[Chapter 2] The Fallen Warrior
[Elf Pov]
Zalariel Slaanesh. Third daughter of king and queen Slaanesh of the Elven Kingdom, Lotharia.
Not long ago me and a few other Elves were brought to this mysterious place a pitted against others beings who were also brought here by the being called the Game Master.
When the Game, which the Fairy called it, begin those brutish green creatures attacked one of our own.
Luckily, the elf was only a bit injured but this set the small battle which cost one of our members death. Although we were also able to kill one of their own, we had less of a chance winning with one of our members gone and another one injured.
Thanks to those fire breathing creatures, we were able to escape anymore losses and found a place to settle.
The world then lit up in color as changes happened to our bodies and the Fairy appeared once more.
It introduced to us the Fundamental Energies and Status before disappearing once more. I was lucky enough and was granted Aether.
The Fairy didn't go into full detail of what the Energies entailed but it was evident that it was just to have a better chance at survival in this game.
Besides me, there were three others apart of the Elven group. One male and the rest female. The male was the one who had been injured earlier.
He hadn't been to injured but it did hinder his fighting ability a bit. I thought of leaving him behind because he was dead weight but he could be used as a shield during a later fight.
Unlike me, the rest of the Elves only had mana and one of them also had Ki. At the moment we were trying to find out how to go about using these Energies.
"Since the Fairy said that Mana is based on the elements, you should maybe imagine the aspects of those elements. There are many elements but the main four are fire, water, earth, and air.
We aren't sure if we can create or just manipulate these elements, so let's just focus on trying to gather the energy first." I spoke while looking at the others.
"But how should we go about doing that? Also, shouldn't we try to get further away from the others! It's dangerous to be this close and we don't even know if we were followed." The male elf said distraught.
"You are correct, but say we run away during the whole game without getting into another battle. Don't you think it'd displease the Game Master whose purpose for brining us here is obviously entertainment. Were the words of the Fairy not clear to you, "you were made for it." Is what it said.
So if we don't do what we were made for, wouldn't we be labeled defective and thrown away which in others words killed by our creator." I replied with a serious tone.
I mean think about it back in the Palace, my home, we had servants, maids, and butlers who took care of certain things for us. Food, cleaning, even sometimes dressing us, that was their jobs. Yes, it's different from being created just to fight to death but still the principle is the same, if they don't do their jobs then they'd be let go or if they have a bad employer, then death awaits them.
They all listened to what I said and they seem to finally get the situation at hand.
"Ok we will take the route you take. Do you have any idea of how to go about harnessing this Mana?" One of the females spoke.
"I'm not entirely sure if it'll work, but I say try and focus on the feeling you all got when your bodies lit up. The warmth, the revitalization, the slight relief. Picture all of this and try to bring it forth once more."
All of them then closed their and took in the advice I gave, I did the same.
The Fairy said that Aether was the strongest among the five energies. It also didn't specify what that means, only that it had no bounds.
If I took anything away from that, it was that it most likely could do everything the other energies could plus more and maybe more potent.
Mana and Chakra were in theory nature based. It should allow one to manipulate and possibly create the elements. Aether could do that.
Battle Aura and Ki were said to be more of a physical energy. So it should allow for one to enhance their physical attributes. Aether could do that.
But my question is, what is the difference between these five Fundamental Energies? I'm sure others with my thought process have the same question or similar ones.
If Mana and Chakra are both based on the elements or in theory nature itself. Why would both of them exist. Is one more stronger or potent than the other?
Does one have to harness the Energies differently or do they all follow the same laws? If so, what laws do they follow? I'm curious and want all my questions answered but at the moment I had to make use of this Aether before we are attacked again.
I pushed other thoughts to the back of my mind and focused on the feelings I had gotten when I first awakened this Energy.
It warm like the embrace I felt when my mother hugged me. It was cold like when I had got lost in the mountains during the winter.
It was invigorating, like drinking honey sap from the Gradient Bruker Trees. It was calm yet chaotic.
I focused on that aspect of it. The calm yet chaotic one. Yes, being calm in times like this would make for a clearer mind but because of those fire breathing creature, power was what I needed.
So, I tried to force it out. I wanted the power to tear those green beast apart with my bare hands. I wanted to tear the wings off those fire breathing creatures and cut off their legs to have them wiggle on the ground like worms.
!!!
'There it is!!!' I exclaimed in my mind as I reached out to the purple energy with black dots swimming in it.
It was chaotic, like the flames from the winged beast but much…much more. I could feel it.
I smiled as I felt the energy envelop me once more and my smile only got wider as I felt the prowess I was being granted.
I opened my eyes and smiled even more somehow. Just releasing this Energy caused the surrounding area to turn chaotic.
Around me the ground cracked. Rocks and trees flew as they were uprooted out of the ground. The wind blew as if a large storm was brewing.
The group of Elves I came with seemed to be stuck to the ground as if gravity itself pressed down on them.
I didn't want to cause them any harm so I hurriedly tried to suppress the Energy and it was surprisingly easy.
"W-what was that!?" A female elf spoke in shock.
"I've harnessed my Aether." I said as their eyes widened.
…
"Ohhh!!! She's the first to harness her and she was granted Aether. I thought it would be the Dragons to do it first, but it seems the Elves have a bit of a genius on their side." Reinhardt said with a large smile.
"There goes another, It's the humans!!! Two of them harness their Energies. Oh? This is interesting, the Beast-Kin have all harnessed their Energies sat the same time."
"So far only two player have Aether. The Human woman and the Elf Woman. I wonder how this'll play out."
Reinhardt felt a joy he couldn't describe watching the game progress. At the moment they all were in their training modes.
"Let's raise the stakes a bit."
…
[Beast-Kin Pov]
"Krakhan, do you think we should attack those eared creatures with no fur? When we all ran they were the closest ones to us." One of the other Beast-Kin named Thokk asked me.
Thokk was a lion Beast-Kin. His brother names Thrakk was also brought into this death place. They both had white fur and large builds…but they were young.
Only being 12 and 13. This was bad. The naivety of them was also bad. Had it not been for me grabbing them while they were curious about those large winged beast, they would've been killed.
Once we got away from the other creatures, I had to constantly tell them they had to listen to me at all time no matter what it was. They were stubborn since they were children but it helped that they listened even if only a little.
I was a wolf Beast-Kin or Wolfmen in our world's term. I was on the larger side of other Wolfmen even among my tribe which was the Black Wolf tribe.
The reason for this was because my father who was a grey wolf which was one of the largest Wolfmen breeds had mated with my mother who was a descendent of the Dire Wolf clan.
It seems the Dire Wolf blood had become more pure within my body allowing it to affect my physical prowess much more.
Enough of that. I thought about what Thokk had asked. Those small eared creatures with no fur were the closest enemies to us.
We call them small eared because of the other creatures that looked similar to them have long ears.
We are the only ones who had fur on our bodies so that confused us a bit on how the other creatures survived the cold times when the white rain fell from the sky.
'I'm sure they have their ways.'
Back to the topic, I did consider attacking them but I wanted to be as cautious as possible. That Energy the one called Game Master gave us wasn't something to underestimate.
I'm sure the others have awakened these Energies.
Since the Fairy spoke so highly of the Energy called Aether I was hoping to awaken that one but I was unlucky.
At least in not getting what I wanted but I got lucky and awakened three of the five Energies.
Chakra, Ki and Battle Aura. The rest of the Beast-Kin only awakened Battle Aura. Unfortunate…we would have had an even better chance at survival had one of us awakened Aether or one of the others awakened more than one Energy, as did I.
"We-" as I was about to speak the voice that was heard before coming to this world resounded around once more.
[It seems a few of you have been able to harness your Fundamental Energies. Wonderful!!! The Game Master has chosen to raise the stakes. A warrior will descend upon this world. Should you defeat it, rewards shall be given.]
As the voice finished, a light started descending from the sky. I looked and fear had taken over my being. My instincts told me to get as far away as possible. It was heading straight in our direction.
"RUN!!!" I yelled as I grabbed the brothers. With the Fairy giving us advice on our Energies we all were able to harness them so I surrounded my body in Battle Aura and ran away from the light that threatened to crash into us.
*BOOOOOM*
The light struck the ground and the shockwave that followed came fast as me and the others were caught in it.
It pushed us farther and made us collide with trees and large rocks. Battle Aura not only enhanced our strength and speed but also durability.
Because my durability was already high due to my bloodline, I was barely hurt only a few scratches here and there.
The same couldn't be said for the others. It seems they reacted too late or they didn't use Battle Aura as I did.
'Damnit.' I lamented as I looked at the patch of white fur in my paws. When the shockwave hit, it was stronger than what I thought causing the boys to be ripped from my clutches.
I scanned the destroyed area in search of the brothers and I swallowed hard as my eyes landed on them.
Thrakk was bawling his eyes out over the dead body of his brother, Thokk.
A rock, larger than even me, sat atop majority of his body leaving only his legs showing. I looked back when the light landed and the being responsible was shown.
A tall male person. He had a flaming helmet on his head. He had a long cloak on his back flowing in the wind. He had armor that matched with flame like glow from his helmet. In his hand was a weapon that was similar to a spear from my world, only that it had the blade of an axe.
He stood unmoving from his spot as his head faced the ground. I looked behind me and a few steps away were the other Beast-Kin. One being a Bear and the other a Tiger They were just a bit hurt with the tiger having a gash on its side but it didn't look deep.
I looked back in front of me and my eyes widened.
"NOOOO!!!" I yelled as I stood and ran. Thrakk was running towards the warrior who fell from the sky.
I was a bit far but I was confident I couldn't reach him. No, I knew I could reach him.
Battle Aura enveloped my being and my speed increased. With every fiber of my being I rushed toward the Lion cub.
I can make it.
I can make it.
I can make it.
I can-
…
*Woosh*
A wind pressure flew my way and I watched as the Warrior lifted his weapon and with a speed I almost couldn't see, swung it horizontally at Thrakk.
!!!
There are times back in my world where warriors from tribes battling others would ignore their instincts that told them to submit to the opponent and still attack.
A lot of the time it would end in the death of that warrior. No matter how much you try but when someone is much stronger than you it's best to go with your instincts and submit.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
My instincts were screaming telling me to run away. to not attack the being in front of me. To tuck my tail and lay on the ground and hope this person would not kill me.
It didn't work… it yelled and yelled but to no avail did I run. I couldn't run away. Not when a child who wasn't even a warrior yet was killed without a chance to even fight.
Ki enveloped me along with the Battle Aura I already was using. Ki, unlike Battle Aura, didn't surround my body like a cloak, but was like a flame that wanted to burn everything.
I went faster. I didn't use Ki on my own. It was used subconsciously and body felt as it was burning but I felt my strength grow even more then when using Battle Aura.
I felt my feet leave the ground and before I knew it I was flying towards warrior.
I arrived in front of him in almost an instant and swiped my claws at him hopping to sever his head from his body.
*Cling*
The sound of metal hitting metal was heard.
Lifting his weapon, the warrior had blocked my attack. He was pushed back a bit but as his feet dug into the ground, he bent his knees just a bit and without taking his weapon back, swung it.
I willed my body to duck under the attack but I wasn't as quick as I'd hope and the blade went across my snout leaving a deep gash that would surely leave a scar.
Ignoring the pain, I swung both my arms aiming for his torso. I connected…
My claws ripped through the torso of the Warrior or so I thought. They don't go deep enough leaving 10 claw marks.
I hurriedly jumped back as the warrior swung the blade down at me. I was getting faster and stronger the longer the fight progressed.
Thinking quickly, I poured more Ki into my arms and legs. This would allow me to move faster and attack faster and also cause more damage…I hope.
The second round then commenced.
Arriving in front of the warrior, he swung his blade up from the ground. I move my head to the side being able to predict where it would go.
Following the dodge, I swung my right arm claws up. He leaned back making me miss by a hairs width.
As my swing progressed, I willed my entire body and propelled myself upward landing a heavy kick on the warrior.
His body flew into the air and I followed behind him. Ki allowed me to fly…I'm sure it did more but at the moment all I knew was enhancing my physical attributes, but that seemed to be enough.
I was getting better…the more the fight progressed, the better I got. I was getting better control of my flight. Instead of going in one direction, I was able to turn and also going faster.
In a flurry of attacks, the warrior blocked my attacks, but I didn't let him touch the ground. It may give me a harder chance at winning.
[Human Pov- Aria]
I watched as the giant humanoid wolf flew into the air attacking the Fallen Warrior. It was incredible to say the least.
My Aether surrounded my being like another layer of clothes and allowed me to run at faster speeds.
I was on my own at the moment. The others were too afraid ti try and fight but I wanted to take the risk.
If the voice said there was a reward, then I'd risk my life for that reward because my survival may depend on it.
Aether kept pushing out of my body more and more. There was a slight control I had over it where it wouldn't go haywire and I pushed my legs into the ground before jumping.
My eyes were locked on to the wolf and warrior as I approached them in the sky. I could see the Energy surrounding the wolf.
Battle Aura was around his furry body like clothing. I knew it was Battle Aura because it was the same for Sanders who harnessed his Energy.
I couldn't tell what the other Energy was but one of them allowed the Wolf to fly. With me utilizing Aether I could follow both of their movements.
The Wolf attacked, while the Fallen Warrior blocked each of his attacks. The Wolf wouldn't let the Warrior touch the ground again…I could tell.
His continued flurry of attacks told me this. Every time the Warrior started to drop, the Wolf would deliver an attack making him go back up.
I clenched my fist as I made the Aether surround my fist. In seconds, I reached the two and before the Wolf could deliver another attack, my fist connected with the helmet of the Fallen Warrior.
*Crack*
The helmet cracked as the Warrior was blasted away from my hit.
'What?'
I didn't expect this. I didn't think I held that much prowess to come from my attack. The Wolf seemed like he wanted to attack but I pointed at the Warrior.
He looked to understand as he looked at where the Fallen Warrior landed. I felt the ground beneath my feet as I had descended from the sky unharmed because of Aether.
The Wolf landed next to me. It was pretty tall compared to a normal human. From an estimate, I would say I say it stood about 9ft in height but that was just an estimate.
"I'm not sure if you can understand what I'm saying but I'd say we should work together to take down the Warrior." I suggested.
There was a silence before the Wolf seemed to start speaking but it was in a weird tongue of language I didn't know. I could understood what the things it said meant.
"Small eared creature. I can understand you…yet I don't know how…the Game Master is a mysterious and powerful being…I agree with you Small Ears. We shall work together to defeat the Fallen Warrior together." The Wolf replied.
He was right, the Game Master was powerful. He brought all of us to participate in this death battle in which he calls a game.
If the Fairy's words are true, then we were made for this exact purpose…what else could he do?
"Is this Aether? Chakra is blue. I don't know about Mana but I'm sure the Fairy said Mana was based on Elements." The Wolf spoke clearly as we ran toward where the Warrior was.
"Apologies for not wanting to share my secrets with an Enemy." I responded.
"That's fair…but alas at the moment as we work together, we are not enemies but allies. I've got Battle Aura and Ki." The wolf said with what I hope was a grin.
"You make a valid point. Yes, it is Aether. Also, since we don't know what the rewards or if they'll be multiple, let's make a deal. The one who lands the finishing blow gets the rewards. If there ends up being multiple rewards, we can split it fifty-fifty. What say you, Wolf?"
Good or bad, this deal would make sure none of us think unfairly of the reward given.
'Although, it doesn't matter what deal we make. It all lies in the hands of whether or not the Game Master grants us these rewards.' I thought.
"I agree Small Ears." The Wolf answered.
I just nodded and as I did, we finally came upon the Fallen Warrior. Getting a closer look, he looked to be human.
The Wolf didn't care for the Warrior's looks and dashed at him. The Warrior blocked the attack the Wolf launched and tried to retaliate. I appeared beside him and threw a punch towards his head.
It connected and blood splattered out of his nose and eyes.
[General pov]
The fight continued after Aria landed the hit. From the first hit, the warrior had already been significantly damaged.
But this hit made it even worse. This gave way to Krakhan slashing at the stomach of the warrior.
The claws of the Wolf tore through the durable body of the Warrior with ease and with the lingering effects of Arias' Aether, it wouldn't be long before the Warrior fell.
But alas, the fight continued. Aria and the Wolf would attack and the Warrior would defend. On occasions, it would be the other way around.
This caused the two to suffer injuries. Not life threatening but still injuries that may leave scars.
…
…
…
*Poof*
"CONGRATULATIONS~~~"
Aria and Krakhan could be seen standing over the disfigured body of the Fallen Warrior breathing heavily. The fight lasted longer than the two expected.
"We…we won." Aria panted
"You…are a strong warrior…Small Ears." Krakhan spoke.
"Aria…My name is Aria."
"Very well then, I go by Krakhan of the Black Wolf Tribe."