Rise of the Overlord

Chapter 4

Walking to the arena didn't take as long as i thought. Along the way i have seen tents arranged like a makeshift market, trading off baubles for weapons, food, tools and so on. But the biggest change was the cursed smell that i have to endure along the way. Slowly the orcs gathered within the arena on spectator stands.

Then my guard pushed me through the makeshift gates where more guards are present. Clearly being a human brings risk, like trying to escape. " Don't try anything funny human or your meat for the skewers!" said the orc guard closest to me. To be honest that was the first time i heard a Orc speak in common.

It's voice sounded horrid and dry, like a throat parched of water but husky as well.  Without further thought i was pushed along this corridor that was leading me to the arena itself. " What no rules to go through or a warm up to practice?" i asked in concern. The orcs in turn cruelly smiled and to my dismay i knew that I'm dead either way.

" Rules are bloody simple to pay attention!" yelled the tallest orc. " you are going to fight the toughest and nastiest orcs around! IF you survive you get to live another day...if you don't well there are other uses for your flesh" the tall one finished with a nasty grin at the end. Clearly they expect me to die a gruesome death and be feasted upon later.

It wasn't long to i was in the middle of the arena, surrounded by dozens of orcs who looked either bored or eager to see me dead. I even saw a couple orcs making a bet to see how long i might live through this. seconds later a orc dressed in the brightest red i have ever seen with a headdress of a bull skull on his head has appeared on a podium closest to where i have entered.

" Orcs from far and wide! i present to you a human from the far north! who looks tasty from the outside but bitter within!" the announcer spoke, albeit with some weird advertisement mixed in. " now enough about him! lets hear a loud cheer for our three time winner Gazzi!" he said and like he said indeed a loud cheer was sounded when a mean looking green orc appeared through the other entryway.

Gazzi is armed with a crude yet formidable blade as long as my arm, with armor of bones made from ribs and spines of what i can guess are his trophies. " Hey! don't i get a weapon!" i called out to the announcer orc who looked a bit disappointed from me stating the obvious disadvantage. without warning a dagger flew at me from one of the nearby guards who clearly mumbled under his breath.

As i picked up my dagger from the ground, which is made of stone but sharp, a bell of some kind was rung and Gazzi charged with a furious screech. And just in time i blocked the blade with my dagger, but up close i could tell he's an experienced fighter, albeit sadistic judging from his way of looking at me. like I'm a piece of art that needs to be made. 

Breaking off from i tried to avoid his cruel blade as much as possible. But the crowd started to boo at me for the lack of action. So Gazzi lunged at me by surprise and drew blood from my arm. " what's wrong human? afraid of getting CUT!" Gazzi said while laughing like a dying hyena. Furious i tried to fight back with my dagger and failing miserably at the same time due to my lack of fighting skill.

The crowd had a small cheer with some action finally taking place, but slowly went back to booing on my part. Angry to mostly myself, i tried that lunging trick but tripped and missed entirely. Gazzi took his chance and tried to stab me through my back, but i rolled to my left and kicked his legs from under him. With him on the ground i took my chance and tried stabbing him to the chest.

A few stabs in but did little with his armor in the way. Next thing i knew he pushed me off and swung his sword at me which i narrowly avoided. This made the crowd cheer for either me or Gazzi, but i heard more orcs calling for Gazzi to win. Slowly Gazzi was getting tired and irritated for this prolong fight.  in a fit of anger he started to swing his sword in wide arcs in hopes of at least cutting me to pieces.

I avoided his swings and instead took the opportunity to run for the nearest gate. Of course it was guarded by at least half a dozen or more orcs behind the wooden gates. with no other option i turned and tried to fight yet again.

What i wasn't expecting was Gazzi getting tired so quickly, i surmised the armor was a lot heavier then expected. so i took the chance to go on the offensive. This surprised both the orc crowd and Gazzi as i start to jab at Gazzi with steady aim. Drawing orcish blood which had a colour of dark red with a hint of black. Gazzi, feeling cornered and slowly losing breath, tried using a hidden dagger he drew out and threw it at me.

As quickly as he threw it i ducked and went straight for his throat, stone blade making contact with his spine. with a final gasp for life i pulled the knife out of his throat and kicked his body to the ground. After that i looked up to see a silent crowd and guards alike.

Too tired to think what will happen i sat down and waited for the inevitable. But nothing happened, no remark for my cowardice nor comment of my unexpected survival. Then the announcer silently ordered one of his lackeys to come to me. probably to finish the job i guessed.

But by the time the orc guard came he asked " What's your name human?" Confused i looked up to get a better look to understand what's happening. By my tired observation it looked like the orcs are either curious or in disbelief that i lived. " the name is Eric...nothing more" i said and instead of death like i expected the guard went back to his master. with a quick whisper and some bauble passed on to the guard the announcer yelled " WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION! AND HIS NAME IS ERIIIIIIIIIIIICCCC!!!"

Before i knew it i was getting cheered from the stands. some boo's were heard but was overpowered by the majority of cheering. Then it hit me like a fist from the gods...i must fight to survive...and I'm now their slave...what rotting luck i have.