These thoughts occupied me as I lay in my quarters. What would come next? What should I ask for as my boon? Aspirant had made a few good points. While my arm could be fixed in some way…The idea of aiding Earth's defense dominated my thoughts. A replacement for my left arm would be practical, but the needs of Earth felt more pressing. Could mercenaries help? That was Aspirant’s plan and they knew much more about the system and this new world I was in much more than I did. But how would they operate, and who would lead them? The enormity of the decision weighed on me. Realization smacked me in the face in that moment. I had no way back to Earth, that was a thought…
With the decision made, I closed my eyes, rolled over, put my face in my pillow, and attempted to cry for my loss, for my girlfriend, my baby, my family, my world. I don’t know why this all happened to me and my world and my everything, but I was going to use this. I was going to get my revenge or at least some piece of revenge.
As I lay there, a deluge of emotions began to surface, touching what felt like the tip of the profound grief I had been avoiding. Each thought of my lost love, and my unborn child, brought a sting sharper than the last. The calming balm I'd taken earlier now seemed like a betrayal to their memory. It numbed not just my pain but the love and loss that were their due. “Should I have allowed myself to feel this sooner?” I wondered, a pang of guilt mingling with my sorrow.
Making the decision felt like releasing a breath I hadn’t realized I'd been holding. Yet, it wasn't just relief that washed over me. It was also a sobering acceptance of the new reality I faced. I felt unmoored, caught between the life I knew on Earth and this alien existence thrust upon me. Each thought of the boon brought a mix of hope and an undercurrent of dread for the unknown challenges ahead. As I was considering all this, I received a warning message that said it was nearly time to meet the Iron Princess. I cleaned myself up as fast as I could and waited by the door.
I expected it to be an orc from the iron hegemony that took me, but it was one of the Necronis again, I wondered why they were back. We did our usual walk through the halls of the arena complex and eventually ended up outside the door of the Iron Princess’ waiting room, or stateroom. Maybe her receiving room or throne room. I don’t know what it is, but that’s where they took me. I waited at the door for a few minutes. I was surprised that Elyria wasn’t there, where was she? She should be here. Eventually, the door opened, and Octaviok beckoned me forward.
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There were a bunch of Orcs inside the room, they filled the room, I hadn’t seen so many people in such a long time, that’s where the Orc guards were I guess. I noticed that most of them looked… happy for me. A few of them looked offended. Kind of at my presence was the feeling I was getting. Some of them appeared to be judging me. But for the most part, a great deal of them seemed to be happy for me. I didn’t expect that, and I found myself feeling… joy because of it? Joy had been in short supply for me since I’ve been here it was honestly… Nice to realize that people were rooting for me.
The realization that I might have fans struck me as both surreal and unnerving. Here I was, a reluctant gladiator bumbling my way through a death tournament, and now I was the object of admiration. It was a jarring juxtaposition – my struggle for survival had become their entertainment. “Is this what my life has come to?” I thought, a sense of absurdity mixing with a reluctant appreciation for their support. It was better than the alternative, I guess. As I walked up, I just sort of relished it until I found myself in front of the iron princess.
I waited there in front of her. I had no idea what I should do. She looked at me expectantly. Finally, I nodded, and she broke the silence. “I’ll forgive the fact that you didn’t kneel because I am so happy to see my favorite drifter again, hopefully I will be seeing you more now, that victory was… Delicious. So, what does the galaxies favorite drifter request of the iron hegemony?”
Standing before the Iron Princess, her remark about kneeling threw me off. I was both embarrassed and slightly annoyed. Her direct approach, skipping formalities, was unexpected. She seemed genuinely pleased, calling me her favorite drifter, her words laced with a tone of satisfaction. Her question about my request from the hegemony was straightforward, almost abrupt.
Still caught off guard, I stuttered in response. "Th-thank you for the opportunity to select a boon. I've been overwhelmed with the weight of picking the right thing, if I am being honest."
She didn't let me finish. "What is it that you desire? do you want money? do you want a home in the hegemony to rest and recover? Maybe you want to start fighting in the nonlethal Arenas in the outer sectors? Or is there something else?” She smiled mischievously when she said that. Almost like she already knew what I’d pick… “Perhaps my favorite drifter would like to join my harem?”
Her jest caught me completely unprepared. I coughed, nearly choking, as she laughed off her own joke. "Oh, I'm just kidding. I don’t have a harem, but they are not unheard of in the Iron Hegemony..."
Regaining my composure, I replied, "I hadn't considered most of those options. My focus has been elsewhere, but I know what I want." Taking a deep breath, I decided to just go for it, I wanted a piece of my life back. "For my boon, I would like to be sent back to Earth to aid in its defense!" And with that, the room erupted…
This ends book 1.