The Arena

When Kronos woke up he noticed he was being transported in a carriage. He sat up and winced, placing a hand on his head.

“ Dust and cinders!” He swore

“ Hey. You’re finally awake,” came a voice. Turning his head left, Kronos saw he was not alone. Three others were with him, one male two females. The male was scrawny with a bald head, triangular face with a round jaw, purple and green scales where his hair should have been, green snake-like eyes, and skin white as snow. He was shivering in his simple brown robe as if he were cold despite the warm morning. This was a Naga of the Azrez Naga Tribe, or as most Abnormals called them, Imperial boot lickers.

The Naga were well known as being Abnormal traitors, allying themselves with the Ishtar and their gods. The word Naga was thrown as a curse amongst other tribes. They were the most despised of all Abnormals and the only reason they weren’t wiped out was the empire’s backing. Kronos instinctively spat at his feet three times, a Sintar way of telling the Naga before him he was beneath him.

“ No need to be so rude, friend.” The Naga told him with a smile. His accent was crisp but guttural, every vowel he said sounded as if he had replaced them with the letter A. Kronos turned his attention from the Naga and focused on the two females in the carriage. One was small and lithe with a short brown bowl cut. She looked a fair amount older than Kronos, Kronos guessed she had forty-four winters on her back. She had an oval face with a square jaw and narrow nose. Her lavender eyes studied Kronos. She wore a white and gold trench coat with a gray cotton shirt and white pants and open toed sandals.

A smell similar to a combination of cedar and lavender wafted in Kronos’s nose. This woman must be of the Ryoharu Kitsune Tribe. The Kitsune were known assassins, sneaky, intelligent, and masters at deception. Kronos looked at the other female who looked to be a few winters older than Kronos. She had a narrow face with a cleft chin. She had long silver hair that was braided. She was tall, standing at least six foot nine, and burly for a woman. She wore a scowl that Kronos suspected was usual for her.

She had piercing blue eyes, a large nose and small rounded ears. Runes were engraved on her skin, a characteristic only those of Augar Giant Tribe descent shared. She wore a breastplate made out of bear skin. It covered the entire front and back side, but the attachment straps leave the sides under the arms exposed. She also wore a chainmail skirt and a pair of boots made out of wolf fur. 

“ You were out for some time,” The Kitsune said, her eyes looking Kronos over. Her accent had a song-like quality to it that reminded Kronos of swaying tribes. “ You were in rough shape when I first saw you. But you being of the dragon blood, it’s no surprise you’re doing better now. Your kind are quite adept at healing from damage sustained in battle.”

“We were,” Kronos said. The memory of the massacre flooded his mind. The Kitsune's face grew somber.

“ Yes. I heard what happened. You have my condolences. I can’t imagine losing my entire village. What are you called?”

“ Digama Kronos,” he responded crisply, introducing his rank then name, the custom when first meeting someone from another village. What about you?” 

“Beta Arai. And my friend here, who hasn’t seemed to find her tongue, is known as Beta Thora.” The taller woman was glaring at Kronos. The energy emitting from her made the hair on the back of Kronos’ neck stand up. But there was something else, something his nose told him, aside from the scent of ice and pine the giants carried. 

“ You’re a Half-Breed?!” Kronos exclaimed before he could stop himself. He received a withering look for his statement from Thora.

“ As are you,” she said harshly. Her accent was soft and melodic, the harshness in her voice being a stark contrast.

“ I’m sorry, I just rarely come across another Half-Breed,” Kronos said. He noticed his hands and legs were bound in chains. Looking around his surroundings he noticed they were being carted through a dense woodland not even the sun could bathe. Kronos noticed his carriage was not the only one. They were leading the way for a dozen more, all with people in the carriages, Imperial troops escorting them. 

“ If I am not mistaken, we’ve been captured by General Calypso,” the Naga said. 

“ You are correct,” Arai said, looking at him. 

“ I am confused. I didn’t think General Calypso took prisoners. Do you think we are about to be executed?” The Naga asked. 

“ No, if she intended to kill us, we’d already be dead. I know her quite well from my time fighting beside her in the Half-Breed Uprising.” Kronos raised an eyebrow and looked at Arai.

“ You fought in that war?” He asked.

“ Thora and I both did,” Arai answered. “ Did you?”

“ Yes but I only fought in the tail end of the war,” Kronos replied.

“ Excuse me but what war are you speaking of?” The Naga asked.

“ You don’t know about the Half-Breed Uprising?! What, do you live under a rock?!” Thora sneered.

“ Remember Thora, the Naga have walled off their society in the past three hundred years, ever since their alliance with the Ishtar. It is no surprise this one has not kept up with current events,” Arai said before looking at the Naga. “ What is your name?”

“ Delta Kima. Third noble son of House Dikashpu, Tenth ruling house of the Azrez,” the Naga answered.

“ What is a noble doing here?” Thora asked.

“ I was caught in a bribe with another noble. I was arrested and a few months later was released from my cell and thrown in the back of this carriage,” Kima answered.

“ Nice to meet you,” Arai said with a small dip of her head. “ Going back to what we were talking about, five years ago a group of Half-Breeds from all tribes banded together to rebel. They Were sick of their lot in life and decided to try and take over all of Ocrad. They were led by a Half-Breed from a Sister tribe of the Shuza Basilisk Tribe, Drapin.”

“ I know this name. He’s the Half-Breed who could form weapons out of bones!” Kima exclaimed.

“ Yes, a very unique and rare ability. To my knowledge, he is the one who had ever been capable of that,” Arai said, nodding her head. “ Anyway, the war lasted only a few years. When it became apparent he would lose, Drapin took his own life to avoid capture. His followers weren’t so lucky, all Half-Breeds who supported him were executed on the spot.”

“ And you fought alongside Calypso?” Kronos asked.

“ Yes. Me and Thora were assigned to her legion. To this day I’ve yet to see a more fierce warrior. Aside from those that rule over the tribes, I don’t think anyone can beat her. Just surviving in a fight against her is a miracle.”

“ Guess that makes me special,” Thora said with a smirk. Arai chuckled at that.

“ I suppose it does Thora. Although she still won the battle you two had without question.”

“ You just had to bring that up,” Thora grumbled, the smirk leaving her face. Arai looked at Kronos in puzzlement.

“ One thing I don’t understand is why Calypso spared you. A Pure Blooded Elite sparing a Half-Breed? You must have given her a pretty good fight.”

“ She probably spared him because she felt sorry for the weakling!” Thora jeered.

Kronos opened his mouth to retort but stopped when he noticed the carriage he was on was approaching a great stone wall. 

“ Well, it would appear we’ve reached the end,” Arai said grimly. The great wooden double door opened and the carriages containing the prisoners moved inside. The carriage began to move through a small military outpost with Imperial soldiers on every corner. 

“ This is Fort Darius. I was afraid we would stop here,” Arai muttered as she looked at the various stone buildings. “ This is where Calypso houses her prisoners, pits them against each other.” The carriages continued along a cobblestone path passing barracks, a blacksmith shop, an armory, and a horse stable before stopping in a wide-open area. 

“ Get the prisoners out!” Came a loud command. Kronos recognized the voice of Calypso. One by one the carriages were emptied and were forced to stand shoulder to shoulder. Kronos held his breath when Calypso flanked by two soldiers, walked in front of the prisoners. Calypso strode to the group farthest from Kronos and looked each one in the eye. She then smirked and nodded towards a girl who looked younger than Kronos by several years. One of the soldiers drew his blade and cut her down without blinking. 

Several startled gasps from the others filled the air along with a few curses. Calypso and her soldiers moved to the next group that shrank away from her as best they could. After looking over each of them, Calypso nodded towards an older man who was cut down in the blink of an eye. With a satisfied nod, Calypso moved on. Kronos watched in horror as Calypso stood in front of each group, nodded to one of them and that unfortunate soul would be cut down.

Kronos tensed as Calypso approached him and the others that were in his carriage. He knew he was going to be the one she nodded at. Any Pure- Blooded dragon relished the chance to kill a Half-Breed. But Kronos wasn’t going to go down without a fight. The second she nodded at him, he would attack with everything he had. He knew he had no chance of success, all he could hope to do is fire lightning out of his mouth to attack, but he refused to sit back and let death come to him. 

Calypso looked over Thora and Arai before setting on Kronos. He gritted his teeth waiting for the nod. Her gaze lingered on him, Kronos felt a bead of sweat trickle down his forehead. Calypso then looked at Kima and nodded. Kronos stepped back, eyes wide as the Naga was cut down. 

“ By the name of the gods!” He exclaimed. Kima’s people worshipped the Ishtar Dynasty and those that worked for them. Why had Calypso selected him?! Calypso looked at Kronos and leaned in close, putting her mouth to his left ear.

“ Even though you are a filthy Half-Breed, you do have dragon blood. So I will give you an honorable death, in my arena,” she whispered and drew back. She looked back at the prisoners she had spared. “ Take them to the dungeons, except for that one,” she said looking at Kronos. “ He will be the first to fight in the arena. Make sure he is prepared.”

A couple of hours later, Kronos was in a small tunnel that led to a gladiator’s arena. He could hear the loud cheering of the spectators, chanting for blood. 

“ Move worm!” A soldier growled, pushing Kronos forward. He stumbled slightly but found his footing. He moved slowly towards the arena, the cheering growing louder and louder. When Kronos stepped out of the tunnel he squinted in the glaring afternoon sun as the spectators booed and hurled abuse towards him.

“ Scum!”

“ Rodent!” 

“ Parasite!” A chant came from the crowd. 

“ Kill the Half-Breed! Kill the Half-Breed! Kill the Half-Breed!” Standing in front of Kronos in the center of the arena was a man wearing a full set of heavy black steel armor. He had an angular face, square jaw and a shaved head with ice-cold blue eyes and a scar ran from the right side of his forehead to the left side of his chin. He glared at Kronos with contempt, by his scent Kronos could tell he was a Pure-Blooded Dragon. From her throne at the highest point of the arena, Calypso stood and started to speak. Her voice being heard due to a voice amplifier.

“ Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my arena! Today we will see my champion, the undefeated Odysseus vs the filthy Half-Breed, the sole survivor from the Zlona tribe, Kronos!” A mixture of cheers for Odysseyus and boos for Kronos echoed throughout the arena. “ The first one to kill his opponent will be declared the winner. Assume your battle stances! Fight!”

Kronos gritted his teeth. So this is what she meant! She means to make my death a damn spectacle! And she’s set her lap dog upon me! This is just one big game to her! Odysseus smirked cruelly and began to power up, conjuring a whirlwind of dark energy to engulf him. Kronos swore under his breath, his energy was immense. It was comparable to Calypso’s! 

Not having much of a choice, Kronos powered up in response, white lightning surrounding him. Odysseus loudly laughed. 

“ Is that all you can muster, whelp?!” He demanded in a brash arrogant voice. “ This won’t take long at all!” He rushed Kronos and kicked him hard in the gut. Kronos choked and bent down, eyes bulging. A chop to the back of his neck put him on the ground. He rolled over on his back and kicked Odysseus in the chest, but the bigger dragon just chuckled.

“ That didn’t even tickle!” he shouted before kicking Kronos. The kick sent him flying but Kronos was able to control his momentum. However before he could prepare a counter-attack, Odysseus was upon him and put him back on the ground followed by a stomp to his chest. Blood flew out of Kronos’s mouth and he choked. Odysseus picked him up by the neck and conjured a mass of dark energy in his left hand.

He laughed cruelly before slamming the mass of energy into Kronos’s chest. Kronos was sent flying towards one of the arena walls, just before impact the energy exploded. Kronos yelled in agony as he was thrown into the wall with even greater force, a pile of debris landing on top of him. The crowd cheered loudly for Odysseus as Kronos climbed out of the debris, only for a black beam of energy to strike his arm, causing Kronos to cry out in pain, it was like getting stabbed with a red hot needle.

Odysseus laughed as he fired beam after beam out of his right index finger. Each beam that struck Kronos added to his pain. Kronos was soon kneeling in a pool of his own blood, trembling, his vision blurry. Odysseus was soon upon him and picked him up by the throat. With a sadistic smirk, he threw Kronos into another wall. Kronos gritted his teeth. He knew he had to do something to defend himself but his opponent was overwhelming him. I have to come up with a plan!

“ You may want me to put you out of your misery whelp, but I’m not done torturing you yet! These people want a show and I’m here to give them just that!” Odysseus roared as those in attendance chanted for more of Kronos’s blood to be spilled. Once Kronos managed to get to his feet, Odysseus rushed him.

However, he was sent backward by a sudden punch to the jaw from Kronos. Calypso sat upright as she saw white lightning covering Kronos, taking the shape of standard steel armor. 

“ I was wondering if he’d use that,” she said with a small smile. “ I’m surprised he didn’t use that against me.” Odysseus grunted as he put a hand where he had gotten punched. 

“ Lucky hit,” he grumbled before flying at Kronos again. He threw a punch but Kronos moved his head out of the way. Odysseus tried to punch him again but was unsuccessful. Odysseus tried again and again rapidly but each time Kronos got out of the way. “ How are you dodging?! Just a second ago I was knocking you all over the arena!” Odysseus yelled. Kronos said nothing, just reared back and punched him in the chest. 

Odysseus choked and spat, eyes bulging. Kronos then sent him stumbling backward with a punch to the jaw. Odysseus gritted his teeth and flew back several feet, firing a large burst of dark energy at Kronos that exploded on impact. Odysseus crossed his arms and started to laugh loudly.

“ So much for your little comeback! It didn’t stop you from being reduced to ash now did it?” His laughter was cut short by a kick to the back of his skull that sent him on his knees. Odysseus gasped in shock to see Kronos behind him.

“ How did you escape?! And what the hell got into you?!” He demanded. Kronos smirked.

“ You mean you haven’t figured it out yet? Well, it’s a two-part explanation. I used my lightning to level the playing field. Think of it as armor made of lightning that reinforces my attacks. In fact, it was your master that helped me develop it, back when we were kids. Hence why I didn’t use it against her in our battle. As she helped me develop it, she knows how to counter it too well,” Kronos said, looking up at Calypso who gave a cheeky wave. 

“ And as for the other half-“ Kronos was cut off when Odysseus suddenly lunged at him. However, in the blink of an eye, Kronos disappeared and appeared a few feet behind the brute. His larger opponent stumbled, regained his footing, and lunged for Kronos again but again he disappeared and reappeared a few feet away.

“ I hate being interrupted when I’m trying to educate!” Kronos spat, firing a lightning bolt that landed in the back of Odysseus, driving him to his knees. “ Each time you’ve sent me flying, I’ve created a small rune made out of Mana, which allows me to teleport to each location they’re set at.” Eyes bulging, face red with anger, Odysseus let out a roar of anger and lunged for Kronos again but was sent flying backward by a kick to the stomach, crashing into an arena wall.

“ Vast power you possess, Odysseus was it? But between the ears, it would seem there’s a vacancy where your brain is supposed to be,” Kronos said. From her throne, Calypso couldn’t help but smile. She should have known Kronos would outsmart her champion. What he lacked in power, Kronos had always made up for in strategy and intelligence. He was a lot of things but a fool was not one of them. 

With another hate-filled roar, Calypso’s champion rushed at Kronos, desperately flailing at him. Kronos dodged his attempts at punching and struck him in the chest with a chop, causing Odysseus to cough up blood and stumble back. Kronos went on the attack, striking him again and again. The bigger dragon spat out a curse as Kronos’s palm crushed his nose, causing blood to flow. 

“ This is mighty unexpected,” Calypso muttered as she watched the fight. “ I never would have expected to see my childhood acquaintance to push my champion. Not bad Half-Breed. I’m almost impressed.” Kronos dodged a sloppy attempt at a punch from Odysseus and sent him stumbling with a kick to the jaw. Both of them were breathing hard, their bodies sporting plenty of cuts and bruises. Those in attendance were cheering louder than ever, hoping to motivate their champion to overcome this Half-Breed who had made him look foolish. Odysseus growled at Kronos, hatred gleaming in his eyes.

“ I will kill you!” he roared before flying in the air, extended his arms above his head and began to power up. He began to power up, creating a large ball of darkness. Kronos swore as it grew larger and larger. Zorvun’s beard! I don’t think I can stop that! Odysseus saw the panicked look on his face and laughed. The blood from his nose had reached his lip. As he spoke blood droplets flew from his mouth. 

“ I am the champion of General Calypso! I cannot, I will not be on or with a weakling like you! Now wither and die like the repulsive parasite you are!” With one final laugh Odysseus launched the massive energy ball towards Kronos. The Half-Breed summoned whatever Mana he had left and attempted to push it back. Kronos grunted, sweat pouring down his face. I can’t do it! It’s too much! Despite his best efforts, he was engulfed by the attack with a final yell of pure desperation.

Odysseus laughed loudly as he landed on the ground, waiting for the dust to settle. “ So, what do you have to say now, Half-Breed? Guess you can’t answer that since you’ve been turned into dust!” Those in attendance began to show their adoration for their champion by chanting his name at the top of their lungs. Odysseus encouraged them to cheer even louder as he celebrated and soaked in their praise. However, the premature celebration was cut to a swift end once the dust settled to reveal Kronos still standing amidst a vortex of silver lightning.

Ayame bolted to her feet, mouth agape. This is impossible! He should be dead! “It’s like when he fought me,” she whispered, sitting back in her throne, gritting her teeth. “ I don’t get it. How is it your Mana only briefly gains coloration? Damn it.” Achilles stared at Kronos bewildered. 

“ How are you still alive?! You should be dead!”

“ Honestly I don’t know. This only seems to happen when I’m in danger of serious injury or death, my lighting changes from white to silver,” Kronos said breathlessly. He had been so sure he would meet his end due to the last attack of Odysseus. The fact he was still alive surprised him as much as it did everyone else. The arena had gone completely silent as everyone marveled at the sight before them. 

Odysseus growled and started to cough heavily. He dropped to his knees, hand over his mouth, coughing violently, his face turning red. When he withdrew his mouth, Kronos saw blood trickling. 

“ Ah!” Odysseus snapped, grabbing his chest. “ My chest! It… it hurts! What’s… going on?”

“ Why do you think I targeted your chest?” Kronos asked. “ You’re a great deal more powerful than me, I admit that. But, your might cannot protect you from internal injuries. So I targeted your chest, I knew if I struck you enough times, your heart would suffer,” he said, his right hand becoming engulfed in silver lightning. He grabbed Odysseus by the collar and began to rapidly pound the chest of Calypso’s champion. 

Blood and spit flew from Odysseus’ mouth and splattered Kronos. His breathing became ragged and were it not for Kronos holding him upright, he would collapse on the ground. The crowd cheered for their champion, desperate for their beloved hero to overcome this upstart. 

“ Surrender Odysseus,” Kronos said, letting him go.Odysseus fell on his face but glared up at Kronos, loathing clear in his eyes. " Face it, you're done. You allowed yourself to become lazy, fighting for sport against those that posed zero threat to you for fans and glory, gradually losing the natural fighting instinct all dragons have and relying solely on your power.

Whereas I'm a frontline expert, having fought in bloody conflicts where I was expected to die.” Kronos chucked. “ It’s funny. I always resented being on what my fellow soldiers called the Fodder Corp but I admit the lessons it taught me were valuable.”

 Achilles growled and weakly lunged at Kronos but Kronos stepped to the side and extended a hand.

“ Shame,” he said genuinely. “ Had you just surrendered I would have let you go. I take no joy in this. He looked away and fired a massive burst of silver lightning from his hand, blanketing the arena floor with dust. Once it had settled, Achilles lay face down, a massive hole having been fired into his chest, Kronos with no energy left, swaying on his feet. The crowd sat in stunned silence at first, unable to believe what they had just witnessed. Then the crowd began to panic.

“ Achilles is dead!”

“ The champion?! Our champion?!”

“ NoNoNo!” Calypso heard the crowd’s cries of bewilderment but did nothing to address them, watching Kronos fall face down. 

“ Soldiers!” She snapped, looking at two guards. “ Take the Half-Breed to our securest infirmary! Now!” As her soldiers hurried to obey her orders, Calypso looked back toward the arena. Kronos. Could you be the one I have been searching for?