Terran was feeling quite proud of himself as he managed to whittle a few percentage points of health from Heavenly Death, and for a minute he thought he might have a winning strategy, at least until he ran around the original wall to prepare a Vocal Slam, and the whole structure exploded. Terran tumbled away, miraculously only losing a small portion of his health. She’d hit the walls with an exploding arrow, the type she’d opened the battle with, which probably meant that it had a cooldown.
Heavenly Death sped after him, firing arrow after arrow, chasing him from his half-destroyed structure. He managed to stir up a cloud of sand with his voice, but the barrage of arrows took him down to a quarter health before he could make it to another pillar and put up another stone wall.
“How long is that cooldown?”
He tried to gauge the time as he fired back at the aerial gladiator to keep her honest. He threw himself behind the wall when she pulled back her bow, but when she didn’t fire, he peeked again to see her hovering with her bow taut. He knew she wasn’t ready to fire her explosive arrow again, it hadn’t been long enough, but that clock was ticking. As he waited for her to make another move, he was surprised when he analyzed her.
Heavenly Death [Demigod] - Level 26
The level wasn’t what he’d expected at all. He’d thought he’d see ?? and a red skull, but maybe the years without Offworlders to cull in the Arena had reduced her powers, which was why she was only a demigod, rather than a full-fledged one like the Shadowbane. He snapped his fingers, knowing that was true. She’d probably created this place and lured people in, which was why the other gladiators, even the Winners, didn’t ever see her, because she had her own place where she resided.
His gaze fell upon the bracelet on his wrist. Only a god can remove it. Well, here was one for him, the only problem was he was low on health, which would make trying to get her to hit it with an arrow problematic. He could use the special benefit on his armor, but he didn’t want to waste it yet.
Sensing that time was running out before a recharge of her exploding arrow, Terran grew new stone walls around the area, to give himself places to flee should she destroy his current hiding spot. The delay in the fight was giving his circlet of leaves a chance to regen his health, which was almost up to thirty-five percent. Terran peered through the window in time to see her bow glowing with import. The urge to flee nearly overcame his senses, but he managed to delay until he saw the arrow release from the bow, and after a short sprint, he dove behind the newest wall he’d constructed.
The explosion scattered sand on top of him, some even getting into his mouth. He tried to spit it out as he climbed to his feet to find the aerial gladiator. Heavenly Death was coming in low, wings beating furiously. Terran risked a Vocal Slam at the sand, blowing up a plume right into her face as she was firing. The shot went wide and he followed up with another Vocal Slam as she went over.
As Heavenly Death circled around, the crowd went into a frenzy of cheers. The hairs on the back of his neck went up and his face buzzed with excitement. He could tell from the anticipation in the Arena that no one had ever survived this long.
She rose back into the sky, hovering with her bow taut. Terran, kneeling behind his wall, lifted his hand up high enough to extend his middle finger. Though most probably couldn’t see it, laughter trickled through the crowd. He waited until the string was loosened, and extended his arm so the bracelet was positioned where his hand had just been moments ago.
The razor tip of the arrow hit the bracelet cleanly, snapping it in half. The debuff that had kept him from using his georealm abilities was no longer present. Terran peeked over the edge. Heavenly Death hovered in the sky, her bow at her side, clearly trying to understand what had happened. Before she could move, Terran triggered his pathway traveler ability, zooming in on the map to place himself directly above her location, knowing that if he was wrong, he would fall to his death.
Terran appeared above the aerial gladiator, arms pinwheeling as he fell, almost missing her, but managing to grab her left wing with his free hand. Together they sank with only one wing keeping them from dropping like rocks. Before she could shed him, he turned the base of her left wing to stone, which quickly snapped off, spiraling them towards the ground.
He flung himself away the moment before they hit, taking a small amount of damage, but managing to tumble into a roll and back on his feet, sprinting towards the nearest pillar before she could regain her bearings. Terran dove at the last moment as a barrage of arrows blew past him. He crawled behind the pillar, clutching his staff as he waited for her advance.
Heavenly Death stood where they’d landed, bow in hand, the pale mask presenting a blank expression. The crowd didn’t know what to make of the standoff, and the whole place felt like a loaded spring, ready to release. She reached behind her, confirming the missing wing, lips scowling, forehead knotting. To his surprise, she took her exquisite bow and snapped it over her knee, silencing the murmuring crowd. It was as if a teacher had slammed their hand on the desk to get the attention of an unruly class.
Terran could have fired off a Vocal Slam at her, but the long pause between castings gave his beleaguered mana and health a chance to regen. He held his staff at the ready, calming his beating heart, sweat dripping into his eyes.
From an invisible sheath, Heavenly Death revealed a sword that glowed like the sun, and before the crowd could even gasp in amazement, she lopped off the remaining wing. Sensing the pause was nearly over, Terran crouched, readying himself for close combat.
Sand shot behind Heavenly Death as she sprinted towards him, the glowing sword like a magnet for his gaze. Though the stone pillar provided protection, Terran stepped out to meet her charge, lifting his staff and with a hum, setting it to vibrate. She flew like a missile, eyes pinpricks of hate, bringing her destruction down upon him like a nuclear weapon. He waited until the very last moment, when she lifted her weapon above her head, a glowing arc of death, and triggered the sacred ground ability from the Earthblood tree at the same time he used his maximize ability from the Whisperweave Tunic.
When Heavenly Death hit him, the entire blow was reflected back at her—and maximized. One instant she was flying through the air towards him, the next, she was catapulting backwards, her glowing weapon flinging the other way. In the span of an instant, she’d gone from nearly full health to only a few percent.
She landed heavily on her back with an audible oof. The mask had been snapped in half, revealing her lower jaw. Terran ran up with his quivering crystalline staff, ready to dispatch her with the final blow, when she placed her hand in the air to signal yielding—an acknowledgement of defeat. Three blows of the horn followed.
Chapter Twenty-One
Terran’s whole body vibrated with the exaltation of the crowd. If there’d been a roof, it would have collapsed from the noise, but as much as he reveled in the win, he couldn’t help but watch his opponent climb to her feet, rip the broken mask from her face, and toss it into the sands. Standing across from her, Terran had the chance to study her features. He’d been expecting smooth and silky, the blemish-free skin of a minor god, but her light blue jaw was nicked with scars and old wounds, her black eyes a reflection of battle.
Heavenly Death faced him, and the crowd hushed as if it expected it could hear what might pass between them. Terran could see the wear of time on her bones. The corner of her lips twitched, before she turned and strode from the sands, leaving him alone as victor.
“Ter-ran! Ter-ran! Ter-ran!”
The chants filled his heart with relief. He’d Run the Gauntlet and now that it was over, his suppressed display finally gave him the results of his herculean task. A host of skill improvements flew past, along with a new level.
[You have increased the skill Earth Sense]
Skill: Earth Sense 7 (END)
The sand trembles before you.
[You have increased the skill Battle Song]
Skill: Battle Song 21 (CHA)
Bri
nging the boom bass.
[You have increased the skill Bardic Endurance]
Skill: Bardic Endurance 13 (CHA)
For those about to rock...
[You have increased your skill Improvisation]
Skill: Improvisation 7 (INT)
The perils of the Arena are nothing for you.
[You have increased your skill Leadership]
Skill: Leadership 5 (CHA)
Champion of the Arena has a nice ring to it.
You have completed a quest: Run the Gauntlet and earn your freedom.
You have earned Dagrath reputation and experience!
You are now level 18!
As Terran limped back to the tunnel, he looked up at the oligarchs’ box. Estabario stared down at him, and though a great distance separated them, Terran could feel the heat of his gaze. That one wouldn’t let this go easily.
When he reached the tunnel, Terran expected the guard to lead him back into the prisoner cells. He’d hoped to have his final goodbyes with El and the other gladiators, but instead he was met by a man in clean robes with a badge that signified he was a member of the Arena staff. He led Terran down a different path that led to an outside door. The man gestured towards a chest sitting against the wall.
“The rest of your equipment is in that chest.” He reached into a pocket. “As a token of your victory, you are hereby named Champion of the Arena, which has earned you this ring and your freedom.”
Terran glanced around the old tunnel. “Not much of a ceremony.”
The man cleared his throat. “As you are the first to have achieved such a thing, we had no processes in place.” He looked embarrassed. “As well, many of the oligarchs lost a sizable amount of gold in the betting markets. While you have won the love of the people, the oligarchs are quite cross with you.”
Terran nodded. “Thanks for the warning. I guess I should have expected that.”
He was examining his ring when he stepped out of the door, right into the arms of Della, who squealed, covering him in breathless kisses.
“Oh, Terran, I’ve never seen such a victory. No one has! Your name will live forever in Dagrath and beyond!” she exclaimed.
Della looked at him as if she were about to throw him on the cobblestones and take him right there, but thankfully his companions stepped around her. Zara clapped him on the shoulder.
“Nice work. That was some trick taking her out of the sky, and then the reversal. I thought you were dead for sure.” Zara winked. “Glad you proved me wrong.”
“I never doubted you for a second,” said Luna with her chin held high.
“Never doubted what?” asked Terran with a cocked grin.
Luna wagged her furry gray eyebrows. “Just that. Never doubted you.”
“As long as you guys made the bets I asked you to, you can doubt me all you want,” said Terran.
As soon as he said the words, Della looked like she was about to pee herself with excitement.
“We did. We made the bet. A big bet.” Her eyes were moons. “I can’t believe how rich we are now.”
Behind Della’s back, Zara mouthed with a smirk, “We?”
“We sold everything we could,” said Luna. “Zara even used her new shadow axe as loan collateral. The odds were so lopsided that it didn’t take much to make a fortune.”
“Good,” said Terran, mind wheeling, “we’re going to need it. But first, let’s get back to the Golden Kumquat. We have a lot to do now that I’m free again.”
On the way back, people in the street stopped as he passed, gawking and pointing. A little girl ran up and handed him a pink flower before running off giggling.
“I don’t think we’re going to be doing any covert operations in the city,” said Zara with an eyeroll.
The more people noticed, the closer Della got to him, squeezing his hand and beaming at the attention he was getting. He worried that Chanterelle might be around. It wouldn’t bode well for Della, but he didn’t know what else he could do. She was nice enough, certainly attractive, and if he hadn’t met Chanterelle first, he could imagine himself with her, but his heart—however foolish—was still set on the Rock Leaf Elf warrior.
When they entered the tavern at the Golden Kumquat, the crowd cheered when they saw him. A few older gentlemen with wrinkled faces and white hair came up and patted him on the back.
“Never seen such a display in my life, likely never will again. Well done.”
“Thank you,” said Terran, finding a secluded spot in the back, where he could get away from the constant attention.
Della broke away. “I’ll rustle up a victory feast for you.” Her eyes flitted to his companions. “I know you all have a lot to discuss, but I’ve got dibs on him later.”
Zara started to open her mouth, so Terran kicked her under the table. When Della was gone, the redheaded berserker tilted her head. “I was only going to ask for a few ales while we wait for our feast.”
“No ale tonight,” said Terran.
“Them’s fightin’ words,” said Zara, placing both fists on the table, while Luna looked on curiously.
“We’re hitting Estabario’s place tonight before he can do the same to us,” said Terran.
Luna placed her paw on the table. “Did Heavenly Death knock the sense out of you? For one, isn’t the book with that other fella, and two, isn’t this business how you ended up in the Arena in the first place?”
“Estabario lied. He didn’t sell the book. When they caught me, he said, I told you he was going to steal from you. Not the book, but just steal from you. And if he’d had this tome, it would have been in a case. No, I think he was just using me for favor with the oligarchs. Him and Graffel both. They’re con men, working their way up in the city,” said Terran.
“There’s also the matter of revenge,” said Zara.
“I thought you might not be in if it were just personal,” said Terran.
Zara squeezed her fists, making the knuckles crack like popcorn. “It is personal.”
“I’m glad you’re on my side,” said Terran, grinning.
“When are we going?” asked Luna.
“Later, after he and his crew have had the opportunity to get good and liquored,” said Terran. “Now give me a moment. I need to level up. Put the finishing touches on our preparation for tonight.”
“You Offworlders are so weird,” said Luna, shaking her head.
Della appeared a moment later with mugs of ale. Terran agreed that Zara could have one, and initially wasn’t going to drink, but after the harrowing fight with Heavenly Death, he decided a single ale would do him some good. While he sipped his foamy drink, Terran pulled up his character sheet.
All the various abilities were giving him pause about where to place his points, but he was thankful at least that the Earthblood ability wasn’t tied to a stat. Simply, he decided that Intelligence for mana and Charisma for his spells was the best way forward. The earth-based abilities were great for controlling the battlefield, and for surprise effects like Stone Touch, but they didn’t require a high stat to be effective. His bread and butter was the damage he dealt with his voice.
As he checked his stats after increasing Intelligence and Charisma, he noticed an update in his Champion’s Path.
Defeat an Ascended One in solo battle - 1 Champion’s Point
This was a nice boost because he’d been worried that using the point on Earthblood would have limited benefits, where he needed the Worldwalker skills for traveling. The other change was that his stats were higher than expected after he placed his points. A quick scan proved that it was his new ring.
Ring of the Champion
+2 to all stats, +20 to AC
Terran whistled when he saw his reward. Maybe he’d thank Estabario for throwing him in the Arena, after he took back the book.
Character: Terran
Level: 18
Class: Earthen Mage
Crystal Bard
Subrace: Rock Leaf Elf
Cha
mpion of the Mother Tree
HP: 594
Mana: 530
Stamina: 1,360
Strength: 7
Intelligence: 16
Endurance: 21
Cunning: 6
Agility: 6
Charisma: 17
The overall boost the level and ring gave had increased his power substantially. He had a lot of excess Stamina, but from his discussions with Zara about her berserker abilities, melee combat took a ton to maintain.
“What are we going to do with the gold from the bet?” asked Zara after they’d finished dinner and their one ale (though Terran was certain he’d seen her chug a second and a third when she went to the bar to grab an extra piece of bread) and were relaxing in their booth away from the prying eyes of the customers.
“Let’s worry about that after we get the book back,” said Terran, not wanting to play his hand too early in case Zara disagreed with how he was going to use the gold. She might not understand why. “Shall we go speak to Estabario about our disagreements with him?”
Zara’s nostrils flared. “I’m gonna get to unleash the rage, right?”
Terran let a single corner of his lips curl up. “No more love taps.”
“Good,” said Zara, “I’m done pulling my punches.”
In case someone might be watching, they went into the kitchen to use the exit through the back alleyway. Della was dragging a new keg of ale to the front and as soon as she saw Terran she ran over to him, covering his mouth and face with kisses.
“You’re going to get Estabario, aren’t you?” she asked breathlessly.
“Were we speaking too loud?” asked Terran.
Champion's Prophecy: A LitRPG Adventure Page 16