Chapter I - Zera
It was time for the annual choosing ceremony. I had my gaiters equipped, ready for combat. The announcer stepped on stage. From the looks of it, he was not from my home planet.
"Hey! What's with the Zerg as our host!?" The crowd yelled.
The president came out from behind the stage. "I will not accept such insolence for our guest!" he yelled.
The crowd began quieting down. The president nodded and imperturbably continued to talk.
"Everybody, welcome Xar," he began. "This is our newest recruit in the program, the first of his race, and he will be speaking with you today."
Around Xar lie many adders. They stared coldly into the audience while he began talking.
"Welcome to the annual choosing ceremony. As you may have heard, this is where your fleet is decided. The first round, Anna from the planet X-152 will be fighting against Gorge from planet Earth-3,"
The first to step up was Anna. She was equipped with deadly claws and a powerful horn. Gorge was the next to step up. He was equipped with a normal terran warsuit.
Suddenly, the ground began to shake. A barrier quickly formed around the battlegrounds. Flashing lights zoomed across the stadium.
3… 2… 1… Battle!
On instinct, Gorge charged at Anna with great audacity. Anna could have easily left a scar on Gorge with her claws. Just as Gorge was going to strike, Anna swung with her claws. Gorge ducked. Instantly, Gorge followed up with a strike to the head, knocking Anna out.
These battles continued on for some time. In fact, by the time it was my turn, the battle logger wrote with brevity.
"Abu, and… Zera!"
Zera. It was my turn. I quickly leaped towards the stadium, rolling to weaken the fall. The round began. I charged with all my might towards Abu, preparing to slash him with my energy blade. Suddenly, the ground began shaking. The earth around me began to lower. Instantly, I felt a jolt of pain hit my stomach. I bit my tongue to prevent screaming. Screaming was a sign of mercy, which was not allowed. The pain continued to increase, causing me to bite even harder. I could taste blood pouring out of the mouth.
"It seems that Zera has lost. A templar like him stood no chance anyways."
Immediately, the crowd began arguing. Insults to another race always stirred up a lot of bile. After a few moments, the crowd once again calmed down.
Below me, an aperture appeared. It seemed to swallow me whole, devouring every last bit. I closed my eyes, knowing it was over. I just sat there as the world faded away.
"Look! He's waking up,"
It took a few seconds for my eyes to adjust to the light. I could make out a few people, some doctors and visitors. Pain struck my entire body as I attempted to get up. I quickly lay back down.
"He has no belligerence in him whatsoever, and you're going to admit him?!" I heard someone scream out in the hallways.
"Don't worry, we'll capture him with an artifice and send him home if we need to."
The doors opened. In walked a fleet commander, as well as another.
Abu.