CHAPTER EIGHT - LET THE GAMES BEGIN
1414 Words
Kiro looked uneasy all through the way to the church. Clearly, Karenia and Victor were bothered by it but both remained silent for precisely the same reason. Kiro was the reason they could remain so calm. He had prior knowledge of what was happening and how to go about them. So, as long as he was certain of what to do, they were calm. The last thing they wanted was to confirm that even Kiro was no longer certain of what to do. But Karenia was the first one to break the ice.
“What’s the matter, Kiro? You seem out of it lately. Since… Jovak,” she asked.
“We shouldn’t have met him yet. It’s way too early,” Kiro replied.
“This isn’t how it happened?” she asked.
“Not even close. He showed up midway during the next test. Made things really difficult for us. I think my little stunt in the train must have drawn him towards us. And then, he discovered you, Victor,” he said.
“Me? I honestly thought he was just fooling around you’re clearly the more useful target,” Victor retorted. Kiro scoffed at his statement. Target? Really?
“He has a nasty attitude of going after Risers with potential or abilities he deems useful. So, it’s only natural he would come after you. With me, there’s too much uncertainty to work with.”
“Ascient. He called me that. What does it mean?”
“An Ascient is someone with the potential to access the full extent of a member of the Eight’s power. Although not as powerful as the Eight, but no one comes closer to that than the Ascient. There hasn’t been an Ascient since the first harvest, so normally, people know it as a myth. Risers should most definitely not know about it too, seeing as it not general knowledge. Unless, he has a well-versed sponsor.”
“Ha! One thing after the other!” Victor lamented. There was so much they needed to know and it was driving him nuts.
“Calm down. You’ll get up to speed in no time. I promise. Let me give you a briefing of what you need to know. This world is a farm. The 207th to be exact. And the harvest is our souls. The Eight harvest the souls of all dead beings from time of conception of the ‘farm’ till the harvest day. Whenever a person dies, his soul is harvested. And on the day of harvest, all beings who fail to ascend will die. In order to ascend, you need to prove your worth. You are bestowed a miniscule amount of their ability based on your affinity and the ‘system’ helps you develop.”
“Why go through all that stress? Are we some form of entertainment now?” Victor asked.
“Partly, but that’s not the reason. You see, the Realm of the Eight is not the only realm that exists in this universe. There are others. And so, the Eight must strive to maintain their power by creating powerful subordinates. That’s where we come in. Among those who have ascended are those who also seek powerful warriors. Hence, they support Risers of their likings by sponsoring them. It could be with coins, info or power. Out games are being watched by the rest of the realms. The only time we are free from their eyes is when we are off the tests or games. Although significant events outside the games would also be broadcasted.”
“So, the Eight are not sponsors, but those under them?” Karenia asked.
“Yes.”
“Why do they need subordinates?”
“This is how the hierarchy works; Riser to High Riser to Ranger to Knight to High Knight to Elite to Royal to the Eight. Once a Riser peaks level one hundred, they move to High Riser. From there, the system no longer works. You’ll have to get stronger on your own. The more power you acquire, the higher you advance within the ranks. A lot of people ally together, just like us, to increase their chances of survival. By the level of Knight, you are eligible to own a territory, so, it’s only natural to want to enlist powerful warriors or Risers with potential. Hence, the very concept of sponsors.”
“So, when do we get sponsors?” Karenia asked.
“You both did. I didn’t. Although for now, don’t accept any offers and don’t reject. Keep them guessing and they’ll try to woo you if they feel you’re worth it. Their contract is binding for life, so for now enjoy whatever freedom you can salvage.”
Karenia gulped upon hearing that. Of course, the sponsors would want something in return, their services. They would basically be slaves. “So, how far did you get before you---?” she couldn’t finish her statement. She wasn’t so sure what happened really.
“Died?” Kiro teased.
“You died?” they both chorused in shock.
“Yeah. Five years from now. I was a Ranger at the time. I can’t remember how I died or how I got this chance but I know there was someone there with me. A woman.”
“Of course. It had to be a woman. Are you sure you weren’t hallucinating?” Victor goaded.
“Ha. Maybe. Who knows? It was a lot more peaceful than I imagined. Now I’m back to struggling in this world again.”
“Is there any reason you’re protecting us?” Victor asked. “Is it because of my potential?”
“Trust me, an Ascient without power to defend himself is more headache than you can bargain for. If not for our friendship, I’d rather stay away from such trouble. But you leveled up quite nicely.”
“What about me?” Karenia asked with much enthusiasm. He stared for while at her as if relishing in her image. A soft smile followed but he didn’t utter a word. “Come on. Say something,” she lamented.
“I knew it. The weakest!” Victor goaded.
“Kiro! Say something!”
“What would you expect from someone with an intelligence of two!!!”
“Kiro!!!”
“Intelligence of two!”
“Super punch,” Karenia used her skill to hit him on the head. Victor was silent immediately after that. “Lost all your energy??? That’s what happens when you have a stamina of two,” she goaded. Kiro felt so much relief watching them. For a moment, things were just how it used to be. Before their world came to an end.
***
People were more than Victor and Karenia expected to be at the Church but Kiro wasn’t all that surprised. This, in turn gave them a sense of calm. Before them was Noah, in an unusually serene manner. “Greetings Risers, welcome to your first test!” he said.
“First?” chorused the multitude of Risers that were present in that church.
“Yes, first. The test on the train was merely a welcome present from me. This will be your first official test. You will be divided into teams of threes and sent into the testing areas. The goal is to recover these three items; the heart of Azulon, Dominic’s necklace and the Red vase. Coins will be awarded based on performance and a special reward for those who find any or all of the three.”
Kiro remembered that all three of them were actually split into different groups. It made it difficult to help them then. Especially when surviving then was enough of a task. But the problem was that, the grouping process was random and he had no idea how it worked. In that moment, Kiro’s eyes glowed blue and he could see the layout of the church and how the grouping was made based on positions.
“This is… Victor, Karenia go here and there,” he said, pointing to exact locations. Victor had to push someone of his spot but before she could react, Noah spoke.
“And now, you shall see your groups,” he said.
***
System Update
Kiro Ner
First test
Find the heart of Azulon, Dominic’s necklace and the Red vase before the time elapses.
Time limit: One week
Requirement: Earn at least 1000 coins
Reward: Conditional
Penalty for failure: Death
Team: 67
Members; Karenia Zari and Victor Vaneki
***
“We’re on the same team,” Karenia rejoiced.
“Before that, upgrade your stats before we enter,” Kiro said.
“Make sure you increase your intelligence,” Victor goaded.
“Not now, Victor. Karenia, max out your speed and stamina, you can add the rest to your intelligence if you want. It doesn’t have much use for now. Victor, max out your strength and stamina,” Kiro advised.
“I’d still have a higher intelligence,” Victor goaded.
“Hurry. We’ll be entering soon.
***
System Update
Kiro Ner
Rank: Riser
Level: 3
Ability: Force Field
Skill based ability: Force field ball (Level 3)
Originator: Phantom
Sponsor: None
Title: ???
Stats;
Strength: 38 Speed: 32
Stamina: 40 Intelligence: 34
***
System Update
Victor Vaneki
Rank: Riser
Level: 1
Ability: Fire
Skill based ability: Fire ball (level 1)
Originator: Blaze
Sponsor: None
Title: Ascient
Stats;
Strength: 10 Speed: 10
Stamina: 10 Intelligence: 6
***
System Update
Karenia Zari
Rank: Riser
Level: 1
Ability: Enhancer
Skill based ability: Super punch (level 1)
Originator: Beast
Sponsor: None
Title: ???
Stats;
Strength: 10 Speed: 8
Stamina: 8 Intelligence: 8
- Writer
