Chapter 39: Kata sequence
Only a few hours after his exhausted return from the mine, Mordred was sitting in his cell, leaning against the cold, damp wall, his wounds painfully reminding him of every second spent striking the unforgiving rock. His mind, haunted by the cries of pain from the other slaves, was vainly trying to find a moment’s peace, when suddenly the metallic sounds of heavy boots echoed down the narrow corridor.
The cell door opened violently with a sinister creak, revealing a massive dragon guard, his reptilian gaze icy with familiar contempt.
- Get up, you vermin!" he growled, throwing his now customary leather gladiator outfit and protective gear down at Mordred’s feet. Get ready quickly. You’re fighting again today.
Mordred slowly raised his head, gazing into the dragon’s cruel eyes with a dull but controlled anger. Without answering, he stood up slowly, reaching for the leather protectors, his hand lightly gripping the black katana he’d received last time.
- Try to put on a better show today, vermin," sneered the guard contemptuously. And if you try the slightest rebellion... tell yourself that the whip will be a sweet relief compared to what I’ll put you through.
Without waiting for his reply, the guard abruptly closed the door, leaving Isaac alone to prepare himself in silence. Slowly, he put on his leather protections, his mind focused and determined despite the accumulated fatigue. With every movement, he clearly felt his muscles protest violently, but also a strange satisfaction at his newly acquired power.
Finally ready, Isaac was rudely escorted into the arena, through the damp corridors to the gladiators’ entrance. There, he was left alone in the relative darkness, silently waiting for the show to begin.
Around him, tension was rising rapidly as dragon spectators slowly began to fill the upper tiers of the arena. The dragons arrived from the sky, their immense wings spread majestically, before descending in a graceful, powerful movement towards the stands. Isaac watched silently as they transformed into fascinating yet intimidating humanoid forms, each more beautiful, majestic and arrogant than the last.
Finally, the trumpets sounded solemnly, announcing the arrival of royalty. The silence immediately became total, almost religious, as an immense black dragon, accompanied by three other impressive dragons - white, blue and green - majestically flew over the arena. Their immense shadows slowly enveloped the entire space, imposing an almost overwhelming aura of power and undisputed supremacy.
Isaac, fascinated despite himself, watched their regal descent. Their massive, terrifying form dissipated in a fraction of a second, giving way to four perfect, graceful and magnificent humanoid forms, who took their places solemnly on their seats of honor, clearly dominating the crowd below.
Seconds later, powerful trumpets sounded once again, officially announcing the start of the games. Immediately afterwards, the announcer, dressed in his extravagantly colorful outfit, advanced towards the central stage, amplifying his voice magically: