A delightful scent crosses my nose. A delicate hum infects the air. Soothing fingers circle my face. My eyes scrap the room, looking for her soft features and beautiful face. I listen to her soft lips press together while she continues to hum an enchanting rhythm, one that only a fool like me could remember. The room begins to fall silent. Her presence getting louder and louder. I finally find what I have been looking for. I look up at her completely. Her eyes smile, as she runs her gentle warm hand through my dark hair. Face to face. Our eyes meet. Her brown eyes, beautiful in any light, matched my unnerved gaze. Eye to eye, my dirty grey pupils ruin the precious moment. A cheeky smile crosses her face. "Are you okay?". Her soft voice are like whispers in my ear. A sound I won't ever forget. A sound I won't ever dread. I bite my lip. I stay silent. Keeping eye-contact is a vow I won't ever lose. I reach for her hand, it's warm and soft. Perfect. Now, hand in hand I feel the forgotten tension between two lovers. Her lips press together once more. "You must be stressed." Her voice echoes around me. Her bitter-sweet tone sickens me to my core. A deep guttural sound rang from my throat. "Sorry." My ill-fated words are but to her a mere whisper for deaf ears. I sniffle. She changes position and moves up from in front of me. Suddenly she runs her warm hands down my spine. Giving me her full comfort. Tears burden my eyes. Her arms wrap around me. Her chest lies comfortably on my back. My inaudible thoughts dripping off my face, I confess once more to my own dedicated falsehood. "Sorry, I'm so sorry.". A pathetic apology, am I really this weak? I reach for her face one last time. I run my fingers across her smooth skin. Weeping to myself. Her arms no longer hold her warmth, her gentle fingers turn sharp at the touch. In its place static noise consumes her voice. Tears pour from my face as she tightens a grip around my neck. I struggle to breathe for air I don't deserve. For air, I'm not even sure I want. A crooked smile corrupts my face. Begrudgingly my hand wraps around the ones I love. They're cold, so very cold. Bitterly I plead. "I love you.". The last words linger on my lips and drip off my tongue as I fade into familiar obscurity.
A shock of energy wakes me up. Still groggy I call back to my dream while fondly touching my neck. Crackling noises echo around in my room and catch my attention. My body tries to adjust to unfamiliar sensations before me. I mumble to myself a few words. Then my vision clears. I finally take in what stands before me. My mouth tangles with itself for a moment. "Magic?". My words confused with each other, scramble from my mouth. I get up from my bed, still struggling to walk a little bit.
I reach out my arm. Touching the barrier of the adhesive waves of energy. "Unusual," I remark. A shock of electricity grazes my hand. "Ouch.". After rubbing my hand for a couple of seconds a buzzing noise takes my attention. My ears struggle to understand what sounds like a high-pitched static voice. It speaks to me. "Abel Kaguro." It's calling out my name but I don't quite understand why.
The voice reverts to static and spews out continued nonsense. An urge to move forward, not of my own conviction. Takes over.
This alluring energy drew my body towards the strange phenomenon. The portal produces weird symbols and signs and overall radiates a weird mystique. This energy was extremely abnormal. Waves of electricity bounce off my body. Mana surged around my room destroying tiny bits of the area. An overwhelming pressure was shoved onto me. The static voice returned, spewing its nonsense. Suddenly the voice began to speak clearly.
"Follow me.". Upon hearing this request my body urges me to move. My legs shake. This feeling was unlike anything I've felt before. The pressure of the energy sends a shock throughout my body. I was losing my own sense of control. Each step my legs took felt like they rejected themselves but somehow something within them persisted. It felt like I needed permission to use my own body.
The static voice spoke nonsense once more. As I started to focus in on the words, I realized it wasn't just one but many speaking at the same time. A unique combination of voices merged into one. Then, and only then, I heard her. Her voice. Her soft, sweet voice. My fingers twitched, and my jaw clenched. For once I moved on my own. My body strayed forward! I don't know if it was pure carelessness or fated instinct, but I ran forward. Dumb, I know. But could you blame me?
I was dragged into the portal upon full contact. My mind felt shattered. I was transported through the portal's massive energy signals! Miscellaneous symbols and signs wrapped around my body! In the distance, beyond what seemed to be an infinite void of energy, was an all-powerful illuminating force. A grand light above all else. It felt euphoric. I reached out. My hand started vibrating against the unusual frequencies. A shock of mana ran down my spine. I could feel myself morphing and conforming to the mana signatures around me. With one last jolt of energy, my mind blanked.
I woke up on sturdy ground. I felt around with my hand for a bit. It felt, hard and rough. Such barren texture, not much for any wildlife to really survive. As I sat up I took in more of the area. My eyes quickly adjusting to my new surroundings, I took in what I could. From what it looks like, the land was pretty desolate, no crops, no green. Completely devoid of life. "Interesting.". I mumbled. Shaking off some dirt on my face. I noticed the huge amount of destroyed armaments that were scattered across the land. I couldn't tell what was further out, some foggy dark smoke enveloped the area. My tongue clicked against the roof of my mouth. "Weird?". I commented aloud.
I began to dwell on some thoughts. Who summoned me here, and more importantly what do they want? My eyes scan the area looking for any more clues. Something that could tell me what my purpose is here. I start to notice. Ruins. Tons of ruins. Pieces of broken swords and destroyed armor dirtied this battlefield like candy. Hundreds of discarded ruinous armor just laid out, like nothing. Just how did I end up in a place like this? I cautiously step forward. The sound of my feet smacking against the rough floor follows me wherever I go. The crumbling of old rocks fills the air as I make my way across this abandoned terrain. Familiarizing myself with my surroundings I finally get an idea of where I am. Suddenly a large sound comes from above. "Hello everyone, welcome, welcome. To my apocalypse.". The voice spoke brazenly.
I thought to myself. Apocalypse? A sly smirk appears on my face. "That sounds like bullshit," I said.
Again, the loud voice from the sky make it's entry.
"I've summoned the world's greatest warriors and heroes from across land and time to participate in my little tournament.". I scoff at such nonsense. Why would he summon me of all people? I don't think I ever did anything noteworthy, right?
The loud voice continues its unwanted speech. "32 combatants. That's all! 32 lucky individuals!". I was starting to get irritated. I don't even know who this guy is but he wants me to participate in some dumb tournament. What good does it do for me? "Just in case you were wondering who I am. That's a secret for now, but the real fun is just getting started.". The voice spoke lively.
"You're probably all wondering, what's in it for me? Well. Let me tell you. The winner of this little tournament is granted a wish. No strings attached of course.". The voice let out an impish giggle. "You can have whatever your heart desires.". The voice lingers on the final words. As a small echo is left behind.
I let out a deep regretful sigh and continue walking. Anything I desire? As I continued walking. My footsteps started to blur. I felt her touch. Anything I desire is repeated in my mind. Her warm hand rubs down on my back. Anything I desire. Anything. Her voice, soft in my ear, hums a familiar tune. As I start to shake, I snap back to reality and pick up some pace.
This place is huge I've been walking a while now and I haven't seen anyone else and that loud voice from before halted all talking. It's just so dry? No one. This is unbelievable.
To keep myself company I started to think about what that voice said. Anything I desired? I think I have a motive now. I bit my lip. I want power, not for my own fortune and good, but to protect. Protect those I care about, and those who need it. My legs strengthen. Bound by my own will, my pace picks up to a slight run, and the rocks below me crush at my speed. Air glides off my body. In the distance my eyes catch a familiar illuminating force. Now full sprint towards a familiar light. My hand flies from my side to reach out.
I sink into it. As all regret leaves my body.
My body converges to the portal's frequencies, transporting me to a new location. I'm shifted into a room. A grand room. The room is beautiful, filled with vibrant colors and majestic scenery. As if the room were from a great artist's painting. It's filled with marble statues and expensive furniture, some of the sorts I've never seen before. I take a weary gulp. "This place is something else.". I mumble under my breath. My eyes sparkle at the gorgeous sight of it all. This is an entirely mystically experience.
While stumbling back a bit I knock into another person. That is when I start to notice that all around me are other people. Finally, what a small relief to me, I thought I wouldn't be seeing anyone else for a while. I dust off my shirt and take in what the people around me are wearing. My mouth opens in awe. All different types of clothing and jewelry, some clothes I've never seen before. They have to be from different time periods. I walk around excusing myself to really get a good look at them. This is all such a bit shock for me. The beautiful number of wardrobes that litter this floor. Gazing at some of the faces of people they all tend to share something in common, a decently fierce look to them. Aside from a couple innocent looking ones.
Upon looking at the variety of people here I think to myself. What does it even mean to be a "warrior"?
A clapping noise suddenly overtakes the room. "Welcome to my ballroom, warriors.". A familiar voice calls out. I look back from behind me. To the center of the room. A figure stands there immersed in light. "It's me, your host, again.". It was him, the loud voice from the sky before. I knew I had recognized it. They were adorned in beautiful clothing, scarlet, ebony, lapis, gold, and silver. They looked of royalty. The figure makes a hand gesture to indicate they were going to make a continued speech."I've summoned you all here for the one last bit of introduction.". I took a closer look at the figure. Dark long curly brown hair dropped from their head. Their face was obscured by a mask. White in color but by its design was similar to that of a jester. Rose lines crossed its face and jet black circles for cheek marks. The mask wasn't smiling but ironically the voice of the mask didn't match that sentiment. From their athletic build and somewhat tall stature, I could tell it was a man."Now, I've summoned you all here because of the great power you all possess.". The masked man continues. "I'll be assigning you different classes based off your skill set, don't worry I'm always accurate. When you're given your class you'll have to stay true to it. No switching. Well, there are a few exceptions but let's not get into that now. I won't reveal your class to others that's entirely up to you to decide if it's public knowledge. Do remember, if someone knows your class that is certainly a new weakness that can be exploited.". The masked man paused. "Oh, now yes, the rules.". The masked man clasps his hands together. "The rules, the rules." He repeats mockingly, letting out a snarky chuckle as well. "Once you're in this tournament, you cannot forfeit, and the only way to leave is to lose, and well, losing is death.". The masked man lets out a psychotic chuckle. "You know what that means, right?".
Silence fills the air. He stood there as if waiting for applause. My fingers tremble, and my heart skips a beat. I let out a worried breath I hope no one heard. My body produces a small shiver as I glance down for a second. I bite my tongue. My eyes twitch.
I mutter to myself. My mind races. "I've never killed anyone before," I mumble to myself. Even back then when I worked as a hero I killed many monsters that attacked villages, but never once killed another human. The thought of it never really even crossed my mind. I shake and grasp at my chest. This is, all so, surreal. I take a couple of hesitant steps back to address my surroundings. This tournament battles against what I fight for. My very ideals, I fight to protect people. Not kill them?
My eyes dart across the room. In a heated panic. The room doesn't fall into the hysteria I thought it would. Is this not shocking? Calm faces? What. What! How? How could they accept this? You all are, pathetic. How could you not rise into uproar? May it be that some of you are scared like me? That has to be it. What are you all afraid of? Someone else
please have a voice. Please.
Just as my own weakness disgusts me, something shiny catches my eye.
An armored hand from the crowd raises. "Excuse me." a man's bold voice erupts from the quiet crowd. "What if we don't kill them?". The masked man creepily turns his head. He claps his hands. "Oh, well, would you look at that? Someone asked the golden question.". An impulsive chuckle leaves the masked man. "Well, I guess, you'll both die then? Isn't that so obvious?". The bold armored man steps forward.
As he steps away from the crowd light bounces off his shiny golden-ish armor with red painted pieces. Adorned with a battered battle-scarred dark crimson cape that's ripped at the edges. Holstered on the right side of his armor is a sword in its scabbard. The scabbard is beautiful with a language written on it I can hardly read. He adjusts his white hair. It's long and straight while also covering the back of his neck. Some of his hair covers the front of his face but that doesn't hide the long scar painted across from his left cheek to the upper right of his right eye. His right eye seems to be blind being completely white. His left eye is dark brown. He has this look of superior authority written all over his face. His stance is perfect and strong. I feel like I know this man, but why?
His throat clears as he announces himself once more."I, King Arthur, refuse," My eyes widen. The man I've idolized as a kid stood right there before me. He seemed to be cloaked in such a beautiful aura. Call it my own biases though. How could he be in this hellish environment? I thought quickly, and I dropped my presence into the crowd and watched from within discreetly. The masked man drops his hands swiftly. "Oh, well. Boohoo.". He makes a mock gesture of crying. "You have no choice.". The masked man points at King Arthur with an indignant finger. "You have no rule here, King.". The masked man lets out a sadistic chuckle. "If you don't like it how it is, then perish by your own foolishness.". Silence follows inside the room once again.
King Arthur places his hand on the sword's hilt. He makes a scornful face."Do you possess such power to do so?". The masked man scoffs at King Arthur's comment. "Well of course I do?". The masked man remarked. He raises his hand. In a split second King Arthur is thrust from the ground and slammed against a nearby wall by a powerful invisible force. The wall cracks under the immediate pressure. King Arthur's face hardens. Tension from the invisible force is exerted on top of him to hold him still. "Good one.". King Arthur spits out a sly comment through a muffled cough. "Not good enough.". King Arthur spoke boldly. His body trembles with force. Within in that same speed as the masked man King Arthur raises his blade from his hilt and cuts through the force holding him back. Small gusts of wind fill the room pushing everyone back from the force. King Arthur lands on his feet. "I can see you're serious about this and you may hold some power so I'll oblige to your rules, for now.". King Arthur sheathes his blade and does a hand gesture to signal the end of his speaking.
The masked man is delighted and claps his hands furiously. "Oh, what a wonderful display of power. Cutting through my magic like that? That sword of yours must be special.". The masked man remarked with utter joy. "Well now, time to assign classes shall we?". The words echo around the room. Having this ominous presence lingering with them. Everybody acknowledges the uncertainty that has come. I scurry myself away from the crowd to get one last look at King Arthur. Something child-like inside of me appreciates the small moment. I take a glance back at the crowd that's now made its distance. I think about things. Maybe we can be saved? Right?
Right?