I went out into the wilderness of Dracon. Exar’kun found a large cavern and settled in his bulk blocking the entrance as I sat cross legged in meditation. My wrathful meditation no longer required me to focus on past painful memories to draw on it. I wouldn’t say that I had moved past those events, but they no longer had the power over me they once had. The anger was still there, and I doubted it would ever fade; and I didn’t want it to.

The fourth Event of this cycle will take place in five hours, please make sure you are prepared and have all your required equipment with you. Only items you are physically in contact with will be taken with you to the Event.

Clarent hung from a belt around my waist, the Spear of Janus was slung across my back. Other than it all my other weapons were in my storage pouch, the only other thing on my waist being Mab. I was ready I’d missed two events while out of contact with the system and I didn’t intend to miss this one.

This is your one-minute warning, the countdown will begin at the ten-second mark, prepare yourself Champion the Event will test you and the foundation you have built for yourself so far. Only the worthy will prevail.

My eyes opened as the countdown began.

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

Initializing Event

The transference happened faster than it was possible to register. One minute I was in a cave, the next I blinked and was under the open sky. I rose from my mediative position looking around at my surroundings. Unlike this time, I wasn’t alone but was instead in a group of at least a hundred people. They were all armed to the teeth and the magic that radiated from their gear made my nose itch like a nest of ants had crawled up it. Suppressing my initial instinct to attack before I could be attacked, I read the system prompt that popped into my vision.

You have entered the Realm of the Proving Grounds. This massive area is split into three zones, one controlled by you the other by the opposing group of champions. There are roughly two-hundred champions in each faction. Each champion has three lives and will revive in their spawn zone when killed, when their last life is lost, they will be removed from the event but will keep all rank points they gained but will lose any equipment or loot gained over the battle. You cannot loot enemy or allied champions of their belongings but will be rewarded with random drops based on the following outcomes.

Killing enemy champions (rewards further effected by the risk taken to do so).

1>

Stealing an enemy faction’s standard and moving it to your spawn point.

40

Rescuing your faction’s standard and returning it to your spawn point.

15

Holding another faction’s standard for 24 hours.

20

Taking control of strategic points scattered over the battlefield.

15

Successfully defending strategic points you’ve taken and your spawn point from attacks.

10

A final reward will be given to those still in the competition at the end of the Event based on the number of points they have gotten for completing objectives. The Event will end in seven days, you have six hours to plan and prepare your bases defenses before the battle will begin.

Grimacing, I looked around at the people the System had assigned as my allies. I was not a happy camper, I fought alone and my experience of teaming up with another champion had put me off the whole thing.

“Speak of the devil,” I said as I caught sight of her.

Her armor was different but the golden half skull mask she wore was unmistakable as was her light grey skin and white hair. Her hair briefly reminded me of Guinevere, but I pushed those distracting thoughts from my mind for now.

Ammerila, Champion of Salrilla, Goddess of Assassins & Murder, Gifted- Veteran, humanoid/dusk-elf, Rank: 426

She was a higher rank than me and I watched as she sized up all the people around her no doubt planning on how to backstab them later on. Before I could confront her or do anything I heard someone shout and a hand landed on my shoulder. Whirling around only a message and an overwhelming weight dropping on my shoulders kept me from impaling the man through the chest. Clarent hung motionless in my hand its blade not even extended.

Warning! You cannot attack anyone during the planning stage of the Event, any further attempts to initiate violence by you until the six hours are up will result in your expulsion from the Event.

“You!” the man snarled. “Do you recognize me?”

“No,” I replied honestly relaxing since there was no danger.

My answer seemed to derail his entire line of thought. “You… you don’t remember me we fought during the last Event.”

I looked up at his description above his head.

Hornar the Adamantine Bastion, Champion of Amadra, Gifted- Mortal, humanoid/kassadrons, Rank: 374

“Nope, still don’t remember you,” I said.

“You killed me during the Event!” he snapped.

“Do you have any idea how little that narrows it down?” I asked. “Were you one of the people that tried to kill me after I left the safe zone?”

“What? No, you interfered with me and my companions fight against one of the mini-bosses,” he said.

“Oh, you were that guy, well you seem fine now,” I said dismissively turning my back to him.

“I’m not done with you Warlord,” he snapped reaching out to grab me. His hand froze before making contact as the system informed him of the rules.

He took a step back scowling at me and looked around. Looking around Ammerila was the only champion of a Chaos god that I could see but that did not make us allies. People were talking and already forming groups, some recognizing each other and exchanging words.

“Listen everyone!” Hornar shouted. “This man is the Warlord! He is a threat to every nation any of us are aligned to.”

“So?” someone in the crowd asked irritated by this interruption to their conversation.

“He killed me in the last event,” Hornar said.

“I’d stop telling people that,” I said. “It doesn’t make me sound that bad and makes you sound like a pussy little bitch.”

His face reddened and he took a step ready to attack me before remembering the Systems warning.

“When this time limit is over, you’ll learn just how much stronger I am now,” Hornar threatened me.

“Even at my worst is better than your best,” I said dismissively. “Let me guess you operate in a party, act as the tank? I’m going to shred your like wet toilet paper, because that’s what you are something to wipe up my shit with.”

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

I wasn’t sure if he knew what toilet paper was, but trash talk was a universal language and my days in Xbox live chat weren’t going to let me down. Our verbal altercation was drawing a larger and crowd as every champion began to gather around.

“The system might have put us on the same side of this battlefield but that doesn’t mean we are allies, I for one will be happy to sacrifice some advantage if that means preventing you from participating in this Event,” Hornar said.

“What are you saying,” A male humanoid with midnight black skin that specked with blue crystal dust like a starlite sky asked.

“He means that we should kill him ourselves to prevent him from becoming stronger,” Another man said and stepped forward. He was dressed in immaculate gold and silver armor; I could instantly tell my its intricacies that almost every piece was an artifact; the hilt of a greatsword poking over his back also screamed Artifact to me. Looking up I read his description and my expression soured though no one could see it under my helmet. Arthur carried his own helmet under his left arm, I would have said he was clean shaven but he looked still to young to grow proper facial hair. He had medium length golden blond hair and boy band features with a strong jaw line. I wasn’t gay but I could judge another man’s appearance and he was a lot better looking than me, if he had been in my world he’d be movies or working in the model industry.

Arthur, Crown Prince of Camelot, Champion of Viviane, Gifted- Mortal, humanoid/human, Rank: 525

While Hornar had just been above my rank by a bit Arthur was nearly at the next rank, I had to guess that he also matched me equipment wise.

“Is that allowed?” the star skinned man asked.

“I didn’t see any rules against it,” Hornar said. “We just can’t attack him for six hours, but when the clock is up, I for one wonder what sort of ability you might get from killing the Warlord.”

I ignored Hornar, the bigger dog had just shown itself and it was time to size up my opponent.

“So, you’re Prince Arthur,” I said as I circled around him examining him from every angle. “At least you came dressed the part of hero.”

“And you’ve dressed like a barbarian,” he said coldly.

“They say dress for the job you want,” I said with a shrug. “How is Guinevere these days?”

Arthur stiffened. “Don’t talk about her, I have no idea what poison you put in her ears but your done corrupting her.”

“It’s not over till it’s over,” I said.

“What did you do to her?” Arthur asked. “She isn’t the same since she came back.”

“No,” I said. “She’s pretty much the same, I just helped her to let more of her real self out.”

“That isn’t the real Guinevere,” Arthur spat back.

“If you don’t like what you see then I’ll take her,” I said.

“If you ever go near Guinevere again,” Arthur said taking a threatening step forward. “I’ll kill you.”

“You’re a little too enthusiastic about marrying your cousin,” I said ignoring his attempt to tower over me. He was tall but I actually had about six inches of height on him.

“Wait… he’s marrying his cousin?” someone in the crowd asked.

“It’s perfectly normal,” Arthur said.

“No, no its not,” I said. “Where I’m from people who marry their cousins live in shacks in the woods, what was it called me… a barbarian? Well, that’s what we think of people who marry their relatives.”

“We have our reasons for marrying,” Arthur said. “We have our responsibilities to ensure the safety of our people.”

I stepped in close to Arthur and breathed in deeply. “My, my, you’ve been a bad boy,” I said as he stepped back my sudden invasion of his personal space as I took a whiff of him surprising him and making him uncomfortable. “That’s not Guinevere’s perfume or scent, I can smell the sex on you, she won’t be happy about that.”

“She already knows,” Arthur said.

“I’m guessing she didn’t take it too well,” I said. “Wasn’t that her one condition to marrying you? You’re young but I guess she figured the knight in shining armor could keep his word.”

“How do you know about our deal?” Arthur asked, his eyes narrowing.

“I know Guinevere better than you ever will,” I said my teeth flashing behind the narrow slit in my helmet.

Arthur reached for the hilt of his sword but froze as he received the warning from the system. “I warned you about talking about her.”

“Or what?” I asked dryly. “You’ll kill me, we both know we’ve already crossed that bridge.”

“Enough,” a woman said stepping forward. “We aren’t here to fight each other this is a competition, we need to work together and come up with a plan.”

“I’m not working with him,” Arthur said pointing at me. “I don’t care if it makes me lose this Event I’m not siding with the Warlord for any length of time. Anyone who does so will be considered an enemy of Camelot.”

“The feeling is mutual,” I said crossing my arms.

“Come on this is an Event not the real world,” another man said. “Can’t we put aside our differences for a while we are here?”

“No,” Arthur and I said at the same time as we stared each other down.

“I’m not willing to work with an Oathbreaker,” I said.

“And you’re not?” Arthur snapped.

“I’ve always been true to my word,” I said with a dark smile. “How does it make you feel knowing that your nemesis has more honor than you?”

“Your my nemesis?” Arthur asked crossing his arms.

“You’ve never heard the story of your name’s sake?” I asked. “I come from the same world as your ancestor. Our names come from the same story, the legend of Arthur.”

“And who are you in the story?” Arthur asked. “Some dark Warlord come to steal his Queen away?”

“Not at all, Mordred in the story is a lot like you, the inbred bastard son of Arthur and his sister,” I said.

“I am not a bastard,” Arthur growled once again reaching for his sword hilt before stopping himself.

“So, you admit your inbred,” I said grinning.

“What…no!” he protested but a chuckle had already passed through the crowd around us.

“In the story,” I continued ignoring Arthur’s murderous look. “Mordred is the one who kills Arthur in battle, so you see little prince we were always destined to be enemies.”

“And I welcome it,” Arthur said. “Anyone who would choose the name of the villain is someone we’re better off without.”

“Villainy is a matter of perspective,” I said. “One might call you the villain for forcing their cousin to marry you for political gain.”

“You’re a barbarian,” Hornar said stepping forward alongside Arthur.

“That’s right jump to your boyfriend’s defense,” I said. “maybe when we’re done here you can go off in private and suck each other off.”

“Do you have to be so crude?” the star skinned man asked.

“You’ve never played PVP have you?” I asked him. “That was pretty mild.”

“PVP?” he asked confused.

“Enough,” Arthur cut in. “It’s obvious the two of us will never be on the same side so I say again. Anyone who fights besides the Warlord will be an enemy of Camelot. I don’t care if you’re on this side of the battlefield if you fight beside him I’ll kill you along with him.”

With that ultimatum everyone looked back between me and the prince as the sides were quickly formed.

“This is pointless,” a champion huffed. “Is anyone siding with the Warlord?”

No one said anything or stepped forward, I hadn’t expected anyone either. We were all competing against each other, standing up to defend your competition was a stupid mistake. Everyone chose their side, and I discovered a target rich environment. I couldn’t act on it, yet I had doubts about my success against this many champions. A party of five had nearly killed me this group could kill me and then spawn camp me until I lost all three of my lives and got kicked out of the Event.

You have been isolated from your faction, since this is against the spirit of this Event you are being given a third option. Leave this starting area and set up your own spawn point. You will be able to summon 200 points worth of vassals (Power, rank will determine the number you can summon.)

It wasn’t even a question for me. I walked through the crowd to the dividing line that set apart the spawn area from the battlefield. A curtain of prismatic light shone an obvious magical barrier. My foot passed through, and I was through. I could sense others try to follow me, but they weren’t allowed out until the time limit was over.

My feet pounded the ground as I ran over the rolling hills of grass and rock. The battlefield was massive, at least a hundred miles wide and long if I had to guess. I could only see the other side thanks to my superhuman perception and by teleporting up into the middle of the air to get a bird’s eye view of the land. Aiming for the dead center of the battlefield, I landed on top of a massive hill with the ruins of a stone fort on top of it.

You have discovered a strategic location. Hold this position to gain points passively over the course of the Event.

“Hell-Dragon’s Armory,” I said.

The small fort melted down into the ground as I spread out a foundation a mile wide on which to build my fortress. Walls began to rise higher and higher. They were built like a colosseum. I pulled dirt and stone for material from the ground outside starting a massive chasm as the tower grew higher and higher. Two bridges spanned the chasm wide enough for only one to two people to cross at a time.

I created three levels to the tower, the stairs spiraling around the inside of the tower to reach the higher levels. I created a throne and sat down. My work on the fortress was complete and now it was time to decide on who I would bring to fight with me.

As much as I valued and enjoyed fighting by myself there were simply to many much more powerful enemies for me to fight them alone. I had lots of vassals to pick from. Jeriah and Tobias were obvious choices, but they were the commanders of my army and taking them away from their position for a week could cause massive problems. A thought crossed my mind and I had to ask the System.

“What counts as my vassal?” I asked.

A vassal is anyone effected by your ability Dominion such as those dominated or made into one your lieutenants.

“Can I make someone a lieutenant from here?” I asked.

There is no range limit on marking lieutenants, you must state their name and they have to option to refuse or to accept. You have only one remaining position open for Lieutenants.

“I would like to appoint Exar’kun as my lieutenant,” I said.

There was a brief pause before I received another notification.

You have designated Exar’kun the Star Fallen as one of your Lieutenants granting him access to your ability Foresight.

“I would select Exar’kun as one my vassals to bring into the Event,” I said.

You have selected a creature that is Hero rank and also considered a monarch rank threat. This will cost you 110 out of your 200 available points. Do you wish to proceed?

“Yes,” I said.

There was a shimmer in the air, than the massive form of Exar’kun materialized. He blended into the dark stone of the tower only the glowing outline of his scales giving away his position.

“This is unusual,” Exar’kun said. “I shouldn’t be able to enter an Event as a non-champion.”

“There are some exemplary circumstances allowing it,” I said. “Hold on I still have vassals I need to bring in.”

Since I could bring in Exar’kun there was one more lieutenant I wanted to invite.

---

Guinevere walked under the oaken bows of the wilderness sanctuary on her father’s estate. Guards trailed her in the distance, but this was about as alone as she could get these days. She could feel the eyes of servants spying on her at all times and she couldn’t go anywhere without an escort. The restrictions chaffed on her, and she hadn’t even been able to grind any dungeons since getting back.

Thanks to your status as a lieutenant, you have been invited by Mordred, Champion of Kelesa, to participate in the Event as one of his vassals. This event will take place over the next seven days, you will have three lives and will be returned to this location if you lose them all. Your equipment cannot be taken by others, and you cannot suffer any permanent effects. Do you wish to accept?

Yes/NO

Guinevere hesitated for only a moment. Disappearing for a week would cause tons of problems for her later but she couldn’t miss the chance to enter an Event. These Event were what separated Champions from any other gifted in terms of power. It let them power rank with little risk and come back with thousands of rank points and a score of new abilities letting them outstrip any non-champion.

“Yes,” she said. She didn’t have her gear on her right now, but it didn’t matter she needed to kill someone and if there was one thing about Mordred you could rely on, it was that he always had enemies around him to kill.