The Duke's Passion

821  For the new dawn! n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Claude fled the scene as fast as he could, regrouping with the wounded warriors and saving them on the skin of his teeth. The warriors fought bravely and held their ground against their enemies. But with Claude joining them, they were able to leave the Colosseum faster.

But just as they exited the Colosseum that bound them for many years, a loud explosion was heard inside. It wasn't an explosion that came from an explosive, but more like something big crashing into the walls of the Colosseum, and the rubbles it created produced a terrifying noise. Everyone looked back on instinct, only for their eyes to dilate at the sight of black threads moving past the towering walls of the Colosseum. Thick smoke and dust also ascended into the sky while a single tower within the Colosseum collapsed. No one knew what was happening inside. Matter of fact, what they all knew was that aside from those dead people — both warriors and undead — there was no one else or nothing else inside. They didn't even know about that black thread that had stretched from a particular direction and was now over the other side of the establishment. They couldn't see where the black threads originated, but what they could tell was that it destroyed everything on its path to the Colosseum. "What the hell is that?" a warrior asked with a shaking voice. He didn't get an answer because no one knew what it was. However, aside from sharing the same question, they also share the relief of getting out of the Colosseum on time. They wouldn't stand a chance against that massive creature.

Booogsh!

"The tower…" someone among the group noticed, pointing his trembling hand in the direction of a tower.

The Colosseum was built with high walls. However, one thing the warrior knew was that a particular tower inside had a height that was past the walls. That tower was where they were all imprisoned. Although the top floor was more like an office and a guardhouse.

"The tower… it's… collapsing…" another warrior blurted out under his breath. All of them stared at the collapsing tower, ignoring the gigantic black threads around the establishment. As they watched this tower tremble and explode as if something had crashed into it, staring into the debris falling, they all suddenly felt his strange sensation in their hearts. Relief. The tower that had imprisoned them for many years, the walls that had witnessed their agony and misery, and the floor where their spilled blood had dried up were now collapsing right before their eyes. The explosion continued, but the deafening noise sounded more and more distant. "Hah…" A warrior collapsed on his knees, teary-eyed. "We're free."

Those words… immediately struck everyone's heart. Freedom.

Many years of imprisonment, fighting for their lives, and even killing their comrades with all those sick games. Never once did they ever think freedom was possible. In fact, whenever they thought of freedom, it was like a far-fetched dream. But now, they were free. Not only did they get out of the Colosseum, but with all that fierce explosion happening inside, the existence of this vile place would soon turn to ruins. As the warriors fell on their knees with tears in their eyes as they watched the Colosseum collapse, Claude glanced at them.

'That's right…' thought Claude, drawing a deep breath as he set his eyes back on the establishment. 'Even if they manage to get out of this place, for as long as it exists, they would always be a prisoner of it.'

Gratefulness resurfaced in Claude's eyes as he pressed his lips into a thin line. "Uncle Hell…" he whispered softly. "... just how many more times do I have to thank you?"

One fact was clear to Claude. Samael was aware that Claude was someone who had always thought of taking all these warriors out of the Colosseum. It was the reason no one forced Claude to come to other places because they respected his will to help these people. But what Claude didn't consider was that getting all these warriors out of this Colosseum wasn't all he needed to do to help these people. These warriors weren't only battling physically, but also emotionally, spiritually, and psychologically. "I guess I still have tons of things to learn from him." The side of Claude's lips curled up into a subtle smile. "You promised, Uncle Hell. I will wait for you."

The softness plastered on Claude's face slowly faded, replaced by firmness and determination. He nodded slightly at the collapsing Colosseum, aware that Samael was currently having a fierce showdown against the black threads and Tristan — or Zero, who was now in the body of his son.

"Let's go!" shouted Claude, snapping everyone back from their trance. "This is not over yet! We still have to move!"

Everyone slowly looked back at Claude, trying to get themselves together. Some of them were wiping their tears, while others didn't bother, but their teary eyes slowly showed morale and determination. "You." A warrior cleared his throat, still on his knees. "Who are you and what's going on inside there?"

"Who I am isn't important," said Claude sternly, eyes scanning everyone's faces. His lips parted again, but his tongue rolled back from saying, 'they shouldn't worry about the Colosseum anymore.'

Right now, they were already at war. To keep these soldiers from going, they needed to hold on to some hope because outside the Colosseum was the real challenge. Samael said so himself. "You might not know him or hear of him, so listen up! I will only say this once!" Claude raised his voice so they would hear him despite the deafening noises behind them. "Samael La Crox. That man is the strongest man and the most capable man I know. He saved me from the brink of death moments ago from the clutches of the person who put you all inside that Colosseum."

"What?" some of them gasped in horror. "His Majesty was — he was there?"

"Yes." Claude nodded. "And right now, my uncle and that mad king are fighting. If there is a person who can end Quentin's madness, he is the person to do it."

"So, if you all want to see the new dawn… pick up yourselves and trust him," he continued with a strong conviction. "We will all witness the new dawn."

The warriors stared at Claude's stern countenance, rising from their knees until all of them were standing. Some were injured, being assisted by others, but the fire in their eyes blazed. Knowing someone could fight Zero head-on, and with Claude leading them, their morale skyrocketed.

It was death or freedom, and every single one of them chose the latter. "Let us fight for freedom," Claude remarked, giving each of them equal attention. "For freedom! For the new dawn!"

"FOR THE NEW DAWN!" the warriors roared, regaining the confidence they once lost.