7. The Undead Inheritance Ground

Later in the day.

After traveling for almost 3 hours together Emma could say she at least knew a little about Zeik. He was quiet and seemed a little shy, but he was also serious and really knowledgeable. She could tell he must have done really well back in the training academies on earth cause he was a natural out here being so young. She couldn't believe how this brand new 16 year old seemed almost better out here then she did. Being 18 she had a little over 2 years experience on Gumaria, but this kid was like a pro next to her. Sighing she followed behind him silently as they strolled through the thick trees around them.

Zeik stopped when he came to the edge of the black woods ahead of him. He was amazed that the zones seemed to split perfectly at an invisible wall. Neither side pushed into the other and it really creeped him out. "Well it looks like we made it to the Grave of Souls. This place gives me the chills," he muttered before drawing his knife. Seeing the black blade again Emma couldn't help but think,' that really is a beautiful weapon. He's really well versed in using it which is odd since most people rarely get a weapon drop they are just already proficient in.' Shaking her head she brought her thoughts back to the task at hand. She drew her elegant white bladed sword and gripped it tightly in both hands.

Before they could even get a hundred feet into the trees a skeletal hand shot from the ground clamping hard around Emma's ankle. With a yell she fell before she started quickly sliding backwards. "Help! oh please get it off, help!" She screamed as she thrashed around desperately looking for something to hold onto. just as her hips were sinking into the ground she felt a hand wrap around her wrist. She looked up to see Zeik, his grip locked around her, as he heaved with everything he had. His muscles bulged as veins started to pop up around his arms and legs. He heaved with his heels dug firmly into the ground and slowly inch by inch Emma's legs started to come free. Just when her knees were showing something seemed to give.

The ground under his left foot broke away and in what felt like slow motion Zeik was thrust forward as Emma sank completely into the ground. Before he could even react he was pulled down after her his hand still locked tightly around her wrist. Everything went dark as the earth swallowed them whole.

●●●●●●●

Z groaned as he tried to rub his head. He managed to get his arms about chest height hearing the clanking of chains before his wrists jerked to a halt causing him some pain. Cursing he opened his bury eyes trying to see around him. Soon his vision focused and what he saw made his heart jump almost straight out of his chest. He was chained to the floor by both his wrists and ankles inside of a huge cell the bars of which were made from bone. He couldn't see anyone around him as there was hardly any light and the rocky surface around him seemed to draw in what little light there was trapping it.

He tried to remember what happened and could only recall the last few moments before his face hit the dirt. After that everything was a blank. "Emma? Emma?!" Zeik called out in the darkness but no reply came. "Damnit what the hell is going on here?" He realized he'd been stripped of all his belongings and only had on a white shirt and some tattered brown pants, they didn't even give him shoes. He noticed his watch was still on his wrist though and thought,' well atleast that's working correctly.' The watches were biometrically locked onto their owners when they were registered and would never come off unless the owner was dead. Snarling at his predicament he started trying to free himself from his chains.

After about a half hour of doing this something finally happened. His chains were as study as ever, no what happened was suddenly Zeik thought he'd gone blind as a bright light shined from his left. Disoriented and thrown off he fell back against the stone wall as he tried to blink the spots from his eyes. Suddenly a loud booming deep voice spoke from somewhere around the cells bars. "Ah, pitiful little human. Welcome to the inheritance ground of Anubis. I am a manifestation left behind by Anubis when he created this place. Long before Anubis became the Guardian of the Dead he was but a worthy human who uncovered many secrets, tools, weapons, and much more in his life time. He made multiple trips to and from the Underworld bringing with him things that should not be in the land of the living. You, my lucky little friend, have stumbled into this inheritance. However, you will not just be given these prizes. Instead you must survive daring challenges and tests. You're red headed friend wasn't so lucky. She failed one of my tests and is now awaiting my judgment to befall her. Now you have 2 choices, rot here, or play my game." As his vision cleared only 2 words came to Zeiks mind at first,' demon dog.' He couldn't help it the being in front of him looked exactly like the old pictures he'd seen of Egyptian dog men but this one was totally off the charts. It was jet black with spots of glowing red all over its body, the most prominent being in his eyes and mouth. Long sharp fangs were slightly barred under what looked like a devilish smile on the beast. Muscle bulged everywhere making it look like it could rip him limb from limb. Shaking his head he looked up at the creature with defiance and bravery on his face.

"Play your game? But I don't even know the prizes? How bout this, if I win your game then you give me the girl along with whatever else I supposedly win here? Come on motivate me a little bit. Give me a drive to go all the way and give you more time to toy with me?" Zeik stared straight into the demon dogs face not backing down even a little bit. Inside he was a complete wreck trying to think of a way out or what he should do. He'd been taught about inheritance grounds before. They were impossible to find twice, 95% of the time they were stumbled into by mistake, 99% of people who went into them never came out, and lastly those who did came out powerful with crazy things that someone left long ago on their way to power. The dog pondered for a second before barking out a laugh.

"You know what kid, I like you." His booming voice made Zeik's head feel like it was about to explode. "Very well little one. If you can make it all the way to the end of my game I will give you the girl alive. However, I'm keeping all of the gear and items you had when you entered, and if you should fail I will eat her and trap your soul as my play thing till the end of time. Deal?" The ugly dog face came right up to the bars grinning wickedly at him. 'Well either way if I fail I will die so what do I got to lose,' Zeik thought before saying," I agree to those terms." As soon as his sentence was out his view shifted. He doubled over and wretched on the ground heaving up a huge puddle of vomit. His body slowly stabilized and he was able to look around himself. He was standing in the middle of a huge ancient looking coliseum. Everything around him was black while green fires burned in braziers and sconces all over the upper levels. Ghosts and skeletons were packed into the rows and rows of seats screaming and cheering. With a feeling if dread Zeik moved his gaze around till he found what looked like a kingly seat area situated right above a huge iron gate that was currently closed. "Ladies and gentlemen, without further a due, let our challengers first test, begin!" The huge demon dogs voice boomed over the area causing all the gathered to roar towards the ground where Zeik was standing. Soon the gate started to clink its way upward as a huge roar echoed out from the passage within.