Codename: Freedom - Survive Week One!

Chapter 1 - Interview

"What kind of company makes you show up in person for an interview?" St3alth said, continuing our conversation as we teleported into the arena.

A quick scan of the arena told me this was a medium size, square shaped room, with a stone pathway around the perimeter. Dirt paths led down from the elevated perimeter to cross in the middle of the room, with a large open area and a dirt floor.

"Something about tests that can't be done virtually. It's not like our personal AI keep records of our DNA or anything." Chewme said, oozing sarcasm. "Lucius. When are you up?"

"I'm interviewing for Codename: Freedom this morning. In the vehicle now. Will be gaming with you guys until Destiny gets close enough to drop me off." I answered, standing there decked out in epic items: a green leather jacket, with a mythalloy chain shirt underneath and my demon spine rapier on my belt. Everything I wore looked rather bland in comparison to most max level items. It was by design. Why advertise strength? I still wore a flashy green mythalloy Crescent Helm that collected my sweat-soaked brown hair like a magnet. What can I say? The stats were worth it. Our guild symbol, three diamonds interwoven with each other, currently embroidered the chest of my jacket.

The comfortable breeze that always greeted new participants to the arena never got old. Such a small detail had become a treat that I had been experiencing daily for just over two years now. I would miss the rush that accompanied it if I was selected for Codename: Freedom.

All three of us stood at the top of a path leading down. Sticking to the manmade walkways would be best. Heavy overgrown foliage made it impossible to see from one path to the other once you left the stone perimeter. I didn't even want to try wading through it.

"St3alth. Stick high and we will go low?" I asked.

He had already gone invisible. An ethereal shadow-cloak rippled behind him as it flapped in the non-existent wind. There was very little air flow in this arena, but items like his cloak were self-animated for the sake of style. He didn't share my philosophy on style.

The rest of him was just as transparent, only visible to Chewme and me because we were in his group. His mask was pitch leather, fully covering his face except for his mouth. Midnight's Kiss, a knife formed from obsidian ice, was held flat against his cheek as he pretended to ponder my question.

"Really, Lucius? Like you will wait for me? You are too focused on gaining fans. Didn't your AI teach you how to share?"

"Must I teach you a lesson about complaining?" Destiny, my AI, replied, projecting her voice into the group chat channel that was translated into text. She was currently running my gaming system, as well as directing my car. She had no physical body, but was in my head, literally. Or more accurately, my MR (mixed reality) gear, or headset.

A boisterous chuckle came from the large man to my left.

"Jealous?" Chewme asked.

Flashing towards St3alth's head, a claymore stopped an inch from his skull.

Crossing his arms, St3alth dared Chewme to proceed.

Although he only stood about my height, I'd be lucky if my thigh was as thick as Chewme's arm. With chopped blond hair and a strong jaw, he was our smiley melee brute. Donning a fur cloak over Mythsidian Mail, a glassy black steel chain-linked armor, he was constantly sparring with the assassin.

With a shift from his shoulder, the claymore tapped the assassin on the head twice. "Just be ready. It's not our fault if you're slow."

St3alth lunged forward, knife aimed at his throat.