The miserable little creature wouldn't take its eyes off me. It wanted me walking straight into the slaughterhouse, and I wasn't going to be stupid enough to do it.
—Shut up…! —I roared.
—It's not a bad idea —Geronimo said behind me, stopping short—. You've already looked at your star. The best thing you could do is test it in a real trial.
—You heard him, kid, time to head to the Connector —Paul added, grabbing my shoulder.
—Wait a minute… —My attempt to escape was miserably frustrated when Axio plopped down on Paul's shoulder, letting out a mocking laugh.
—Oh, don't be like that, human —Axio said—. You don't have many other options. It's not like you can do anything with zero credits.
"The bastard knows."
Paul and Geronimo surrounded me and, after a few pats on the back, dragged me with them through the grand dining hall to the spot where I had first entered. There, both touched the wall, and in a swirl of particles, lights enveloped our bodies. When I opened my eyes again, I felt shaken, terrified. The hall we arrived in was unlike any other.
—Welcome to the Connector, Tristan.
"The Connector": it was a massive chamber, like an immense amphitheater made of polished glass like a mirror. Across its surface, zodiac symbols slowly shifted, replacing those who stood before it with the respective signs they had come to challenge, I assumed. It connected to dozens of paths, staircases, and elevators. If I thought the dining hall had been crowded, I had no idea—this was where the true constellation prospects gathered.
All at once, my insecurities sped up my heart again. I was going back to that coliseum, and I doubted I'd be as lucky as the first time. Finally, Geronimo placed a hand on my head, as if I were a child. His hand was firm and heavy, like that of a grandfather who had worked in the fields his whole life.
—Don't be afraid. We all go through this —he said calmly—. I need to tell you something important…
—No, no, no, I'll say it —Axio interrupted—. You need to understand that the games have two objectives: defeat your rivals and defeat "the Incarnation."
—Incarnation? —I repeated, as had already become routine.
—You must already be familiar with the great copper ram: Aries.
Those heavy footsteps returned to my mind, that floating dust, those movements that sounded like thunder—the copper ram, Aries.
—During a match you may defeat "the Incarnation" or not, but if you do, you'll receive a bonus equal to the round's victory credits. Additionally, it gives the opposing team the chance to surrender without penalty.
—Wait, if I defeat that thing, can we avoid a direct fight? —I blurted out, spotting a lifeline.
—Not so fast, speedster. Just because that option exists doesn't mean everyone will take it. But yes, if you defeat it, you could avoid killing each other.
Paul smiled confidently.
—Now that you know, kid, chin up. Just stand in front of the mirror and touch it. The system will do the rest.
—Yeah, yeah, just do it already. Or do you want me to sing you a song for courage? Something like… "Tristan went to the game, oh what pain, what pain, what shame…" —Axio sang mockingly.
—Please, shut up or I'll die before I even start…
I stepped forward until I stood before the mirror. As expected, what formed in front of me was the great symbol of Aries: a ram struggling against chains, glowing like threads of gold. For some reason, an intense chill froze my hands at the touch. I extended my fingers over the glossy surface; it lit up. The image expanded, forming a doorway inviting me in.
I looked back. There stood Geronimo, with a confident gaze, and Paul, waving cheerfully.
"Maybe they're not bad people…"
I took the first step. In an instant, my body was surrounded by particles of light that blinded me. When I opened my eyes and the intense sound of swirling wind ceased, I recognized the place—one I could never forget.
The ground was a mix of ash and sand. The first time I had been paralyzed here, but now I could truly see it. Stone pillars rose like worn spears, with gigantic black, cracked walls forming the coliseum.
The sky above still painted a crimson canvas. Now familiar with the surroundings, I realized that the senses stripped from me here returned violently: the heavy metallic scent and damp ash flooded my nostrils, and remembering the pain of the knife at my throat made me pale.
A clinking sound soon claimed the space.
Behind me, unmistakably, was the source of that metallic echo: with roars that sounded like pots crashing together. Carefully, I turned to look at it—bound by the same flimsy golden chain, the copper ram, Aries.
—Well… here we go again —I told myself, adjusting my jacket.
"Alright, Tristan, let's review what we've learned."
First: to win I must defeat the opposing team, or make them surrender after defeating the boss. Simple as that.
Of course, if killing a metal titan were just another Friday night activity.
Everything seemed calm. Ignoring, of course, Aries, who occasionally made deafening leaps, scattering sand and ash like a massive cloud. But if I learned anything last time, it was that those chains, though fragile in appearance, were anything but. And as long as it wasn't provoked, there was nothing to fear…
Bang.
It rang out loud and clear—a gunshot cutting through the air. I felt my stomach leap into my throat. The shot struck the chain, which snapped instantly.
For a few seconds, the goat over three meters tall didn't seem to understand—but it was free, and it proved it with a mighty bellow that sounded like hundreds of pots colliding. Instinctively I covered my ears and shut my eyes. When I looked again, the beast stood atop the coliseum's crest.
Its imposing spiral horns, capable of piercing walls, rose high. Its hooves were so heavy that when they struck the ground, stone shattered like glass. Its metallic hide, bathed in a copper glow, shimmered with the budding light of the sun.
Freed, it quickly began its violent dance of destruction. Each leap shook the arena, echoing like cannon fire.
The monster rammed into walls and columns, sending sand erupting in blinding, deafening explosions.
Finally, it fixed its gaze on me.
"I need to run."
It was the only sensible response. The creature would crush me like less than trash if I faced it. My only option was to rely on my team—and they had shown no sign of life. I started running across the arena, hoping for a miracle and…
Bang.
A second shot drew my attention. A man with a neatly trimmed mustache, dressed in a 19th-century military uniform, stepped in front of me. He raised his imposing rifle and began firing at the frenzied beast.
The HUD map only displayed:
[Black: …]