Chapter Twenty-Two: The Playing Field. Ammit. Washing Up. Cake. The Gas-Jets.

Summary

• Chapter Twenty-Two begins with the protagonist and their fellow captives being led by their skeletal captors for physical activities in a stadium-like area. They have to climb a lot of stairs and walk through a brightly lit, upward-sloping corridor that smells of chlorine, apparently, a common occurrence throughout their captivity.
• The protagonist notes that the corridor’s cleanliness is a stark contrast to the deteriorating state of their society, suggesting that sports and physical activities are highly valued. The protagonist speculates that they'll be doing some sort of sports since the place looks like a well-maintained sports complex.
• The protagonist and their captives are taken to a vast, round playing field surrounded by gas-jets and seating arrangement for crowds, indicating that this place used to host popular sports events in Empis. The protagonist also notices a VIP box with well-dressed people watching them, including a woman wearing makeup and jewelry. These spectators fill the protagonist with intense hatred.
• The captives are made to run on the track, do pull-ups using hanging rings, and participate in a ball-throwing exercise in pairs. One of the captives named Ammit intentionally knocks the protagonist over, getting laughs from the spectators in the VIP box. The protagonist decides to teach Ammit a lesson for his behavior.
• In between the exercises, the captives are given a liquid to drink that boosts their energy levels. The protagonist notes that despite being prisoners, they outnumber the guards. A guard named Aaron announces that it's time for playtime, which is less brutal than football practice until the end.
• The captives are given weighted balls to throw and then sticks for fighting exercise. Aaron announces that the first one to knock down the opponent will get a cake as a reward. Ammit manages to knock his opponent down and enjoys the cheers from the spectators. The captives engage in stick fights, each time two at a time, while the rest watch and learn the rules of the fight.
• Finally, the protagonist and Ammit are made to fight with each other. Ammit tries to corner the protagonist by pinning them between a table and a basket. Ammit raises his stick for a hard-hit when the chapter ends, leaving the outcome of the fight unknown.

• The protagonist is in conflict with Ammit, a fellow prisoner, before a gathering of VIP spectators.
• The protagonist successfully fights Ammit with a stick, despite Ammit attempting to mock and intimidate him.
• Once Ammit is defeated, he apologizes and the protagonist accepts, increasing his status among the other prisoners.
• He washes himself and reveals his blonde hair, other prisoners begin to kneel before him and address him as royalty, which he rejects.
• Fellow prisoner Eris helps disguise him as he fears being recognized by the prison guards.
• The group is returned to their cells where one of them, Hamey, falls violently ill.
• The protagonist speaks with Hamey about his condition and learns that this has been a persistent issue and it is his hope to fight in the "Fair One" and die in the outdoors instead of his cell.
• The protagonist inquires if their captor, known as Flight Killer, might also be known as Gogmagog. Saying this name causes a violent reaction throughout the prison, alarms Hamey, and the protagonist is instructed never to repeat it.