The first thing that Nick noticed when his eyeballs rematerialized was that he was standing inside a dimly lit chamber, perhaps twice the size of the one he had left behind. But instead of a cozy living room, he found himself within an unfurnished enclosure, gazing across roughly textured walls carved from white stone blocks. That was the moment when he felt something lurch within his chest, followed by a strange pounding. He laughed, realizing that the abrupt sensation was his heart beating once more, then frowned. Wait? Why wasn’t my heart beating before?
He shook his head, trying to rid himself of his lingering disorientation, as the memory of his strange journey gave way to an intense excitement. That was when the dynamics of his situation came flooding back, filling him with an overpowering sense of urgency. Nick remembered meeting Taltos and accepting his offer, suffusing him with the awareness that a battle for his life would soon commence.
With an effort of will, he set everything else aside and focused on the task at hand, surviving his latest ordeal. He would have stopped to get a better sense of his surroundings if it wasn’t for the man standing in front of him. A figure who had appeared in the blink of an eye.
Nick knew that the man wasn’t really there, because his image stayed centered in Nick’s vision no matter how he turned his head, even when it meant floating in the air or clipping through a wall. It was like a dollar store version of the visions the System generated when it wanted to communicate with him directly. He frowned, trying to dismiss the motionless construct with his will, but the gently glowing illusion showed no inclination toward responding to his thoughts.
Left with no other obvious course of action, Nick simply shrugged and said, “Hello?” Right on cue, the radiant figure turned to meet his gaze, offering him a clear view of its features and form. At first glance, the hovering construct seemed to be a rotund gentleman somewhere in his early forties. But when Nick leaned in and took a closer look, he realized that the man’s features were… off. His eyes were a touch too large, his mouth a whit too narrow. His limbs were set at odd angles, like the joints weren’t properly connected. Taken together, the man looked less like an alien from another world, and more like someone had tried to draw a human being from description, without having ever laid eyes on one before.
The overall effect was intensely creepy, which Nick doubted was the reaction that its creator had been going for. It made the construct’s welcoming smile feel hollow and manufactured, and Nick hoped that he wouldn’t have to deal with the projection for long. At least the voice was spot-on when the not-a-man started to speak. “Welcome, brave contestant, to the grand arena of Papilion. Our records indicate that you have volunteered to take part in a two-round match hosted by our esteemed establishment. A System-sanctioned event sponsored by your mentor deity.”
Nick had the impression of someone reading off a teleprompter, or an AI-generated recording, rather than someone speaking directly to him. He frowned, then forced himself to pay closer attention to the construct’s words, rather than its bizarre appearance and unsettling mannerisms.
“My name is public relations liaison two-one-seven. I am here to explain the rules of this event before you confer with your assigned party in preparation for your match. You have been designated as a member of team three. A participant in one of the one thousand, one hundred and fifty matches taking place in our arena and other affiliated establishments." The wheels in Nick’s brain turned as he began processing the dynamics of his situation, not waiting until the construct was done with its spiel before setting the machinery of his mind into motion. More of us decided to participate than I expected. That’s either great or terrible news, depending on how many of us survive.
“I can see that you’re injured,” the liaison continued. “Fear not. A complimentary regeneration crystal has been placed within your ready room to assist with your recovery. Unfortunately, the crystal will not be available between rounds. As time is of the essence, allow me to lay out the rules of your match in an expedited manner. When you pass through the door behind me, you will enter into a ready room and meet your team. The room has been stocked with a range of basic provisions, as well as a selection of suitable weapons and armor to use during the match.
“I regret to inform you that you will be unable to keep any of this equipment once your fight is over. But if you are lucky, it will keep you alive until your battles are complete. As I mentioned, today’s match is a two-round challenge, and the nature of your opponents will be hidden until the start of each bout. A one-hour period of rest will be provided between rounds, during which you will return to your ready room to recover as best you can. Finally, a small prize will be provided by this establishment for each fight you complete. This is in addition to whatever rewards your sponsor and the System have deemed fit to offer.”
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
This was honestly a better setup than Nick had been expecting, although he still had a bad feeling about the fight itself. He opened his mouth to ask a question, intending to pry every detail that he could out of the creepy artificial person.
Before he could utter a word, the construct cut him off. “I can see that you wish to make an inquiry, and I applaud your enthusiasm. Unfortunately, that is all the information that I have been authorized to divulge. Your first match begins in less than an hour. Please step through the door behind me, confer with your team, and prepare for the first match. On behalf of our executive board, welcome to the Grand Arena of Papilion. We hope you put on quite a show!”
With that, the not-a-man vanished like smoke on the breeze, leaving Nick alone with his thoughts once more. It was darker now that the glowing construct was gone. He had to squint to make out the doorway in front of him. Part of him wanted to stand there in the gloom. To take a moment to himself before he was plunged into another life and death struggle. With a surge of will, he pushed past his reluctance, squared his shoulders, and took hold of the doorknob. Knowing that every second of prep time was precious, Nick opened the door and stepped through, officially kicking off the start of his latest adventure.
Nick entered what appeared to be some manner of locker room, although the facility was grander than any he had used in his old life on Earth. Every visible surface was formed from sparkling white stone, carved from solid blocks the size of buildings, so massive that he couldn’t spot any seams from his present vantage.
At regular intervals along the ceiling, clear gemstones the size of his fists were mounted into brass fittings, each crystal shining with a steady white glow. They reminded him of the lights he had seen in the tutorial dungeon, and he wondered if magical gems were a common source of energy in the multiverse. Unfortunately, such academic concerns would have to wait until Nick’s life wasn’t in imminent jeopardy. He shelved his questions for now, reluctantly returning his attention to surveying the rest of the room.
While he waited for his eyes to adjust to the brighter level of lighting, he placed his awareness into his ears, seeking out any clue that might reveal what awaited him when he stepped out onto the fighting floor. A rumbling murmur emanated from the ivory sheets of rock; the sound of countless voices conducting through the thick sheet of stone running above Nick’s head. The ceiling muffled the myriad conversations, making it impossible to pick out individual words. He could sense an eagerness to the crowd’s boisterous chatter. The electric tension of anticipation as they waited for the curtain to rise, reminding him that the next fight, his fight, would begin within a paltry handful of heartbeats.
Nick’s nostrils flared as he scented the air, taking in the fragrances of sweet herbs and acrid antiseptic, behind which lingered the faint odors of metal and salt. A pervasive stench that he had become intimately familiar with since his new life began. Sweat and blood. This chamber must be somewhere near the fighting floor, like the locker room of a professional sports stadium back home. Nick became certain that his guess was correct when he ran his gaze across the room, now able to make out fine details without having to squint.
Lining every inch of three of the four walls were wooden racks filled with countless weapons and various pieces of armor. It was enough equipment to outfit a hundred warriors and still have plenty of steel to spare. He ran his fingertips across suits of plate and skirts of chain. Across blades and bludgeons of every shape and size, many of which Nick knew the names of, but even more that were as inscrutable as they were lethal.
One corner was stocked with ropes and straps, set between rows of tools and basic medical supplies. This was a wealth of high-quality gear. A score like Nick had dreamed of finding since the early days of his tutorial. Too bad I don’t get to keep any of it. Regrets aside, this selection would more than compensate for his paltry collection of supplies, and he would gladly take advantage of whatever was offered while he was a guest of this establishment.
Standing in the bowels of the arena, he was overcome with a sense of timelessness. That these stones had been standing for countless ages, their history stretching back to before Nick’s ancestors had descended from the treetops. How many people have stood within this room, waiting for that gate to open, gathering their thoughts, preparing themselves for the fight ahead? Uncertain if they would live to see the sun rise again. He imagined that he was surrounded by ghosts. The memory of fighters dead and gone absorbed into these white walls. Their presence lingering long after their lives had flared and faded away.
Their presence was so real, so intense, and the next moment the strange perception was gone, leaving Nick alone with his thoughts once more.