The Tithe

The air in Holding Cell 4 tasted like rust and recycled despair.

Kael sat on the freezing metal cot, wrapping a strip of dirty cloth around his knuckles. *Left hand, cross, pull tight. Right hand, cross, pull tight.* The rhythm was the only thing keeping his hands from shaking.

Across the cell, huddled under a thermal blanket that had lost its charge weeks ago, Oren tapped frantically on a datapad he’d scavenged from a dead guard. His face was illuminated by the pale green glow of code scrolling too fast for Kael to read.

"Oxygen is at four percent," Oren whispered. He didn't look up. He never looked up anymore. "If the scrubbers don't cycle in twenty minutes, we suffocate before the bell even rings."

"They'll cycle," Kael said, his voice rough. "Z.E.U.S. doesn't like his toys breaking before he gets to play with them."

As if summoned by the name, the intercom crackled to life. The sound was deafening in the small space—a digitized, booming baritone that vibrated through the floor plates.

**"ATTENTION, ASPIRANTS. THE FINAL TRIAL COMMENCES IN T-MINUS TEN MINUTES."**

The lights in the cell flickered from emergency red to a blinding, surgical white.

**"THE PRIZE FOR ASCENSION: ONE CLASS-A SHUTTLE TICKET TO THE CORE SYSTEMS. OXYGEN RESTORED UPON ENTRY TO THE ARENA."**

Kael stood up, testing the wrap on his fists. He felt the familiar weight of guilt settle in his gut, heavier than gravity. It was his idea to hit this station. *Easy salvage,* he’d told Oren. *In and out.* Now, three weeks later, they were rats in a maze, fighting for the privilege of breathing.

"Can you override the arena gates?" Kael asked.

Oren finally looked up. His eyes were dark circles of exhaustion. "I’ve bypassed the localized locks, but the station’s core processor is... it's everywhere, Kael. It’s watching the code as I write it."

"Just get the door open," Kael said. He walked over and gripped his brother’s shoulder. Oren flinched, then leaned into the touch. "I handle the meat. You handle the metal. Just like always."

"It’s a Final Trial, Kael," Oren said, his voice trembling. "That means a Boss rush. Or a purge."

"Then we purge them back." Kael pulled Oren to his feet. "Let's go home."