of their lungs as the champion threw his spear at an invisible opponent with incredible speed, covering the full length of the arena. The spear struck down just inches before the gate which was opened slowly. A small, skinny girl was pushed roughly in to the arena. Two men threw her down on to the sand and retreated quickly into the safety of the iron gate. The girl coughed heavily as dust covered her simple, leather clothes. She was half naked, only a wide strip of leather covered most of her chest and upper legs. She wore no further protection and her hands were empty. A great laughter arose from the audience, pointing at the little girl and making cruel jokes of her appearance. The girl trembled heavily as she got to her knees and tried to pull the spear out of the dusty ground, which proved an useless attempt.

Zukai watched the girl intently, not as much as a grin touched his lips. Humour had never been his greatest talent. Instead he took slow, deliberate steps walking the full length of the arena. The steel tips of his boots shooting small bits of rocks up in the air. Already his mind was busy figuring out which way to the kill the s**t. Would he first put up a show and give the girl some hope, just before breaking her tiny legs and cut her up into even smaller pieces? Or would he simply take her by the hair and plant his sword in that nasty looking head and watch her bleed to death? As long as the crowd enjoyed the scene he'd be good to go.

"You have a name, boy?!" Zukai's voice silenced all the laughter.

The girl looked up from her frantic attempt of pulling the spear loose. Two beautiful eyes, the left sapphire red and the right diamond yellow, gazed up at the warrior. He had crossed half the distance by now. She stepped forward and put her hand to her mouth and answered: "My name is Éyathàn, but to you it's LADY Éyathàn."

"So the boy thinks himself brave. I might as well break a bone or two, so you have a stick to defend that repulsive tongue."

With that, Zukai drew his sword and sprinted the remaining distance. The girl didn't move as much as a muscle, but simply remained standing where she was. Zukai accelerated and roared wildly as he raised his sword in preparation for the assault. Then he noticed the girl's eyes and how they differed in colour. Panic spread through his body. His breathing intensified and his heart doubled in pulse. This is impossible, it can't be! They would never have me fight her! In his confusion he swung his sword too early and the girl managed to dodge the steel and move to his now open side. He quickly brought his sword down in a savage lunge but again the girl danced around the sword but this time to his left side. Smashing his shield into her body he hoped to buy himself enough time to strike her down. The shield collided with the girl throwing her down to the ground. However, she rolled back up in one smooth motion simultaneously picking up some dirt. She is fast, even for an elf.

"This is no dancing ball you are attending to. Stop the hopping and start fighting."

"Does it make you feel uncomfortable?" Replied the elf with an innocent voice.

Zukai rushed in on the elf and jumped up as if to cleave her in two pieces from midair. Éyathàn saw the danger coming and rolled again, moving under the feet of the warrior.
As the man turned around and towered above her, ready to hit her again with the massive shield, she threw the sand in his scarred face. Blinded, the warrior swung his sword wildly in the air. The elf stepped back from the danger. She started weaving her hands in a complex pattern of circles and curved angles. Closing her eyes, Éyathàn began singing. A voice which didn't come natural to a girl of her age. The sound was beautiful, the notes swirling through the arena, captivating every spectator. Between her hands a faint, blue light started to glow increasingly stronger. The song grew louder, alien words left the girl's lips as the intriguing motion of her hands continued.

"Make it stop. No, don't!" The warrior dropped his weapon and shield and covered his ears. He closed his eyes as if something was hurting him from the inside.

Suddenly, the song stopped and the elf opened her eyes, both were coloured blue. A sharp, high voice spoke to the man. "Mankind has made you weak." With that Éyathàn thrust her arms forward and the light coursed through the warrior's body. All grew silent. Both the man and girl stood perfectly still. They gazed at one another, holding their breath as if transformed to solid statues. After what seemed years, Zukai opened his mouth and tried to speak, but silence was all he spoke. With that, the champion of a thousand glorious battles collapsed to the ground never to stand up again. Zukai Hellborn had been victorious without spilling a droplet of blood and had been defeated without spilling a droplet of blood.

Éyathàn walked slowly to the fallen warrior and kneeled beside him. She looked one last time in those eyes, once blue but now red and yellow. Gently, her fingers closed the eyelids and brought eternal darkness to Zukai Hellborn.

© 2012 Acropolix

Author's Note

Feel free to leave any comments. As always, thanks for stopping by and reading this story.

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Reviews

The dark story

This is terrific...awesome and so stunning! The starting was really intriguing and sounds so captivating. You have a very good choice of words...they are so powerful in their impact and in expressing emotions. The story is nice...no...it’s fantastic!! I like how you have described the fray and the unthinkable ending! Truly amazing.
This is the first work of yours that I have read, and I should I say I have become your fan! You’re so inspiring!