Page 4 of Gladiator Moon
“A polar bear shifter.”
“No way! Cool beans. Pretty sure I’ve never seen one of those before... which means you are lying.”
“Yes, I am lying. Punish me. Banish me high atop your tallest mountains or into your deepest seas.”
“That’s a little extreme, buddy.”
“Maybe I deserve an extreme punishment.”
“For what?”
“For lying to you.”
“Why would you lie to me?”
“Because I want you to summon the transportal flame and, unfortunately, due to the laws governing your reality, I cannot force you to do so. But I can encourage forgetfulness. I seem to be doing very well in that department.”
“You’re whack.”
“Yes, I am. It appears my study of your culture and language in search of the greatest of your warriors, including your colloquialisms, is benefiting me now. Whack, as in crazy, correct?”
“Correct. Who are you again?”
“Enough! We’re done. Samantha Moon, I have come to harm you and your family. You absolutely must banish me to the far side of the moon. You must do so now!”
“But...”
“Summon the single flame, dammit!”
“How do you know about...”
“Because all great warriors can teleport interdimensionally.”
“I am not a great warrior.”
“Oh, but you are. I will soon kidnap the one you call Paxton. I must be dealt with right now. Here, let me lessen the forgetfulness, but not so much that you stay in control.”
“Why?”
“Because I need to take over. Now, will you banish me or will I have to kill Paxton?”
“Kill Paxton? Excuse me. Who are you? How did you get in-“
“Because I am an evil wizard, Samantha, and I intend on doing you and your family harm. I should be dealt with immediately!”
“Did you say evil wizard?”
“I did, yes. And I cast a forgetful spell on you.”
“You certainly did something to me. I feel like crap.”
“Sorry, it was necessary. Anything to procure your services for the Games.”
“What Ga-?”
“I’ll explain when we get there. And by ‘there,’ I mean the interdimensional arena where you will fight for my liege.”
“Your liege. What is he a king or some-“
