The following is a work in progress. Certain descriptions might be changed when the book is fully published.
Note: The Firm are a lizard-humanoid species.
On this day, the room bustled with thunderous shouts and swears in Firm language.
In the audience were nothing but humanoid lizards, shoving and shouting amongst each other. Some nearly made it up to the ring, but were stopped by fellow onlookers. Lizards that were red, blue, black. All with varying degrees of fat and muscle. None were truly out of shape, but some were fatter, some were like Gunner, who just had a tad bit of fat on the gut and similar broad shoulders and biceps.
Covered in sweat, which made his lime-green scales shine in the fiery lights above, the young Firm was out of breath as he held his fists to his face. His scales bled and his legs throbbed with pain.
Azoth, the pink Firm mocked the larger lizard. “Just agree! Humans are pathetic and deserve their fate on this ship! No reason to start a fight! You useless bastard!” His high-pitched voice graded on Gunner’s ears, especially when he let out a loud cackle of laughter.
“Some might be pathetic. But not as pathetic as you!” Gunner shouted in his distinct gravelly voice, as he smiled over the rambunctious reptiles before him.
The crowd laughed at the Firms’ insults. Some even threw water into the ring, which technically wasn’t allowed. No one was truly the boss or safe keeper of these fights. Madness ensued on these days.
With small muscles popped, Azoth yelled and raced for his opponent on the other side of the ring.
The sound of cheers became deafening.
With a single punch, the larger alien popped Azoth in the eye, causing him to crash to the floor.
He wiped his nose of snot and blood and looked down at his work. He rolled his shoulders and cracked his knuckles. His orange sweatpants were slightly ripped and stained with black blood. The audience stood by as he slowly made his way from the ring and headed towards the large, electronic door. He was met with cheers and pats on the back from fellow aliens. He also was handed a mug of blue ale. who were of various colors and heights. They did not congratulate him so much for his ideology, but for the simple fact he proved himself worthy on this day. He won an argument, the Firm way. With a deep bang, the large door shut automatically, and the arena was closed off. Finally, he was met with peace and quiet. Just the hum of the ship and the sound of his own bare footsteps. His nails clicked on the hard ground.
The green-skinned lizard went to his quarters, which was on this very floor in the middle portion of the Black Saber.
With a tired sigh and smiled a bit as he felt warm water from the shower. His wounds stung. He simply cleaned them with a soapy cloth.
A match in a wrestling ring. That’s how we deal with our issues. We Firm are far superior in our technology, but certain old traditions never seem to die off. I won’t lie. I kinda enjoy it. The rush. The shouts. The taste of blood. Though by the end, I am ready to just hop into the shower and not worry about anything. I hope I proved Azoth wrong today. I hope he took what I said to heart about humans. I doubt our fight made many think. I have a feeling it’ll be a highlight of the week. Maybe some will be glad his annoying voice will be shut off for a bit. As for me? Well, it’ll be the last time I ever fight in the ring. I am slowly getting ready to leave this shitty place. Forge a path of my own. Do what my father can’t.
First, I’ll take a nap. That warm shower made me feel light-headed.
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