Expecting the training grounds, Kieran was surprised when he found himself back inside the weapons room. As he surveyed the room everything was pretty much the same as last time. He found the black mace he had used before, though his shield was nowhere to be found. He was looking forward to holding his shield again, it was the last item he had left that reminded him of back home. After a minute of browsing the shields, he found one made of a similar black metal the mace was made out of. Reluctantly he threw the strap over his shoulder and continued over to the daggers strapping one to each ankle.

Once ready, he took a minute to sit down and collect his nerves. Not knowing what was on the other side of that portal frightened him. There was always that feeling you got in the pit of your stomach when standing in formation staring down an enemy army just waiting for one side to charge. It felt like an eternity just waiting to charge to your death. This feeling though, it felt different. He had known what he was fighting on the battlefield. This world was new and full of things he had never seen before, and had no idea of what to expect on the other side. With a deep calming breath, he stood up ready.

Walking through the portal he found himself in a metal cage surrounded by other captives from the training grounds in their own cages. Once again he was in the massive arena surrounded by spectators that seemed to never end. This time the spectators were suspended in the air separating them from the arena. Though the size of the place was impressive, the flat open stadium made everything seem grim.

From the darkness behind him a wolf-like creature slammed into the back of Kieran’s cage nearly biting him. Kieran turned around in surprise and stumbled backwards. Years of combat experience kicked though, and he drew his dagger quickly. The wolf snapped its jaws with sharp long teeth with its snout poking through the bars. Luckily it’s head wasn’t big enough to fit through. Without hesitation Kieran plunged the dagger into the head of the wolf. A surrounding cheer could be heard from the death.

“Heh” The red brute from the training grounds huffed in laughter at Kieran’s reaction to the wolf. The wolf behind the brute was also dead. Though it looked like he had grabbed the wolf and forcefully yanked its head through the bars. Kieran turned away from the brutal sight.

Regaining his composure Kieran rose back up and tried to steady his shaking hands. He took the time to carefully inspect his surroundings now. A few cages over he could see the remains of another captive being actively eaten by one of the wolves. Attempting to shake off the image Kieran looked forward. Before him the surroundings flickered to life. Where before was a barren metal field, stood a lush green landscape with forests and rocky terrain mixed together. Once again the magic of this new world struck him with aww. The surrounding crowd began to stir and chant in excitement.

A cage to his left opened and a figure darted out. Though he noted something familiar on it’s back, a black and red two-headed eagle glimmered from the starlight above.

“What the? Hey! That’s my shield you thief!” Kieran threw his hands up in exasperation. A couple of minutes later he heard a second click. Darting from the same cage, a blur of brown fur went darting off in the same direction. Outpacing one of those wolves was definitely going to be tough. Good thing his wolf was already dead. Two more cages opened up to his side releasing two more captives, and the red slave came storming out in fury. Instead of rushing ahead he charged the other captive slamming a fist into him with a crunch lifting him off his feet and flying backwards. Kieran was astonished by the sheer strength of the red behemoth.

The wolf from the now dead captives cell came charging out next.The red slave glanced back at Kieran before taking off with the wolf chasing after him. Apparently Kieran had more to look out for besides the wolves.

Another cage opened up and Kieran recognized the blue limping figure immediately. The slave he injured from before was struggling to get away from her cage quickly using a spear as a crutch, though it didn’t look like she was going to make it far before... Click. Kieran heard the noise of the other cage being released.

“No!” Kieran slammed his shoulder into his own cage. There was another click and he came stumbling forward. Through the corner of his eye he saw a blur of fur. Before being able to regain his balance, Kieran hurled the dagger he was holding in the direction of the wolf. Instead of piercing it, the hilt of the dagger bounced off the wolf’s head due to Kieran being off balance. It was enough to distract the beast though. Angrily, the wolf shifted its attention towards Kieran and darted in his direction. With barely enough time to pull out his shield the wolf crashed into him causing him to stumble backwards. Immediately after the wolf sank its teeth into the metal shield violently shaking him back and forth. Eventually Kieran was able to slip his hand from the shield and take a step back. Trying to shift the momentum in his favor Kieran swung his mace down hard at the wolf, but it ducked just out of range. Dropping the shield the wolf lunged at Kieran biting into the arm he raised in defense and drug him to the ground thrashing him about. A loud snap was heard coming from his arm causing Kieran to scream in pain.

The shaking came to a stop with a loud yelp. The jaws loosening Kieran slipped his arm out bringing it close to his body. Above the slave woman was standing eyes staring daggers at Kieran. Spear in hand she had impaled in the wolf’s head. She yanked the spear out and turned around coldly and limped away.

Kieran sat up and inspected his arm. It was painful, and he was going to need to splint it when he got a chance. Unable to pick the shield back up he decided to leave it behind. Luckily she hadn’t made it that far yet, and he jogged over to her.

“Thank you.” Kieran said.

She pointedly ignored him and kept walking. Not sure what to do Kieran followed suit thinking it's better to stick together.

They both stopped and turned when another cage could be heard opening behind them. Though it got stuck partway. The captive inside panicked as it tried to break free before the wolf’s cage behind him opened. He was too late, and the wolf lunged forward mauling him to death. Kieran and the other slave didn’t hesitate and left quickly.

They walked in silence for a few minutes. A thick forest environment began to envelop them as they passed deeper into the arena. Though the cover of trees made Kieran feel protected from the eyes of the crowd, he also felt vulnerable as he was unable to see any threats either. Screams from both the crowd and others dying resonated throughout the arena. Still they took the chance to stop and rest for a moment.

Snap. Flinching Kieran turned around to see that the slave woman had broken off a branch from a nearby tree. After breaking it in two, she walked over and took Kieran’s arm. She turned the broken branch and some nearby vines into a makeshift splint.

“I’m Kieran” He said watching her as she jerked the vines tight.

“Ow!” He flinched from the sudden pain. Once done she turned away, but Kieran swore he could see a look of satisfaction on her face. Checking the tightness of the vines he flexed his arm inspecting the sturdiness of the splint. It wasn’t much, but it would have to do.

Things eventually grew quiet, and they both started to grow restless. Standing up, Kieran stretched his legs before moving on. The slave girl also rose and tested her leg for a minute. Grabbing that spear was a good idea considering her leg injury Kieran thought. Motioning for them to keep moving, the slave woman nodded in agreement. She may have been angry with Kieran before, but they both seemed to understand that if they were going to live through this, it would be better to stick together.

After they walked a little ways, they came to a clearing in the forest. The ground turned to sand and before them laid a large lake with clear blue water. The slave woman gasped, then quickly checked to make sure the coast was clear. With determined eyes she took her chance and made a break for the water.

“Wait.” Kieran held out his hand, but he was unable to deter her. He didn’t put much effort into stopping her though. By the looks of the fins on her arm, and the webbed feet, her odds of survival were probably better in the water. The spear would probably be an effective weapon in the water as well.

A figure came darting from the tree line screaming, a wolf on his tail. The same figure that was wearing his shield. Kieran sprinted after them. With how fast the wolf was running it didn’t take long for him to catch its prey. It leapt onto the back of the slave causing them both to tumble and roll. Before the slave could get back to his feet the wolf bit into his leg and began thrashing.

Kieran, using the distraction to his advantage swung his mace hard. A sickening crack could be heard, his mace connecting with the wolf's head. The wolf tumbled to the side from the impact limp. The slave in a panic pulled a knife and thrust it into Kieran’s leg. Falling to the ground clutching his leg Kieran moaned in pain. The slave quickly got up and started to run with a limp from the bite wound.

Before getting too far, the red slave from earlier came out of the forest rushing the wounded slave. Swinging a fist it connected with the slaves stomach. Bones crumpled from the pressure and his body flew backwards landing next to Kieran lifeless. Without hesitation, he turned his attention towards Kieran charging with a rage. Kieran panicked as the red slave leapt in the air. He quickly snagged his shield off the dead slave and held it up bracing himself. A bright flash surrounded the shield.

Peeking out the red slave was nowhere to be found. Kieran glanced around and watched as the slave woman also vanished in a white light. Not sure what was going on Kieran laid there confused. Moments later a white light enveloped him as well, and he found himself on the floor of his room. Between the pain from his leg and his arm Kieran didn’t want to move and just laid there the rest of the night.

Kieran awoke later to a beeping. Once his grogginess was cleared, he noticed he was in his bed with hands and legs locked against the sides, a bar quickly snapped across his neck and abdomen holding his head and body down. Unable to move, Kieran struggled violently trying to free himself, causing his arm and leg to burn with pain. There was an opening in the ceiling above. Coming from the hole was another glass device similar to the examiners, and the one on the nearby desk. It flickered to light with two circles and a line beneath them resembling a face.

“What’s going on?” Kieran said. Then he heard a feminine voice as the mouth on the display moved. It sounded like this object was talking to him, and he could understand it.

“Hello subject 62845, I am your Artificial Intelligence Assistant. You may call me Aia 256.” Two metallic arms appeared from the hole each carrying a needle. One filled with a black metallic liquid, and the other with a clear liquid.

“Who are you? What are you going to do with those? Kieran struggled even more looking at the sharp needles, this time ignoring his pain.

“Because of your popularity and ability in the arena, They have selected you to receive a nanobot injection. These nanobots will enhance your body and reflexes. The changes to your body are painful, so I will administer a sedative to help you sleep during the process.” The arm with the clear liquid moved closer to Kieran’s left arm. He immediately clenched his fist, straining he pulled his arm harder, but to no avail. The magnetic pull from the bracelets were too strong. “Administering sedative nowwwwww……” AIA 256 slurred the last word and shut down, everything in the room became dark.

Through the corner of his eyes Kieran noticed the light in the doorway appeared. Turning his head he watched as a tall hooded figure made its way into the room. The only detail Kieran could make out was the way the figure’s cloak hung which outlined a thin body.

“What do you want with me? What's going on? Why am I here? ” Kieran said angrily as he jerked against his restraints.

The hooded figure ignored Kieran’s presence as he came closer. The man withdrew a syringe that contained a black metallic liquid similar to the one AIA 256 was holding. The figure’s hands were long and thin with a light gray tint. Taking the clear liquid syringe he replaced it with their own. During the exchange, a small golden bracelet slid down his wrist which displayed three triangles stacked with the point facing down. Afterwards, the mysterious man turned and exited through the light.

After the light in the doorway disappeared, everything in the room came back to life. AIA 256 lit back up with the face returning to normal. It continued with the process as it moved a syringe towards Kieran’s arm.

“No! Stop!” He shouted, struggling as the needle pierced his veins, a small bit of blood leaked out. At first, he felt a minor burning sensation where the needle had pierced, but slowly it spread up through his arm into his shoulder.

“Sedation complete.” AIA 256 withdrew the arm with the empty syringe, and began with the second. After the second injection, the liquid coursed its way through his entire body, the minor burning sensation turned into an intense heat. Eventually, it felt as though all the muscles in his body were being torn apart repeatedly. Kieran screamed as his body spasmed from the pain. He prayed for it to stop, but relief only came when he drifted from consciousness.