Level One God

I could barely hear the screams over the roar of the crowds. Portals swirled and circled overhead or darted between fleeing slaves.

We were in a forest, and the trees gave some semblance of protection, but it wasn't much.

To my left, a tree exploded with a crackle of electricity.

I ducked, shielding my face as bark pattered against my skin, each piece shocking me slightly as it made contact. I saw the spear hit an aspirant in the back. Blue buttery light encased her body and she was ripped upward, yanked out of the battle by the protective wards.

The fallen aspirant had dropped a sword, but it was pulled upward along with her.

No looting the fallen, then. Of course not.

I stayed low, hastily reminding myself of the plan I'd made before this all began. Find Lyria. Then find Thorn, Sylara, Zahra, and Ramzi. Then save anyone else I could and get the fuck out of this mayhem.

I started in the direction I'd seen Thorn's cloud descending, hoping I could spot Lyria along the way.

An aspirant in gray sprinted past me at full speed, eyes wide.

"Have you seen—" I started, but the man shook his head and continued running.

To my right, a trio of nobles in black stalked the woods, laughing and talking casually. Half a dozen portals floated behind them, carrying the voices of the announcers and the crowds.

I crouched even lower, heart pounding out of my chest.

Had I been fucking crazy to think I could win this? I was unarmed with only my cursed bedroll, which currently didn't feel like the best idea. My only spell was defensive, which also didn't feel like the best idea at the moment. But none of my offensive spells would've been much use without potions.

I scooped up some wet earth and added it to the blood soaking my face when a rogue portal hovered past me as if its operator was searching for something worth watching.

Not me, not me…

The portal paused, several faces of noble tomte sitting in a lavish room briefly noticing me on the other side. The moment stretched out, and then someone screamed behind me and the portal hurried toward the sound.

I thought about shouting for Lyria, but I was keenly aware I was basically a minnow surrounded by sharks at the moment.

Someone shouted triumphantly ahead. A woman said something, and I was pretty sure I recognized her voice. Zahra.

I broke into a run, still keeping low just incase that woman with the lightning spear was anywhere nearby.

I dodged around a few trees, jumped a fallen log, and then skidded to a stop as I saw the scene. Four aspirants in gray had Lyria, Zahra, and Ramzi cornered. Two of the aspirants had weapons drawn. One was holding some kind of bright blue ball that looked magical. The fourth's hand was coated in fire magic.

I recognized all four of them from the guild. Assholes, mostly, and near the lower end of the top 50.

There was Hector, a muscular man with a shaved head and short beard. He had abnormally sharp canines and a deep, booming voice. His fighting style definitely implied he fought with a Sword class corestone and some kind of berserker style.

Elora was a mage who specialized in fire magic. She was older, maybe in her forties, with streaks of gray in her hair and tired eyes but a no-nonsense attitude and a cruel streak.

Tamrin was younger, maybe in his late teens. He was tall, thin, and wiry, and my best guess was he had a Soul corestone. His fighting style relied on debilitation and debuffing opponents so he could get in and finish them with melee weapons.

The last was Yolo, a tomte I knew used a Heart corestone. He had nature-themed magic and a few offensive spells, but his main healing spell encased himself in vines that could lift him high above the combat while he healed within.

"What are you guys doing?" I asked. "We're on the same side."

A distant explosion made the ground tremble. Through the trees, a portal drifted past like a predatory eye, the announcer's voice spilling out: "—ANOTHER FIVE DOWN! THE SLAVES ARE DROPPING LIKE FLIES!"

Lyria shifted beside me, her spear already lowering into attack position. "Back off. All of you."

"Nah," Hector said. He was clutching a sword I recognized from a few sparring matches. It had a double attack ability that was offputting if you didn't know it was coming.

Somewhere to our left, lightning cracked three times in rapid succession. Each strike was followed by screams that cut off too quickly. The crowd's roar swelled through multiple portals, hungry and delighted.

I moved to put myself beside Lyria and between the aspirants and the slaves, feeling every muscle go painfully tight as I braced for disaster. All hell was breaking loose in every direction, and it was only a matter of time before one of those nobles found us here.

"Killing slaves draws the portals, Brynn," Hector said, and I could see the fear in his eyes now. "The crowd loves blood. No portals means you're boring. Boring means the wards fail when it counts. So move the fuck out of the way. We'll let you help us kill them and maybe we'll all get some portals. Just—"

"No," I said, taking a step toward him. I was unarmed, but I had a massive mana pool and the ability to heal through several wounds. I could at least hold them down while Lyria, Zahra, and Ramzi finished them off. "You're not going to touch them."

Hector's eyebrows drew together. "You look to be unarmed, Brynn. I'm not sure you're in a position to be making threats."

"You've seen me fight," I said, keeping my voice low. I knew I didn't have time to drag this out. Thorn, Sylara, and countless other slaves were still fighting for their lives all around us. I could hear their struggles. But I also could use allies. If there was any chance of winning over Hector and his friends…

Two of the aspirants behind Hector shifted on their feet. The sound of running footsteps—many of them—echoed from somewhere behind us.

Getting closer or moving away, I couldn't tell.

Elora lifted her hand, making the fire magic there flare brighter. "Come on, Hector. We're wasting time."

"Join up with us," I said quickly, sensing they were about to attack. "You want portals watching you? Then follow me. I can promise you this: the shit I'm planning to pull will get you a hell of a lot more eyes than killing two slaves."

Hector looked past me to the slaves, then back to the others. Finally, he shrugged. "Alright. You had better be right."

I let out a sigh of relief, then helped Zahra and Ramzi to their feet.

"Any sign of Thorn or Sylara?" I asked.

Ramzi shook his head.

"Abilities and items?" I asked everyone. I needed to know what we were working with.

Spear of Torment and Wind Wall," Lyria said.

"Double Strike and Blood Rage," Hector said. After a brief pause, he clarified. "Sword strikes twice once per minute, hitting twice as hard on the second strike. Blood Rage increases my strength as I lose more blood."

"Amulet of Recovery and Flame Manipulation," Elora said. "My wounds will heal over time and I can burn things." Her tone said she wasn't entirely thrilled to be forming an alliance with us, or more likely with the slaves.

"Water Snare and Encumber," Tamrin said. He lifted the blue ball in one hand. "Makes people move slow like they're underwater for a few seconds. Encumber makes them feel like they weigh twice as much."

"Brave choices," Hector said sarcastically.

"Effective choices," Tamrin countered. "Unlike taking an ability that requires me to nearly bleed out to kick in."

"I've got Yolo to patch me back up, asshole. And you—"

"We don't have time for this. Come on," I said sharply. "You two good?" I asked as we started moving. Zahra and Ramzi nodded.

"I have my shadow webs," Zahra said. "And I brought this," she showed me a dagger. "But I am no good with it. You should use it, Brynn Stygos."

She flipped the dagger and extended it to me, hilt first, then gripped my hand and made me take it. I felt the subtle flicker of magic as she passed her tether on the item to me.

"You're sure?" I asked.

"Yes. Thank you," Zahra said. "I know you're here for us. You are too noble for this world, Brynn Stygos. See that you do not die because of it."

"Too noble, or too stupid," Lyria muttered. "Not sure I can tell the difference."

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Protective charm," Ramzi said, flashing a necklace he wore. "Earned it from our troubles in Beastden. It will stop a projectile attack every two minutes. And my ability…" he began to hum and cool magic crept up our legs. I recognized the spell. It was the one that let us move faster.

"Good," I said. "Come on."

We moved as a group through the trees, the sounds of carnage echoing from every direction. I kept us low and quiet, using hand signals when possible. The slaves stayed in the center while those of us with combat abilities formed a loose perimeter.

Through a gap in the canopy, I glimpsed packs of nobles prowling the woods with weapons glinting in the morning sun. The aspirants and slaves seemed to be hiding, and for good reason.

"There!" Lyria hissed, pointing ahead.

Thorn and Sylara were backed against a massive oak tree, Thorn's chain whipping desperately to keep three aspirants at bay. A cluster of slaves huddled behind them—maybe seven or eight, all bleeding from various wounds.

I recognized the aspirants—all from the guild, all ranked in the thirties.

"Hold," I told my group. "Let me try talking to them first. If it goes bad, come in hard on my signal."

Hector frowned. "You're wasting—"

"Just watch for my cue." I stepped out, hands visible but ready. "Marcus! Tam! Boyer!"

They spun, weapons raised. I wasn't exactly surprised to see the majority of slaves, aspirants, and nobles had chosen to enter with the strongest weapons for their chosen item. Lucky for them, they didn't have to worry about a cursed bedroll waking up to eat entire cities.

"Brynn?" Boyer's eyes darted between me and the slaves. "What are you—"

"Join us," I said quickly, edging closer. "You don't have to do this. We're heading northeast. With enough allies, we could actually stand a chance of holding half the tourney territory. We could—"

"Can't." Marcus's face was tight with fear. "We already made deals. House Valdori paid our entrance fees, and if we don't follow through, they know where our families are."

"And what happens if you stay in line?" I pressed, taking another step. Almost in range now. "You think they'll let you survive once you've served your purpose?"

"Sorry, Brynn." Boyer raised his mace. "It's us or them."

"Wrong answer." I lunged forward, ignoring Boyer's mace as it caught me in the shoulder hard enough to crack bone.

I cried out through clenched teeth. Without my Ignore Pain Iron Boon, I nearly fell to my knees, completely blinded by the agony of it.

But I flooded the wound with mana, using Devour Mana to stitch bone together and clear away the internal bleeding. And then absorbed another blow, but got deep inside Boyer's guard so I could stab him with Zahra's gifted dagger. It didn't appear to have any magical properties, but it was sharp, and it punched home.

Boyer's skin flared blue as stasis wards triggered, saving him from death. A moment later, he was pulled upward, body frozen as he was gravity beamed up to one of the airships.

From the corner of my eye, I saw more and more portals approaching, one of which showed a view of worried-looking grommets.

I saw Marcus swinging at me almost too late, raising Zahra's dagger and blocking the blow, but barely. The impact jarred my arm down to the bone and rattled my teeth. Before he could swing again, Lyria appeared, spear leveled like a lance.

The tip caught him in the neck, skidding off a protective ward before it could drive deeper. A moment later, he was being lifted into the sky to join Boyer.

The rest of our group crashed into the fight, joined by Thorn, Sylara, and the others they'd been trying to protect.

I was already spreading my focus to heal the wounded, using whatever mana pools they had to take care of the worst of the wounds. Yolo's vines were spreading among the wounded, too, lifting them into the air in protective cocoons that would heal them after a few seconds.

I saw Thorn catch Tam in the stomach with one of his chain hooks, yank him forward, and nearly take his head off with a huge punch to the jaw. Lyria followed up, jabbing her spear deep enough to trigger his stasis.

Fifteen seconds and we'd already brought down three aspirants.

"BRUTAL EFFICIENCY FROM BRYNN! DID YOU SEE THAT TAKEDOWN?" The annoying announcer's voice was piercing in my ear as more and more portals gathered around the scene of our skirmish.

"Anyone still need more healing?" I asked as Yolo's healing pods lowered to the ground and released healthy slaves.

"Brynn!" Thorn's relief was palpable. "Thank the gods. We need to—"

A trident whistled through the air toward a young slave girl.

I moved without thinking, shoving her aside. The trident's edge caught my ribs instead, carving a deep gash before embedding in the tree behind us.

"NO!" The noble's beautiful face twisted in rage. "That was a perfect throw!"

I gripped the trident shaft, yanked it free as I healed the wound, and hurled it back in one motion. It was a surprisingly good throw, considering my lack of experience, but the noble easily twisted his shoulders and raised one hand to catch the spear.

"AND BRYNN STYGOS JUST RETURNED LUCIAN POLTEP'S SIGNATURE WEAPON! THE DISRESPECT!"

"Thanks for giving this back," Lucian said. He had golden hair that hung just past his eyebrows and was parted at the middle. His features were sharp and eerily handsome, like most of the Thraskian nobility.

He gave the trident a flourish and hoisted it as he strolled toward me as if deciding whether he wanted to throw again.

But I was already moving, blood streaming from my side as I finished up healing the wound.

There was a satisfying moment of surprise on his face as his eyes widened. He tried to throw, but I was on him too fast.

I crashed into him, shoulder driving into his chest as we both slammed to the ground. I could hear the others hurrying to help, but they would be seconds, and that might be too long.

He was stronger, better trained. But I had Devour Mana and absolutely nothing to lose.

I took his elbow to my face, felt my nose break, and used the close contact to drain his mana while healing myself. I struggled for my dagger, felt him grip my wrist and turn the blade, driving its tip into my own stomach.

"Fuck," I hissed between bloody teeth, mouth filling with the metallic taste of my own blood.

Even my mana pool couldn't keep this up. I was below a quarter and losing more mana by the second as his punches, the stab wound, and the exertion were finally taking their toll.

A shadow fell over us. "He's mine, pretty boy," a familiar voice said. "Saving him for later, though. I want him properly seasoned."

Lucian looked up just as Rake knelt down, wrapped an arm around his neck, and stabbed him in the back of his chest. The blue stasis flared to life, drawing shocked noises from the crowds and announcers.

I realized now just how many damn portals were here. Dozens, maybe hundreds.

Without Lucian pressing down on me, I fell back, blinking through pain as I realized my allies should've already been here. But a wall of shadows was blocking them from reaching me.

One of Rake's abilities? Hadn't I seen him appear in Lucian's shadow, though? That would mean he'd already unlocked an extra ability. But how?

The noble's body began rising, leaving me on the ground staring up at Rake's scarred face.

"Hello, Brynn." That sick grin. "You're bloodier than I remember. I like it. But save your strength—you'll need it for our dance."

He melted into shadows before I could respond.

"IMPOSSIBLE! LUCIAN POLTEP DOWNED BY A SIMPLE ASPIRANT. THIS RAKE MAY BE ONE TO WATCH, FOLKS!"

I spat blood, pushed to my feet. The wall of shadows was gone now and the others were coming to help. Lyria came to a stop, face going white at the sight of all the blood covering me. "Brynn…"

"I'm fine," I said, waving away her worry. Then, in a moment of clarity, I scooped up as much blood as I could in both hands and smeared it across my face. With the dried blood, mud, and fresh blood, I seriously doubted anybody would ever recognize me, and—

The crowd roared again.

"SMEARING HIMSELF IN THE BLOOD OF HIS ENEMIES! WHAT A BARBARIAN! BLOODY BRYNN, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!"

Ignoring them, I turned my focus to the group. "Northeast. With me."

"What about the rest?" Lyria asked, gesturing to where the sounds of combat and shouts still rang out.

"We can't risk it. Going back in now could mean losing everybody. This is what we have." The words burned in my throat, but I knew I was right. Going back to potentially save a few more people could mean getting all of us killed or eliminated. With Thorn, Zahra, Sylara, and Ramzi, we had more than ten slaves with our group. Hector, Elora, Tamrin, and Yolo meant we'd also picked up four extra aspirants.

I spared a moment of regret for Naia. If her family had taken on debt to send her here, they'd be in a terrible position if she was eliminated in all of this. But I couldn't risk lives to go looking for her. We had to move on.

So we broke into a jog. I did my best to meditate with what focus I could spare even as I mentally probed the whole group to check for remaining injuries. Ramzi's speed enchantment apparently couldn't work on groups that were too large, so he focused on humming and catching up those who fell behind.

We burst into a wider clearing just as an explosion rocked the ground.

Vitus Ra-Set stood in the center of absolute chaos, his massive axe catching a noble girl in the chest and sending her flying almost ten feet to slam into a tree, bursting it into splinters. Her stasis field activated a moment later.

Vitus and his allies spun to face us, and I saw there were others still floating upward above them. We'd caught the very end of the fight, it seemed.

Marcia Anukis stood behind him, eyes dark as she watched me, but Vitus stepped toward our group, so powerful and broad he looked impressive even in the simple uniforms we'd been given.

My allies all shifted, weapons clattering as they were pointed at the approaching noble.

I held a palm out, gesturing for them to relax. "Be easy. He's a friend. Right?" I asked.

Vitus watched me with intelligent blue eyes, then smiled slightly. "Friend indeed. For now," he added. "We plan to win, but we can save our honorable clash for the end."

He moved closer, lowering his voice so the swirling portals may not be able to catch his words. "Northeast?" he asked.

I hesitated, but only for a moment. He could snap me in half right now. If nothing else, I could use a temporary ally. "Yeah," I said.

"Good. Go fast. Kalcus and his hunters will be coming this way soon. Once the slaves are gone, teams will form and groups will head out. It'll calm down for a time. Use each hour wisely. You have gathered a formidable group. Good luck."

I gave him a nod, then gestured for the others to follow me as we jogged on, leaving Vitus and his Azure Guard allies behind.

We had barely made it half a mile when two figures stepped out from behind a large boulder. They were twins. Beautiful black haired women with shockingly green eyes. Both smiled, and not kindly.

They unfurled whips that seemed to shift and move as I tried to focus on them. One whip was silver and one was gold.

"Such a large group," they said in unison. "How untraditional."

"THE GEMINI SISTERS!" came the announcer's voice. "RANKED FIFTH! THIS SHOULD BE THE END OF OUR PLUCKY ASPIRANT AND SLAVE GROUP, I'M AFRAID!"

The twin with the silver whip cracked it, and ghostly shapes of twisted humanoids and beasts began to rise from the ground like zombies. The gold whip cracked and they took on a more solid form, blazing yellow armor and weapons forming in their hands or encasing their claws and teeth.

We all took a collective step back.

And then I heard steady footsteps, the calm pace seeming completely at odds with the chaos of the moment. I

It was Cassian, and he was walking casually in the middle, putting himself between us and the twins. A sword that looked as if it was made out of shadows itself dragged behind him, held almost lazily in one hand. "These ones are off the menu, twins," Cassian said.

They exchanged a look, then gave a high pitched laugh. "You realize who we are, don't you?"

"Off the menu," Cassian repeated. He looked to me, putting his back to the twins with no apparent worry. "Go around. I'll be fine."
I frowned. "We can help."

"I don't need your help. Go on."

"He's right, Brynn," Lyria said. "Let's just get the hell out of here before more nobles come."

It was only the fear of getting others killed that got me to move. I didn't want to be the reason they died. I had to protect them. That was why I'd come here.

Reluctantly, I took one step, then broke into a jog as the others followed.

Magic flared behind us and many of the portals lingered as Cassian began his work.

We ran a long while. Long enough that we left behind trees for rolling hills. Long enough that all but the grommet portal and one I saw showing Bloody Steve, Minara, Perch, and Kass remained. Oddly enough, when I tried to communicate with them through the portals and even reach through, I found the window was like impenetrable glass. I couldn't even hear them when they spoke, making me wonder if the crowd noise was pumped in deliberately from the larger groups, but muted for circumstances just like this.

Whatever the case, it seemed like Talia had been right. Once we broke free of the heart of the mayhem, we hadn't been pursued.

For now, we had some peace.

Two valleys dictated our path for nearly half an hour before we finally saw the outpost Talia had told me about. It stood tall and was made of wood.

And it wasn't empty.

Hector moved beside me, squinting up at the high walls of the outpost. "What the fuck are those things?"