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by Carl van Ostrand
The desert has revoked our good fortune and has again shown us wrath. Before we had awakened today as the sun began to break over the horizon, we were attacked by several Web Bots, and something is known as a Cage Bot, a walking prison that I have seen before in the gladiator matches. Before I had even gotten to my feet, I realized that Helios was trapped inside the Cage Bot, and Fist had been tied up by the Web Bots. As I jumped to my feet, I was hit in the chest by a Nerve-Pulse Cannon, a very unpleasant experience. When I regained control of my body, a gigantic fearsome Construct was looming over me – it was Version 9. I now better understand the level of competition within these gladiator matches. Version 9 was equipped to the teeth with body modifications and backup weapons. He moves like fluid.
In a voice that can only be described as evil, he explained his goal was not to hurt us but to use us to gain access to the gladiator arena in Nova Yilsi, where he could challenge the other Version 9. If he holds me, hostage, he thinks my father will grant him access into the arena on the day of the championship, where he can prove his worth to the Ophidian council. Fist and Helios will simply be used as a bargaining tool. He further explained that 300 Version 9s had been made, and he was one of the only two remaining. He had faked his own defeat so that he could return and prove his superiority in the arena. We now capture his roaming metallic party. I sit with Helios inside the Cage Bot. I can hear Fist’s deep groans just outside. The bots tracked us by using a spider beacon that they planted in the oasis and attached to Fist. I am not keen on these clever machines. I hope to make them pay for slowing my progress.
I lie awake within my steel prison – I believe the second moon has risen, and it is night. Escape is not an option right now, for I must first locate the Cage Bot’s power cables. My sword lies useless on the metal floor and the lack of oxygen has made Helios lethargic.
I am left pondering how Version 9 spoke of the Ophidians as if he needed to prove his worth. I cannot help but wonder if Ophidian control reaches beyond the arena. Why are they so intent on taking over the Justich arenas? What does Solop Avagar have to offer and why was my brother providing them with information? I must learn more about the motives of these Ophidians.
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