Illusion of Fear
Chapter Five: Emperor of Steel
His robes glistened with diamonds and jewels.
The Emperor of Rul was a vile ruler. To him, he had no subjects, had no people, everything and everyone was just a toy. He cared little for the towns and cities which littered his province, and with Meloku becoming the Overlord of Kaisor, the tiny emperor would not last long. That is why he held the challenge in his name.
If one was to defeat his greatest warriors in battle, then he would take them in as his bodyguard. So far, none had even beaten the third challenge. Many had defeated the first challenge, which constisted of Meko's. Meko's are metallic versions of aquatic Milluoi that his artificer, Huntyr, had created. The artificer had exchanged the guills of the aquatic beasts with air generators. He had reinforced the seven tenticles of the animal with steel-plated razor swords. The swords could bend as though it were still a tentacle, it was a very strange creation, however it was weak. The shell of the Meko had to be light in order to carry the generators, making them slow.
The second task included a creature most commonly found within the tropical forests of Gaherow, called a Zaskipod. The two to three foot long creature's body was covered with scales that seemed to be related to dragon scales. The two front claws of the Zaskipod were always about a third of it's body length. These powerful claws allowed the Zaskipod's to dig deep into the ground. It would penetrate three layers of crust in order to create a home. The Zaskipod lived in a 3000 degree environment so when it was disturbed to be placed on solid ground, it would kill anything in it's line of sight.
The third task was an all out war between the competiters and the emperors Biode army. No one had lived through the task and proceeded to the final competition, a fight to the death with the emperor's current bodyguard, Asheth. The emperor did not know much of the elf's past, but he killed without mercy, and without remorse, two traits that the emperor found exciting. Now that he thought about it, Asheth had not been present for any of the battles. No matter, he would fight, and kill, anyone who dared to challenge the emperor. The power play was simple. If Asheth died, his killer would take his place. Power was never a problem to the emperor.
Servants had finally cleaned up the bloody mess that was littering the coliseum floor, and the next combatants were entering his view. First was a woman wearing a dark green cloak that matched her hair. The woman looked quite incapable of anything. The one following her was wearing a velvet cloak to hide her features. He could tell that she was a female due to the rather large chest she had. Finally, he could enjoy a match. He made his way to the podium to aknowledge the fighters.
"Who dares to try to accept the Emperor's Challenge?" he said this with as much macho as he could. He didn't understand why he was trying to make an impression, the se little girls weren't going to last past the first round.
The green robed woman approched. "I be Magnissa Herultg of Eastern Geraju." She seemed to be boasting rather than declaring herself. The other woman came forward, but said nothing.
"Speak combatant," the emperor said, "declare yourself." He had to admit, she was giving of a cetain aura filled with mystery. He had no emperess to rule beside him. Maybe if this woman would pass round one, he would try to seduce her.
"I am Fern." The woman still stood in place, not appearing to happy that she would be dying soon. The emperor still wondered what she looked like.
"Take off your hood," he commanded. The woman reached for her hood, and pulled it down quickly. The coliseum filled with angry shouts and threats as they discovered that she was a Teran slavegirl. "What is the meaning of this!" he continued. "Why have you come before me?"
The Teran looked up to him, she had beautiful features that were unnatural for Terans. "I have come to recieve my wish." How bold she acted. As if he would give a wish to a slavegirl, pretty or not. No, he had to let her try. As much as it pained him, he had to follow his own rules.
"Then you must fight for your life!" The stadium filled with cheers as the emperor said this. "You have five minutes to prepare, use it wisely." He was suprised at himself. He wanted her to survive, maybe she would still become his bride if she won. It was out of his hands now. This was going to be an intresting challenge.
His thoughts of seduction changed as the coliseum grew darker. A storm cloud appeared to have spawned out of nowhere and settle above the stadium. He looked back at the girl. Her arms were pointing to the cloud, as if she had called down the Storm Goddess to curse the stadium for it's bloodshed.
An interesting challenge indeed.
