The World of Spiders

When Loki opened his eyes, he and the rest of them were in a small windowless room.

Loki got up, rubbing his head. Around him, the rest of his companions woke up.

"Where are we now?" Daphne rubbed her head.

Nishan's eyes widened as he remembered everything. "Those bastards, I'm going to strangle them and-"

"Woah," Terrence said. "It's best that you don't make threats like that first. After all, we're still in their city and their world. Maybe try to take a nicer approach."

A guard walked in through the heavy metal door. "Get up," the guard ordered. "We're taking you to court."

'I could take him out,' Daphne told Loki through their minds. 'Just say the word.'

[Name: John Way]

[Race: Ogre]

[Speed: 5/5]

[Strength: 25/25]

[Ability: Voice]

[He is able to call for help, very loudly]

[Weakness: He is extremely slow, and his hearing is not very good because him and other guards use Voice often]

Loki let Daphne know what he had just found out, adding that she was not allowed to knock out John. Daphne mentally grumbled at him, but didn't do anything as the six of them was lead by John to a room that seemed to be a mix of a courtroom and a fighting ring.

There were guards stationed all around the room, and six men were standing at the side, scowling.

At the front of the room, there were three men, two of them flanking the one in the middle.

[Name: Leroy Bart]

[Race: Daemon]

[Speed: 30/30]

[Strength: 20/20]

[Ability: Futuristic]

[He is constantly able to see into 5 seconds of the future]

[Weakness: Like all daemon, he is hurt easily hurt by fire or Imperial Gold]

Loki pulled the rest close and explained to them what he knew.

"A daemon?" Saltavore grimaced. "This isn't good."

"Why?" Terrence asked, but Leroy had stood up, causing a hush to fall over everyone and John to jab them to shut them up.

'Daemons are semi-divine spirits created when a noble person or a hero dies. These beings act as a go-between for gods and mortals, delivering divine messages and blessings to mortals or reporting bad behavior to the gods,' Daphne quickly let Loki know.

'If that's the case, why is it so bad? Shouldn't it be a good thing?'

'It used to. Slowly, daemons started changing. Good daemons died out, and daemons became semi-demonic spirits created when someone evil dies, such as a murderer, a rapist, or something of that sort. They became solid, and can only be killed by a few rare metals or stones.'

Loki wanted to ask more, but Leroy started speaking.

"Today, we're all gathered here to see what these newcomers are here for. Afterward, I, Leroy Bart, Mr. Jack and Mr. Jake will consider if their purpose is worthy, and if they should be thrown out of Aranea immediately, or if the may stay for trial."

Seraphine quickly pulled them into a group huddle. "What the hell are we supposed to do here?"

"I think that we're supposed to defend ourselves, like in a courtroom," Saltavore said slowly. "And they'll judge if we're 'guilty' or not, though in this case, I think guilty means we can thrown out instantly, and innocent, or not guilty means," he gestured towards the fighting pit in the room. "We fight someone."

"But fight who?" Terrence whispered.

"Probably them," Loki discreetly nodded at the six mean at the side. "Every city has a certain amount of people, right? If we fight and win, we should be allowed to stay here until we get chosen to fight, and we lose. But if we get in, someone has to get out."

"Ahem," Leroy said. "We are waiting for your case."

"I'll do it," Nishan said. "After all, while low-levels are better in survival skills, high-levels are way better in negotiating and talking. Plus, it doesn't sound like they have a great justice system."

Turning around, he faced Leroy. "Mr. Leroy, Mr. Jack, Mr. Jake, we're here because we got ambushed."

"Ambushed?" Mr. Jack repeated. "Who would Ambush a couple of kids?"

"Someone who doesn't want us on Earth," Nishan said. "Plus, since three of us here are Originals, perhaps they were after us, and the other three was just at the wrong place, at the wrong time."

"Interesting," Mr. Jake said. "It is impossible to go back to Earth, or even leave Archne, since we don't have mana crystals. However, if you win the fight, you will be allowed to stay here in Aranea."

"Fight?" Loki echoed, looking confused.

Mr. Leroy nodded. "The jury has come to a decision. The one of you will fight one of these men over here." He gestured to the six men standing on the side, glowering angrily.

"We fight them?" Saltavore frowned slightly. "Until one side surrenders?"

"No. Today, the two sides will battle... to death."