The tallest of the High Council members said, "You have all been a thorn in our side for far too long. To stop you, we are willing to make certain...sacrifices." Keleida shot back, " The only thing being sacrificed around here will be you!" "Watch and learn, little one. Watch..and know Fear." Saying that, the five members of the Pale Death formed a large circle in the middle of Pit floor, chanting with ancient magic.
"We can beat'em, right Koerth? We've faced the worst these court magicians could throw at us, and triumphed! We can win this one too, right?"
As Koerth stared at the black robes of the wizards in front of him, he wasn't so sure. For not only did the have to worry about surviving, they had to find a way to freedom after that. And judging by the horrifying screech that just sounded from whatever unearthly creature the wizards had just summoned, neither was going to be very easy. For in their midst, the Necromancers had summoned forth their most foul, powerful fell beast: a Bone Dragon. Surrounded by four undead skeleton warriors welding different weapons, the mindless skeletal drake stepped out onto the field of battle. And all five of the Necromancers robes fluttered to the ground! "Yes..Yes! We have succeeded in bonding our very souls to these creatures to make them stronger, faster, more intelligent. Our lives are forfeit, but now so are yours!" the Dragon said in the old wizards voice. Throwing the skull of bone back, the zombie dragon shouted, "Let the Games Begin!" The guards immediately released Koerth's companions from their bonds, and gave them their weapons, before beating a hasty retreat. The crowd in the stands roared with excitement, eager to see blood, no matter whose. His friends gathered around him as the two groups sized each other up. "What's the plan, Koerth?" Antonia asked. Koerth said, "Pick an opponent. Bash it's head in. Move on. That sound good to you?" "Xeus said sarcastically, "I love it when a plan comes together." Just then their enemies charged. Koerth said, "Attack!" and the crowd cheered.
Antonia's opponent made use of a double-bladed sword, and was using it as a staff, moving it almosttoo quick for her to block with her bow. With no vital organs to hit, she didn't know how she was going to beat this foe.
Visu's target was once a warrior like him, weidling an enormous battleaxe. It should be child's play for Visu to take one mighty swing, and sever the skeltons animated spine.. But the zombie warrior knew this, too. Therfore, it always kept it's axe in between it and the mighty warrior. Xeus and Keleida faced similar problems with their opponents, too.
Koerth's opponent laughed at his pitiful efforts to strike him. The dragon took to the air with his wings of bone, and dived at him. Barely moving out of the way in time, Koerth managed to swing Wayfinder around fast enough to connect with one of the wings. His entire sword arm almost came out of it's socket from the force of the blow. It had been like hitting solid stone!
"Surprized? These constructs would never be a match for you normally. But with our spirits backing them, these old bones are almost as strong as mithril. And we won't wear out, but eventually..you will.. Mwahaha!" Koerth knew he was right. The best they could do against them was to simply hold them at bay, and then fatigue would set in, and their defenses would drop. The audience couldn't care either way, they were getting their money's worth.
Koerth shouted, "This is all One Big Mess, if you know what I mean!" Suddenly understanding, Koerth's companions shifted focus, and stopped just defending themselves, and started guiding their battles. Slowly, ever slowly, dodging blows that would have killed them all the way, the party started to herd their foes toward the middle of the Pit. Aunar wondered what that would accomplish, since the amount of blows against each increased, which only added to the bruises each one was receiving.
Having trapped the Zombie Dragon in the center of the mass, Koerth drew Wayfinder before him. "I call upon Ventus, Incarnation of the Wind itself! Let a Cyclone now form from the very ground where they stand!" The wind shifted. Began to blow harder and harder. Dirt and debris started to swirl around the undead as they shrieked in rage. Suddenly, they all lost their footing inside the cyclone, and were trapped spinning inside the vortex. Knowing that alone would not be enough, Koerth said, "Now I also call upon Ignis, Master of Flame and Fire! Pour your power into the vortex itself!" From the center of the stationary twister, a gout of flame appeared. Then began to spread, until it filled up the inside of it. Indeed, it became as if it was a cyclone of fire instead.
The horrified screaming and yelling of the beings inside told Koerth that it was having the desired effect. When the last scream had dissapated, and the smell of burnt flesh had left the air, Koerth let the Cyclone die.
All around him, his companions were battered, bruised, and bloodies. But they were all still alive! Koerth collapsed to the ground with the strain of having to control such forces..
"Splendid! simply marvelous! so it Is true..you have masted two of the ancient Materra!" Aunar's voice called from above the Arena floor. "Then you should aprreciate the little surprise I have in store..just for you." The emporer signaled for a large door on the far side to be opened. "If you make it out this door, you shall be considered free to be on your way. But it will not be as simple as that. Oh no..."
As the doors opened, Koerth, Visu, Antonia, Xeus, and Keleida saw the shadow of a massive creature. From what little light shown upon it, it looked to be made entirely of metals, yest was green in color. Almost too tall for the door, it lumbered forth. Radiating power. And then they knew.
"Our Empire discoved this creature many years ago, and have slowly made him come around to an Arena-style of thinking. He now exists to only kill, or be killed. I believe you are familiar with him?...Good."
Staring Death in the face, Koerth heard the Emporer shout, "Creta, Materra of Earth! Attack!!" ...
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