Chapter 16: Down in the Dungeon: The Arena Pt. 2
Rose stepped up and prepared herself as the shadow began to take form. As it did, the others watched in confusion as the shadow had the same long hair as Rose, but it didn't possess the same robes and staff that Rose did. Instead, the shadow possessed a full set of heavy looking armor and a spear with a gem below the spearhead and another gem at the end of the spear. The shadow also had a slightly bigger build than Rose which really threw everyone off.
Then Ian had a thought.
"What if the shadow is showing us future versions of ourselves the more, we beat it?"
Markus: "Yeah, it makes sense but how is Rose gonna be like that in the future? I mean, she is supposed to be a healer, isn't she?"
[A/N]: Fuck traditional healers, it's time for a tanky healer. Maybe Rose gets a class change.
Ian: "Well there are many types of healers so there's no telling if Rose will be a priestess or if she could be something like a cleric."
Rose: "Guys, can you shut up and let me focus on this please?"
Ian and Markus: "Sorry."
Rose steadied herself and prepared for a fight with the shadow. However, before anything began there was a notice from the Disney Land greeter.
*Automatic combat victory will be appointed to the shadow puppet as the challenger has not met the necessary requirements to face the shadow. *
Rose: "WHAT?! What kind of bullshit is that?! I was ready to beat down this weirdo's ass and now you're telling me that I just lose because I'm not qualified.
Ian: "Rose, calm down. I know you're pissed but there's nothing we can do right now. Just come back here and we'll keep going with this."
Rose: "Fine but this shit isn't over. *mumbles* Mother fucker."
Zoe was the next one to step forward and prepare to fight the shadow.
Ian grabbed her by the shoulder before she stepped into the arena.
"Are you sure about this, it won't be easy."
"I can handle this, I'm not a little pussy that can't handle herself. I'm a badass bitch who's about to fuck up this shadow."
The shadow turned into the depiction of its next opponent, Zoe. However, just like the past iterations it had more equipment and had the two daggers Zoe had found earlier in the maze, but these looked far more menacing than when she had found them. The shadow had gained a hood and had some weird looking leather armor as well as some smaller looking knives strapped to its chest.
"Zoe, watch out for those knives. They look like throwing knives."
"Ian, I swear to fuck. I'm a big girl and can handle myself."
The shadow then pulled out a throwing knife and hurled it centimeters from Zoe's face.
"Uhhhhhhhh, what were you saying?"
"Shut the fuck up Ian."
Zoe then pulled out her daggers and took a running start towards the shadow. The shadow also took a running start, but Zoe slid underneath the shadow and just cheap shotted it. The shadow felt to its knees and Zoe put her daggers to the shadow's throat Anakin Skywalker style and with a quick pull of her arms, off went the shadow's head.
"Huh, that was easy."
"I guess that just leaves Ian and Markus."
"Markus, you go next. I'll wrap it up and then we can get on with this shit show."
"You sure Ian? It would make more sense for you to go and me to wrap it up."
"I'm sure, there's a theory I want to test."
'Next challenger, please step up to your death.'
Zoe looked at the ceiling with much disdain.
"Fucking cunt."
Markus pulled out his sword and had his buckler on his arm at the ready. The shadow took the form of Markus with better gear and looked much bulkier. The armor on the shadow was a lot more ornate and the sword was longer and much thicker. There was a kite shield in the shadow's left hand and the shield seemed to have the insignia of the human kingdom with another symbol. It was a lion and a dragon intertwined around a sword and Ian had noted that he had seen the symbol somewhere before but couldn't remember where.
Markus charged at the shadow and the shadow met him halfway. Their swords collided and the ringing sounded throughout the arena. It was one of the loudest noises the group had heard, and it almost cost them all their hearing. The two entities continued swinging their swords, but the shadow seemed to be much more experienced with a sword and had a larger shield.
Markus swung his sword down towards the shadow, who blocked it with the large shield, but this allowed for Markus to charge the shadow and shoulder check him. This led to the shadow falling backwards and not being able to catch itself due to the weight of the army. The shadow was bulkier in that it could hold the shield and sword with ease, but the armor was too heavy along with the equipment. As the shadow struggled to get back up, Markus finished it off with a sharp stab to the neck where there was little protection.
At last, it was Ian's turn and when the shadow took the form for Ian the group went silent. The shadow was standing at a staggering 6'8" with a large wooden staff, a massive cloak with antlers on the hood and a necklace that seemed to have 7 parts. Ian swallowed hard because of all things he could've imagined; he didn't see that coming. The shadow gestured towards Ian, summoning him to the middle. When Ian reached the middle, the shadow spoke for the first time in a deep and craggily voice.
"Win.... or... die...."
"You have got to be shitting m-"
Before Ian could finish his thought, the shadow punched Ian into the ground with a massive amount of force. Ian got up slowly as he had yet to experience that kind of hit. For a brief second, Ian had felt like he had just been faced with Truck-kun. He struggled to get up as the hulking shadow came towards him with the intent to kill.
"Ian, get your bitch ass and take him out!"
Zoe yelled at Ian from the sidelines with as much anger as encouragement.
Ian forced himself off the ground and prepared the stick into his trusty kite shield. The shadow seemed to be prepared and turned its stick into a large flail that easily wrap around the shield. Before Ian could even process the shadow's plan, it swung the flail at the shield and ripped it from Ian's grasp. Ian and his friends could only look in terror as the flail came crashing down on top of him, but there was never a connection. The flail had been stopped by none other than Rahska, who had thrown his body in the way to protect his master.
"Rahska... No, why did you do that you stupid wolf?"
'Because master, you have a journey to complete and people to look after.'
"You stupid mutt, you're a part of our little family now."
'I guess I'll join you in the next life.'
*Skill Unlocked* Bond of the Beast
'This skill allows you to share your life energy with one beast to mark as your partner. This bond will allow you to save one another for a small amount of life energy. Life energy: 100/100'
"Use all necessary energy to save Rahska."
*User confirmed, activating Bond of the Beast*
Ian felt as the energy was ripped from his body and put into Rahska. The young wolf pup was invigorated and good as new.
'Thank you master, I'll never leave your side again.'
Ian looked down at the pup and then up at the shadow. The shadow threw the transformed stick back to Ian and took its stance. It was prepared to finish things and so was Ian. Ian took a stance as well when an idea struck him. He thought about his stick becoming a spear and although it was crude, it had successfully become a spear. Ian gave the spear one good and thrust, and the shadow was caught off guard. The spear had pierced the pauldron of the shadow and gotten stuck preventing the shadow from swinging its flail. Before the shadow could turn its flail into something else, Ian got behind it and wrapped his arms around its waist. He used all the strength he had left and lifted the shadow above his and to its back. However, the shadow was unfamiliar with this maneuver, so it landed on its head causing it to dissipate.
*Congratulations heroes, you have successfully completed the duel challenge. Please proceed to the next and final floor. *
Ian, who was tired and could barely stand, breathed out a few words.
"Fuck....you.... and.....the...horse........you....rode....in.on."
Marcus and Derek helped Ian walk to the newly accessible stairs to the final floor. The girls were all breathed a sigh of relief as Ian had come out of that fight alive. He had lost some blood and most of his clothing in that fight, but it was a small price to pay.
The 6 heroes began their descend into the final floor.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Deltora
Deltora Hi everyone, sorry it took so long for a new chapter. My motivation to write was low and life kinda got away from me. I'm gonna try to make an effort to release more frequently but I can't promise anything. I'll also try to update the auxiliary chapter with any new information that I add going forward. Thank you and I hope you enjoy.
Weekly Power Status
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