The sun begins to cast a soft orange glow across the sky. People swarm the ticket gates on all 4 sides of the arena in order to get in.
Ticket Salesman 1: "300 Berries per ticket, Folks. Make sure you have it ready in hand. You don't want to miss this years Championship."
Ticket Salesman 2: "Remember that food and drinks are sold separately inside. If one more person asks me for a bucket of popcorn I'll burn all these tickets!"
Within the confines of the arena, crowds of people buy food and drinks, then flood into the seats waiting for it to start.
A figure walks out through one of the 4 doorways onto the arena floor. His voice booms around the arena as the speaker system kicks on.
Shintei:"Hello People of 'Combat Island', and hello to any travels who came out of their way to come here! I appreciate all the purchases tonight. Rest assured, my statue will be built in no time."
Shintei looks around desperate to hear or at least see any positive responses. All of a sudden someone threw a drink at him, then more people did the same with popcorn. This led to Shintei getting attacked by the crowd and people even threw their chairs at him. Shintei sprints towards the entrance he came through trying to escape his attempted assassination.
Shintei: "Don't hurt me. You'll scar my body before it's replicated with a glorious shining bronze."
The real announcer appears, the Mayor's assistant, Herostratus or Stratus for short.
Herostratus: "Don't waste any more precious resources on that filth...because this years 'Right of Balance Championship' is here! The champions all are preparing in their chambers ready for walkout as we speak. In the meantime let's go over all the rules."
Herostratus: "Rule #1 - Weapons outside of yourself or clan requirements are prohibited. Rule #2 - Killing is not permitted, if you kill your opponent you will automatically cost your clan -10% landmass. Rule #3 - You must use the techniques from your specific clan. Utilizing techniques from outside of your clan or not using any from your clan will result in disqualification. Now that the rules our out of the way let's introduce our Champions.
...
Just a couple of Minutes ago...
Within the "Spirit Clan" chamber located within the Arena. Noah sits on a bench as Azar and Sokai stand in front of him. Lecturing him thoroughly about the rules.
Noah: "I've been waiting to finally use my Finger Claws on someone strong and you're telling me I can't use any weapons?"
Azar: "You're supposed to be the weapon. Are you seriously telling me you need additional help to win this thing?"
Sokai would smack Azar upside the head with her cane again.
Sokai: "Stop trying to get him worked up, brat. He needs to stay level-headed and focused. He's unaware of what the other clans are capable of. I've been waiting until the order of fights was revealed to us Clan Masters to tell him. Listen to me closely, boy."
Noah: "Since I'm new, they won't know exactly what I'm capable of, right? I hold more cards than they'll think."
Sokai then slams her cane down on top of Noah's head.
Sokai: "I said to listen. Those cards will mean nothing if you don't know what cards the others have. There are 4 rounds in total. Round #1 is Scarlet versus Brock. Scarlet's sword art is different than the ones they teach inside of the 'Sword Clan'. If I remember correctly over the years her techniques were based off constellations. She's pretty rash, however the more she bleeds the calmer she becomes. Be sure to finish her off swiftly is she advances."
Noah: "Rash seems about right. I met her at the bar my first night here. Tell me, she is missing an arm, correct? I could've sworn her left sleeve seemed empty."
Sokai: "Yes, that's correct. However, if you take her lightly, you'll lose both of yours. Brock is an Immovable wall. The "Body Clan" focuses on hardening their muscles to nullify damage from all types of blows, including puncture wounds."
Azar: "If it was me I'd just burn his skin until he forfeited."
Noah: "Didn't you participate last year? How'd that work out for you, Mr. 4th place?"
Azar's face would flush with embarrassment before he headed outside to walk the embarrassment off.
...
Inside of the "Body Camp" chamber. Master Salb sits on top of Brock's back as he does push-ups. Salb looks down at the paper with the round order on it
Salb: "This year should be easy. Beat that hotheaded girl and that stranger from the 'Spirit Clan' is clearly not going to win, so beating Enlit in the final round will be a breeze. His brother was the best the 'Mind Clan' had. Enlit has been getting 3rd place a couple years in a row now, maybe he'll finally get 4th."
Brock: "I won't allow anyone to break through me. I am a wall that will not fall no matter how many times it's hit!"
Salb: "That's the spirit. If only my son was as dedicated as you were."
...
Inside of the "Mind Clan" chamber sits Enlit tying his blindfold around his eyes. Master Shui sits adjacent to him.
Shui: "You'll be starting off in Round #2. The 'Spirit Clan' is showcasing a new member. His presence isn't lackluster, it almost feels predatory. If you really want to reveal the truth about your brother, then depending on if Brock win or loses you'll have to make sure you go with him, into either the loser's bracket or the winner's bracket."
Enlit finishes tying his blindfold around his head. His hands drop down to rest on his thighs.
Enlit: "Either first place or third place it is. I won't accept anything else. I'll expose Salb and make sure he pays for his actions. Justice for my family...and for his."
Shui: "Worry about that when the time comes. Your brother will breathe the answer through you. The voices of the past are always present."
...
Inside of the "Sword Clan" chamber Scarlet sits polishing her blade. Polka sits across from her listening to the crowd cheer.
Polka: "Make sure you stay calm out there in the first round. Brock is no pushover, he only falls over. You have to hit him hard and fast. Also, something must be up with that newbie in 'Spirit Clan'. It's weird Sokai would replace Azar. I wonder how long he's been training for this."
Scarlet looks up at her, she completely forgot about Noah. Her mind's been occupied with practice and discipline.
Scarlet: "Noah's only been here a few days if I remember correctly. I ran into him at the Tavern. He didn't seem to know much back then, I should've sliced his throat when I had the chance. But...doing it in front of a cheering crowd will be just fine."
Polka looks at her completely dumbfounded
Polka: Firstly, no killing. You're not skilled enough to dodge the arteries with certainty. You seriously worry me. And what do you mean he's only been here a few days? That surely can't be enough time to perform techniques that require spiritual understanding.
Scarlet finishes cleaning her blade. She sheathes it as her eyes rose up to Polka.
Scarlet: "I meant beheading metaphorically. He's going to have to use the techniques to participate, no? You'd understand his potential better if you knew his predecessor."
Polka: "You know you can just tell me, right?"
Scarlet: "Nope, an agreement is an agreement. I'm an honorable person."
...
Back to the Present, Start of Noah's POV...
I sit on the bench staring down at my bandaged hands as I feel them throb in anticipation. My knees, elbows, and feet all throb too. I try to process all the information about my opponents Sokai told me.
I slowly unwrap my hands to see the numerous scars that cover them. My skin was never soft, but now with all the scars it's very soft. They're still tender. I keep the remainder of the bandages on my body, but I need my bare palms, so I don't mess up my sense of touch.
I fiddle with my Grandpa's bandana on my wrist as I hear the loudspeaker come on.
Noah: "What is it you used to say? ...That's right."
Noah would close his eyes and it feels as if his grandpa is right in front of him again.
Cain: "A hunter will never corner its prey if it's scared of it."
Noah nods his head to himself.
Noah: "Yeah, that was it."
I feel a sharp pain arise on my head as my eyes shoot open. I look up and see Sokai standing there as Azar comes back into the chamber from outside.
Azar & Sokai: "THEY CALLED YOU THREE TIMES ALREADY, GO!"
I immediately stand up and walk towards the hallway to the arena. I keep silent as I make my entrance. My eyes readjust to the light as I arrive at a cross-section with the potential enemies of my near future.
End of Noah's POV...
Stratus: "Here he is ladies and gentlemen. Noah from the 'Spirit Clan'. Let's cheer for the new face in the Championship today."
The crowd erupts into cheers, Noah looks around confused. The crowd cheers because they expect him to lose, meaning their favorite clan will do better. They love him.
Noah's eyes quickly arrive back at the three people in front of him.
Scarlet: "My blade is freshly cleaned. I can't wait to stain it red with your guys' blood."
Brock: "Don't even joke around like that. Maybe you'll get lucky with the new guy in the loser's bracket."
Enlit: "Your body is big enough to fill up a bracket all by yourself, Brock. The only loser here will be you."
Noah: "I'm glad to be ignored. That reflects what you'll remember of me when I'm done with you."
The announcer walks out into the middle of all 4 of them. The spotlights shift around to only shine on Scarlet and Brock.
Herostratus: "Round #1, will officially begin soon. Scarlet, from the 'Sword Clan' versus Brock, from the 'Body Clan'."
The filled crowd erupts into cheers as the night sky becomes more prominent, drawing all attention to the main event. Who they're cheering for is prominent based off of the merchandise they wear.
...
End of Chapter 7...