The Dragon and the Fox

Rogue was furious with Kira.

“Why would you do that?” he growled at her as soon as she got back from the fight, shaking uncontrollably. She laid down in the corner of her cell and put her head on her paws.

“I c-c-couldn’t kill him,” Kira protested meekly. “I just couldn’t.”

“You’ll be dead,” Rogue snapped. “They’ll come after you for it. Everyone will think you’re weak.”

“Well, I’m not,” Kira shot back angrily. “Actually, the weak option is to kill the creatures, not the other way around. It’s the easy way out. ‘Why save another creature’s life if, by killing them, I can live another day?’ We pretend like we don’t have any options, but we do. True bravery would be to stand up to those who put us in here instead of sniveling around and murdering our fellow cellmates without any hesitation. It’s easy to drop someone off of a cliff. It’s harder to pull them back up again. If none of you can see that, then maybe you all need a smack upside the head.”

Rogue was silent. It took a while for Kira to realize, but the entire cellblock was quiet as well. Anala was looking at her strangely. Kira gazed back defiantly and lifted her chin.

Then a gravelly voice broke the silence. “She’s right, you know.”

Kira’s eyes widened. She recognized that voice! It was the snake she had saved, Maximon. Her heart lifted, and she smiled.

Section 2 of the arena burst into applause, and Kira soon found herself beaming. They thought she was right!

It may not have been the best day of her life, but it was close.

At the next Mess, everyone was shooting Kira admiring glances. She tried to look inconspicuous, but in reality she was dancing around inside. Everyone talked in hushed voices instead of the normal shouts and arguments. The guards looked suspiciously at each of them, most likely wondering what caused the change in the atmosphere, but they couldn’t call anyone out.

Kira grabbed a piece of chicken and walked to her usual table with Rogue. He talked with her about the fight, discussing the announcer and what might happen to Kira.

Suddenly, Maximon slithered over and joined their table.

“Hey,” Rogue said, raising an eyebrow.

“Hello,” Maximon hissed humbly. “I came to your table because I would like to become…acquaintances with the one who saved my life. I thank you greatly, white fox.”

“You’re welcome,” Kira said kindly. “And it’s just Kira. We were talking about what might happen if everybody stopped killing.”

“It would most likely stop the arena, eventually,” Maximon said, looking thoughtful. “But many, many lives would be lost before the Groundmaster would be willing to stop the operation. Business here is very big. It would take a lot to topple the foundations of the arena.”

Kira ducked her head, knowing that the snake was right. “We can’t just stay here,” she decided, lowering her voice for the sake of the guards. “I’m going to find a way out of here eventually, no matter what it takes. I will spend all of my time thinking of a plan. Who knows? Maybe when we escape, we’ll bring the arena down with us.”

Rogue stared at her skeptically. “I admire your optimism.”

Maximon looked doubtful as well. “I don’t think we’ll escape through sheer determination, however hard we try.”

“We’ll come up with a plan,” Kira said. “I know it.”

Or she thought she did, at least.

Three nights later, Kira lay curled up in her cell, staring aimlessly at the wall, wondering if Rogue and Maximon were doing the same thing in their own cells.

How hard can it be to come up with a plan to break out of here? Kira thought, frustrated.

At least we’re thinking about it. At least we haven’t given up hope.

Kira sighed. The days had not gone by peacefully. Her refusal to fight seemed to have inspired several other prisoners. Unfortunately, the ones who did not fight did not have as equally merciful opponents as Kira had. Many of them had been brutally murdered by creatures who took advantage of their pacifism. She was worried that, seeing the results of not fighting, the other prisoners would go back to the way they were before.

However, Section 2 seemed to improve further. They found loopholes through the system at each fight, some sparing their opponents’ lives straight out, while others merely knocking them out or seriously injuring them beyond repair. Kira knew that it was better for there to be no injuries, but whatever worked best. She found herself glowing with pride for these creatures each fight.

Which led her to another question about her plan: could she take all of them with her?

Kira had been debating this for hours on end. It seemed unfair that she would get to escape while the other fighters had to stay in this torture house, but to get them all out at once would be huge operation beyond her capabilities.

There was only one way to conquer this dilemma: she had to bring down the arena with her.

It was terrible anyways. Why should all the murder and torture persist further? It was better to get rid of all of it when she could. If she could at all.

What if they’re all depending on me, and I fail them?

She thought about Deya. What would the Dragon Princess do in this type of situation?

Probably sing to everybody and then convince them all to not fight, Kira thought miserably.

But I can’t do that.

Can I?

When she had received Deya’s powers…had she received her musical ability as well?

Only one way to find out.

Kira took a deep breath. She had never sung before. What if she sounded like a deranged magpie who just woke up? Would everyone laugh at her?

Calm down, Deya’s voice coached in her head. Nobody hates you. Sing from your heart, not your lungs. Put your emotions into your notes.

I will do my best, Kira thought back.

She took another deep breath, then reached into her heart and sought out the strongest feelings. Then she opened her mouth and sang aloud.

The notes that came out were more emotion than music. Kira found herself broadcasting her loneliness as she grew up, and how everyone shunned her and left her alone. Then she sang about her sorrow as her village was destroyed and her fellow creatures slaughtered. She sang about her fear and exhilaration at her first flight, and her wonder at the Moon Dragon Palace. Every note was clear and carrying.

And lastly, to conclude the song, Kira sang of her faith and determination. Without any words, she told her cellmates that they would all find a way out, eventually. Everything would be fine.

And, as she dwindled off into the silence of the night, Kira felt that she had given the prisoners something they hadn’t had in a long, long time: hope.