I’ve been a slave for 10 years now. The first 2 years, I was beaten to the brink of death’s doors

  every other week by the guards. After those 2 years, they decided it wasn’t much fun anymore so I

  was forced to start dodging their strikes while holding a wooden training shield. Over the past 10

  years I drank poison a total of 13 times, each time I’d pray that God would take my life.

  Unfortunately every time God didn’t, so I suffered miserably every single day. I guess the only

  upside would be the skills I gained through the experiences.

  Status

  Name: Kusk

  Age: 17

  Race: Demi-Human

  Hit Points: 40/40

  Mana: 20/20

  Class: None

  Stats

  Strength: 26

  Agility: 24

  Vitality: 40

  Intelligence: 20

  Dexterity: 48

  Skills: Common (Language) lvl 10, Luink (LizardFolk Language) lvl 7, Acrobatics lvl 9, unarmed fighting lvl 3, Cleaning lvl 10, Learning lvl 7, Cuteness lvl 1, Keen Eye lvl 5, Analyze lvl 10, Advanced Pain Resistance lvl 13, Advanced Poison Resistance lvl 3, Advanced Shielding lvl 2, Danger Sense lvl 5

  Titles: Slave

  Spells: None

  Today started like any other day. A blonde woman came and got me around 4 in the morning. Her

  name which I found out after a week was Nuli, she was one of the guards' daughters. When she

  was younger I would have called her adorable, but nowadays she is a pudgy short skank sitting at

  a meager 5’ 4”. I don’t know what happened but about 3 years ago she suddenly started gaining an

  absurd amount of weight and never took me to the guards house. She would just shake me awake

  and say “It’s time” and then walk out of the room and disappear by the time I left the room.

  Miss Sarah on the other hand had left without saying a word 5 years ago. One day after coming

  back from my morning mutt duties she was nowhere to be seen. Everyone I asked had no idea

  where she had gone, or what happened to her. All I know is about 20 minutes after I started looking

  for her, the collar around my neck made a strange twing and fell off. I of course tried to seize the

  opportunity and took off rushing out of the double doors attempting to flee for my life. Unfortunately

  for me, the Lord was standing on the other side holding a new collar with 2 guards standing next to

  him. After being beaten unconscious I woke up 3 days later with a new collar around my neck.

  “It’s time” Neli said while shaking me awake, only to rush quickly out of the room.

  I immediately throw my feet over the side of my cot and toss on a rough tunic with the right sleeve

  cut off. I grab the wooden shield that's resting next to my cot, barefooted I leave my newish

  quarters. Ever since Sarah had disappeared I moved a door down into an old closet with barely

  enough room for the cot. I quickly make my way towards the barracks. Can’t be late. The last time I

  was late I couldn’t walk for 2 days.

  I make it just in the nick of time. The guards are just walking out of the barracks as I arrive gasping

  for breath. God damn, I think Nuli does this on purpose. I quickly follow the back of the line of

  guards as we make our way to the training area on the back of the barracks.

  “Mutt, please come here” The commander calls out as all the guards arrive.

  “Yes sir.” I quickly run up to him standing at attention.

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  “Well Mutt, You have somehow managed to survive these past 10 years. This hasn’t happened in

  over 20years, so I had a chat with the Lord… He told me that, if you manage to beat one of the

  guards here in physical combat, he is willing to give you one thing within his power.” He states as

  he looks at me with discerning eyes trying to read my thoughts.

  Does this mean, if I win I will be able to go free? No way. These people are too cruel there is no way they would let me go. This must be a trap.

  “I don’t require anything, sir” I quickly say with confidence trying to figure out his angle.

  “That may be, but it is still my job as commander to see the Lord's will done. Pick your opponent, I won't say it again.” He replies sternly while turning me to face the guards.

  I take in every guard standing before me. Each one of them look like they are ready to strangle me,

  except for one. Only one of them has a smug look upon his face. He is a new recruit who joined the

  guards last year. He always made sure to make every experience I had be filled with pain. Always

  aiming for killing blows that I could barely react to. If I choose him, I’m a deadman. Wait actually…

  This is my chance for freedom.

  “Him” I state pointing my finger towards the man that will surely end my life.

  “Alright, Kevin, step forward.” The commander calls out as he walks to the edge of the arena next to the wooden armory. “Grab a weapon.”

  I quickly slander over, and pick up a short sword. Kevin grabs a wooden war axe and a shield.

  “I’m going to end you, here and now” Kevin whispers in my ear as I pick up my shortsword. Good, that's what I want.

  “Alright, you know how this is done. Stand in the center and when I drop my hand you begin.” The

  commander says as we stand facing each other in the dirt arena. I have to make this believable,

  or he will call it off

  He drops his hand. Instantly Kevin takes off kicking up dust, rushing towards me as he swings the

  ax towards my head. I quickly dive to the left, raising my shield up to match his strike. *Slam* The

  ax meets my shield, throwing me on to the ground.

  Coughing up dust I quickly pull my foot out of the way of a swing aimed towards my foot. Kevin

  casually spins around kicking me in the stomach as I try to stand up. Throwing me 3 feet to the

  right. Alright I think it’s time. He rushes me towards me again, this time the swing is headed straight

  for my neck. I barely raise my shield watching as the ax hurls its way towards my neck.

  All of a sudden the ax stops inches from my neck.

  Kevin’s eyes bulge as he tries pushing it further.

  “Enough, he’s obviously not trying.” A loud voice calls out. The Lord walks into the arena followed

  by two of the guards in full plate armor. He quickly pushes Kevin out of the way and looks me in the

  eye.

  “You are to fight like your life depends on it.” He says in a cold voice before walking back to the

  edge of the arena. Fuck, now because of the collar I have to.

  Kevin and I quickly stand back up and face each other.

  “Begin” The Lord calls out from the side.

  Kevin immediately rushes me again, swinging his ax rapidly to the right. I quickly stepback and

  block, angling the shield so the ax glaces off to the left. I swing my sword towards his knees as he

  stumbles forward, off balance. My sword fails to make contact as he spins around swinging his

  shield towards my face, planning on smashing my face in. I easily duck under his swing, ramming

  my head into his stomach.

  “You fucking bastard, I’ll kill you!” He hisses out as he jumps back dropping both his shield and his ax.

  I immediately try to take advantage of the stupidness of my now weaponless opponent and rush

  towards him. As I step towards him my danger sense blares as I barely am able to roll across the

  ground dodging a torrent of fire flying out of his open palms.

  “STOP!” The lord yells out as another wave of fire heads towards me. Kevin immediately slumps

  forward, falling to his knees.

  “Tsk tsk tsk. This was supposed to be a pure physical battle.” The lord says as he walks over to

  Kevin and kicks him in the side of the head causing him to fall unconsciously sprawled out on the

  ground.

  “Ugh, such a pitiful excuse for a mage. Can only cast a level 1 spell twice.” The lord looks down

  while rubbing his brow with his right hand. “Now what am I supposed to do?” He lets out a long sigh

  “Well it appears you won by default. What is it that you want?” He says as he menacingly walks

  towards me filled with bloodlust.

  “Freedom.” I barely manage to choke out under his aura.

  He stops walking and glares at me. His face contouring into various expressions. First a look of

  pure hatred, then a look of pain as if he just watched a puppy die, finally a look of pity rests upon

  his face.

  “Alright, but be warned the dangers outside of these walls are much greater than the dangers

  inside them. You will be hated, despised, and looked upon as an abomination. If this is your wish I

  can make it so, but if you would like to serve me as an honor guard you have the option; as a few

  have chosen before you.” The king coldy states his eyes peering into my very soul, his hands

  gesturing to the fully armored men to his left and right.

  “No, I choose freedom.” I say keeping my eyes to the ground.

  “Then let it be so, I Lord Brumen the 4th hereby relinquish all control over the slave known as Kusk. May he die by the sword of his own free will.”

  The collar around my neck makes a quick twing and falls into the dirt below.

  “You are free.” The lord says in a soft voice as he lifts me to my feet. Tears are streaming down my face.

  I’m finally free. After 10 of the worst years of my life. I am finally free.