He came to the heart of the land with the intention of only going to spectate just to see what all the fuss was about. After watching a highly respected fighter named Knuckles Shi have a duel, it opened his eyes to the thrill of the sport. The way the two fighters fought with such passion and vigor swept up not only the crowd, but even Zeno was starting to feel his spirit electrified with excitement as he got sucked into the atmosphere of it all like a vacuum. This contagious thrill radiating from the crowd ran through his body, making him want to engage in the fights despite being a man who works in the shadows. Once it was all over and the renowned fighter Knuckles Shi won his match, Zeno decided to keep a sharp eye out for him.
Upon leaving the arena, he made his way to the receptionist to inquire about how to request a challenge in the arena as he wanted to experience a bout with the winner of today's match. The lady said she would handle things, but he had to fill out the request form. After sliding Zeno a form, he filled it out, inserting only his name and noting that he would like a 1-on-1 battle with Knuckles Shi for tomorrow. With quick scribbles upon the paper, he then slid the paper back across the marble table to the receptionist. Zeno thanked the lady with a gentle smile and a head nod before vanishing among the crowd that was behind him.
Later that night, Zeno snuck into the arena and sat in the stands, gazing upon the emptiness that surrounded him that was once full of life. Gone were the cheers of the crowds, replaced by the eerie sighs of the wind whispering through cracks in the stone like a mournful spirit. Though very clean, it was far from pristine, Zeno thought as he analyzed the bleachers and the arena tile floor. “This place is like a festival by day and bleak ruins by night” He muttered to himself as he thought about all the possible battles fought here, feeling the ecstasy he felt earlier bubble up from within. “I guess I will get a taste of this life before continuing duties…”
The sun breaks through from the horizon, showering the land with its light, warming the chilled land. This light was the start of a new day for a new journey. Setting forth to the arena, Zeno thought to himself just how strong these fighters are in this land compared to the low-lives he encountered in Fiore. The band of brothers he met were big bodies, strong fellows, but were they strong purely through their muscles or did they have some brains or talents in those hulking bodies that set them apart to be called champions, he thought to himself as he trotted over to the arena. The cobblestone trail leading towards the main road was like a path walked by the gods as it was carefully crafted and endured erosion from the constant shift of the seasons. Before long, Zeno found himself at the top of the hill in front of the massive arena again. This time he took just the sheer scale of it and how robust it was just from the outside. As he marveled at the structure fitted for battle among all species, he sat underneath a tall burly tree alongside the road to watch everybody gather at the entrance hall.
WC:804
Last edited by Zeno on Sat Jun 08, 2024 1:29 am; edited 1 time in total