Chapter 82 - Our Encounter

Immediately after executing Wolf's Rage, the burning sensation that was flowing through my body faded away, and a different feeling crept up that made me collapse and scream in agony, I then think to myself.

"the pain is much worse than last time, not only is my muscles on fire, I also feel like my muscles are twisting and contorting in unnatural ways."

as I lay on the floor enduring the pain that my body is going through, I notice many orc guards quickly making their way towards Daurl's motionless body, and some thoughts popped up in my head.

"shit I shouldn't have resorted into using Wolf's Rage to defeat him."

after checking on him, the orc guards drag Daurl away from all of the broken glass, and then soon after the same guards came to check up on me, and one of them asks.

"what's wrong, are ya having trouble moving?"

I couldn't couldn't respond with words, but I did manage to nod weakly, and then they picked me up showing no regard of my unmoving condition,

a few minutes later, after leaving the fighting stage, one of the orc guards forces me to drink a healing potion, that slowly eases the pain in my muscles, and then I think to myself.

"I need to be me more careful with wolf's rage, the physical backlash I experienced this time compared to when I first did it, was unbearable."

after the pain completely disappears, one of the guards says to me.

"Ulrrek wasn't lying when he told us to keep an eye on all of your fights."

both of them help me get on my feet, and they escort me back to the room with the other participants, to where I'm greeted by the sharp stares by them, which also includes Selshruuk, I then think to myself.

"I'm assuming that I've got their attention, with the stunt that I pulled off against Daurl."

the two remaining orcs, make snarling sounds as I walk by them, and to my surprise Selshruuk snaps at them.

"shut it, you orcs really get on my nerves."

both of them get intimidated and quiet down, after that Selshruuk shifts his attention to me and says with a serious tone.

"human you and me are going to have a little chat."

I respond.

"alright I'm all ears, let's talk."

he signals me to follow him, like if he doesn't want the anyone to eavesdropping in our conversation, and as we arrive to the other side of the room, he then says.

"okay human, after watching you display that strength of yours, some suspicions in me arose."

I ask.

"oh is that right, and what do you suspect?"

he looks around once more making sure no one is listening, and then he asks.

"are you Arthur's kin?"

surprised on how he knows Arthur I respond.

"what how do you Arthur, and what makes you think I'm related to him?"

he responds.

"because he's the only human I've met that in my life that fought physically, instead of using magic like the rest."

confused with what he said, I reply.

"what do you mean met, the war was done like five hundred years ago."

he responds.

"yes I'm well aware, but it seems that you don't know that my kind's average lifespan is a thousand years."

I then think to myself.

"whoa I totally forgot that Dragonoids live for that long."

he then interrupts my thought.

"so answer my question, are you his kin?"

I respond.

"I don't believe so, if he were part of my family tree, then I would've known about it."

he takes a deep breathe through his snout, and says.

"that's a shame, he was the only human I respected in battle, even though he left me gravely injured in our fight."

I stare at where his wings are supposed to be at and ask.

"is he the reason, that you no longer have your wings?"

he answers.

"partially, the only thing he did was cause permanent damage to one of my wings that even healers couldn't fix it."

he pauses and continues.

"and because of this I was directed to have my wings removed, and was forced into exile."

I ask.

"so you don't hold any hatred for Arthur for what you've been through?"

he chuckles.

"no, he was a formidable opponent that I'll always respect until my dying breath."

he continues talking.

"if anything I'm ashamed, that during the exchange, that I couldn't do a thing to protect my wing."

I know exactly why they told him to have his wings removed, because in their culture a Dragonoid's wings is something they hold very precious, and those who can't take care of them for whatever reason, they are forced to have them removed and to live in exile, so even knowing this much I ask him.

"is it really necessary to have the other wing removed even though only one got damaged?"

he sighs.

"you wouldn't understand, but if you're really interested in our culture than you should visit my homeland, by going there you'll have a better understanding of our customs."

I think to myself.

"I guess he has a reason, he doesn't owe me an explanation on why they do these things."

after a few minutes of silence he asks.

"so tell me human, are the four heroes who forced us to surrender, still celebrated?"

I respond confused.

"I think you're remembering it wrong, we only had three heroes during that war."

he replies smirking.

"are you certain of that, I suppose the humans that were in power buried much knowledge from the rest of your population."

I then think to myself.

"he has a point, I only read through books that were written by humans, so I only know the history of this world through their perspective."

and right before I'm about to ask him something, I get interrupted by Ulrrek announcing the winner between the two orcs, and I think to myself.

"I didn't notice that two of them were fighting."

Ulrrel then announces the numbers of me and Selshruuk, he looks back to me and says.

"you've been very respectful, something that most humans I've met that I usually meet lacking,

and I want to return that respect to you."

he extends his hand for a handshake and says.

"my name is Selshruuk, and so I acknowledge you as a worthy opponent for our fight."

I grab his hand to to shake it, and I reply.

"my name is Collin Belfaust, and make sure not to hold back."

he grins and replies.

"you're very interesting indeed."

the both of us get escorted to the fighting stage and ready ourselves for the fight.