Hello everyone, I'm back! 

It's about four in the morning, and I was going through some old TFOU files and managed to find THIS baby (you'll read it in a few moments)! I figured since this book is still up, and since people are still (surprisingly) interested, I'd post this shot as a little gift and an apology for this book's hiatus. Whether or not I'll continue this book afterwards, however, I don't know. 

You guys have no idea how hyped I am to share this with you. Not only is it my proudest piece of writing, it also discusses the setting that STARTED TFOU. This chapter/one-shot is what inspired TFOU as it's own story, and got this whole thing rolling in the first place. It was based off of a dream I had three years ago (wow, how time flies) and is what brought forth the biggest project of my lifetime so far. This chapter definitely holds a special place in the TFOU series, and I'm glad you finally get to see it. So without further ado, here you go!

Premise: Hadoi is having a flashback to a previous point in time in her life, and she begins to recall the start of the main conflict with the main antagonist of the series. 

Note: With each ellipses (". . .") the perspective switches between recollection and "current" events within the flashback.

The Arena:

     She trembled as she slept. Behind closed lids was a world set in flames - or rather, a very large arena. The size of a football field, walls rose high around her, lined with many many stands and filled with cheering people. The place itself was practically dust, ancient looking even. The walls were made from large bricks and stone pillars, remnants of what would have been ivy in more prosperous times climbed its way up the stands and around the pillars of the large structure. The structure itself resembled a colosseum, and reverberated with chants from the crowd. Or at least that's what she could make out from the crowded hallway. Shackles were chained around her wrists, and chains draped to the floor where they piled around her ankles as she was forced to walk. Her body was slightly battered, and shook with each thundering cry from the audience.

     "Move it. We work on a strict time limit, we haven't got all day." A man shoves her forward, causing her to stumble over the chains at her feet. Stepping out of the shadows from the hall of the strange building and into the light of the fighting field, the sun's rays immediately bring sweat to her skin. Despite the deadly heat, however, she shivers. The place was far more massive than she'd originally thought, especially from the inside.

     How did she even get here?

. . .

     Hadelyn zipped up her bag, finishing packing the supplies she needed on her way to her next destination. It was a three day journey to the next city, and she had to be sure she had all the things she needed before she set off. Tossing the bag over her shoulder and pulling her hood over her head, she steps out of her room. "Thank you for letting me stay the past few nights here, sir," she says, walking into the main room of the house. On a chair sits a man, around his mid thirties, reading a book. His grey eyes scan over the paper, before glancing up at the girl. Curled black hair lies matted on his head, and glasses lay perched on the tip of his nose. He wears a plain T-shirt and slacks, a pair of worn boots cover his feet. He nods his head before standing.

     "Of course. Are you sure you don't need to spend another night here, or any more supplies?" he asks, a breath drawing into his lungs. "Surely there is more I can do for you. I hardly get company here nowadays, and, you're quite pleasant to have as a guest. You remind me of myself, back when I was young and adventurous. I'd like to offer as much help as I can." A warm smile settles on the man's face.

     "As kind as the offer is, I feel I've already been enough of a burden," Hadelyn chuckles. "Though, I would love to visit here again. You're one of very few to offer me hospitality, and for that I thank you." She turns towards the door, then smiles to herself. "And you know, call me crazy, but you seem very familiar. It's almost as if we've met before."

     The man grins. "Well, Crazy, knowing the kind of world we live in, I wouldn't be surprised."

     "I guess you have a point," she sighs, turning the doorknob. "Well, I ought to be off. I'd like to make it to the first checkpoint before nightfall."

     "Good luck. I hope your journey goes well. Though, I do insist you be careful in the next city. Bad things are known to happen there."

     "Thank you, I will." Opening the door and stepping out into the blazing sun, she sets off towards the next city.

. . .

     That was four days ago. Not heeding the man's warning, she wound up here. The moment she stepped out onto the battlefield, the crowd went silent. It was strange to the girl at how easily they could be hushed, without a single word spoken. That was quickly broken though when the man behind her yanked down her hood, revealing her face; it was then that the crowd went wild. Black curled hair stuck out at awkward angles, cropped to her ears, glints of gold hidden in the midst of it. Frightened hazel eyes scan the Arena, and sweat drips down her face the longer she stands under the sun's rays. The most defining feature of her, however, was the strange pigmented birthmark beneath her right eye, ending just below her cheek; it stuck out like a sore thumb among the plain faces of the people watching and the people she'd seen enter the Arena. Not only that, but compared to the other people she saw that were sent to fight, she was small.

     Very small.

     And so far, not a single person had come back.

     "Keep walking," the man behind her spits, snapping her out of her daze with a harsh shove, sending her stumbling once more. The crowd erupts into laughter, watching this. As they walk into the center of the field, Hadelyn can feel dread creep up into the back of her throat. Her hands tremble slightly. Something tells her to run, but being put on the spot has her frozen with fear, her heart going a million miles an hour in her chest. "Hold it. This is where we stop." The man behind her kneels down and grabs the chains next to her feet, and walks ahead of her to a small metal device planted into the ground. It's there that he opens up what appears to be a lock of some sorts, and clasps it around the chain, locking Hadelyn into place. He turns to walk back inside the building of the Arena.

     "Wait! Please, let me go! What's going to happen?" Hadelyn pleads, yanking at her shackles, though she already knows. The man pivots towards her, dull brown eyes bearing into her. For the first time, she sees he's just as scared as she is. His eyes scream with warning.

     "You're about to fight for your life." Without another word, he continues to walk until he disappears back into the shadows, a metal gate clanging behind him.

     Looking around once more, Hadelyn spots a giant indoor viewing port built abovet the stadium. Just the day before, she was there, watching everything. The man was right when he said to be wary of the place.

. . .

     Wiping sweat from her brow as she walked, Hadelyn picked up the pace as the outline of a city came into view. Battalia.

     Heaving from the run to the city, Hadelyn slumped to the floor in the shade of a building. The long journey had her out of breath, and now that she thought about it, hungry. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a small loaf of bread and a block of cheese, along with a canteen of water. The last of her supplies until she restocks. After eating, she stands, finally deciding to tour the city. Cheers of a seemingly large audience ring out in the distance, grabbing her attention, and as a woman passes by, Hadelyn stops her.

     "Excuse me Miss, I just arrived in town and I'm curious as to what the noise is about. Do you know?" she asks.

     "Oh my, of course. It's always pretty rowdy around there, it's a fighting Arena. The main source of entertainment in town. If I were you, I wouldn't try to get on anyone's bad side there. They're unpredictable. It's all I can do to keep my husband away from there, I can't stand the thought of the place myself," the woman replies. "Do take heed if you happen to pass by." She finishes with a warning, before continuing on her way. Hadelyn nodded. She was warned, yes, but now curiosity peaked her interest. Turning towards where she could hear the noise, she began to walk.

     There was no issue finding it. The Arena stood tall within the center of the city, reaching up several stories high and blocking out the sun. It appeared ancient. Carvings and runes were above every doorway, and Hadelyn watched as people continued to eagerly pour in. Following after the crowd, she steps inside the building. The hallways twisted and turned, and in the confusing mess she wandered, lost within the structure. She hadn't even noticed the building slowly empty itself. Now she wandered by herself.

     "Excuse me, young miss. Is there a reason for you wandering the halls? If you are here to see the fight, you are far from the right area to be," a deep voice says from behind her. Turning around, Hadelyn is met with a man almost twice her size.

     "Oh, I'm sorry, sir. I just arrived in town and am new to the place, I'm afraid I don't know my way around, but I thought I'd try to check out the place."

     "It doesn't seem that way to me. What are you doing here snooping, girl?" he snaps, startling her. On instinct she backs up.

     "I swear I'm not snooping, just lost. I really don't know my way around the building, and am trying to find a way to the stands," she responds. The man glares at her, his fist clenching together in a threatening manner.

     "I find that very hard to believe. For someone who just 'got lost,' you just so happened to wander to Maz's quarters. The only people who do that, are people looking for trouble-"

     "Bryard, back off the girl. She says she just got lost, and it's quite obvious she isn't lying. If anything, you're the one poking around where you shouldn't be, always trying to start fights. If you really want to fight, there's always The Arena." A woman interrupts, stepping forward. Thick red hair styled into a braid and pinned up into a bun falls about her face, and a long green dress ends at her feet. Flecks of gold glimmer against the fabric surface, accompanied by golden bands that lace up the woman's arms and neck. Dark eyes stare down at Hadelyn from the aged face of the woman. She seemed to be in her late forties or early fifties.

     "Miss Maz- I'm surprised to see you out here during the middle of a fight," the man quivers, seeming to shake under her gaze.

     "Don't try to change the subject, Bryard. How could you be so impolite towards our guest? Especially such a young girl like herself, you should be ashamed." With a snap of her fingers, the man Hadelyn now knew as Bryard moved out of the way, bowing his head in apology. Maz turns to Hadelyn, a small smile on her face. "Such a lovely little lady, I'm so sorry on the behalf of my employee. He's known to cause trouble,"

     "No, no, it's fine ma'am, honest. I gotta admit, the older I've gotten, I don't really come off as innocent anymore. Doesn't do me good when I try to rob banks," Hadelyn chuckles, smiling at her own poor attempt at a joke.

     Maz lets out a small laugh. "You've got a slight sense of humor, I like that. Anyway, you were here to see the fights? Come with me, I've got a special seat for you to make up for Mr. Bryard's poor behavior." Waving Hadelyn along, Maz walks past her to another corridor, where she opens up a door to reveal a large viewing deck, giving way to the Arena's field. The space itself is quite large, and has many people around it watching the show. They each seem to be higher-ups in society, their clothing as flashy as Maz's. What appear to be servants rush around, bringing food to each person and attending to their every need. Several seats are placed in front of a large window, and as Maz takes a seat in one, her hand pats to another next to her, offering Hadelyn a seat. Servants rush towards the two, but Maz is quick to wave them away. "Tell me, girl, I never got your name. What is it?"

     "Hadelyn, miss."

     A grin forms on Maz's face. Not nearly as kind as before. "Well then, Hadelyn, I do hope you enjoy the show." As her eyes move from her new guest to the fighting field, something flashes in them, and Hadelyn takes notice. She saw joy, and pride, but something else was there too. Looking at Maz's eyes, very clearly Hadelyn saw something far darker. Gone within a second, however, she loses her grasp on it.

     The field is set in dust, clouds of dirt fill the air and screams and shouts reverberate through the Arena from one of the opponents below. With each burst from the field, more clouds are kicked up, taking up almost the entire field. Straining her eyes to see through the earthy fog, all Hadelyn can make out are bright green flashes of light here and there, and the silhouettes of two people dueling. They both appear different, however. Not human.

     Monsters?

     "Miss Maz?"

     "Please, no need to be so formal, just call me Maz,"

     "Okay then, uh, Maz . . . what kind of fights do you hold here, and who fights in them?" Hadelyn questions. A knotted feeling had begun to twist its way into her stomach as she asked this. From the screaming down below, and the appearance of the opponents, something told her she didn't want to find out.

     "You know of the recent upcoming of monsters and magic in society, correct?"

     "Oh, uh, of course."

     "Well, you see, here in Battalia, we don't necessarily accept their sudden appearance in society so easily. So we put them here. If they want to live in this society, they have to fight each other for it. Earn the right to be among us, people greater than them. Simple as that," Maz scoffs, her voice laced with the distaste at even saying word monster.

     "What? But that's unjust, cruel. How could you do that with a clean conscious?" Hadelyn turns to Maz, her eyes glistening with an unknown emotion, her gaze seemingly empty.

     "They aren't human," Maz hisses, drawing out the word 'human.' Though her words are bitter, she keeps her composure and her stone expression does not waver. Glaring at Hadelyn from the corner of her eye, she continues, "and as long as things remain that way, we stay on top. We spent millions of years fighting for our right to be here on this planet, now they have to as well."

     Hadelyn couldn't believe what she was hearing. It was wrong, inhuman. "I don't quite agree with this, ma'am, or at least, I don't think I understand the premise of your views."

     "Really now? Why so?"

     "You should be offering them hospitality, treating them as equals, shouldn't you? They've done nothing wrong to us to deserve this." Her hands twitch, "This is unjust. It makes you just as much of a monster as you make them out to be. We may have worked to get where we are today, but we shouldn't wish the same pain onto them," she grunts, standing up from her chair.

     "What are you doing?"

     "I've realized I would have preferred not to come here. I'd like to leave. Such a place is uncomfortable to be in, and people such as yourself are uncomfortable to be around. I'm sorry. Thank you for your hospitality, though, it's greatly appreciated." But with a snap of her fingers, Maz has the guards move to block the doorway out. Both of them pull weapons on her.

     "I offer you hospitality, let you into my domain, and yet you still have the audacity to question myself and my methods? No, no, no, that simply will not do."

     "What do you you mean?"

     "If what you say about me being just as much a monster as I make the monsters out to be is true, I might as well act upon those accusations," her eyes remain focused on the field, an agonized scream ringing out before being cut off, the crowd silenced once more before erupting into a series of satisfied cheers. "It seems the battle has just ended. However, I have the feeling the crowd will like our newest fighter. After all, she is our first human." A sadistic grin spreads on her face.

     "Pardon?"

. . .

     "Ladies and Gentlemen! Boys and girls! We welcome you to the Arena on this most glorious day!" Maz greets from her window, the crowd's endless cheers somehow growing louder. Hadelyn gulps, the sun beating down on her growing more and more intense. "As you may have witnessed yesterday, our last fighter perished at the hands of our best! And as you may have noticed, we've finally brought to the Arena a new kind of opponent! The disgusting soul you see below dared to question our judgement of monsters! And in doing so, she has lowered herself to their ranks." Boos ring out from the audience, and several things are thrown out onto the field in an act of disdain. Hadelyn trembles before the gaze of so many people. Somehow, she felt the hate that oozed from each and every person's gaze as it pierced into her very being. "Lowering herself to the ranks of such miserable creatures, this thing must now fight, as all monsters do here to earn the right to live amongst us. And so, without further ado," Maz raises her hands, and the applause and cheers grow louder, the Arena vibrating with chaos.

"Let the battle begin!" 

-------------------

Thanks for reading!