Ghost Of Reach

I wish a lot, and I have been doing that for a long time. But as of late, I’ve been wishing even more. Dreaming away while the time passes by. I’ve even gone down to writing the details in my notebook. Once clean and rarely used, now filled to the brim with the scribbles of a longing dreams. People say that if you dream and desire something, you can make it a reality. But sometimes, dreams are just too far fetched to become a reality. That I know all to well as that was my case sadly, but unlike those still down by the facts of reality, I tried to find other ways to be happy with what I got. Yet, even as I hike through this dessert with the best kind of people, the nagging, dragging desire still held on. I sighed as I gazing up into the moonless sky, looking into the endless abyss of space.

“Come on Gabe! The show hasn't even started yet!” a voice broke out through the black, regaining my attention. I looked away and up the hill. Up ahead, people that could be called more than just friends, stand awaiting while unpacking and getting ready for the starry night show.

“All right! Just give me a minute!” I yelled back, still not as thrilled about this trip. My friends were going to see ‘once in a lifetime meteor shower’ as Dylan described it. He was a classic science nerd at heart mixed with a love for strange music and anything sci fi. Well, that is, if someone actually got to knowing him. Just by looking at him, one would assume that he was a prime candidate for the olympic soccer team or a top marathon member of the state. Long story short, Dylan look like the pure stereotype of a fully athletic running jock. Which overall just adds pure irony as he doesn't even go on full week workouts or anything like that in the first place.

Anyways, he was one of seven people I called not only friend, but close enough to be family. Yet, even now with all seven of my true friends, I still couldn’t bring my anger to fully subside. This was mostly caused by and directed towards Dylan. Unlike my lazy city ass, the others had joined Dylan on this trip on their own free will. I, on the other hand, was being cheaply blackmailed with my own journal and it’s deeply personal content. Well, if I’m truly honest with myself, I can’t just blame all of my frustrations on him. I mean, being trapped in what could be easily called the midget of minivans for three hours straight does not sound like a engaging experience.

Thank god the least the AC was running. If not, I’d probably be roasted dead and and turned into sweaty human bacon. Added onto my shitty day was the immediate long hiking that can afterwards. Even though the temperature had thankfully dropped to being reasonable with the last of the sunset fading, it was still a struggle for me. I mean hiking up and down with 20 pounds of camping gear on my back is not a walk in the park. Especially frustrating when Noah got us lost and another hour was spent getting back on track. Overall, this trip so far had really dampened my mood. Yet, on the surprising note, I wasn’t that paranoid about my book or it’s content being spilled. Why? Maybe because I trust Dylan to keep his word? Or, on the other hand, it could also be that I'm dehydrated enough to not think straight?

Who knows.

On top of all my griping, I really hope this is worth my time and effort see this ‘meteor shower of a lifetime’ thing. Looking past all of my frustration, I had to admit, the starry sky in the black ink of space was quite a phenomenal sight for me. Though, I could be exaggerating as I’ve only lived in the denser regions of the city for most of my life. Now that I think about it, I never have gone anywhere outside of city limits.

As I continued to ponder, I noted that with whatever spare time I actually had, it was heavily spent in only a few things. First was my obsession with reading. I still remember the summer days of reading nearly a thousand half assed fanfics with only few dozen them actually being book worthy. I stifled a laugh at the memory of entire weekends ‘wasted’ on gaming and shit talking noobs on equally shity internet. Watching the occasional movie I had on the shelf or hanging out with whoever was around. But god knows how much time has been wasted in many wild goose chase to find something that ended up being in my back pocket the whole time.

I was brought back from my thoughts as I my knees nearly gave way. I stumbled a bit, struggling to carry the heavy load on my back. Reaching my lips on the drinking tube, I was meet with the same results like the last 50 times. The integrated camel pack was long dry of heavenly water.

“God, I’m dying, give some damn water...” I prayed silently

Ok, that was pretty weak prayer. But truth be told, I was feeling just as weak. Why the hell am I so weak? Well, I am far from being one of those triple chin McMuffin gobbling man on a high powered scooter. I’m not even remotely overweight at all. Yet I wasn’t ‘weekly gym lifter’ fit either. While I did practically traveled only on foot, I wasn’t doing a marathon the whole way. I mostly walked to and from work, shopping, and traveled where the subway wasn’t really needed or necessary. I did eat considerably healthy compared to everyone else I knew. So going on long hike shouldn't be so hard right?

Dead. Wrong.

Going on an incredibly long and cramp car trip with a even more enduring adventure of trekking in california was not my forte. Especially when it was hiking with 20 pounds of gear in dry air for the past two hours. Oh, and I had been drinking of my camel pack during the car trip like an idiot. This was in all respects, the exact opposite of what was normal for me.

After catching my breath and grabbing my pack from the ground, I began to stand back up and straighten myself. Taking a few deep breaths as I stretched out my sore shoulders, I looked up into the sky once again. This time, I saw something, a twinkling dot in the twilight. But unlike other stars, it was moving ever so slowly across the distant sky. Without even pondering on any second thoughts, I made my wish as if on instinct. Strangely, the light had slowed it’s soaring to a near halt. I did a double take with a quick shake of my head. Unsurprisingly, I began feeling dazed as a slow, lightly pounding headache made itself apparent.

“Might as well have an anvil fall from the sky and kill me with my luck.” I chuckled lightly, my rare dark sense of humor appearing and seeming to subside my headache. I focused my attention back to the shooting star, only to find myself dumbstruck. I watched the light completely halt and make a full U turn, shocking me as I wondered what it was.

“Could it be one of those coseno owning assholes flying a neon painted plane?” Not likely, but possible. Yet the nagging thoughts as to why would someone, spoiled rich or not, be flying all the way out here? Hell, why would they even be flying at night? Besides, the thing look too big for such a small aircraft.

‘Perhaps a misguided commercial airliner?’ No, nothing that big can make sudden U-turn like that without stalling or simply tearing and ripping itself apart from the heavy G forces. And I don’t need a college degree in physics to know that.

“Maybe it's just a large helicopter?” While that was the most logical choice, my somewhat lacking yet basic knowledge on real aircraft was still denying that as the conclusion. If my depth perception isn’t completely skewed, the flying light was still larger than any helicopter I’ve seen. Then the idea of one of those ridiculously large Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters came to mind. But those ideas were quickly snuffed out by the odds of me randomly seeing such military equipment here.

Even if it was the largest helicopter in the United States military, why was it all the way out here? Hell, why was it sticking out like a flying highlighter in the sky? Hell, it was way too high a few minutes ago to even stay flying at that altitude.While still pondering on what the heck was up there, I had glanced over to my friends. Surprisingly, they hadn’t even taken notice of the bright flying phenomenon. Reverting my gaze from my oblivious friends, I continued to stare at what I could call a real UFO.

…

I’m already starting to feel the wave of cringe after saying that.

Goddamnit. Even though I had no other real option or explanation, I felt the literal cringe crawl up my spine for just saying that. As if the light had been drawn by my guesstimating, the glowing-n-flying-highlighter-flashlight-thing had started to rapidly descend towards my direction. I briefly heard my friend yelling something, whether it be at the sight of the meteor shower or that I’m about to be abducted by aliens, I honestly don’t know. I was too busy having a panic attack at the realisation that I couldn’t move. No matter what I did, I couldn't turn nor swaid my gaze from it. As if I was in some sort of trance, the light continued to grow closer, engulfing my vision entirely.

My body was numbing off completely as even my sense of gravity started to feel nonexistent. My vision vanished. The senses of smell, taste, and hearing dimmed. And just about any other kind of feeling was completely dulled away. I couldn’t feel my heart beating, let alone if I was even breathing to begin with. As everything I could consider being alive finally ended, I was left only to dwindle in my thoughts. My mind, memories, and emotions were the last and only things that remained untouched by my supposed captors. With no possibility to even register the passing of time, I knew I was certainly doomed to madness if I continued to… Not live, just simply exist like this… It was all just the perfect description of eternal torment.

I was trapped in a endless hell.

Yet not all was lost. In some unknown amount of time, a gleam of hope showed itself. Like a silver lining in the abyss, I began to actually feel again. Though many of these mental sensations I could not recollect on or remember ever having, I did not reject or resist. I felt something, and it was my only escape out of this hellish void. I gazed on as millions of imagined blazed by and throughout my mind. Yet I noticed that some of these feelings greatly confused my sensual awareness. For cold was burning like an eternal fire while hot infernos were frozen wastelands. As the last bits of my remaining sanity tore itself violently, the feelings consumed me. I was just a moth, hypothesize to a candle flame, I was consumed. Completely enveloped by the burning light with all my other senses returning. But one thing stood out above all of this was the white.

Just so bright…

Eternal Light…

Divine white...

And just as sudden as it took consumed me, it faded away.

My pleasant experience was completely taken away as my hearing returned only to ring and pound like fire alarms. I began to struggle, trying to see and escape the sudden shift of pain in my head. Yet my body that I now felt, wouldn’t move. Luckily, my physical senses were connecting back to my mind at a unnaturally fast pace. I can feel my heart beating back strong as if brought back from the grave with vengeance. My entire body awakening and roaring back to life like a ferrari, I felt my blood burning like battery acid with a venomous hatred I have never known. All of this was just pumping and sparking to life at the speed of a bullet. The godlike power coursing through my veins made me feel unstoppable.

And I completely believed it.

My mental state seemed to have faired no different from my body. I felt my sanity mending back while blending foreign knowledge like some sort of spiritual smoothie. Spiralling around in my head with flashes of memories not of my own. Skills of all kinds for war were adapted as second nature. Years of hard trained combat became instinctual. Many of these memories I’ve never known nor could I ever beforehand. The brutal painting of home to glass, the most graphically illustrated pains never came close to what I felt. No words could describe the horrors I’ve seen. And yet, it does not break me. Rather, it is what made me stronger.

Fighting is my purpose, my sole existence.

Grown in blood, this battlefield is my home.

The art of killing, I have perfected.

So war I wage, no longer tormented and caged.

The reaper I greet, but I never meet.

For Spartans never die.

Just the Enemy...

After finally feeling complete once again, everything blacked out. But like the quick flip of a switch, everything came back again. I felt my brain do a double take as I awoke. Falsely believing that it was just a strangely twisted dream. Definitely earning the title of total batshit crazy Nightmare. Yet it was the most realistic and immersive thing I had ever felt. I could feel a smile creep on my face as I sighed again. I knew my lucid dreaming skill were increasing, but that just felt to real. I twitched my eyes as I felt my senses take hold…

“What the hell did I eat last night? Was the milk expired?” I thought, groaning as I tried to move. I felt constricted, but in every part of my body. Similar to when my leg was in a full cast, but this time, my entire body felt completely cocooned. Anothering thing I noted was the very tight yet strangely comfortable bodysuit I had on.

“The hell?” I nearly mumbled out, straining to move my limbs. I finally opened my eyes, only to see the opposite of what I expected. My calming hopes to see the damaged ceiling of my room were immediately crushed. Instead, there was a slightly blurred, cloud clear sky with a few dark green pine trees obscuring my view. Confused even more, I notice that I had some kind of strange helmet on with a visor slightly blurring my vision. Then, out of nowhere, the glass lite up like a transparent computer screen. A few boxes quickly popped up and slightly dimmed as a wall of text assaulted my eyes.

Full system reboot complete.

Commencing start up diagnostics...

…

Forerunner Adapted Mjolnir PSCU - Stable
Spartan II Augmentations - Fully Operational
Nanosuit 3.0 Bio-Nanosuit Neural Link - Link Complete
Nanosuit 3.0 Neural Nano Network Systems - Linked & Ready for use
Nanosuit 3.0 Armor Exoskeleton Systems - Linked & Ready for use
Nanosuit 3.0 Nano Adaptation Cells - Linked & Ready for use
Nanosuit 3.0 Nano Replicator and Repair Mites - Linked & Ready for use
Nanosuit 3.0 Mjolnir GEN2 Armor Extensions - Armor Connection Linked
Hard Light Energy Defensive Shields - Online
Hard Light Directed Energy Weapons - Online
Emergency Standby Life Support Systems - Online
Tactical Heads Up Display Systems - Online
Motion Sensor C 75M - Online
Virtually Assisted Targeting Systems - Online
Multi-Universal Storage Tacpad - Online
Armor Abilities - Online
_________________________________________________________________________________
Advanced Infiltration Mode - Ready For Use
Go off the grid by engaging this Mode.
The enemy cannot kill what they cannot see.
In fact, they won’t even hear you coming.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Armor Lock - Ready For Use
Become invincible, but immobile.
While you're locked down, anything
Short to a MAC Round can't hurt you.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Hard Light Drop Shield - Ready For Use
A temporary bubble of protection
That heals and shields those fortunate
Enough to be within its sphere of influence.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Hard Light Hologram - Ready For Use
Create a controllable virtual
Doppelganger of yourself to draw
Enemy fire or lure unsuspecting
Opponents out into the open.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Hard Light Shield - Ready For Use
Create a extended shield of
Concentrated energy! Granting
Protection for the caster or another!
_________________________________________________________________________________
Jet Pack - Ready For Use
Fly like a bird.
Target your opponents.
Laugh maniacally.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Overcharged - Ready For Use
Engage this Ability for a burst of
God-like speed & reflexes that’s
Great for quickly taking down
Or escaping sticky situations.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Overshilds - Ready For Use
Amplify energy shield’s strength and
Regeneration by a grand factor of 3!
Just at the hindered cost of speed.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Promethean Teleportation - Ready For Use
A slipspace device that can send
The user across vast distances.
Only in direct line of sight of course.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Promethean Vision - Ready For Use
Use this new visonto see through walls
To track and target all that is hidden.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Regeneration field - Ready For Use
Create a large green bubble that
Recharges the shields and heals all
Who are inside of its warmth.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Thruster Pack - Ready For Use
Provides the user with a quick
Burst of lightning speed and heavy
Hitting power in one direction.
_________________________________________________________________________________
...

All Systems Nominal

Startup Engaged…
_________________________________________________________________________________

Wincing a bit, my eye adjusted quick enough to read all of the computer text before it fully faded away. Before I could even start making sense of what was going on, my muscles stiffened and constructed as I felt a surge of power and slight pain. My lungs and throat felt choked as I felt of hundreds of commands ordered and a thousand more skill drilled in. After a few agonizing and breathless seconds later, I regained my ability to breath again. As much as I wanted to wake up and forget this nightmare, I couldn’t. The suddenly forced upon knowledge wasn’t gonna leave me, and I knew this. These memories, learned skills, all of it has left a permanent branded mark on my mind. The infinitely time spent in emptiness hell, this nightmarish rebirth, all these moments of pain had undoubtedly scared me. Scratch that, this has completely killed the old me created a new person entirely.

These thoughts were confirmed as I felt calm and collected, even after enduring all of this. It was as if any and all fears have been shredded and replaced by coldly collected hate. A hate I’ve never felt nor ever seen in my life as it lingered at the core of my being. This was not the raging type as I know of, just an ever darker and colder shade of hell bent vengeance. As if my life had been centered around this hatred, the scheming and dreaming to bring death within its wake had embedded itself within my heart. That was not the only thing that had caught my immediate attention as I felt no longer restrained. The screen in my vision flashed to life again and showed multiple images such as a Health and Shield Bar with a Mini map in the lower left hand corner. I ignored these icons and raised my right hand into my field of vision. I was met with a familiar armored hand that made my thoughts go Nascar, yet quickly halt with realization.

“No way.” I spoke out, my voice deeper with a chilling tone. I began testing my fingers, giving them an experimental twirl. I felt the very moment of my body, yet it it seemed I wasn’t using any of my own force. Almost as if they moved on mere thought. Needing to see the rest of myself, I forced myself up surprisingly fact. Instantly taking notice of my newfound strength and greyed out chrome, dull white painted armor on my body. As I observed myself, I found that I was decked out in a mixture of Spartan Armor from Halo Reach. As if on my mental command, a list of my armor configuration loaded up.

Helmet: Mjolnir Mark V
Right Shoulder: Mjolnir Mark V/Kukri
Left Shoulder: Mjolnir Mark V
Chest: Mjolnir Mark V
Wrist: Tactical/Tacpad
Utility: Tactical/Soft Case
Visor Color: Gold
Knee Guards: Mjolnir Mark V
Primary Color: White
Secondary Color: Steel

After having my mind blown for the thousandth time, I began searching through my now apparent implanted memories. I was a fully trained, hyper lethal Spartan II with a huge grudge for anything that isn't human. After moving my limbs and making sure everything was working, I looked around on my HUD, seeing a notification pop up in the top left corner. I mentally commanded it open and my screen was filled with text again.

Multi-Universal Storage Tactical Pad - Online & Ready for use.

Then the blue screen on my left arm blazed to life. I was met with a surprise as the Tactical Tacpad opened up a screen that strongly resembled the PIP-BOY 3000 from Fallout 3. Well, make the PIP-BOY screen purely blue and design much more Sci-Fi. The main screen was showing my entire person. Both vitals and status of my body and armor were clearly displayed. Just by observation alone, it seems I am fully infused with my fanfic made Nanosuit 3.0 with my Halo Reach Spartan attached over it. I also noticed that there was three tab like sections at the top of the screen. STATS, ITEMS, and DATA. Completely intrigued, I slide my finger over to the ITEMS tab and find the screen giving multiple options.

WEAPON STORAGE
ARMOR STORAGE
MEDICAL STORAGE
DEVICE STORAGE
VEHICLE STORAGE
MISC STORAGE

Randomly, I tapped the WEAPON STORAGE, expecting to see what weapons I have. Instead, I was given another menu with UNSC, COVENANT, FORERUNNER, SPECIALS, and MISC. Tapping the first tab again, I then found myself completely shock again. M6G PDWS Magnums, M392 DMR, MA37 Assault Rifle, System 99D Anti-Materiel Sniper Rifle, M90 CAWS Shotgun, M20 SMG, M319 Grenade Launcher, ARC 290 Railgun, M41 Rocket Launcher, Spartan Laser, Firebomb Grenades, and Frag Grenades. After gazing over the UNSC's finest quality of weaponry, I backed out and taped on COVENANT only to be brought a whole new armory. This section seemingly hold all Covenant Weapons. I had Plasma Pistols, Plasma Rifles, Needlers, Brute Maulers, Brute Spikers, Type-1 Energy Swords, Gravity Hammer, Plasma Caster, Plasma Repeater, Storm Rifle, Needle Rifle, Focus Rifle, Concussion Rifle, Brute Shot, Fuel Rod Cannon, Plasma Launcher, Brute Spike Grenades, and finally Plasma Grenades.

After a bit more searching, I found something that brighten my day ever more. For there was no weight limit and no limited capacity! How? It simply stated HAMMERSPACE UNLIMITED . And oh boy, the TACPAD’s armory was indeed massive. The Forerunner Weapons was also stocked fully with weapon and a bunch of grenade types. The next WEAPON STORAGE was labeled SPECIALS as I could only guess what laid in it. To my surprise, it had weapons from other games and some stuff I wasn't expecting. For example, instantly recognised M247H Heavy Machine Gun, and the Plasma Cannon as they were just detachable HMGs. Another one from halo was the M7057 Flamethrower, and the name described it perfectly. But the last two had me thinking for a bit longer.

The MG460 Automatic Grenade Launcher, based on my memory, was mounted on Falcons. The difference? This one was reshaped to be held by a spartan with a ammo backpack. If memory serves me right, this thing could take out wraiths in a few shots! So it was pretty powerful. But the last one had me stuck until I finally recognized the shape of the gun. The fifth weapon from halo was the M68 Asynchronous Linear-Induction Motor that was mounted on Warthogs. It was large Magnetic Accelerator Cannon that shot 25 x 130mm slugs at Mach 40. A mortar shell sized slug traveling at Mach 40! If those words don’t tell people to run, I don’t know what will. In layman's terms, it was a extremely accurate and overpowered semi automatic railgun that can turn a fully armored Zealot into purple dust in one shot. After gawking over my arsenal, I realised that all of these weapons had infinite ammo and the same went with my all of my explosive.

With more tapping of my fingers, I found that I had other important things as well. Such as having 300 UNSC Med Packs, 1000 Stim Packs, 500 Nano Repair Packs, and 2000 Spartan MRE Bars. Another thing I found was that I had over a thousand cans of C-7. For those who don't know, C7 is a very powerful foaming explosive used by the UNSC. The damage? Let’s just say that a few cans worth can not only destroy a fully armored pelican, but vaporize everything in close proximity. Just the normal equipment for any spartan’s day of work. Beside my awesome and vastly massive supply of death, the rest of my armor was freaking badass to every detail. I even had the large, razor sharp Kukri knife on my right shoulder. Well, it was more to being a small machete at this size but hay! It was still freaking cool-

I stopped my fanboying and realized how I was acting. I literally just went through a mind fucking hell and not even five minutes later, I’m squealing like a kid getting his dream toys on christmas… Well, add in the hellscape mindfuck horrors and that should match my situation perfectly. I mean, I’ve turned into a mixed batch of my own overpowered character with a shit ton more badass military equipment on top of that.

Damn, I am so fucking ~~badass~~ nerdy.

After another glamouring look over of my armor and searching through some more of the Tacpad’s abilities, I finally began taking notice of my surroundings. The ground was short brush and bushes with a few batches of wild grass. The sky was greatly shaded by very tall pine trees that also surrounded me.

I was in a forest.

And I probably was on another planet at the rate of my wish granting luck.

Unsurprisingly, I quickly notice that my eyesight was of superhuman quality. Nothing short of supreme excellence for a Spartan. I could see so many specific details on the individual shades of grass that it was almost mind blowing. But then the auditory sensors in my helmet caught the sounds of... Cheering? I shook off some grass from my white armor and began my trek through the woods, the distant cheering being my only guide. As I walked, I soon found the source. In front of me was a grand city matching the likes of rome in its prime. As I zoomed in through my HUD, I instantly noticed how the enhabidence were not Human, Ceph, or Covenant, but of a new type entirely. I saw what I could remember to be… Griffins? The same kind from human mythology, just patrolling the wall, flying around, and standing guard. As I observed, I noticed that these creatures were sentient indeed, but primitive in technology. Well, at least compared to me. Based on the structures they had supposedly built and the equipment they wore, it seems to be that they were in somewhere in the Iron Age. Any form of computer or industrial age tech seemed nonexistent based on my scanning.

Seeing that there was more to be explored. I decided to do the exact opposite of any normal UNSC personnel would. I decided to go down and meet them. Not for research or anything scientific, but just to see what happens. Because fuck it! I’m a Spartan and I don’t give a flying fuck anymore. Causally, I trekked down the valley, making myself noticeable as I walked towards the wall. I soon became noticed by the guards at the huge gate, all looking at me with a mix of bewilderment and confusion. I began to scan the guards once again, gaining more in depth details about them.

All the Griffins wore light bronze plated armor with knee and elbow padding with a somewhat thick red cloth like uniform. While some of the bigger sized griffins had a set of heavy iron armor, all of their weapons were again, thousands of years behind. Some were armed with rather bulky, heavy shot crossbows and others with just a Arab styled Scimitars. The iron plated griffins were armed with a mighty and rather intimidating 14 century Poleaxe. The bronze armored troops also had a round wooden shield that are coated red painted with gold markings. The shields also had a thick band of bronze around the circle shield, making it a blunt weapon if needed.

Beside their stick and stones, I noticed they were rather organized. They did not just randomly advance, but rather stood guard and sent a messenger, supposedly for backup and orders on what to do. As they got reinforcements, they never took their sight off of me, rather keeping their gaze strong with a trained eye. By the looks I saw in their eyes, I knew that these griffins had military training and some real combat experience. As I slowly approached closer to the entrance, I halted at the screeching sound that one of the guards gave.

I stopped, letting them fly down and surround me. There were a dozen or so lightly armored griffins with spears trained at my neck and joints. All of them keeping were keeping a distance with their spears steady as the six others on the wall had aimed their huge crossbows aimed at me. Hmm. It seems that they know either know that I’m a threat or are just taking precautions with the unknown. Either way, their screwed if they mess with me. Then, another flew down, this one seemed to having a more authoritarian status over the griffin troops. He wore a more derivative armor with a iron helmet adorned with a big red mohawk of hair. The guards parted a path for him as he approached me, carefully gazing over my Mjolnir armor, noticing some printed letters and numbers on it.

“What are you?” He asked in english, having a weird accent as I couldn't quite pinpoint. Beside the mind blowing griffin speaking english shit, I stayed leveled headed.

“I am a Spartan.” I replied, looking down at the feathered creature. He looked up at me, both astonished and seemingly intrigued.

“Really? Last time I checked with a scribe, the legendary warriors of Sparta have been extinct for over 500 years.” He said like it was fact, but still gazing at me with a plan brewing in eyes.

“Then these scribes must be bold to make such claims. For all should know that Spartans never dies.” I replied, looking around at the guards, noticing that they were as well intrigued at my claim.

“It seems so. Yet…” He paused, putting his talons on the handle of his sword.

“I think you need to prove it.” He said, drawing his sword quickly and swinging the blade. I stood still as he quickly brought his weapon out. He stopped the slash a mere inch from my armored neck, narrowing his eyes as I didn’t even flinch from his balde.

“Hum, fearless as foretold. Do you really have no fear? Even in the face of death?” asked, lowering his blade, yet not sheathing it.

“Why should a god fear a mortal?” I replied, cocking my head a bit. He seemed to miss my sarcasm as his face turned to anger. His grip tightening on the handle, seemingly ready to attack this time.

“Are you claiming to be a mightier than the God Emperor?” He hissed with a surprising amount of venom laced with his words, his eyes slitting as he look ready to kill me, even though it would be inconceivable for him to accomplish such.

“Never claimed being above such a title. Did I?” I retorted, gaining deadpan stares from the griffins until the leader started to laugh as if I had just told a joke.

“You humor me, stranger. May I know your name?” He asked, finally sheathing his sword.

“I have been known by many names, but you may call me Ghost. For I am the last, hencing the title Ghost Of Reach.” I told, being a somewhat truthful as I mentally begun making a backstory with lore of my fanfic characters.

“I see, but I must ask as to why you are here? What is it you seek here Spartan? A battle for fortune in the newly constructed Arena?” He asked, giving a hand single to the guards to relax from their battle stance. Their weapons on the other hand, stayed at the ready.

“If it grants the winner coin, well… I guess I could humor you to some real combat.” I replied, folding my arms.

“I see and agree! Well, I’ll see to that you get to prove your might fellow warrior. Overwise, enjoy your short stay, Spartan.” He finished, sounding oddly cheerful while hinting at a much darker tone. He took off, flying away and signalling the guards to open the gates. I followed the two guards, analyzing every detail of their armor and of my surroundings. The city was quite grand in scale for its technological age. I could see that this place had seen some wars and has been rebuilt a few times. Yet it was nearly empty as the markets and homes seems to deserted.

“Where are the rest of the citizens of this city?” I asked the guard to my right. He groaned, as if he had been asked this question a million times.

“Most, if not everyone, is at the arena, waiting for their show.” He replied gruffly. I stayed silent for the rest of the trip as I was lead into the city and deep into the underground. Apparently, for being a massive guarded city, it had a guarded underground system of supplies and goods. As we ventured in the torchlit hallways, I was greeted with the downing faces of prisoners, caged and chained, knowing their end was near. I was then put into a armory of sorts, if it could be call that with such crap for weapons. Then the door open the other side of the armory, revealing a variety of creatures, all having a similar trait. I observed them, noting that they were warriors at heart, but slaves in shackles. Then the guard behind me stood and got our attention.

“Grab a weapon and leave with the group when ordered.” He told, letting me grab a old weapon from the rack. I chosen a long and quite hefty iron greatsword with a old wooden handle. I was then joined by the other warriors, each of the grabbing the scraps of armor and weapons.

“Who you?” asked a new creature in a much more gruff and deep voice. He was a bit bigger than the griffins as he stood up to my waist. He was a biped dog with huge fist like claws and was built like a old bull on steroids. His fur was a deep silverlined blue with dull brown blotches and spots as his age seemed to show a bit, yet not hindering his physical capabilities.

“Ghost Of Reach.” I stated, looking over the old sword.

“Good gladiator name, but you strange one.” he said roughly, touching and gazing over my white armor.

“How so?” I asked, getting a feel for my weapon as he laughed.

“You not slave nor here for warrior death. All here will die... Why you here?” He asked. While he was having apparent speech problems, he gave his point clearly enough for me to grasp.

“Honestly, I currently have no money, so I took the offer to get some. But If me and you were to say, survive and win, will both of us get rewarded?” I ask, gaining crude laughter from him.

“Yes! If we win stronger, we get many things. The stronger get many gems and the strongest get chance to free self of our master! But that is big if though!” He said, chuckling a bit as he sighed.

“Say, if you wish to live longer and free, stay close and alert. I can kill whatever awaits us.” I said, encouraging him to stick close to me. While I’m pretty sure didn’t need anyone of these guys to help me in this fight, this dog’s knowledge could be of great use. And I need him alive as the dead don’t talk.

“Will do. Me hope we can win.” He said with a small smile. Then, the guards began squawking orders. The others did as they were told as we went up the stairs in single file. Soon after a flight of stairs, we found ourselves in an open, blood stained arena with a larger hill in the middle. The 30 slave warriors then walked out, the crowd cheering at their arrival. But when I stepped from the shadows, the crowd fell ill with silence and awe. This was probably because they had never seen a fully armored Spartan II.

“Today’s contestants for honor are the Emerald Horde’s finest batch of warriors to date! Accompanying them is a being that has claims of Ancient Sparta itself! Behold, the Ghost of Reach!” The voice sang, gaining upon the crowd’s wonder and bringing oncore for the fight. I joined the rest of this Emerald’s Horde. We then got ready, are weapons drawings and looking for our enemy.

“Release the Beasts!” An order called out, raising an armored gate, letting loose five huge hybrid monsters from greek mythology.

“Manticores?” I asked myself, tightening my grip. Instead of taking formation like the others, I did the absolutely unexpected. I charged at them. Not only did the salved warriors call out for me, but the crowd gasped at my action. The manticores didn’t seem affected by my charge, only taking the opportunity to find their first target. Biggest one, roared and pounced up into the air, ready to dive bomb at me. But before he could even lay a paw on me, I threw my heavy sword like a javelin, hitting my target on point. The raging animal didn’t see it coming as I shish kabobed his head straight through the maw and into the brain. I merely sidestepped out of the way it crashed into the dirt. With the beast hitting the dust, the crowd was going wild at the sight of my skill. But I did not take a moment to gloat as two more were charging as well.

Quickly, I plucked the iron sword and threw it again, this time, spearing one of the manticore straight into his shoulder. With the other one still charging, I could only dodged to the left, barely avoiding the tackle. I quickly turned around, blocking the next wild attack with my fist. To both of our surprise, I was not injured nor moved by the powerful blow. The monster roared in pain as it drew back it’s now broken and now limp arm. I then remembered why this happened. I weighed a bit over a thousand pounds and the lion just punched me like a human against a concrete wall. I probably broke his arm and messed up his entire paw. I did not dwindle on those thoughts as I gave him no time for recovery. So I lunged at him, driving my fist left in between his eyes at godly unnatural speeds. This is when I finally grasped levels of my strength as I punched right through his skull, obliterating the head into splinters of gore. The crowd went wild again as I drew back, letting them see the display of carnage.

I glanced over my shoulder, seeing that the others had formed a protective circle with shields, bashing and stabbing the two huge lions. I then heard a low growl as the downed manticore roared in agony. With the long sword still lodged into his shoulder and collarbone. I walked over to the Manticore, unsheathing my large Kukri. Hearing the sound of my blade, the beast struggled to crawl away as I drew near. It tried to smite me away, only gaining a strike of my hand, breaking some bones. As it roared in pain, I grabbed it by the throat, slicing it open effortlessly. The crimson blood released a river, drenched my armor in red as I looked into it’s dying eyes. The crowd cheered as I lifted the dead lion into the air, showing my enhanced strength. I then merely tossed the body away like a rag, and turned to face the last two. The group shield had been broken, the lions taking advantage as they chomped and swatted away their prey. I walked into the chaos and over the dead without a care, my targets now looking at me with a mix of fear and hunger.

“Down.” I spoke darkly, ordering the lions to do my bidding. They seemed to understand my message, yet hesitant to obey.

“I SAID DOWN!” I yelled out, stomping my foot into the dirt, making my point as they obeyed, falling onto their bellies. The crowd gasped in shock at the sight of my authority over the beasts. I grabbed one of the already dead warriors and tossed it at the Manticores.

“Eat.” I ordered, this time, doing so as I tossed five more dead slaves at them, letting them feast upon them. The crowd quickly grew over their shock and began to gossiping on what was going on. Yet the vibes of shock and awe from the crowd was still strong as ever, even as I walked to the center of the coliseum.

“I have not only beaten them single handedly, but I have tamed these beasts to my will! Are you not entertained!?” I yelled out, looking at the crowd, seeing their faces of shock. That was quickly changed as the sudden roaring of cheers became deafening. Yet they were quickly silenced as the entertainer’s voice came up again.

“What a show! The Ghost of Reach is victorious! Manticores are no match for this Spartan!” The cheering then turned into chanting as the crowd began repeating for an oncor.

“Ghost of Reach! Ghost of Reach! Ghost of Reach!” I could only smile as my name echoed throughout the arena, my name only the beginning of my fame. Soon in time, it would I will be a living legend, a god among mortals, and a power to be reckoned with.