The vegetation was quite alien and colorful. We saw trees with blue and red leaves, bearing strange-looking fruits, and bugs flying around in the air. The flowers of every color in the rainbow were also present. Looking at them I didn't notice as we got closer to a massive dome. Silver and made out of triangular plates. There was an archway leading inside, with golden symbols all around it.

- It's the entrance to the palace complex - explained Katri Xel Avakadaisu. - The letters say: 'Glory to Zor'xal and his empire'.

- Where is the arena? - asked Boris. - Weren't we supposed to head to the arena?

- We are, but you cant travel through the royal districts with a flying vehicle unless you want to be shot down. We will use the means of transportation present in the palace complex. Follow me..

She went through the archway, and then down the stairs, leading to a vast chamber with few more aliens present there. Clearly, servants, judging from the way they were just standing in formal-looking attire. Similar to hers.

She took us through one of the corridors, straight to a white room with a machine that was supposed to take us via tunnel further. It was silver, with more of the golden symbols. As she approached it, the door slid open revealing a spacious interior filled with comfortable spots to sit or even lie down.

The colors of gold and silver were also present there and joined with red cushions. It was quite long, so there was more than enough space even for such a large group as ours. Not to mention that the whole thing was even prepared to have onboard somebody as hudge as Martin.historical

We boarded the vehicle, and the door immediately closed aster the last person got in.

Then a synthesized voice spoke to us, but we couldn't understand the language, but our guide could, and she answered.

- I just spoke the name of the destination we want to reach - explained Avakadaisu.

- So we will now finally arrive at the arena? - asked Boris.

- Yes. I will take you to your waiting area, where you will be able to rest for a moment before the ceremony will start, and then you will fight one by one for the future of your people. I wish you luck, and I will wish you luck again before I will leave you. I really hope you will win.

- Whatever you say - said the Russian.

He clearly had enough of this strange behavior, and so did I. It was almost insulting to my intelligence.

Then we felt a slight tug, as the machinery started moving with a quiet humming sound.

- You don't have music in your transportation? - Will asked.

- We do - she replied, and then said something in the alien language.

Her words made the AI answer with sounds coming somewhere from the speakers. Their music was a combination of beats and electronic drills. For me not very pleasant, but definitely better than the sound of engines.

We quickly started accelerating, and then I stopped feeling anything, as we reached the maximum speed. Since the whole thing was completely cut from outside, I was unable to tell how fast we really were going.

The rest of the travel was quite boring. some of the assistants kept asking Avakadaisu and other guides about some things, but none of them caught my attention. I just sat down in one spot and waited.

We slowed down a few times, then accelerated. Sometimes to change direction, and sometimes for unknown reasons, but eventually we completely stopped, and the door opened, revealing a similar room to the one we boarded the vehicle.

The guides left first, gathering in one group, clearly led by Katri Xel Avakadaisu. We followed them and were taken outside, to a corridor. Then after a short walk, we arrived in front of a large door.

The guides approached it, and it slid open revealing a fancy and quite big hall filled with places to sit, lie down, tables covered in food and drinks. Everything in silver and gold, with the exception of red cushions. The middle thought was occupied by a shimmering hologram of something that to me obviously was the arena outside. A vast area filled with sand.

- There is the passage to the arena - said Avakadaisu pointing ahead, at a similar door. - You decide who goes out among yourselves. You will know when, as the signal will notify you. You can observe the fights here in the holoprojection. First, there will be a ceremony, and you will also be able to watch it. In the meantime enjoy food and drinks.

- How do we recognize the signal? - asked Boris.

- It will be an announcement in your language, so you won't miss it - she explained. - I wish you luck and hope deeply that you will emerge victoriously.

She bowed after those words, and the rest of the guides did the same. Then they all left, making us move aside, to create a path for them.

- Don't eat anything - Vikram said as soon as the door closed. - Everything here seems fishy. Be on your guard people.

Everybody nodded, looking at one another, and we just spread around to find spots to sit down. Small groups gathered here and there.

I found a place for myself and was quickly joined by Will, Borins, and Nobuo.

- We need to decide who is going first. It shouldn't be some big shot, but also not a weakling. Somebody who can get us more information on the strength of our opponents, and also not die in the process. We have many fighters, and I bet they will also have numbers, so we might need to take the right approach if we want to last - said Boris.

Just as he spoke those words I noticed Vikram, followed by Edward Hill, Adam Silvas, Gavriil Semenov, Paulo, and Pedro Silva, and some Asian guy whose name I didn't know at that point, but learned shortly after. Clearly the strongest guys from each gate.

The rest of my crew also spotted them, as they all turned to face the group.