As I stepped into the arena, the blinding sunlight reflecting off the sand momentarily disoriented me. Before my eyes could fully adjust, the deafening roar of the crowd hit me. The amphitheater, vast and sprawling, was filled with beings of all kinds, their eyes fixed on me.
"Everett the drifter!" the announcer's voice boomed, echoing across the vast space.
Jag Roneo: Here comes Everett! The crowd’s goin’ wild. They’ve been waitin’ for this moment, Bill. You can feel the excitement in the air!
Bill Ruggles: Aye, Jag. It’s like watchin' a hero walk into the ring at a local pub. The lad’s got a reputation, and they’re lovin' every second of it. Just hope he’s ready for what’s next.
Confusion set in. I hadn't been announced yet, had I? As I continued to walk, it dawned on me: my entrance into the arena had been delayed, but my introduction had not. My life's story, or at least a version of it, had already been narrated to the eager audience. This, it seemed, was a change in the formula of the arena, perhaps aimed at building anticipation or gaining more rapid fanbases. I really hadn’t considered the crowds much at all until now. Every fight I had concentrated so much on just surviving and getting home. I would need to think on this in the future.
A realization began to form in the back of my mind. I must have taken longer to emerge from my meditation than I had anticipated. Time had slipped away from me in that serene mental space, and the events had moved on without my awareness. It was a jarring contrast, transitioning from the depths of introspection to the raucous clamor of the arena.
Jag Roneo: Everett looks a bit disoriented, Bill. Must’ve lost track of time in his meditation or somethin’. Goin’ from peace and quiet to this chaos can’t be easy.
Bill Ruggles: It’s like bein' woken up by a fire alarm after a deep sleep. But he’s here now, and the crowd’s already got his backstory. Let’s see if he lives up to the hype.
I pushed those thoughts away and continued into the arena. Whispers reached my ears as I moved closer to the center. Phrases like "lost love" and "man out of time" mingled with the warm breeze. It was an odd feeling, having strangers privy to moments of my life, cheering me on, their enthusiasm based on a story they'd just heard. As the last whispers about my story faded, the atmosphere shifted. The crowd's energy changed, their attention now directed towards the opposite entrance. The announcer's voice filled the arena once more, this time heralding the arrival of my opponent.
"In the high citadels of the Sky Elves, where floating islands and majestic spires dominate the horizon, House Callenfall stands as one of the most distinguished families. Known for their prowess with magic and their vast riches earned from trade among the sky routes, they're a name revered and feared in equal measure."
Jag Roneo: The crowd’s buzzin’ now, Bill. Sounds like Everett’s up against some Sky Elf royalty. House Callenfall—magic and money. This is gonna be interestin’.
Bill Ruggles: Aye, it’s like facin' off against the royal family, only they’ve got swords and spells instead of crowns and corgis. Everett’s got his work cut out for him.
My grip tightened around my battleaxe as I tried to predict what kind of foe I would face.
"But every noble house has its secrets, and House Callenfall's is Alexeon. Born from a clandestine affair between Lady Aranel Callenfall and a disreputable scoundrel from a distant land, Alexeon's existence was a scandal the proud house could ill afford."
A murmur ran through the crowd, a mix of surprise and familiarity. I looked across the arena, trying to catch a glimpse of this Sky Elf with such a storied background.
"He was never officially recognized by the family, but Lady Aranel, moved by a mother's love, ensured he was given a comfortable life in a secluded estate, away from prying eyes. As the years passed, Alexeon's yearning to be acknowledged grew. Resigned to living in the shadows, he became known derisively as 'Sir Bastard.' The arena, a renowned melting pot of opportunities, beckoned him."
Jag Roneo: Oh, this is juicy! A scandal in the Sky Elf family. Alexeon, the unacknowledged bastard, steppin’ out of the shadows. He’s got a lot to prove here, Bill.
Bill Ruggles: It’s like a soap opera with swords, Jag. “Sir Bastard” might’ve had a rough start, but he’s here to make a name for himself. Bet he’s ready to settle some scores.
The tale was becoming increasingly dramatic, and I could feel the anticipation in the air growing thicker. I knew this match would be a formidable one.
"Choosing to leave the comforts of his mother's secluded estate, Alexeon made a name for himself in the turbulent world beyond as a mercenary. With each mission, he honed his innate magic and martial abilities from his Callenfall lineage, blending them with unique techniques he'd picked up from his father's enigmatic heritage."
"His reputation as a formidable mercenary grew, and tales of a mysterious Sky Elf with unmatched magic and martial ability for their class became near folklore. The arena's grand tournament, a chance to earn an elite class, was Alexeon's next target. For him, each bout wasn't just a quest for survival or glory; it was another stride in his journey to self-validation."
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As the announcer's voice dwindled, the tension was palpable. The next moments would see our stories collide, as two beings, each with our own burdens and ambitions, would fight for our place in this world.
I felt the sun's intense heat on my back as I locked eyes with Alexeon in the center of the arena. The crowd's hushed anticipation was almost tangible. His eyes, a stark crimson, met mine, neither of us backing down. I took a deep breath, steadying my nerves, fully aware that this confrontation would be nothing like my previous ones.
Jag Roneo: The stare-down’s intense, folks! Everett and Alexeon, each with their own tale of woe. This is gonna be one for the books!
Bill Ruggles: Aye, Jag. It’s like two stags eyein' each other up before a fight. Both with somethin' to prove, and neither lookin' like they’ll back down.
Assuming a defensive stance, I raised my Forearm Shield, hoping its weight would lend me the protection I needed in the duel. But Alexeon wasted no time. In a blink, he was upon me, having used the wind to propel himself forward with incredible speed. He attacked me with an overhand swing of his sword, which I barely blocked with my forearm shield, bringing my arm across my chest, the force of his attack pushing me back slightly, accompanied by a rush of wind.
Jag Roneo: Alexeon’s not holdin’ back! He’s on Everett like a hurricane, usin’ wind magic to boost his speed. This is fast and furious!
Bill Ruggles: It’s like bein' caught in a wind tunnel, Jag. Everett’s gotta brace himself. Alexeon’s got the speed and the magic to make this a right whirlwind of a fight.
Trying to predict his next move, I attempted strikes in quick succession first at his side, then his head, his arm, his neck. In response, Alexeon conjured powerful gusts of wind, which spiraled around him, deflecting my attempts to breach his defense. Our forces clashed fiercely, a storm of strikes meeting the gales of wind.
Jag Roneo: Everett’s tryin’ to break through, but Alexeon’s wind defenses are solid. It’s like fightin’ a tornado!
Bill Ruggles: Aye, he’s swingin' for his life, but Alexeon’s usin' the wind like a shield. It’s like tryin' to punch smoke. Everett’s gotta find a way through that gale!
Gathering my strength, I lunged forward, aiming to land a powerful strike with my axe. But Alexeon, moving with the grace and fluidity of a dancer, evaded my blow with a spin. With precision, I channeled a bolt of lightning from my tattoo towards him, but he sidestepped it effortlessly, his evasion looking almost rehearsed.
Jag Roneo: Lightning from Everett! But Alexeon’s dancin’ around it like he’s got the moves of a ballerina. This guy’s quick!
Bill Ruggles: He’s like a ballet dancer at a rock concert, dodgin' those bolts. Everett’s gotta keep tryin’, though—one good hit could turn this around.
Suddenly, the wind around him began to pick up at a terrifying speed, and I could tell he was increasing his pace. The world around me seemed to blur as he unleashed a barrage of relentless attacks. My shield and axe were put to the test, clashing with his rapid strikes. Despite my best efforts, his attacks found their mark again and again. A cut to my sword arm, a gash on my side, a slash on my cheek. With each new wound, my strength waned, and the realization of death inching closer became a chilling possibility.
Jag Roneo: Alexeon’s rampin’ it up! Everett’s takin’ hit after hit. He’s bleedin’, folks—this could be the end!
Bill Ruggles: It’s like watchin' a bloke get caught in a storm of knives, Jag. He’s hangin' on by a thread. If he doesn’t pull out somethin' special, this could be it!
Memories of my girlfriend and the life I yearned to go back to flashed before my eyes. The prospect of never seeing my loved ones again intensified my determination to survive. I had been thinking of them less lately, but in this moment, my wife and child were a centering emotion for me. The sadness I felt at their loss, the slightest glimmer of hope I have that I may still see them someday. This is what I clung to as my lifeforce drifted away. If I made it out of this fight, I would redouble my efforts to grow stronger, I didn’t know how I was going to get home, but I was damn well going to try. I just needed to win this fight first.
Desperate to turn the tide, I invoked the healing properties from my elemental compass tattoo. A refreshing sensation washed over me, mitigating the pain from the accumulated wounds, even as they kept pouring in. I put on a brave face, determined not to let Alexeon sense my suffering.
Jag Roneo: Everett’s pullin’ out the big guns—useless compass tattoo for healin’. You can see him recoverin’ right there in the ring!
Bill Ruggles: It’s like a miracle cure, Jag! He’s lookin' a bit better, but he’s still in the fight of his life. This could be his last stand or his big comeback!
But Alexeon was a seasoned warrior, he had become notorious on his world with a normal class and now that he had his elite class, he was formidable beyond anything I had faced before, it felt like he toyed with me. It was the ease with which he was defeating me that would end up giving me my chance. Alexeon should have finished me off already but he was enjoying killing me slowly and had perhaps become overconfident and a little too predictable in his attacking sequences. It was one such slightly lazy attack that I deftly parried away with my shield using all of the strength left within me, this caused him to stumble momentarily. I did not hesitate, I seized on the moment, I threw away my axe and lunged at him, gripping him tightly in a one armed bear hug. His eyes widened in surprise, but before he could react, I pummeled him with a fierce blow from my forearm shield. He was taken aback by the sheer force, and I didn't let him recover. Pinning him down, I delivered blow after crushing blow with my shield, ensuring he'd not rise again. Finally the duel ended with a sickening crunch as his helm cracked and his facial bones beneath it caved in to leave a grotesque husk of a face behind with discernable features beyond blood and gore. The crowd gasped.
Jag Roneo: Everett’s found his opening! He’s takin’ Alexeon down—blow after blow. This is brutal!
Bill Ruggles: He’s got him pinned, Jag. It’s like watchin' a pit bull takin' down a fox. Everett’s not holdin' back—he’s goin’ all out!
The stillness that followed was oppressive. I stood amidst the dust and the deafening silence, gasping for breath, the enormity of the battle weighing heavily upon me. I was drained but I could not help myself, I looked down at Alexeon’s mangled corpse and said, “looks like this Sky Elf is grounded.” I then shook my head in mock disappointment and began leaving the arena.
Jag Roneo: And with that, Everett delivers the final blow. Alexeon’s grounded for good! That’s one hell of a fight, Bill.
Bill Ruggles: Aye, Jag, Everett’s got a sense of humor in the face of death. He’s won, but the cost was high. Let’s hope he can recover for the next bout.
Winner! Everett the drifter.