(Cyrus's POV)
We entered a building in the far outskirts of what I assumed was Fleabottom, away from any sort of influence from the law of this place. The streets around this place were covered in mud and shit, the smell was pungent and enough to throw me to the ground to gag.
Every single person who was around either had a scowl on their face when they saw me or was crying, their tears rolling down their faces as their stomachs growled. It was such an unfortunate sight to behold, the poverty of a city like this.
I couldn't help but get angry at this; while the Dragonlords were in their castle, enjoying their lush lives, perhaps, they had people suffering here.
As the Cultists led me into the building, I heard yelling inside, followed by laughter. Something told me that whatever was inside this nearly run-down building was nothing but bad. That terrible sensation that crawled on my skin it didn't go away. Seeing how the streets of this area was, it didn't give me hope that it was any different inside.
"What are we doing here?" I asked as we made our way down a hallway, "What is this place?"
Erys looked at me, "Apparently, one of the crimelords runs a fighting ring here." He said, "The Rogue Worshipper has been spotted here, possibly targeting one of the fighters."
"Fighters?" I asked as we reached large room, the sounds of laughter and cheering was heard
I stopped at the entrance, seeing what was before me. The large room, which took up most of the building, the hallways were just the edge of the building. In the center, a large area of dirt that was corralled by a wooden barrier, some sort of fencing around the place as men and women were watching from outside.
This was some sort of fighting pit, where anyone could watch from outside the barrier.
"The hell?" I said as I walked to the edge, peering inside, "There's such a thing inside a building?"
I looked inside, seeing who was fighting inside.
There were two young men, throwing fists at each other, their entire bodies bloodied and bruised. They were in no condition to be standing, much less fighting, but they were flailing their arms at each other.
"What the fuck is this?" I asked Erys
"Let us go." The head guy said as they walked around, going through the spectators
"The crimelord likes to have his entertainment." Erys told me, "His fighting ring is the most popular gambling attraction."
I followed as Erys and the others walked around the ring, making their way up some stairs that led to a platform where some men were sitting down on tables, watching the fight. They were all the same; grimy and wearing dirty rags for clothes. This was totally fit for people in this area of the city, nothing but filth and scum if this was what they wanted.
The head dude looked at one of the men on the table, "Karl." He said, "We meet yet again."
"Oh, Torys." The Man said as he straightened up, "Hehe, back from Essos, I take it?"
Torys looked around, "I take it you've heard about the killings recently."
Karl nodded, "Yea, the Boss heard about it." He said, "Someone is burning people. They got some of our men too. Whoever this bastard is, they are sick in the head."
"We have reason to believe they are targeting some of your.....fighters." Torys said, "Just a warning."
"Hm." Karl said, "Well.....they can try something. Anything, but they won't get out of here alive if they try something here."
I looked to the side, noticing something in the edge of the fighting ring. In what looked like a caged section, under the wooden stands, there seemed to be children inside. From young boys and girls, there were around six of them, just sitting there with some bruises on their bodies.
I pointed at that, "What's that?"
Karl followed my finger and looked at the kids, "Oh them? They're our main event." He said with a chuckle. "Best earners, if I am being honest."
"What?" I scowled
He looked at me, "Yea, you'd be surprised how good kids can be while fighting."
"You're having children fight here?" I asked as I stepped forwards
Erys placed his arm in front of me, "Cyrus, no."
"No?" I asked him, "This is wrong. What the fuck is wrong with you people?"
Torys looked at the children, "You didn't say you had children here, Karl." he said, "Where do you get them from?"
"The streets." Karl said, "We pick them off if they're orphans and hungry. Give them pieces of bread and rum, that's it. We then tell them to fight to earn a better life. Works like a charm. Not just that, we can sell them off to anyone with enough coin to buy them."
"Buy them for what?" I asked, clenching my fists
"What do you think?" He said as he drank from a cup, "Who the fuck are you, anyways?"
Torys looked at me, "This is someone who should keep quiet."
"Torys." Erys said, "I see something."
Torys looked at him, "Hm?"
Erys was pointing across the fighting ring and on the other side of the arena, a cloaked figure was standing amidst the crowd and staring at the children who were in the cage. As someone bumped into the person, I caught a glimpse of a burn mark on the person's chin.
"That's him." Torys said as he began to move, "Let's move."
"Good fortune to you." Karl said in a mocking manner
As Torys and Erys went around, followed by the others, I looked at Karl with a serious scowl.
"You have kids fight for entertainment and sell them to those who will prey on them?" I asked with a serious scowl, "Is that what I am getting from this?"
One of the men stood up, "What's it to you?"
"Back away from me or I'll kill you." I said with an angry tone, still looking at Karl, "You are filth, you know that?"
Karl smirked, "What are you going to do about it?"
I pointed my finger gun at the man next to me, "This."
"Fire Gun"
I fired a flame projectile right at the man, blasting off a part of his face as his head caught fire. He collapsed to the ground as the cheering and laughter momentarily stopped, the entire building hit with a wave of silence.
Karl stared at this with a shocked expression, "W-What?"
"I'm going to kill you." I said seriously,
"You best get to running."