Chapter 312
“This is your home until about eight hours from now,” Igarra stated as she motioned to the luxurious suite they were standing in. “A servant will come and summon you when it is time to join everyone else in the arena. Just note, you will have a special box like last time, allowing you to witness a fight before you go. I am certain you will be thoroughly entertained.”
“Is there anything else I should know about these fights?”
“Beyond that they are to the death?” she asked, grinning the entire time she spoke.
“Besides that.”
“Since it is your first time, I will tell you that the arena changes every fight. Unlike the ones you fought in, there is rarely a flat surface, and the space each duel takes place in is far larger than before. You might find yourself in an ocean, in a forest, or perhaps even on a mountain. Sometimes there may be no land at all.”
“I see... and how does that get decided?”
Igarra gave a shrug, and her toothy smile never left her face.
“Perhaps in time you will find that out. For now, rest. There is food in the container over there, and rest assured, nothing is tainted. It would not behoove anyone to remove you before a fight.”
With that she turned, moved to a section of the silver stone wall, and a line appeared, framing the shape of a door.
After it connected, the section opened, and she walked through it, her back still turned to him.
“Rest. You’re going to need it.”
***
This space... it is different. The fact we can communicate so easily and the lack of energy it requires means we are... closer to the source of something...
What do you mean by something?
Digging through a container of chilled food, Max pulled out some water and fruit, studying the green item before taking a small bite.
“Sooooo good.”
Sweet juice ran down his chin, and he didn’t hesitate to consume the rest of it while Bob worked on that question.
The name of it I cannot remember, but the system has power, and here there is much. Unlike your world, which acts as a barrier to the system, keeping you from being exposed to it, here that barrier is almost nonexistent.
Perhaps that is why so many of the ones we faced were stronger. The lack of the barrier allows them to acquire more of the system than your world does.
Why would the god of this planet want that? I thought gods used their worlds to grow stronger. Wouldn’t allowing the people or creatures on it to become stronger faster drain more power? r
Max could sense Bob thinking.
I’m not certain how each world works. There are many variations to all systems. Something tells me this world functions differently... Perhaps as things die, the god here gains a portion of that power.
He could feel the frown on his face.
A god that desires death of their own...
It is far more common than you can imagine. Many gain power by fighting against other worlds. That is why some might have a barrier like your world does. This planet would give more power to the one who conquers it but would also provide a greater threat.
And any god could just attack?
I’m certain that answer is no, but... I can’t recall how it works. In time... Give me more time, Max. Let me grow stronger, and perhaps I shall remember. For now, focus on what we are about to face. Use the gift she has given of seeing the first fight as a chance to learn. I doubt we will ever get that again.
Knowing Bob was right, Max plopped down in one of the padded chairs and found himself almost completely relaxed the second his butt hit the material.
Ok... I need one of these.
In seconds he was dozing, knowing Bob had him covered.
***
Wake up.
Movement from where Igarra had made a door came, and Max rose, seeing the same shape appearing.
Four seconds later the stone had moved, and a very short and dark colored elf was standing before him. They were smaller than a dwarf, had eyes that glowed purple, and every part of them was black.
Even their outfit is black... what gives?
“Mr. Ifrit... I am here to escort you.”
His eyes studied Max, and the lips appeared to be turned downward, not appreciating how the fighter in the room was gazing at him.
“Very well. I shall return when it is time for your match. Until then, please do not attempt to leave the box.”
With that Quilazmore turned on his heel and moved to where the open doorway was, the stone returning to its original place.
We are in a whole new world... and I didn’t mean that as a joke.
Still, it was funny. Now tell me, what are we going to face?
That, Max, I have no idea about.
***
Most of the forest was on fire, and large chasms ran along the ground.
Both fighters were injured, and the one who had been winning for so long appeared to be on the ropes.
Max couldn’t take his eyes off the screen, watching the two and the destruction they each brought.
An energy attack... how he can still focus that much from just one hand...
While Max spoke, the fighter he was speaking of, Starshine, held up her left hand, another powerful blast of bright white light racing at her opponent.
The quarter of a mile between the two of them was gone in a heartbeat as the ray of power raced toward its target.
As soon as the blast of energy came, the blue-skinned opponent transformed once more, turning into a clear being, and held up their right hand, taking the blast to their chest.
Gruogaroa’s outstretched hand returned the same bolt of energy again, the bolt now blacker than it had been before.
Cheers came as it struck Starshine’s black armor, tearing it apart and removing a section of the woman’s side as she tried to dodge.
The blue one is able to change into so many things... it appears they have learned how to become something that absorbs and redirects the attack back, changing the power in some way.
Yeah... the first few were white and did nothing. Only the last two have done any damage to Starshine.
Crumpled on the ground, blood seeping from her body, the energy user struggled to get up, her white hair no longer in the neat braid behind her, but burnt and everywhere.
A tinge of pain came as Max remembered how he loved Tanila and her hair, especially when it was loose and lay all over the bed or in the tub.
The end is soon; you can sense it as can the rest of the watchers.
His box shook from the vibrations and the muted noise that came from around.
A battle that had looked one-sided at first changed so quickly.
Gruogaroa had been attempting for the first half to dodge and adapt, shifting itself into different materials, pieces blown off or completely evaporated.
Slowly, stiff steps from the crystalized being brought it closer to the woman that had darted and dashed around it with ease. Gone was the speed or the few taunts Starshine had hurled.
Roaring, the woman held her hand out, and it grew brighter, far brighter than Max had expected was possible.
From the open wound light spilled forth.
Sensing a change, Gruogaroa charged, its crystalized body moving with haste, but as it drew close, not moving fast in the form it had taken, Starshine moved her hand to her chest.
Oh my... can you sense it?
Max nodded, the power that now came from the injured fighter somehow radiating as the entire arena floor began to flood with light, the screen he was watching on almost flickering as it appeared to struggle to keep the view working.
One last scream came, and a ball of light raced outward in all directions from Starshine, destroying any tree, dirt, or other matter still standing.
For half a mile it raced outward, and when it was gone, the screen was focused on the spot where the woman had been.
A crater fifteen yards down was there, and about forty yards away Gruogaroa stumbled, its crystal shape changed, no longer clear, now blackened.
“WINNER BUT NOT BY MUCH! YOUR FAVORITE SHIFTING FIGHTER! Gruuuuoooogaaaroooaa!”
She killed herself and almost killed the other.
How are we going to fight that?
Together. Now get ready. We’re up.