“Alright, I need you all to squeeze in a little closer,” Alex said, viewing the scene through the ‘phone’s’ screen.
“Like this?” Thundar asked, suddenly body checking Isolde.
“Oof! He certainly could not mean that, you ruffian!” she complained.
“Something’s poking me.” Selina looked behind her.
“Oh, sorry that’s the hilt of my dagger,” Theresa apologised.
“How amusing!” King Aksuma laughed. “I cannot wait to see what w...
2023-06-10 21:07:41 +0000 UTC
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“Serving a crushing and total victory to every team who opposed them! Leaving devastation in their wake! Here are our first place victors in the Grand Battle! The Team of Terror! The Masters of Mayhem! The Destroyers of Dreams! The team of Alex Roth; Isolde von Anmut, Khalik Behr-Medr, Thundar, son of Gulbiff, Hogarth of the Rhinean Empire, Svenia of the Rhinean Empire, Grimloch, Najyah, Brutus aaaaand Claaaaaaygooooon!” the announcer screamed, his voice rumbling through the air.
Th...
2023-06-09 21:51:00 +0000 UTC
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Alex Roth had come to the Games of Roal with two trump cards up his sleeve, each born from realising that for him to understand the Traveller’s power, he’d had to recognise that destination point, and origin point, were key.
Knowing those two things, he’d been able to make Hannah’s energy flare inside him, letting him control it as naturally as he could his own mana. The first time, he was shocked to find himself teleported ten feet across a hill in Greymoor. The second time, he...
2023-06-08 22:52:30 +0000 UTC
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“And without further delay, let the Grand Battle begin!” The lead Watcher cried.
Magical machinery—each piece resembling a circle of six golden orbs the size of human heads floating above brass platforms—began to hum. Spell-marks appeared on every contestant's hands, ready to whisk them away before any grave injuries could occur during the battle.
“I’ll save your places,” Alex said, drawing the gazes of his teammates. “Let’s go wreck shit!”
“Let’s wre...
2023-06-08 00:49:25 +0000 UTC
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Days of intense competition had built to this moment, capping them with an event that all of Generasi longed for, the most anticipated test in the Games of Roal: The Grand Battle.
Gemini floated in the air, pointing to the illusion of a low, flat-topped mountain sitting high above her. Her commanding voice gave the competitors their instructions. “For reaching the central point of the island, a total of sixty points will be awarded. For holding that position—and preventing other tea...
2023-06-06 22:24:31 +0000 UTC
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“She did it,” Alex sat staring into the countryside. “She actually did it.” His tone was a mixture of awe and disbelief. “I don’t know if I want to applaud, high-five her, or scream.”
“She looks happy,” Theresa craned her neck, looking back at the villa.
An hour had passed since Alex watched his little sister bring a shaft of flame to life in the palm of her hand, and even now, he got goosebumps when he thought about it. It had been beautiful, yet terrifying.
...
2023-06-03 20:12:25 +0000 UTC
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“What?” Alex’s jaw dropped. “You can’t do that!”
“I need to.” She looked Alex directly in the eye, her gaze not wavering. “Fire is a part of me, just like it’s a part of Khalik’s mom. If I don’t do this now, then I’ll never do it. Please, Alex. Just let me do this.”
Her brother watched her closely for a moment, his expression drifting between concern and fear.
“Selina,” he started. “Maybe we can save this for another time. Maybe we sho...
2023-06-02 21:39:41 +0000 UTC
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“I waited until the hush of night, just as it turned midnight,” the queen said, her voice grim. “It was during the time of drought and famine in Tekezash, and, for most, it was a truly terrible time. My family’s food stores were holding well enough—we were not feasting, but we were not without most meals either. Though, I wish I could say the same for those who lived in the countryside: everything, even the lowliest weed was dead. The people were growing hungrier. Desperate. My fath...
2023-06-02 00:41:29 +0000 UTC
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“Mother,” Khalik sounded worried, as he threw a nervous glance at Selina. “Perhaps we should speak of this at another time.” He gestured to the window. “The sun is high, the day is beautiful. There’s no need to darken our lunch with topics that might invite dread.”
“I’d like to hear what she has to say,” Shiani said, her expression uncharacteristically irate. She clenched her jaw. “This man disrespected holy fire. I would also have a lot to say on that, but your mo...
2023-05-31 22:25:03 +0000 UTC
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The spark filled Selina with an unusual sensation of warmth. A feeling that arose within her core, unlike any warmth she’d encountered before. It felt as though something had been stirred up within her…surprising her, making her gasp.
‘What is this?’ she wondered, as the spark pulsed. ‘It feels like…a small flame…like embers burning…but where is it? What is it?’
Frowning, she looked away from Queen Ishtar and pulled her brother’s sleeve. “I’m going to ask S...
2023-05-30 21:25:53 +0000 UTC
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“Contestants! Welcome to the Great Land Hunt!” an illusion of the announcer cried, his voice rumbling through the forest. “Today you’ll be tasked with finding a most elusive and charming creature, one some of you will be familiar with if you participated in the Land Hunt last year!”
An illusion of a rolok covered in short, glossy, white fur materialised high above. “Spirit roloks are fast and quite evasive,” the announcer explained. “These gentle creatures wield innate i...
2023-05-27 20:44:35 +0000 UTC
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“You sure this surprise you’ve got in mind for our competition is going to be enough?” Theresa asked Alex while walking alongside him, Brutus and Claygon.
“I can’t say that I’m a hundred percent certain, ‘cos that’d be a lie, but I’m real hopeful.” Alex strode beside her, gripping the aeld staff tightly. His mind was going through the different steps of his plan. Every part of it had to be executed to perfection if he wanted them to win the Great Land Hunt. This year...
2023-05-27 00:14:23 +0000 UTC
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“There was blood in the water for a moment there.” Shale shook her head. “Because people are idiots. Now, drink up.”
“Toraka, you still haven’t told me what the hell happened up there.” Alex took a long sip of his beer, the second one bought for him by his business partner.
“That’s because when you nearly get slaughtered in business, you drink first, and talk later. We’re like soldiers on the battlefield. It’s just that the ‘blood’ we shed is gold instead...
2023-05-25 20:00:33 +0000 UTC
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The timer was ticking down.
The match was nearing its end.
And so was the time for Prime.
Professor Ram’s mana flooded into his spell like an undammed river swamping the countryside. The force construct shuddered, engulfed by its master’s power, growing to twice its original size.
Prime now loomed three times Claygon’s height, with its long tail stretching most of the length of the arena.
Roth looked like he was unable to believe his eyes.
The audienc...
2023-05-24 21:19:57 +0000 UTC
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Harsha Ram was a warrior.
A man who had long realised that there was a governing law that decided everything encompassing one’s life: force.
As a boy, his closest friend drew other children to him by possessing an athletic body, a decisive manner, and a mesmerising personality. The adults in his village achieved security and peace through force; combining their peoples’ martial arts, weapon’s arts and tactics to vanquish bandits, monsters and would-be conquerors.
As a ...
2023-05-23 20:36:42 +0000 UTC
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In the past two plus years, Alex had learned a lot about combat. Over time, he’d come to see and take note of how different fighters embraced their own ways of battle, using what best suited them, yet sharing the same goal; winning.
A fighter like Grimloch relied on the might of their physique and natural talent to devastate, crush, and stop an opponent in their tracks. Incredible strength. Insurmountable speed. Titanic mass. Overwhelming magical power. Towering natural talent all cam...
2023-05-20 21:26:48 +0000 UTC
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Power filled Claygon’s fire-gems, flooding them with searing heat and light. Towering high above the floating golem loomed Ram’s construct, Prime, unleashing a storm of force bolts the size of Claygon’s war-spear.
In mid-flight, the golem braced himself against the onslaught battering his stone body. He did not move. His gaze did not shift. His gems flared.
Three beams of fire magic lanced through the air with hungry crackles.
They raced for Prime’s torso.
“N...
2023-05-19 23:33:05 +0000 UTC
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“Alex and Claygon could be in trouble.” Isolde gripped the arms of her seat. “I have never seen a construct like that before in my life. Nor have I heard of one.”
Thundar squinted at Magnus. “Did you see what Prime did to everyone it went up against? By my ancestors, Vesuvius was the only opponent that could challenge it.”
“I…I am aware,” Isolde said. “I know Claygon is powerful, but this Prime…”
“He’s got tricks that will be hard for Cla...
2023-05-18 22:10:27 +0000 UTC
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“Soon it’ll be us against Tyris and Vesuvius.” Alex rubbed his hands together. “Are you excited, buddy?”
The young Thameish wizard and the golem descended from the arena, chatting excitedly about their upcoming match. Their last opponents—defeated and shamed—were trailing far behind them. Phoenix’s head was hanging low.
The way Jace was looking at his pet could have peeled paint, and Alex could have sworn he’d heard the man utter ‘cauldron of chicken stew’ be...
2023-05-17 20:32:55 +0000 UTC
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“And the match is off to a rousing start!” the announcer thundered. “Let me tell you, gentlefolk, I’ve seen a lot of things in the many years I’ve been calling these exciting matches! But, nothing like this! We have a golem juggling another golem! Claygon juggling Ultrasteel! Literally juggling, not combat-juggling! Today we’re seeing a level of showmanship that I must say is unprecedented in my rather long lifetime!”
The crowd laughed and chanted Claygon’s name...
2023-05-16 22:28:48 +0000 UTC
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There were a lot of things that Alex wasn’t shocked by anymore since he’d come to the university of Generasi.
Monsters? He’d started growing numb to them from his early experiences in the Art of the Wizard in combat and day to day life in Generasi. Mind-bending magic? Simply being around Baelin ensured that it became fairly normal, though he still marvelled at what the heights of true wizardly power could do. Even blood and death didn’t paralyse him with fear like they once migh...
2023-05-14 00:07:44 +0000 UTC
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Artists and poets often waxed poetic when they captured the majesty of a grand battle.
Bards would spend night upon night by campfires, painting duels and deaths with colourful words, speaking of Heroes who rose and fell, proclaiming their victories for all to hear.
When it came time to tell tales of loss and defeat, storytellers would drop their voices low, speaking with the reverence of one giving a eulogy at a loved one’s graveside.
Many words and rhymes were spent on t...
2023-05-12 22:01:05 +0000 UTC
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“Let’s go, Harmless,” Kybas shouted, “We're ahead by four points, now let’s bring it home. Go high!” the goblin pointed to the sky and his familiar shot from the fog like a ballista bolt.
Harmless soared back to Kybas’ side of the arena, climbing to the top of the cage.
“After him, Violante!” Warren shouted. “Be careful, don’t do anything reckless!”
“Aaaaahhh, a mistake, I am afraid,” Aksuma sighed, smiling. “Perhaps it is the folly of the elder...
2023-05-11 22:10:26 +0000 UTC
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Alex leapt to his feet, “No!” He screamed at Violante.
The bright yellow ray arced toward Harmless, silent but mighty. The croc struggled, trying to free himself from vines holding him in place. Some slid away, but not quick enough.
Kybas’ wide eyes narrowed. “Death roll!” he shouted.
The crowd gasped, recoiling and shading their eyes from the extreme bright light.
“Damn, that buys him a little time, but now he’s all tangled up!” Thundar cried.
...
2023-05-10 21:04:12 +0000 UTC
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Kybas and Harmless stacked one defeat after another against every opponent they faced.
In some of the other matches fought between familiars, monsters, or pets, their masters used tactics to their best ability: their partners circled, feinted, launched fire magic, struck quickly and used wrestling moves, but Harmless’ duels hadn’t been about finesse, they’d been about simply running over his adversaries like a speeding turnip cart would over an unfortunate mouse.
All of the ...
2023-05-09 23:12:59 +0000 UTC
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“You can do it, Harmless!” Kybas cried. “Swat that bug!”
He chanted a flight spell, and the deadly reptile—terror of land and surf— became a terror of the wide blue yonder.
Harmless launched into the air like a raptor, jaws snapping, tail whipping like he was driving his body through the deep. His opponent, the Vespara, moved a half step faster, buzzing above Harmless, circling the crocodile; gleaming insectile eyes fixed on him.
Boris cast a haste spell and Skyl...
2023-05-06 20:38:50 +0000 UTC
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Alex had been right about one thing.
The actions of others had indeed led to bad times. In this case, the actions of Kybas of the Clan Chulu had led to bad times for every single competitor he went up against in the medium-weight division of the Duel by Proxy.
Already, the first bout had turned into a slaughter.
Never had the name Harmless ever been so unfitting.
Their opponent was a tall, graceful hellhound summoned by a familiar face: Victor, a student from one of Al...
2023-05-05 17:04:56 +0000 UTC
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Selina watched the firestorm drake, Terris, lick his master’s hand as master and familiar received the silver metal.
There was flame on the drake’s tongue, but Jasmine didn’t wince or pull away from its touch. She just smiled at Terris, scratching his ear, as though his fire was as gentle on her skin as a warm breeze.
A flame that didn't hurt.
Selina’s eyes never left the flame, drawn to the creature’s burning scales; even from the distance between her seat and the...
2023-05-04 21:22:22 +0000 UTC
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Khalik stood on his side of the arena with Najyah perched on his arm. As he’d done the previous year, he stood confident, waving to the crowd like he was on his way to a coronation. Najyah looked poised today, like a symbol atop a kingdom’s banner with all traces of her usual mischievousness gone.
She looked at King Aksuma as Khalik looked at Sinope and his mother.
He blew his partner a kiss before turning to his opponent.
Once again, he faced the second year wizard, Lei...
2023-05-03 22:42:45 +0000 UTC
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To reach Alex’s little surprise, he and his companions travelled through an ocean of pavilions and stands covering the tournament grounds. They squeezed through gathering crowds to get there under the bright, early morning sunshine. The Roth Family Bakery’s tent stood in an alley of food vendors—in a coveted spot near the centre of the festival.
Merchants from Generasi and far beyond hurried to organise their carts, pavilions, and stalls, calling to one another in dozens of langua...
2023-05-02 21:11:07 +0000 UTC
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