The Rokkaia Chronicles

by Rhys Thomas

  Launching myself at Sapa’s shield and striking out in a thrust with the gladius. Sapa blocked the attack, halting his advance as I followed up my attack with a sweep of my great sword. The sword battered into the shield with enough strength to force Sapa to step back.

  I struck again and again, trying to make Sapa react, but it seemed as if he was waiting for me to tire. After a while of me constantly trying to get within his guard, and actually achieving just that on several attempt’s though each were minor cuts or gashes.

  Sapa finally slammed the shield into the ground, a distance part of my mind had expected some form of an AOE attack like in video games, but instead Sapa pushed forward at me using the shield like a battering ram. He ploughed into my crossed blades as I brought them to bear.

  As strong as I was, if my balance was unsteady, I would surely tumbled as any man would. Which was exactly what happened, in the chaos of being hit by the ram, Sapa had managed to bring his naginata around and caught the back of my leg. I twisted as I felt the cold steel press against my leg and I fell back onto my ass, quickly scrambling to roll backwards and climb to my feet. Instantly a door sized object threw me off my feet completely as it struck me from the side.

  I bounced off the ground as I tumbled across the grit of the arena floor. Shaking away the fuzziness from my head, I cursed myself for a fool, I was playing by their games now. Seeking some kind of balanced match, for some nonsense like honour.

  I was being too cautious as well. “Time to get dirty,” I said to myself with a sighing smirk and dropped both of my swords. I rotated my neck and it cracked loudly, then I sprinted at the ogre with a roar of rage.

  My fist flew true and Whammed! Into the previous dome I had planted in the shield. I bounded, beating back against the shield twice more before clinging to the edges and yanking the tower shield towards me throwing the shocked ogre forward a step.

  Squatting into a crouch and still grasping the shield I brought both it and the ogre connected to it over my shoulder in a toss. They slammed into the dirt with a crunch. I had expected Sapa to loosen the grip on his weapon, but he kept it firmly held.

  Without waiting I ran at the ogre as he rolled into crouch to avoid the foot I pounded into the ground where his head had been mere seconds ago. He and I both growled like feral beast’s, we even bared our teeth at one another. I had a lot of respect for the ogre, he was skilled, way more than me that was for sure.

  But I had purpose and overwhelming strength on my side. As he came up from his roll, I struck out with my foot catching him centre mass and sending the ogre tumbling back down once again.

  I moved on him and he brought his shield to bear but I struck with my foot again striking the shield with the heel of my boot and knocking the arm wide. Sapa wasting no time and instead of retreating he thrust his naginata at me. I clapped, catching the blade a few inches away from my heart.

  I then yanked to my right throwing the weapon away. It flew from Sapa’s grip to hit the ground somewhere behind me. He then retreated, eyeing me wearily, his expression stern as he watched me approach.

  Then he straightened his posture and gave me a grim look before he threw off his shield and raised both hands in surrender. I stumbled, unsure of how to proceed. The crowd’s gasp threw me off even further, “I Sapa, champion of Juki. Forfeit this match to a worthier opponent.” Sapa’s voice rang out clear in the arena and the rumbling murmurs deadened instantly and all eyes including mine moved to Loryn’s booth.

  “To forfeit this match, champion Sapa is highly unusual. You do know that to admit to losing without death, mean’s the loss of all your titles, possessions and hand of your clan head,” Loryn’s voice sounded a little concerned. I guessed that not many ogre’s actually forfeited these matches. “What of your clan head, what say she?” Loryn said and turned partly as her sister with a tight braid of grey hair draping over her shoulder stepped down to be beside her sister.

  They exchanged a few quiet words, before Loryn cleared her throat. “It appears, your clan head agrees with your actions and see them as a wise course. Now,” Loryn said and her red eyes turned to me. “Alaric Rosen, Sapa’s life is within your hands. What is your wish to do with it,” I stared at the queen for several seconds as the words registered with me.

  I looked at the skilful ogre across from me, the arena quiet with bated breath. “I have a few ideas,” I stared idly. “I wish for Sapa, previous champion of Juki to fight by my side against the Shi’en, to be a friend and maybe even a mentor. To stand with me as we fight to protect all peoples of Viria, ogre and more. I wished for him to live,” I called out, and my voice boomed loudly.

  Then quietly, I added, just loud enough for only Sapa to hear, “And to not go easy on me the next time we fight.”

  He must’ve hear my words because the big ogre grinned. “I thank you, Alaric Rosen. You are most merciful in judgement,” Sapa said, his quiet voice filled with gratitude.

  “Then it shall be, Sapa from this day forth you are no longer regarded as champion of Juki,” Loryn voice rang clear. “You now belong to Alaric, as is the law of forfeit.”

  “You are most gracious, your majesty,” Sapa said as he took a quick respectful knee. “My lord,” he then gave me a nod.

  “We’ll talk later on,” I said to the ogre. He nodded gruffly and then walked out of the arena. I on the other hand quickly pranced over and snatched up both the naginata and the tower shield. I had thought to simply warp them to my inventory, but I imagined the crowd wouldn’t like that at all.

  Instead I settled for just dropping all my weapons down onto the tower shield and then proceeded to drag it all back to my room. “One match left. Free the daughter, and then sail across the sea to a land I’ve never seen,” I mumbled upon entering my room. I had expected Loryn to come down with her sisters but instead Ariana greeted me.

  I smiled warmly at the Valakharian scout as I warped everything expect the gladius and great sword. “Everything okay?” I asked her when I saw her pensive expression. She bit her lip, “you’re to face Loryn’s champion. An ogre by the name of Hilnow,” she told me.

  “Hilnow?” I exclaimed. The same ogre who had introduced me to the queen. Wait did that mean... “But why am I facing him?”

  Aria shrugged her shoulder’s in her tight leather armour. “I am unsure, he has only just now returned from the surface. And wasn’t happy to find out you were taking part in this. I suspect that Loryn wanted this to happen.”

  “Yeeaah... I’m thinking the same thing,” I said dryly. “But why though?”

  Ariana took a deep breath, “they don’t have rules about sex and marriage between blood relatives like we do, Ally. Hilnow would’ve fought against the winner, killed them and then claimed Loryn’s daughter for his own. He would rule alongside her as he has with Loryn,” she said softly.

  “Fuck...” I said with a sigh and leaned back against the wall. “Wait? When you say they don’t have rules about stuff between blood, you don’t mean…” I trailed off and Ariana nodded. “They allow this shit?” I asked in disbelief.

  “It’s their customs,’ Ariana sighed and walked over to stand beside me and lean on my shoulder. I kissed the top of her head and took a deep breath. She looked up at me and I gazed into her violet eyes. There was a question there.

  She had seemed such a stoic warrior when we first met a few weeks ago. Now though, it felt as that had all been a facade or different mask she wore. “Okay,” I agreed with a nod, though to what I wasn’t sure. She grabbed my arm and got to her tip toes to press a kiss my cheek, her lips felt warm and tingly against my stubble.

  “I must go. And Ally, do you know what claiming her daughter’s chains actually means?” She asked me coyly.

  I frowned and shook my head in response, “not a clue. Why?”

  “No reason, other than to say Marisa was right.”

  “What does that mean?” I asked after her as she waved goodbye and left the room.

  ~*~*~*~


  “My lord,” the ogre said in a soft growl.

  “Ah, Sapa. What’s going on?” I asked and blinked owlishly as he stepped fully into the room.

  “Your final match will begin shortly, my lord.”

  “Al-alright,” I said with a yawn. He moved his massive frame to stand beside the door at the other of the room.

  “Why did you go easy on me?” I asked him. His large eye squinted ever-so-slightly.

  “Honestly?” he asked in return.

  “Honestly,” I said and stood stretching.

  “Clan head Juki and I agreed with your plan almost instantly.”

  “So why the fighting then?” I inquired.

  “Because, like Queen Loryn. We understood that you were more than you appeared to be. Your plan was also reasonable, but the inhabitants of Banes Horren are stuck within their ways of thinking. Which all stems from a lifetime of controlling our nature and certain urges. No matter how hard we try and do succeed in our control, humanity still’s see’s us as mindless monsters.”

  “You mean the nomads?” I asked understanding his point.

  “You know of the outcast’s?” he asked me, surprise evident in his voice.

  “Yes. Ariana, Marisa and I faced one. They are truly monstrous,” I told him with a small wince.

  He nodded understandingly, “they are. It is why we hide ourselves away from the world. We live a very long time and you can be certain that most of the ogres still living today have devoured another sentient life at some point in their lives.

  “You cannot order any ogre without having full control. Without overwhelming and defeating your opponents you would never have the respect of the Ogre’s of Banes Horren. We recognise strength of will and spirit above all else, and you’ve shown a great degree in both of these aspects.”

  “But the ogre’s still don’t like me,” I pointed out.

  “Like you? No. But respect your strength? Most definitely.”

  “Huh, didn’t really think of it like that,” I said and scratched my cheek.

  “Plus, you do want to save our people, it’s clear in your eyes and intentions. You chose to save and help us, when you could’ve easily returned and try save Glen’dal. But instead you chose us.”

  “Well my intention’s weren’t purely altruistic. I’ll need the ogre’s as a vanguard for when we do face the Shi’en,” I told him and was surprised when he nodded.

  “We know. At least, Queen Loryn and Clan head Juki suspected as such.”

  “Can you tell me anything about Hilnow?” I asked and came to stand before the door.

  “I’m afraid not. He is a great warrior and has been the Queen and previous Queen’s champion and has remained undefeated. Now he seeks Ellina, Loryn daughter’s chains.”

  “What does that mean exactly?” I asked him, trying not to think about the weird incestual relationship’s ogre’s have. “Wait,” I cut him off before he could answer. “Previous Queen? You mean he could be Loryns father?” I asked in disbelief.

  “No,” Sapa replied shaking his head. “Queen Loryn was born to Dovari’s prior Champion. She bore all of her majesty’s sisters with Hilnow.”

  My face must’ve twisted into a grimace, because Sapa grinned at me, seeing I was uncomfortable. “It is our way, does not mean it must be your own. Remember that.”

  “I will. Ellina’s chains then?” I asked him.

  He nodded, “when the next monarch is to be crown, they are chained beneath the arena with frost iron. It makes them incapable of harnessing their true strength. Till they are released by the winning champion,” he informed me.

  That wasn’t exactly helpful, I wanted to say. “So Loryn when through this?”

  “Yes,” he nodded.

  “And this Ellina? Is she like Loryn?”

  “No. She is a gentle creature compared to the rest of us. She has not experience the world yet,” he said and hissed a long sigh. I figured this was something he envied, but I didn’t question him on it and nodded my agreement. “It’s precious thing, Ignorance,” I commented. The arena grounds shifted in that stone grinding way that told me my fight was about to begin.

  “Fight well, my lord,” he told me as I moved passed him. “Hilnow will show no mercy, all he sees’ is another conquest and not the fight to come,” Sapa called after me.

  I nodded absently; I would kill the massive ogre. I just couldn’t help but be sickened by the fact that ogre society allowed this type of thing to happen. I wondered if this was what Dovari meant by her mistake. The very fact that he was within his rights to possibly deflower and impregnate his own daughter just so that he could keep his status made me growl in anger and I felt it resonate with Shade.

  The strange iris like mirror’s mounted atop the colosseum walls were almost closed completely shut. I immediately felt the small drain on my strength and cursed. I hadn’t realised it was so late, or that the match was to be in the evening.

  The drain wasn’t intense, but it was noticeable when my hand holding the great sword drooped towards the floor. With a small grunt I hefted the sword up onto my shoulder. Opposite me stood Hilnow, the ogre champion of Queen Loryn.

  Both of his massive mitts were placed atop his huge bearded axe, its spiked pommel stabbed into the ground. His lips curled into a sneer, and I couldn’t help but compare him to the nomad.

  Rotating my shoulders and neck I shifted the growing weight of the great sword. “People, ogres of Banes Horren,” Loryn called out and faintly I heard what sounded like music playing. “Before you stands two champions. One that has claimed all but one of my sisters.” Wait all but one?

  “Then there is my own champion. Who- who claimed my sister Olpi but a few hours ago,” Loryn continued and my anger boiled to the surface as the music grew more intense. Did that mean the fucker had raped his own daughter?

  The crowd cheered at her words and I suddenly realised how stupid I was for coming here, to this place. A place where the people cheered when they heard things such as this.

  If Hilnow killed me, would he then claim all of the clan heads for himself? What of my own women and friends would he try to take them? The anger grew and a numbing pulse swept through my mind in a drumming beat that had no recognisable source.

  I knew my women would fight, but the fucker still wanted to bed his own daughter. What had he said to me before, when I introduced my friends? “The more the merrier,” I muttered darkly.

  “They fight for the chains of Ellina. As once had been fought for me, now shall Hilnow fight for the heir, but this time against the outsider.”

  “Laying it on a little aren’t you,” I muttered. As the ground at the centre of the arena split apart with a screech of grinding stone and mechanisms. When it stopped, a 10-foot wide hole was smack dab in the centre of the arena grounds.

  Within was a gorgeous squinting silvery grey-haired woman looking up at us. She wore a tight-fitting white cream dress the showed off plenty of her cleavage and it was surprising that she didn’t pop out with each deep wrenching breath she took as it hugged her like a corset.

  The dress was loose around her waist and I saw that the ties of the dress along her thighs and down her long legs were parted or intentionally loosen to reveal her snowy pale skin. She was slim and curvy and stupidly beautiful like most women I had met so far in Viria. This Ellina was closer in figure to Shre and Marisa, than Ariana and Ilya.

  There was a choker made of a grey gold metal that ran around her throat. It lead down narrowly towards her cleavage where two folds of material connecting from the short sleeves that hugged her upper arms like a shawl were linked through a ring hanging from the choker.

  A similar grey gold metal adorned her head like a circlet, and it weaved through the front of her hair. Her silvery grey locks were tied back from her diamond shaped face and hung loose behind her head and flowed out.

  It moved like molasses, as if she was moving through water, it flowed out around her reminding me of how Marisa’s own hair had defied
gravity. I kind of wished I had cool hair in that instance, but the only image I got was one of me as a Super Saiyan.

  I noticed how Ellina had delicate features, her cheek a slight pink. She had dark grey eyebrows and icy blue eyes, her lips were parted in exertion, and I saw how they were a rosy pink colour like her cheeks. Her bare feet shifted on the rock she was crouch upon and then I noticed the chains.

  Thick gleaming iron bands of at least a dozen per arms kept her in place on the rock. A look of complete terror came over her as she looked up, except she wasn’t looking at me but Hilnow. She then started to madly tug on the chains as if wanting to escape. I couldn’t blame her either, looking at Hilnow I noticed how the ogre licks and smacked his lips together loudly in obvious glee.

  “Let the match begin,” Loryn shouted suddenly and I had to blink as Hilnow picked up his bearded axe and started walking around the hole in the arena floor.

  Tightening my grip on the great sword I moved as well, except my movements were sluggish.

  The weakness couldn’t have affected me this hard, so quickly could it?

  I tried to shift the great sword on my shoulder but only managed a nudge. “This isn’t good…” I mumbled and started to back away slowly as Hilnow strutted over to meet me.

  A thought occurred to me and I tried to reach out to my delve and fell short. I could feel my aether swirling there yet it was just out of reach of me.

  The drumming music grew even more intense, its insistent and ever beating rhythm drilling my head till it ached. Then Hilnow was before me and we soon came to blows.

  Chapter Nineteen

  In a mad surge of effort, I managed to duck aside the initial swing of his axe. Quickly dashing away, I tried to sprint past but Hilnow struck out again with his axe in a sweeping arc intending to cleave my head from my shoulder’s, he telegraphed the movement though. So, when he did follow through, I dived feet first under his swing, my great sword still trailing behind me on my shoulder like the heaviest of weights.