Chapter 1
The Crown Arena
Keen'O stepped through the massive doors into the sun light. He felt the warm sand between the toes of his bare feet. The day was brighter than usual. It took his eyes a few moments to adjust to the light. How many days have I been in that dungeon? He wondered. The noise of this place was almost unbearable. He slowly unshielded his eyes from the sun to gaze upon the source of the sound and was awestruck. An ocean of people surrounded him on three sides. The number of faces in the grandstand was a number beyond his knowing. By all accounts he should have felt nervous standing before so many, but the sensation of the fresh breeze caressing his face took his mind off of it.
“Are you seeing this Ben? They put us in the Arena! This is bad man. This is really, really bad,” Tyrik said to the round man at his right. He isn’t blind? Keen’O thought as he looked the man over. He recognized the voice and his features were consistent with the man that he had been sharing a cell with. Tyrik was tall with a gaunt face. His arms and legs had sinewy muscle that seemed to mask a hidden strength.
“Shut up you fool! It’s your fault we’re even here!” Ben was short and fat, the complete opposite of Tyrik. His hairline was receding to a smooth, shiny spot at the top of his head. Keen’O recognized him from the cell too. It was impossible for him not to. Those two never shut up. He isn’t blind either? The way those men had navigated the cell they shared; arms out, reaching for anything, moving along the walls and reacting to the slightest noise. Keen’O had decided they were a pair of blind idiots. It must have been much darker in the dungeon than he had originally thought.
“I hope she was worth it.” Ben continued. “I definitely didn’t get anything out of it!” She. . . Keen’O thought. Why is it always about girls with grownups? Almost every voice in the dungeon went on about ‘she this’ and ‘her that.’ It made Keen’O glad that he never found girls interesting in the slightest. Not that it mattered. In the end he wound up in the same dungeon as them.
Suddenly the pair looked at him, almost in unison. “And who are you supposed to be?!” Ben glared at Keen’O with a look of suspicion.
“He’s that Kayh half breed the guards were going on about. Don’t you know anything man?” Tyrik replied, never breaking his gaze. “Well? You got a name or what cat boy?”
“Keen’O.” He said. Be quick and to the point. That was a rule he always lived by; a rule that always kept him out of trouble. At least until this time.
“You’re not much for conversation, are you whiskers?” Ben started laughing. That irritating laugh was enough to cause all the fur on Keen’O’s back to stiffen. His annoying bellows were almost instantly drowned out by most elegant sound that Keen’O had ever heard. It was as if the gods themselves began to sing. The arena grew ominously silent. What is this strange place? Keen’O thought. Why am I here?
The last thing he remembered before being dragged off to the dungeon by those large, glowing, metal men was the sound of the hammer. And the tall old man with the funny hat. “GUILTY!” He had called out, just before he slammed down that fancy hammer of his. He was right. Keen’O was guilty.
He remembered hearing the word ‘justice’ being tossed around aimlessly that day. The Tribunal Hall they had brought him into was a large room with the massive granite columns reaching to the ceiling. His eyes followed them up to the evil-looking faces on the stone creatures at the top of each column. They appeared to be holding up the roof. Those gargoyles were obviously meant to intimidate. He remembered then looking down at the faces of the people in the audience. How strange that they would try to mimic the expressions of the gargoyles with such effort. Did they even know how silly they all looked?
That was a very different crowd from the one he was facing today. The mob in the arena was a writhing mass of bodies. Keen’O didn’t quite understand why they all seemed so happy. He wasn’t happy. He was hungry and tired.
“This is so wrong man! We shouldn’t be here!” Tyrik began to cry as he frantically looked around for an escape route. His eyes found the door they had come through and he ran straight for it. It was closing faster than it opened. The way back was shut before he reached it.
“Really?” Ben asked. “You’re such a coward. I can’t believe I actually looked up to you. This is The Crown Arena! They’re not going to let us just waltz back into our cell. This isn’t a vacation. It’s a death sentence”
“But it’s not fair! How was I supposed to know she was Elystar’s niece?” Tears were running down his face now. This is pathetic. Keen’O thought. Ben was clearly exaggerating to scare his friend. Whatever these two had done, Keen’O was certain his own crime didn’t warrant a death sentence. It was a simple theft. He was only thirteen years after all. He had gotten in trouble once or twice before. They always let him go after a few days. Why will this be any different? He doubted this many people would stand idly by to watch an executioner take the head of a thirteen year old boy, even if that boy was a half breed.
Just then another massive door, opposite the one they had used, began to open. Then another adjacent to that one and finally a fourth door opened. The noise of the crowd started to rise again. Tyrik and Ben were squinting, trying to make out the details of whatever was coming through. Keen’O didn’t need to. He had excellent vision. He counted an additional group of prisoners stepping through each door. Most of the men looked sickly and beaten. There were, however, two that appeared healthier than the rest. One of them was a tower of a man, massive by any scale. Is that a Giant? He thought. He was unlike anything Keen’O had ever seen.
The horns sang and the crowd quieted once more. This time the song was different. Keen’O began to feel a strange rhythm in the air. Tyrik is right to be afraid. He thought. Something bad is about to happen. He turned his gaze to a balcony positioned over the biggest door in the entire arena. Keen'O anticipated the tall man that stood and approached the edge of the balcony.
“People of Elysia! His grace, High Emperor Elystar II, bids you welcome on this day, a day of games!” He announced.
“Oh this is just perfect!” Ben said. “What did I tell you? Games! This is a death sentence. I swear if we survive this I’ll kill you!”
“What are we going do man? I can’t die like this!” Tyrik cried. “Not over some girl!”
“Calm down. That’s the first thing you’re going to do. Let's just wait and hear what this high blood’s got to to say.”
“He’s right.” Keen’O added. He knew the only way they would survive whatever was coming was if they worked together. And as much as he hated the idea, the only way to accomplish that was to talk to them. “We’re going to have to stick together. You guys just follow my lead ok?”
“The kitty cat does speak!” Tyrik said, jesting. It was a poor attempt to mask his fear with humor.
“Listen kid” Ben interrupted. “I don’t know where you’re from, but I don’t take orders from some pointy-eared half breed. Got it?”
“Suit yourself.” Keen’O replied. He was on his own. It wasn’t the first time. He thought back to his eighth birthday; when he ran away from the Orphanage in Kamillo. He didn’t know where he was going or what he would do to survive, but he vowed he would find a way. Now he just needed to find another way, soon.
“Before you we present the lowest of the low!” Chimed the announcer. “These hooligans prey on the weak and innocent. They are the scum of Giaos and a scourge on our great city. It is with great honor that they shed their life’s blood for you this fine day!”
So he was right after all. Keen’O hated it when ugly fat people were right about anything. It often meant trouble for him. He somehow knew that the ‘death sentence’ would be carried out once the announcer stopped talking. Keen’O began to look around the Arena. Be mindful of your surroundings. That was another rule that often helped him out in a tough spot. He needed to analyze his surroundings and formulate a strategy for a quick escape.
Once again his attention was drawn to the the monstrous door beneath the balcony where the announcer stood. It was easily twice the size of the other doors. He knew that meant something. His senses told him to move away from it fast. At the opposite end of the arena there was a missing section in the epic structure that gave way to a cliff overlooking the ocean. He went for it.
“What the. . .” Tyrik said when he noticed Keen’O sprint away from the two unlikely companions. “Where you goin?” He attempted to ask, but Keen’O ignored the question. He wasn’t waiting around for them. Especially not after that little speech Ben had given him. Glancing back he noticed the two attempting to give chase, but they couldn’t keep up. That brought a smile to his face. His attention moved along the rest of the prisoners. It seems they had noticed the commotion and attempted to follow as well. They’re just as desperate as those other two fools. Keen’O thought. None of them had a plan. So they all, with the exception of the Giant, were moving toward the cliff at the end of the Arena as fast as humanly possible.
“And without further Ado. . .” Said the announcer, as Keen’O reached the edge of the cliff. “I present, to you, the land sharks of Nhirm!” The crowd went mad. Keen’O slowly turned to witness the singular, monstrous door begin to open. Dust shook from it's frame as it shook violently. A muffled shriek could be heard from behind.
The large group of prisoners was heading directly at him like a confused raggedy missile of idiots. Their faces were frozen with a look of terror, Tyrik most of all. Ben, however, just looked annoyed. For a man who’s about to die, he’s taking it pretty well. Keen’O thought. He quickly stepped aside as the healthiest man of the bunch reached him. The man ran clear off the edge of the cliff to his death. So that was the blind one. He watched as the man quickly faded into the mists below.
The monster door was all but open. Then he heard the loud shriek again. Keen’O winced at the sound. It was so loud it was almost painful. He had never seen or heard of a land shark before, much less one from Nhirm. Are Nhirmese land sharks special or something? He wondered. He had no idea what to expect. Two shadows began to move slowly from beyond the threshold. He could almost make out their shapes. The bright midday sun prevented his eyes from adjusting and peering into the darkness. He heard the loud shriek again, now able to distinguish two separate voices. They don’t sound so scary. He thought.
Suddenly two hulking beasts burst forth from the shadows of the holding cell. The creatures were mostly grey in color. One of them a lighter shade with a slight hint of blue and the other was dark grey, almost black. They both had 2 arms and legs, but didn't walk in a traditional sense. They lumbered around aimlessly. Their hides appeared to be a rock crusted carapace. Are those things living rock? Keen'O wondered. For the first time since the hammer fell he was almost glad he got caught stealing that Arcanium doublet with Rex and the rest of his Kamillo street gang.
"Are you smiling!?" Ben asked. "You are! You're smiling! What the hell is wrong with you!?"
"What?" Keeno replied. "I'm not allowed to enjoy something completely new? I'm sorry, but I've never seen a land shark."
"You Kayh are all crazy. You half breeds are obviously crazy and stupid. That thing is gonna rip to you shreds. Let's see how much you're smiling then."
Keen'O had never seen a land shark. He felt no shame in the excitement he was experiencing. The land sharks moved slowly and each thundering step surged through Keen'O like a wave of energy. What is this feeling? Keen'O had felt it earlier, before the announcer started talking.
The long necks of the land sharks allowed them to rotate their heads back and forth with fluid movements. They were trying to catch a hint of where their prey could possibly be. The dark one let out a crippling shriek. Again, Keen'O winced at the sound.
Looking around at the group of frantic prisoners. He suddenly realized that they probably looked very appetizing to the land sharks. This is the last place he wanted to be. For a short moment the land sharks appeared to be unaware of the location. Another pair of blind idiots it would seem.
"We're all gonna die!" screamed Tyrik. And just like that the moment was gone. The land sharks had their position and they began closing in on them swiftly. They moved at speeds he didn't think possible for something of that size. Just then Keen'O noticed that the Giant man was standing very still, watching the madness play out. He knows something about these beasts. Maybe movement and noise draws their attention. Tyrik's constant wailing definitely helped to support that theory.
"Will you shut up?!" Yelled Ben. "You're bringing them right to us."
"I can't help it. . . I don't wanna die man. I'm too you to die." Tyrik's tears were now flowing down his face like streams of liquid shame. "What do we do kid? You brought us to the edge of the cliff. Now what?"
"Let's get one thing straight. I'm not with you guys." Keen'O replied.
"Maybe we should spread out." Contributed Ben. Sure. . . Now they wanna cooperate. "If we give em more targets they might get mixed up. Could buy us some time ya know?"
Keen'O knew that plan was doomed to fail, but he said nothing to deter the group from trying. The land sharks were less than 20 yards away now and closing fast. The group split as Ben had suggested, but the land sharks were on them before they could react. The dark one snatched up all the men that ran to the right. The blue one took notice of Tyrik's wailing and shifted it's direction to intercept him to the left. This only made Tyrik cry all the louder. Keen'O watched as Tyrik shamelessly tripped everyone around him in an attempt to give the land shark easier prey and save his own hide.
"Don't you do it!" Ben threatened when Tyrik's gaze shifted to him. "After all we've been through this is how you repay me?"
"It's nothing personal man. It's a dregg eat dregg world buddy. And I ain't about to get ate!" with that said Tyrik shoved Ben to the ground. The shark was on him before he could blink. The beast made short work of Ben. Keen'O watched as the annoying man was no more. The shark let out a loud belch and Ben's sandal fell to the ground. The crowd laughed. Sure he was annoying, but no one deserves to go out like that. Keen'O thought. He saw the huge smile on Tyrik's face. That dirt bag must have thought he succeeded.
The land shark then jumped into the air. The audience gasped in awe. The sudden impact of it's weight striking the groud caused a huge cloud of dust to form. When the dust cleared Tyrik was gone. All that was left to even suggest he had ever existed was a red mark splattered across the sand. Now it was Keen'O wearing the smile on his face.
Looking across the arena at the Giant man he noticed he was still standing in the exact same spot as before. Is he sleeping? He wondered. Keen'O slowly sat down near the edge of the cliff and waited. The crowd grew impatient and began shouting obsenities at them both.
The land sharks were now half buried in the arena sand. Keen'O had watched them as they laid down and began to shake violently. The motion kicked up a lot of dust that covered them like a blanket. They could easily be mistaken for a pile of rocks if he had not already known they were there.
The hour grew later as sun began descending over the city. The arena wall started casting a long shadow over the sands. Keen'O didn't like the idea of waiting on the edge of the cliff over-night. He was likely to roll of the edge to his doom.
Looking across the arena again he saw the Giant man still standing. He's gotta be dead. Keen'O was certain there was no way someone could stand still for that long and still be breathing. He couldn't risk trying to call to him. The sharks would be on him in a matter of seconds, but he was running out of options.
"Hey!" He shouted. "Hey Giant man!" There was a cloud of dust where the land sharks had been sleeping. Keen'O knew what that meant. "Hey man. I'm talking to you! My name is Keen'O! What's yours?!" He called out again. "C'mon man! I could really use some help here!" The land sharks let out their horrifying shriek and were moving toward Keen'O. Most of the crowd, including the nobility, had long since gone home, but what few people remained cheered the land sharks on. People can really be jerks some times. Keen'O thought about the spectators.
The sharks were on him within moments. Their jaws were gaping wide, ready to devour him. Keen'O had counted on the fact that they both wanted him equally. He was right. He performed a perfect backflip, with deft precision. Causing the land sharks to collide and lose their footing. Keen'O appeared to be throwing himself from the edge, but at the last possible second he reached out and dug his claws into the hard rock of the cliff. The sharks weren't so lucky. They fell over the side and plummeted hundreds of feet to the rocks below.
Keen'O risked it all in crazy move and, for an instant, he thought that he had won. He was wrong. He over-estimated the density of the rock. He had squeezed too hard. The rock between his fingers began to break apart. He knew then he was doomed. He closed his eyes, accepting his fate, and felt his weight begin to slip away from the cliff. Suddenly there was a constant pressure around his wrist. The falling motion had stopped. His eyes and he found a very large Giant of a man staring him directly in the face.
"Barathis," said the Giant man.
"Barathis?" Keen'O replied, confused.
"My name. . . It’s Barathis."
"Oh. That's a pretty cool name." Keen'O said with a huge smile. "Um, you mind pulling me back in please?"
