《Elysium's Arena》


 Chapter 1 - Welcome to Elysium

    Chapter 1


    Welcome to Elysium


    The bell signifying the end of school had once again rung. Students eagerly pushed and shoved to get out of the room, and for good reason. Today, there would be a much-anticipated fight against the two highest-ranked Arcanists in the school.


    Nier Oghearus was not one of those students. He was an 18-year old boy who had jet black hair and a positive attitude. However, he was an avid fan of Arcana Duels. As a child, Nier dreamed of one day being able to call forth an Arcana of his own to fight with. He fantasized about imaginary duels in which he always emerged victorious. Despite his strong desire to become an Arcanist, Nier was one of the few unlucky kids who hadn¡¯t awoken their Arcana.


    As Nier entered the school¡¯s arena, he noticed the massive crowd of students flocking around the pit. Loud cheers could be heard from halfway across the building. The arena itself was about the same size as 2 basketball courts placed side by side. There were 2 floors. The first floor was where the actual fight would take place while the second floor was where spectators could watch from a safe distance.


    All of a sudden, the arena exploded into shouts and cheers. The two students were entering the pit. The rules were simple. Use your Arcana to fight. When you no longer have enough energy to continue, you lose. You can only attack your opponent¡¯s Arcana. Breaking this rule results in an instant disqualification as well as an inhibitor being placed on your soul. This prevents you from summoning your Arcana for a fixed amount of time, usually about a month but could last for more than a year depending on your number of infractions. Other than that, you were free to do whatever you pleased.


    The fighters were getting ready. The #1 ranked Arcanist in the school was a young man named Grey. His Arcana was Gawain, a Knight armed with a sword and shield, his Arcana was known for its great defense and offense capabilities. The #2 ranked Arcanist was Ito. His Arcana was Cerberus, the three-headed dog from Hell.


    Nier was getting excited. He loved watching Arcana Duels. It made him yearn for an Arcana of his own. He was analyzing the fighters in his head before the match began. Grey¡¯s Arcana is Gawain. He¡¯s a Chariot type Arcana who specializes in heavy physical offense and defense while lacking in magic and mobility. Ito¡¯s Arcana, on the other hand, is Cerberus. It¡¯s an Aeon type Arcana that are characterized by their animal traits. They specialize in a mix of both magic and physical attacks while also boasting fast movements. However, they have a very weak defense. One hit from Gawain¡¯s sword and it could severely cripple him for the rest of the fight. But if Ito can outspeed Grey, he might actually have a chance.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°It¡¯s not too late to back out now Ito,¡± Grey says with a carefree smile.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, Grey. I¡¯ve been analyzing all of your past fights. I know all of your bad habits and weaknesses.¡±


    The automated announcer starts the countdown.


    ¡°The match will begin 5...4...3...2...1¡­¡±


    The room slowly dims the surroundings while brightening the pit, almost like a movie theatre. A loud bell officially starts the match.


    The fighters both call their Arcanas at the same time. Ito makes the first move. Cerberus quickly dashes around the side and lunges straight towards Gawain. He easily blocks it and knocks the dog away with the shield. Cerberus doesn¡¯t let up, barraging Gawain with a flurry of lunges and scratches. He¡¯s trying to overwhelm Grey until he breaks.


    ¡°Do you really think you¡¯ll win with such simple tactics?¡± Grey jeers.


    Cerberus quickly lunges once more, but he feints an attack and manages to get around Gawain¡¯s shield.


    ¡°Now Cerberus! Hell¡¯s Breath!¡±


    The two heads on the outside exhale a wall of fire while the head in the middle launches a fireball with tremendous force. Gawain is unable to defend in time and goes flying from the impact.


    Everyone in the crowd cheers.


    ¡°Wow! No one has ever been able to land a hit on Grey!¡±


    Ito grins from the excitement and energy from the crowd. He¡¯s overconfident, Nier thinks to himself. Grey looks completely composed.


    ¡°Finish him Cerberus!¡±


    He goes for the finishing blow. However, Grey is ready.


    ¡°Judgement Sword.¡±


    Gawain¡¯s sword illuminates like a ray of pure light blinding everyone. Before Ito can react, he quickly pierces Cerberus through the stomach and ends the fight. Cerberus shatters into shards of energy and disappears.

 Chapter 2 - Awakening

    Chapter 2


    Awakening


    Growing up, Nier had always been a happy go lucky kid. He always had a smile on his face. Unsurprisingly, he made friends rather easily. He wasn¡¯t one of the popular kids but he wasn¡¯t an outcast either. He was comfortable sitting right in the middle of the social ladder. However, without an Arcana, he felt extremely out of place, with most kids developing their Arcanas at around 13 or 14. While his friends would fight each other with their Arcanas, Nier could only sit on the side and watch, dreaming for the day when he would be considered an Arcanist.


    Nier was walking home after school just like any other day. He was staying with his Uncle Magus. His parents had both passed away in a car crash when he was still an infant. His uncle was his father figure and he looked up to him. Especially since he was one of the top 10 Arcanists at Elysium¡¯s Arena 20 years ago.


    As he got closer to his home, something felt off. Nothing was physically peculiar at least. However, in his chest, he felt a strange and ominous presence. The presence of something pure evil.


    As he got closer to his home, he saw the pillar of black smoke over where his home was supposed to be. Nier started running towards danger without even realizing it.


    When he arrived, his home had been reduced to rubble. His uncle was surrounded by a group of 8 people. The one who appeared to be their leader approached Nier¡¯s uncle.


    ¡°I won¡¯t ask another time Magus. If you don¡¯t give us what we want, you will die an extremely slow and painful death.¡±


    ¡°Go fuck youself Lucifer.¡± Magus spits blood at the man''s face. ¡°I know what you¡¯re trying to do.¡±


    ¡°You have a nephew don¡¯t you? After we kill you, we¡¯ll do the same thing to him.¡±


    Nier, who was hiding a corner was listening to everything they were saying. Nier had also noticed a symbol on the man his uncle called Lucifer. He had a symbol of the reverse cross on his right arm. The symbol of the Crimson Cross. A terrorist organization that was hell bent on power. What could they possibly want from my uncle? Magus was on the ground, his face dripping with blood. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    ¡°Heh¡±, Magus chuckles. ¡°You really think you could catch him? He is my nephew after all. I already instructed him to leave the city. It¡¯ll take years to find him.¡±


    The leader grinned.


    ¡°Gluttony, fetch the boy.¡±


    He signals towards Nier''s direction. Magus is horrified as the man called Gluttony walks towards Nier. Realizing that they had somehow known Nier was eavesdropping on them, he quickly dashes in the opposite direction. Unfortunately, it wasn¡¯t fast enough. He¡¯s captured by Gluttony, surprisingly nimble for a massive hunk of flesh and fat. He weighed about as much as an SUV.


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll give you what you want,¡± Magus says with defeat in his eyes. ¡°If you promise me you¡¯ll let the boy go.¡±


    ¡°You have my word.¡± Lucifer responds.


    Magus materializes something from his hands. It¡¯s a simple black ring. The man promptly takes it.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe it. The ring is actually here, right before my eyes!¡±


    ¡°I gave you what you wanted. Now keep your end of the bargain.¡± Magus says bitterly.


    ¡°Of course, I am a man of my word. Gluttony, release the boy.¡±


    Gluttony releases his grip and Nier falls to the floor gasping for air. Magnus turns his head towards Nier. He has a stoic expression, but a single tear rolls down the side of his face.


    Lucifer draws his sword and pierces Nier¡¯s uncle straight through the heart.


    Nier is in a state of shock and disbelief. The man that he had looked up to as a father and as a role model was killed. Everything seemed to slow down. He could hear the sound of his own heartbeat getting louder and faster, and then out of nowhere, a loud high pitched ringing gave him an ear splitting headache. It was unimaginable pain. He felt like his head was being smashed with a sledgehammer over and over again. Then his skin started to feel as if it was burning. A dark aura was enveloping him as he was agonizing over the pain from the headache. What¡¯s happening to me?!


    From the depths of his consciousness, a deep and powerful voice echoed in his head.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting a long time for you Nier. My name is Thanatos, the god of death. I vow to bring a swift end to your enemies. Release me from my shackles and let me crush those that stand before you!¡±


    All the pain that Nier had once felt, turned into feelings of anger and power.


    ¡°Come forth, Thanatos.¡±


    ¡°A wise decision.¡±