I was blinded by the fog and could not make out my surroundings. I could hear the other Freshman around me. Suddenly the fog began to clear, I looked at my surroundings in awe.
We were now standing in the court yard of ancient temple ruins. The ground in the courtyard had weeds growing out of the cracks in-between the stones. I looked at the size of the temples main building. A massive 40ft tall structure. Moss covered statues lined the walls to the left and right of the entrance to the main hall. Tree branches were growing out of the domed roof.
"Everyone gather in the main hall!" I looked over to see Reese standing at the entrance to the ruined temple wearing his armor and holding his hammer in one hand, waving everyone in with the other.
I summoned my armor and weapon and made my way into the main hall. The walls were covered with moss I could see bits of murals in-between the the moss, this temple must have been beautiful in the past. I wandered over to Reese and Jordan who were in the center with 3 other freshman I did not recognize.
"Hey guys thinking of a plan?" I asked.
Jordan stepped away and moved over to me "Yah all of us are the only ones who actually know what goes on in a Bellum match." He motioned to the 3 freshmen standing next to Reese.
I looked over at the three standing next to Reese. One stood about a foot higher than Reese he had dark skin and a shaved head and like Reese was holding a massive hammer. The second was a dwarf with a large curly red beard and hair to match, he had two war hammers strapped to each side of his belt. The last was one had deep blue skin and bright orange eyes a night elf, she looked like a slightly younger Nox.
Their conversation seemed to end, Reese smashed his hammer to the ground surprising everyone besides the group he was just with.
"Everyone gather around!" He ordered.
After a few moments everyone in the room was encircling Reese and the other 3 freshman. Jordan left my side and went over to stand next to Reese.
The night elf stepped forward. "Ok everyone please listen, we do not have much time left to prep for the battle. While you all were off in your own little separate plans we have come up with the best strategy." She trailed off letting the dwarf pick up where she left off.
"We will split into 5 teams of 5 one of us leading each team. Three teams will take the front line spreading out across the arena. the other two will act as reserves going to any team that needs assistance while also making sure no enemies sneak around and attack us from the rear." He looked over to Reese.
Reese gave the dwarf a nod. "Everyone split up into teams of 4." He barked another order.
I looked around all of the other freshman were forming their groups. I started frantically looking around to see if i recognized anyone other than Reese and Jordan who would be leading teams so i couldn't pair up with them.
"Hey Lance we need a 4th you in?" I turned around to see Skifra wearing dark green leather armor and holding a naginata spear she was standing next to 2 other wood elves with similar armor.
"Hey, I didn't see you before nice spear." I said making my way over to her.
Skifra gave me a smile "Thanks but it's not much Mr. Griffon gave it to me."
That caught me a bit off guard. "Mr. Griffon? i thought you'd have some great weapon from an ancestor or something." I asked.
Skifra sighed. "Not me no." It looked like she wanted to say more but was interrupted by the other two elves.
"Hello" Said the girl "I'm Wynn."
"And i'm Tin" Said the buy.
"And were twins" They said in unison
"Nice to meet you." I said giving them a looking at their weapons they were long spears mad from white and emerald metal. I wanted to ask them more but was interrupted by the Night elf from earlier
"Good it looks like you have all grouped up." She held out her hand 5 magic circles appeared Infront of her. About 5 small slugs appeared in each circle. Reese, Jordan, the dwarf, the other human and the night elf went and picked up 5 slugs each. "Now your teams will be picked by one of us and we will head out."
Reese wandered over to mine and Skifras team.
"Hey looks like i get to lead my friend and my girls best friend into battle." He joked.
Skifra gave Reese a dirty look "Yah just don't get us killed." She said harshly.
"Hey relax this may surprise you but i actually know what I'm doing" He said giving her a big smile.
"So what's with the slugs?" Wynn asked.
Reese shivered "Right i almost forgot each of you take one." He handed each of us one of the slugs. "Alright so these creepy Crawlers are our communication devices just put them in your ear and you can communicate with the rest of the squads."
"You can't be serious." I said, I am not letting this thing anywhere near an opening to my body.
"Hey i know it's not ideal but we got to work with what we got." He said shivering as he held the slug next to his ear and it began to crawl inside. "Last thing there are 5 separate channels one for each team just say the channel out lowed and the slug will switch to that frequency."
"What channel are we?" One of the elves asked, putting the slug up to his ear with no problem.
"Channel 1" Reese said with a smile.
After a few more minutes every team was ready and we made our way out of the main hall and back into the court yard.
"Alright team 4 follow me!" The night elf shouted.
Her team went straight ahead into the jungle. I saw Jordan and the dwarf leading their teams over in opposite directions about 50 meters from where the night elves team went in. They went into the jungle.
"So what do we just wait here?" Skifra asked.
"No we will head out shortly we need to let them get some distance or else we could get sucked into a battle. Remember our first job is to offer support to whatever team is needed." Reese said checking over his weapon.
After about 5 minutes the other support team started moving into the forest in-between where Jordan and the night elves team entered.
"ok lets head out." Reese ordered.
We made our way into the jungle in-between where the night elf and dwarfs teams entered. The jungle was was massive. trees shot up all around us for what seemed like miles.
"Is it just me or does this seem way too big for the colosseum to hold." Tin called out.
"It's not just you. It's a spell some professional Bellum matches can be the size of a small country." Reese said as he swung his hammer clearing branches out of the way.
A small country that's ridiculous i thought to myself. I mean where would they even hold something like that, the Australian out back? Reese must have saw my look of disbelief because he let out a small chuckle.
"Wipe that look of disbelief off your face man, your in the world of magic now." He said giving me a smile.
Yah magic. I keep forgetting magic is a thing, think id be used to it by now.
"How big can matches be?" I asked.
Reese took a second to reply. "the biggest id ever seen was a 4 way match 1000 total fighters."
"Where the hell did you go and see that?" I asked in awe of the thought of the size of the arena that could hold that many people.
"I'm not sure I got to see it on TV." He said a bit disappointedly.
This caught me off guard more than the size of the battle. "TV?" I asked, "I'm pretty sure i never saw anything like that, and i would not have missed it."
"well yah we have our own stations." Reese let out a laugh. "What you learned that magic is real as well as other creatures like elves, dwarfs and vampires and TV is where you draw the line?"
"It's true the dwarves have some great home improvement shows." Tin spoke up.
"I prefer some of the Vampiric dramas myself." Skifra chimed in.
"That explains your interest in Connor" Reese teased.
Skifra gave Reese a chilling stare that put him in defense. "Hey relax it was just a joke no need to get too upset." he said trying to disarm the situation.
"I will let it slide just this once." She said.
Before Reese could reply a bright shinning light appeared in the sky barely visible through the trees.
"That's one of Jordans arrows!" Reese shouted. "quick everyone switch to channel 2." He ordered.
I told my slug to switch to channel 2, sounds of screaming greeted my ear.
"Jordan what's going on?" Reese called out.
"Ambush!" I heard his voice call out. "Ten enemies launched themselves down out of the trees. We need back up!" He yelled.
"We got to move come on!" I shouted running off in Jordans direction only to be stopped by Reese grabbing me by the shoulder.
"We wouldn't make it, were to far." Reese looked over at Skivra. "Change to channel 3 tell Luther to get his team over to Jordan now." He ordered.
Skifra looked a bit off guard by Reese giving her orders, but she switched to channel 2 and relayed his orders to Luther. "He's moving to him eta 5 minutes." She called back to Reese.
"Hey man are you coming to help or what." Jordan called out.
"Jordan I'm too far out Luther is on his way to you now ETA 10 minutes." Reese looked back towards Wynn. "Get on channel 5 ask Bothon what his situation is."
After a few moments Wynn called out a reply "All clear no enemies in sight."
"Good Jordan I'm switching to Lunas channel i need to check her situation." Reese said in a calm calculating tone.
"Got it we will hold out for now, good luck." He called back.
"Tin stay on Channel 2 for now, once Luther and his team get there switch to channel 4. Jordan, Skifra switch to channel 4. and lets move." He bolted in the direction of team 4.
We all ran following Reese into the trees. I switched my slug to channel 4 more sounds of metal began ringing in my one ear.
"Luna what is your situation!" Reese called out.
"Ambush 10 enemy fighters." Luna grunted back.
"We are enroute! ETA 5 minutes." Reese called back to Wynn. "Wynn let Bothon know 5 enemies unaccounted for stay on defense." He called out.
"Got it!" she replied before relaying orders to Bothon and is team.
"I don't need your help Reese!" Luna yelled back.
"No but I'd say not everyone on your team is not capable of winning a 1 vs 2 fight." Reese paused before continuing "Let go of your pride I'm coming to help." He said calmly.
"Fine." Luna said resentfully.
We made our way through the trees in a sprint moving faster and faster towards battle.
Skifra broke the silence. "I have to say Reese that was quite impressive."
"Yah man I didn't know you were capable like that." I Teased.
The twins gave a sarcastic golf clap.
"What just because I'm a muscle head I cant be good at strategy." He asked in a fake hurt tone.
"Well I'm not going to lie it is surprising, but my compliment is sincere." Skifra replied genuinely.
"Thanks i guess." He said a little surprised. I guessed from the quick look i got at his face as he looked at Skifra.
We grew quite again moving through the trees. Once we were one minute from team 4 Reese gave us our orders.
"Ok listen up once we get in, twins I need you to team up with 1 member of squad 4 and eliminate their attacker once you do move on to the next person. got it." Reese shouted.
"Yah, no problem!" The twins called back in unison.
Reese called back to Skifra and me. " Skifra Jordan conserve your energy. Take someone on but don't push yourself stay on the defensive."
"What why, shouldn't we try to eliminate them as quickly as possible." Skifra interrupted.
"Yah" I agreed.
"You idiots use your brain." Reese yelled angrily. "5 enemies are still unaccounted for, and you know as well as i do that if those two were in any of the battles we have going on they would already be over." He said in a cold tone.
Skifra looked like she had an epiphany. "Ah I see, you think they'll over power Team 5 and then move to reinforce another battle? Just like what you are having the twins do." Skifra asked.
"Exactly, Twins you need to take out at least three enemies as quickly as you can. So Skifra, Jordan and I can make our way to team 5. get ready." He ordered as the sounds of metal on metal combat and explosions began to rise through the jungle.
We made it to a small clearing were a small battle was taking place, Luna and the rest of team 4 were fight a 1v2 battle against the red team.
"Twins prioritize team 4 members who need the most help." Reese ordered.
"Right." They called out and took off into the battle.
"Jordan, Skifra go assist someone who is having no trouble in the fight. Remember to conserve your energy." Reese took off into the fight towards Luna wielding a silver rapier and fighting off two red team attackers it looked like she had a slight advantage in skill on her attackers.
I couldn't stand there though Skifra already made her way into the battle. I needed to move. I ran towards the battle and scanned the individual fights. I saw one, a Dwarf holding a sword and shield fighting back against 2 attackers and doing a good job of it too. I haven't seen him allow one attack he's kept them on the defensive and is not letting up.
I saw an opening and thrusted my sword towards one of the attackers. He managed to parry my attack towards the ground at the last second with his khopesh. He gave an upwards slash but i stepped to my side and the blade passed harmlessly through the air. we locked weapons. Remembering Reese orders I let my attacker go on the offensive. His movements became easy to read. Easy to block slashes in a figure eight pattern. Compared to Lexia or those cultist this guy is nothing.
"Jordan Skifra lets go!" I heard Reese yell over the sound of battle.
I parried my attackers attack and stabbed at his chest connecting this time but it was only a shallow wound. I disengaged and ran towards Skifra and Reese who were standing at the edge of the battle.
We began running towards team 5 "Ok you two switch over to team 5s channel."
"Whats the word were we quick enough or did they already start their attack?" I asked through panted breaths.
"For now were good but we need to hurry." Reese yelled back. "Bothon how is your situation?" He asked
"For now ok. But i can hear movement in the trees they aren't far off what is your ETA?" Bothon asked in a hushed tone.
"15 minutes." Reese replied.
"Better be quicker than that." Bothon said worriedly.
We quickend our paise and moved in complete silence listening to hear the sound of fighting over the slugs. Still 5 minutes out we began to hear the sounds of battle over the slug.
"There here get ready! hold out until reinforcements arrive!" I heard Bothon yell out.
We rushed quicker trying to lessen the time it would take us to reach them. we finally made it only to see team 5 slowly being taken out by the red team and barely standing against Elizabeth was Bothon. Like lightening Reese shot forward and swung at Elizabeth. She blocked the attack with the shaft of her spear but it still had enough force to push her back.
"Would you look who it is." Elizabeth said with a bloodlust smile.
"Ready for our rematch." Reese said with a smile.
I looked over towards Skifra but she was running over to assist Bothon who was not off the ground and fighting off 3 Red team attackers.
I looked back to see Elizabeth and Reese locked in an intense fight each barley blocking the others attack.
"Would you look who it is." I looked over and saw Lexia staring at me pulling her scythes from the torso of the defeated team 5 member his body disappeared.
"Ready for round 2!" I shouted at her with confidence.
We launched towards each other i let out a a downward slash only for her to parry it away and swing her leg towards my side, I lowered my arm and absorbed the attack. She managed to spin quickly while i was still recovering from the kick and stab into my arm. The pain was intense i hit her in the face with the pummel of my blade. Causing her to stumble back taking her scythes with her.
"Oh now your going to get it." She said through gritted teeth. Black fire started engulfing her weapons.
Allow me to assist you with this.
I heard Uriel say when i started to feel a new power growing in me. My blade caught fire and was now engulfed in a pale blue flame.
We continued our fight slashing at each other are movements becoming more barbaric with each attack. I managed to parry one of her attack and it left her side open i swung down feeling my blade hit flesh only for it to stop. Lexia managed to use her scythes to stop me from making a clean cut. she kicked my legs out from underneath me and in turn i kicked her in the chest.
"Your not doing half bad this time Lance." Lexia teased.
"Yah thanks." I said standing up off the ground.
She launched at me again with a flurry of blows. i managed to parry them for the most part and we were back at our duel each only inches away from a killing blow. When for some reason Lexia jumped back.
"Ok this has been fun but i have a match to win." Lexia said with a smirk. She held out her hand and began chanting. A large black orb with lighting encircling it appeared. "Interitus!" SHe shouted and the orb shot forward moving towards me.
I held my hand out and summoned all the power i could "Ignis!" A small pale blue flame shot out meeting Lexias spell and causing a blinding explosion the force threw me back at lightening speed before suddenly stopping and my vision going from bright wight to pitch black.