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It was surprisingly soft, feeling like a mixture of silk and velvet.
“Ikmal,” a voice echoed, and I jerked my head up.
The sound was coming from a hovering drone-like device.
The word “Ikmal” translated as if I’d always known the language.
“You’re on Ikmal,” the drone repeated. “It is a first-class moon-bound prison. Welcome, Prize.”
I blinked, trying to understand. “Prize?”
A screen flickered to life, and a holographic face appeared.
It had piercing green eyes, elongated facial features, and a gentle smile. “Welcome! Here on Ikmal, prisoners who prove themselves in the fighting pits have the opportunity to Claim a Prize. Congratulations! You are one such Prize. The Claiming ceremony will be in three cycles.”
The image blinked off and the drone floated away.
Memories began flooding back.
The alleyway…
The attack…
My rescuer…
But it was murky and distant, like it’d happened longer ago than I recalled.
For the next, I had to strain.
Wasn’t there a ship?
Or a tank?
I remembered thick glass, peering though the condensation that formed on the inside.
Or was that just a dream?
I shook my head.
None of this made any sense.
What was going on here?
My heart raced, and I swallowed hard.
I heard a soft whimper, turning my gaze to find others.
Females — not just from Earth but from various planets — wearing similar revealing outfits, their faces painted with equal parts fear, confusion, and determination.
One of them, a tall human with tattoos shimmering in iridescent colors, approached me. “Hey, you’re new too?” she whispered, her voice as soft as the rustling of leaves.
She smelled like rain.
I nodded and looked her over uncertainly. “I’m… Ellie. From… Earth.”
“Nova,” she replied, extending a hand that felt as light as a feather.
“Why are we here? I mean, what’s this Prize thing about?”
