Dododex
ARK: Survival Evolved & Ascended Companion
The Pits: A Tribe of Shadows Split-off Story
(Warning: This story will be rather gory, since it contains some Ancient Roman-esque fighting. So, if you don’t like blood, you should probably leave. Also, the reason for this chapter-thingy is because I was listening to a podcast on Roman fighting methods and what they did to deserters. Let’s just say it wasn’t pretty).
Gryphon Tullius POV
Location: Ancient Dorban, Southern Quarter
Date: Ninth of No-Moon, Eighth Year of the Second Epoch
For my crimes of apparently deserting the Warriors of Dorban, I must fight to the death in the Arena. If I win enough, I earn my freedom.
Overseer save me….
I hear the terrible noise that comes from the gong. I am armored with naught but the clothes I have and a leather jerkin, studded with metal. Practically nothing to protect me from the savage dire-bear. A simple sword hangs at my belt, so I may survive until they release the Death Boar.
I will survive. I will keep fighting. I am not a coward, I knew we would lose, General Blackmoon! Alas, I must go and fight.
I slashed and hacked at the scar-covered bear as it lunged towards me. One swipe of that demon’s claws even close to my vital organs, and I would be dead as a doornail. It clawed at my arm, and I attempt a desperate cut at its jaws to kill it.
That was a mistake.
I hadn’t known that this was a trained killer. That almost cost me my life. While I tried to slash at its head, one massive paw came swinging at my side, gouging a hole in my leg. I fell, knowing this would be the end.
Or was it?
I stabbed at the beast’s throat as it swung down its claws to finally kill me, it looked down, confused, at the sword hanging from its throat. Then, it fell sideways, dead. ‘Impressive,’ called out Emperor Uln. ‘So close to death, yet you still won.’ The Emperor turned to Blackmoon. ‘Why did you sentence him to the Pits, General?’ Blackmoon turned his cold eyes to Uln. ‘Because he deserted. You may as well execute him, m’lord. ‘ the Unmortal said. ‘Are you saying that Gryphon, one of my most faithful Lieutenants, deserted me?’ The Emperor replied in disbelief. The Unmortal had no reply to that. ‘I suppose the fights must go on. He shall not be executed, but he shall fight. If he wins thrice, he shall be released.’ Emperor Uln said. Blackmoon glared at him. ‘No. He will be executed. He DESERTED!’ Blackmoon roared. I sighed. ‘No. No I didn’t.’ I said, my voice carrying over to them. ‘Shut up or I’ll have you executed, you kreldnt.’ The Unmortal said to me. ‘Emperor. May I have a map? I need to point out where we were when the battle ended. From what I heard of General Blackmoon, I apparently deserted two days before the final battle with the Cult of Rockwell. Yet if I know where the final battle took place….’ I let the sentence hang. Emperor Uln nodded, clearly aware of what I was trying to say. He turned to one of his servants, but in doing so kicked Blackmoon in the leg, which may or may not have been on purpose. ‘Give the Lieutenant a map.’ The servant scuttled away to retrieve one from the cartographer. ‘He could have followed us and just stayed out of the fighting!’ Blackmoon said. Once the servant returned with the map, I pointed out a small grassland near an old village called Reagath. ‘That’s where it happened, Emperor Uln. My sword from before still has blood from some of the enemy!’ I stated,’ And, m’lord, you would know where the battle took place.’ I continued. ‘Hm. Yet, to prove your claim, show me your old sword.’ Uln replied. ‘Emperor. It’s likely that Blackmoon wiped the blood from my blade. You do understand that he hates me. Namely because of the incident that includes me and a cannon.’ I replied. The Emperor laughed at the statement. ‘He couldn’t have! I had your blade locked in a case that I alone have a key to.’ he added, a grin on his face. Blackmoon had left to retrieve a canteen of water, and returned to hear Emperor Uln’s last sentence. The Unmortal returned with a sword in his hand, entirely clean. And it bore my family’s symbol. ‘How in Rockwell’s underpants did you get that sword?’ The Emperor asked. I snorted. ‘Well, m’lord Uln, you left your case unlocked and I retrieved this blade. Here be it, proof that Gryphon Tullius ran from battle.’ The Unmortal Blackmoon said. ‘Wait…
How did you know it was locked before, General?’ I asked. ‘Never mind that.’ The Unmortal replied. Emperor Uln looked at him angrily. ‘Never mind that?! NEVER MIND THAT?! How did you know it was unlocked?’ The Emperor roared. Unmortal Blackmoon smiled coldly. ‘That’s for me to know, m’lord, and for you to know,’ he said. In the same moment that the Emperor drew his sword at the statement, he had Blackmoon’s steel dagger in his chest. ‘Now, since that is over…. Lieutenant Gryphon Tullius, you shall face the Death Boar.’ The Unmortal hissed. A small audience gathered, not caring for the Emperor’s death, as he was an unpopular leader.
I’m outta space
-Ranger