The Nocee Tournament of Champions

The Tournament of Champions was one of the largest sports events in the Nocee Empire. Magicians and non-magicians, males and females of every race would push their skills and bodies to the max. It made underdogs make history and the favored live like kings.

This year was meant to be no different. At least those were the thoughts of last year's champion: Ben Berryfoot III. He was a halfling druid who won with his quick wit and was underestimated by several of his opponents. He trained his mind and body far past its breaking point multiple times for years. Now his hard work had paid off. This year there were a couple rule changes. First, the arena would be a maze where all participants would have to find each other to fight. Second was that armor was not allowed only "simple garments" were to be worn. In past years fighters would go 1v1 with whatever gear they could afford or offered by sponsors. Many athletes found these rules to favor half-orcs, males, and magicians and did not allow any chance for a non-magician female.

Even after much outcry from fans and athletes the Champion Committee simply stated "The rules were supposed to make things more fair overall, however, the layout of the arena would be designed in favor of anyone the current rules had unfavored." These events did little to faze Ben. His trainer though, was following every rumor closely and would change Ben's training to better fit the nature of this year's tournament. After another year of intense training and mentally being prepared for as many situations as possible Ben felt ready.

The day came, the arena roared with fans of every competitor. As the athletes walked to their starting spaces. The announcer named every athlete, their hometown, and their category in the tournament. Ben knew some of them as his trainer was breaking their abilities and the best way to counter them. Yet there were few he did not recognize or had forgotten about. Yet there was one that made him shiver: Sham Greataxe, the half-orc paladin. He was the champion before Ben and was the final opponent between Ben and Glory. They fought for what felt like hours and this year it was going to be a rematch.

"Champions, fair well and may the True God give blessings. Now be RELEASED!" shouted the announcer. The champions ran into the maze trying to find each other. Chests were scattered all across the maze. Ben found one in a dead-end corner in leather bracers and a bow but no arrows. "These are not useful to me," he said to himself. "Wait a minute, is that what the committee was talking about when they said they would make the layout of the maze favor the non-magician females? That's creative I'll give them that." again talking to himself.

Spells were cast, shields and swords clashed and shattered. They were the sounds Ben heard but couldn't see. "Oh it looks like Yayben the female elf paladin has been defeated, clerics please go and get her out of there." said the announcer. Clerics had descended from the top of the arena with the help of Gas Elemental Sorcerers "So that is why they made changes to the rules. They want blood. They want to see the champions break, and bloody, they want to see people give it their all. Again, very creative. Which means I have to stay alert. I can't have my body become a mangled mess like hers." Ben used his druid magic to feel the life around him. He somehow was alone. Unless there was somehow a way non-magicians were able to mask themselves. Ben slowly stalked each and every part of the maze. "Oh boy did you see that. Kamtoe and Shera are teaming up against Xera! Now they are fighting each other. We now have a 3-way fight, everyone!" said the announcer. Ben could hear screams and spells being cast. Ben dashed hoping he was not too late. Then he found himself in what seemed to be the center. People of every race were fighting. "Look at this ladies and gentlemen your current reigning champion Ben Berryfoot the III!" Everyone stopped fighting each other and faced Ben. "Oh, frick," said Ben as he slowly realized that he was supposed to fight everyone all at once. It was the scenario he had not trained for.

After a few seconds of staring at each other many people charged at Ben with their weapons. Some cast spells, others shot arrows and threw knives. Ben retreated back into the maze chased by people wanting to take his title. Ben used his magic to slow down or knock out anyone who was charging at him. Several began attacking each other just to get ahead. "I can't keep this up, they're going to catch up to me. Perhaps if I get them to fight each other. That may buy me some time. Maybe if I-" Ben ran right into a thick meaty leg. The being turned around. It was Sham. "I was hoping we would settle this one-on-one, but instead it seems you need me to prove why I should fight you," said Sham. "I did not intend for this to happen, however, if we team up we could then beat each other up in the center," said Ben. He was hoping the team-up would wear down Sham while at the same time giving Ben more time to concentrate on his magic. Sham with his mighty great axe began to go on a rampage nearly killing several competitors. Ben was using dried vines to strangle many of them and even used them to catch the opponents off guard giving Sham an easy final blow. After clearing the crowded maze the 2 worked their way to the center. No one was there. The announcer was going wild with his commentary. The crowds roared with excitement.

"This is where we finish what we started a year ago," said Sham. "Yeah, it was only a matter of-" Ben had to dodge an incoming attack from Sham. "time," Ben said to himself. Sham roared and charged at Ben swinging his axe in all directions. Ben tried retraining Sham and broke through, he tried strangling only for Sham to literally bite off the vines and keep swinging. After much frustration, Sham stopped he huffed and puffed. "You made a fool out of me last time, I will not make you do that again. For you see I trained harder than I ever have, now let me show you my Ritgoues Anger!" screamed Sham. He kept screaming but as he did he began to eject white beams out of himself. They came from all directions. Until he was shattered into a blinding light. After Ben could regain his sight he saw Sham's body was covered in divine magic. "I learned this trick just a few months ago. It will be your doom," said Sham. Ben was already drained from fighting the others and He could not find a counter from his training to use. Sham's speed, strength, and durability increased nearly 4 fold. Ben was punched and nearly had his hand chopped off. Sham was able to grab Ben thrust him against a wall and dragged him across. Ben's clothes were torn up and his body was mangled by the attack. The crowd roars with cheers. Ben tried to get up but couldn't. He laid there and saw Sham hyping up the crowd. "Just like last time," he said to himself. Ben got up but struggled a lot. Sham then grabbed Ben's face and slammed it into the wall. "I nearly forgot how durable you are," Sham said. Sham let go and Ben fell to the floor. His eyes watered, his head throbbed, and his body was nearly broken. Before he closed his eyes he saw an arrow hit Sham then another, and another. Ben closed his eyes as a blurry figure walked toward him.

Ben woke up in what he thought was the arena hospital. The blurry figure was next to him. It was a half-orc female who was a non-magician. "Did you win?" he asked. "No, I was taken out by some human male. I did take out Sham though," she said. "Well, I rather we both lose than have him win again," said Ben. "I figured that was what you wanted. I'm Lara by the way," she offered her hand. Ben shook it "Short for Laraganus?" he asked. "Yes, She's one of the inspirations for me joining the tournament to begin with," she said. "That's good to hear," said Ben. Ben closed his eyes and rested.

A couple of days later he began training again. This time he was going to surpass Sham's abilities and become the next year's winner of the Tournament of Champions.