Two guards approached, both in heavy armor with swords and shields. I had already dropped the blood-covered axe, but I knew the odds of me besting them were non-existent. I set the shield down and stood. They placed their arms under me and half-carried me through the exit archway of the arena. I was still in shock, otherwise, I probably would have struggled, or at least asked where we were going. The world felt distant like I was watching someone else's life.
"I can walk," I groaned as I snapped out of my stupor. Surprisingly, the guards dropped me and let me stand.
One of the men looked at me and said, "Never seen tribute win before. Good fight." I just stared at him, confused.
"It was self-defense," I finally said. They both laughed like I had told a joke and ushered me forward.
They were still laughing as they led me through a long corridor and into an open courtyard. The courtyard was empty and surrounded by small archways on all sides. A passage led off in each direction, including where I came from. Around the stone floor perimeters were various tables and containers. The center was a flat section of white sand that reminded me of the arena floor. There were a couple of training dummies and wooden armaments lying around the sand.
"That was... unexpected," a man said in a deep voice. He was tall and muscular, dark-skinned, with long black hair and brown eyes. I estimated he was around 40 years old. He was sitting at one of the long tables and eating a bowl of something that looked and smelled terrible. There was a large container of the soup-like substance with another bowl and spoon next to it.
"Who are you? What the fuck is going on?" I asked angrily. He smiled and gestured for me to sit across from him. I ran my hand down my sand-covered face and repeated my questions.
The man raised his hands placatingly and said, "I am Telovir, the arena's fightmaster. Please sit, and I'll explain."
I sat down and noticed for the first time that I was in a small amount of pain and still bleeding from a few cuts. The adrenaline was beginning to fade. As if on cue, another man entered the courtyard with bandages and medicine.
"Can Samuel here take a look at those wounds?" Telovir questioned.
I nodded at him and looked back at the fightmaster.
"That was a great fight, very unpolished, but the crowd loved it. You were lucky to grab that enchanted shield," Telovir said with an approving grin.
I felt anger rising in me again. "I'm so glad those assholes were entertained watching me kill two men. Now tell me how the fuck I got here and what the fuck is going on!" I snapped.
"Dwarves, you killed two dwarves," he corrected. I felt the crushing dread all over again. I really killed them. My thoughts began spiraling back to the fight and the horrors I just took part in. I tried using the breathing exercises my therapist taught me.
"Relax, they had it coming. Where's the honor in fighting a confused and unarmed opponent?" the fightmaster asked rhetorically.
I ignored Telovir as I struggled to calm myself. I had only felt this way once before, and it ruined my life for years afterward.
Samuel stood and began walking away. I thanked him as he left. The man simply waved but didn't turn or stop walking. My wounds already felt better.
"Tribute is what you were. A summoned offering for the dwarven brothers to kill to honor the Games starting. They were cowards who requested to fight summoned tribute. Those little shits had it coming if you ask me," he told me without any hint of humor.
My head was still spinning. What was this man talking about? Summoned? Dwarves? Tribute? Enchantments? I shook myself out of my stupor and asked a simple question - "Why me?".
"Summonings are random. I've heard spatial mages used to be able to directly summon individuals or even open portals. Now? They can't even choose the target," he responded. So I was just unlucky? Or is this guy just telling me that? Telovir was patient and sat the whole time silently.
"So they can send me back?" I finally asked.
"I'm not sure, to be honest. I will work on getting you an audience with the Lord's spatial mage. She will be able to answer that properly. It may take a few days, though," he told me.
Now that the adrenaline was all gone, I deflated. The anger gave way to exhaustion. I kept telling myself it was self-defense and I couldn't have avoided what happened. My actions were justified.
I needed to be logical right now. Evaluate the situation, then figure a way out. I couldn't afford to panic.
"So, where am I?" I asked.
"You are in Lord Bainmourth's Arena. Just outside the city of Larell," he answered. I still had no idea where I was.
"What country?" I probed.
"The Kingdom of Sayne." was his answer. Sayne? Kingdom? Something told me this summoning brought me somewhere far from my home in Pennsylvania. I quelled another wave of fear.
Samuel had asked me to remove my shirt earlier, and I gasped as I noticed something forming on my right shoulder. It became a mark similar to a tattoo. It wrapped around my entire shoulder and tricep when it finished forming. I noticed it moving slightly and changing colors faintly. It depicted a fully armored knight holding a giant shield above his head. There were strange symbols above and below it, but I couldn't read or make sense of them. I frantically tried to remove it, to wipe it away or shake it off.
"What is this? What did you do to me?" I growled as panic finally overwhelmed me.
"They told me the summoned were clueless, but I never believed it. You really don't know what that is?" Telovir asked. I just continued gaping at it.
"This isn't real," I declared. I had lost it. I must have snapped, and this was all just in my head. I was probably in some hospital bed right now, being pumped full of drugs.
"That is a rune tattoo. Your first. It determines your primary magic discipline. It defines you and how you fight. Most children have their Prime Rune before the age of 16," he explained. I stopped attempting to remove it and looked at him, waiting for the laughter I expected after a joke. It never came. "That's an uncommon Prime. I've only ever seen it as an augment rune. 'Ironwall' is the rune's name. It's a defense-focused discipline based on the use of a shield. Considering how you fought, it makes sense," Telovir said as he nodded to himself. He ignored my reaction and just kept explaining as if this was just an ordinary everyday thing.
"Rune tattoos will appear differently to each observer." As we spoke, he tossed me a crystal, and I noticed some strange things taking shape in my peripherals. I held my hand up to Telovir so he'd pause long enough for me to inspect what was going on.
"Just, stop. Stop. Magic? Runes? What the fuck are you talking about? I just went through the second most traumatic event of my life, and you're talking about fairy tales!" I yelled as I shook the stupid crystal at him mockingly.
He continued despite my reaction, "That is a summary crystal. It reads your runes and has them display your traits and abilities, making them easier to understand. You only have one rune, so it shouldn't be too much information. Eventually, you'll be able to access this information without the crystal, but for now, let it guide you," he added.
As I glared at the man a faint interface appeared around my vision. It was unobtrusive yet clearly visible. I saw "Alex Venriel - Level 2 (8%)" in the center. I concentrated on my name, and a window opened:
Alexander Venriel
Level 2 (8%)
Health: 100%
Mana: 110/110
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Stamina: 100%
The word 'Runes' was prominent in the bottom right, and I mentally focused on it. Finally, a translucent window appeared and said Prime: Ironwall (Novice 0%) with a skill list underneath it.
Prime: Ironwall (Novice Level 1 - 0%):
* Shield Charge - Rush at your target with blinding speed, blocking all attacks and finishing with an attack from your shield. Cooldown: 30 seconds. Cost: 5 Mana.
* Reflection - Send projectiles and magic attacks back at enemies for 5 seconds. Cooldown: 60 seconds. Cost: 15 Mana.
* The Immovable Object - Raise your shield and block all attacks regardless of direction or position for 6 seconds. You take considerably less damage for the duration. You cannot move for the duration. You are immune to knockbacks and control effects for the duration. Cooldown - 1 day. Cost: 10 Mana.
* Shield Mastery - (Passive) Shield attacks deal twice as much damage.
Augments: None
After some fumbling, I mentally closed the window and focused on the next word.
Talents:
* Shield Expertise - Level 2 (12%) - Improves your ability to use shields effectively. Each level also improves your ability to block and increases damage dealt with shields.
* One-handed Axe Expertise - Level 1 (84%) - Improves your ability to wield one-handed axes effectively. Each level also increases damage dealt with one-handed axes.
Attributes:
Strength: 2
Dexterity: 2
Vigor: 2
Endurance: 2
Intelligence: 2
Regeneration: 2
Holy shit. I gaped at the fightmaster, still convinced I was insane. As I stared at him, another window appeared above his head.
[Telovir Remal - Level 65 Fightmaster]
"Why does it look like-?" I began, but he interrupted before I could finish.
"Magic is fluid; it adapts to the individual. It shows itself in easy-to-understand and intuitive ways - tailored to each individual. Whatever you see or hear is probably wildly different from my experience. Even your runes show themselves differently to each person who views them," he replied. I nodded as he spoke.
That would explain why I have an interface like I'm in a video game. I struggled to remain skeptical when presented with proof of what Telovir was talking about.
"Skills are abilities granted to you by the runes. Talents are abilities you've been taught or taught yourself. It should indicate your overall level also. Each level improves your health, strength, dexterity, stamina, speed, and regeneration, among other things. Rune levels will improve all abilities attributed to that rune. Finally, talent levels typically only improve that specific skill," he continued to explain.
That would explain why the axe and shield became more comfortable and felt more natural as the fight continued.
I relented and decided to just hear him out. I would need all the information I could get if I wanted to escape.
"What exactly is mana?" I inquired.
"To put it simply - mana is magical energy. You start at 100 and typically gain 10 more at every level. If you start running low, it will impact you negatively, so try and avoid that. If you run out, you may pass out." he explained. "Also, skills and talents can gain new effects and evolve as they level, so you'll need to keep an eye on them as you improve. Sometimes you are even given a choice."
"Uh, level?" I asked.
"Yes, you're already Level 2. I'm surprised you aren't Level 3 after the fight. You increase your level through combat and training. Unless you have profession runes, of course," he replied.
"I'm still unsure about any of this, and why are you helping me?" I asked.
He sighed and gave me a smile, "I take care of my fighters. You have to trust me, and I have to trust you. The only way that happens is if we're both honest with each other."
"You expect me to go back out into that arena? To fight again? To kill? No way!" I snapped.
The fightmaster held up his hands. "I'm not the enemy here. Almost no one is here willingly, myself included. Do you want to leave this place? There's one way. You earn it. Fight until they decide to let you go or win the damn games. That buys you a ticket to freedom," he told me. I felt defeated.
"And if I don't cooperate? If I don't fight? If I run for it?" I asked.
"They'll send you out there to die anyway. Look, I get it. You're being held against your will and forced to fight. Your instincts are to rebel. Nothing good will come from that, trust me. Just keep your head down and stay alive long enough for me to get you that audience with the mage," he urged.
I ran my hand down my face and tried to stay calm. At this point, what choice did I have? I used some more breathing exercises to try and get myself under control.
"Why don't you just let me go? I won't report any of this crazy shit. I'll just go. You'll never see me again," I said.
"You're not hearing me. It's not up to me. I'm in the same position as you. Get yourself some food and water. Rest for a couple of hours and come back here for evening training. I'll help you utilize those new skills and can explain further. I'll have Sam show you to your bunk after you eat," he stated.
I stood from the table and began walking towards the food before I turned back to Telovir and said, "I'm Alex." He nodded and started walking away.
I've gone crazy. I mused as I scooped the horrid food into the bowl.
After I finished the meal, Sam led me to a room further down the corridor past the courtyard. There was nothing in it besides a cheap cot and a bathtub. I quickly washed the dried blood from myself. I vaguely hoped that the cold water would snap me out of whatever was going on. I attempted to sleep, but my mind wouldn't let me. I didn't have the energy to deal with all the intrusive thoughts. I still had the summary crystal Telovir gave me, so I took it out and concentrated.
The interface appeared again, and I decided to explore it further. In the top right was a section I missed earlier called "Racial Abilities."
Race: Terran
Racial Abilities:
Decipher: You can understand, speak, read and write any language you encounter.
Level Headed: You can see the level of other people or beings.
Looter: You can loot slain enemies for items. In addition, you can sense stats and enchantments on weapons, armor, jewelry, and other items.
Examine: You can examine other people's names, classes, items, and rune powers.
Unawakened
Terran? I let that sink in for a moment. Despite my suspicions that I was no longer on Earth, seeing it confirmed was still disheartening. How the hell was I going to get home? I tried to focus on the benefits to distract myself.
It seemed this world was similar to the video games I played. Levels and abilities made me think of role-playing games. The translation ability was impressive. I had been using it this whole time without even realizing it. The loot power seemed self-explanatory, but I'd still inquire about it.
Eventually, I heard shuffling feet and conversations coming from the direction of the courtyard. I left my room and closed the rickety door noting the lack of any locks. I decided to quickly explore my new "home" before meeting back up with Telovir.
I walked towards the training area but turned right at the first perpendicular corridor. Going straight would have led me back to the arena, so I made a mental note to explore to the left when I had the chance. After a minute or two, I came upon a few more rooms and another courtyard similar to the one I had been in. I continued past it and saw a bright light at the end of the hallway. As I grew closer, I noticed the six guards standing just outside the exit. They were all wearing heavy chainmail armor and carrying sinister halberds. They were all level 10. One of the guards spotted me and ordered me to turn around. Not looking for a fight, I listened to the man and decided to head back.
I entered the courtyard warily and approached Telovir.
"Welcome back, Alex," he said warmly. I nodded and looked at the others who joined us.
There were two others here, a man and a woman.
"Name's Cassilia, but everyone calls me Cass. Wish I had been able to see your fight earlier," the beautiful woman stated with a grin.
She offered her hand, and I reached out to shake it. She damn near tore my arm off, and I recoiled.
"Oops! Always forget to take it easy on the lowbies!" she chuckled.
I examined her closer.
[Cassilia Huxon - Level 7]
She had three rune tattoos that gave me the impression that she was a powerful melee combatant focused on unrelenting attacks. Her Prime Rune was depicted by a snarling wolf with an oversized sword in its mouth. Cass had long red hair and blue eyes with a warm smile. She appeared to be around my age or possibly a few years younger. Her body was lithe and muscular, reminding me of a professional athlete. She wore a simple top and shorts that complimented her nicely. The man next to her clapped her shoulder and also offered his hand.
"I am Leo. Welcome to the arena," he said.
Thankfully his handshake was much more subdued. Leo was a handsome young man with striking purple eyes, a clean-shaven head, and a long black beard. He lacked the same athletic build as Cass but still appeared in excellent shape. He wore a linen tunic and kilt. His Prime Rune was a massive tree with a storm raging around it. As he introduced himself, I noted his level.
[Leo Senger - Level 3]
"We're sorry you had to be introduced to this lifestyle so abruptly," Leo added.
"It's nice to meet you both... and thanks," I stammered with confusion plain on my face.
"Why does your info say Fightmaster after it, but Cass and Leo just have a name?" I asked.
"You are seeing my class. Classes aren't assigned until you have all your runes and have reached level 10," Telovir explained.
"You will be fighting alongside these two as a team, " Telovir continued, "The games are a competition between various arenas around the kingdom. Mostly it is teams of two to six fighters competing. Over the next four weeks, you will face teams from the other arenas. Your opponents will be selected based on their level and the number of team members. Unfortunately, that means you'll be punching up until we can manage to level you a bit."
"Are you forgetting that I have no experience with real combat besides today?" I asked.
"Considering you bested a trained and armed duo who were each one level higher, I suspect you're a quick learner. I can tell you have the correct mindset. You have a day and a half before the next match. We will spend it training and preparing you," he answered.
What choice did I have? If I refused or ran for it now, I would be tossed into the arena unprepared or just straight up killed. I would have to trust this man for the time being. I decided I would look for an escape route tonight when everyone was sleeping. I'd go along with this for now. I shrugged and said, "Let's get started."