I woke up the next morning with a feeling of apprehension. I didn’t want to explain my strange behavior from last night. So, I slowly got ready and creeped out of the room. However, the door had other plans. With a betraying creak, Algea looked up.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning.”

“What are you working on?”

“A plan on how to approach Aurelio.” She pointed to a stack of papers with small writing.

“That must have taken all night to complete. Do you even sleep?” I said laughing.

“No, I do not.” She replied seriously. I was stunned.

“Is it because you're dead?”

“No. It helps with the effects, but I don’t sleep because the nightmares are too awful.”

I couldn’t help the awkward silence that followed. How do you even reply to that? Eventually I stammered out a lame reply.

“I didn’t know.”

“How could you. I didn’t tell you, and you were sleeping.” She was way too nonchalant about this in my opinion. “Anyway… I think the only way we can confront Aurelio is to just go.”

“Well that is a horrible plan. I like it.”

“I do need you to promise me that if I say run, run and don’t look back. Understand?”

“Wha-”

“Promise?” Her scowl said that the only way for us to proceed is for me to say yes.

“Fine. I promise”

“Okay, let’s go.”

**

We arrived at a steel door in a dank alley somewhere in Italy. Algea knocked, and a small panel slid open revealing two sets of eyes.

“Pasword?” The owner of the voice couldn’t be older than five. It would have been adorable if we weren't in a dark alley trying to find a man who scared my overpowered friend.

“Algea.” She replied. Her arms crossed in a I dare you to say no kind of way.

“That’s not…” That’s when another voice piped in. It had a slight italian accent and was oily.

“Let her in.”

“But that’s not the password.”

“I said let her in.” The oily voice snapped.

“But.”

“You wouldn’t want to end up on feeding duty again, would you?”

“No.”

“So, open the damn door.”

The door clicked and opened. In the doorway a young boy stood. Like I thought he didn’t look more than five. Behind him an older boy around seventeen stood. He was wearing an expensive suit, and atop his greased back hair was a crown. Around his neck was a beautiful gold cross with emeralds and rubies adoring the points. Basically he looked like Count Dracula and Snape had a child.

Once we entered he hugged Algea and kissed either cheek. “What a pleasant surprise. What brings you here? Who is your friend?”

“His name is Anakh.” I quickly tried to hide my surprise. Where did that name come from? I’ll just have to ask Algea about that later.

“Aurelio Maranzano, it’s a pleasure to meet you Anakh. Who's your parent?”

This caught me off guard, and I blurted out the only one of the gods and goddesses I had liked.

“It’s Set.” Algea looked at me with a raised eyebrow. I tried to sneak her an apologetic grin.

Aurelio clapped his hands. “Ah, well, you might enjoy what we have to offer then.”

Putting his hands on both our shoulders he quickly led us through a maze of corridors into a room with a desk and grand swivel chair. It looked like I stepped into a movie mob boss’ office. He walked over to a glass cupboard full of different alcohols.

“Whiskey?”

“No thank you.” Algea replied.

“Ah... yes, neat please.” I said. I really could use something to ease my nerves. Aurelio grinned and started to pour.

“A boy after my own heart.” He said as he handed me the glass which I immediately started to sip on.

“Aurelio. You know why we are here. Don’t you?”

“Sadly not the reason I hoped you’d be here for. You are here for your lost teammates. What makes you think I have them?” He said slyly. “I mean, if I did have them what makes you think I will give them up. Enyo is paying handsomely for anyone to house your former teammates. You would have to give me something better. That is, if I have them in the first place.” He was clearly enjoying himself.

I was about to finish the glass when I felt the effects of the alcohol kick in, but there was something off. My fingers were going numb and I could feel the tingling sensation spreading across my body. This isn’t right. I thought I barely had a shot, it usually takes more than that to get me this drunk. I went to stand up but my legs wouldn’t work. I toppled forward out of the chair, and luckily Algea was quick enough to catch me before I ate oranait rug.

“You poisoned him!? How? I didn’t smell anything.” I could hear Algea, but the numbness kept me from moving a muscle so I was left hanging limply in her arms.

“You see I have been working on this.” I could hear him shake what I thought was a small container of liquid. “It is a near odorless and colorless paralytic. It’s new, so you wouldn’t be able to smell or taste it coming. Luckily I have built a tolerance to the stuff so it doesn’t have an effect on me. It’ll wear off in two hours. That should be enough time for us to talk on how you are going to get him back.” He clapped his hands and the door opened and light footsteps entered.

“What is this? What do you think you are doing?” Algea practically snarled as she pulled me forward.

“Incentive. I only want one thing. I want you to fight for me in my arena. So I am going to make you a deal.” He smiled “You win fifty in a row, and I’ll give you Anakh back. Win one hundred and fifty more, and I’ll give you your teammate back. But! If you lose one, your counter is back to zero. Capeesh?”

“Understood, but if I find him hurt, you will be sorry.”

“Don’t worry,” Aurelio assured, “ I’ll make sure he is well taken care of.” Then addressed the person behind me. “Put him with the other. Cell M13.” That’s when I felt slider arms haul me up, but Algea held on a little longer to whisper in my ear.

“I’ll get you out. Just stay strong.”

“How touching, another servant will show you to your room to get ready. Oh, and don’t forget anything. Sword and mask.”

I was quickly wrenched out of Algea’s hands and into the corridor. As soon as we turned the corner a blindfold was roughly tied over my eyes and my head was slammed into the wall.