"Hold on for a second "
Clang.
The metallic gates opened up. Granting Savitar the clear view of what the Arena looks like, Savitar glanced at the dome shaped building.
"Come in"
The voice commanded. Savitar heaved in relief….he took a step forward. Walking through the gates.
The second the gate closed up Savitar's gaze broadened. It was evident…..the watchful eyes of men.
This is a common trait amongst the Awakened. Although his Starlight Energy pool hasn't been unleashed yet.
He was granted access to his traits.
NOTE: All Awakened are gifted two traits linked to the Starlight Energy.
The Traits are
Although it remained faint. Savitar detected the heat signals of hundreds within the building. Ignoring the watchful eyes.
He approached the Watchmen who awaited his presence.
He halted, standing before the six Watchmen. Unfazed by their menacing glare.
Savitar could tell they were all awakened. Players if possible.
But Players aren't assigned to Watchmen duties, Players are beings whose purpose is to conquer the Grey Tower in it's entirety.
"Boy…..did you say you're a Slave?" One of the present Watchmen questioned. He's spotted standing firmly with his arms folded.
He had a claw mark displayed on his left eye. geared up in the Watchmen suit.
"Ah yes…..I'm just returning from the facility, I'm here to participate in the examination " Savitar answered.
The Watchmen present giggled mockingly.
"Such a lucky brat huh? Slaves awakening means freedom from the Empire's clutches but did you just say you're just returning from the facility?"
"I thought they were all transported here three days ago?" The scarred Watchman asked.
"Well yes…..they came earlier. I'm the last to arrive, I was dropped by an Inquisitor " Savitar explained.
"Oh? An inquisitor dropped you off? then you must be that lad" the voice of the second Watchman was heard.
Savitar faced the Watchman with a furrowed brow.
"Who?" Savitar asked.
"Dunno but there was a rumor about a lad who awakened but his body rejected the traditional Cariburn Chip so they had to apply the lastest model"
"No one knows what the latest model of the Chip is capable of" the Watchman explained.
"Are you the lad?" He asked in addition.
"Yes…..that was the explanation from the Inquisitor who dropped me off here" Savitar answered.
"Ah I see, we don't need to search you right? What man will be so foolish to plot harm against the Empire?" Another watchman member asked with a smile.
Savitar frowned at the words of the Watchman.
"Right? Not even the Federation or the Western Nations are bold enough to challenge the Northern power of the Empire" Another Watchman mocked.
But he uttered not a single word. Watching their laughter erupted enraged him.
His desire to plunge the Empire into chaos is unchanged. But first he needs to level up.
Now that he's awakened….there's an opportunity for him.
All he need to do is utilize this opportunity..
"Boy, you can leave now…..the examination's about to start" the scarred Watchman uttered.
"Thank you"
Savitar walked passed the Watchmen. Approaching the entrance of the building, they watched him leave.
"Tch…..those fucking bastards " Savitar growled.
He was ushered into the building by the Sentries who guarded the entrance door. They had him searched first.
Savitar walked into the building. His eyes widened.
"Wow" He exclaimed.
Staring at the beauty of the inside. The interior designs were on a different level, flags of the Empire were on display.
Images of the Emperor and his family were mounted on the walls of the hallway.
Savitar could see people moving to and fro. He walked through the hallway, approaching the destination he was instructed to.
The Sentries gave him a pretty detailed information on where he needed to go.
He arrived at his destination. Standing before the enormous metallic door.
And the door was opened for him.
Savitar walked into the hall to see thousands of Slaves gathered together. Since they're yet to be verified as awakened.
Their status as Slaves still remains unchanged.
"Who's this child?"
"He's too young to be here"
"Is he the examiner?"
"No. It can't be, he's too young to be the examiner "
"He isn't dressing fancy. Could he be a Slave just like us?"
Savitar listened to the whispers and mummurs of his fellow Slaves. He was watched. Glanced at by his colleagues.
Walking through the crowd. Savitar reached for the corner.
He sighed softly, resting his back on the wall.
"Finally " He muttered.
"Boy, are you here for the examination as well?" A voice questioned. The silhouette of a muscular figure covered his face.
Savitar raised his head with a confounded look displayed on his face.
And before him stood a tall figure. Standing at six foot and nine inches tall, his chest broadened. Revealing his trained muscles.
Standing shirtless while revealing his six packs. His lips were covered by the smiles displayed.
"Yes? What about it?" Savitar questioned.
"Oh? starting off rude I see?" The figure spoke out.
"Ah. Sorry about my manners, I didn't meant to reply that way. As you can see I'm just frustrated here" Savitar said. He gently scratched his hair.
"Well we are all Slaves here so we can relate to the frustration. Now that we're lucky to have awakened our Starlight Energy "
"This is a chance to rewrite our fate" the figure said.
"Yh yh….I know that already. That's why I'm here to take the test, kinda tired of being a Slave" Savitar stated.
"Hmph. This is the first time I'm seeing you boy, we all arrived three days ago and we have been awaiting the examination"
"Seeing as you're just arriving. Are you the one in the rumors?" He asked.
"Uhmm what rumors?" Savitar feigned ignorance. Acting like he wasn't informed about the rumors outside the dome.
"Ah? so you're yet to be informed huh? well there are rumors circulating the sacred city of Rosari"
"Amongst the Slaves who awakened. Only one rejected the traditional Cariburn Chip and they had to improvise "
"Bring in the latest design of the Cariburn Chip"
The figure explained.
"Why don't we introduce ourselves? My name is Ducktavious, what about you?" The figure asked. Still smiling.
"Huh? Ducktavious? What kind of name is that?" Savitar asked.
"Well since my original name was erased by the brain stormer device. This is my name so I had to stick with it" Ducktavious explained.
"Just when I thought my name Savitar is too stale. They gave you a funny one" Savitar giggled.
"Your name is Savitar huh? It's a good name tho. Ducktavious and I were given a pretty bad name" the voice of a little girl erupted.
Savitar's eyebrows curled up.
He glanced down to see a beautiful redhead standing before him. She's quite the short one.
Standing at 5'6...….Savitar patted her on the head.
"Hey what was that?" She grumbled. Pushing Savitar's hands off her hair.
"He-he-he-he-he-he...you look cute being a shorty. What's your name?" Savitar asked.
"My name's Quackwisha " She answered. Her cheeks reddened as she faced the other side.
Savitar was dumb strucked.
"Huh? What did you just say your name was?" Savitar asked. Still perplexed.
"You heard it right didn't you? Just wanna mock me eh? I ain't gonna take that from you" She said. Still facing the other side with her arms folded.
"Ehn sorry about that…..your name's on a different level but isn't quack the sound of ducks?"
"Big man's name is Ducktavious and yours is Quackwisha? So funny " Savitar giggled.
But she hissed at his words. Embarrassed at her name.
"Well our Slaver was a man sick in the heard. He named us after animals but gave us the silliest names possible"
"I wished I had the chance to kill that motherfucker" Quackwisha growled.
"Hang in there for awhile Quackwisha. Once we gain our freedom and join the Player's Association "
"We can hunt down our Slaver and rip him to shreds" Ducktavious assured.
"Hmmm…so you guys are determined to join the Player's Association huh?" Savitar asked.
"Well yes. That's our only chance to become a commoner and gain our freedom back, we will be registered as Players"
"Based on our ranks….we'll be able to raid far more dangerous dungeons and even conquer the Grey Tower" Ducktavious said.
"The Grey Tower huh?"
" I've heard of it but I have no idea what it is" Savitar asked.
"Huh? Fr? How don't you know what the Grey Tower is? This is the dream of many Players" Quackwisha said.
"Well i don't so can you explain to me what it is?" Savitar said.
"Well allow me to explain it. The Grey Tower descended during the first era of the awakened"
"While we humans led dungeon raids hundred years ago. We conquered a lot of dungeons and gained power"
"Back then the Grey Tower was still a mystery humans evaded"
"During the Era the Empire was born. They secured their influence over the world and became the first to enter into the Grey Tower"
"While there are many things said about the Grey Tower. Many call it the gateway to Hell"
"Many call it the wonders of the universe but what we awakened knows is that defeating monsters within the Grey Tower levels up us extremely fast"
"And there are lots of treasures waiting to be uncovered " Ducktavious explained.
"Hmmm….based off your explanation. The Grey Tower must really be an extraordinary place. How can one get it?" Savitar asked.
"Ummm there's only one method. Be a licensed Player of the Player's Association and you will be given restricted pass into the Grey Tower"
Ducktavious explained.
"Are you planning to entering the Grey Tower? Savitar" Ducktavious asked.
"Maybe. If that's the only option to level up at a rapid pace then yes"
"It seems the examination is about to begin" Savitar added.
Their attentions drifted towards the entrance of the room. Standing before the crowd of awakened Slaves were Inquisitors.
Specifically they're from the Red Clan!
"The time for the examination has come. Are you Slaves ready?" The voice of the Inquisitor's team leader echoed fervently.
The engulfing Starlight Energy unleashed tore through space.
Causing the ears of every Slave to bleed.