Hadorix fell asleep as soon as he made it to his room. He did not even have the strength to check on the creatures that he had knocked out that day. He hoped he would be able to make a quick recovery. After all, who knew what day 2 would bring…?
Hadorix felt like he had just fallen asleep when the wolves came to bring him down to the arena. He hoped he would not be doing 5 battles again today. He did not think he would live through them. When Hadorix arrived in the arena, he sat down and waited to see what his opponent would be.
Suddenly the cage opened, and out came a female winged lion. It was slightly smaller than Hadorix and snow white from nose to tail. Upon seeing Hadorix it landed and stared for a moment. Neither of them expected to be battling another lion. The female lion roared a challenge. Hadorix roared back. The female lion began to walk towards him.
Hadorix stood still. He was still examining the female winged lion. He had never imagined such a creature could exist. When she arrived slightly out of striking range she spoke.
"I am Ivory. You are clearly a king of beasts, though I must admit you do not smell like a normal beast. But if you allow it, I will serve you. I do not wish for either of us to die here today."
Hadorix replied, "In order to leave this place alive, you must be knocked unconscious by my paw. Otherwise, the only way to leave is in death."
Ivory replied, "I accept those terms. We will speak further after the battle."
Hadorix moved forward and knocked Ivory unconscious with a blow from his paw. He then returned to his side of the arena and sat down. He did not know if he would be returning directly or if he would be fighting further.
Soon 2 wolves again entered and removed the body of the winged lion.
Casper again entered to talk to Hadorix.
Casper said, "Hadorix, you continue to surprise me. Never would I have thought you would manage to save so many. Dare you go 4 more rounds today like you did yesterday?"
Hadorix replied, "After the poison yesterday, I am far too tired. I will rest today and join in for another arena battle this evening."
Casper was disappointed, yet he could not argue. The terms had already been set. He would contemplate how to make this battle more interesting, and he had all day to do so.
Casper stepped out and 2 wolves entered to escort Hadorix back to his rooms.
Once Hadorix arrived, he went to look for his fellow druids to request a meeting. He desired to know how they had been being treated as well as how many of the creatures that had been brought in injured had managed to survive. It did not take long for the druids to manage to meet with Hadorix. They were anxious to discuss recent events with him. The first to speak was Obcha.
Obcha said, "Ya made it hard for us here. The harpy be crazy. We had to lock her in a cell. She tried to kill anything tha got near her. She woke up though, seems healthy. Might be you can speak some sense into her. You beat her, might listen to you. The husky and the woman that came in with him are still hurt bad, may die. Too early to say. If ya wanna keep em alive, we will not be able to leave soon. The human man lived, wants to talk to ya. Even more once he realized ya was not a lion. The winged lion is waiting for ya as well. Only willing to talk to ya. Looks like ya doing well so far. We will end up with several new allies. Body of the boar is in the other room. We can have it cooked up if ya hungry."
The others had truly little to add. The only thing they could do during the day was to study their books, and train. Hadorix was pleased with the fact that they were training. He gave them the boar to share. He hoped it would improve their stats.
Hadorix decided he would visit the harpy before he did anything else. If she was not willing to cooperate, he was unsure of how to proceed. When he arrived in the room with her cage, he shapeshifted into a Lion, then back into a human. He wanted to make sure she knew that he was the one she had fought in the arena. He then spoke, "My name is Hadorix. I am Archdruid, as Archdruid I can shapeshift into a lion. I am sorry I had to hurt you, but I knew if I could manage to knock you out, that your life would be spared. Why do you attack my people?"
The harpy stared at Hadorix with smoldering rage in her eyes and did not immediately speak. The two sat in silence. Eventually she gave in and spoke. She said, "You may call me Phynia. What do you want from me? If I am to trade one prison for another you should have killed me in the arena."
Hadorix replied, "I wish to grant you freedom and protection. I would also offer you a home and a job. I am Archdruid; I am curious if you would be willing or able to join the order as well. When we leave, I will bring you to the Mystic Orchard to live. There will be no cages. Your only in one now because you attack all who come near you."
Phynia replied, "You would free a harpy? In this world we are persecuted by all who do not belong to our kind. Why would you be any different?"
Hadorix replied, "I am new to this world. I do not know its ways. I know only that I am in need of warriors such as you and I believe we can help each other. You do not need to reply now, consider what I have said."
Phynia replied, "If I agree to harm no one unless you permit me to, will I be freed?"
Hadorix opened the cage and replied, "If you step out of that cage, I will expect that you are willing to harm no one here without my permission. Meet the other druids, tell them the offer I have made you. See the family that you would be joining."
Phynia carefully exited the cage. She expected Hadorix to strike her. When he held to his word and allowed her to go amongst the others, her confusion grew. Could this group truly accept a harpy among its members? Not only as a member, but potentially one of the inner circles of druids?
Hadorix next went to the winged lion, he chose to shapeshift into his lion form for ease in the discussion. When he entered, she spoke to him. "It is good to see you again. As you know, in my pride, I was known as Ivory. I do not know where they are now, nor am I likely to ever see them again. It would be an honor to join your pride."
Hadorix replied, "I am a human Archdruid. I can shapeshift into lion form. I do not have a pride, but I am the Master of a druid grove. I would be honored for you to join my grove in any capacity you are willing to. If you have a soul stone, it would be an honor for me to add it to my throne for your protection."
Ivory replied, "I will give you my soul stone when we arrive in your druid grove. I desire to be a part of your honor guard. I assume that is what the other ladies that travel with you are. Perhaps I will make a good druid as well."
Hadorix considered this for a moment, he had never thought of placing a beast as a druid. But it might be worth a try. The humans had beast forms, perhaps the winged lion would have a human form to shapeshift into. It would be worth a try. He replied, "When I bring a creature and their soul stone to the throne a spot will glow according to their skills. If it allows you to be a druid, I would be honored to accept you. For now, I would ask that you join the others and get to know them as best as you can. Learn of my people and what we are here to do."
Hadorix and Ivory then joined the others. Hadorix had hoped to meet with the man before his next arena battle, unfortunately it did not look like he would have that opportunity. Time was growing near, and he still needed to eat. Fortunately, Obcha had cooked the body of the boar, so there would be sufficient meat for everyone. Phynia and Ivory were surprised to be eating at the table with the others. They had been treated as slaves for so long that it was startling to be treated as one of the family. Both were rather grateful for the difference. With each bite they took, everyone received the message
· Constitution +1
It did not take long for Hadorix to receive the message,
· Constitution at max for level 2. Unable to increase until next level up.
Once the message flashed before his eyes, he could feel a significant increase in power. As he received the message:
· Passive ability Hardy granted. "Due reaching a maximum constitution points for your level, your hp will now increase by 12 per point of constitution instead of the standard 10 for an Archdruid. This effect will be retroactive and will increase for all levels you have already gained.
Diner passed by with few conversations. Everyone focused on their own training. Hadorix considered what his next arena battle would end up being. As he had refused the 4 extra fights today, he knew Casper would make it something difficult.
Shortly after they had finished eating, the two wolves arrived to take Hadorix to the arena. Hadorix again shapeshifted into a lion before he left the rooms, and upon arrival at the arena sat in front of the gate for his entrance to the arena. Surprisingly, this time he was not the first to arrive. There were beasts and humanoid creatures scattered throughout the arena. Many of the beasts appeared to be poisonous. This battle would clearly be different, and it appeared as though Casper truly desired for Hadorix to be killed.
Casper stepped to the stand above the arena and spoke. "Tonight's match will be a free for all. The winner will be granted freedom. As many of you have poisons and other methods of incapacitating your enemies, anything knocked out will be the slaves of the winner. You will not have to be alone in your newfound freedom. I will also give the winner the choice of 1 creature from the slave cages. Chose well. No need to keep standing around, your fight begins now."
As soon as Casper finished speaking, Hadorix shapeshifted into human form. He cast vindings and managed to trap every creature in the arena. Hadorix was more surprised by this outcome than anyone else. Thanks to the well of souls and the number of undead they had managed to purify; he had gained a great deal of spiritual energy. This would have been impossible were it not for that gain. Hadorix then shapeshifted back into a lion and made his way around the arena. He targeted the closest most dangerous looking creatures first, after all he had no clue how long his vindings would last. It differed from Druid to Druid.
In the end, none had managed to put up a fight, and Hadorix had managed to knock out 2 dwarfs (dwarfs were short, stocky creatures that looked like humans.) 4 female humans, 2 male humans, 3 scorpions, 4 snakes, 2 ogres, 2 trolls, and 4 brightly colored frogs. Hadorix then went back to his side of the arena and awaited transport out.
46 wolves came in, two per knocked out creature and drug them back to Hadorix's wing of rooms. Casper then came in and escorted Hadorix to the prisoner's cells to choose which prisoner he wished to join him. Casper patiently took Hadorix to each cage to see which he wanted. In the end, Hadorix found himself unable to choose. There were so many creatures and humanoid beasts. He would have to discuss it with his people. Perhaps they would have a suggestion. He truly wished he could save them all. Casper allowed him the freedom to decide at any point before he left the wolf den and escorted Hadorix back to his rooms.