"Lance wake up." I heard a voice say.
My eyelids felt like they were being weighed down by cement blocks, i struggled to open them. The sun burned my eyes as they eyelids moved.
I rubbed my hands against my eyes to relive the irritation. "How long was i out?"
"Ah only about five minutes." I heard Reese's voice.
I sat up and looked at my surroundings, I was no longer in a jungle, I was sitting in the bleachers of the coliseum, sitting to my right was Reese, Skifra, Bothon, and the rest of team 5.
"Damn, did we loose?" I asked.
"Nope, match is still going on." Reese said as he pointed to the center of the coliseum, where multiple projections of the battle were on display.
I love magic i thought to myself as i looked at the multiple displays hovering freely in the center, each displaying different fights happening in the battle.
"But i figured Elizabeth and Lexia would've finished everyone else off by now." I asked, feeling a bit confused that our entire team hasn't been wiped out. I mean i suppose Jordan, and Luna may be able to hold them off.
Reese stood up excitedly "No way man! When yours and Lexia's spells collided the explosion was massive."
Skifra pulled Reese back into his seat. "Sit back down people are watching." She looked over to me. "Forgive him he hasn't shut up about it since we got teleported here. But yes you two took out everyone, look."
She pointed her finger to the other teams bleachers where Elizabeth and the rest of her team were sitting. Elizabeth noticed me looking at her and gave me a thumbs up before turning back to look at the projections.
After a moment i realized someone was missing from their side. "Where is Lexia?"
"Not sure she got dragged away by Aaron a few minutes ago." Skifra said, without taking her attention off the battle. "You may want to watch, your friend is putting on a good show."
I looked back over to the projections and on one of the screens showed Jordan fighting in a 1v3 battle. He was making good use of the jungle and moved tree to tree encircling his 3 enemies shooting arrows rapidly at them. The 3 enemies were doing everything they could to hold off the onslaught of arrows. 2 were using their weapons to defelct while the third focused on casting ranged spells targeting Jordan.
"No way she's going to hit him aiming like that." Bothon said.
"Why do you say that?" I asked, I was curious being a dwarf he probably had a much better understanding on how to use magic in a battle than me.
"Her aim is all wrong, when someone is moving at a speed like that, you have to aim in-front of them." He said shaking his head in disappointment from the battle.
"Damn that was a nice shot!" Reese yelled.
I looked back to the projection and saw an arrow sticking out of the forehead of the enemy that was casting spells. The other two dropped their defense for only a second but it was all the time Jordan needed he ran directly towards the bigger of the two knocking an arrow as he moved. The enemy lifted his sword high getting ready to swing down at Jordan. Jordan gained a sudden burst of speed and slid in-between their legs shooting up at their head narrowly avoiding their sword. one enemy down i thought. Jordan didn't lose any momentum he exited his slide with a Jump sending him over the head of the final enemy who began to thrust his spear upwards towards his chest. Jordan turned his body narrowly avoiding the attack, he managed to nock another arrow and shoot it into the enemies chest before landing in a roll.
"Nice job bro!" Alice yelled, she was standing with the other club members in the bleachers at the far end of the coliseum.
"Looks like things are just about over." Skifra said eyeing another projection. This one showing the twins Tin and Wynn cutting through the last few members of the other team.
"Those two have insane skill, Skifra does everyone in your village fight like that?" Reese asked.
Skifra gave Reese an angry glare. "I wouldn't know I'm not from their village." She said.
Reese looked taken aback by her tone. "Hey I'm sorry i just thought...." he started to say.
"Well maybe do us all a favor and don't think next time." She barked standing from the bleachers and then hurried out of the stands.
Reese looked in shock but before I could say anything cheering started erupting from our team once more. I looked back to the projection showing the twins. They worked with perfect coordination hacking their way through not giving any ground to the last foe and before we knew it they had cut his throat.
A loud Horn rang through the coliseum and the projections disappeared the rest of the blue team members appeared in the stands.
The members of blue team erupted into cheers for Jordan and the twins. I could see Jordan through the crowed encircling him grinning ear to ear.
I heard Nox voice from the center of the coliseum. "Hello everyone! can i get your attention!"
The cheers quieted down allowing Nox to continue her announcement. "You all should be proud of yourself, you did very well. Each and every single one of you gave it your all in each fight. I want to remind those of you who are put on the practice team to keep pushing and earn your place on the main team. The results will be posted in one weeks time dismissed everyone." She finished and began walking back to the rest of the senior members.
Jordan Reese and I began moving with the rest of the first years out of the bleachers and towards the exit of the coliseum. Before we could make it out I noticed Elizabeth standing off to the side looking anxious.
"Hey guys wait for me outside" I told Reese and Jordan before making my way over to Elizabeth. As soon as she saw me heading over to her she changed her expression to relaxed.
"Hey great job out there." She said as she waved to me.
"Yah I new we couldn't take you in a fight so causing a mini nuclear explosion that got both you and Lexi, worth it." I chuckled.
Elizabeth gave me a punch on the arm. "Yah well then you better get stronger soon, because something like that wont work in a real fight." She teased.
"Anyway." I started to say rubbing my arm where she punched me, even joking she does not know how to pull her punches. "Why are you waiting over here?" I asked.
"I'm just waiting for Lexia, she went off with Aaron but told me to wait for her." she said trying to sound unworried, but I could tell she was, I could always tell.
"Want me to wait with you?" I offered and then leaned against the wall next to her.
She gave me a smile. "No Lance, I'm fine we will catch up with you three later."
"Well alright, I'll see you both back at the dorm." I said stepping away from the wall and making my way out of the coliseum where I could hear Reese filling Jordan in on what happened between him and Skifra earlier in the stands.
"I'm telling you man she just snapped." Reese finished saying as i walked over. "Great your back lets go." He said.
We made our way down the sidewalk making our way to the dorm, We began talking about what had happened earlier between Skifra and Reese.
"Who knows man maybe their villages have a rivalry." Jordan guessed.
"No way man, they would have never joined a team together then." Reese argued.
This went on for a few more minutes until we made it back to the dorm and a voice coming from the tree next to the Dorm interrupted them.
"Perhaps i could help." We all turned and sitting up in one of the tree branches was Tin. "I'm sorry I did not mean to eavesdrop but i did, and i may be able to explain." He said as he began to climb down the tree.
"Hey man anything you can tell I would appreciate." Reese said we all walked over to Tin at the base of the tree.
"Well unfortunately what I can offer is very little. First Skifra was brought to my village 2 years ago." He said.
"Well where did she come from before that?" Jordan asked.
Tin leaned in close like he wanted to whisper it. "I have no idea." He gave us a smile and began chuckling.
"Wow thanks, real helpful Tin." Reese said, he turned and started making his way to the entrance of the dorm.
"I'm not finished. Don't you want to know the rest?" Tin called out. Reese stopped and turned around. "She was brought to our village by Alfonso Holestum."
"The lead researcher in ancient artifacts? why would he be travelling with her." Reese said.
"No idea, but what i can tell you is that she had very little basic functions, she was more like a feral animal." Tin said with a smile as if he was remember fond things.
"Bullshit." Reese said.
Tin held up his hands and walked back to the tree. "Believe it or not man, makes no difference to me."
Reese looked like he was going to blow a fuse but we were interrupted by Lexi and Aaron who were making their way down the sidewalk over to us.
"Hey guys what's going on" Aaron said in his laid back manner.
Lexia had her hood up and pushed past us and went through the double doors into the dorm. I could tell from the way she walked, she was pissed.
"Not much just hearing some bullshit." Reese said pointing over his back.
Confusion grew on Aarons face "From a tree?"
I turned around, no sign of Tin.
"What where did he go? he was here just a minute ago." Reese started scanning the area.
"Well anyway" Aaron looked over at me. "Lance the Dean wants to have a word come with me, And Reese enjoy your lively conversation with that tree." Aaron chuckled before he turned around and started making his was down the road, not even looking back to see if i followed.
I ran down the road trying to catch up with Aaron. I ignored Reese who was now hysterical interrogating everyone in the area looking for Tin.
I followed behind Aaron in silence, I wonder what the Dean could want to talk to me about. I didn't do anything reckless lately, unless the arena counts, no it couldn't be that.
Aaron must have saw the concern on my face. "Don't worry you did nothing wrong so wipe that scared look off your face." He chuckled giving me a pat on the back.
"Well than what's it about?" I asked hoping for an answer.
"You my young protégé, get to interrogate the prisoner." He gave me a smile, as if it was a great gift.
My eyes went wide and chills ran over my bod. I could feel the sweat building on my brow. "Aaron I don't think I can do something like that." I managed to croak out, my mouth all of a sudden dry.
Aaron broke out into another laugh. "Come on man I'm kidding, we just need you to talk to her, we don't interrogate people here."
I tried to ignore the way he emphasized the word people. "So why me?" I asked as we approached the main hall.
"No clue she said shed only speak to the person who defeated her." Aaron said.
The rest of our walk was in silence, we made our way down a long hall until we reached a heavy metal door. Aaron held out his palm and a glowing symbol appeared on the door, and it opened wide. Aaron went right on through waving me to follow.
The stairs went on forever like this school had been digging down to hell itself. We finally made it to the end with another large door. Like before Aaron raised his palm and the door opened to reveal A hallway with doors lining each side, Aaron made it a quarter of the way through the hall before stopping at one of the doors.
"This is it." He said before opening the door and walking through.
I hurried behind him and saw the Dean along with Mr. Griffin and someone else i did not recognize sitting at a table Infront of a window. Through the window was a girl about my age with short dark brown hair wearing sweats and a sweater sitting on a couch watching tv.
The Dean turned to look at us. "Ah Lance thank you for joining us here." He motioned to the man to his right. "This is Investigator Burstorm."
"Burstorm. like professor Burstorm? I asked.
"Yes that would be my sister." He rose out of his seat, he had the same fire red hair as the professor, he kept it nicely slicked back. "Nice to meet you." He held out his hand to shake mine.
"Nice to meet you." I said while taking his hand.
"Good now that everyone is here can we get on with it?" Mr. Griffin said.
"What's the rush got a date tonight" Investigator Burstorm teased.
Mr. Griffin gave him a big smile. "As a matter of fact James i do with your sister."
Investigator Burstorm went bright red, but before he could say anything the Dean spoke up.
"Now, now you two we have more important matters." He looked over to me. "Lance we need you to talk to her and get any information about their plans."
"Ok but why me wouldn't anyone be better?" I asked.
"Like Mr. Basil told you on your way here, she's agreed to talk to only you." He said ushering me towards the door.
How did he know what Aaron told me? I wanted to ask him but he closed the door in my face. I turned around and made my way down a short u shaped hall and found another door at the end. I took a deep breath and went in.
"Are you him?" The girl ask.
I Looked at her and then to the room we were in. It was like a mini apartment complete with a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen along with the living room.
I looked over to her and nodded. "I'm Lance."
"Lilith." she said pointing to herself. "Why don't you sit and make yourself comfortable." she patted the seat next to her on the couch.
I hesitated but decide to sit on the loveseat next to the couch it was the furthest seat from her. "So why did you attack us."
She rolled her deep green eyes at my question. "Duh I'm a cultist, what other reason do i need? Is this your first interrogation?" Her eyes went bright. "It is! i can't wait to see your bad cop."
"Enough!" I yelled. Lilith smiled enjoying my outburst. I need to stay calm, stay calm or she wins. "why did you become a cultist?" I asked.
"Why did you become a Bellator?" She teased.
I'm beginning to think she does not want to talk at all, this is going to get irritating.
Lilith sighed. "I've always been a cultist."
I raised my eyebrows. A genuine answer. "Always? like since you were born?" I asked. She gave me a nod, A cultist her entire life I wonder what that was like.
"It was awful. " she said like she was reading my mind. "And no I'm not reading your mind that's just always what you high and mighty folks think when i say that."
I turned a little red.
"But its a hell of a lot better than being a slave to some Gods. Plus once we win things will be a hell of a lot better." she said with a sharp tone.
"Slaves? we're not slaves." I argued.
"You sure about that?" Lilith asked, examining me like some caged animal. "At least our lords promise us something for our sacrifice, and don't just make us do their bidding for no reward."
"Oh, and what do your lords promise you Lilith?" I asked with venom in my tone.
She looked away from me and began examining her nails. "Oh you know power money anything we could ever want." She looked back to me. "Why tempted to join?"
"No." I said bluntly.
She waved her hand in dismissal and looked disappointed by my answer. "How did you get onto the campus?" I decided it was time to get back on track with this interrogation
"We had help of course." She said smirking at me as she leaned back into the couch.
Well that's no help at all. "Yah we know that. Who helped you in then?" I asked.
"No names why don't you go ask a god." She paused "but since you beat me I'll give you a hint, its a student, not a member of the faculty." she said as she grabbed her drink from the coffee table and took her time draining the beverage.
Great that's even less helpful, this is beginning to feel like a waste of time. "Can't you give me more than that?" I asked irritation growing in my voice.
She gave me a mischievous smile. "Sure just get on your knees and beg."
"Excuse me?" I asked, she could not actually expect me to beg her for information, I mean she's our prisoner.
"You heard me, get on your knees and beg." She began to laugh evilly.
"Yah, no that's not going to happen." I said.
The smile left her face and she began to frown. "ugh, you people are just no fun."
Ok obviously trying to get the traders name out of her is a lost cause, at least for now maybe its time to try and get information on the cultist.
"So tell me do the cultist treat their prisoners this nice?" I gestured my hands to the mini apartment like room we were sitting in.
She snorted. "Of course not, good old fashion torcher is way better at getting what you want than whatever it is that you all think your doing."
I tried deepening my voice and hoped i could intimidate her. "I'm sure we could move you to the other room, there are plenty of things in there we could use to get you to talk." Hopefully she doesn't call my bluff I don't even think we have a room like that.
Lilith leaned forward from her seat on the couch and whispered to me. "Only if you and that pretty boy behind the mirror." She paused only to point over her shoulder towards the two way mirror disguised as a window. "are the ones doing it and you don't be gentle." She gave me a sly smile along with a wink before sitting back into the couch.
I fought to keep myself from turning red. "Never mind this is pointless." I stood and began to make my way towards the door.
"Giving up already? Well i guess it does not matter we'll be in charge soon enough and then the world will be a true paradise." Lilith teased, before turning her attention back to the show she had been watching when i first entered.
I stopped just short of the door. "You know, I've seen the world that your lords are trying to create, and I pity you if that world is a place you'd call a paradise."
"What do you mean you've seen it?" She asked.
I refused to look back. "I mean that I've seen what awaits this world if your lords win, maybe i will tell you about it when you are ready to answer more of my questions." I didn't give her a chance to reply, I quickly made my way through the door and began heading back to the room where the others were waiting.
I could hear the others through the door.
"That young woman has issues." I heard the Dean say,
"More like daddy issues." Aarons voice said in return.
I made it to the door to the room and walked right on in.
"Well done Mr. Neilson." Investigator Burstorm said. He was still sitting in the chair next to the Dean, and Mr. Griffin.
"Good job? I barely got any information." I said still standing in the doorway.
Investigator Burstorm gave me a reassuring smile. "Well yes the information you got today may not be much, but you peaked her interest in the end. She'll ask to talk again soon."
That's not what i wanted to hear at all, The Dean was right, Lilith if that was even her real name had issues, and the last thing i wanted to do was spend another minute in that room with her.
Aaron must have noticed my discomfort. "Anyway if were done here I think it's time i get him back to the dorm."
The others nodded in agreement, me and Aaron began our accent back up the stairs.