Have you ever dreamed of being transported to another timeline in history? Because I did before all of this happened. Since I was young, I always dreamed about ancient Greece and the mythology that was created around it.
Did I say "created"? Because everything is very real now that I see it with my own eyes.
How would I know? Because I made a stupid wish to travel back in time as I went to sleep.
Yeah, can you imagine an ordinary young man arriving in another part of history, untrained and unprepared? Well, basically, that's me.
I forgot to mention, nothing is like you expect it to be. Sure, everyone is dressed like they used to be, but right here, there's a centaur wearing armor!
First things first, I thought I was dreaming, like I used to about ancient Greece. But everything is real; flying is a common thing here. Planes? Why use those when you can use magic granted by the gods themselves?
You must be asking yourself how I'm doing in this time of history. To be honest, pretty badly. I'm going to be executed because they found out about me, and now I have to wait in this jail.
If I had known this was reality as a kid, I would have dreamed about becoming a mechanic or something peaceful.
Oh, I hear the guard coming this way. I'll let you witness what will happen next.
— "Get up," orders the pigman in leather armor.
Without responding, I do as I am told. The heavy chains resound against the brick walls. The last time I spoke without being told to, I got my ass whooped. Now, I've learned my lesson.
— "Follow me, transfuge." The guard turns his back on me and walks away.
Of course, I don't try anything stupid. This creature is over 2 meters tall and as large as a car. Even if I stole his pole, he could slap me into the otherworld.
Walking with those heavy chains seems like an eternity until we arrive in front of a wooden door. The pigman knocks vigorously on it, and on the other side, someone opens it with the sound of keys turning in the lock.
— "Go inside," the pigman gives me a cheerful push on the back. "At least try to survive a few seconds. I bet big money on you, kid."
The door closes while the pigman seems to be laughing on the other side now. Don't ask me what he's talking about. Survive what? Aren't I destined to be executed?
Next to me stands a lizardman in armor, more serious than his friend just before. Hay is scattered everywhere on the ground, and on the other side, a giant door is held by chains.
My senses are tingling; I have a bad feeling about this, if you ask me. The calm of the room is interrupted by the sound of a crowd yelling from the other side.
— "Don't tell me I'm in an—Ouch!"
The guard hits me with his pole. I forgot this idiotic rule of no talking. Let me continue without being interrupted: I'm in a coliseum.
Just my luck; I have to fight to the death for my execution. What will await me? A centaur, mighty creatures renowned for their skills in strength?
Or maybe a giant, crushed by a trunk! No, no— even better, a Chimera that could chew me like a piece of meat.
The thing is, knowing them all doesn't help me if I can't defend myself. Cheer up, friend, I tell myself as I tap on my own shoulder. Hopefully, it will be a quick death, and this pigman will lose all of his savings with me.
I smirk, but in reality, I'm kind of sad. That's not even close to what I imagined from the past. Sure, it's awesome; magical creatures exist.
But this world is as cruel as you could imagine, and to top it off, it has a weird sense of entertainment.
— "Pick a weapon, or are you going barehanded?" asks the lizardman doubtfully.
With its pole, it indicates a table full of weapons. Now my luck has gone from 0 to 0.1! Since I've never wielded any of this.
Strategically, I should go for the sword; it's the easiest weapon created for even the dumbest of them all. And a shield—it can come in handy, right?
The moment I lift them, the door begins to open. It's been days since I saw daylight, so I'm dazzled by the sun's rays. The vivid sound of the audience is even clearer now.
— "Go, human! Show us how it's done where you come from!" an orc yells at me.
Trash is thrown at me: cans of drinks and many other junk items.
The good thing is, I'm not the only person in the arena! Humans and other creatures are as dumbfounded as I am.
Are we going to fight each other? I don't think so; my attention is directed to this giant door on the other side of the arena. Lucky me, I'm on the opposite side—bad luck for those close to it.
Pillars are scattered here and there; instinctively, I go behind one. I have nowhere to go now that the door is closed behind me.
Suddenly, a voice coming from speakers talks loudly.
— "Ladiiiies, gentlemen, and many more! Welcome to the arena of judgment! Today we found exquisite prey for your eyes only. Make a round of applause for our soon-to-be-executed!"
As the loud voice speaks, the audience is entranced.
— "And now, for your eyes only, the executor of the dayyyyy... the Cyclops!!"
Good, a man-eating beast; I should have seen it coming. I just hope it ends quickly, not like some lost sailors on the island of the Cyclops.