Chapter 92: the gladiator tournament format

After a week of treatment, Clark was finally discharged, as Emily escorted him back to his room. For the whole week, he didn’t taste any food, as he was placed on drips. So, she decided to start preparing food for him, as he laid on his bed.

During his time in the medical bay, he already re-watched his battle with the Emperor. The strength of his self-created technique, still left him astonished. He could not simply make heads, nor tail of it at the moment.

“I guess I was missing a lot,” he muttered in resignation. He felt like he was really a country bumpkin before, not knowing about self-created techniques.

“Ignorance, is really a curse,” he shook his head, as he relaxed.

Emily finished preparing the food, she served and they both ate to their fill. After some time of idle talk, she finally went to her room as he also decided to rest. He slept soundly for the remaining parts of the day.

The next day, he went to train like normal, this time his training was completely focused on mastering wielding a spear.

This continued, as his daily routine for a week, sleep, wake-up, eat, train and sleep again. He basically didn’t have anything else to do, stranded and forced to be a gladiator. His chances of escape were just too low, he already abolished any fantasy thoughts of trying how big his head was.

This routine ended, as the Captain of the fleet finally called him to attend a meeting, the next day, on Sunday morning. He acknowledged the command immediately, as he continued his training.

…

On Sunday, he was very early. Emily trailed a little behind him, as they walked together to the meeting hall. The meeting is for all the qualified gladiators, who survived.

Clang!! On reaching there, the soldiers there opened the huge door, as they both entered the hall. They were 30 minutes early, so there was no one else in the huge hall. They sat down at the front row seats, as they silently waited for the other’s arrival.

As he sat there silently, his mind started wandering again, as he thought of his experiences over the years. The process of his life for the past few years, was just like an action drama, if analyzed. He was still young, but he already experienced a lot.

He no longer hated his current situation. In every situation, there’s always a silver lining, this quote was a perfect description of his situation. As he never expected to improve so much, in just a little more than 3 years.

He was already 21 years old this year. “I’ve spent over 3 years now, stuck in the sea,” he could not help but chuckle to himself softly, as he thought of this.

It felt like a fairytale to him. “How is Leo? How is Sonia?” He didn’t know. This is the feeling he hated the most, not being in control. But so is life, no one can ever boast of being in control of it.

All the work he put in, all the effort he put in; it is just to be strong enough, to be in control of what happens to people close to him. “I don’t even know if she is still alive, and I hope to be her boyfriend in 2 years’ time. Life is just too unpredictable,” he concluded with a sigh.

Clang!! The door to the hall opened again, as he was quickly drawn out of his thoughts. He glanced backwards to see someone coming, he quickly recognized her. She is the 4th ranked gladiator, The eagle queen.

She saw him looking at her. “Good morning,” he greeted, when she came close enough.

She didn’t answer though, as she coldly glanced at him. She averted her gaze shortly after, as she went to sit down in another seat among the front row seats.

He was stunned by her rudeness, but he quickly understood as he composed himself. “Who said I could greet her? We are enemies, or better still competitors, not friends,” he thought ruefully.

Throughout the exchange session between the both of them, Emily remained silent like none of these was her concern. Well, he couldn’t blame her, as in a more rational sense, none of these was really of concern to her.

Shortly after, 2 others came in, Jian Wushaung and The nutzy killer came in at practically the same time. The nutzy killer came out victorious, killing his opponent during the last battle, so he was the last gladiator survivor.

At exactly 8:00am, the Captain finally came into the hall with an entourage of 5 soldiers. He went directly to the front of the hall, as he sat on a luxurious chair, that was prepared there before now.

On his arrival, they stood up as a form of respect. They were the captives being used as gladiators here, not the other way round.

“Good morning gladiators, you can sit down,” the Captain finally said in a deep tone. They complied, as they quickly sat down.

“The reason for me holding this meeting is not much, I want to enlighten you on the proper format and rules of this tournament. Unlike the past gladiator tournaments, organized by the Sea farers alliance, this time the tournament is of 2 parts”.

“The first one is the normal individual gladiator tournament, where one gladiator is allowed to fight for an organization or country. The 2nd one is a team gladiator battle, where 5 gladiators are to fight another 5 gladiators, from an opposing camp to the death”.

“But, unlike the individual tournament, there are limitations in this one. So, to qualify, you have to fight in virtual battles simulated by the Sea farer’s alliance”.

“Only the final team battle, will be a physical battle to the death. Of the 5 of you, the Stranded dragon is going to represent the organization in the individual battles”.

On hearing this, they secretly heaved sighs of relief, as the countless deaths was already taking a toil on them psychologically. They were soldiers, not necessarily battle maniacs.

Only maniacs without a conscience, can kill without feeling any impact psychologically. At least, virtual battles are not real, no matter how real they look.

The Captain did not know their inner thoughts as he continued. “Unfortunately, the Emperor’s condition is still dire, so there’s a high chance that you will join in the team battle”. He pointed at the nutzy killer for emphasis, to show who he meant.

“During this time, I want the 5 of you to train together. I order the 5 of you to forget any misgivings or hatred between yourselves, and focus on improving your teamwork as a team”. On giving this order, his tone deepened further to express his emphasis on this. His tone was already screaming, no negotiation on this.

On hearing the words of the Captain, and the domineering tone at which he said it. Clark could not prevent his twitching eye, as he tried to control himself. After battling for a whole year, seeing each other as enemies, you suddenly demand for them to reconcile and work together as a team.

“What the…,” his feelings could not help but erupt inwardly, he felt like they were being treated as barbarians, or even animals.

If he had the strength, he would have opted to kill the Captain immediately for this statement. The others also felt uncomfortable and maybe furious, as the eagle queen squirmed on her seat, making the atmosphere awkward.

The Captain didn’t give a damn though, as he continued. “You have 3 months to train, before we reach the headquarters of the sea farer’s alliance. The tournament will start in 5 months’ time, so try your best to improve as much as possible”.

“I don’t need to force you, as you are clearer than I man, that your life depends on it. There’s no negotiation, it’s either you fight, or die”.

So, it started, their training to synergize as a team. Despite the uncertainty around The Emperor’s survival, and their innate rejection of each other. They were high-grade soldiers, they quickly shrugged it off, as they finally communicated a bit.

They were already in this vicious circle, no retreat, no surrender. They just had to do it, as it was in the innate nature of man to survive. And most especially, loot. The reward for winning the tournament was mouthwatering, according to the Captain.

The nutzy killer was forced to train with the team using a spear. This was just a precaution, in case The Emperor made it. The nutzy killer was angered as a sword was his main weapon, he felt humiliated.

He had his dignity as a high-grade soldier, but he controlled himself, keeping his anger to himself as he clearly recognized his position as the weakest in the team.

Training quickly started, as a section of the ship was reserved as their training ground. All their trainings were virtual, as there was no opponent for them to train with. After some time of training, their problems started being magnified. They all differed in many ways, which greatly affected their teamwork.

But this is why it is called a training, as they persevered on how to correct these weak points. After a week of training, the Captain already had an in-depth knowledge of their abilities. Jian Wushaung was appointed as the Captain of the team, as he was more rational and he possessed some leadership abilities.

The person who made the Captain continually bash his head against a stone, was the cold lady, the eagle queen.

She was a complete loner, as she hardly talks with others. She hardly even responds, if others talk to her and her battle style was a very distinctive one. Only Emily, succeeded in communicating with her on some rare instances, mostly because she was also female.

Despite all these setbacks, they persevered, as their short-comings as a team become lesser and lesser, as time went on. After a month and 3 weeks, they were surprised as news came about The Emperor. He recovered from his coma, a month ago.

This was good news to them as a team, as they clearly recognized his strength. He would improve their team’s strength by several levels, if he joins. But this was a nightmare to someone else, the nutzy killer.

Before, they trained to perfect their synergy as a team because of their urge to survive, but now another reason compelled them to train by all costs. The award, for winning the tournament. Clark had no problem with The Emperor joining, as long as it brought him more chances of getting the reward.

When the Captain revealed the award for winning to them, their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. For the team competition, all 5 of them, the participants will each receive a stealth exotic armor and an exotic weapon of choice, made according to the standards of the big 5.

Clark hated the rule of the big 5, but their strength, wealth, and technological skill is undeniable. He practically drooled all over, on seeing the prizes. Normally, people from lesser organizations and countries don’t get to have such goodies, but the Sea farers alliance actually made an exception this time.

The rewards for the individual tournament, was even more outrageous, this time. As only one person will win this tournament, the rewards were more generous. The winner will get an exotic armor, an exotic weapon of choice, a water propeller and any 2 other gadgets of choice.

A water propeller, is what he previously referred to as magical boots. With them, you can fight better in the sea and it has a load of other abilities. He was right after all, in every situation, there is always a silver lining.

The others could only grit their teeth in regret, for not being the best gladiator. If you try to be the best, you’ll surely receive the best wherever you go, it’s as simple as that.

The most depressed of them all, was the nutzy killer, as he was reduced again to the role of a side character. 2 days later, The Emperor was finally discharged, as he came to meet them in their training arena. He spent approximately 2 months, in the medical bay.

During their short time together, they already knew each other’s real name, as they slowly loosened up to each other. The Emperor quickly integrated into the team without any ruckus, as training continued. They broke their record a few times, due to his arrival as he proved his strength to them.

Despite the death battle between the Emperor and Clark, they still talked to each other normally, but Arthur is a very straightforward person. Arthur is The Emperor’s real name.

About the outcome of their battle. He praised his opponent’s strength and his self-created technique, but he promised him that he would defeat him in a year’s time.

Clark was completely speechless, as he laughed off this guy’s words. Their other teammates also burst with laughter, on hearing this. As Arthur’s completely serious expression paired with the words he said, made it a very comical sight to see.

Their training continued, as they finally entered the real territory of one of the big 5 organization, The Sea farers alliance.

[Thank you for reading this chapter, I really appreciate. If you love this book, please leave your power stones behind to support it.]