Cruel New World
Josh led Jace onto the field where two battlers were about to begin their fight. The seats all around the stadium were packed full of people. The screams from the masses rang off of the arena walls.
"The least I can do is show you the type of opponents you're about to go up against. You're up next, so watch closely," Josh sat down in a nearby chair. "We've told your opponent not to kill you, but you still need to be careful. Give it your best shot, the UESF and Association will be watching."
Jace clenched his fingers together tightly. His body was much stronger and easier to maneuver than his old body, but that was to be expected.
"I'm not even used to this body yet. Why do they still want me to fight?"
"I don't think they're expecting you to win or anything. I think they're just trying to get a feel for your raw abilities. They'll focus on building you up later. They are an elite force after all."
As the announcer walked to the middle of the arena, his voice blasted through the intercom.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WELCOME TO WEEK 6 OF THE ARENA BATTLE GAMES. THESE CONTESTANTS ARE BATTLING TO WIN THE GRAND PRIZE OF 1.5 MILLION DOLLARS, AS WELL AS THE CHANCE TO GET RECRUITED INTO VARIOUS TRAVEL AGENCIES."
Jace thought to himself, 'This happens weekly, like a seasonal sport? Travel agencies? This is all too much for me.'
"THESE BATTLERS DO NOT HOLD BACK! IF YOU ARE READY FOR BLOOD, SWEAT, AND RAW DETERMINATION. LET ME HERE YOU SCREEEEAAAMMM!"
The entire arena shook with a deafening roar. Jace covered his ears in attempt to dampen the sound.
"TO THE LEFT WE HAVE THE DOMINATOR, THE BIG MAN RETURNING FOR HIS THIRD YEAR, RICHAAAAAARD ALVAREZ," the crowd roared once again. "TO MY RIGHT WE HAVE THE BEAUTIFUL QUEEN OF THE WOMEN ARENA BATTLE GAMES. SHE DECIDED TO COME PLAY WITH THE BIG BOYS! MAKING HER WAY UP THE RANKS SWIFTLY, THE DIVINE, ARIEL DESMOOOOND!"
Various screams and catcalling whistles arose from the crowd. Multiple men in the crowd exclaimed their inappropriate fantasies towards the woman shamelessly. Jace shook his head.
"BATTLERS, PLEASE SELECT TWO WEAPONS FROM THE ARSENAL."
A rack full of weapons arose from the ground. Suitable for fighters of all different styles. Daggers, swords, battle axes, you name it. All of them were lethal. Even whips and colorful liquids were there. As Jace stared at the collection in shock, he heard individual chatter within the crowd.
"I put a lot of money on Alvarez, he better win."
"I don't care who wins, I just can't wait for weeks 8-10. That's when it gets really good!"
"Mommy, can I please get a snow cone downstairs?"
"When I grow up, I'm going to be the best battler in the world!"
Jace thought to himself, 'Those are deadly weapons, how can all these people be so nonchalant about this?'
"In this game type, battlers are allowed to use any weapon they want apart from guns," explained Josh. "Those colorful vials you see are called potions. They all have different effects. Some give you a temporary strength boost, some heal you a bit, stuff like that. If you select a potion, it counts as one of your two weapons, so choose wisely when it's your turn."
The announcer's voice blasted through the speakers.
"THE DOMINATOR HAS CHOSEN, A BATTLE AXE AND HEALING POTION. THE DIVINE HAS CHOSEN, A STEEL SWORD AND QUICKNESS POTION. BATTLERS, GET IN POSITION!"
The crowd screamed and pounded the floor in excitement. Various shouts thundered throughout the stadium.
The announcer and crowd shouted in unison, "NO REMORSE, NO CHEAPSHOTS, AND NO MERCY!"
"BEGIN!"
The announcer pulled out a gun and fired it straight in the air. The battlers immediately rushed to the center of the field. Sparks flew as her sword clashed with his battle axe. The announcer was boisterously commentating over the battle as the crowd howled with anticipation.
The woman swiped for the man's leg but missed narrowly. Only to be met with a vicious swing from the battle axe which barely grazed her neck.
'He's going for the kill!' Jace thought in a panic.
The woman had seemed to recognize that as well. She quickly glugged down the potion of quickness and ran laps around the man. Slicing various parts of his body in the process. The man swung his axe in a circular motion to keep her from getting any closer, until she ducked below the swing to slice his ankle. He tumbled to the ground.
On one knee he tried desperately to defend himself and protect his vitals, but he was getting overwhelmed by the woman's sword skills and quickness. The crowd was electric. As the woman surgically sliced and weakened the man, Jace noticed that the man was not making any attempt to defend himself. It was suspicious, he was not even moving.
"She's not going for the kill, she's only trying to make him submit," said Jace with a terrified expression.
"Yeah, some people are big softies," said Josh.
'If she doesn't take him out now, he can--'
Before Jace could finish his thought, the man swung his battle axe ferociously at the woman's legs. Throwing her off her balance. Before she could recover, he grabbed her by the head, and pounded her face into the cement. His palm wrapped around her head as if he was holding a softball.
As she laid there, the man began to hit her ceaselessly. Each blow harder than the last. The woman became unresponsive quickly.
Jace screamed at Josh, "He's not even using his weapon! He's beating her to death!"
"It appears so," said Josh coldly, "but that's what she signed up for. There aren't any rules against it."
Blood poured from her body and stained the ground beneath her as the man continued. The crowd was ecstatic. They were so loud that Jace wouldn't be surprised if people all over the city could hear the Arena.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Jace shouted, but his voice was drowned out by the crowd's excessive cheering.
The man smiled as he watched her brutal demise. He seemed overjoyed, exhilarated. After what seemed like hours, the man stepped away from the woman. Jace was in shock, praying that it was over. However, the man grabbed the woman by the hair, and lifted her head to reveal her face to the audience. The crowd cheered louder. The sight alone made Jace want to throw up.
He could see the man antagonizing the woman, but could not hear what he was saying over the sound of the spectators.
The man placed his foot on the woman's back, and reached into his pocket.
"Uh oh," said Josh.
"What?!" exclaimed Jace.
The man pulled out his healing potion that he chose before the battle started, and pressed it against the woman's lips.
"The ultimate sign of disrespect, he's healing her to prolong her death."
Jace's eyes widened in horror of what he was witnessing.
"This isn't a fight…" said Jace blankly, "he chose that healing potion on purpose for this. He's giving them a show."
As the woman was forced to drink the potion, the crowd chanted The Dominator's name. Jace gnashed his teeth out of immense terror and anger.
"And they're enjoying every second of it."
After the potion was consumed, the woman's eyes creaked open, begging for the release of death. People in the crowd hurled insults at her as a new chant began to ring throughout the stadium,
"KILL HER! KILL HER! KILL HER! KILL HER!"