The fight between the elf and the horse-demon ended in seconds. The beast stood no chance; it lost its life in less than a minute.
The elf wiped blood from his face and turned to look at Neptune.
Neptune stood, Crownbreaker raised, and glared with a cold expression. He had grabbed his sword while the demon was occupied with the elf.
The elf stepped forward and pointed his foil at him.
"Tell me, warrior—what's your name?" the elf said, voice slick with arrogance.
Neptune ground his teeth. His head still throbbed from earlier, but he could stand it.
"It's Neptune."
The elf arched an eyebrow. "Neptune. An unusual name. I am Elion Vaesir."
Neptune opened his mouth to answer, but Elion cut him off.
"You're probably a decent sort, Neptune. But our little conversation ends here. I must behead you. So do us both a favor and don't resist too much." Elion smiled, a creepy, satisfied grin.
"Human rat," he hissed.
Just as the elf had finished his sentence, Neptune lunged at the elf-sword raised high.
He had to kill him. He had to win.
But it wouldn't be easy. No it was impossible.
Elion likely had more charms, superior weapons and armor, and a full Soul Vessel above him.
Elion moved faster than Neptune expected and closed the gap in a few swift steps. Their blades were about to clash when Neptune felt something wrap around his neck.
"Huh?!"
He was yanked back, breath knocked out of him. He flew several meters, dropped Crownbreaker as he hit the rough sand, and was dragged away from Elion.
"What's happening?!"
A thick metal chain encircled his throat. It dragged him across the sand toward the arena exit.
"So the battle ends when the last two survive?"
Neptune thought, relieved in spite of the agony. It was a blessing in disguise, he'd escaped facing the elf one-on-one.
He wasn't sure he would have lasted longer than the horse.
Still, being dragged hurt like hell. Neptune gripped the chain tightly and tried to breathe. He had to hold on a little longer.
Every second the pain increased. When the chain finally let him drop, he collapsed onto the cold metal floor of his cell, slightly relieved it was over.
The Abomination slammed the door shut. Physical pain was bearable compared to the mental weight.
The suffering, the sights he'd seen, everything built up in his head like a dam holding back a flood. It was about to break.
Neptune pushed himself up and slammed his fist against the metal door.
Again. And again. And again.
Until his knuckles bled.
He breathed heavily; his face was pale. His leather clothes were caked in dirt and dried blood. He slowly turned.
A hard slap landed across his already-broken cheek. He gasped.
"Neptune!"
Astariel had grabbed him by the hair and hauled him close, his face inches from hers.
Her expression was calm in the darkness, as always. Her lips were streaked with blood and her crimson eyes glowed. Her pale skin seemed even paler, and dark circles rimmed her eyes.
"Keep your head cool. Don't let insanity consume you," she whispered, breath cold and steady.
Neptune had faced many horrors before, stab wounds, devourment, near-drowning, the brink of execution. Still, none of it compared to what he was experiencing now.
His mind was drained. His body was exhausted. He could not afford to collapse into madness. Astariel was right: hunger and the Corrupted Creatures were not his greatest enemies at the moment.
It was his own mind.
Astariel released his hair.
Neptune shuffled to the leftover water, grabbed the plastic bottle, opened it, and tipped the cool liquid over his head.
Clarity came in small, icy shards.
"86,392 seconds… Astariel, it's your turn in eight seconds," Neptune rasped, then dropped to the floor and leaned against the cold bars.
Neptune had counted how many seconds each person had between fights. He concluded that everyone had a day to recover from the last fight.
She nodded. Eight seconds later the metal door slammed open and the Abomination loomed, dragging Astariel toward the arena.
Neptune watched her go.
"You'll die soon anyway, bastard," he muttered under his breath.
He closed his eyes and focused on his Soul Vessel. The darkness faded, revealing the familiar turquoise pulse. It was slowly recovering from corruption; the cracks were smaller.
Name: Neptune
Soul Vessel: Awakening
Soul Fragments: (123 / 500)
He had gained no new Soul Fragments in this round—the elf had killed the other two demons.
Neptune sighed and opened his eyes.
He needed luck.
Because they had a plan.