Relief floods you as you step out of the dark caravan, the stench and humidity of sweat and shit finally giving way to fresh air and light. Then the crowd bursts into life. Demons, goblins, elves, vampires, lizard morphs, and even other humans, all rouse into an insatiable frenzy, their bloodlust hanging thick in the Arena, a behemoth structure of demonstone...
Author's note: This series is my homage to the manga and anime series, "Baki the Grappler". Yes, I know there are about 3 different mangas and, I think, 2 different animes with different titles, but I'll just call the whole thing "Baki the Grappler". So, meet Bachiko. Any resemblance to the original work in terms of characters, plot and theme is entirely int...
“Thank you, Dywyr. I know that you think it’s foolish of me to want to come here.” Iona cringed as they passed a stall hung with the butchered meat of humans and other sentient races. Once she could breathe past the smell again, “I’m glad you’re here to keep me from ending up like that.” “You’re welcome.” As always, his voice was uninflected. Iona couldn’t...
Jonathan ran his fingers through his dirty blonde hair, feeling the warm wind on his face. He stepped through the stone archway onto the hot sand of the arena, stretching his arms toward the sky as the breeze shifted the sand around his feet. He bent and moved side to side, trying to stay loose inside his thick leather clothing. A short man jogged by, toting...
Chapter 3 Making Deals **Characters and text are protected under copyright law Disclaimer: This story is not meant as 'erotica', but dark adventure-fantasy. It may contain material that sensitive readers might find uncomfortable. Please be advised. Cornelius sneered at his image within the large mirror, vainly soaking in all the handsome details of his r...
Immersion Playground Book #2: Arena Chapter 9 Coy sits in the shade with the rest of the landscaping crew, watching the small tractor strain at the roto-tiller, mixing the sand and peat into the hard California clay. He's pitched in with the spreading of the materials, unable to resist the temptation to get his hands dirty again. While machinery does the...
Lights high above you cast a flickering half-light across the crowd, the heavy bars, the oil-stained concrete. Two hulking shadows stand, immobile, across from each other. There is a bewildering pattern of sound throughout the arena: the hum of power cells, the hiss of coolant, occasional sparks, and of course the charged anticipation of the crowd. The hi-be...
Immersion Playground Book #2: Arena Chapter 10 Ninety minutes after he finishes speaking to Coy and Sierra, Rick starts the heavy drum soundtrack, signaling the extras it's time to file into the stands and take their seats. Rick and Giselle, with help from Pip, are dressed, Rick in his tunic and toga, and Giselle in the flowing robes of a noble Roman woma...
Immersion Playground Book #2: Arena Chapter 7 Saturday evening, Todd makes a change to the Immersion Playground store front, announcing a call for extras. The notice is discreet, but unknown by Todd, Sunday morning Immersion Playground has more than three hundred interested inquiries in the mailbox he'd set up to receive them. By Sunday evening the number...
Chapter 1 The Parade Outside **Characters and text are protected under copyright law Disclaimer: This story is not meant as 'erotica', but dark adventure-fantasy. It may contain material that sensitive readers might find uncomfortable. Please be advised. Beyond the open window, the late summer air was thick with the sounds of the parade out in the city s...