The next morning, the prisoners woke to the clang of the cell doors. Tyler, Marcus, Elric, Darius, and Livia shuffled out, rubbing sleep from their eyes. Despite the previous night’s laughter, the weight of their situation pressed down on them. Today, they had a new task: crafting their fighting personas for the pits and, eventually, the Colosseum.

"Alright, folks," Tyler said as they gathered in a corner of the yard during a rare moment of privacy. "If we're going to survive and stand out, we need to create characters—personas that will capture the crowd's attention as well as a team name."

Livia ask “What’s the team name?”

Tyler tilted his head, “I have a few ideas but I need Lysander to approve, I have a feeling he going to want the final say. All you need to focus on now is finding the perfect persona.”

Marcus frowned. "So, like what? Dress up as animals or something?"

Tyler chuckled. "Not quite. Think of it more like a theme people can connect with. Something cool and memorable."

Darius nodded thoughtfully. "I could go for something blacksmith related. 'The Hammer' or something."

"Exactly!” Tyler pointed at Darius” we’ll help you develop, and appropriate outfit and you could fight with a war hammer. You could even have a signature move where you remove an enemy’s teeth with black smith tongs. "Everyone groaned at the idea of removing someone’s teeth and Tyler quickly continued “Easy guys! It’s just an example, we don’t have to play dentist out there. Livia, what about you?"

Livia crossed her arms, considering. "Maybe something with a hunter vibe. 'The Huntress,' or 'Shadow Archer.'"

"Perfect," Tyler replied. "Marcus?"

The older man shrugged. "I've always been a farmer. Maybe 'The Reaper'—like harvesting souls instead of crops."

"Nice, were going to have to teach you how to fight with a sythe but I have a feeling youre going to love it." Tyler said, smiling. "Elric?"

Elric looked hesitant. "Tyler you do realise the other group of slaves will be trying to fucking kill us?!”

“Of course, apart from great branding we also need to be deadly fighters.”

“You seem to forget that none of us are soldiers or have any battle experience. What makes you think we stand any chance out there?”

Tyler was quiet for a while as the group stared at him, “Look, I know this seems insurmountable but everyone, even the greatest sword in the empire had to start somewhere.” Then he looked Elric straight in the eyes and said “If you put your trust in me, I promise you, I will get us through this. “

Elric felt guilty for pushing Tyler to a point where he needed to reassure them all, but it was what they needed. His heart finally gave in, and he allowed himself to hope.

Livia finally broke the silence “I guess its not like we have a choice since you are chosen by the gods for some reason.”

“Chosen by the gods? What do you mean?”

Elric pointed to the empty space next to Tyler.

“Err, is there supposed to be something there?”

Elric facepalmed, “The enchanting book.”

“What about it?”

“It’s not everyday someone gets handed a magic book through a tear in spacetime Tyler!” Elric raised his voice and every shushed him.

“Funny, in comparison to all the strange things I’ve seen so far that ranks pretty low and as far as we can tell this book doesn’t have any information the empire doesn’t already have. If a God was distributing magic, don’t you think it would be a lot more powerful?”

“You have a point.” Elric conceded.

“And what about the note, it said ‘This was expensive, we hope it helps!’’ with the rest of it being redacted. It said “We” so more than one person contributed. It also said it was expensive, are these gods working on a budget? If they are gods, why redact part of your own message. More likely it was sent by a group who have a vested interest in me and the delivery guy redacted things they weren’t allowed to share with us.”

“A vested interest? Who would give shit about slaves?” Darius said trying to understand what Tyler was talking about”

“It’s hard to explain but In my life I have heard many stories and in some of those stories the authors explored the possibility of an entire world being simply a stage for a play”

Elric looked confused “Well that’s pretty’s similar to what the church believes. You think we are basically just entertainment for the gods?”

“Yes and no, the idea in this case is that the audience watching isn’t any different from me and you. They have no power over the world, and they are not allowed to change things in any meaningful way...”

“Except if they pay!” Elric finished for Tyler

“Bingo, give enough money to the director of the show and you’re allowed to add things to the story.”

“So, you’re saying people are watching us have this conversation and if they pay some one else money they can send us magic items, and were supposed to use those items to what… make the story more interesting?” Elric finished.

“That’s a surprisingly accurate description but again this is just a theory.”

“Its crazy, is what it is.”

“I’ve reassessed what I think is crazy over the last few days.” Tyler said dismayed.

Everyone seemed uncomfortable suddenly as they started glancing at random spots around the yard, imagining invisible people sitting there watching them until Elric continued.

“Anyway, I was an apprentice enchanter, not much of a fighter."

Tyler clapped him on the shoulder. "We’ll think of something that fits your skills. Maybe 'Rune Spear or 'Arcane Blade.' We’ll model it on your best weapons"

As they continued brainstorming, Tyler's mind wandered to the dimensional rune. They needed a way to keep it safe and accessible without raising suspicion.

Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

"Elric," Tyler said suddenly, "what if we tattoo the dimensional rune on me?"

Elric’s eyes widened. "Are you serious? Where would you put it?"

Tylers face became grim as he looked straight into Erics eyes and said. "Somewhere no one will see it. My anus."

Elric stared at him, horrified. "You can’t be serious."

Tyler leaned in, lowering his voice to a whisper. "Think about it, Elric. It's the perfect spot. No one would ever check there, and it would keep the rune safe."

Elric shook his head vehemently. "No way. That’s insane. I’m not doing that."

Tyler sighed, trying a different tactic. "Elric, this rune could be our key to survival. If we don’t hide it, it could be the difference between life and death. Not just for me but for all of us."

Elric's expression remained resolute. "I get that, Tyler. But there must be another way. I'm not tattooing your... well, you know."

Tyler tried again, his tone pleading. "Come on, Elric. Just think about it. It’s not like anyone’s going to know."

Elric's resistance began to waver. "I don’t know, Tyler. This just feels... wrong."

Seeing Elric’s resolve weakening, Tyler pressed on. "We don’t have many options, Elric. This could give us an edge, something no one else has."

Elric groaned, clearly torn. "Fine! Fine. I’ll do it."

Tyler laughed, clapping Elric on the back. "Relax, man. I’m just messing with you. I wouldn’t actually make you tattoo my anus. I don’t swing that way, you know."

Elric glared at him, half-annoyed, half-relieved. "You’re a real piece of work, Tyler."

Tyler grinned. "But seriously, we do need to hide it. What if we incorporate it into some team tattoos? Make it part of a larger design so it blends in?"

Elric sighed, shaking his head. "I think I’ve heard enough crazy ideas for the day, thank you very much."

"Hey, crazy ideas are what keep us alive," Tyler replied, still grinning. "Now get to work on the design I need to go see the warden about some tailoring and custom weapons."

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Tyler took a deep breath as he approached the warden's office. He knew this conversation was crucial. If they were going to stand out in the arena and have a real shot at survival, they needed more than just determination. They needed resources.

The guard at the door gave Tyler a wary look but stepped aside, allowing him to enter. Warden Lysander sat behind his large desk, going over papers with a stern expression. He looked up as Tyler entered, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"Back so soon, slave?" Lysander said, his tone neutral. "What do you want?"

Tyler squared his shoulders, adopting a confident stance. "Warden, I have a request."

Lysander raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

"We've been working on our ideas for the arena. We want to create characters that will captivate the audience and make the fights more engaging. For that, we'll need a few things: Access to a tattoo artist, A tailor to make adjustments to our clothes, and a blacksmith to make custom weapons."

Lysander leaned back in his chair, an angry look on his face. "Tattoos? Costumes? Custom weapons? Should we have banquet in your honour as well?"

Tyler smile. "I understand, it sounds like a lot. But think about it. If we put on a better show, more people will come to watch. That means more revenue for the camp and more prestige for you. And I'm not asking for anything for free. You can add all of this to our personal debt. We’ll work to pay it off."

Lysander's eyes narrowed and he tapped his fingers on the desk, considering Tyler's words. "Alright. But there’s no way you’re getting all that. Try again and ill consider it”

Tyler had anticipated this. "We should be able to do all of it ourselves, but we need supplies and a workspace. I'll need ink and needles for the tattoos, fabric and sewing notions for costumes, and access to materials and the smith for the weapons—nothing too extravagant, just enough to give each of us a unique edge."

Lysander’s expression was unreadable as he leaned forward. "And what if I say no?"

Tyler held his gaze, unflinching. "Then we’ll fight with what we have and do our best. But it won’t be as effective. This investment will pay off, I promise."

Lysander stared at Tyler for a long moment, then finally nodded. "Fine. But you make it all yourselves.”

“Finally, sir. I would like your approval on one of these names” Tyler handed him a piece of paper with a few names written down.

Lysander read the first one. “’The Free Men’? Really?’”

“I had to try sir” Tyler said with mock disappointment.

“I can’t approve any of these names, son. The nobles would never allow slaves to upstage them. This would be like spitting in their faces.”

“I thought as much. I have one final suggestion sir.” Tyler handed him another piece of paper with a single name written down.

Lysander read it “You sure?”

“I am sure sir” Tyler said with a nod.

“Very well.”

Thank you, Warden. This will make a big difference."

Lysander waved a hand dismissively. "Don’t thank me yet. This all goes on your debt, and if you don’t perform, you’ll pay with your lives."

Tyler gave a respectful bow. "Understood, sir. We won’t let you down."

As Tyler left the office, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. Now it was up to them to use these resources wisely and prove their worth in the arena.

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Later that day Tyler leaned against the wooden fence of a small training ground, watching Elric and Livia spar in the center. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the camp and the surrounding walls. Marcus and Darius were off to the side, discussing tactics for their upcoming matches.

"Hey, Tyler," Livia called out, breaking his reverie. "Come join us. We could use another pair of eyes on our technique."

Tyler smiled and pushed off the fence, walking towards them. "Sure, but only if you're ready for some honest feedback."

Elric laughed, wiping sweat from his brow. "Bring it on. We can take it."

As they sparred, Tyler observed their movements, offering tips and corrections. Despite the friendly atmosphere, he couldn't shake the feeling of responsibility weighing on him. He knew that their success in the Colosseum depended on more than just physical strength; they needed to trust and understand each other completely.

After the session, the group sat in a circle on the grass, passing around a water flask. The conversation turned to their pasts, and Marcus, ever the storyteller, began recounting tales of his childhood adventures.

"You've always had a knack for trouble, Marcus," Livia teased, nudging him with her elbow.

Marcus grinned. "Guilty as charged. But enough about me. Tyler, you've been awfully quiet. What's your story?"

Tyler hesitated, his gaze drifting to the horizon. The team had grown close, but he rarely spoke about his past. He took a deep breath, deciding it was time to share a piece of himself.

"I grew up in a rough part of town," he began, his voice soft. "Life wasn't easy. My father was abusive, and my mother was hardly there. I had to learn to fend for myself early on. By the time I was ten, I'd seen more of life's dark side than most people see in a lifetime."

The team listened intently; the usual banter replaced by a respectful silence.

"I had this unyielding sense of justice," Tyler continued. "I couldn't stand seeing people get hurt or taken advantage of. It got me into a lot of fights. I didn't back down, even when the odds were against me."

He glanced at Elric and Livia, then continued, "When I was fifteen, I got caught up in something I didn't fully understand. There was this girl, Emily. She used me to do her dirty work and then threw me under the bus. I ended up in juvenile detention until I turned eighteen."

Livia's eyes softened. "That sounds awful."

Tyler shrugged. "It was. But I survived. The system didn't rehabilitate me; it just contained me. When I got out, finding a job was nearly impossible. I took whatever work I could find, often the grueling and menial kind. I barely scraped by."

Marcus nodded, understanding dawning in his eyes. "And then you ended up here?"

"Yeah," Tyler said. "But there's more to it. I'm not from this world. I come from a place called Earth, a different world entirely."

The group exchanged glances but didn't seem overly surprised. Elric shrugged. "We've heard stranger things. Magic is everywhere in this world. Someone from another world isn't that special."

Tyler looked at them, puzzled. "Really? You all seem pretty nonchalant about it."

Marcus chuckled. "We don't judge, Tyler. Everyone's got their story. Yours is just a bit more... unique."

Elric nodded. "Not knowing the customs of the empire is an easy way to lose your life. Yet you never show any fear. Physically, you are young, much younger than any of us, but you carry yourself so tall."

“When you have no safety net, you tend to grow up fast,” Tyler said with a shrug.

“Well, we’re grateful. You’ve given us hope in a place where hope was long abandoned.”

Tyler smiled, gratitude warming his heart. "Exactly. We're a team, and I believe in each of you. We've trained hard, and we've become stronger together. No matter what happens in the arena, I know we'll stand by each other."

Livia placed a hand on his shoulder. "Thanks for sharing, Tyler. It means a lot. We're with you, all the way."

Marcus and Darius echoed her sentiment, their eyes shining with newfound resolve.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the training ground, the team sat together, united not just by their skills and strategies, but by their shared stories and trust in one another. It was this bond, forged through hardship and understanding, that would give them the strength to face any challenge in the Colosseum.