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Are we dead? Ana asks, rubbing her eyes as if trying to wake from a dream.
I don't know. I never believed in this thing called the afterlife, but maybe this is it? T'grrt replies as he shifts into his human form. His yellow eyes scan the surroundings, searching for signs of life in this void. He sees nobody but himself and his slave.
I'm scared, Ana confesses after some hesitation. She pulls a black strand of soot-coated hair from her eyes and lets out an involuntary whimper. Her hand instinctively reaches into her make-shift pocket and clutches the small dagger within. She finds comfort knowing that it is still there.
There is no need for fear. You are still alive.
Where are you? T'grrt snaps as he spins around, searching for the source of this voice. His orange mane of hair dances wildly behind him.
Who I am and where you are is of no concern to you. Rather, you should be wondering just how you plan to live.
What do you mean? Ana asks, her voice trembling with fear. She moves closer to her master.
You both have been chosen. You should feel honored to have been given this opportunity. It is quite simple, really. Fight, win, and you both shall live. Refuse, lose, and your lives are forfeit.
Each other? he asks, flashing a satisfied smile that exposes his yellow fangs.
No, as a team. Against other pairs.
By the Ankh of G'rrwl the Furious, that is not fair! She is powerless. Look at her tremble with fear! I cannot win with her as a partner! I demand a new one! Give me G'rrth or T'inng or even L'rrnz.
This one is not as helpless as she leads you to believe. We have chosen her. You will have no other partner. You must work together or you will surely fail.
Furious, T'grrt shifts form as he lets out a menacing roar. His fur is bright orange with magenta stripes, the mark of royal blood. His eyes glow in the dark as he paces within the area. Despite his fury, he says nothing more.
You now know what is required of you. Remember, work as a team or you shall surely fail.
Before they know what has happened, the void is gone. Their new location is quite unstable, with violent tremors knocking free some tiles from the ceiling. The walls in this circular chamber are covered with some strange breed of plant, the leaves seeming to reach out menacingly. Across the room are two of the strangest men they have ever seen. They have no time to think, as a large tremor knocks the stone they are standing on free from the floor. They both manage to make it to the next stone safely, but they are aware that there is now an opening into the void behind them. They make toward the center of the room, Ana drawing her knife and T'grrt shifting back to human form, claws in his hands. The fight for their lives has begun.
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