Chapter 6

Rainer awoke to find himself laying in a comfortable bed, within a luxurious room. Holograms displayed the events and festivities that were currently occurring across the Coliaran Empire. He immediately jumped out of the bed and ran over to the door. However, he was unable to open it with his hands and no doorknob was available. A button on the side of the door began to blink, and the door slid open. 

A long hallway stretched out before him. “Where. Am I? This isn't the ship.”

He walked out and began to head towards the end of the hallway where he could hear the distant sound of cheering. Following the sound, he was able to find the end of the hall and an entrance to a large area where many people were gathered.

To his astonishment, there were odd creatures of all sizes and shapes, everywhere he looked. “What is this place?” He quietly asked himself in surprise.

Rainer’s curiosity got the better of him, so he squeezed through the crowd towards the front. A fight was taking place in a large dirt arena between a blue haired gorilla-like creature and a well built, four-armed, human like being. 

Their battle was intense, they were jabbing fists at each other with ferocity. Rainer was amazed at how good it was, but it also scared him that he would be in that arena soon. “They want me to fight these things? I'm going to die. They'll rip me into pieces!” Lost in his own thoughts, he hadn't realized the fight ended.

The four-armed creature had won, and the audience loudly cheered for him. The crowd dispersed as soon as it ended, until only he remained standing, staring at the arena. 

“What if I actually won?” he asked himself quietly. 

“Yes, what if you actually won?” interrupted a voice behind him. Rainer turned to find his guard standing there with a smile on his face.

“Did you know that the winner of all three rounds gets a wish granted? You could wish for almost anything, even the ownership of a planet. So what would you wish for, Rainer?”

Rainer looked at the floor, and thought about the question. The only thing that he could think of was how everything happened so quickly, how he got here. “I don't know. I just don’t know what to do anymore.” A depressed face stared at the guard, who continued to smile back with half his face covered by a mask. 

“Is that so?” He turned around and began to walk away, but stopped after a few paces. “Come on, we have some work to do. Then you can, oh I don't know, destroy the human race when you win.” Rainer could hear the mocking tone in his voice. It was useless to argue with him, so he walked behind him. 

The guard led him to another arena, similar to the one he was in earlier. This one was empty aside from some benches placed around randomly, and a wall of weapons at the entrance waiting to be used.

“Your room has a similar selection of weapons in a closet, but those are for the tournament, these are for training. Choose a weapon, that weapon will be what I train you with. You can only choose one weapon per fight. However, the first round forbids advanced weaponry such as guns. Unless of course you are a being who can shoot lasers from birth. Just so you know, I'm not joking, there are some creatures that shoot lasers.” 

“Lasers? You're messing with me, aren't you?” Rainer asked nervously. He walked to the wall and was surprised to see most of the weapons were weapons like earth. From swords to axes, the selection featured a variety of weapons. 

“Now do I look like the kind of guard who would lead you astray?”

“You're definitely not the type I would trust to have my back.” He gripped an axe and tried to lift it, only for it to fall at his feet. “This is a bit heavier than I thought, but I can use it.” He groaned while trying to lift the heavy object. The guard took a seat on a nearby bench as Rainer tried to lift the axe attempt after attempt.  

“Seriously? If you can't lift it, try something you can actually lift.” The guard sneered. 

“I was going to!” Rainer snapped back 

Rainer reached for a chain and sickle. It was light but he didn’t know how to use it. He attempted to throw it, but couldn’t control the weapon properly. It just whipped around and almost hit him in the head. “This seemed easier in the movies.” He panted while attempting to throw it again. 

“Does this look like a movie to you? Put that thing away before you hurt yourself, or worse, me!”

Rainer picked up a scythe, but he was unable to hold it properly. “Nope, it looks awkward, next.” Waved the guard

This time he grabbed a pair of daggers, they were light, and easy to swing around. “These seem like a good fit, but the reach is too short.” He used them as if he were using a knife, and they felt smooth. 

“If the reach is short, try something longer.” said the guard

Rainer seemed a little annoyed by the guard’s constant input, but placed the daggers back and gripped a katana at the far end of the wall. Just by touching it, he could feel how light it was. He swung the sword a few times and was amazed at how easy it was to control. 

“That looks much better.” Said the guard, clapping. “Do you know how to use it?” 

“What's so hard about swish, swish, stab? It's just a big knife.” 

“A big knife?! You know what, it would be easier to show you rather than explain it.” The guard stood up and unsheathed his own sword. 

Rainer charged in, but was easily parried to the side. “Is that the best you can do? Come at me with more than that!” Again Rainer tried to swing his sword at the guard, only for it to be parried out of his hands.

“We have two days until your first fight. We will practice both days, including today. So pick up that sword and come at me again and again.” 

“What are you getting out of helping me?” asked Rainer in frustration

“I get paid. Now stand up and fight.” he said with a bright smile

“Arguing with this guy seems like it'll pull me further into this hell.” Rainer thought to himself.

He picked up the sword and the two practiced until the sun set and the twin moons appeared.