Twenty minutes ago...
(Beginning of flashback)
Ping!
< Look up >
Ben blinked. The system's message appeared just as the witch continued her monologue and speech about awakenings, bloodlines and all the nightmare fuel she seemed so excited about.
He didn't have time to question it so he looked up. Immediately. A beam of light was falling. But it wasn't like the others. This one was different and brighter.
It was a vivid, twinkling bright orange light that cut through the sickly glow of the sky. And it was falling fast, streaking downward like a comet, directly toward the Werewolf.
And he wasn't aware because everyone's attention was supposed to be on the witch and her little annoying speech.
Ping!
Ben looked at his system.
< You're going to steal it >
Ben's eyes went wide. "I'm sorry, what now?"
< S.T.E.A.L - Steal >
"You must be joking. I know how 'steal' is spelt" Ben snapped.
< Then, don't sound so confused >
< There's no time, Ben >
< You need that ability >
< It's called a Fantom Surge >
"Okay, but what does it do?" Ben was getting interested.
< It's an ability that grants it's possessor extreme speed and reflexes >
< You'll move so fast you're nearly invisible and untouchable >
"So I'll be a fast as the flash," he smirked. "Pretty cool."
< It lasts for only thirty minutes >
"Shit."
< But unlike the others, it doesn't require an awakening >
< It's just what you need >
Ben's heart hammered in his chest. The light was falling super fast and it was seconds away from hitting the Werewolf's outstretched claws.
Ping!
He looked at his system.
< Do it >
< Now! >
Ben didn't think, he took instant action. His hand shot out and snatched the light mid-air, just inches before it touched the werewolf's fur. The moment his fingers closed around it, the light exploded into his palm.
A surge of heat and energy roared through his veins like liquid flame. It didn't burn though, but his entire body buzzed with a bust of energy. He felt every nerve in him ending alive and electric.
And it felt incredible.
Ben gasped and fell down landing on his feet. The light faded into his skin, absorbed completely.
For a split second, he froze, waiting for the werewolf to notice as his shirt had slipped right through the werewolf's palms.
But, nothing happened. it didn't move. It didn't even look at him, because to the werewolf and to everyone, Ben had moved too fast. The Fantom Surge ability was activated.
Ben blinked and then he realized. Everything around him was moving in slow motion.
The falling weapons drifted lazily through the air and when they hit the ground, the dust rising from the impacts hung suspended in the air. Dust particles frozen mid-swirl.
The crowd's cheers sounded like a distorted cry, stretched out like a slowed-down recording. Even the werewolf's snarl seemed to take forever to form.
Ben shock with surprise and fear. He could see everything and every movement in a split second.
< It feels good, doesn't it? >
Ben let out a shaky laugh. "Yeah. I feel... powerful."
< Good >
< Now listen carefully >
Ben's system pinged again, and new text scrolled across his vision.
< Ahead lies a squad called the Zyrus Brotherhood >
< A group of five Ash Reavers >
< One of the creatures that lives in the Seven Realms >
< They hold the rarest items of any inhabitants and pass it down yo their participants of the Blood Reaping Contest >
< Year after year to their own kind >
< Get over there quickly and wait for my signal >
< You must do this if you want to survive >
Ben stared at the message, still breathing hard. His legs were shaking as sweat dripped down his face.
The system wanted him to go on a heist right now, in the middle of this nightmare or bloodbath. Whatever.
He let out a long, slow breath and glanced back at the werewolf. It was still turning its head, all in slow motion.
Ben smirked and started moving. His movement was fast. He darted between fighters, slipping past blades and claws like a ghost. To everyone else, he was a blur flicker of motion, there and gone.
He weaved through everyone and everything, his feet feeling as if there were barely touching the ground.
He found a quieter section of the arena, very far away from where the werewolf was, and crouched low behind a pile of rubble.
The arena was bigger than he expected. After relaxing a bit, heart still pounding, he waited and watched.
Above him, the witch's voice rang out across the arena, dripping with theatrical glee.
"Ladies and gentlemen, creatures of all realms," She spread her arms wide, grinning like the maniac she was. "Let the main stage of the Annual Blood Reaping Contest... Begin!"
The crowd roared with excitement. Ben smiled to himself, his breath steadying now.
"Bring it on," he whispered.