章 31: Crucible Chronicles (3)

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The outer rim of the courtyard was built secluded from the the main hub. Naturally, it was an intentional divide. While all guardians would scour the main hub, not a lot bothered or dared to go around the outer rim casually.

Void smile as he saw some guardians subtly avoid his gaze as he walked towards the leather tent constructed directly opposite the Vanguard terminal.

'I guess the crucible doesn't have a lot of fans' He chuckled inside.

Void knew why they avoided him the moment he stepped near the leather tent. After all, guardians loved to fight, but that didn't mean they loved to get pulverized day and night.

Anybody willing to enter the crucible was surely a madman. Void had discussed it with the Nightstalkers a few times, but the reputation of the crucible was more than just a "game" here.

Of course, it was still in lighthearted fun and just a new training method, but there was glory involved. It was a gladiator showdown.

Coupled with his fear inducing appearance by donning the Nightstalker attire, and his anonymity within most circles. Void wasn't exactly welcomed with warmth.

Reaching the hem of the tent, Void slowly ducked under into the tent.

Void announced his arrival at the entrance by clearing his throat and standing at attention. Perhaps there wasn't any need for this etiquette, but the man Void expected to meet wasn't exactly...predictable.

Void didn't want to leave his first impressions up to chance as he waited for Shaxx to show up in his tent as he glanced around.

Red banners adorned the walls as a few suits of armor hung on the wall. Upon a nice fur rug, a comfortable couch surrounded by two leather chairs was placed in the middle, a few books were stacked on the glass table as the center piece.

'Is he not here?' Void thought, standing there confused.

As he planned to wait, a redjack droid walked out with a broom as it dusted the wood floor.

Void gathered his voice as he spoke, "Where is Lord Shaxx?", addressing the droid.

Looking up from his rigorous cleaning ritual, the droid looked to Void with a confusing glance as it pondered.

As if finally deciding something, the droid walked back into a nearby room as it pulled out a gps codex.

The droid approached Void, who still stood at the entrance, as it handed him the codex, which was akin to a badge.

"Lord Shaxx is at sector 618 conducting live combat-drills, southwest of the cosmodrome. The gps codex holds the barrier override to access the arena. Please ensure you enable the masking protocol of the codex as the arena surrounds hostile territories." The redjack answered.

Continuing the list out a lengthy list of protocols to access the arena for the first time, the redjack explained in great detail at why maintaining discretion was important.

Sector 618 was an old lair for house of devil's fallen squads. However, Lord Shaxx leading a team of redjacks had secured the complex and converted it into a parkour and live-drilling course for the crucible.

Void was slightly surprised to hear the context, "To think Shaxx secured the crucible maps himself."

He had to admit, the man was a complete chad , Void couldn't help but nod in acknowledgement.

Void immediately flicked his wrist as he appeared in his jumpship, and began triggering the launch protocol.

A few seconds later, his Ship shot through the skies, towards orbit.

"Obsidian, did you catch all of that?" He asked.

"I've already registered all required protocols to enter sector 618. We won't have any problems." Obsidian nodded appearing near the navigation terminal.

"Alright, trigger the masking and set route to 618." Void sighed.

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[Sector 618]

The rustic war complex was a secluded battlefield from the dark ages, established at a hidden sector within the breached cosmodrome wall, the last city had taken control and warded off all other factions from entering the area.

From corroded bunkers, old factories and rustic dugouts, the battlefield was littered with fortified structures providing strategic strongholds in short and long range skirmishes alike.

Not an inch of empty ground remained, except that it had been littered with some form of structure to provide a cover from fire.

Suddenly, as if hell had broken out. Numerous gunshots rang out. A chaotic frenzy ensued as guardians rushed in and out of the dugouts, like enraged beasts.

Their figures but a blur as two teams weaved in and out of combat, energy running rampant in the surroundings as a few lightning staffs clashed on both sides.

Immediately, an immense sense of dread spread amongst the guardians as they immediately sought to retreat, but without a second to spare, a large nova bomb erupted, engulfing all nearby as a warlock stood nearby, clutching his hands in victory.

"Marvelous, just marvelous." Loud claps rang out as all eyes turned to the titan standing unfazed in a nearby hollow building.

A fiery coat of fur lined his shoulder blades, the titan held a bold and domineering aura as his laughter bellowed in the arena, drawing all the guardians closer to him. His helmet adorned a singular horn at the right, as the other seemed to have been roughly chopped off.

"The victor has been decided. What have we learned?" Shaxx asked with great passion.

Amos, the victor answered immediately, "As a warlock I've realized that indeed, our order is superior. My victory simply showcases the truth. My attacks were well placed and everyone else failed to see the brilliance of my plan."

He answered in a well articulate manner, his eyes shined with pride, he truly believed in his answer.

Shaxx frowned and then sighed, what else could he do?. He the legendary warlord was busy teaching these babies the art of war. Yet whenever he found a teaching moment, the esoteric guardians would somehow find a way to diminish his teachings.

'The warlocks are too prideful, the titans too headstrong, and the hunters too sly.' Shaxx lamented to himself.

"Well done on the victory guardian, but it's not always about who is better. Ensuring victory in war is an art. Regardless of which side is better, our objective is to win. Victory is attained through might and wit." His roared.

Seeing that the guardians below him were too busy celebrating their victory while they tuned his voice out, Shaxx couldn't help but shake his head.

"If only Zavala allowed me to participate in the crucible myself" Shaxx mumbled, a dangerous glint in his eyes that disappeared as if it never existed.

Shaxx shouted with a sliver of annoyance, "That's it guardians, wrap it up. We will change teams for a more balanced round. Everyone, go back to your positions."

Feeling a strange sensation, Shaxx looked to the sky as he spotted another jumpship descending from orbit.

His interest piqued as he had never met the guardian with that transmission channel.

A message quickly popped up on his terminal, asking for permission to enter the arena, which Shaxx readily granted.

"It seems we have a new guest arriving." He spoke out.

The titan eyed the guardian as he saw a sleek figure transmat into the arena. Donned in a discrete but lethal armor set, Shaxx found himself internally complimenting the posture of the guardian.

'A man who had seen the real battlefield' Was his judgement regarding Void's poise. However what really gave it away was the weapon holstered at Void's back.

'That is surely.' Shaxx entered a trance of his own as time seemed to slip back towards the era of the warlords, he stood frozen in place. The memories of those days flashed his mind as a faint light glistened in his eyes.

'Indeed it is' He nodded, knowing that if Void possessed that weapon, he had surely done something to be worthy of it.

Snapping out of his stupor, Shaxx laughed, beckoning the guardian closer.

"Welcome, welcome. I am Lord Shaxx, crucible commander. What is your name guardian?"

"You can call me Void, lord Shaxx. I am here because my captain recommended I join the crucible. I don't reckon you have a spot?" Void asked, lacing his words with some respect.

"Your Captain?" Shaxx asked, his eyes running through Void's attire once more as he spotted the Nightstalker crest faintly imprinted on his cloak.

"A surprise to see one with your abilities here Void. Although, I suppose I shouldn't be. I heard about from Zavala. He told me he found a promising newcomer? I say let's see if he was right." Shaxx slapped his shoulder as Void felt his ogre-like strength impacting his body.

'Why is it always the titans...' Void's eyes twitched.

His eyes drifted towards the teams waiting for their turn to start. As Void jumped down and entered the field.

"I will join any team, so let's get this started." He said eagerly.

Shaxx was pleasantly surprised by his demeanour and signalled the teams to be ready.

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