The Ancients World

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~~~(POV: Cera Adamo)~~~

~~~(Location: Desert, The Continent Of Alforza)~~~

~~~(Time: 10:13 AM)~~~

Hailey and Marcus are likely getting ready for bed on the part of Gaia they're on at the moment. My attention is on the people across from me. In the time that I was flying for several hours, Sally and Xilo are actually sitting next to each other.

I don't think it'll last long since the sun is starting to rise, and Xilo unequips her clothes when the heat rises. Sally won't want to sit next to that. From what I've gathered, they've been talking about their pasts as slaves.

It's not a conversation I can contribute or relate to. While I can comprehend and understand it, it'll be disrespectful for me to speak about something I've never experienced and is this serious.

"What about you, Raduerial? Do you know what it's like to be the subject of another?"

Scratch that part about staying out of it. The dark-skinned priestess has other ideas. I get she's curious, but she must be able to see that I've never been through such trials.

Sally looks at me with curiosity as well. I've never talked about stuff like this since I thought it'd make her uncomfortable. I never compare life experiences, and that's what it feels like I'd be doing if I were to talk about stuff in this manner.

"No, I've never been the subject of another. Not as a slave is a subject to someone else. Or is an object the right word to use..."

My open-ended answer doesn't leave much interpretation. Sure, in the past, I was bullied. But that was because I was weak. I was forced to do things I didn't want to do, but that's not the same as being a slave.

It's much deeper and heavier to be a slave. I'd rather suffer my old life thousands of times over than be the slave of another person. In many ways, that's a fate worse than death.

"You've been through much yourself, haven't you..."

Xilo sounds genuinely concerned about me. I don't see why she wouldn't be given who she is. Sure, there are differences between our ways of life, but that doesn't mean she's a cruel or uncaring person. In fact, I think she's the opposite of that.

She's waiting for me to reply to that, but I don't. Seeing as there really isn't anything to talk about. Again, I'm not comparing my life with another. It's not who I am. For a long time, I dwelled in the past, and I still do sometimes.

But I'm giving up that part of my life and making myself a better outlook. Sally has been doing the same thing with her life, and I'm doing it too. Growth takes a long time. It doesn't happen overnight.

"He's not someone that talks about his life with people he doesn't really know. He's shared a great deal with me since we've been together, and it's been something that's brought us closer."

She sums up everything pretty well. Before the conversation can continue, the entire caravan stops. That's not happened since we started moving.

I stand up from our spot in the open-aired carriage, and there is trouble brewing ahead. There seems to be a large group of men coming toward the caravan. Trouble is on the horizon, and I know this will delay us for a couple of hours at the most.

The priestess stands up to and sees toward the horizon. She's silent, and I can see on her face that she's a little worried.

"What is it?"

Sally asks what's on my mind since she's watching too. I can take guesses all the living long day, but I can't be sure.

"A common occurrence in the desert. It's a rival caravan. While we are all on the same side against The Regeliance Kingdom, we have competitions between groups. It's the way of life for us. Since you're Des'merta, you're welcome to participate."

So caravans of other Des'merta fight one another... That's something I can see happening in the culture. But that would be counter-productive to beating The Regeliance Kingdom. At least, it would've been if they weren't Players.

However, they are now, and no Des'merta dies. That's something that can be used against The Regaliance Kingdom.

"So, in the middle of a hot desert, a battle will occur?"

My elven companion is asking the right question. However, it could've been asked differently.

"No, the only times where a large conflict will occur is when the sun has fallen. At this point in the day, either side will choose a fighter to represent them. Normally, the leaders of the caravans are the ones that do this."

That means whatever fight is about to happen will only be between two people. The leaders of each caravan. Relio will be fighting on behalf of our caravan.

"What happens if the leader of this caravan loses?"

There has to be some penalty and one that isn't minor. There would be no point in fighting unless something of value was at stake. Considering this is a desert, I can take some guesses. Des'merta being Players, puts holes in those guesses.

I watch as Xilo takes on a sorrowful expression and one that doesn't bode well for the people of this caravan.

"It depends on the winner. If Relio wins, he'll likely demand tribute in Spice and water. But the leader of that caravan..."

Looks like whoever is on the otherside has a reputation.

"His name is Leezir, and he's someone that prefers women over Spice and water. He'll probably demand to take a woman from our caravan to his. Anyone is up for grabs if that happens. Be it me or you, Sally."

Like that's going to happen. I spread my wings and fly to the front of the caravan without saying anything else. I land in front of Relio, and he looks at me.

The man across from us is tall and ripped to the bone in muscles. He points his sword toward us and takes a single step forward.

"Who is this winged freak, Relio? Your lover that comes to save you from the humiliation of losing to me?"

I can already tell that I'm not going to like this guy. I slowly draw The Witness, and as I do. The Legendary Sword channels an aura that reflects my mental state. It's making the man across from Relio sweat profusely, and I step back and put up his guard.

I spread my wings further and prepare for battle. But before I can move for the first strike, I feel a hand on my shoulder, and Relio steps up next to me.

"You are not the leader of this caravan, Raduerial. I am. It's my responsibility to fight Leezir, and no matter what you say or do can stop that."

That's where he's wrong.

"I'm not letting the risk of you losing exist. Step aside, or die alongside him."

Relio doesn't look intimidated or thrown off at all. Most people shit themselves when I make such threats.

"This is the way of our people. If you interfere, we won't be allowed inside where we are going."

What a conundrum to be stuck in.

Yeah, right.

"Don't stop him, Relio. It's not our place to get in the way of Raduerial. Even our ways must bend in change for him."

The familiar voice of Xilo breaks the tension from behind us. I turn and see Sally standing next to the woman.

I can already feel the gaze of Leezir on Sally. If not my elven girlfriend, then his eyes are on Xilo.

"Then it's settled."

As the words leave my mouth, I turn my attention back to the man across from us. He's visibly more nervous now. He knows now what's in store for him. While he will respawn as all Players do, he'll feel the pain of an excruciating death.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: Below this line, I'll be keeping Cera's player information. That way, I won't have to place it into the story above anymore. It takes about 180 words up.

[Slayer (Zern) Lvl.237][Tier-4]

[Exp: 72/100%]

[Title: The Son of Arch-Angel Michael (Hidden)]

[Stats] [Strength - 7095][Endurance - 7045][Dexterity - 7215][Speed - 8240][Focus - 19,660]

[Mana aura control: 6/100%]

[Health: 76,560,000,000/76,560,000,000] [Mana: 216,600,000,000/216,600,000,000]

[Stat Points: 440] [Armor rating: 500]

[Inventory] [Dice of Wayland (Divine)] [The Witness (Legendary Sword)] [Fenrir's Whistle (Divine)] [Camping gear] [Fishing poles 2x] [Festival Garbs 2x] [4x EXP Boosts] [Princess Saliandra's Panties (Black Lace)] [Desert Warrior Nomad Set (Rare)]

[Passive Perks]

[Inheritor of the Sword] [Son of Heaven] [Slayer of Evil] [Holy Willow Trees Savior] [Finder of Legends] [The Divine who has Legend] [Destined for Greatness] [Dungeon Diver] [An Overachiever]

[Active Skills]

[Heaven's light Lvl.74 325/7400] [Protected by Heaven Lvl.74 225/7400] [Slash Lvl.92 4600/21000] [Parry Lvl.68 85/6800] [Double Strike N/A] [Kingslayer N/A] [Raging Machine N/A] [Winged Glory] [Angelic Flight] [Divine Pressure Exertion] [Divinity Pulse] [Controlled Fun] [Aspect of Transportation (Legendary)]