“I have no chance of winning. Let’s all just drop Arena.”
A simple statement, made by Wildling, the champion Broker. The others seemed intrigued and entertained the idea. Wildling built the hype with a three-minute sermon, using the lobby time to egg on the competition too, encouraging everyone to drop into a seemingly-suicidal situation. As the seconds passed and the moment of truth drew closer, the net was cast and the trap was set.
As it was the last round of the No-Life Trial, none of the Agents had the ability to regenerate. It would be an easy cleanup.
Four brokers landed in the death trap. Draknab the Honorable came in with his agent’s Attack bar set to full. Raventhon the Wise was excited to flex more than just the muscle of his brains. Protonprime, the silent and experienced, while canny enough to hedge his bets by going Collect, was unable to contain his excitement, still landing in the Arena. Finally, Wildling, the trapmaker himself.
In a flash of excitement, the four gladiators landed into a grand melee of excitement and blows. Protonprime, wisely set to collect, is gone within seconds. The three remaining exchange heavy blows back and forth as Wildling and Draknab race out of the arena hand in hand for an unknown reason, which leaves them to be hunted by the wise Raven.
Wildling was taking more damage than the rest, but… it was all to plan. In the decision-making stage he knew his opponents wouldn’t be able to contain themselves, surrounded as they were by the glory of battle — and he was right.
When the second round started, his two opponents began an assault that can only be described as vicious and unrelenting. To their dismay, though, they had fallen for Wildling’s cunning ruse. He’d set his bar to flee, allowing for much-needed healing and, more importantly, leaving his two foes to handle each other.
The first to taste victory between them would also be the last. Raventhon the Wise was the victor of their duel, but he had seen the defeat laid in front of him even before his foe received the final blow. Before he could pull back, he was already inextricably caught in the web of deceit and defeat laid before him. Raventhon was dispatched with ease, and Wildling was all that remained of the arena drop trap.
Some may call it shameful. Disrespectful. Deceitful. Scummy.
But that’s the name of the game sometimes.
So, the next time, dear reader, if someone asks you to drop where they say — remember that no matter the honor or wisdom you hold, never trust an opponent in combat.
Victory is all that matters.
Until next time.