Space Odyssey: Spectre-Chapter 389: Back to the Arena
Mistress White really wanted to just hang out and talk. She stayed until dinner. A lot of times they argued. But when it came to their ’type’ of women they were in agreement. Gorund was confused at first when she agreed with him.
Then he realized what was going on and called her something which actually resulted in her retaliating with physical force. Jace never stopped them. But eventually it died down and they started arguing about other things.
Around lunch time the communication network was available again. He even managed to get in contact with the High Priestess. She revealed that the orius had been completely hunted down. But during the process they managed to damage several key systems. Fortunately the redundant systems were protected. At the moment they were fixing the main systems and were protecting the backups and redundant systems.
When he raised the fact that he had evolved and needed a checkup she informed him that it would have to wait until the hospitals were not filled with injured people. In addition a medical frigate was one way to drop off several injured as well.
It went to show that they really were turning this place into their theater of war during this turbulent time. Something that will likely have an effect for years to come on the human faction of the Victorium. There was plenty of construction to change this place. But those were things only done on the surface. Having this place operate smoothly as a war hub would be different though. It would give the Victorium a reputable base in the human territory which would give them a bit more influence in both the military and government.
But that was not really something he cared to worry about. Mistress White had left after a quick dinner where they ordered some food. Then the girls retired to go to sleep and the dwarf was sleeping on the couch this time. Jace was at his worktable.
At the moment he was thinking more about his dream state. He wanted to enter it again. So as he laid down his head to rest he thought about mental space. Concentrating on it like he would when he projected his thoughts.
After a few minutes he could feel tiredness take over him. He slipped into a state of sleep. As he did he realized that he was no longer at his workbench. Instead he was in a rocking chair on the porch of the house in his dreamscape.
He pulled himself up and looked around.
Unlike yesterday there was nothing ominous he could sense. There were not any traces of fog or anything else outside. After a moment he walked to the door and walked inside. The door opened without any issue.
Jace walked inside and looked around the room. It was like how it looked last time. Except this time the stairs to the basement were not covered in fog. He sighed as he saw the fogs covering the various rooms. What he could only assume were memories and important moments in his life.
He ignored the old memories and walked to the stairs leading to the basement. The same workshop as before, which now that he was looking at it, looked a bit like his own work area. Jace walked down and glanced at the hatch.
Unlike the rooms upstairs it was not open. It was closed and looked like it was sealed with some rusted metal chains. He had an instinctual feeling that it would not open no matter how much he tried to open the hatch. But he also felt that he did not want to open the hatch.
It was strange to feel an instinctual fear of the hatch or whatever was inside.
After seeing that he looked over at the doorway he used last time and saw it had changed into a simple wooden door. At the moment it was just a plain wooden door but the handle was gold. He grabbed the handle and pushed it open.
A moment later he was standing in the center of the same arena as before. Around the edges of the arena are the statues of the warriors he fought last time. Except this time they are all made of stone and covered in moss. Standing across from him is the Xenar statue.
After a moment the gold on the statue started to peel off and the Xenar moved. It opened its arms and moved slightly before it spoke directly into his mind like before.
Welcome back, I am glad you figured out that you could come back.
"What is this place?" Jace asked and then flinched as he thought of something. "And if you say my mind I will flip out."
The Xenar made a cackling noise that Jace figured was laughter. He had only heard something similar when Nila really laughed without restraint.
This place has many names and varies depending on how you arrive here. But the version you have is called the Arena of Warriors. Initially it is a place to test your test and progression. But it is also a place you can train to learn techniques from your bloodline.
Jace frowned as processed the Xenar’s words. Initially he thought it was the system that had created this. But now he was beginning to realize this was something else entirely. After all, before he could not access his powers. In fact he still could not. This was something entirely different. Then he thought of something as he looked at the Xenar. "What are you? And why are you here?"
I am one of your ancestors. The one who will guide you through this process. I am here because my species is able to leave an imprint on our bloodline. An imprint that would allow us to guide our descendants when they reach a similar stage in life.
Jace’s frown deepened as he tried to wrap his head around what the Xenar was saying. But what he essentially said was that the Xenar was his ancestor. Another was the idea of readying memories or information through a bloodline. Jace knew the idea had been pursued in the past. In fact, the vampires were the ones who were most well known when it came to this research. But he figures those are just empty claims.
But this was a bit different. "How can I have a Xenar in my bloodline? Not to mention, none of you were warriors. So how are you dressed like one?" Jace pointed out as he moved to the center of the arena.
If this Xenar was one of his ancestors. Then these other warriors must be his ancestors as well. But how were they chosen and why were not as many warriors in more modern weaponry. In fact the most technologically advanced warrior is the person with the musket. Which is basically a relic at this point.
Do I really have to explain the birds and the bees to you?
Jace’s frown turned into a scowl as he tried to calm himself down. But this Xenar Warrior really knew how to press his buttons apparently. Jace felt like he clearly knew what Jace meant but instead of answering clearly decided to respond with a question like he was ignorant of what Jace was actually asking.
As for your second question. We Xenar did not have many warriors. In fact, we were mostly seen as foolish people who followed our ancient traditions. Traditions that had us training in combat and techniques which we mostly displayed and showed off as a form of art. So when they came we were some of the first ones on the frontline. But essentially what I am trying to say is that we did have warriors. We were just so rare that we were not enough to halt the invasion, we were only able to stall it.
"Then-" Jace went to ask another question but the Xenar raised a hand and stopped him.
That is enough for the questions. I will not tell you any more until you finish with the first ancestor.
Jace frowned and followed the Xenar’s hand as they waved at their surroundings.
The Arena of Warriors is used to train a person in techniques. Usually ones the ancestors had perfected. You yourself will be among them in your descendants bloodline. All because of your mastery in hand-to-hand combat. But for now you should go up to one of your ancestors and pick them to choose to learn from. They will instruct you on what to do. Keep in mind that you can only do so much each night.
Jace watched as the Xenar walked to the back of the arena where a large gate was located then it took up the stance it had as a statue. Then it began turning into gold and became stiffer. Jace could sense that he could no longer communicate with them.
He then looked around curiously. "What did he say? Just go up and pick them?" Jace looked at the statues for a few minutes and then nodded his head and walked up to one of them.
