The Big Bad had taken everyone else out with relative ease, including Kelira’s companion. Kelira didn’t really want to do Thirteenth Night, but apparently it was one way of getting recognized by “stadium watchers”, Temthan investors looking for people to train up into new gladiators. And, in all honesty, if Kelira had known that tonight’s Big Bad was the Rethan Wrath, he probably would have not bothered at all. Had it been any other Big Bad (apart from the Banikan Blaze), Kelira might have had a chance. The Rethan Wrath was utterly huge, one of those 3m tall freaks of nature. Sure, Kelira was almost as tall as the average Rethan, but…
A colossal mace hit the ground with such force that Kelira was sure the earth briefly moved. He’d been hiding. That was bad. Well, bad for TV. Not bad for him. But Kelira only had a small dagger and a heavy pipe. He wasn’t going to face a Rethan giant on his own with just those.
The mace smashed down closer to where Kelira was hiding. Way too close. Kelira had to move now, to get back on his feet. And somehow face the monster. He was the only one left. If he wanted any chance at getting noticed, he had to do something.
Unfortunately, Kelira’s options were all taken away from him as the table he was hiding under was kicked to one side and smashed to pieces. Over three meters of armoured behemoth stood over Kelira, mace raised high.
“Oh fuck…”
Kelira rolled to his feet, grabbing whatever he could find and throwing it in the direction of the Rethan Wrath. The monster didn’t even flinch, not even when Kelira picked up a chair and tried to whack the Big Bad with that as well.
“Sta skys, tha path’neis!”
Kelira had no idea what the Rethan Wrath had just said, but it wasn’t Panlex. Not that Kelira had a chance to find out, as the monster kicked Kelira through a wall, into the darkness outside. This particular arena was mostly just fake, ruined buildings anyway, but now Kelira was outside, he had a chance to get up and-
“Tha pefteis!”
Something grabbed onto Kelira’s leg. A massive, black gauntlet. The Rethan Wrath effortlessly lifted Kelira into the air, slammed him down on the ground then threw him back into the building, through another wall. The building couldn’t stand on its own any more and swiftly collapsed on top of Kelira. Thankfully, the rubble fell in such a way that Kelira could wriggle out, but he knew his time was almost up. It was now or never.
Reaching for the heaviest item he could find, Kelira staggered to his feet and threw himself at the Rethan Wrath, wielding the heaviest and sharpest item he could grab at a moment’s notice.
The Rethan Wrath was unamused though. They simply slapped the piece of rebar out of Kelira’s hand, then wrapped a horrible claw around the young Temthan’s throat. Kelira felt himself being lifted off the ground, and the air quickly leaving his lungs. He kicked and flailed, trying to scratch at the giant, but nothing worked. The Rethan Wrath snarled, then pulled a blade from their belt and stabbed Kelira in the stomach, spilling blood everywhere.
“Sto skotah, path’neis.”
The grip around Kelira’s neck tightened, and Kelira’s flails faded away. The last challenger passed out, and the terrifying Rethan dropped the body on the ground, kicking them to one side.
The automatic medical systems kicked in and Kelira was teleported away to safety. He’d be back on his feet in a few hours, the advanced Spast and Ksithan healing technologies quickly fixing him up.
“Thanto Kat’olon.”
With all eight challengers defeated, the lights returned to the arena. Abius blinked briefly in the bright lights, hesitated somewhat as the crowds all cheered at them, then bowed and made their way out of the arena. However, waiting for Abius were their three new friends.
“Dude, what the fuck?”
Timik and Levik were both confused by Psiksi’s outburst as he threw a towel at Abius. Yet again, Abius had forgotten that the contestants were wearing fake blood packs, and, yet again, they were utterly covered in blood.
“What?” Abius asked.
“Since when could YOU fucking speak Shadowtongue?” Psiksi hissed.
“Was that the random stuff Abius was shouting?” Levik also asked. “I thought they were just saying scary words to be scary.”
Abius frowned. “I have been trying to learn Shadowtongue both in honour of the Oath Keeper and so I have something more in common with you.”
Psiksi immediately calmed down. “Oh. But… I don’t actually speak Shadowtongue. Not as a full language, at least.”
“Oh…”
“Why not?” Levik butted in. “I thought all Skyavok who can do shadow stuff speak the dead god language?”
“No, no. Most Skyavok only know the Mara Paida, which is a lullaby sang in Shadowtongue. It’s just the proper deep Phantasma Skyavok who speak it properly… Well… up until All-Ksa Veeyel decided to make the language available for everyone to learn…” Psiksi trailed off. “Abius, you really are trying to learn Shadowtongue for me?”
Abius nodded. “Yes. But also I thought it would be interesting. However, I only really know some things, only the, uh, prayers and hymns. It turns out, learning a second language is hard.”
“That is where most folks, myself included, start, I guess?” Psiksi shrugged. “Still, I kinda… I ought to learn as well.”
“We could learn together?” Levik suggested. “Like, they’re dropping the telepathic link thing for Dessaron teams, right? We could use Shadowtongue words to communicate!”
“Would be a lot of work…” Timik seemed uncertain. “And, well, yes, I’m a stud, but I am not a smart person.”
“Neither am I!” Abius smiled. “But I am learning. And Psiksi and Levik are both very smart, they can help us learn better.”
“I literally just said I don’t know Shadowtongue.”
“Yes but you also just said you want to learn!” Abius smiled some more. “Learning together makes things easier. And we do need more bonding exercises.”
“Fair…” Psiksi sighed. “Still, I’m lazy right now. I had three matches today. I just want to stuff my face with food right now.”
“We can do that too!” Levik bounced excitedly. “Admittedly I only did training today. But we’ll do whatever you want! Assuming Timik and Abius don’t have plans?”
Timik glanced around. “I’ll be honest, I… I haven’t been on a date in a while… I’m… still mourning.”
Abius grunted in agreement, but didn’t answer.
“Aw…” Levik stopped bouncing around, and reached up and tried to pat Timik on the shoulder. He wasn’t tall enough, so he just patted Timik on the leg. “But we could, I don’t know, go on a date, the four of us?”
Timik eyed Levik suspiciously.
“He means going out to a bar or something, together… Hang on!” Psiksi exclaimed. “Can you even drink, Levik?”
“Yeah. Can’t smoke though. Or have sex. Not until I’m 60.”
Timik and Psiksi blinked.
“I… forget that you Spasts age weird… But you do have a point, Levik. We ought to spend some time together, not here at work. Retvik’s team literally lived with him, after all. We need to build our own connections.”
Abius nodded in agreement. “We need to be always-friends, not just work-friends. But… if you all do not mind, I REALLY need to shower. I can feel some fake blood dripping underneath this stupid bulky bad guy armour.”
“HAH!” Timik laughed, putting his arms around Levik and Psiksi. “You go do that! When you’re done, we’ll meet in the canteen, then discuss where we want to go for drinks and dinner! Sound good?”
“It does, yes. I shall see you soon…” Abius grunted as they plodded off. “Back in a bit. I am desperate to get this armour off me…”