Citadel

  (Ravenger)

  The Citadel.

  Or what I prefer to be called, the Arena.

  “Finally, we’re here.” (Lady)

  “Yeah…” (Ravenger)

  “A-Are we really going to escape?” (Walter)

  “Yes, and this reptile will bring us to freedom.” (Lady)

  “...” (Ravenger)

  Tch, stop shoving everything onto me.

  “We sign up over there.” (Lady)

  The Lady points towards a counter, with a small crowd queuing up.

  “...So what am I suppose to do?” (Ravenger)

  “The system goes like this.” (Lady)

  Apparently, when someone participates in this arena, they bet for something to gain something of equal value. For example, if I bet a weapon of high value, I can request for another sword of similar value.

  The bet can be anything, ranging from a random rock, to your life.

  So, to escape the Citadel, I have to bet all three of our lives. If I win, I can request to leave the Citadel with everyone.

  Three lives on the line, three lives will leave. Quite simple, actually.

  To lose in the arena means eternal death. That’s why I’m not going to lose.

  After queuing up for a while, I made it to the counter.

  A ghostly spirit stands, or should I say floats, behind the counter.

  “Hello there! Are you here to sign up for the Citadel challenge?” (Spirit)

  “...Yes.” (Ravenger)

  “Please state your bet here!” (Spirit)

  The spirit passes me a form.

  …

  I can’t read this.

  “Uh, can I just say out my bet?” (Ravenger)

  “Sure! But you will risk attention from the others.” (Spirit)

  ...I don’t really care.

  “I bet my life, and the life of my companions.” (Ravenger)

  Everyone stares at me.

  “Wow! This is rare. It has been a long time since anyone has bet their life, let alone the life of others!” (Spirit)

  “...I don’t really care.” (Ravenger)

  “Alright then! Sign here!” (Spirit)

  “...” (Ravenger)

  I made a tear in the paper with my claw.

  “Thank you for your participation!” (Spirit)

  I left the queue.

  When I rejoined the group, the Lady whacked my head with a fan.

  “Reptile, have you gone mad!? Why did you announce your bet?” (Lady)

  “...I couldn’t read…” (Ravenger)

  “...” (Lady)

  “...” (Walter)

  “Well, now everyone will be targeting you.” (Lady)

  “Why?” (Ravenger)

  “Each bet a challenger makes has a form of ‘weight’. If you defeat a challenger with a bet that ‘weighs’ more than his, he can request something of higher value.” (Lady)

  “...So basically, if they kill me, they can revive himself and two other people?” (Ravenger)

  “Precisely.” (Lady)

  “...” (Ravenger)

  You could have just told me earlier…

  “B-But you will win, right?” (Walter)

  “...I will not lose.” (Ravenger)

  The Lady sighs.

  “Don’t get your hopes up, boy. A lot of strong fighters have joined today’s fight.” (Lady)

  “...Don’t underestimate me, Lady.” (Ravenger)

  “Really? Tell me you abilities then.” (Lady)

  “...What?” (Ravenger)

  “...Your skills. Tell them to me.” (Lady)

  “...I don’t remember them all…” (Ravenger)

  “...Open up your skill menu.” (Lady)

  “What?” (Ravenger)

  “...Were you born an idiot?” (Lady)

  “...” (Ravenger)

  “Uh, Ravenger. The Lady meant to think up your skill menu.” (Walter)

  ...I don’t get it, but I will try…

  ‘Skill Menu’?

  Damn, that’s a lot of information!

  “Did you see it, reptile?” (Lady)

  “...Yeah.” (Ravenger)

  “Well, then. We’ll sit over there and talk about your abilities.” (Lady)

  “...Sure, I guess. I need to read them over too…” (Ravenger)

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  (Ravenger)

  “You had such powers!? What are you?” (Lady)

  After telling her my abilities and what they do, she demanded to know how I got them.

  “... I don’t know.” (Ravenger)

  “Other than ‘Twister’, everything else is severely abnormal!” (Lady)

  “Our chances of winning is confirmed now!” (Walter)

  “...We’ll have to wait and see.” (Lady)

  A loud horn echoes in the Citadel.

  A voice echoes in the Citadel.

  “Could all the fighters who had signed up enter the waiting area?”

  “...It’s time.” (Lady)

  “D-Don’t lose, Ravenger!” (Walter)

  “I’ll make this quick.” (Ravenger)

  I got up and walked towards the waiting area.

  I have to win this.

  I will escape this place.

  I will not die.

  It’s time to fight.

  Hey guys, IAmTheKroc

  Writing the code for text boxes is a huge pain...

  At least this part hit a thousand words.

  Tomorrow shall be the final part of the Citadel arc/chapter/I don't know what you call this...

  Thanks for reading!

  Peace!