I awoke to learn that it was not a dream. And that the Pixie kept the letter, if not the spirit, of his word. I had collapsed at the edge of what looked to be a massive coliseum. By turning my head slightly, I could look past stone pillars into a blood bath. I watched as a man chopped another man’s arm at the elbow, causing it to bed in what looked to be a painful way. Another man punched hard enough that I could hear it from where I lay. To my surprise, his victim’s head did not explode as what seemed reasonable. Instead, his arm flowed along the edge of the punch to counter with as much vigor as was given.

There were at least ten other duals progressing in the center of the ring. Looking up towards the stands, I saw no one. My eyes widened at the implication, before feeling a hand grip my shoulder.

“Now, what have we here?” A deep bass asked. I screamed as the stranger tightened his grip before lifting me up. I felt something break inside before losing all ability to use my left arm.

Through tear-stained eyes, I looked at my abuser. A 5 ft tall, rail-thin man stared back at me, shock apparent on his face. From what I could make out, his hair was a brilliant silver that reflected light and encompassed his entire face like a lion’s mane. As he let go of what was left of my shoulder, I nearly collapsed again. Instead, I satisfied myself with simply shaking and weeping.

“Sorry boy. Thought you were made of sturdier stuff.” He began, before gently taking my other arm. He attempted to lead me someplace as I attempted to not blackout. We both succeeded, to a lesser degree. My vision went red and pulsed with every step and he more dragged then led.

I think he attempted to say more, but I really could not make anything beyond the pain and the beat of my heart. My focus more rested on remaining upright and hoping that there existed something like medicine in this world.

By the time I could focus on the world around me, I was sitting on a padded table. My aggressor turned guide looked on as what I assumed was a nurse or doctor stared at my indented shoulder. I watched as her finger got closer and closer to my arm.

“Please don’t poke me. I think I would pass out if you did.” I managed to squeak out.

Both the nurse and my guide seemed to jerk at that, fortunately causing her hand to miss my arm entirely. I sighed, then turned to stare at my busted body. From what I could infer, which was next to nothing, I think he broke my collarbone.

“I think you broke his collarbone.” The nurse said. “I won’t be sure until we remove his clothes, but from what you told me it would make sense.” She snapped her fingers in front of my face, causing me to focus on her.

She would be pretty if everything wasn’t the wrong color. Her eyes were perfect ovals, only with purple irises and red where the white should be. Her face was heart-shaped and green. Her nose did that perky thing I only read about, showing her three nostrils. Her ears were hidden behind her hair that looked more like a tamed garden than it did hair. Her hunter green lips formed into a gentle smile. I watched as those lips formed into words.

“Can you help me remove your shirt?”

I stared at her in disbelief.

“Can we just cut it off?” I asked. “Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do, instead of moving the injured limb?”

Her eyes widened before narrowing.

“We tried, as you probably saw.”

I shook my head at that.

“I was out of it. If it will not cut, then I suppose we can. Just, don’t be surprised if I pass out.”

My aggressor let out a snort before moving to help the nurse. True to my words, I did pass out again. Or at least, lost focus to the pain. When I could return to the world at large, I found my shirt off and her hand pressed lightly to my broken body. If the man wasn’t holding me down, I probably would have jerked away as I saw something coming out of her hand and penetrate my body.

I could not feel whatever it was she was doing. I simply could see something exit her palm and enter my chest before the throbbing pain lessened. With a satisfied look, whatever she was a part of her cut off and was sucked into me. I mauled at the entry point, before realizing I could move both arms again. I stared at my previously useless limb before looking at my healer.

“Th…Thank you.” I gasped out.

“The structure will remain in place until you’re fully healed. Afterward, you can have it removed or kept in place. It won’t hurt you either way.” She said with the standard clinical detachment. “And now that is out of the way, care to tell us what you are doing here?”

“Where’s here?” I asked, taking a good look at my surroundings for the first time. It looked like a modern doctor’s office. I was resting on what I assumed to be the padded recliner. There was a basin with a jug of what I believed to be water nearby. Besides that, the only other furniture was two chairs that the other two people in the room sat in.

The walls were made of the marble, like the floor. I could not see what was lighting the room, instead it just appeared as if the entire room were lit. The door to the room was a simple one, made of wood with iron hinges.

“Here is the recovery portion of the gladiator’s pit.” The man responded. “What we want to know is why were you at the entrance to the main arena as the other’s trained? And how did you get in if you’re so weak that you could be broken being helped up?”

“Gladiator’s pit? And what do you mean being helped up? You lifted me entirely by my shoulder! Anybody’s body would break doing that.”

Both people stared at me before the man shook his head. The nurse gave me an inquisitive stare before continuing.

“What do you remember?” She politely inquired.

So, I told them. About waking up in a field and the pixie/imp think that was supposed to be my guide. Neither seemed to react to anything I said until I finished with being whisked here.

“He dropped you off at the wrong spot.” The man began. “If what you say is true, and so far, there is little reason to believe or doubt you, then you should be at the summoning hall. Not here.”

“Can we proceed by assuming that I don’t know anything about this world. Like what she did to heal me. Or what she is. Or what I am. Am I still human? Do you have humans here?”

The nurse sat up straight at my words, her soft features hardening.

“I am human, just like he is, just like you are.” Her stern response left me blinking.

“But…you don’t look human. Either of you. You look, well, unique.” I ended lamely. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

Stop offending these people. I thought. Just assume what they are saying is true.

“I apologize,” I started. “It is just, where I am from, humans look more like me than they do either of you. And only the strongest of us could break a collarbone through their grip. And no one could do whatever it was you did to heal me.”

They both stared at me. The man more incredulous while the woman was more suspicious. Before they could say anything, I continued.

“I won’t ask how you did it because I am afraid that would break rule 3 of the world. Just, can you give me a basic idea of what I have gotten myself into?” I pleaded.

They both blinked at me.

“Rule 3?” The man asked.

“You know, Don’t question how Magic works” To everyone’s surprise, as I said it, the rules appeared next to me with only Rule 3 highlighted. I stared at the words before continuing. “Ahh, uh, well as you can see its important that doesn’t happen. I imagine I can ask how you did what you did but if I asked what exactly it did, then bad things would happen.”

We all watched as the phantom hand that slapped me earlier that day appeared before me and gave me a pat on the shoulder before a thumbs up. It disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Looking back to my hosts, I noticed that the color had drained from both of their faces.

“Boy, was that Magic?” The man asked. I nodded my head as an answer. “And you can speak to Magic?”

“Eh,” I rocked my palm back and forth. “Its more that since I’m new here it’s letting me get an idea of the rules. I imagine it will stop paying attention to me once I start on my quest. Besides, Magic makes the world run so everyone talks to Magic.”

At my words, Rule 1 was filled in. Both looked at me, wide-eyed and open-mouthed. I felt my own eyes widen as I looked between then and the Rules. I decided I would not speak the other two rules, yet.

“Boy,” the man began before I interrupted him.

“Vee. My name is Vee.”

The admission caused him to jerk to a stop, before shaking his head. I felt awe as the light danced upon his mane.

“Name is Bastar. Now Vee, do you realize what you are doing?”

“Besides begin my quest, obviously not Bastar. By my knowledge, I have been here for less than an hour. That’s plenty of time for me to make an ass of myself.”

“That you are certainly doing, bringing up sacred Magic here. Rather, I meant do you know why Wuinal would drop you here?”

“Wuinal?” I kept the confusion I felt obvious on my face.

“Your guide. I believed you called it a pixie or imp.” I stared at my nurse at that. She looked confused until realization hit her. “My name is Heather.”

“Thank you, Heather.” I smiled as warmly as I could. “And yes, I suppose that would be Wuinal. No, I do not know why it brought me here. I bet it was supposed to tell me and forgot or is waiting for after the right moment.” My smile dropped quickly as my eyes widened. I looked at Bastar before continuing.

“Did you happen to see a pillow or cushion by me?”

“Aye. You wouldn’t let go of the thing until we put you down.” Bastar said, motioning towards my feet. There resided my pillow, weapon of destiny. I doubt it would be of any use, but you do not go about leaving weapons of destiny just lying around.

I sighed in relief as I picked it up. I gave it a squeeze and would swear it felt more comfortable than it did when I was sleeping on it earlier. Clutching it close to my chest, I looked to Heather and Bastar before asking.

“Can you please give me a basic primer on this world. I am here to end a threat to this land and that is literally all I know beyond the four rules governing everything. And that I wasted my choice of armor, weapon, and boon.” I finished after a pause.

Heather and Bastar gave me an indulgent smile before beginning.