FirstConsciousness returns to you in a flash of light. This has happened to you too often lately.
Rage of the Arena"...eviscerate you, so try to survive until the end of the fight, meat. No one expects more from you." The hollow voice belongs to the giant that so guilefully neutralised you with gas.
Rage of the Arena"But should you kill something after all, do it painfully. Unless the masters' craving for death agony is sated, they will release me into the arena. And you will regret that. Got it?"
YOU[Address the monster] "I would like a deal. We have no desire to participate in fights."
Rage of the ArenaThe monster fixes you with a look of contempt and turns away, without deigning to entertain such a ludicrous proposition.
YOU[Address the monster] "I would like a deal. We have no desire to participate in fights."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What did you do to me, foul spawn?"
Rage of the ArenaSeeing as you are conscious, the monster looms over you and says in a voice that is hoarse with anger, "Do not play any more games with me, meat, or I will throw you out, forever broken."
YOU[Address the monster] "I would like a deal. We have no desire to participate in fights."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What did you do to me, foul spawn?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this place?"
Rage of the Arena"The gladiatorial arena of the Cult of the Fatal Thirst. This is where masters come for a new youth and where pathetic meat from the Chasm is brought to die."
YOU[Address the monster] "I would like a deal. We have no desire to participate in fights."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What did you do to me, foul spawn?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this place?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What will I receive should I emerge victorious?"
Rage of the ArenaThe creature leans down to get a better look at you, then says acerbically, "Your life. But do not concern yourself. You will not win."
YOU[Address the monster] "I would like a deal. We have no desire to participate in fights."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What did you do to me, foul spawn?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this place?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What will I receive should I emerge victorious?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the fighters] "This abomination says that our death is certain. But even in death, there is a choice: to be butchered like cattle or to die for the Imperium. Do not let the xenos decide your fate! May you leave this life with the Emperor's name on your lips!"
FirstWith a roar, some of the fighters make the sign of the Aquila and ready their grenades. Their pale fingers clutch the pins as they steel themselves for a fight to the inevitable death, intent on taking as many enemies of Humanity with them as they can.
Rage of the ArenaThe monster scoffs. "Pretty words. I hope your death will be pretty enough to match them."
Rage of the Arena"Off with you, meat."
end of branch
YOU"I am ready to fight."
Rage of the Arena"Then try not to die the most pathetic death."
Rage of the Arena"Off with you, meat."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Give the monster a vicious smile] "Are you offering me a chance to skin a few of your friends? I can hardly wait!"
Rage of the Arena"You're amusing. Overconfident fools like you always die first."
Rage of the Arena"Off with you, meat."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon] "You think you can force me to do your bidding, do you?"
Rage of the ArenaThe monster's voice becomes strangely calm, almost human-like. "I won't. But they will leave you no choice."
Rage of the Arena"Off with you, meat."continues where this line first appears above
Rage of the Arena"No. But they can." The creature is gloating, that much is clear.
Rage of the Arena"Off with you, meat."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Fall to your knees] "I am begging you, get me out of this place! I am no gladiator, I am a dignitary!"
Rage of the ArenaA gloating laugh comes from behind the black mask. "Then try to keep your dignity from being mangled."
Rage of the Arena"Off with you, meat."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the fighters] "This abomination says that our death is certain. But even in death, there is a choice: to be butchered like cattle or to die for the Imperium. Do not let the xenos decide your fate! May you leave this life with the Emperor's name on your lips!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am ready to fight."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Give the monster a vicious smile] "Are you offering me a chance to skin a few of your friends? I can hardly wait!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon] "You think you can force me to do your bidding, do you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Fall to your knees] "I am begging you, get me out of this place! I am no gladiator, I am a dignitary!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What will I receive should I emerge victorious?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the fighters] "This abomination says that our death is certain. But even in death, there is a choice: to be butchered like cattle or to die for the Imperium. Do not let the xenos decide your fate! May you leave this life with the Emperor's name on your lips!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am ready to fight."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Give the monster a vicious smile] "Are you offering me a chance to skin a few of your friends? I can hardly wait!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon] "You think you can force me to do your bidding, do you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Fall to your knees] "I am begging you, get me out of this place! I am no gladiator, I am a dignitary!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this place?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What will I receive should I emerge victorious?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the fighters] "This abomination says that our death is certain. But even in death, there is a choice: to be butchered like cattle or to die for the Imperium. Do not let the xenos decide your fate! May you leave this life with the Emperor's name on your lips!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am ready to fight."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Give the monster a vicious smile] "Are you offering me a chance to skin a few of your friends? I can hardly wait!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon] "You think you can force me to do your bidding, do you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Fall to your knees] "I am begging you, get me out of this place! I am no gladiator, I am a dignitary!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What did you do to me, foul spawn?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this place?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What will I receive should I emerge victorious?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the fighters] "This abomination says that our death is certain. But even in death, there is a choice: to be butchered like cattle or to die for the Imperium. Do not let the xenos decide your fate! May you leave this life with the Emperor's name on your lips!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am ready to fight."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Give the monster a vicious smile] "Are you offering me a chance to skin a few of your friends? I can hardly wait!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon] "You think you can force me to do your bidding, do you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Fall to your knees] "I am begging you, get me out of this place! I am no gladiator, I am a dignitary!"continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 8 of 9
FirstThe gladiators around you are exchanging anxious smiles. Whatever awaits you all fills them with a mixture of terror and anticipation.
Rage of the Arena"They are about to unleash fighters and beasts that will seek to eviscerate you, so try to survive until the end of the fight, meat. No one is expecting more from you."
Rage of the Arena"But should you kill something after all, do it painfully. Unless the masters' craving for death agony is sated, they will release me into the arena. And you will regret that. Got it?"continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 9 of 9
Rage of the ArenaThe moment you cross the portal, you realise that something is amiss. The thousands of Drukhari all around you, the towering bulk of abnormally bloated muscle whose face is hidden behind a black mask — none of it fits the Commissar's description of a "quiet dock."
Rage of the Arena"You have brought good meat. You have done well, Commissar." The creature's guttural voice emanates menace.
YOU[Examine the monster]
Rage of the ArenaThe hulk's body is criss-crossed by thick ugly scars as if someone stitched it together from different pieces. Its huge muscles are disproportionately swollen and riddled with peculiar wire-like augmetics running under the skin. Its backbone has been stripped of flesh and encased in the steely grip of a spinal transplant, and its face is hidden by a black helmet.
YOU[Examine the monster]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Commissar, it's an ambush!"
Commissar"It can't be! Fight valiantly, my comrades-in-arms! The Imperium will not forget you!" The Commissar makes no effort to conceal the sarcastic mockery in his voice.
First(sequence)
Argenta"Impossible... He—" Argenta's eyes flash with fury. "You will pay, treacherous serpent! You will pay for all our brothers and sisters! How many have you led to their deaths? Confess!"
Commissar"Oh, so many, Sister! Even more than usual lately, ever since volunteers started flocking to the sounds of your sweet sermons!"
end of branch
Yrliet"Kae-morag, this is another trap!" Yrliet backs away, clenching the weapon in her hands, then turns abruptly to the Commissar. "You knew you were leading us to the slaughter, mon-keigh! Yes... you knew."
end of branch
Abelard"Saints' blood, I will rip out your throat with my own hands!"
end of branch
SolomorneA stifled roar escapes Solomorne's throat, and Glaito bares his teeth, his lumens flickering wildly. "How many more of you bastards must I..."
SolomorneThe Arbitrator clutches his forehead with his metal hand. "No! Not now, not again!"
end of branch
SolomorneThe Proctor exhales fiercely. "No, I won't lose my grip again. Not over scum like you. I will sentence you with dignity, as befits an Arbitrator."
end of branch
Commissar"Farewell, comrades. Deceiving, manipulating, and nudging you toward your deaths has been an honour and a pleasure!" The Commissar jumps into the closing portal before anyone gets a chance to stop him.
Rage of the ArenaSatisfied cackling booms from behind the monster's black mask. "Foolish meat! Falls for the same trick every time. Here is what happens to you now."
Rage of the ArenaThe monster's grunting, slurping voice sounds oddly familiar.
Rage of the Arena"They are about to unleash fighters and beasts that will seek to eviscerate you, so try to survive until the end of the fight, meat. No one is expecting more from you."continues where this line first appears above
Rage of the Arena"They are about to unleash fighters and beasts that will seek to eviscerate you, so try to survive until the end of the fight, meat. No one is expecting more from you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The Commissar has betrayed us, comrades! This is a trap!"
CommissarThe Commissar laughs in your face. "How perceptive! You should join the Inquisition!"
First(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
Commissar"Farewell, comrades. Deceiving, manipulating, and nudging you toward your deaths has been an honour and a pleasure!" The Commissar jumps into the closing portal before anyone gets a chance to stop him.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The Commissar has turned out to be yet another traitor. I believe I am starting to see how this game is played."
Commissar"It's all right, you won't be so gullible next time. Oh wait — there won't be a next time!" The Commissar makes no effort to conceal the sarcastic mockery in his voice.
Commissar"Farewell, comrades. Deceiving, manipulating, and nudging you toward your deaths has been an honour and a pleasure!" The Commissar jumps into the closing portal before anyone gets a chance to stop him.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Wait silently]
Commissar"Farewell, comrades. Deceiving, manipulating, and nudging you toward your deaths has been an honour and a pleasure!" The Commissar jumps into the closing portal before anyone gets a chance to stop him.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Commissar, it's an ambush!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The Commissar has betrayed us, comrades! This is a trap!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The Commissar has turned out to be yet another traitor. I believe I am starting to see how this game is played."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Wait silently]continues where this line first appears above