JADE by Trenton Amerson (story read aloud .txt) 📕

unimportant, Christo knew. Yet it was still fun to think about, how things worked and cooperated with this world. As he thought distance traveled quickly, and he was soon near the entrance to the arena, a wide open door leading into a barren field, closed off by walls of impossible heights. He signed up for the tournament, even getting a chance to fight sooner by flirting with the female attendant. It was a single elimination, you would fight an opponent and the winner moved on, the loser would be removed from the tournament. Simple and effective, and it shouldn't take too long to reach the champion. His suspicions grew even more as he surveyed the enemies surrounding him in this arena. Many were taunting one another and showing off weapons of choice. He knew they wouldn't stand a chance, more people desperate to get a better living situation than true warriors. He would make quick work of them.

"Attention!" A loud voice boomed over the battlefield, a jolly tone evident. "All fighters, the battles will begin in ten minutes so be prepared! Good luck!" And with that the voice disconnected. Christo grinned, eager to begin. It had taken too long for this too happen, he was so bored of doing nothing in his cell. He closed his eyes and leaned against an arena wall, attempting to feel for any Arcana. To his surprise there was some here, like thin rain rather than the usual drops that washed over his skin. He would win, he was sure of it. Especially with the ability to use magic, rather than just his strength, though he could have won with just that. A timer began, counting down starting at 1:30 and slowly going down. He eyed the timer and began to walk to his area, and as he arrived he continued to let the feeling of Arcana flow over him, getting used to the feel. He had not felt anything like this since... the sickness passed over him again, the thought of his passed. He quickly shook it away, biting his lip. Across from him an impossibly tall orc stood, swinging a makeshift club and grinning menacingly at Christo.

“Are you the tiny, pathetic looking creature who plans to try to fight me?” He looked down and chuckled. “It's pathetic really, this tiny thing itching to fight me. Shameful really.”

“Silence scum. I have no time to converse with you.” Christo replied coldly, a glint in his eye, the grin slowly forming on his face. Ten seconds... Seven seconds... The seconds felt like they were crawling by. Five Seconds... Two... And suddenly the match started, and the orc charged Christo angrily, slamming his club toward him. Christo dodged the attack easily, barely moving to do so. The orc roared in outrage, and Christo began to harness the use of his Arcane abilities. He snapped his fingers a spout of fire shooting from his hand, shooting into the creature's face, blinding it. He roared angrily and Christo grinned. He was excited, not yet losing control. He wanted to defeat this foe by himself, without letting the creature he liked so much to do it. The orc sniffed, and tried to swing again, and Christo simply grabbed the club, throwing it aside. And now his poor defeated enemy sat without any defense, and no eyesight. The Arcana begging to be used, pulsed around his body. He snapped again, and the shadows around the area began to move, and confined the orc to it's current place. And with another snap, fire blasted from his hand, so hot his clothes began to smoke, and the fire directed itself down the throat of the beast and soon it was dead. He laughed, his eyes maniac and his whole body shook. I did it... He laughed again. I'm on my way to getting out of here! But in some ways, I hope this fighting never ends... Magnificent. Another fifteen minutes and I'll be another quarter closer.

"Congratulations winners of Round One!" Chimed the now annoyingly cheery voice. Sixty-four players have been eliminated from the Hellion Tournament, and next round another thirty-two will perish as well! There will be a fifteen minute break until the next round, so be sure to rest up! Good luck." And with that the voice clicked away, and Christo walked, the euphoria of battle clinging to him. Magnificent. Another fifteen minutes and I'll be even closer to escaping. He thought, the idea bringing the familiar grin to his face. This time he'll lose control, let his true monster show, his friend who loved to fight even more than he did.

 

(Chapter Still in Writing)

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Publication Date: 09-24-2015

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