Scenario:Freedom's Dirge - Chapter 5: Fatal Situation - Episode 2

Freedom's Dirge - Chapter 5: Fatal Situation - Episode 2

Rhiogur forcefully takes Balurga's Vulcan Claw. He has the two brought to an arena called the Deathmatch Dome where they are pit against an executioner, much to the excitement of the disciples. Chained together, Skull and Balurga have a hard time fighting their opponent, but end up victorious after an excellent display of teamwork.

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Rhiogur: My sons! Indulge in the food and wine! Together, let us partake in the feast!

Rhiogur: Tonight's entertainment will be a luxury we have been deprived of for a while... at the Deathmatch Dooome!

Chamux Disciples: Yeeeehaaaw!

At Rhiogur's call, the disciples play music, shout, and dance madly around the hideout.

Rhiogur: Now, where could the friends of our little criminals be hiding...

Rhiogur's Voice: It's impossible to escape from our base! Surrender now and perhaps I will spare your lives.

Rhiogur's Voice: Still... resistance is futile. Once these two are finished, next will be you! Hyohoho!

Gran is the Main Character

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Eustace: ...

Lyria: Skull... Balurga...

Djeeta is the Main Character

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Eustace: ...

Lyria: Skull... Balurga...

Eustace: Calm down, Lyria.

Eustace: An opportunity will eventually present itself. So bear with it for now.

Pushing down the anxiety with pursed lips, Lyria resolves to wait patiently.

Rhiogur: Well then... My dear criminals.

Balurga: Hah. You look a lot more like a criminal than we do, that's for sure!

Rhiogur: Hmph... Pitiful lassie.

Balurga: Lassie?

Rhiogur walks closer to Balurga, who is tied up with ropes.

He reaches out to stroke the Vulcan Claw on Balurga's right hand.

Rhiogur: It appears these steel talons were presented to you by Guzaletha himself.

Rhiogur: Hyohoho. What magnificent shape and strength... and look at how the light reflects off of it. Simply splendid.

Balurga: Hey, get your grimy fingers off of it, you clown!

Rhiogur: Vulcan Claw, was it? It will be a wondrous addition to my collection!

Rhiogur: Hyahaha!

Taking an axe from one of his disciples, Rhiogur turns to Balurga and swings it down on the metal arm.

Balurga: Gaaah!

Skull: B-Balurga!

Rhiogur: Hyooohoho!

When Rhiogur holds up the amputated Vulcan Claw, the Chamux believers cheer in excitement.

A disciple walks over to chain Skull's right hand to Balurga's left hand.

And soon, the two are taken to Deathmatch Dome per Rhiogur's orders.

Deathmatch Dome—an arena surrounded by a thick, barbed wire fence through which an electric current runs.

Balurga: Pant, pant... Ugh...

Skull: I'm sorry... you have to go through this on my watch...

Balurga: Nothing to blubber over, you stupid crybaby! Rub some spit on it, and this'll be better in no time!

Skull: Who're you calling a stupid crybaby! These aren't tears! It's... drool! 'Cause I'm hungry!

Balurga: Wow, you really are stupid. You could've just said sweat... Gross, dude.

Tearing off a strip of shirt, Skull uses it to bandage Balurga's right arm to stop the bleeding.

Skull: We're definitely getting outta here. No matter what happens, don't you dare give up.

Balurga: Hah, right back at you. Don't forget what you just told me.

Chamux Disciples: Heeyaaaw!
We are the freedom to rampage!
We are Chamux!

The Deathmatch Dome is filled with the wild anticipation of Chamux disciples.

Skull: Ugh, look at their faces. They just can't wait to see us get ripped to shreds, can they?

Balurga: Yeah... They're all rotten, right down to the core.

Rhiogur: Let me hear you cheer louder, my sons! At long last, we have the two criminals before us...

Rhiogur: If the two of you wish to escape... then you have only one choice!

Rhiogur: You must defeat our executioner!

Just then, the gate of the Deathmatch Dome opens with immense force, revealing the large figure of a knight in a euphoric state.

Executioner: Huff... Huff...

Skull: Isn't that the guy from the dungeon?
Hey! Why're you working for a clown like—

Executioner: Hraaah!

The loud sound of a gong lights a fire within the disciples watching. Their eyes become wide and bloodshot as they raise their voices in deafening cries.

Skull: I don't have a reason to fight you!

Executioner: Graaah!

Balurga: Whoa, that was close!

Skull: Oof, thanks for that.

Balurga: Keep your guard up. We might not have a reason to fight him, but that big guy might have his own reasons to fight us.

Executioner: Dieee!

The executioner raises his spear and charges at Skull and Balurga, who are still cuffed to each other.

They muster up their energy to leap to the side, barely dodging the attack. Unable to find a way to counterattack, Skull bites his lip in frustration.

Skull: Dammit... It'll only be a matter of time before he crushes us...

Balurga: Skull. I'll be the shield and block his spear.

Balurga: Use that chance to get your hands in that armor and choke him out.

Skull: Wait a second! That's way too dangerous! No way I'm letting you act as a shield!

Balurga: The longer we dawdle, the more disadvantageous it'll be for us. We have to do this!

Skull looks down, noticing the blood dripping from Balurga's right arm. The two exchange a glance, and finally Skull nods.

Skull: You're right that we're short on time. But if anyone's gonna be a shield, it's me.

Balurga: Wait—

Skull: I'll make it so he can't think of anything but me, and you go in for the choke.

Seeing the determined fire in Skull's eyes, Balurga nods at him.

Skull: Hey, you! I get it, you gotta listen to that clown's orders. But you're still a knight!

Skull: You're swinging your weapon at two people who're unarmed and chained to each other. What kinda knight does that, huh!

Executioner: Huff...

Skull: There's not a sliver of chivalry in you! And for your information, not in me either—but that's 'cause I'm not a knight!

Executioner: ...

Skull: Aaargh, come on! Just say something, you old knight wannabe!

Executioner: Forget about... chivalry...

Skull: What's that? I can't hear you! Say it again, and in a loud voice!

Executioner: I just don't want to dieee!

Skull: Shut the hell up! How could you be so lame so loudly!

Skull: I can't believe I even bothered to listen to a dummy like you! Stuuupid!

Provoked by Skull's taunts, the executioner begins to swing his spear wildly in anger.

Skull deftly dodges each swing. Until, as if by a stroke of bad luck, he slips on a blood-slicked patch of ground.

Skull: Oh nooo!

Executioner: You're deeead!

The executioner's spear rushes straight at Skull, who remains splayed on the ground. A heavy thunk resounds.

Skull: Yeehaw! Fooled you, stuuupid!

Executioner: ...!

Executioner: Damn it... I can't... get it out!

Skull dodged the plunging spear by a hair's breadth, letting it plunge deep into the ground, planted too firmly for the executioner to pull out. The trap was a success.

While their foe tries in vain to remove the weapon, Balurga executes the rest of the plan, putting the executioner in a chokehold.

Balurga: Hraaah!

Executioner: You can't... take me dooown!

Skull: We sure can!

Skull jumps onto the executioner as well and wraps the chains tightly around the man's neck. The two pull on the chains at the same time.

Executioner: U-urgh...

Skull: More! Mooore! It's now or never!

Balurga: Haaah! Here's how! A real man does it!

Executioner: Grah...

Balurga: Pant, pant...

Skull: Yeeehaaaw! How's that, huh!