Chapter 5: The Arena

"What?" Vex said both surprised yet a bit numb to the feeling of shock at this point. 

"What I mean by that is you need to challenge me in the arena, and we can fight to the death in there. You should have an arena tab right?" Javier said, gesturing to the open space in front of himself.

"Wait, so the arena is to fight other people? Given the name and the game-esq systems, I thought I would be fighting monsters." Vex said, slightly disappointing as the thought of bravely fighting a dragon was snuffed out in an instant.

"That's how system users fight and get stronger without causing a ton of damage to the real world. It's not so clear now, but fighting outside of the arena is soon to become taboo since no one wants a fireball through their wall and all that. I mean, it makes sense to me at least." Javier said, shrugging his shoulders. 

"How can you tell if a person is a system user? And what do you mean by beat them?" Vex asked, flipping through the different pages in his system.

"Well, you'll see them staring into nothing and poking at the air, but aside from that, you can't really tell unless they make it obvious or say it out loud. You can beat a system user by challenging them and beating them, did you just not ask your system A.I any questions man?" Javier asked, grabbing Vex's attention with that last bit of information.

I mean, could I? Do I even have a system A.I? Vex thought, slinking further and further down, hoping for the earth to swallow him.

"How do I challenge someone? Just walk up and attack them?" Vex asked as he could almost hear a string within Javier's brain snap in annoyance.

"Are you some kinda moron? Just say their username or real name followed by the words 'I challenge you.' The other person will get a prompt to accept or deny. What would the point of the arena be if you would just swing on someone anyway! Besides, someone may not even be a user, so you could seriously injure them." Javier said with a scoff.

Hmmm, that seems convenient. Also, aren't we 'users' supposed to not care about non-system users? Vex thought, tapping his finger on the ground next to him.

"Don't normal system users hate non-users or something? Monty told me that Damien guy said so." Vex said to Javier, a shiver running up both their spines. 

"Only the ones who are going crazy with power, most normal people will come to their senses and see them as crazies within the next few days, especially when the first non-user gains their system," Javier said, picking at his teeth. "Also, don't mention that name, it's a bad omen."

"Whatever you say, 'The Fool'," Vex said with a chuckle as Javier shot him a mildly amused look. 

"I've yet to ask you how every version of you automatically knows what my unique system is. I'm assuming it has something to do with how I'm a fellow Tarot Card?" Javier asks, slightly tilting his head.

"Maybe? It just kinda told me when you invited me to a party." Vex replied in earnest. 

"Well whatever, wanna give the arena thing a go?" Javier asked innocently, trying desperately to hide the grin slowly spilling over his face. 

"Javier, The Fool, I challenge you," Vex muttered, as a small golden window appeared in front of both boys, one that they could both see. 

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