The Stellate Vortex

"Pleasure to meet you," the archer said, shaking Kieth's hand.

"Oh no, the pleasure is all mine," Kieth replied with a smile, shaking the archer's hand. "The name is Kieth."

"Mine is Senan, but you can call me Sen," the archer responded.

Kieth looked around at the crowd behind Sen. There seemed to be at least twelve people gathered there.

He glanced at the girl from earlier crouching alongside Rita, while Rita seemed to be drooling as she stared at the dead monster. Who was she raised by—animals? Kieth scoffed at the thought.

Sen followed his gaze and said, "Oh yeah, that's Aina. She doesn't speak to people, so it's best not to expect answers from her. I think she's mute, though."

"I see..." Kieth muttered as his eyes shifted to Akane and Vasil.

"Akane, where did you run off to?" Kieth asked.

"I—I a-am sorr—" Akane stammered before Kieth gently covered her mouth.

"Don't apologize for everything," he said softly. "It's okay to be scared. It shows you're alive. Only the dead don't fear."

Vasil smiled, glancing at Akane, clearly relieved that kieth didn't get mad.

"Well, still, thanks for bringing reinforcements. If you both hadn't gotten them, Rita and I would have died."

"You're welcome," Akane said with a small smile.

"Well, if you've had your moment, we should leave," Sen interrupted.

"Yeah, sure," Kieth agreed.

He noticed Aina hopping around without a care in the world. She seemed about eleven years old and reminded him of his cousin, Anton.

"Wait! Why can't I take it? It's meat! We can eat it!" Rita protested, arguing with Sen.

Kieth could hear whispers and laughter from the crowd as Sen tried to explain why the meat might not be healthy.

"Akane, can you deal with Rita? I think she'll listen to you," Kieth said.

Akane joined Sen, trying to convince Rita to leave the dead monster alone.

God, I thought she was an edgelord when I first saw her. She's worse—she's an idiot, Kieth thought, shaking his head.

He started walking with the others as Sen and Aina led the way. It seemed like a long journey until they could faintly hear cheering, as though a celebration was taking place.

As Kieth stepped forward, he saw light. They were back at Makar—or so he thought. Something seemed off.

"What the..." Vasil muttered, confused as he took in the new image before him.

There was a massive gladiator stadium.

"This isn't Makar," Vasil said.

"But the ceiling isn't there, just like Makar," Kieth noted, looking up.

Above them, the scorching heat and light poured in. He could faintly tell they were below some sort of desert, as sand trickled down from above.

"Definitely not Makar," Kieth said. "And it's hot too."

"Welcome," Sen announced. "This is the Colosseum. Built by us."

"Why?" Kieth asked, raising an eyebrow.

"To serve dinner," Sen replied.

"Really?" Kieth asked.

"No."

"Oh..." Kieth muttered, watching Sen shake his head

The other people began murmuring among themselves. Kieth heard faint whispers:

"Weren't we told we were going to be in a safe place?"

"I think only some people fight..."

"Hey, what do you mean, built by you?" Rita questioned.

"Clearly, you look like a twig."

Sen smiled, but he was visibly annoyed.

"A couple of people built it, but the idea was ours—the Five Lords."

Akane whispered to Vasil, "He is a Lord?"

"I think." Vasil whispered back

"Well," Keith gripped his dagger, "then I suppose you can tell us why you brought us here."

Sen smiled. "Oh well, some of you will be chosen to rise as a Lord, as Aina here wishes to quit."

Aina seemed to not have a care; she was just sitting on the floor with an expressionless face.

"Of course, you will have to form a party, or it could be the one you originally came with, but we will choose. Don't worry."

"HEY! YOU TOLD US WE WOULD BE SAFE OVER HERE! WHY THE FUCK WOULD WE FIGHT?" a man screamed from the crowd.

"YEAH! I DON'T WANNA FIGHT!" someone joined him

Everyone seemed to have started to protest.

"Hm, I see," Sen smiled, seeming like he understood their plight. "Then, whoever doesn't wish to fight, please move to the right, and the ones who don't mind fighting, come to the left."

Yeah... not in the mood. Might as well just chill watching.

But before he could leave, Vasil grabbed his arm. As Keith looked back, Akane and Rita were already on the left, wearing serious expressions.

"Uh... why do we—"

Vasil didn't let Keith finish and just dragged him.

"Hm, four on the left and twelve on the right. Sure, that's also fine." Sen smiled. "Please, you four, make yourselves comfortable."

He snapped his fingers, and servants appeared, taking them away. As they walked off, Keith heard screams. He looked back, but a servant blocked his view.

Rita was clenching her fists; it was clear she was angry.

Vasil spoke, "...I had a feeling this would happen. That's why I told you guys to go to the left."

"I see... That's the thing. He kills whoever doesn't participate. And I don't think we could have beaten him with Aina next to him."

They reached a room. "Well, at least it looks cozy," Keith said.

The servant spoke, "You have 30 minutes to decide who will be the fighter among your group. I will wait outside for your answer. Please do not delay." She left.

"Oh well, fuck... A fighter, huh?"

Keith lay on the bed, closing his eyes. "I'm tired. I don't wanna do it, nor will Akane do it."

Akane looked at Keith with warm eyes.

"Well, I guess I will go," Rita said, sighing.

"No... Rita," Akane and Rita both looked at him.

"Let me do it, please," Vasil looked serious. "I want to do it. I can't just sit back and watch as you get beaten up. I did it each time, and that's why I'll do it."

"Don't be a hero. You can die."

"I know..."

That's why he walked to Keith, who had his eyes closed.

"No."

"W-what? I didn't even say anything."

"Just no."

"At least hear me out!"

"No."

Vasil looked at Keith. "C'mon, just listen! Forget it. I'll just say it—"

"LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA!" Keith sang at the top of his lungs, but Vasil covered his mouth. Keith tried resisting but was overwhelmed by his strength.

"Please teach me to fight."

He shook his head.

Vasil nodded.

Removing his hand from Keith's mouth, Keith said, "Dude, I really don't know how to teach. I didn't learn any martial arts or anything. I fight normally—no techniques—so I don't know what you're talking about."

"Still, you can teach... Never mind.....no need."

Vasil left the room and told the servant that he would take part in the fight.

The next day, Keith hadn't seen Vasil since the time he left the room. But he reached the coliseum and saw the cheering; the fight was about to start.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! MY NAME IS JERMA, I AM YOUR HOST AND TODAY'S FIGHT IS INTERESTING, TO SAY THE LEAST! WE HAVE OUR NEWBIE WINNER, HALIBERD—THE VIKING FROM SCANDINAVIA! AND... uh... Basil? Oh, Vasil!"

"Yeah, VASIL FRALEY! HE IS A... POWERFUL MAN!"

Well, how awkward, Keith thought. Even the announcer must be confused seeing a new name. And it does sound weird, so I guess... But still, HALIBERD the Viking, huh? From his name, he might have been a Viking previously. I would've liked to train Vasil, but I, myself, just fight randomly.

Akane and Rita seemed to be absent, but he assumed they must be in their room, as they might not like seeing Vasil get hit.

"PLEASE ENTER THE GROUNDS!"

Keith saw Haliberd enter. He looked like a mad dog holding a machete. The crowd seemed hyped, screaming his name.

Then Vasil entered. No one said much but hoped for a good fight, as Vasil was almost as tall as Haliberd.

"THE MATCH BEGINS!"

What? No time to mentally prepare?

Keith saw Haliberd charging at Vasil. His movements were sluggish, which was expected, considering his large stature.

"HALIBERD CHARGES UP AT VASIL!" the announcer shrieked.

Vasil seemed to have improved as he was able to react, even though barely. Haliberd went for a punch, but Vasil dodged and connected a punch to Haliberd, knocking him away.

"WOAHHH! A SINGLE PUNCH THREW HIM, FOLKS! WE MIGHT HAVE A NEW RISING STAR!"

Keith couldn't hear them speak, but he could tell that Haliberd was mocking Vasil.

"IT SEEMS HALIBERD IS MOCKING VASIL! BUT WOULD HE FALL FOR IT?"

Vasil heard Haliberd say something, which enraged him. He dashed forward and started pummeling him with punches, but Keith noticed Haliberd smiling.

"Wait, shi—!"

Blood splattered on the floor as Haliberd used his machete, which he had hidden at the start. Vasil had a clean cut. It wasn't deep, but the blood loss would become dangerous.

"NO WAYYYY! HALIBERD USED HIS MACHETE! VASIL SEEMS TO HAVE A CUT! HOW WILL HE RECOVER FROM THIS?"

Keith looked at Vasil in shock. Vasil was crying in pain. Keith felt stupid—of course, Vasil was still a kid, no matter how he looked.

"WHAT IS THIS? HE IS CRYING IN PAIN! IT SEEMS A SINGLE CUT WAS ENOUGH!"

The crowd laughed at Vasil. Haliberd laughed loudly.

"HEAR THAT, BOY? EVERYONE IS MOCKING YOU! I'LL KILL YOU HERE AND BATHE IN YOUR BLOOD! AND THEN, OF COURSE," he smirked disgustingly, "BECOME THE LORD AFTER KILLING A FEW MORE PESTS LIKE YOU AND SLEEPING WITH THE GIRLS YOU CA—"

Haliberd's mouth spilled blood. He tried to form a sentence but fell to the ground before he could finish. Vasil looked up at the one who had killed Haliberd.

"Sorry... I didn't think it through. I thought you would be okay," Keith said as he stood over the body, pulling a dagger from the nape of the dead Haliberd.

"WHAT IS THIS? SOMEONE INTERRUPTED THE MATCH! HE EVEN KILLED HALIBERD!" the announcer shrieked.

But the crowd was silent.

Keith looked up at the center of the coliseum, where the Lords were sitting, talking among themselves, occasionally glancing his way.

Keith helped Vasil up, lending him a shoulder, and took him to the medical room. After ensuring Vasil was being treated and had fallen asleep, Keith stepped out.

"So... you do know you can be penalized, right?"

It was Sen. He was waiting for Keith outside.

"I'll be taking his place," Keith responded coldly.

"Ooh, no problem. I only want to see some good fights."

"Oh, and yeah, your two other friends have had their discussions."

"Hm? What discussions?"

"We will take you to Makar if you can win the next two rounds."

Keith looked at Sen. "What about the Lord stuff?"

"Oh, you wish to become one?" Sen chuckled.

"Of course not."

"Then don't worry and just focus on winning the next two rounds. Also, just a heads-up—the next guy is an ability user."

"Damn."

"Well, good luck." Sen left, leaving Keith in front of the room.

Rita and Akane rushed over.

"Where is Vasil? I heard he was hurt!" Akane was in tears.

"He's being treated. He was cut with a machete."

"Tch, that guy. I told him to stay put," Rita said, but Keith could see she was trembling.

Keith walked away, looking down. The image of Vasil crying was stuck in his mind. He felt like he really could die this time if he wasn't careful.

But one thing was certain: he didn't want the others to get hurt. He had considered them just partners at first, but now he realized they were more than that. He cared for them deeply, and it pained him to see Vasil in tears.

"I'll get us out of here," he muttered.

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