We all were suddenly teleported in front of the golden goddess who was helping us before. It was now time for the final step before we were thrust into the world of Avalon.
She explained,
"You will be split into four different kingdoms. Those of you unlucky enough to get a F ranked skill you will be sent accordingly. Also, you will notice that you have a book that expands in your mind's eye. Simply say "Status!" and it will reveal itself ahead of you. This is your adventuring book, lots of useful things you can do with this. First you can use it to journal while you're in this new world. However, there is a personal scribe function which will automatically record your deeds in detail. What great stories your lives will make for the coming generations of summoned heroes.
I lifted the book and saw a ton of information.
There are actual stories about the past heroes' deaths…
"You will need to explore the functions yourselves, your stats will update once you arrive in Avalon. Keep in mind, all stats can be raised, but they can also be lowered. Be careful with your actions."
The darkened room that we were in started having the curtains drawn back all around us. Laughter and cheers erupted all around us. As if we were gladiators in a new arena, our fates were being decided in front of us. The spectators were floating masks moving around above us. Each mask had a different beast identity, some were laughing, some were stoic.
The goddess continued,
"Now it's time to make the first sacrifices! I mean summoned heroes to be sent off. As you could see when choosing abilities, some of you got F ranked skills. Meaning your compatibility with this world was so bad that you deserved another kick in the ass. Rejoice, Yuki saved the F Ranks from the worst fate, the Orc/Goblin Continent."
The goddesses face flushed,
"I trust you all read about the Orc's distasteful rituals, such vulgarity."
She turned to me and pointed,
"Yet there he is, your hero. Yuki gave up all his C/D/ and B ranked skills to make sure those with F ranked skills wouldn't have a chance of going there."
She grinned maliciously,
"Now, only those without a F ranked skill have a chance of being summoned there. Depending on which side of the line you're on you may be happy, dead, or worse. We will now need the 6 rank F skill holders and two "Volunteers". The F Ranked skill holders, while you don't have to go to the Orc continent holder you still don't have much luck. It's time for the Wheel of Downfall!"
*Floating Mask Audience cheers*
I yelled,
"Goddess what is this!"
She smiled and said,
"This my dear Yuki, is Avalon and you're one of my stars."
Even with everything that was going on I could feel the eyes of everyone on me. Not knowing whether they should be happy or angry at my decision. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. That damn goddess didn't explain the full situation. These gods lie, cheat, and rig the system for their amusement.
A holographic set of text appeared above us in bright red.
Orc/Goblin Continent - You don't want this one.(Unavailble per Yuki's Sacrifice)
Bandit Start - Start as off as part or captured by a bandit crew
Jungle tribe Start - Start in the dense harsh jungles
Slums Start - Start in the slums alone in a distant town
Slave Start - Start as the slave of a distant noble lord/chieftain
One by one it started flashing through all the options, like a gameshow with the payout being life or death it spun and spun.
Finally the six students with F skills and two unlucky randoms were teleported to a magically created stage encased in a giant beam of golden light.
*Mina screams*
On the holographic text above a blue bar appeared and kept cycling through the options.
*tick tick tick*
It was as if I was in a trance and couldn't take my eyes off of the text above
Akira grabbed my shoulder, shaking me,
"WHERE is Mina?"
I quickly turned to where she sat previously, finding just a pillar of white light left behind.
"She was just here a second ago. Don't tell me that she has a…."
A shiver was sent down my spine as I started looking for her. Everyone in our group started yelling for her, but Mina was gone.
Finally our eyes met on the stage, where she stood among the 6 other students near the goddess. Whether it was intentional by the goddess, or simply because she was the closest, I could see Mina. The others were encapsulated in thick golden walls.
I ran towards her, shoving through all of the students in the way violently. As I got closer the goddess smirked watching my futile attempt. I got to the stage where I clashed with a transparent barrier that rippled as I bounced off of it. I started pounding on the wall with all my strength causing all the students to grimace behind me.
"Take me! Let her go you bitch!"
The goddess laughed, to them we're ants. No better than something for them to step on. Barely registering as entertainment in their eyes. The gods among all those in this world, stand at the top of the food chain. With everlasting life they watch over the world and find ways to entertain themselves. Our struggle to survive, was their entertainment.
With tears swelling in my eyes I yelled,
"Mina! Can you hear me?! Mina!"
My hands with every blow got slower and slower, finally with blood dripping down them I fell to my knees.
I couldn't breathe, not knowing where Mina was being sent, she was going to literal hell and I could do nothing about it.
*tick*
*tick*
*tick*
The screen stopped flashing.
Orc/Goblin Continent - You don't want this one.(Unavailble per Yuki's Sacrifice)
Bandit Start - Start as off as part or captured by a bandit crew
Jungle tribe Start - Start in the dense harsh jungles
Slums Start - Start in the slums alone in a distant town
Slave Start - Start as the slave in a distant noble/chieftain's house
The goddess stomped with one foot angered,
"Damn no bandit start, why don't I ever get the bandit start I'm looking for. I just lost over 10,000 high quality spirit stones … *Sigh* So be it, a slave start it is then. Enjoy your new lives you filthy slaves."
The white light which enveloped them previously grew brighter yet I could still see her face. Mina wiped the tears from her eyes and met my own. She forced a smile, and mouthed.
"Goodbye my love."
With a big flash of light all those with F ranked skills were sent into slavery, and two were sent randomly to one of the other options. Hinabi ran to me and shook my shoulders with tears running down her own eyes,
"she's gone... Nothing you can do about it right now, find her when you get in. Get a hold of yourself."
The inability to help a friend in need… We watched as Mina and the other classmates were spirited away.
*Audience Cheers*
The goddess continued,
"There they go! Four of those selected have been sent to be the slaves of a noble in the Emerald Empire located in the far Southeast. Two to somewhere random and even I don't know where.. Only time will tell what their journey will hold.."
The goddess cleared her throat,
"Now the rest of you will be divided into different kingdoms, the options stand before you. Please look here."