That night was filled with color, and Shawn felt truly at home. As the evening wore on, and the last of the guests who had come to celebrate with him began to leave, Shawn made his way to his room. It had been a day of unforgettable experiences, and now, he was ready to rest.
"Ella," he said, his voice soft with contentment, "today was a good day indeed. One of the best I've ever had. From the epic battle to the surprise party—who could have predicted such a turn of events?"
Ela smiled, her voice warm but firm. "You deserve it, Shawn. You've been through more than most could even fathom at your age. I'm not sure if even the strongest kids, those who've seen half of what you've faced, could survive all that. You've earned this. Don't hesitate to accept it."
Shawn gave a small nod, taking in her words, before lying down to rest. The soft whispers of the night and the faint sounds from the wind outside drifted through his window, but for the first time in a while, his mind was at ease. He let sleep take him, knowing he had found a place where he truly belonged.
Days passed in a blur. Shawn spent most of his time either resting or observing the workings of the Colosseum, trying to learn as much as he could. The captain often asked for his assistance with various tasks, and Shawn found himself fascinated by how the captain managed the complex web of battles and training. He would watch the fighters, each one seemingly more skilled than the last, and despite being told to keep his distance from the fights, he couldn't help but feel the pull of the arena.
The battles were raw, intense—every move a test of strength, will, and endurance. Yet Shawn knew, deep down, that he wasn't yet ready. Not for the kind of challenges these warriors faced. He wasn't even sure he was ready for what lay ahead.
It was one such afternoon when the captain summoned him.
"Shawn," Alric said, his voice as steady as always. "I know you've been adjusting to life here, but there's something we need to talk about. In the next month or so, you'll be heading to a school. It's time to think about your future."
Shawn looked up at him, the weight of his words sinking in. He had been so focused on surviving, on getting through each day, that he hadn't given much thought to what came next. It was hard to imagine leaving the Colosseum, a place that had become home to him, even though it had been a place of harshness and struggle.
Alric sat down behind his desk, his fingers laced together. His eyes softened as he regarded Shawn with a sense of care that made the young boy pause. "You've grown a lot, Shawn. Not just in strength, but in the way you carry yourself. From the first time I saw you, you were just trying to survive. But now… you're beginning to find your path."
Shawn nodded slowly, not knowing how to respond. He wasn't sure he even understood what his path was yet.
Alric's gaze grew more intense, but there was a softness to it now, as if he were speaking to a son rather than a soldier. "I'm proud of you, Shawn. You've come so far. But there's more ahead, and I want you to be ready for it. You'll face new challenges—new environments, new people, and new lessons. It won't be easy, but I have no doubt you'll rise to the occasion."
Shawn felt the weight of the captain's words, but also a strange sense of gratitude. He was used to being told what to do, used to living by others' commands. But in this moment, it felt different. For the first time, he realized that Alric wasn't just a commander. He was someone who cared about his future—someone who believed in him.
"I'll be ready," Shawn said quietly, though doubt lingered in his voice.
Alric smiled, a genuine smile that softened his otherwise stern features. "Good. Just remember this—your journey isn't just about power. It's about who you become when you face the hardest of times. When everything seems to fall apart, who will you be? That's what will define you."
Shawn looked up at him, taking in the gravity of his words. He had been so focused on becoming stronger, on surviving, that he hadn't thought much about who he would be once the fighting stopped. He thought of the people he'd met along the way—Ela, the captain, the other warriors from the Colosseum and even his mother Lynne. Each one had a different story, a different way of dealing with their struggles. He wondered what kind of person he would become after everything he had been through.
The captain continued, his voice low and steady. "There's no perfect path, Shawn. But wherever you go, make sure it's a place where you're challenged—where you'll grow, not just in strength, but in character. You need people around you who will push you forward, not just rivals but true allies. The road ahead won't be easy, but with the right people at your side, you'll be able to stand tall when it matters most."
Shawn nodded, the weight of his words sinking in deeper than he expected. "I'll think about it, sir."
Alric stood and walked over to him, resting a hand on Shawn's shoulder. "You're not alone anymore, Shawn. Remember that."
The simple but profound statement caught Shawn off guard. For a while, he had been alone—isolated, running from one danger to the next, never knowing where he truly belonged. His previous life was a busy one with little time with friends or family, as he knew only how to work though he was a child then, even younger than how he was now.. But now, in this place, with these people, something had changed. He had found a place where he wasn't just fighting to survive. He was beginning to understand what it meant to live. Ela, had also played a bigger part in maintaining his sanity, or else he would have been a lost cause long time ago.
And with that realization, the thought of going to school, of leaving the Colosseum, no longer seemed like a burden. It felt like a new opportunity—an opportunity to learn, to grow, and perhaps most importantly, to discover who he truly was.