Sacrificial Lamb (To be deleted)

The Mission

Early this morning, we were gathered one by one from our designated room. As I walked with the armored soldiers around me, I saw Raya from a distance. She gave me a reassuring look, as if to say, "It's okay."

I was then placed alone in a box-like carriage heading somewhere they call the Arena. After about fifteen minutes, the carriage finally stopped. One of the guards opened the door and offered me a hand to help me out. Then they escorted me towards a towering gate. If I wasn't mistaken, the edges were made of steel and the gate itself was made of sturdy wood.

The door of the gate dramatically opened. As I approached, light spilled through the widening gap, blinding me momentarily. As my eyes adjusted, I saw a grand stage directly ahead. It was elevated and majestic, adorned with banners that fluttered gently in the breeze. Huge torches flanked the stage.

I was transfixed, overwhelmed by what I see. As I stepped into the arena, the roar of the crowd hit me like a wave. People filled the benches, a sea of faces and voices, each one a mix of excitement and anticipation. In the center, few people stood, their eyes fixed on the stage ahead. They looked determined, some anxious, others confident.

"Your arm, please," the soldier beside me said. He then wrapped a thin red ribbon around my arm.

"What's this for?" I asked.

"Identification," he answered while still tying the ribbon, "You're all set... you may now join the others at the center." He pointed to the people gathered in the middle of the Arena. I noticed that they also had ribbons on their arms—some red, some blue.

I made my way going to the front. As I walked, I heard some of them crying, some trying to act brave while others looked unbothered. Reaching the front, I saw a beautiful woman at the center stage with long white hair, wearing a white gown with long sleeves almost hiding her hands. Her face was pale. She stood in the middle of the stage, beside her was four soldiers in armor.

I was in mid-amusement when a loud beat of drums played. The beats gave me chills; it was like a drumbeat for a terrifying event. After a minute, it stopped and was followed by a beautiful sound coming from a flute. It was heartwarming, creating a feeling of determination. It was like a sound that signified a salute for heroes. Everyone from the stage and those seated on the bench looked above with their eyes closed. After the music, the footsteps of the woman on the stage were heard.

"Welcome, brave souls from distant realms!" she said with her arms spread wide, "You may be confused as of the moment. I know, this world seems surreal to you. I am the courtier of this kingdom. I am fully aware that you stand here today, not by your own will, but as a sacrifice offered by those you once called family."

"Liar! What's this place? Bring us back home!" someone shouted. It was followed by more questions from others around me. The courtier was calm despite the curse and nagging. Suddenly, we were surrounded by soldiers. They quickly drew their swords and pointed them towards us. Everyone stopped.

The courtier then continue with her announcement, "This is the kingdom of Porphyra," she continued, "Our world, Chromalakos, is hidden... All of you were given a fruit by your family before you found yourselves in this place... isn't it?" She was right. That was the last time I saw my parents. The last time I was with them. "I'll take your silence as a yes—"

"What about me? My parents did not give it to me, so why am I here?" someone with blue ribbon on her arm asks.

"You know the answer to that. If the fruit wasn't given to you, tell me how did you end up eating it? It's the only way to get here... Hmm?" the girl was plastered by the question. The courtier then smiled at her and continue speaking, "As I said, the fruit was given to some of you by your family because you are their chosen sacrifice in exchange for something they desired which we wholeheartedly gave them. Technically, we bought your souls. For those who claim not to receive it from their family, it only means that they don't see you as a burden that needs to be taken away. The reason why you're here is because you chose to eat the fruit yourselves. Therefore, you put this fate upon yourselves."

I don't know how to react. I couldn't say she was lying because I heard it from that man who gave that fruit to my mother. He clearly said to give the fruit to a sacrifice.

"You're all gathered here for a mission. You have to fight alongside us in a war. We've been gathering humans from your world for the past fifteen years. This is the last batch for the upcoming war."

"I won't risk my life for a kingdom unknown to me!" someone asks.

"I agree with that. That's why, before you undertake a mission that demands strength and courage, I'd like to give you a brief history of this kingdom you're going to fight for. The peace of our land has been shattered by a monstrous terror for the past 500 years, a beast of unfathomable cruelty that has laid waste to our villages and slaughtered our kin. This creature threatens the very fabric of our existence, and we sought help from your world." She spoke with her face etched in sorrow.

Out of irritation, words burst from my mouth, "What if we refuse?"

"Pardon?"

"What will happen if we refuse to participate in this war?"

"Your family will suffer..." some gasped and others panicked at her statement. I tried to act cool but deep inside, my heart was pounding loudly while trying to maintain eye contact with her. "...we already gave them what they wanted in return. Our exchange will be unfair if we weren't able to use the sacrifice they gave us as intended. Besides, you have nowhere to go. So whether you like it or not, you have to fight with us."

I was taken aback. She was right. But I couldn't accept this fate. "Why do you need to gather people from another world? Are your people and warriors so useless they can't even defend your kingdom?" I asked absentmindedly.

I expected her to get furious, but she smiled sweetly at me, "We already did... unfortunately, they were all captured by the monster in our third battle and we had no other choice but to find people who can fight alongside us. We thought... asking a family to give us one of their children whom they find worthless would be a big help, not only to us but also for the child to find purpose in life, to be a brave warrior who can save a kingdom in need. All of you were traded by your family—"

"That's not true! My family's clueless about this—"

"They know... they're aware of what might happen," her answer was like a trigger that made tears flow down my cheeks. I bow my head to hide my tears. Did they really trade me despite knowing the truth that I'd be facing this as a consequence? What hurt even more was that I knew they could. That I was just trying to protect my feelings and fool myself that they wouldn't. "May I know your name?" the courtier suddenly asked me.

I wiped my tears and looked up at the stage where she was standing, "A-Anastasia," I answered hesitantly.

She smiled, "You have a very... beautiful face. It reminds me of someone I've been waiting to see." I felt terror at her words. Her face and words seemed to contradict her aura. She smiled again as she faced the other people in the middle of the arena. "Please, stand with us, wield your weapons, and confront the beast that has brought ruin upon us."

The crowd started to clap and drums began to play again while I, together with the other sacrifices, stood dumbfounded. How could we celebrate a sure loss? We had no knowledge of fighting. We weren't strong enough to fight. We were just human.

After the announcement, we were instructed to line up and face right. The courtier on stage sat on an extravagant purple chair in the middle, watching us closely.

Then, weapons were presented in front of us. Various kinds of weapons, some even unknown to me. We were asked to choose only one weapon to practice with in preparation for the battle.

Most chose a sword, which was understandable because that's what we were familiar with in our world.

"Your turn," one of the administrators said. I slowly walked toward the weapons laid out in front of us. I'd been eyeing the bow and arrows, but my heart told me to pick the weapon placed on the side: a huge iron fan.

Standing in my spot, I felt eyes looking at me intently. I looked around to see who was watching me and saw the emotionless face of the courtier on stage staring at me, or so I thought. Aghast, I turned back to face the weapons and tried to focus on choosing one appropriate for me.

I struggled to pick. I had never used or held any of these. I walked closer and closer, and without even realizing it, I picked the iron fan weapon my heart desired.

Can I really use this as a weapon? Choosing this felt like accepting my death. Well, as if I could survive. Whatever weapon I chose, I'd end up dying anyway.

Next, we were accompanied by the kingdom usherette to a dressing room to pick armor. It was comfortable to wear but just a little heavy. I looked at the mirror and felt weird wearing it. The fitted armor accentuated my form while offering unrivaled protection. The pauldrons sat comfortably on my shoulders. I never imagined that this realm was real. I carefully adjusted all the straps before finally leaving the room.

After wearing our combat outfits, we were asked to gather again at the center of the arena. We were guided by soldiers administering the event.

"All of you with blue ribbons, stand to the left. Those with red ribbons should stand to the right," everyone obediently followed. We stood uniformly in ten straight lines. Then some usherettes holding red cloths gave them to us one by one. "That cloth you're holding is a cape. It separates those who were originally sacrificed by their family from those who chose to be a sacrifice themselves. Please wear it now."

Everyone immediately unfolded the cloth and put it on.

"Those with red capes will be called Arnaki. You will be lead by Raya," the courtier said while pointing to someone from behind then suddenly, Raya was up in the stage. My eyes widened out of surprise, "For those with blue cape are Keves, you will be lead by Shamira," then another woman walked on the stage. People from bench started cheering. And then, a horn blasted, cutting through the noise and silencing the crowd. The courtier rose from her chair, her eyes scanning the assembly with a mixture of hope and determination.

"Prepare yourselves," she declared, her voice resonating through the arena. "The battle is closer than you think. Today, your training begins."

As the crowd erupted into cheers and the drums thundered once more, I couldn't shake the feeling that my life would never be the same. With the iron fan clutched tightly in my hand, I knew that whatever awaited us, we would face it head-on, bound by fate and the desperate hope of a kingdom seeking help.