Author's note: Chapter has been rewritten. It is even longer and totally new. Please read it again. Sorry for the trouble.

Episode 5: Welcome to Hell

Arthur’s POV

>

I could see the lizard sitting on that rock. I crept up closer and closer, not wanting to give my position away. There was no chance for failure this time. I had to get that lizard.

I pounced to catch it, my quick reflexes giving me an unnatural handicap. Unfortunately, the lizard had even faster reflexes, and it escaped from my grasp.

I sighed. This was going badly. I hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday, and on top of that I appeared to have caught a cold.

Being lonely sucked hard. My clothes were dirty and my vision was getting blurry. My nose was red and I could barely walk.

I roused myself. Being negative wasn’t going to help me. I needed to focus and find some food or I was going to die.

>

I was interrupted out of my reverie by Kent’s babblings.

“Sir, are you sure? That an archery Apprentice is just hiding amongst the slaves in the arena? But why would he do that? If he just revealed himself, he would be given a whole platoon in the Legionnaire! It doesn’t make any sense! Why does he choose to remain a slave?”

I could think of several reasons, actually. Torture, blackmail, negotiation, some sort of clandestine mission, anything was possible. But I chose not to say anything of that sort to Kent. After all, he had already become a comrade.

We had arrived at the gates leading to the Arena, when I stopped Kent.

“Do you have any idea on how to free the guy?” I asked Kent.

“No, sir. I thought that you were the one with an idea here.”Kent replied. Only one day and he started to address me as his senior officer. It was flattering, but kind of weird how he looked up to me.

“Yes, I do have a plan, but it requires your cooperation on your part, Kent.”I told him, pulling him close to a nearby alley.

“Our man is an indentured slave. They are not going to let him go just because I say so. Nor can I earn enough money to repay his debt.” I paused, waiting for my words to sink in Kent’s mind. He turned and then whispered back to me, “So, what do we do, sir?”

As soon as I heard his words, I understood that he was in.

“It’s very simple, Kent. We break him out of jail.”

************************************************************************

Indentured slaves were generally people who had committed a very serious crime or the poor people who were unlucky to fall in the hand of unscrupulous moneylenders. These were people were then arrested and pronounced guilty. However, they were given a choice; either become an indentured slave and participate in the Arena or to serve an entire life sentence.

Most people generally chose to become a slave. That’s because there was a clause that stipulated that if you fought a hundred battles and survived, your crimes would be pardoned and you would be allowed to return home. An impossible chance.

But they would bet their lives on that measly chance rather serve a life sentence. And unsurprisingly, no one had won their freedom. All this had been explained to me by Kent, when he had been showing me the city.

My plan was as simple as I could have made in the limited circumstances. Every indentured slave had a tattoo on his shoulder signifying his status as a slave. I would get one of the same tattoos (only with washable ink). Then Kent would catch me, and report me to the Arena. Once there I would find my teacher, win his trust and prepare for breaking out. After three days when Kent would come to interrogate me, he would slip in the keys to the cell, upon which I would make my escape.

Simple in theory. In reality, a million things could go wrong and end my virtual life short.

Kent had totally trusted me on my side of the things. I had told him that I would escape without harming a single guard. In truth, that was going to be nearly impossible. However, I could see no choice other than to push forward.

Which I have always done.

>

I had managed to catch a fish today by sheer luck. I had gone today to wash myself in the pond and decided to kick the water in my hopelessness. And a miracle occurred. My legs had sent a fish flying in the sky. My luck held and I caught it before it fell into the water.

Roasted fish tasted worse than roasted lizard but it was food. I forced myself to eat it all, and kept myself from vomiting it out.

Each day had become a battle for survival, a battle that I was losing. I needed to know how to survive here on the island, and learn it quick. Otherwise I would soon die, and that idea did not appeal to me at all.

My body was full of small bruises. I had learned to ignore them by now. At least there wasn’t any large predator on the island.

That way I wouldn’t have lasted a day here.

I decided to stop thinking. Each day was a new battle, and I couldn’t fight if I was still stuck in the past.

>

I was near the corner of the square, waiting for a suitable fool. Kent had reluctantly agreed to my request, although I could see that the idea bothered him. Even then he had agreed to help me. That had increased my respect for him immensely.

I soon found myself a guy who was perfect to be my prey.

“Thief! Thief! Someone stop him! He stole my purse! Someone please-”.

In order to make the beginning authentic, I had decided to indulge in some pick pocketing. And I even generated a skill.

New skill created!

Pick pocketingGoverning attributes: DexterityClick to see more details

For being the first to create the Pick pocketing new skill, you gain +1 to Dexterity and a skill point.

“Don’t worry sir! I will catch the thief for you!” Kent leaped into action.

I had a head start but was purposefully slow enough to make sure he would catch up to me soon. I kept glancing back to make sure he was following properly.

Suddenly, a beautiful girl leapt out of the crowd and shouted, “Kent, wait! Where are you going?”

“Anna! What are you--” Unfortunately, Kent never got to finish his sentence, as the big fool stumbled and fell flat on his face.

“Kent! Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?”

Yep. Physically and mentally they were both suited for each other.

I had been engrossed in watching them that I did not watch the guard who had arrived behind my back. By the time I turned around, I could only see the blur of his scabbard.

*THWACK*

You have lost 140 HP!

Your health is critically low!

Status effect: Concussed

My vision started to darken and I soon passed out.

*************************************************************************************

>

My streak of luck seemed to have run out. My illness had gotten progressively worse. I had eaten nothing for the last three days. I could barely get up from my makeshift bed. My mind was heavy. It was difficult to think, difficult to act.

Even I had realized that my end had come. A few crows seemed to think that I was already dead and had started to buzz about, waiting for their meat.

I was not sad, that I was dying. Instead, I was angry. Angry that I was going to die in such a stupid pathetic way, on this nameless island. Angry that my body was going to be eaten by crows and vultures. Angry at how unfair the world was. If

I was going to die, then I was going to die preserving myself.

I half get up and try to shoo the crows away by using a stick from my fire pit. I had scarcely turned around when a sharp pain started in my left elbow.

Something triangular was sticking out it. My shirt felt wet, and it was beginning to get colored with red. I couldn’t understand what was happening to me.

Tired, hungry, and bleeding, I soon passed out.

>

The Arena guards had given me quite a thrashing. I had got a new skill called Physical Resistance from all the beating they had given me. It reduced the damage from physical attacks. Very appropriate under the circumstances.

The guards were quite good. Somehow or the other, they knew when my health was critical, and gave themselves and me a break until my health bar was again full.

Apparently the man I had robbed was the son of a wealthy noble. They weren't going to let me go so easily, I knew. I could have logged out, but I wasn't going to give up . The plan had just wobbled a little bit, but it was still on track. I could still work this damn mess out. All I had to do was to find the guy.

I had seen the Arena from outside, and thought it was a mighty big coliseum. I now realized that it was especially bigger underground. The jail of the city was located right here, only below the ground. Kent must have purposely avoided telling me this.

Thinking about Kent gave me a pang of guilt. He had followed me to this insane plan, and I was sure that he was now feeling guilty over failing me. I decided to contact him as soon as I got out of here.

The warden’s office was just below the ground along with the preparation room. Here, people were practicing in different solitary cells for the battle. I saw a variety of weapons and people. There was a dark elf mage, a human with a broadsword, and even an orc with a morning star. And they all appeared to be real good.

“Kyle. Kyle Reese. No sir. I will not try to escape the Containment cell. Yes sir. I would love to fight in the Arena, sir.” At this point the prison warden having been assured of my compliance, sent me on way to my cell. Two guards flanked me, in case I tried to escape.

>

I woke up in a cave. There was a fire going on near one of the corners. There was a mattress near it along with a bundle of …. something. I couldn’t see it clearly.

I heard rocks scraping from my right side. Someone was coming in! A man, with long matted hair, and carrying a bow and arrow. He was the one who had shot me!

He was quite surprised to see me up. I guess that he hadn’t expected me to open my eyes.

I took advantage of his surprise and quickly ran from the cave and that murderous man eater.

>

I decided to contact Doctor again.

“Hey Doc, what’s the average level of the NPCs here?”

“Here? Where is here exactly?”

“The jail below the Arena. Didn’t I tell you about the plan?”

For a few seconds, there was static. Then I could hear him sigh.

“I thought you were joking. YOU SERIOUSLY ARE IN JAIL? Why? Why can’t you just kill mudcrabs like the other players? One guy has reached level 2 by now. You might be the only person to be in jail…. within one day of the beta, no less.”

I give a snort of derision at his words. The guards look at with disgust. I was muttering the whole conversation till now. They must think that I’m crazy.

“Mudcrabs. It sounds disgusting. Do you even hear yourself, Doctor? This isn’t just some game to farm experience and grind for loot. So, what’s their average level?

“Hmm, the highest here is level 43 and lowest is 1. Oh wait, that’s you. The average is near about 27. Looks like you’re in a fine mess. Well, I’ll be signing of for tonight. Need to get to work, you know. Best of luck. Try not to get killed.”

By this time now I had reached my cell door. It seemed to on the end of one sideways passage on the fourth floor. I had examined the prison on my way down. Quite frankly, it was nearly inescapable.

BANG !

They closed their cell doors on me and went on their merry way.

I had barely turned around when a voice came out doorway in front of me.

“So, what are you in for?”

It was a dark elf. I hadn’t seen him as he was hiding in the shadows. He had a long angular face, and his blood red eyes stared at me unblinkingly.

Then he smiled.

“Don’t worry, kid. I’m not going to eat you. Look, I just wanted to know how long you are going to be here. It gets lonely without someone to talk here.”

I was curious. Could this be my man?

“What’s your name?”

“Erasmus Areligon, at your service. Been here for over 23 years, will be here for 27 more. ” He then gave a bow. “So, like I asked you, what are you in for?”

“Well, I stole some rich man’s purse.”

“That should earn you a beating, not a place in the cell. What else?”

“And …I was already fucked by the bank.”

“Ah. An indenture, huh? Most of the humans here are like you, fucked by the bank. They generally stick together in the yellow team. You’ll fit right in.”

“Yellow team?”

“Ah! You are new here. Let me explain. The arena fights have been divided into two parts. One can called be team battles. There are four teams – Red, Blue, Green and Yellow. In team battles, you fight together in your teams. Sometimes the teams fight against each other, but that is rare.

In team battles, you fight against monsters and such, with various handicaps to make it interesting. They are brutal though. Many people die fighting these monsters. If one team performs too well, they will be pitted against other team to reduce their numbers. No great chance of survival.”

“So how do they survive, then?”

“Well, that’s where the other type comes in. If you perform well in the team battles, you will be made a pit dog. Pit dogs fight one – on – one against other pit dogs. Pit dogs don’t have to necessarily kill each other, you know. It’s an easy life.

There are ranks of advancement too, right up till the Champion of the Arena. You become the Champion, you're free.”

“So how does one become the champion?”

“Win. Keep winning fights and work your way up.”

Well, that’s a real help. I decided to try my luck about my teacher. After all, this guy had already helped me out.

“Have you heard of Iorveth?”

“Iorveth? Iorveth Maneater? Hah! I knew you were different from the rest of them! I am telling you that for your own good, you know. Stay away from that elf. He is seriously deranged. I mean, he eats dead people! How much more crazy can you be than that!”

“Even so, I need to meet with him. I know about his archery skills . He is highly skilled. If I can learn how to shoot like him..”

“Archery skills, huh. Makes sense.”

“So, how can I meet him?”

“Whoa, kid! Don’t get too ahead of yourself. Survive your team battle first. Then, if you are still alive, we will talk about Iorveth. Alright, now sleep. You have a big day tomorrow..”

I decided to drop the matter for now. Erasmus had been pretty helpful. I hope that Iorveth would be the same. But from the sound of it, it wasn’t going to be so easy.

Thinking about tomorrow, I drifted off to sleep.

>

I had been running for a few minutes when my body gave up on me. Clearly, I was not in good condition as I thought. I tried to keep walking, but my legs were starting to go numb. There was little warning as soon my mind started to blackout and I fainted.

I woke up. I looked around and realized that I was back in the cave. The man was there too, cooking something. It smelled really good. I managed to ask a question.

“Why did you shoot me?”

“A man can survive up to three days without water. A month without food. However, he will die within the day, if he is bitten by a venomous cobra. Fortunately for you, it was not venomous, but I decided to stop the blood flow anyway. “

I checked my left hand. There was a small bite near the joint. I hadn’t noticed it till now.

“So wait, are you saying that you saved my life? Why?”

“Good question. Ask everyone their motives. Nothing is same as it appears. I saved you because you needed help, and you were clearly dying and could pose no threat to me. Furthermore, given your skills, you are not going to survive here. But your will to live was strong. You went two days without food, being infected and still managed to surprise me by escaping. I will teach you to survive here. But first, drink this.”

He gave me something in an old clay cup. I decided to drink it. It was disgustingly bitter. I nearly spat it out, but didn’t.

“Good. Now rest for a while.”

“Wait. Who are you? And where am I?”

“Me? Well, you can call me Yama.

And as for where you are, let me officially welcome you to Hell.”

>

Back to Main Page

The loading screen