Master Of None

The tunnel was dark due to the participants blocking the light, but once they reached the end the blinding sun was paired with the roar of the crowds. Rows and rows of spectators stood yelling and calling out to them. Many pointed out to certain Demi-human warriors to show their favorites or relations, they were celebrities. The massive open area in the center of the coliseum held only one other person. The woman standing in the center was much larger than an average person and wore very large clothing covering almost every inch of her body. Strange movements from under the purple clothing make it seem like there was another living thing underneath. The only things completely seen were her pale face highlighted by very red lips and piercing green eyes. Her hands were the same pale color as her face and were almost the same as any humans, but at the ends there were sharp needle like nails. Even though she was mostly covered up her aura was intimidating to say the least.

Many guards guided the participants in to four groups on four different sides of the woman. Su, Walker, and Remey had all been split up but keeping eyes on each other from where they stood. Once the groups had been put in to order the guards started to tamp their feet on the ground. The crowd mirrored them causing the very ground to shake. Those next to the party members stood taller trying to show off more of their strengths. 

The woman in the middle raised a hand and everyone stopped. The silence seemed much more deafening than the noise before. After a short pause the woman spoke, somehow her words reached everyone even though she did not actively yell, ”Here stands some of our most prized young warriors. They strive daily to meet their potential. Today they shall battle in four small tournaments to show off their determination. The four champions shall have a bright future and gain rewards that shall put them on the correct path to be engraved in stone. One may even rise to general one day!” The audience shifted with energy, these young were really thought to have the chance to become generals? They would all be witness to the start of an epic. 

Feeling the tension grow the woman spoke more, ” four battles shall take place at once, there will be four rounds. The last round for each group shall determine the victor. I Scylla general of Ordist thanks the King for his grand inspiration for this year’s tournament of the future!” With that being said the crowd burst in to a roar, hearing that their king had suggested that they knew that he cared for the strength of their future. Standing from the tallest balcony able to see every part of the battle area the king raises a hand holding a sword. The aura he released was enough to rouse every participant in this battle. 

Guards began leading the four groups to the walls of the battle area. The participants leaned in a line along the wall, this would be their waiting area. Walker was taking the chance to analyze the ground to decide if he would be able to use the earth as a weapon. The ground had very dry layers of dust on top, but after digging his foot in he found that it became solid stone, the crafters that had built the coliseum had added dirt over top stone to soften falls. They were definitely wise craftsmen to make this decision. 

Some of the nearby participants gave Walker strange looks wondering why he was playing in the dirt but ended up deciding he was a bit mentally lacking. They looked forward to an easy fight against him. There were plenty of different traits in the group Walker was in, the two he saw as the greatest competition were all glaring at each other. They had definitely fought before, the largest of the three had scaly looking green skin and yellow eyes. His face seemed to have a much wider mouth than others and reminded Walker of a crocodile he had seen pictures of in books as a child. The next was a smaller boy with reddish orange hair. He had a long tale and large ears. He seemed to crouch and almost tease the other two constantly. Thus was plain to see that he was a mischievous monkey. The third was the strangest, their entire body was covered in white and black spotted fur. His hands were more paw like and his eyes were sharp. If Walker could guess this contestant had some form of relation to felines. His eyes were quick and his body twitched ready for other movements, he would definitely be the toughest top beat with those obviously quick reflexes.

The three were in a line next to each other seemingly trash talking every so often while they all waited for the first two to be chosen to battle. Scylla walked a circle picking out two from each group to start. Once chosen the two would go towards the center of the battle area leaving enough space between them for the other battles to take place. There was more than enough room for all four battles at once and for none to bump shoulders. Scylla had picked out six so far none of which were Remey or Su, they would not be first to fight for their group. This was good, the two would be able to hide their skills for a bit longer. Walker, however, was not as lucky after Scylla pointed to the large green scaled skin participant she stopped in front of Walker, ”and you”. Those two words forced him to walk forward, he did not want to give up his preparations just yet but since he needed to he might as well take down the biggest participant doing so. 

Looking like he had just won the lottery his crocodile like opponent smiled with his large mouth. The ghastly large teeth were a mustard yellow color. ”You’re too small to even be a snack for me, try and stay standing for a bit so I can impress the general.” He had not introduced himself but Walker did not need to know his name. 

” All the best to you as well, my name is Walker and I plan to show the might of my own kingdom.” His opponent did nothing but snort and look down on him. For him the battle was already won. 

Scylla yet again stood in the middle watching those who had taken position. She had chosen her favorites to win and was eager to put her theories in to practice. She repeated her same hand raise as before but this time they all knew that her lowering it would mean they start. The swift downward movement  of her arm was barely able to be seen, but it was just slow enough for the participants to fly in to motion. Walker’s opponent was the only one not to immediately rush in to a fight, instead he took large breaths causing his muscles to bulge. Veins stood out around his body, Walker knew this was a strengthening technique of some kind. Having almost doubled his muscles the opponent stomped forward, his speed seemed to have slowed. He was attempting to intimidate Walker to show off his might, but Walker wasn’t the least bit affected.

Walker drew the two swords he had had and started to run towards his opponent, this was definitely unexpected to his opponent but welcomed. Walker approached dodging a wide swing, whole he ducked under it he arced one sword up to try and deal some damage. The sword connected without any trouble but was unable to leave a decent wound. The scaly crocodile-like skin was showing its strength and easily stopped damage, the sword definitely made some effect though since the force instantly caused bruising. 

With a grunt, his opponent swung again but Walker easily dodged, he was trying to avoid using the dance of the wild rabbit so he could use it to surprise others later. Now knowing his speed was faster than his opponent Walker took full advantage landing strike after strike with both swords, the damage would have to slowly accumulate so he could save his mana. 

The two fought this battle of attrition for some time, the audience definitely was getting tired of it since the battles had all come to a close much faster. Feeling this energy lower than usual Walker was about to swing his blade again when his opponent managed to block it. Using their other hand his opponent wrenched the sword from Walker throwing it aside. Now walker only had the one sword, it was time to start acting. Walker made his strikes sloppy allowing his opponent to knock them aside each time. Falling for his act they started to become more bold in their blocks and swings. Walker’s opponent was taking large steps in toward him with every attack. Finally, his opponent managed to knock the other sword out of his hands, now Walker had no weapon.