Passing gigantic metal gates, the wagons roll into the dark tunnel causing echoes to bounce off the wall before emerging into the dazzling sunlight and the outermost ring of Alzor.
==== Demoness Pov ====
Suddenly the wagon jolts as its wheels bump onto what feels like a cobblestone road causing me to lose briefly lose my balance and face plant the bars.
“SON OF A….”
Shouting out causes yet another wave of pain from the collar before I stop and deep breath before pinching my nose in disgust.
-”What is that god awful smell!”
Pushing down the gagging sensation I take a peek through the small hole in the sheet covering my cage.
-”That blonde boy did well, I can see pretty much the entire street. I wonder where he is?”
Looking around, I see we are surrounded by small wooden shacks piled next to each in a haphazard fashion. They look like they have been made out whatever the owners could find and are occasionally separated by narrow, long dark alleyways littered with debris.
-”If it wasn't for the smell, this would probably be a good place to try and get away… well the smell and being locked in a cage with a pain inducing collar.”
My attention is drawn to the multitudes of people swarming the sides of the road, dressed in rags. Most of the people seem to be those animal people I saw earlier. Ear’s, eyes even fluffy tails. Some of them look pretty cute but of course, not even close to my own wonderful tail. Watching an elderly man get beaten down one of the alleyways makes me feel repulsed.
-”This is definitely somewhere a young beautiful girl like me should be. I would be attacked out of jealousy in a heartbeat”
It wasn't long before we passed another set of impressive gates and a much shorter tunnel and the stench decreased a little, bringing a change in the atmosphere.
The buildings are still wooden but much larger and spaced out having large ornate windows. Passing a large open area I spot a wonderful sight. Hundreds of stalls, selling all manners of bright and exotic things. Well exotic to me at least having no memories.
More people than I can count are walking around happily dressed in all manner of beautiful and sparkling clothes. I spot a young girl in a red dress being escorted through the crowds by a dozen silver armoured guards.
-”I want a pretty red dress”
-”Couldn't that pipsqueak cut a hole in the side, next time I see him I will let him have it”
After a while I grew bored before noticing that I am no longer scared or nervous. The only thing I can feel is the annoyance of being locked in this cage when I could be out having fun.
-”That dress was too good for that girl. She should be stripped of it and thrown in the slums they had passed”
Remembering I am locked in a cage I sigh loudly.
“At least they could've given me some good clothes, maybe even some nice shoes.” I mutter. These people should treat a lady better.
I am snapped out of my brooding when we pass by a third gate. My ears are soon bombarded by a wall of sound, men shouting, boots marching in unison and the heavy clash of metal. Using both hands to cover my ears I glare out hoping to see what is making all the noise.
-”How are these people not deaf?”
Rapid thumping noises attracts my attention and I focus out over a large field where people are training by hitting what seems to be straw people.
-”It appears it's not that it's very noisy, but my hearing is too good. That man hitting the dummy should be at least a hundred feet away.”
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Feeling slightly smug on how awesome I am, I notice a huge circular domed building rising above the buildings in the distance. Large black banners with a huge white animal skull drape down from the top. I have no clue what animal the skull belongs to but guessing by the size of its fangs, it's gotta be pretty strong.
-”Those look pretty cool! I want one”
==== Third Person Pov ====
The convoy finally reaches the gates of the Coliseum of Monsters. All non human creatures with cores needed to be examined here before being moved to the more specialised branches.
The first order of business was to use an ancient magic that allowed any creature to speak the common language.
The second was to bind status stones the the creatures and to put them through a trial of combat. This should cause any younglings to develop their first skills and get a good gauge of the older ones.
After viewing the creature's performance, trainers would then be able to attempt to bond with them before the true training began.
As they approached a transparent blue wall that covered the entire dome glistened before a square disappeared and two segments of the wall separated giving enough space for them to enter.
Once inside they continued into a large courtyard, illuminated by huge yellow stones matching the sunlight outside.
These were known as skystones. They replicated whatever the weather was almost perfectly bar the airflow. This meant the creatures could be bound and trained in almost real world conditions without the risk of escape.
Once all the wagons were in the courtyard, the knights dismounted and started unloading the cages, placing them in a straight, horizontal line in front of a large wooden stage.
Standing on top of stage, as if she was the goddess of carnage, was a thin but shapely woman in blood red, scale armour. Her blonde, single braid swayed slightly as her fierce gaze took in every bit of detail. Laying at her feet was a large toxic green snake the length of a ten men. Normally this snake would terrify even the most battle hardened veterans however it looked almost cuddly compared to the woman.
“Get the language stones ready” bellowed the woman in a dominating voice causing a few of the knights to jump.
Men covered in brown leather armour that had been standing at the sides, quickly ran and placed red, egg like stones in front of the cages before retreating taking the knights with them.
“Any mistakes, if your life isn't lost, your pay is. Activate the spell” [Woman in red]
A red robed mage walks in front of the stage and starts chanting causing the stones to break down into mist and surge forward under the sheets and into the cages. A few shouts in mysterious languages and bestial roars come out of the cages before quickly being replaced by screams of pain.
-”Seems like they have set the collars to activate on loud noises. Good” smiled the red armoured woman.
“While the magic takes effect let me see the list. Oh and set the collars to activate if they make any sound.” [Woman in red]
A young blond boy runs up to the stage and hands her a parchment, which she unfurls and starts reading.
“This is the list Lord Commander”
She smiles at the boy.
-”Looks like General Rolf’s squire is looking for a pet. Wonder how he convinced the old goat, he’s protective as they come”.
Race
Pureblood
Hybrid
Angel
1
1
Demon
1
2
Dwaf
2
0
Beastkin
2
2
Fairy
3
1
Dragon
2
0
Elf
2
1
Globlin
2
1
Elemental
2
1
Vampire
0
1
After she finished analysing the list she noticed the mist was completely gone and the area was filled with silence.
“Prisoners in the cages listen well, the collars around your necks are set to cause unimaginable pain and misery if you disobey me. Get this into your dumb, thick skulls, you are now and forever be, slaves of the Vonai kingdom” [Lord Commander]