Zaher's Game

[Reccomended Song for Chapter: 'Ezra's Theme' "Deadwood" - Really Slow Motion]

POV: Ezra

As Zaher lead us to an open area, I couldn't help but feel respect towards the beast. Despite his previous display of emotions, he now exuded a confidence that I couldn't help but feel drawn to.

Upon entering the open area, I saw a ring of creatures that were tied up. I couldn't wrap my head around how an animal without opposable thumbs had managed to detain six different creatures.

My eyes were immediately drawn to an innocent looking mantis that looked at me with hopeful eyes.

We'll be getting you out of her soon.

Zaher stopped and spoke grimly, "All of you sat back and watched as your leader died."

A wave of regret crashed over me as I unconsciously savored his words. I hated that I agreed with every single one of them.

Zaher paused and looked back to us. "Before I can trust you, I need to know your heart."

The jaguar's expression darkened, "I need to know if you're still as pathetic as you were then."

Zaher walked over to a massive white wolf that glared daggers at the feline.

However, the jaguar seemed entirely uninterested in the wolf's feelings as he turned his gaze to Jeremiah. "Choose one of your species to fight."

Jeremiah stepped forward on his own.

Zaher darkened, "Someone besides yourself."

Jeremiah bit his lips and, as if by instinct, looked towards Kenji. Kenji had already completely exhausted himself though.

I found it amusing to watch Jeremiah scan the group with a worried expression. He seemed to realize that his go-to was unable to fight and his gaze shifted over to Xavier, but quickly looked away.

He may be strong, but I knew that Jeremiah wouldn't have a kid battle one-on-one. His options were limited. Aria, Hazel, and Lani were all ranged fighters, and Gael was just weak. This left his options limited to Blaire, Nikita, and I. His gaze immediately moved to Blaire. She was near Kenji in terms of combat ability and easily our 3rd most powerful.

However,

My hands shook in rage as Zaher's words hit me like a truck.

'You pathetic worms couldn't even do anything as a member of your species died.'

Jeremiah spoke, "Bla-"

I growled and put my hand in front of my sister. "No! I'm fighting!"

Blaire quickly tried to pull my arm down as she spoke blankly, "I can fight."

My eye quivered in rage as I looked towards the wolf. My reality began to alter as my mind transformed the wolf's appearance into that of Maksim's. As my vision shook, demonic wings seemed to break out of the canine's back.

I threw her hand off and my voice dripped with an uncontrollable rage, "Blaire. I'm fighting."

Jeremiah was hesitant, but he respected me enough to oblige. "Okay."

His gaze darkened, "Don't even think about dying, Ezra."

My vision broke apart into various shades of violet as I walked towards the wolf.

There's no way in hell I'll lose again!

Zaher seemed to smirk, "Very well."

Zaher ripped the bindings off the wolf with a swipe and pushed the creature forward with his paw. "You'll be given freedom if you survive."

The wolf who had previously targeted its rage towards Zaher now looked at me with bloodlust. Its eye exploded into a dark scarlet color as crimson energy ran along its exterior.

Good. I won't forgive you if you don't give everything you have to me.

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Ezra

Age: 16

Gender: Male

Species: Homo Sapien

Race: East Slavic

Class: Spellblade (Rank F)

Stats: | Affinity:

Strength: 18 | Epic

Agility: 15 | Rare

Stamina: 15 | Rare

Ability Control: 19 | Epic

Pressure: ?? | Epic

Skills:

Augment Weapon: (Rank E)

Proficiency: 22/100

Arcane Missile: (Rank F)

Proficiency: 16/100

Arcane Burst (Rank E)

Proficiency: 13/100

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Blood rushed to my arms as a crimson axe appeared in my hands.

As the crossed image of a white wolf and a demon manifested, a sinister energy came over the edge of my blade.

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Activating Augment Weapon

Proficiency: 22/100

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Dark violet motes creeped up the hilt of my axe until it gripped the edge with a strong hold.

My eyes shook with excitement as the demon appeared inches in front of me.

The demon leaped towards me and I slipped beneath his body and raked the edge of my axe along his belly.

The demon let out a strange wolf-like yelp as it whipped around to face me again.

You're not a wolf. Don't even pretend to hide your true colors, Maksim!

As it stood there, I quickly pulled up my hand and aimed it at its face. Violet energy coalesced around my fingers as the space around me began to warp.

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Proficiency +1

Activating Arcane Missile

Proficiency: 17/100

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The pulse of energy fired from my hand and the demon nimbly dodged the oncoming attack.

The wall behind the demon shook as the small explosion reverberated.

The demon charged again, but my body spun by instinct and landed a cleave on its torso.

As I whipped around to see the demon, its eyes had been completely consumed by rage.

The infernal creature activated an unknown skill as its crimson cloak intensified.

________________________

You are being affected by 'Intimidate'

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A maniacal laugh escaped my lips as I saw the demon try to break me through fear.

My hands were already trembling from the excitement of redemption. The fear only made my adrenaline surge that much higher.

The ground shook as the demon seemed to paw at the ground.

The demonic creature's teeth cloaked themselves in scarlet energy as he charged to attack me again.

Truly. I want to feel the pain again, if only for a second.

I slowly raised my left arm and locked eyes with the demon.

The demon bit my left arm hard and ripped through flesh down to bone. Its eyes widened in shock as if surpised by the fact that I hadn't made a single effort to dodge.

Jeremiah yelled, "Ezra! Focus!"

Blaire, who was normally emotionless, now held her hand out, ready to materialize her sword with a tilted look in her eyes.

Zaher raised an eye as if interested in my actions.

I let another laugh dripping with rage escape my lips as I wrapped my right hand around the demon's throat.

The demon's pupils appeared to shrink at the unexpected laugh.

'All of you sat back and watched as your leader died'

My blood began to boil as I remembered the harsh truth that had already tormented me long before Zaher said it.

'I need to know if you're still as pathetic as you were then'

As our violet and crimson energy clashed for dominance, my right hand tightened its grip.

________________________

Proficiency +1

Activating Arcane Burst

Proficiency: 14/100

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A massive explosion shredded the demon's face and a pained cry was heard echoing through the sandstone halls.

Arlo, Can you see this!?

My right eye exploded into a vortex of lilac rage as I repeated the spell.

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Activating Arcane Burst

Proficiency: 14/100

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The disfigured demon yelped as its charred face allowed one of its eyes fall to the ground.

'Your friend was a warrior'

As my arcane ability quickly depleted to nothingness and my eye flickered, I quickly forced it to return as the motes of purple energy surrounding me shook.

Arlo! I swear to god, I'll avenge you!

________________________

Activating Arcane Burst

Proficiency: 14/100

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As blood trickled down my mouth, the already damaged demon gave me a longing look.

"Just die." I said coldly.

Within seconds, the demon evaporated into red particles and disappeared.

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Enemy Felled

Ability Control +1

Stamina +1

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I collapsed onto one knee as the aftereffects of the adrenaline surge hit me like a tsunami.

As my head cleared, the heat from my arm began to radiate strongly and the teeth marks that would be permanently etched into my arm seemed to glare back at me.

The sound of muffled footsteps approached me.

Zaher put his paw on my arm and the teeth marks slowly began to disappear.

I pulled my arm away after he had healed most of the internal bleeding.

I couldn't explain my actions, but the jaguar seemed to understand my attachment to the battle wounds.

Zaher nodded and walked over to the mantis, releasing it from its bindings. The mantis immediately jumped up and hid behind Xavier.

Xavier looked shocked but quickly wrapped his little arms around the insect.

Blaire walked to me slowly and wrapped her arms around me. Her normally cold disposition juxtaposed heavily with the warmth that I felt now. I slowly brought my still trembling hand to her arm and pulled my sister closer.

Lani ran over and joined in the hug.

My eyes widened as a tingly feeling of surprise rose in my chest.

Zaher spoke with a mix of admiration and determination, "You fought well. It's a shame that somebody special had to die for you to obtain your conviction."

His words cut through me like a knife. Yet again, I found myself agreeing with each of his words to a frightening degree, as if they were my own thoughts.

Zaher placed his paws in front of him and sat down, "What would you like to know about this place?"