In Game: Survive or Be Killed

11: LUCAS’S PAINFUL PAST

They’re walking and fighting the monsters that suddenly showed in front of them. Lucas was seriously walking when Sanya notice it, she was thinking that her brother might be furious after she suggested about the underground battle. 

A long time ago when Lucas was only ten years old boy while Sanya was six years old at that time. The underground battle is a very dangerous game for them but poor people take a risk as it is their opportunity to get money. The Underground Battle is not just a fight where you use strength to beat your opponent solo, sometimes it is also a group battle where you needed the group's unity to win the battle. 

In the Xenthral Kingdom, there are five Underground Battles where every night poor people or commoners will go there to fight or to be an audience for the fight. Most of the audience there are mid-commoners and some nobles who only watch the battle for their happiness. They love seeing people suffering and being tortured by their fellow people. 

On March 25, 6013, Lucas's parents joined the underground battle as they don't have enough money anymore to give their children food and drink to eat. Their permanent work was gone after some guards took it as some greedy and jealous sellers in the market reported them with false information. 

Lucas was once told by his parents to not risk their lives battling against people as there is no guarantee that they will go out alive. But, his parents don't want to as they want to give their children a better life. Their rank as commoners will even get higher as they will receive bags of gold from the battle, especially since they heard the new investors were all high-rank nobles. They took the bait and fought in the underground battle. 

Lucas and his sister Sanya went inside the battle court to watch their parents play the game. It still wasn't half of the game when someone tortured and stabbed their bodies many times, Lucas covered his sister's eyes and run away with her as fast as they can.

Their parents told them that if they saw them dead at the game, they needed to run quickly as fast as possible and hide anywhere because that is the sign they lose the game. If not, the knights will come to their house and make them slaves. There is a rule if you will participate in the game if you win you will receive rewards and if you lose, you will have a debt the same amount as the rewards they will receive. 

Since that day when his parents died, Lucas always brings pain wherever he goes and always cursed all high-ranking nobles and the person who made their living as a game. But, one person changed his mind about it when Ashtria’s father give attention to the siblings after seeing them stealing food at the market in Triadrial palace. Lucas was twelve years old at that time when he saw him. 

At first, Lucas didn't trust Asherion but then after days of giving them time and happiness they deserve the pain and suffering they felt vanish instantly and can live again the happy life they wanted. That's what they thought, after knowing Asherion's death their hope crumbled and vanish instantly. Lucas decided to make a living and find a job without joining any games but there weren't any small businesses that wanted to take him so he decided to go back like a thief. 

Ashtria was fighting at the big monster that suddenly showed up in front of them and quickly killed it. Her hands were filled with monsters' blood and so were her clothes. She takes a look at Lucas when she notices he was silent after they get out of the mini cave. And not just that, his expression has changed as well. 

Ashtria just shrugged her shoulders and didn't bother to ask him as she know what will Lucas respond. He doesn't want someone will meddle to in what happened to him. After hours of walking, they finally found a road that leads them to a small town. They continued to walk and Ashtria wears her cloak that only covered her clothes and still wore the damaged mask that helps her to cover her face. 

When they finally arrived at the town, they were lucky to find a hotel where they only need to pay for three silvers and the two silvers left in Lucas's pocket were for food for them to eat. Lucas didn't want Ashtria to use her money this time for future purposes. 

Sanya first takes a bath that leaves Lucas and Ashtria alone in the room. Lucas lay down on the third bed while resting his head in his arms while staring at the ceiling. Ashtria slowly takes off her cloak and her mask and then puts them on the bed. She take a glimpse of Lucas who was giving a serious expression. 

Lucas noticed Ashtria was glimpsing at him so he moves his eyes on her but still Ashtria keeps on looking at him. "What?" he asks confusedly. 

"Do you know more about the Underground Battle?" Ashtria asks while keeps on staring at Lucas's face. He moves his gaze away and didn't respond for a moment. "Why do I feel like it is a big deal to you about the Underground Battle? I just notice it earlier but don't worry I won't ask about your past. I just want more information about that game. It is the first time I heard about it," she added. 

Lucas takes a deep breath first and lets out a sigh. He gets up and looks back at Ashtria. "It's a game about life and death as well, of course. But, your opponents there will be a lot more dangerous since they all love k*lling people. I don't know if you can do it," Lucas said while keep on staring at Ashtria's eyes. 

"What do you mean? My life has been like a game, if I die there I am weak. Perhaps, it is also my opportunity to get stronger. The stronger my opponent is, the more I improve," Ashtria said. Lucas was about to speak again when Sanya suddenly get out of the bathroom with her new clothes which made the two look at her and leaves Sanya confused. 

"I'll go first," Lucas said and stand up approaching his sister. He took the towel from Sanya's hand and headed inside the bathroom. Sanya looks at Ashtria and asked for an answer but Ashtria just shrugged her shoulders as a response. 

"Wanna go out later, miss? Let's just take a look at the town and ask a few questions regarding the Underground Battle," Sanya said while organizing the things in the backpack. 

"Sure," Ashtria shortly replied and stared at Lucas's sword that took her attention when Lucas use it. "That sword, where did he buy it?" Ashtria ask which made Sanya looks at her brother's sword. Sanya was hesitant to answer her question because she was afraid Ashtria would become enraged. Sanya just bit her lip, unsure how to respond to Ashtria's question.