When I got to the arena’s entrance, the last fight was going on. I watched behind the gates as a boy with clawed hands kept attacking a smaller boy with a water ability. It was easy to see that the clawed-hand boy was going to win. The stench of blood alone was enough to tell even a blind person who was winning. Leaning against the side wall, I sighed. If this fight lasted any longer, the water boy was going to die from blood loss.

“I see you’re ready, Grim Reaper.”

Turning my head, I found a middle-aged man standing nearby watching the games. Director Charon, the man responsible for the Games of Styx. Irony but then again, everything about this festival and world was playing on the past one.

“Of course, I am. So, are you going to keep me waiting or end that fight? I have much better things to do than watch two kids pretend to fight.”

“You’re right, Grim Reaper. We are very grateful to have you present for this special occasion.”  He bowed and signaled a guard nearby.

Turning to the guard he had signaled, he instructed him to end the fight and get the winners ready. The guard hurried away as he spotted me. Sometimes, being known as the terror of the Underworld was a blessing.

But most of the time, it was a curse. I watched as the guard ended the fight and a healer came to heal the water boy. Not that the healing was going to be enough. The kid would probably not survive, especially with the amount of blood he’d lost. But maybe…

“Do you require anything else?”

“One hundred burgers and make sure they’re from Southside.” I looked at the Director darkly. “I’ll know if they’re from anywhere else. I also want to see all the kids I’m fighting afterwards in my dressing room.”

“But…”

“Are you questioning me?”

“N…no…I…”

“Good. If you require assistance, my servant Janeth will help you. You can use my tab to pay for the burgers at Southside. They’ll know what I want. As for the kids, I don’t really care if they’re bleeding. You’ll be able to clean up the mess anyway.”

“Of… of course…we’ll…”

“I know and if you land up having to replace the room, so be it. I’ll pay for the costs. Also, that boy with the water ability, what was his name again?”

“Albert Granson. May… I ask…”

“Why?”

“Ye… Yes… if you’d…umm…”

“I just want to know the name of the boy who dared to waste my time trying to show the world his almost non-existence power and fighting skills.”

I watched as the Director went pale with fear. Guess I won’t be getting any problems from him. Turning back to look at the gate and arena beyond it, I watched as forty kids assembled on the sand covered arena floor, all standing tall and proud. Unknowingly waiting to get their dreams crushed.

As the gate finally opened, I pulled up my hood and stepped forward, hating the task that stood before me.