Kirisano was swept forwards along with all the others. He kept a tight hold on his sword. Besides his clothes it was the only thing they had let him keep. It was lucky he packed light. Thankfully he had kept something else from them. It was his only chance of staying alive.
Dust To Dust (Open!!)
Through the tunnel, Dash could easily hear people screaming, laughing, sobbing, complaining, making random noises. If he could find a corner, he would be alright, but there was only a large pile of armor to hide behind. He made his way toward it, ignoring the players who got in his way. Once there, he stared at his feet and relied on his other senses to get a feel for the place.
'The place' was huge, but it seemed tiny and cluttered with people, armor, weapons, and other unknown items. The two longer sides were filled with doors, one for incoming players and one for survivors to be escorted to the match rooms. It was lit with warm, torch-like strips high on the ceiling. The whole place was hot, filthy, and crowded, and Dashilan hated it.
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Deleted user
Go big or go home my friend. :P You invited meeeeee. What did you expect??
Quality of course.
(bows) ever will I serve
Karoc watched as Dash hid behind the spare set of armor curiously. He would have liked to talk to someone else here. He was scared. He hated to admit it. But there was no way he could have friends here. But maybe he could try…
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Deleted user
Zane seemed to the be the only calm one within the holding area. The only one smirking that's for sure. He'd been here too long to feel genuine fear anymore. Now all that was left was the grim determination, the zing of power rushing through his blood, and the chant of the spectators urging him forward. To kill. To win.
Zane shifted slightly from his perch against a wall to avoid a newbie's rather violent sickness. It was hard to believe they were all criminals by the way they all trembled and looked around pitifully for someone to help them. He sighed, marking easy targets. Was there not a single competitor that would bring a little thrill?
Alene was pushed forward, helplessly shoved against the person in front of her. He was a humanoid, covered in old battle scars. She let out a terrified squeak and attempted to disappear but the crowd pushed her even closer. She prayed vainly that he would not notice her.
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As most prisoners were filed out, he remained in his cage. Unlike many, he was one of few that were kept in 'solitary confinement' so to speak. They always took away his dual Khopesh, they had learned long ago the mistake of letting him keep his weapons. A smirk appeared on his muzzle as several of the masked guards appeared.
"Hands out Yaguzul."
The creature curled his lips back, showing his sharp fangs. His voice was a mocking as he responded, "Oh, how nice, you called me by my name. I feel prrriveleged. Most often you usually call me murrderrrerrrr, mutt, and a varrriety of otherrr colorrrful names."
There was a sigh from the guards, one walking into the cage, and forcefully tying the humanoid's wrists together, then proceeding to yank him out. A chuckle came from the thing known as Yaguzul. These guards had learned long ago the mistake of trying to be 'nice' to him. Any little slack given to him, the creature would use it to his complete advantage.
Either way, he was led down the tunnel, being one of the last brought into the room. Once again, unlike many of the prisoners, Yaguzul had a group of guards constantly keeping an eye on him. He was forced to sit against a wall, waiting for the time to be released into the arena.
The male's eyes glowed, constantly looking and scanning the massive room with the rest of the challengers. His large, pointed ears were constantly swiveling back and forth, listening intently.
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"You're stepping on my toe." Zane said blandly to the girl before him. He placed both his hands on her shoulders and moved her out of the way of the crowd, not exactly gently, but not unkind.
Dash glanced back up as he saw one of the kids from the cage approach. He remained silent but not unfriendly. Glancing around, he saw more new people flooding in through the doors.
"MATCH NINE EIGHT NINE, STARTING."
Dash jumped, but no one was looking at him. Everyone's eyes were pointed at fifteen players, who also jumped, their faces twisting with dread. None of them were hurt or scarred so they must have been new, but they were herded through one of the doors on Dash's left.
”MATCH NINE EIGHT NINE.” The words rang in his ears, a harsh reminder of what was to come. Kirisano tried not to be afraid. Fear never worked. Only anger could get him out of this one.
Alene sat still in shock for a moment. The hall was filled with a cold she could feel in her bones and she began to shiver. He didn’t hurt me. She was rather surprised at that. She knew she looked like an easy target. She almost was. If she was hurt badly, there was no way any amount of power could save her. ”MATCH NINE EIGHT NINE” rang out through the large speakers above. She watched the players as their faces drained of blood as they were herded away. I’m next. she thought, terrified.
Dash's eyes lingered on the last player to stumble out the door. She was a nine year old girl, but she looked far braver than the people in front of her. She wasn't even crying. Shincef. I'm sorry. Maybe if he fought hard enough, she would help him make his way to the top.
Then again, looking around, he'd probably turn into a corpse before his feet even touched the dust of the Arena.
There is fear in the air. though Karoc. He let his senses go out between all the bodies, soaking it in. The fear was his friend. The fear was the reason he was still alive. Not the only reason… said his mind. He quickly shoved it away.
The past is past. I cannot change it. Besides, he thought bitterly,
Zol would never forgive me for what I have done.
He crouched down and huddled in a shadowed corner. He felt, not safe, but safer there. The darkness was his friend too.
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"Is it time?"
The beast's voice, unlike many, actually sounded excited. While others trembled in terror and fear, Yaguzul was anticipating the event. His ears swiveled forward, red eyes turning over to see as a group was heading out into the sun. Though seeming them go instead of him, made the creature lay his ears back.
"Tsk, these matches take too damn long when new blood is pitted against new blood. They eitherrr know little to nothing on fighting, so they instead spend theirrr time fumbling with weapons. Time is of the essence, the grrrains of sand arrre forrreverrrr falling, time waits forrr no one."
His head turned, taking note of several other challengers further away. The humanoid's eyes narrowed, ears remaining laid flat back against his head. Yaguzul's lips twitched, flashing his fangs now and then. He shifted his sitting position, clearly impatient. He wanted to get out there, he wanted to tear anyone in his path apart, to feel the precious life ebb slowly away from his victims. There was a certain thrill, every time when he watched the shower of blood. The crimson rain he created had a terrifying beauty about it. It was an art, to fight, to kill, and to come out on top as the ultimate predator.
Though that was the way Yaguzul saw it.
(Dragoncita, I think I'm scared of you)
Dash had no idea what time it was outside, but it was impossible to be tired here. He caught a whiff of blood from the door the girl had went through. The metal curled around his fingers, pretending to comfort him, but it only enhanced the chills.
It had barely been a minute, but the speaker's voice resounded again. "MATCH ONE ZERO ZERO SIX, STARTING."
(Great job Dragoncita.)
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Zane remained in his spot, but now he was perfectly still, golden eyes alight with something that bordered on insanity. So the rumors were true, they were letting the greatest of the greats fight today. He had spotted the demon Yaguzul come off the car with the other prisoners. Finally. Finally, a damn challenge. Zane cracked each knuckle in his fingers, one by one, as he waited. A grin stretching across his mouth slowly, more a grimace of manic glee than a true smile. The roar of the crowd was his drug and he could feel the high starting already. His power grinding against the mental walls he kept it contained with. He straightened the tiniest bit, cracking the bones in his neck.
Dash turned his head slightly, observing a scarred player subtly prepare. How does he know when he will be playing? He stood slowly, licked his lips. A piece of plated metal sat atop a pile of armor, and he eyed it, but he couldn't quite do something with it when people where watching. He straightened to his full height and swung his arms carefully.
Karoc raised his head, his eyes gleaming. Something was happening for sure. He scanned the room intently until his eyes sought out the tall, pale man. The swing of his arm was far too careless. He shrank back into the shadow to watch the mischief.
Kirisano struggled to find a place he could be without touching anyone. He had always preferred more open spaces. He recalled with fondness the bar and restaurant at Kytarr. There was always a good feeling in the air. And of course, a certain attractive barmaid helped the mood of the place. He frowned. Ever since everything had happened, people just made him a bit more… touchy.
He placed a hand on his nodachi to check it was still there, then headed to a darker part of the room where he hoped he might be able to sit down for a few minutes.
With disgust he noticed that all the good places were taken already. He sighed. It was far too early to attract attention to himself. His eyes glided across the room and landed on a dark youth, crouching in the shadows. He followed the boy’s gaze as he peered intently at something. He was looking at a pale humanoid. Taller than most, but in this place there wasn’t anything too remarkable about him. Why was the boy watching him then?
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The anubite continued to sit idly. His red eyes glowed, observing each and everyone present. His tongue flicked out, licking his muzzle. The creature's nose twitched, scenting the air. Many eyes glanced his way, but there was a particular pair recently that had landed upon him.
The guards around him remained vigilant…perhaps a bit too much. A grin crossed his muzzle as Yaguzul purposefully snapped his still unmuzzled jaw at the nearest one. The guard jumped, swinging his sword at the anubite.
"Bit jumpy arrre we," he sneered.
The other guards smirked at each other as they noticed the jumpy, probably newer guard. They all seemed to know Yaguzul's tricks, as well as knowing very well what he was capable of doing. The creature chuckled under his breath, wrists remaining bound together until his time came to be released. Another thing many of the older guards had grown cautious of; once Yaguzul was out of the gate, it was best to get out of the way, or one of them would land on the casualty list.
Though his attention was drawn towards the eyes upon him. A tall humanoid stood along the other side of the large room. Yaguzul's red eyes met with gold, almost having the same glint, except Yaguzul's red eyes held something entirely else, something dangerous. Both his long ears swiveled forward, alert. His nose twitched again, jaws slightly agape to allow for better scent collection. The other was young, but there was potential there. Though sometimes that supposed 'potential', was but a show to intimidate.
His lips curled back, muzzle turning into a wicked grin. The creature's voice was low as he muttered to himself, "Such a young challengerrrr…so eagerrr to get a taste of the blood…well then, we shall see how young pups do amongst jackals."
((OOC: lol, Yaguzul is no joke. He's cutthroat and will exploit every weakness and then some. He's been raised to steal and kill to survive. And thank you for the compliment ^^))
(But he can be killed normally right?)
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A breath slid out from between Zane's teeth, harsh and wild, as his manic grin grew and grew the more his eyes stayed locked on the anubites. His power gave a mighty thrum against his metal barriers, sending thin slices of pain through Zane's taunt body. Yes finally demon. You and I will meet on that field. Let the best beast win. He looked away with a final gleam, practically vibrating with excitement.
He went through and cracked his fingers again, before running them through his hair. He was going to have to force himself to calm or else he'd go into a berserk state once the game began. He never remembered anything of the game when that happened. Zane frowned. What was the point of fighting if you couldn't enjoy the mayhem you cause?
Zane started on his fingers for a third time, enjoying the bite of each crack. The pain zinging through him and clearing his manic thoughts. He met the gaze of the anubite again, pressing down on his knuckle until it broke. The pain seared, but he grinned again as the bone began to knit back together.
Delicious.
(Now I gotta ask you if he can be killed normally. Lol.)
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Deleted user
(I mean chopping a head off should kill about anything right? XD)
Out of the corner of his eye, Dash watched the scarred player and a kind of demon stare at each other. He really didn't like the demon. Scar was obviously dangerous, but what made the demon scarier was that Dashilan couldn't evaluate him. His fingers tightened.
Alene was alone in a sea of people. It was a strange feeling. Frightening.
Yet somehow, for a second, she was safe. She looked at herself critically. You’re small. You’re weak. You don’t look like you’d last a minute in the arena. And for now. That means you’re safe. She shivered once more in the gloomy place. Some food would be nice. Do they even feed the prisoners? Alene realized that she hadn’t eaten in at least a day. That was bad. She had no chance if she couldn’t keep her strength up. The first choice were the guards of course. But who knew what they would do to her if she approached them. The prisoners? Where there was crime there would be a black market. And that meant food. And maybe. Just maybe, someone would take pity on her.
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((OOC: Not exactly, depending on the creature, etc. As for Yaguzul, no, he cannot be killed by normal means; stabbing, choking, etc.. However, it is he himself that holds his greatest enemy, the dual Khopesh he wields. There is a story behind the weapons, and the reason they alone can kill him, though the only way the blades can end is life is decapitation. Though good luck trying to get them))
Yaguzul's ears remained pointed forward, listening intently. His black skin stood out against barren place he sat. Nearby, a pair of what appeared to golden Khopesh were enclosed in a large case. The metal appeared to have etchings of some unknown origin. Dark leather straps were attached to the handles, seemingly moving ever so slightly despite there seemingly being no way a breeze could enter the case.
These weapons were his choice, and had been with the anubite since only his gods and goddesses knew when. Once again, it was a wild guess to his and the weapons age, or the reason behind either's existence. Though there was also a dark secret behind the blades, one his 'family' had known, and Yaguzul would keep until his own time would come. He did not know when that would happen, as being a creature from the sands, the anubite knew that the sands were constantly shifting, waiting and seemingly never resting. One day, he too would return to the sands from whence he came. Until then though, Yaguzul would continue to fight, for there was still his vow ever since his 'family' and himself had been captured…
Alas, those thoughts were for another time. His red eyes continued to glow, constantly scanning the rest of the people and creatures around him. His jaws remained slightly agape to allow for the better scent collection and sort the scents. More eyes watched him from the shadows.
"Kill by any means necessarrry, win by any means necessarrry, live by any means necessarrry, die by any means necessarrry," he seemed to hum this strange tune under his breath, "I am borrrrn to kill, slay, and win."
Alene looked around carefully for someone she could hope to beg some food from. Her eyes scanned the room until they fell upon the pale one she had stepped on earlier. There was no was in hell she could ask him for help. She turned to look elsewhere but a man not far from him caught her eye. He was tall, he had long gray hair, and his eyes looked kind. He was the one.
She started to move closer but froze. What if the scarred one saw her. She mentally scolded herself. You saw your chance, now go get it! she demanded. Her feet reluctantly obeyed, and she found herself at his feet.
“Please-“ she stuttered, “Please, is there anything you have I can… anything I can eat?” She mumbled incoherently, “I’m hungry.” she finally said.
Dash watched the speaker tensely. If there was one thing that had made it to his brain cells, it was to be suspicious. "Why?" Now that I think about it, it's been a long time since I ate…