The Underground

Astro followed Claudia out the back to a blank black wall. She held the device up to the wall and it opened to a stairway leading down. ‘Damn witches. Knowing one is already a pain in my ass. They have secrets everywhere. The second I walked back in that room, I could smell it off of her.’

Astro followed Claudia down the deep narrow stairs with no lights. “Loom,” she said out loud, creating a light that lit up the room. At the bottom, a gated cage opened from the bottom up.

Astro: “Where are you taking us?”

Claudia: “This is a very special part of this town, Astro. Much like where you grew up, this is a big part of our industry.”

Astro: “Great, so I’m back in the slums of thieves and prostitutes.”

Claudia: “Not necessarily. Anybody in need of something comes down here whether that is money, slaves, swords…chaplets. You have to earn your keep with the crowd.”

Astro: “Okay, so who do I have to kill to get this chaplet?”

Claudia: “Oh I failed to mention. This isn’t always about killing. You’re the challenger here. Your opponent gets to pick what you do.”

Astro: “What does that mean?”

Claudia: “You will see. It’ll be fine. I have all the faith in the world in you.”

Cocky bastard. This isn’t going to work if you keep up this sly attitude.” Claudia laughed and continued forward to an opening into a large arena where a big crowd ensued the stands. In the crowd, people chanted at two fighters in the arena with no swords.

???: “Get him!”

???: “Knock him out!”

???: “I need the money!”

Astro looked at Claudia again saying, “I thought you said I wasn’t going to fight.”

“You might have to, but if your opponent did that they would be a fool. I wouldn’t choose to fight you. My guess is you will probably end up in some sort of minigame.”

A heavier woman with glasses and black long hair walked by.

???: “Claudia!”

Claudia: “Hello, Vannett. How are you?”

Vannett: “I’m good. Is this who signed up for a match?”

Claudia: “Yes. I assume he is ready to go?”

Vannett: “Yes. He is up next actually.”

Claudia: “Perfect. Thanks Vannett. I’ll see you on the surface later.”

Astro questioned Claudia again. “If you know so much about this stupid event, then why don’t you do it yourself.”

“Relax…This isn’t going to work if you keep up that sly attitude now, is it?” Astro became frustrated. “Let’s just get this over with.” The crowd erupted as one of the men laid on the floor passed out. Over the intercom in the ceiling a deep voice called out…

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner. From the slums of Opacia village, your winner is…Ichiyaru!” Everyone chanted again while others booed.

???: “You just lost me 20 Reins!”

???: “I lost 2 of my good slaves because of that idiot.”

The voice came over the loudspeaker again…

“May I have your attention ladies and gentlemen. Our next match is an exciting one. We have a veteran versus a rookie here in the Underground. Will our competitors please enter the arena!”

Claudia: “Oh, Astro, looks like you’re up.”

Astro sighed and headed down the right side stairs to the arena door. He followed the rope to the door as it opened. On the other side his opponent waited. A man as tall as him, but skinny as a stick stood in an all white outfit. He had dark purple hair and glasses. ‘Great. Who is this skinny freak? Let’s just get this over with.’

Astro continued to the center circle face to face with the man. The voice called out once more.

“And now for your introductions! On the left side is your reigning champion with a record of 42-1 from the city of Alkeron…Jotaaaaaro Senkoshiiiii!”

Astro spoke to the man. “Alkeron? You’re from the royal city? What’s a person like you doing here?”

Jotaro: “I have my secrets. Why should I speak to you peasant? You low life bastard. Peasants need to know their place.”

Astro smirked and spit at the man’s shoes.

He shrieked.

Jotaro: “How dare you! I’m going to destroy you peasant! You won’t ever win here as long as I am here!”

The announcer continued.

“And on the right side we have a rookie! A new challenger awaits! From the slums of Ronkon….Aaaaastrrro!”

Astro: “Hey, hey, hey. How did they know where I’m from? Who the hell told them that information?”

Jotaro laughed in front of him.

Jotaro: “The Underground knows everything about you. I know what you’re good at and what you’re bad at. Don’t think I will pick an easy game peasant.”

Astro: “I’m getting really sick of you calling me a peasant, you stupid royal. You’re stupid city looks down on everyone because of wealth. I’m surprised it wasn’t destroyed a long time ago. Who knows? Maybe I’ll even gain the power to destroy it one day.”

Jotaro: “Y-You bastard! Alkeron is the best city out of any domains or lands. I’ll make you take those words back.”

Astro yelled out into the stands. “Hey! Announcer! Umm…I’m getting pretty pissed off right now. The combination of this idiot in front of me and you guys announcing where I was born got me pretty mad. I advise we start this before I beat this guy to a pulp.”

The announcer came over the loudspeaker to address the matter.

“Yes, yes. I’m sorry. Let’s get into the match, shall we?” The crowd roared, “Come on Jotaro!” Another woman shouted, “Jotaro! I love you! Marry me!” The playing field began to shift.

“The champion Jotaro has picked today’s match. He has chosen his own version of…Baaaaachi!” The crowd roared again and applauded. Astro looked confused. “Bachi? The hell is bachi?”

The middle of the ground split and a large stand rotated in the air. On the top was a white screen that spread across attaching to the 2 wooden sticks connecting to the stand. On the screen were 3 different logos. A woman with elf ears holding a tray and a pink potion walked over and placed the bottles on the stand.

“Please drink these. Both of you must in order to participate in the game.”

Astro hesitated, but drank anyways. ‘I have to drink this anyway to play this stupid game. I’m coming, Dante. I promise.’ Jotaro drank the potion as well without hesitation.

Both of their bodies shrouded in a light layer of pink surrounding their bodies. The announcer spoke again. “Jotaro has decided to play a non traditional version today. Bachi is a game of truth and lies. How well can you outguess your opponent? Can you guess correctly? Can you fool your opponent? Will there be karma?” The voice continued. “I will now explain the rules…In this game, 3 different logos will appear on each side of the white screen. You will choose one logo in your mind, which will connect to the screen. After a logo has been chosen, you will describe in detail what that logo is. You may tell the truth, lie and describe another logo, or choose to narrate something completely different. Your opponent will then guess if you are telling the truth or lying. A point will be awarded to whatever side is correct. However, if you choose to describe an image not on the screen and your opponent calls you out for it, then you automatically lose. If you are not called out, then it is 2 points awarded. However, if you lie about an image and your opponent assumes that you are lying about all images, then you are awarded a point. First player to 5 points wins! The winner receives…drumroll please! A Yellow Egress Chaplet! Are the players ready? Let’s play! Audience, make your bets! Oh, and let’s not forget today’s sponsor…Claudiaaaaaa!!!”

The audience applauded as men started to whistle at her. She waved, but whispered slightly to herself, “Damn pigs. You better win Astro. This is the only Egress Chaplet we have here.”

Astro reviewed his options. ‘I don’t need to worry about the potion. I assume it connects my answer in my mind. So… I can end the game right away if I make the correct choice, but if he out-guesses me, then I lose eh? Okay, let’s test him first.’

Astro’s screen lit up. “I guess I’m first. Let’s see what the deal is with this.” The images popped up on the screen above his head. ‘Huh? The hell is this?’

On the left was a symbol of 2 stacks of cash with flying wings. In the middle, a fox with black and pink fur. On the right, an image of Astro’s face.

‘The hell are these. There’s no detail in any of this. Well, except that gorgeous face. What should I do? Do I lie off the bat about all of them? If he calls me out for it, then I lose, but I get double points for risking that option right? Okay, I’ll start easy. I pick the fox.’

The pink aura surrounding his body focused all on his right arm. “Huh? What is this?” Jotaro laughed. “As expected from a rookie. Just wait and see. Go ahead. Explain your image. I know you will lie first.”

Astro: “Tch! Cocky bastard.”

‘He knows I’m gonna lie huh? Is he provoking me? Either way, I’m sticking to my gut. I need that chaplet.’

“Okay preppy boy. My image is a fox. It has black and purple fur and it’s standing on only 3 legs.”

Jotaro immediately responded. “What did I say about lying, Astro? You need to tell the truth more.”

In that instant, a slicing sound was heard across the arena. Astro’s arm flew into the air and onto the ground. “Huh? Wh-What just happened? M-My…Arm?”

“Ooh! Ladies and gentlemen we have the first lie of the match. With that, Astro’s arm has been taken off. Don’t worry folks. When the round is over, the potion will allow Astro to grow back that arm, but it doesn’t mean he won’t feel the pain. Remember, lying is instant karma! It’s Jotaro’s turn now!”

Astro: “The hell is happening? Agh! Tch! So that’s what that stupid potion was for. It wasn’t just for connecting my answer to the screen.”

Jotaro laughed incredibly loud. “Idiot! That’s what you get for insulting me! You won’t just lose your arm, you’ll lose all your body parts! Keep lying! See how far you can take the pain!”

‘So even if I lie and he doesn’t guess it, I still get a piece of me taken away. How is that fair? Claudia…You stupid witch! There are definitely other ways to get this stupid chaplet. Let me just try to provoke him for right now.’

Astro: “Your move kid. Let’s tie up the score, shall we?”

Jotaro became angered at the comment. In frustration, he picked an image right away and explained it. ‘Good. This is what I wanted. Provoking him is the best way to win this game. He’s from Alkeron. He’s most definitely stubborn.’

Jotaro continued as the pink mana circulated to his right arm as well. “My symbol is a basic Rainbow Chaplet with a black star on the top, bottom, and sides.”

‘Hmm. That is what the chaplet looks like. If he is lying about all the symbols and I call him out I win. If I don’t call him out, then he gets 2 points. I could say he is lying about all the images, but then that’s a point as well huh? Is he trying to take such a large lead? It would put him up 2 or 3 to 0, but if I guess that he is lying or even telling the truth, then it would be 1 to 1 possibly. He’s probably thinking it doesn’t matter either way. If he is telling the truth, then he will get another point anyways and won’t lose his arm. If he lies about another symbol, then it is only a point.’

He made his decision.

Astro: “Okay pretty boy. You’re lying about another symbol.”

A buzzing sound went off in the arena. The announcer called out, “Oh! Looks like Astro is wrong. Jotaro was telling the truth!” The image popped out above the screen so everyone including Astro could see it. “That is 1 point to Jotaro. He has taken quite a good lead. What will Astro do next?”

Jotaro: “Ha! You suck! That’s what someone from the slums would pick. Always thinking that others are lying. You disgust me! I’ll destroy you!”

Astro: “Hey, hey, hey. Kid, the game is just getting started. Don’t get your panties all jumbled.”

Jotaro: “I like your confidence. Truly, I do. But, you’ve yet to put points on the board. You’re up, Aaastro.”

3 new images appeared on the screen. One of a flying bat holding a mouse in his mouth. Another of a pumpkin with 5 daggers stuck in it. And finally, an image of a log cabin with Astro standing outside in a field of corn. ‘Why does there always have to be an image with me in it? Forget it. I can’t lose another point, but I’m not desperate enough to tell the truth. I’m a risky guy. Let’s give this a shot.’

Astro: “Alright hot shot. My image is of a black bat holding a mouse in its mouth flying in the night sky.” The pink aura wrapped around Astro’s left eye this time. Jotaro questioned Astro for a moment.

Jotaro: “Good. You are learning the game more. I’m unsure here. Are you trying to tie the score and lie completely? No, that wouldn’t make sense. I just told you not to lie again. Not listening to a royal would be treason. We can’t have people from the slums like you running around everywhere. That just isn’t good! Okay, you’re telling the truth!”

The buzzing sound came up again. “Oh! Astro has finally gained a point. Although that image was on the screen, Astro had picked a different symbol. He chose the daggered pumpkin! He is awarded 1 point. The score is 2 to 1 in favor of Jotaro. He is up next. What will he choose?”

The crowd screamed. “Jotaro! Let’s go! Beat this loser!” Cheering and bickering simultaneously went off in the stands.

Jotaro: “Tch! You bastard! Tricking a royal like that. Know your place! I’m up. Let’s end this action quickly. I don’t even want to look at you anymore…My image is a single piece of Ebi sushi with rice. Nothing else.”

‘It seems too simple for him to lie about, but he is uneasy right now because I got him riled up. If I’m correct, then he would want to tell the truth again to provoke me and mess up how I think. However…Is that what he wants me to think? This stupid game is so annoying.’

Astro looked up at Claudia who didn’t give him the slightest hint, nor could she. No biases could be shown down here. “You’re telling the truth.”

The buzzer yet again went off again. “Astro is incorrect again! Jotaro had picked an image not on the screen at all! Astro could’ve ended the game right there, but he chose wrong. 2 points are awarded to Jotaro! He takes a commanding 4-1 lead! Astro is in a tough spot. What will he do?”

Astro looked up at Claudia again who stood in the stands smiling. ‘She needs to screw off before I light this whole place on fire and just take the stupid chaplet myself.’

Jotaro smirked at Astro.

Jotaro: “What will you do Astro? 1 more point. Oh, I can just feel it. I can feel the glory that will prevail and the crowd will chant my name over and over repeatedly. I will get my reward and steal what was never yours. After all, I need that chaplet too…And for something probably a lot more important than you. Peasant.”

Astro: “You’re not gonna provoke me into something as stupid as a use for that thing. We both need it. That’s why we’re both competing right? Or are you really just out here for fun? Maybe to get away from mommy and daddy? You’re trash talk is getting dull. Let’s get this going already.”

Without thought, Astro called out his image. “A white rabbit with vampire fangs and a carrot in its mouth.”

Jotaro: “Ha! You’re losing so badly that you are desperate. My answer is that you aren’t describing any of them.”

A buzzer sounded aloud. “Wrong! Jotaro is wrong again. However, Astro was lying about the image he selected, so he awarded a point still. The score is 4-2. Since Astro did lie however, he still will lose his left eye folks.”

The mana started to burn hot on Astro’s face and then intensely exploded. His left eye started to bleed down his face. He got down on one knee in agony.

The announcer continued the game without checking if Astro was okay. “It’s Jotaro’s turn ladies and gentlemen.”

Jotaro: “Y-You little…”

Astro stood up with confidence as if nothing happened with blood running down his face. “What’s the problem? Blaming it on me for your poor play? Play the game…royyyyal.” He smirked with more confidence.

Jotaro screamed out loud, “Shut your mouth, peasant! You will lose this game and I’ll ban you from this place. I-I know a lot of people connected here! Don’t mess with royals!”

Astro: “Yeah, yeah. Get on with it. What’s the image kid?”

Jotaro: “Tch! An image of the legendary sword Alcion next to its black sheath lined with a white and red phoenix and a white and black flame spitting out from its mouth!”

Astro smiled and began to laugh quietly before laughing a little louder, loud enough for just Jotaro to hear.

Astro: “Let me teach you something, kid. The reason you’re here is your ego, no doubt. This world is built on skills and power in swords. Very few can fight without swords. In fact, you probably know a few if you’re from the city of Alkeron. Legendary humans who are unrivaled, however that was many years ago. It isn’t like that anymore. Stories of powerful figures that rule over your city no longer exist. If you aren’t good with a sword, then you travel to places like this and cities like Alkeron for shelter. Even if you were born there, in my eyes, your parents were weaker than you are for settling into a comfy city. People like you don’t take pride in swordsmanship and don’t care to learn about swords. Because if you did…you would know that nobody knows what Alcion looks like. You’re lying about all the images. Game over.”

The buzzer dinged and the crowd was silent. The announcer called out. “ A-Astro is correct! Jotaro lied about all 3 images! He had a commanding lead, but tried to outsmart Astro! Astro wins! Astro wins! Astro wins!”

One man stood up and started to clap and cry. “I stand with you Astro! I take pride in my swordsmanship!” Others began to stand and started to cheer before the whole arena started to chant Astro’s name. “Astro! Astro! Astro! Astro! Astro! Astro!”

Jotaro fell to his knees in disbelief. “H-How? How did you know that image wasn’t on the screen? How did you know I completely made that up? You never should have been able to guess that!”

Astro: “Well…I wasn’t completely sure, but it seemed like even down here in the Underground, they wouldn’t create a false image of a sword that they have no idea what it looks like. A lot of the images were stupid, but it’s not like they couldn’t be made using magic. Any other thing you could’ve described and you probably would’ve won. But…your ego is too big to go out on an easy win. I figured you were going to lie about all of them, but I wasn’t sure until you tried to describe Alcion.”

Jotaro: “What kind of bullshit answer is that? Y-You went off a hunch because I described a sword? Screw that! This round doesn’t count! We’re going again!”

The Yellow Egress Chaplet came down from the top of the arena and into Astro’s hands. The announcement came through again. “I’m sorry, but Astro has already won this match along with the prize. A rematch may be made at a later date and time. Thank you ladies and gentlemen for watching. Our next match will start soon. Stay put because it is two amateur kids in a battle to the death! That’s right…A battle to the death! Who will prevail? Find out soon!”

Astro walked away through the gate. His body parts grew back through the effects of the potion as it went away. “Ah. I was wondering when that would grow back. Not like I couldn’t have grown it back myself though.” Jotaro called out to him. “I-I know people. They’ll find you for embarrassing me like that. They’ll fucking kill you. I’ll make sure they do.”

Astro continued without looking back as the gate fell back to the ground. The next opponent was already waiting. In a pitch black hood and cape similar to Astro’s stood a small, young kid. They locked eyes only for a moment and Astro caught an eerie feeling.

‘He looks familiar. Have I seen him before? His eyes…Maybe not I guess. I only saw him for a second. Doesn’t matter. That kid sure looks like he’s seen death. And at such a young age. Anyone who doesn’t bet on him is going to lose. Tch! Reminds me too much of Ronkon. Screw this place.’

Astro stopped and spoke only a few words. “Goodluck kid. Not with this fight, but with what follows it. Although, I’m sure you already know what does.” The kid stood there without a word and proceeded to the gate waiting for his turn. Astro then ascended the stairs to meet Claudia at the top ready to get out of this awful place.