Arlo was in a sleep-like state when the reporter came in to inform the participants about the rules.
He had the same dream over and over. Him dying and Aldis being raped. Trying again and again to help him but failing.
He got out of the thoughts after realizing that someone was talking for a while.
"two sections. You will compete in two sections…" The reporter said. "First is free for all stages; secondly the remaining will face each other in duels."
"Now… for rules."
"Please refrain from killing the enemy."
"Only minimal magic allowed."
"Teaming up is not allowed in the dual stage."
"Only one winner will take the prize."
After explaining the rules he looked around counting the participants.
"Only twenty two of you? last year there was more…" He pointed outside.
"Lets go." Everyone readied up and walked out of the large wooden cabin.
Arlo tried to remember the things he learned from the paladin… He could not remember her name but her face, voice and everything was carved into the memory when she stabbed him in the back.
While trying to remember his two week of scouting and training the participants and Arlo entered a dry soiled arena of some sorts.
The ring, which had a twelve meters area, was covered with spectator benches.
A man with grey hair stepped above and started to speak loudly to the crowd.
"WELCOME TO SHALLOWTOWN SHOWDOWN!" The crowd cheered wildly.
"WHERE WE REWARD THE BRAVE AND STRONG!"
"TWENTY TWO SKİLLED WARRİOR, ONLY ONE WİLL RECEİVE THE REWARD, WHİCH İS THE ARTİFACT OF ARCHMAGE THAT LİVED DECADES AGO!"
"MANY COLLECTORS WOULD GİVE LARGE PRİZES FOR İT…."
His tone lowered down. as the crowd settled to their seats.
"But enough of that, İ the mayor of Shallowtown hereby started the event!"
Without any further notice the warriors started to fight each other.
Arlo remained still until a savage looking man tried to split him half with a large axe.
He dodged the axe by hopping back then grabbing his sword to counter the opponent.
Realizing that the savage was just a regular villager.
He thought that these people depend on the reward to improve their life.
The savage tried to push him away but Arlo pushed him away with swift movement.
"Nho kill the poor" he muttered after knocking the savage out.
The woman with the silver bow was battling the armored warrior that arrived on a horse.
She shot an arrow at him that ricocheted off of his armor and killed a barbarian.
Arlo hubbled over and absorbed the barbarians power while trying to look as if he was checking him for supplies.
"Sorry mate but both of us being guards won't help you…" A guard charged at him.
At that point Arlo tried to find a solution because he wasn't skillful enough to counter someone that was specifically trained for swordsmanship.
With a sudden instinct Arlo felt the power, no soul of the barbarian burning within him.
His bones moved in their own way to counter the guard.