Distance
"I wouldn't be too sure about that," Roy shakingly murmured.
"Sorry, but it's obvious," Matthias said as he tightened his grip. "It is part of my destiny to advance in this country. So try to think of your loss here as a step towards my goal."
Matthias shot his sword towards Roy's neck but in one quick motion Roy jolted his neck forward and bent his knees. While his neck was slightly gashed in the process, Roy shouted and swung his scythe at Matthias's chest.
"You're not the only one with a goal, idiot!"
Matthias bent his back as far back as he could and took four quick steps in reverse, nearly stumbling as he did so. Before Matthias could fully recover Roy quickly shot his scythe straight towards Matthias again.
Matthias immediately felt as if someone just punched him in the gut as the scythe's metallic end struck him. Tthe encompassing blue aura he had around his body faded as he fell. Pain shot up at his stomach again as the blow from before refused to let him go. He peered down at his stomach to see part of his armor cracked but not completely breached. Before he could examine the damage more closely the edge of his vision displayed a sharp green light approaching. Matthias reflexively swung his blade upwards and the edges of the two combatants' weapons shun with violence and beauty. But Matthias's attempt at blocking a deadly slash led him to see the blade of Roy's scythe hooked on his own. He tried to retreat but Roy then gripped the edge of Matthias's sword with his left hand. Roy's blood trickled down the blade all the way down to Matthias's hand. The two then looked up at each other and exchanged glances.
"Now that was ballsy," Celsus cracked.
"I'm surrounded by crazy people," Sophia murmured.
"So unorthodox, even for my style," Matthias said as he shrugged.
Roy raised his scythe up high and tightened his grip on Matthias's weapon. His neck bled even faster as his breathing increased.
"Funny, I don't even recall your name," Roy said smiling as gusts of wind raced across the arena. "It's over, Matthias."
As his right arm fell for the finishing blow Roy noticed his target began to blur. His surroundings bent and Matthias moved further and further away. A violent pressure shot intensely towards his muscles and then his bones.
"What the-,"Roy whispered.
In an instant Roy found himself in great pain at the other end of the arena. He soon noticed a stream of smoke and dust between Matthias and himself, clouding visions to create vague shapes of each other. His eyes then scaled rapidly, trying to see evidence of what just transpired. He soon noticed that to his right and left his arms were lodged into the wall of the arena. His back ached as his eyes struggled to return his sight to its original state. He prompted them straight ahead, attempting to focus on the figure meters away from him. The smokescreen began to subside and there he saw Matthias slowly getting up, with his left arm extended and left hand open. Roy summoned up his strength and forced his body forward. The wall behind him cracked and he fell to his knees arms, free from the shackles of the stone barrier which blocked off the outside world. His neck stung his nerves with pain, shouting at him to halt anymore effort to move. He grasped the open wound but the stream of blood was beginning to flow through his fingers. His breathing hastened and his heart pounded his chest harder and faster. His eyes, desperate, scanned the battlefield in around him, hoping to scour for some chance at survival.
He then glanced over to his left and noticed his scythe a few feet from him. Unable to stand up, he attempted to crawl quickly towards it but his body failed him. The rough embrace of the arena floor shook his body.
"Damn it!" Roy scowled as he slammed his blood red fist on the ground. He turned his eyes to Matthias, whom at this point was already standing.
Matthias peered down at his sword and saw that Roy's blood was beginning to stain it. He raised his sword up and turned it horizontally. He peered at Roy as the sword shun a blue magnificence upon his face.
"The great thing about these weapons is that when you shut them down the remnants of battle disappear as well. So as soon as this blade of mine shuts off, you're blood will disappear from it. Fitting isn't it? That you're blood will be forgotten in the same way you will be?" He lowered his weapon and paced slowly towards Roy. Another gust of wind pushed against the two. "Oh and by the way," he secured his grip on the sword's hilt, "the name is Matthias."
Roy grunted and slowly rose to his feet. His vision began to betray him and he saw two Matthias instead of one.
"What was that just a minute ago? I had you...damn it," Roy stuttered slightly as he still clutched his own neck. His knees gave way to his weight and he stumbled down to the ground.
"It's none of your concern. This will be the last time we see each other anyway," Matthias said as the blue aura from before surrounded his body once again. He set his eyes straight forward as his pace sped up. "All that matters now is my destiny. This fight just proves that my resolve is greater than yours."
Roy's fist slammed to the ground. He looked down at the arena floor as he saw the blood from his neck dripping away from his trembling fingers.
"To hell with that," Roy coughed out. Matthias left brow angled upwards at the response.
"Oh? Are you saying you have a greater goal than mind, without even knowing me?"
Roy grinned as his head struggled to face upward. He then stared right into Matthias's eyes as the sunlight glared off of his own. His grin widened.
"Damn right. I plan," Roy coughed, "I plan to make this country a better place-once I am captain."
Matthias's towered over him as his sword glimmered. The blue aura that encircled him darkened slowly. It vanished and the sun at this point was behind his head. A shadow shrouded his body, from feet to head. All but his eyes were covered, which pierced the shadow of his body with a blue fiery light.
"Ridiculous," he said under his breath as he rose his sword. The world around the blade seemed dark as the sunlight reflected off of it.
Roy's eyes widened and teeth gritted. Using what strength he had left, Roy made a swift dive for his scythe and gripped it tightly. His heart pounded harder and louder as turned to face his opponent. His muscles contracted and toughen with the intensity of a lion's roar. He hurried his pace as Matthias was about to strike him down. The blood from his neck wasted no time to hurry its own pace as well. With a cry, Roy swung his scythe upwards to parry away his end.
The clang of unwavering lights and blades ring course through the air and Roy's world went dark in an instant.
(videos/songs to be added later)
Friday, July 2, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Chapter 3
And so it begins
A gust of wind and dust breezed on by between the combatants as Roy's tense muscles began to relax. The clouds nears the sun departed in soft fashion and the sun's warm embrace beamed down upon the battlefield. Silence briefly stilled the uproar of combat and Roy's eyes were shut in a strange combination of peace and chaos. He took a deep breath and reopened his eyes to the world. Sunlight reflected on the pupils of his eyes as he looked forward to the foes in front of him.
"Well then, are none of you willing to make a move?" he asked as he rose his scythe into the air.
"Then let me show you the extent of my resolve."
Roy began to swing his scythe above his head. As he swung the weapon faster and faster, a halo of light hovered and glimmered over him. A loud yet angelic ring soared through the air, along with the rattling of the soldiers' armored plates. Their swords shook in their hands as they peered at the ring of light above Roy's head. Matthias, still at the arena's outer edge, was smiling while looking upon the scene.
"Lets see what you got, Roy the Valiant," Matthias said to himself as he folded his arms.
Roy stopped spinning the scythe and held it tight in his right hand. He then rushed forward to the closest soldier. The soldier went on guard by raising his blade.
"Block this!" Roy yelled.
He then flipped into the air towards the soldier. When the soldier tried to look up the sun's gaze stunned his eyes momentarily. He retreated them immediately but as soon as he attempted to look up again it was too late. Roy slashed through his chest plate with the tip of his scythe.
"Shit," the soldier cursed under his breath.
The next soldier closest to Roy hesitated as he saw his comrade stumble backwards from the strike. Before he could fully realize what had just transpired Roy's leg shot towards his face. Roy then speedily struck the man he cut before with the palm of his left hand.
"Three more," Roy whispered to himself.
Footsteps rushed from behind. Roy reflexively swung the butt of his scythe behind him. The scythe rattled with intense force and a clang rang through the air.
"Nice try," Roy boasted as he turned his head to see the target behind him; however, as soon as he did his eyes immediately widened.
There he saw the end of his weapon blocked by the energy blade of his foe.
"Tch," Roy said as he gritted his teeth.
Roy then hears a cry of killer intent to his left. His eyes peered over just to find a long blue light about to strike him down. With just short notice, he darted away from the threat.
But then another danger made itself known with a yell from the sky. Roy instinctively raised his scythe upwards and the soldier swung his blade downwards, feeding off the momentum of his jump.
The blue light of the foe's sword and green of Roy's scythe glimmered. Roy's body and weapon trembled violently from the impact as the two Concordians stared into each others eyes.
(end song)
"Not yet," Roy thought.
As the pressure between the two weapons started to give way, Roy grunted and summoned what strength he could find and parried his foe into the air. Before the soldier got too far, Roy swung his scythe with his right hand and hooked the soldier's sword with his scythe's blade. He then heaved him back and shot his left fist towards the target's face. The blow boomed loudly throughout the arena and the soldier rocketed towards the round stone wall, leaving a stream of dust in his path.
The two remaining soldiers left no time for Roy to rest as they started to run around him, blades held up high. Roy's muscle tightened and tensed with anticipation. He raised his scythe and leaped towards the soldier on his right. He slammed his weapon down but his foe was too quick, dodging his effort by sliding to Roy's right. The soldier then attempted to thrust his sword forward but it was of no success. As his arms were extending for the strike Roy had taken hold of his hands. The soldier soon found himself flying at comet speeds in the air and landing face first on the ground several feet away.
The clattering of armor rushing from behind shot up both of Roy's ears. He swiftly swung his scythe in a horizontal circular motion and in an instant the other enemy soldier collapsed on to the ground as his armor chest plating gave way into the piercing green light of Roy's weapon. Roy then turned and breathed in deeply. He let out a sigh and lowered his scythe. Then a yell came from behind Roy.
"That seat is mine!"
As Roy turned around the soldier who just had fallen sprung forward and lunged his sword towards Roy; however, in less than a moment's hesitation the wounded warrior found his arm red in pain, smoldering as if it were on fire.
"Like that'll happen."
"That voice," Roy shifted his eyes toward the far side of the arena to find Matthias's left arm extended and his palm smoking as if it were just aflame.
(END SONG)
The soldier who just got hit dropped his weapon and scurried away. his sword let out steam as it began to fade away. Sophia leaned forward in her seat and her eyes widened.
"What was that? What just hit him?" she asked her father.
"Hmm, that man seems to be part of that clan," Eutychus replied as he put his hand on Sophia's shoulder. "This should be-"
"Interesting," Celsus continued as he approached Sophia and Eutychus.
"So what do you think my old friend?" Eutychus asked Celsus.
Celsus grinned and turned his head to the arena floor.
"Depends."
"Hey now," Roy said as he pointed his finger towards Matthias, "weren't you the one who had hatched this idea? Come and face me. Or are you simply too scared after all that? Also, what the hell was that move you just used? Some parlor trick?"
Matthias grinned. He lowered his arm and paced slowly towards Roy.
"Me? Scared of someone like you?" Matthias's grin shrunk. He then opened up his right hand, "Allow me to tell you this before it is too late for you to realize. Besides style and clan, there is even a bigger difference between us."
Roy's right eyebrow bent upwards.
"What the hell are you blabbering about?"
Matthias halted his advance and closed his eyes. A faint but beautiful blue colored aura began to encircle his body. The cloud which partially blocked out the sun before now surrounded its gaze entirely.
"The main difference between two individuals locked in combat is... and will always be," Matthias then opened his eyes and stared into Roy's, "level."
Roy's eyes then widened and a small chill crawled up his spine.
"What the hell? His eyes! His eyes just changed color!" Roy exclaimed as he saw Matthias clear brown eyes glow a light blue hue.
"I can of course take you down without summoning so much of my power," Matthias calmly said as he stared down Roy, "but an arrogant brute such as yourself needs to be taught this now."
Roy raised his scythe and bent his knees slightly. His eyes focused on the enemy in front of him and his muscles tightened. Matthias darted forward and Roy's right arm rose as he prepared to swing down his scythe. But then his eyes widened once again as the target which was just dashing in front of him unhesitatingly vanished. A blue light then flared inches away from Roy's neck and his body froze. His eyes slowly shifted towards the shine on his left.
"What the hell....?" Roy cursed under his breath as he saw Matthias pointing the tip of his blade at Roy's neck. It's blue light shun as the sun broke through the clouds. As the sun's cloak vanished, Matthias edged his word closer to Roy. Sweat trickled Roy's neck as his mind went blank and body froze.
"The difference between our levels is so apparent that it even makes the distance between the moon and our land seem minuscule."
A gust of wind and dust breezed on by between the combatants as Roy's tense muscles began to relax. The clouds nears the sun departed in soft fashion and the sun's warm embrace beamed down upon the battlefield. Silence briefly stilled the uproar of combat and Roy's eyes were shut in a strange combination of peace and chaos. He took a deep breath and reopened his eyes to the world. Sunlight reflected on the pupils of his eyes as he looked forward to the foes in front of him.
"Well then, are none of you willing to make a move?" he asked as he rose his scythe into the air.
"Then let me show you the extent of my resolve."
Roy began to swing his scythe above his head. As he swung the weapon faster and faster, a halo of light hovered and glimmered over him. A loud yet angelic ring soared through the air, along with the rattling of the soldiers' armored plates. Their swords shook in their hands as they peered at the ring of light above Roy's head. Matthias, still at the arena's outer edge, was smiling while looking upon the scene.
"Lets see what you got, Roy the Valiant," Matthias said to himself as he folded his arms.
Roy stopped spinning the scythe and held it tight in his right hand. He then rushed forward to the closest soldier. The soldier went on guard by raising his blade.
"Block this!" Roy yelled.
He then flipped into the air towards the soldier. When the soldier tried to look up the sun's gaze stunned his eyes momentarily. He retreated them immediately but as soon as he attempted to look up again it was too late. Roy slashed through his chest plate with the tip of his scythe.
"Shit," the soldier cursed under his breath.
The next soldier closest to Roy hesitated as he saw his comrade stumble backwards from the strike. Before he could fully realize what had just transpired Roy's leg shot towards his face. Roy then speedily struck the man he cut before with the palm of his left hand.
"Three more," Roy whispered to himself.
Footsteps rushed from behind. Roy reflexively swung the butt of his scythe behind him. The scythe rattled with intense force and a clang rang through the air.
"Nice try," Roy boasted as he turned his head to see the target behind him; however, as soon as he did his eyes immediately widened.
There he saw the end of his weapon blocked by the energy blade of his foe.
"Tch," Roy said as he gritted his teeth.
Roy then hears a cry of killer intent to his left. His eyes peered over just to find a long blue light about to strike him down. With just short notice, he darted away from the threat.
But then another danger made itself known with a yell from the sky. Roy instinctively raised his scythe upwards and the soldier swung his blade downwards, feeding off the momentum of his jump.
The blue light of the foe's sword and green of Roy's scythe glimmered. Roy's body and weapon trembled violently from the impact as the two Concordians stared into each others eyes.
(end song)
"Not yet," Roy thought.
As the pressure between the two weapons started to give way, Roy grunted and summoned what strength he could find and parried his foe into the air. Before the soldier got too far, Roy swung his scythe with his right hand and hooked the soldier's sword with his scythe's blade. He then heaved him back and shot his left fist towards the target's face. The blow boomed loudly throughout the arena and the soldier rocketed towards the round stone wall, leaving a stream of dust in his path.
The two remaining soldiers left no time for Roy to rest as they started to run around him, blades held up high. Roy's muscle tightened and tensed with anticipation. He raised his scythe and leaped towards the soldier on his right. He slammed his weapon down but his foe was too quick, dodging his effort by sliding to Roy's right. The soldier then attempted to thrust his sword forward but it was of no success. As his arms were extending for the strike Roy had taken hold of his hands. The soldier soon found himself flying at comet speeds in the air and landing face first on the ground several feet away.
The clattering of armor rushing from behind shot up both of Roy's ears. He swiftly swung his scythe in a horizontal circular motion and in an instant the other enemy soldier collapsed on to the ground as his armor chest plating gave way into the piercing green light of Roy's weapon. Roy then turned and breathed in deeply. He let out a sigh and lowered his scythe. Then a yell came from behind Roy.
"That seat is mine!"
As Roy turned around the soldier who just had fallen sprung forward and lunged his sword towards Roy; however, in less than a moment's hesitation the wounded warrior found his arm red in pain, smoldering as if it were on fire.
"Like that'll happen."
"That voice," Roy shifted his eyes toward the far side of the arena to find Matthias's left arm extended and his palm smoking as if it were just aflame.
(END SONG)
The soldier who just got hit dropped his weapon and scurried away. his sword let out steam as it began to fade away. Sophia leaned forward in her seat and her eyes widened.
"What was that? What just hit him?" she asked her father.
"Hmm, that man seems to be part of that clan," Eutychus replied as he put his hand on Sophia's shoulder. "This should be-"
"Interesting," Celsus continued as he approached Sophia and Eutychus.
"So what do you think my old friend?" Eutychus asked Celsus.
Celsus grinned and turned his head to the arena floor.
"Depends."
"Hey now," Roy said as he pointed his finger towards Matthias, "weren't you the one who had hatched this idea? Come and face me. Or are you simply too scared after all that? Also, what the hell was that move you just used? Some parlor trick?"
Matthias grinned. He lowered his arm and paced slowly towards Roy.
"Me? Scared of someone like you?" Matthias's grin shrunk. He then opened up his right hand, "Allow me to tell you this before it is too late for you to realize. Besides style and clan, there is even a bigger difference between us."
Roy's right eyebrow bent upwards.
"What the hell are you blabbering about?"
Matthias halted his advance and closed his eyes. A faint but beautiful blue colored aura began to encircle his body. The cloud which partially blocked out the sun before now surrounded its gaze entirely.
"The main difference between two individuals locked in combat is... and will always be," Matthias then opened his eyes and stared into Roy's, "level."
Roy's eyes then widened and a small chill crawled up his spine.
"What the hell? His eyes! His eyes just changed color!" Roy exclaimed as he saw Matthias clear brown eyes glow a light blue hue.
"I can of course take you down without summoning so much of my power," Matthias calmly said as he stared down Roy, "but an arrogant brute such as yourself needs to be taught this now."
Roy raised his scythe and bent his knees slightly. His eyes focused on the enemy in front of him and his muscles tightened. Matthias darted forward and Roy's right arm rose as he prepared to swing down his scythe. But then his eyes widened once again as the target which was just dashing in front of him unhesitatingly vanished. A blue light then flared inches away from Roy's neck and his body froze. His eyes slowly shifted towards the shine on his left.
"What the hell....?" Roy cursed under his breath as he saw Matthias pointing the tip of his blade at Roy's neck. It's blue light shun as the sun broke through the clouds. As the sun's cloak vanished, Matthias edged his word closer to Roy. Sweat trickled Roy's neck as his mind went blank and body froze.
"The difference between our levels is so apparent that it even makes the distance between the moon and our land seem minuscule."
Chapter 2
First Impressions
Silence once again dampened the atmosphere of the arena. The heat and light of the sun started to lessen as clouds slowly came in bigger numbers.
"What the heck is with him?" Sophia said out loud.
She quickly had her hands try to retreat those words by covering her mouth, but to no avail. They were loud and clear. Roy immediately stared at her, eyebrows tightened and lips puckered. He then darted passed the soldiers and Celsus and towered over her.
"Hey you have some weird looking eyes lady! Just how many people have purple eyes anyway?" Roy snapped back as he noticed the unique color of Sophia's eyes.
Sophia glared at him with killer intent and stomped on his left foot. Roy immediately grabbed his foot and hollered in pain.
"How dare you talk to me that way you damn, ignorant, selfish, deleterious, churlish, infantile, repugnant, dysfunctional imbecile! Do you even know who I am? Huh! You stupid, childish, lurid, decrepit sycophant!" She shouted.
She then towered over him and cracked her fists.
"I'll have you vanquished you foul, malevolent, vapid, brazen brute! So I egregiously suggest you apologize this damn instant, you vainglorious moron!"
Roy swiftly...and wisely darted a few steps back. He looked around as if he were measuring the distance between he and Sophia.
"Uh sorry miss. Heh, guess that was a bit too inappropriate," he said as he bowed.
"You have more to say sorry for!" Sophia roared.
She swiftly pointed to the smashed entrance doors behind Roy. He quickly looked over to the collapsed doors. His mouth widened and his teeth shined.
"Haha, oops forgot bout that!" Roy said cheerfully.
But his upbeat attitude only fomented more tension. Sophia palmed her face as if it were ball. She slowly dragged her hand down across it and then let it fall quickly to her side. A cloud of dust passed through the arena floor and as it was before Celsus arrived, the large colosseum became drowned in silence once more. Sophia tugged on Eutychus's robe, pulling him down to her height. She whispered into his ear:
"Father, does this normally happen at these tests? This guy is so bizarre. I think he may be wrong in the head."
"Feelings you have for him aside, as far as I can remember nothing so strange as ever happened at these exams. But I have to say, I got a feeling that Celsus will be fuming in any second," he whispered back.
"Why do you say tha-"
"DAMN IT!" Celsus broke the silence. "Just who do you think you are? How dare you barge in the middle of a high grade military exam! Listen boy-these four reasons are the only reasons for such an interruption- the capital being under attack! The captain announcing my retirement! The captain announcing his retirement! The captain summoning me for a mission! And don't ask me 'what if the captain fell ill or died?' because that is a lie from the get go! If you're excuse wasn't any one of the aforementioned reasons, I'm going to shove my blade so far up your ass that whatever crap you have in there will come out your damn mouth!"
Another brief silence followed as once again a dust cloud went across the floor of the arena. The soldiers that were lined up turned stalwart and just stared straight ahead.
"Well that was thought-provoking," one of the soldiers snickered.
(if you are reading while listening to the above song, please pause it now :D )
This particular soldier had dark brown hair and yet clear brown eyes. His uniform was not the standard black colored armor which is issued to Concordian soldiers. Instead, he wore a white colored armor with black lining around the edges of the plating. His posture was gleaming with excellence and respect. His eyes were clear and heavenly but at the same time determined and hardened, like the eyes of a person with a strong will. On his chest plate was an insignia which differed from the other soldiers. Celsus gave him a
quick leer. The soldier sighed and straightened his posture.
"Ridiculous," he said under his breath.
"Soldier, I'll make sure to fuck you up as well!" Celsus snapped.
The soldier shrugged, which only caused more rage from Celsus. Meanwhile Eutychus and Sophia, both with straight postures, and eyes wide open, exchanged glances and then averted their eyes to the sky.
"S-so that's wha-what...you meant," Sophia whispered to her father. He gave a quick head nod to her without even looking back at her direction.
Roy started to rub the back of his head as sweat started to trickle down his neck out of pure fear. He laughed nervously and tried to explain himself.
"S-s-sorry sir. Um, yeah, I was just trying to get to third seat exams. Am....am.... I late? If so, can I still be one now?" He laughed nervously again.
The whole line of soldiers but one immediately broke their stances.
"Who the hell do you think you are!? No way in hell you can be a third seat now! Go home!" They exclaimed in unison.
Celsus cleared his throat loudly and the line of soldiers quickly became stalwart-looking again.
He turned towards Roy.
"Just who are you boy?" Celsus asked.
He then slowly walked towards Roy and as he did a strong gust of wind blew between the two. He stood face-to-face with Roy and glared at him. Roy smiled and placed his hand on his forehead to indicate a salute.
"I am the leader of the Ivor clan, Roy the Valiant. I have come to fulfill my duty to the Concordian League and protect its people through military service."
Celsus's left eyebrow raised and his mouth opened slightly. Another gust of wind hit the two men but they stayed still. Celsus's eyebrows then lowered and his teeth gritted.
"You have some damn nerve, even for an idiot. You didn't take the written, obstacle course, or even the combat portion of the test, and you still think that you can just come in here late and become a third seat. I don't give a crap if your the captain himself-rules are rules."
Roy's smile quickly disappeared.
"But sir I-"
"Shut up boy," Celsus snapped back. "If you want to fulfill your duty come back next year. I already have my hands full. Or hell, don't come back at all seeing it might as well be pointless for someone as empty headed as you to join the military. We serve to protect the people of the League damn it. I be damned if someone as disrespectful as you tries to represent us."
Roy's head lowered and the dampening silence stayed the air once again. Some shade fell upon the arena as a large cloud covered the sun's rays. The soldiers exchanged glances with each other, waiting for anything to happen.
(end song)
"Hmph, this test is dragging on too long. Lord 3rd seat if you will I have an idea which I would like to express to you about the current dilemma," asked the soldier with the white colored armor.
"What? Just who are you and what's the idea?" Celsus replied.
"Sir, my name is Matthias and as far as my idea is concerned, it is basically this: whoever is able to bring down this man," he points to Roy without even looking at him, "should receive the 3rd seat title," Matthias finished.
"Say what?!" Celsus snapped back as he turned to him.
"Sir, surely you haven't forgotten the situation? Right now you have eight possible 3rd seats; however, law only permits one soldier each year to rise from the exams. And there are simply too many candidates here. My proposal pretty much resolves the matter."
"And technically speaking, there is no law which forbids such a method being used in this type of situation Celsus," Eutychus interjected.
"Hey wait a minute! Don't I get a say in this?" Roy shouted but his voice fell on deaf ears except for one.
Sophia bolted towards Celsus and poked his chest repeatedly with her right index finger.
"Even I have to say that it is not fair. At least give him a shot!" Sophia demanded.
"You're...defending me?" Roy asked.
"Fool. Don't think much of it"
The sun was finally being freed of the obstructing clouds. Celsus looked upwards at the sky as the clouds left the sun's domain and while Sophia continued to poke him. He then shrugged off Sophia and began pacing back and forth. He rubbed his chin slowly as he did this but then stopped and smiled. He faced towards Matthias and gave a quick glance while Matthias stared back at him.
"As much as I hate to say this, not a bad idea rook."
Roy's jaw dropped and Matthias grinned. Sophia threw her arms up in the air and stormed back to her father. Celsus then placed his hands on his hips and gave out orders to his potential 3rd seat officers.
"Very well then! All soldiers, you know what to do now for that third seat position!"
The soldiers cheered as they summoned their energy swords from their hands. Matthias began to take a few steps back.
"About time. I think I'll take the wait and see approach here just in case and then strike him once he is open," he said to himself.
Roy threw his arms up in the air.
"Wait a minute old man! This shouldn't happen! At least give me a reason as to why I should agree to this!" Roy exclaimed.
"It's to serve your country boy," Celsus replied while grinning. Roy's body pose did not change.
"This is not right," Sophia said while nodding her head in disgust.
Celsus's grin widened as the soldiers paced towards Roy. He then saw Eutychus and Sophia's guards guide them towards the stairs so they could watch from afar on the balcony. Sophia peered back at him, her eyes seemingly blank and lack of emotion. Celsus frowned at the sight of her face looking so duress. He took a moment to stare at his men as they advanced. He let out a loud sigh and yelled back at the soldiers that heading to attack Roy.
"One more thing guys! If Roy wins then he is the 3rd seat so I really suggest not losing!"
"Yes sir!" The soldiers yelled back.
"Lucky~," Roy said under his breath.
He pulled out the long metal stick that was tied to his back and began to swing it. Celsus jumped to the first row of seats of the arena and sat down.
"This should be good," Celsus said as he folded his arms and crossed his legs.
(end song)
On the way to the balcony, Sophia stopped and tugged on Eutychus's robe.
"So father, does this usually happen at the exams?" She whispered to his ear.
"No," he replied while he gazed upon Roy, "but at least you gave him a chance now."
Sophia's right eyebrow bent upwards and her mouth gaped, "What do you mean?"
Then all of a sudden the air pressure seemed to drop and shortly thereafter a green light shun throughout the stadium. A powerful wind followed as the stadium lit up due to the light. Roy let out a cry as he unleashed his weapon. A thick arc of light was bursting out of the top of metal stick as he held it in his hands.
"Now then, all set," said Roy.
He then slammed the bottom of the weapon on the ground.
"Amazing," she whispered to herself, it looks almost like some sort of scythe. Simply...amazing....Is this guy for real?"
Another cloud came towards the sun, partially blocking it. A long shadow protruded from the stadium, hovering over her and the soldiers facing Roy. He and his weapon stood out alone in the little sunlight there was available in the stadium.
"It's almost like... the Goddess of Light..... wants him to win."
Roy smiled and poised himself for combat as the soldiers charged towards him all at once.
"Sorry guys, but you'll see I'll be the one out on top today!"
The closest soldier thrusts forward his energy sword; however, to his surprise Roy vanished.
"Up here!"
A shadow quickly loomed over the soldier. He responsively looked up only to find a large energy scythe just inches away from his face. He immediately skips backwards to avoid the grasp of death.
"Oh no you don't!" Roy exclaimed as he landed.
He quickly rockets his fist toward the retreating soldier. The soldier tried to dash even further away but by the time he tried to make a second step for the retreat he found himself go blank in a split second. The others stalled in their positions as they saw one of their rivals go flying in the air, landing 10 feet away from his original spot. He groaned and attempted to get up from the impact but he couldn't succeed. The other soldiers then glanced back at Roy with sweat trickling down their necks. Roy peers back at them. Across the arena Matthias gazed upon the battle.
"Hmm, seems like i made the right decision in hanging back. But he still isn't that good," Matthias thought to himself.
"You guys are actually not all that strong it seems. I think it might be better for all of you to come at me together," Roy said calmly with his arm still extended and his left hand still clenched.
"Your move."
(end song)
Silence once again dampened the atmosphere of the arena. The heat and light of the sun started to lessen as clouds slowly came in bigger numbers.
"What the heck is with him?" Sophia said out loud.
She quickly had her hands try to retreat those words by covering her mouth, but to no avail. They were loud and clear. Roy immediately stared at her, eyebrows tightened and lips puckered. He then darted passed the soldiers and Celsus and towered over her.
"Hey you have some weird looking eyes lady! Just how many people have purple eyes anyway?" Roy snapped back as he noticed the unique color of Sophia's eyes.
Sophia glared at him with killer intent and stomped on his left foot. Roy immediately grabbed his foot and hollered in pain.
"How dare you talk to me that way you damn, ignorant, selfish, deleterious, churlish, infantile, repugnant, dysfunctional imbecile! Do you even know who I am? Huh! You stupid, childish, lurid, decrepit sycophant!" She shouted.
She then towered over him and cracked her fists.
"I'll have you vanquished you foul, malevolent, vapid, brazen brute! So I egregiously suggest you apologize this damn instant, you vainglorious moron!"
Roy swiftly...and wisely darted a few steps back. He looked around as if he were measuring the distance between he and Sophia.
"Uh sorry miss. Heh, guess that was a bit too inappropriate," he said as he bowed.
"You have more to say sorry for!" Sophia roared.
She swiftly pointed to the smashed entrance doors behind Roy. He quickly looked over to the collapsed doors. His mouth widened and his teeth shined.
"Haha, oops forgot bout that!" Roy said cheerfully.
But his upbeat attitude only fomented more tension. Sophia palmed her face as if it were ball. She slowly dragged her hand down across it and then let it fall quickly to her side. A cloud of dust passed through the arena floor and as it was before Celsus arrived, the large colosseum became drowned in silence once more. Sophia tugged on Eutychus's robe, pulling him down to her height. She whispered into his ear:
"Father, does this normally happen at these tests? This guy is so bizarre. I think he may be wrong in the head."
"Feelings you have for him aside, as far as I can remember nothing so strange as ever happened at these exams. But I have to say, I got a feeling that Celsus will be fuming in any second," he whispered back.
"Why do you say tha-"
"DAMN IT!" Celsus broke the silence. "Just who do you think you are? How dare you barge in the middle of a high grade military exam! Listen boy-these four reasons are the only reasons for such an interruption- the capital being under attack! The captain announcing my retirement! The captain announcing his retirement! The captain summoning me for a mission! And don't ask me 'what if the captain fell ill or died?' because that is a lie from the get go! If you're excuse wasn't any one of the aforementioned reasons, I'm going to shove my blade so far up your ass that whatever crap you have in there will come out your damn mouth!"
Another brief silence followed as once again a dust cloud went across the floor of the arena. The soldiers that were lined up turned stalwart and just stared straight ahead.
"Well that was thought-provoking," one of the soldiers snickered.
(if you are reading while listening to the above song, please pause it now :D )
This particular soldier had dark brown hair and yet clear brown eyes. His uniform was not the standard black colored armor which is issued to Concordian soldiers. Instead, he wore a white colored armor with black lining around the edges of the plating. His posture was gleaming with excellence and respect. His eyes were clear and heavenly but at the same time determined and hardened, like the eyes of a person with a strong will. On his chest plate was an insignia which differed from the other soldiers. Celsus gave him a
quick leer. The soldier sighed and straightened his posture."Ridiculous," he said under his breath.
"Soldier, I'll make sure to fuck you up as well!" Celsus snapped.
The soldier shrugged, which only caused more rage from Celsus. Meanwhile Eutychus and Sophia, both with straight postures, and eyes wide open, exchanged glances and then averted their eyes to the sky.
"S-so that's wha-what...you meant," Sophia whispered to her father. He gave a quick head nod to her without even looking back at her direction.
Roy started to rub the back of his head as sweat started to trickle down his neck out of pure fear. He laughed nervously and tried to explain himself.
"S-s-sorry sir. Um, yeah, I was just trying to get to third seat exams. Am....am.... I late? If so, can I still be one now?" He laughed nervously again.
The whole line of soldiers but one immediately broke their stances.
"Who the hell do you think you are!? No way in hell you can be a third seat now! Go home!" They exclaimed in unison.
Celsus cleared his throat loudly and the line of soldiers quickly became stalwart-looking again.
He turned towards Roy.
"Just who are you boy?" Celsus asked.
He then slowly walked towards Roy and as he did a strong gust of wind blew between the two. He stood face-to-face with Roy and glared at him. Roy smiled and placed his hand on his forehead to indicate a salute.
"I am the leader of the Ivor clan, Roy the Valiant. I have come to fulfill my duty to the Concordian League and protect its people through military service."
Celsus's left eyebrow raised and his mouth opened slightly. Another gust of wind hit the two men but they stayed still. Celsus's eyebrows then lowered and his teeth gritted.
"You have some damn nerve, even for an idiot. You didn't take the written, obstacle course, or even the combat portion of the test, and you still think that you can just come in here late and become a third seat. I don't give a crap if your the captain himself-rules are rules."
Roy's smile quickly disappeared.
"But sir I-"
"Shut up boy," Celsus snapped back. "If you want to fulfill your duty come back next year. I already have my hands full. Or hell, don't come back at all seeing it might as well be pointless for someone as empty headed as you to join the military. We serve to protect the people of the League damn it. I be damned if someone as disrespectful as you tries to represent us."
Roy's head lowered and the dampening silence stayed the air once again. Some shade fell upon the arena as a large cloud covered the sun's rays. The soldiers exchanged glances with each other, waiting for anything to happen.
(end song)
"Hmph, this test is dragging on too long. Lord 3rd seat if you will I have an idea which I would like to express to you about the current dilemma," asked the soldier with the white colored armor.
"What? Just who are you and what's the idea?" Celsus replied.
"Sir, my name is Matthias and as far as my idea is concerned, it is basically this: whoever is able to bring down this man," he points to Roy without even looking at him, "should receive the 3rd seat title," Matthias finished.
"Say what?!" Celsus snapped back as he turned to him.
"Sir, surely you haven't forgotten the situation? Right now you have eight possible 3rd seats; however, law only permits one soldier each year to rise from the exams. And there are simply too many candidates here. My proposal pretty much resolves the matter."
"And technically speaking, there is no law which forbids such a method being used in this type of situation Celsus," Eutychus interjected.
"Hey wait a minute! Don't I get a say in this?" Roy shouted but his voice fell on deaf ears except for one.
Sophia bolted towards Celsus and poked his chest repeatedly with her right index finger.
"Even I have to say that it is not fair. At least give him a shot!" Sophia demanded.
"You're...defending me?" Roy asked.
"Fool. Don't think much of it"
The sun was finally being freed of the obstructing clouds. Celsus looked upwards at the sky as the clouds left the sun's domain and while Sophia continued to poke him. He then shrugged off Sophia and began pacing back and forth. He rubbed his chin slowly as he did this but then stopped and smiled. He faced towards Matthias and gave a quick glance while Matthias stared back at him.
"As much as I hate to say this, not a bad idea rook."
Roy's jaw dropped and Matthias grinned. Sophia threw her arms up in the air and stormed back to her father. Celsus then placed his hands on his hips and gave out orders to his potential 3rd seat officers.
"Very well then! All soldiers, you know what to do now for that third seat position!"
The soldiers cheered as they summoned their energy swords from their hands. Matthias began to take a few steps back.
"About time. I think I'll take the wait and see approach here just in case and then strike him once he is open," he said to himself.
Roy threw his arms up in the air.
"Wait a minute old man! This shouldn't happen! At least give me a reason as to why I should agree to this!" Roy exclaimed.
"It's to serve your country boy," Celsus replied while grinning. Roy's body pose did not change.
"This is not right," Sophia said while nodding her head in disgust.
Celsus's grin widened as the soldiers paced towards Roy. He then saw Eutychus and Sophia's guards guide them towards the stairs so they could watch from afar on the balcony. Sophia peered back at him, her eyes seemingly blank and lack of emotion. Celsus frowned at the sight of her face looking so duress. He took a moment to stare at his men as they advanced. He let out a loud sigh and yelled back at the soldiers that heading to attack Roy.
"One more thing guys! If Roy wins then he is the 3rd seat so I really suggest not losing!"
"Yes sir!" The soldiers yelled back.
"Lucky~," Roy said under his breath.
He pulled out the long metal stick that was tied to his back and began to swing it. Celsus jumped to the first row of seats of the arena and sat down.
"This should be good," Celsus said as he folded his arms and crossed his legs.
(end song)
On the way to the balcony, Sophia stopped and tugged on Eutychus's robe.
"So father, does this usually happen at the exams?" She whispered to his ear.
"No," he replied while he gazed upon Roy, "but at least you gave him a chance now."
Sophia's right eyebrow bent upwards and her mouth gaped, "What do you mean?"
Then all of a sudden the air pressure seemed to drop and shortly thereafter a green light shun throughout the stadium. A powerful wind followed as the stadium lit up due to the light. Roy let out a cry as he unleashed his weapon. A thick arc of light was bursting out of the top of metal stick as he held it in his hands.
"Now then, all set," said Roy.
He then slammed the bottom of the weapon on the ground.
"Amazing," she whispered to herself, it looks almost like some sort of scythe. Simply...amazing....Is this guy for real?"
Another cloud came towards the sun, partially blocking it. A long shadow protruded from the stadium, hovering over her and the soldiers facing Roy. He and his weapon stood out alone in the little sunlight there was available in the stadium.
"It's almost like... the Goddess of Light..... wants him to win."
Roy smiled and poised himself for combat as the soldiers charged towards him all at once.
"Sorry guys, but you'll see I'll be the one out on top today!"
The closest soldier thrusts forward his energy sword; however, to his surprise Roy vanished.
"Up here!"
A shadow quickly loomed over the soldier. He responsively looked up only to find a large energy scythe just inches away from his face. He immediately skips backwards to avoid the grasp of death.
"Oh no you don't!" Roy exclaimed as he landed.
He quickly rockets his fist toward the retreating soldier. The soldier tried to dash even further away but by the time he tried to make a second step for the retreat he found himself go blank in a split second. The others stalled in their positions as they saw one of their rivals go flying in the air, landing 10 feet away from his original spot. He groaned and attempted to get up from the impact but he couldn't succeed. The other soldiers then glanced back at Roy with sweat trickling down their necks. Roy peers back at them. Across the arena Matthias gazed upon the battle.
"Hmm, seems like i made the right decision in hanging back. But he still isn't that good," Matthias thought to himself.
"You guys are actually not all that strong it seems. I think it might be better for all of you to come at me together," Roy said calmly with his arm still extended and his left hand still clenched.
"Your move."
(end song)
Chapter 1
It is told that thanks to the trials and tribulations of a generation, Alma is on its way to true peace-to a future everyone is excited for. Of that generation, one individual's tribulations and sacrifices in particular continue to spark the hearts and minds of the world. Now we tell his tale. His story. His legend.
"And His Name Was Roy the Valiant"
Year: 961AL, 15 years after the War of Scars.
The dust on the arena floor increased as the Concordian League fighters continued to run through the obstacle course. The smell of blood and turmoil stained the ground. The sounds of the clanging of the bright blue energy swords and light iron armor dominated the air. And while the contestants fought and struggled for the prize, up on the upper floors was a large chunk of Alma protruding out of the stairs. Residing on it were two upper class looking individuals, one dressed in a blue kimono with green flower patterns wearing a necklace tucked underneath her wardrobe, and the other was in a dark green robe. Both were peering down with eyes of interest at the soldiers in the arena. On the balcony the atmosphere was a stark contrast to its arena dirt-covered floor counterpart. A large curtain was tied overhead the balcony to provide shade from the harsh and hot day. The air above was also much cleaner than the blood misted air below. The arena as a whole was a round in shape, with four balconies which protruded towards the center of the arena. Between the areas of each balcony were rows of empty, decrepit stone-carved seats, many of which were covered in cobwebs. At one side of the arena was a tunnel which on one side held two large stone doors which would open outward for those who wished to gain entrance to the arena floor. And instead of more doors around the gigantic stadium, there were long stone stairwells. There was little between the seats of those who weren't in balconies and of those who fought on the arena's battleground. On the balcony which had housed life, there was not one hint of conflict until....
(Play to the end of Chapter 1 Pt1)
"Father, do I really need to watch the 3rd seat exams?" Sophia asked in an uninterested tone as she looked towards her father.
She began tugging gently on his robe. Eutychus looked over to his daughter and smiled.
"Come now Sophia, you know it is part of the tradition that at least two of us have to attend the examinations. It is only for the first day of summer every year," Eutychus said as he gently patted the top of Sophia's head full of red hair, which was tied into a pony tail.
"I don't understand why you keep your hair restricted like that," her father stated grumpily as he continued to pat her head.
Sophia tried to swipe his arm away but he instantly avoided her attempt while letting out a laugh. He then laid his arm on the balcony's edge. Her eyes retreated downward as her eyebrows lowered tightly. She let out a sigh as she crossed her arms and extended her lower lip. She then glanced over to her father once again.
"But father, why couldn't you just bring Talmos or Teolio? Or just have them both come instead of me- err I mean us?"
Eutychus's lion red goatie expanded as his nostrils brea
thed in heavily. His mouth let out a huge sigh and his facial hair deflated to its original status. His eyes then focused down on the arena floor where the finalists were being ordered to line up by one of the proctors. The tone of Eutychus's voice turned more serious as he put his right hand over his mouth, almost as if he were in deep thought.
"Because those two have seen a few of these already and I think it is about time you experienced this a little." He let his right arm fall to his lap and his eyes gleamed back to his daughter as he let out a smile, "besides, how many chances do I get to hang with you anyway?"
"Couldn't have picked something better to do?" Sophia sarcastically said as she remained in the same position as before. This manner caused her father to laugh.
A man in light armor then approached their seats. His armor clanked and clacked as he knelt before them.
"Excuse me sir, miss. The finals are finished," he told them.
Eutychus then looked at the soldier and waved his hand.
"That will be all. Let Celsus know that the Cosmas clan will be down soon."
(end song)
***************************************************************************
Down at the arena floor the eight men lined up side by side in the smoldering heat and blood-scented air as they awaited for orders. There was complete silence.
"Alright then!"
Some of the soldiers jumped. Out of nowhere a loud voice came from the opening stone doors of one of the arena's entrances. The deafening silence finally broke and the soldiers straightened up their postures. A tall soldier in dark armor with spiked shoulder plates slowly walked out of the shadows of the entrance hallway. Following him were Eutychus, Sophia and two guards holding lances; however, from the soldiers' positions, one wouldn't be able to tell that royalty was behind the tall and armored soldier. Even though his uniform was pretty standard for a third seat-aside from the spiked shoulder plating-his stature was almost too mighty to be natural. He stood over six feet high and with the heaviest armor one could ever see in their lifetime. Painted white lines traced along the edges of his armor along with old battle wounds. Tied to his back was a rose red cloth which could not even begin to cover his gargantuan physique and armor. On his face were scars almost as sharp as his dark-blue eyes. He also had such unkempt black hair on his head that it coerced Sophia to tighten her pony tail. The little skin that is shown from the armor was war-torn and rough-a fitting appearance for the ruined chest plates of his armor which partially exposed his iron mail.
"Here we go," Eutychus groaned.
"Father, his face and armor, they both appear...tired, if you will," Sophia observed as they walked towards the arena battleground.
"Despite the scars, the beaten skin, and even his battle tested armor, his stature demands pride not melancholy. To the soldiers and even to most of those who just pass by him, Celsus emits a fervor of indomitable energy and resolve-not feelings of forlorn or depression; how
ever, in addition to those feelings of prowess and honor, another emotion will most likely emerge," Eutychus replied.
Before he could continue Celsus halted his pace as glanced over the remaining applicants.
"So only eight of you left huh? That's too many for my taste. Hmph, we gotta do something about this! Anyway, I'm sure you already know about about me...." the soldier then went face-to-face with them and said one word to each as he faced them up close, "I-am-the-fucking-third-seat-Sir-Celsus!"
He then faced his back towards the group of eight soldiers and began walking away.
"What to do? What to do? There's too many of you. I just need only one winner for the third seat position."
He spent several minutes walking back and forth trying to think of a way to handle this situation properly. Then out of the blue Sophia raised her hand up high.
"Why don't you pick one at random?" she asked excitedly.
"Girl are you trying to mock me?" Celsus snapped back.
SLAM!
A loud noise rang through the arena. Most of the soldiers jumped.
THUD!
(Play till end of chapter 1 pt2)
Most of the soldiers jumped yet again. The second noise rang through the arena as two large stone doors collapsed from the entrance hallway. Piece after piece after piece of the entrance slid across the ground. Two large streams of dust spread across the ends of the tunnel and throughout the walls of the arena.
"What the hell?" Celsus yelled as a figure started to approach from the entrance.
The soldiers started to whisper among one another but quickly went silent once Celsus peered back at them.
"Oops my bad. I meant to make my entry less...um...how should I say...dynamic." said the figure.
All the soldiers but one stood shocked as the mysterious figure emerged out of the shadows. He stood there wearing a black tunic underneath a light grey vest. Tied to his back was a long steel stick which seemed to be almost as tall as he was. His boots were torn and muddy while he stood there smiling. Attached to the light grey vest was the Ivor clan insignia shining brightly-the only part of his clothing that wasn't sullied in dirt. With sweat was dripping down from his light brown hair and his blue cape swaying wildly in the wind, he introduced himself as his dark yet clear brown eyes lit up.
"Hey there....uh, my name is Roy. Is there where the third seat test is?"
"And His Name Was Roy the Valiant"
Year: 961AL, 15 years after the War of Scars.The dust on the arena floor increased as the Concordian League fighters continued to run through the obstacle course. The smell of blood and turmoil stained the ground. The sounds of the clanging of the bright blue energy swords and light iron armor dominated the air. And while the contestants fought and struggled for the prize, up on the upper floors was a large chunk of Alma protruding out of the stairs. Residing on it were two upper class looking individuals, one dressed in a blue kimono with green flower patterns wearing a necklace tucked underneath her wardrobe, and the other was in a dark green robe. Both were peering down with eyes of interest at the soldiers in the arena. On the balcony the atmosphere was a stark contrast to its arena dirt-covered floor counterpart. A large curtain was tied overhead the balcony to provide shade from the harsh and hot day. The air above was also much cleaner than the blood misted air below. The arena as a whole was a round in shape, with four balconies which protruded towards the center of the arena. Between the areas of each balcony were rows of empty, decrepit stone-carved seats, many of which were covered in cobwebs. At one side of the arena was a tunnel which on one side held two large stone doors which would open outward for those who wished to gain entrance to the arena floor. And instead of more doors around the gigantic stadium, there were long stone stairwells. There was little between the seats of those who weren't in balconies and of those who fought on the arena's battleground. On the balcony which had housed life, there was not one hint of conflict until....
(Play to the end of Chapter 1 Pt1)
"Father, do I really need to watch the 3rd seat exams?" Sophia asked in an uninterested tone as she looked towards her father.
She began tugging gently on his robe. Eutychus looked over to his daughter and smiled.
"Come now Sophia, you know it is part of the tradition that at least two of us have to attend the examinations. It is only for the first day of summer every year," Eutychus said as he gently patted the top of Sophia's head full of red hair, which was tied into a pony tail.
"I don't understand why you keep your hair restricted like that," her father stated grumpily as he continued to pat her head.
Sophia tried to swipe his arm away but he instantly avoided her attempt while letting out a laugh. He then laid his arm on the balcony's edge. Her eyes retreated downward as her eyebrows lowered tightly. She let out a sigh as she crossed her arms and extended her lower lip. She then glanced over to her father once again.
"But father, why couldn't you just bring Talmos or Teolio? Or just have them both come instead of me- err I mean us?"
Eutychus's lion red goatie expanded as his nostrils brea
thed in heavily. His mouth let out a huge sigh and his facial hair deflated to its original status. His eyes then focused down on the arena floor where the finalists were being ordered to line up by one of the proctors. The tone of Eutychus's voice turned more serious as he put his right hand over his mouth, almost as if he were in deep thought."Because those two have seen a few of these already and I think it is about time you experienced this a little." He let his right arm fall to his lap and his eyes gleamed back to his daughter as he let out a smile, "besides, how many chances do I get to hang with you anyway?"
"Couldn't have picked something better to do?" Sophia sarcastically said as she remained in the same position as before. This manner caused her father to laugh.
A man in light armor then approached their seats. His armor clanked and clacked as he knelt before them.
"Excuse me sir, miss. The finals are finished," he told them.
Eutychus then looked at the soldier and waved his hand.
"That will be all. Let Celsus know that the Cosmas clan will be down soon."
(end song)
***************************************************************************
Down at the arena floor the eight men lined up side by side in the smoldering heat and blood-scented air as they awaited for orders. There was complete silence.
"Alright then!"
Some of the soldiers jumped. Out of nowhere a loud voice came from the opening stone doors of one of the arena's entrances. The deafening silence finally broke and the soldiers straightened up their postures. A tall soldier in dark armor with spiked shoulder plates slowly walked out of the shadows of the entrance hallway. Following him were Eutychus, Sophia and two guards holding lances; however, from the soldiers' positions, one wouldn't be able to tell that royalty was behind the tall and armored soldier. Even though his uniform was pretty standard for a third seat-aside from the spiked shoulder plating-his stature was almost too mighty to be natural. He stood over six feet high and with the heaviest armor one could ever see in their lifetime. Painted white lines traced along the edges of his armor along with old battle wounds. Tied to his back was a rose red cloth which could not even begin to cover his gargantuan physique and armor. On his face were scars almost as sharp as his dark-blue eyes. He also had such unkempt black hair on his head that it coerced Sophia to tighten her pony tail. The little skin that is shown from the armor was war-torn and rough-a fitting appearance for the ruined chest plates of his armor which partially exposed his iron mail.
"Here we go," Eutychus groaned.
"Father, his face and armor, they both appear...tired, if you will," Sophia observed as they walked towards the arena battleground.
"Despite the scars, the beaten skin, and even his battle tested armor, his stature demands pride not melancholy. To the soldiers and even to most of those who just pass by him, Celsus emits a fervor of indomitable energy and resolve-not feelings of forlorn or depression; how
ever, in addition to those feelings of prowess and honor, another emotion will most likely emerge," Eutychus replied.Before he could continue Celsus halted his pace as glanced over the remaining applicants.
"So only eight of you left huh? That's too many for my taste. Hmph, we gotta do something about this! Anyway, I'm sure you already know about about me...." the soldier then went face-to-face with them and said one word to each as he faced them up close, "I-am-the-fucking-third-seat-Sir-Celsus!"
He then faced his back towards the group of eight soldiers and began walking away.
"What to do? What to do? There's too many of you. I just need only one winner for the third seat position."
He spent several minutes walking back and forth trying to think of a way to handle this situation properly. Then out of the blue Sophia raised her hand up high.
"Why don't you pick one at random?" she asked excitedly.
"Girl are you trying to mock me?" Celsus snapped back.
SLAM!
A loud noise rang through the arena. Most of the soldiers jumped.
THUD!
(Play till end of chapter 1 pt2)
Most of the soldiers jumped yet again. The second noise rang through the arena as two large stone doors collapsed from the entrance hallway. Piece after piece after piece of the entrance slid across the ground. Two large streams of dust spread across the ends of the tunnel and throughout the walls of the arena.
"What the hell?" Celsus yelled as a figure started to approach from the entrance.
The soldiers started to whisper among one another but quickly went silent once Celsus peered back at them.
"Oops my bad. I meant to make my entry less...um...how should I say...dynamic." said the figure.
All the soldiers but one stood shocked as the mysterious figure emerged out of the shadows. He stood there wearing a black tunic underneath a light grey vest. Tied to his back was a long steel stick which seemed to be almost as tall as he was. His boots were torn and muddy while he stood there smiling. Attached to the light grey vest was the Ivor clan insignia shining brightly-the only part of his clothing that wasn't sullied in dirt. With sweat was dripping down from his light brown hair and his blue cape swaying wildly in the wind, he introduced himself as his dark yet clear brown eyes lit up.
"Hey there....uh, my name is Roy. Is there where the third seat test is?"
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