26 It begins (1/2)
Somewhere at the central plaza in the Captial of the Kingdom, the roars and cheers of several individuals happened to be coming from the coliseum-style stadium. Those who were spectating this year's annual Death Games had all been eagerly waiting for the games to begin. Some more than others. Though what stood out from the crowd was the high-class spectator seating which happened to look out at the field. There were several seats aligned perfectly side by side and in those seats sat several high-class figures. In the middle of them was the Emperor himself. Attended by two guards on both sides, a maid and a butler as well. The butler seemed to have been informing the emperor of something in which the emperor would rise. His elderly self seemed to make way towards the microphone of which he grasped in his hand. ”Attention!” His masculine voice resounded throughout the stadium which seemed to hush the roars of the crowds. ”I am pleased you are all gathered here today for this year's annual Death Games. As usual, we have many contenders who all come from various places from around the Kingdom. These fine brave individuals who gathered to partake of the games do so to bring fame and fortune to their homelands and schools. As always, we will offer them a moment of silence before giving them a warm welcome.”
The Emporer seemed to begin the ceremony and while that was going through its process the contestants all seemed to be having a brief meeting to explain what was going to happen during the Death Games. Two people were standing at a podium; ”Alright listen up! This year's annual Death Games will be a little bit different. Instead of two main blocks, we have four sub-blocks. Every sub-block will have group A and group B. You and your group will be given a small letter which will reveal what group you are and what number you are in that group. For example; when the games start block one will have Group One A and Group One B take to the field for block one. Whoever loses will be next. So if Group One A losses, then Group Two A will be next. However, unlike last year the winner will stay for another four more bouts before they are cycled to the bottom. This is to weed out the weaker teams and keep the games going for no longer than a two-day period. The first day will be those battle for the spots of each block to go into the semi-finals. The winner of each block will then face the winners of another block for a chance to go into the finals. Of course, that will only happen on the second day. Both the semi-final and final matches will be on the second day.” The instructor seemed to explain, everyone seemed capable of comprehending how the matches would play out. Some of the teams seemed a bit scared of the fact that they had to fight five rounds total before they would be cycled to the bottom.
It seemed someone had a question though, raising their hand would cause one of the instructors to hush the chatter. ”Go ahead.” The instructor stated. ”What if the remaining groups of a block are all left in a single group, what happens then?” Everyone shifted their attention from this person to the instructor. ”If it comes to that then it will cycle through the said group until only one team remains. There will be no draws and of course like always, Death is Permitted, though it is not necessary. However, there has been some uplifting to the restrictions. During this year's annual Death Games, anything and everything is permitted. From Grand Magic to heavy artillery. The inside of the blocks has been outfitted to sustain all types of damage and nullify it completely. That said, you will be fighting in boxes pretty much.” The instructor stated which caused everyone to return to gossiping.
Riyku who was leaning against a nearby wall would sigh softly. ”I am guessing that the enclosed space means a lack of oxygen?” Riyku inquired, quite loudly; having spoken over the roars. ”Depends on what happens inside of the box.” The instructor answered him which caused Riyku to smirk. ”Fair enough.” He would fold his arms across his chest. ”One last question,” Riyku called out yet again, over the gossip. ”Ask away.” The instructor replied. ”There is no restriction on how I kill my enemy that is correct? Does anything go? No matter how gruesome or brutal?” The serious glare in his eyes showed that his question was not to be taken lightly. Several people glanced in his direction and others seemed to gossip about him. The person beside the instructor would whistle in response to Riyku's question. ”None, but I take it you have some kind of vendetta against someone who is participating? I can see it in your eyes. Oh boy, I do love these sort of things. Be sure to put on a good show, boy.” It was a female, perhaps an assistant... well maybe not since they appeared rather young. After a brief moment, the instructor would call out after checking the time on his watch. ”Alright everyone line up to get your position number. After that just wait until you are called. This will serve as both a waiting room and spectators room for you all.” The instructor stated firmly and everyone seemed to have started to line up.
”Heyo.” A voice called from behind Riyku, turning his head back to this person he would see a female and two males. The voice was feminine so he assumed the woman called out to him. ”Hm?” Riyku mused softly. ”I wanted to ask, but you don't plan on killing everyone do you?” The woman inquired to which Riyku would shrug. ”Depends on who I am against. Still, don't see why that is any of your business.” Riyku replied to which the girl giggled. ”Just asking is all.” She stated. ”My name is May, this is Terry and Luke.” When the girl introduced herself, she also introduced her teammates. Terry happened to be a small male who looked similar to Skylar in size, but not appearance. Luke appeared more masculine and taller than both of his teammates, and by the looks of it Luke was going to be the Tank, Terry the Dealer and May the Support, mainly due to their weapons. Riyku would nod, ”Ri--” ”Ruthless King!?” Riyku was caught off when someone called him by his campus title. The gaze of several to attended Strife University had glanced all in his direction.
”Shit! I should have known you were going to join. We are all fucked man! Fucked!” This person seemed to complain as they lost all hope which caused Riyku to sigh heavily. ”Then you should drop out.” He stated to them. ”It will be fine. I hear the Phantom is participating today. So they might get matched up on the opposite side and take him out for us.” Someone seemed to add. ”Ruthless King?” May inquired with a tilt of her head. ”Yeah, this guy beats everyone down who challenges him. In fact, he does not even let up against women. It's pretty brutal to watch.” Someone stated. ”Still, no chance against the Phantom though. That guy is unstoppable.” Said person would add before taking note of the fact that they were holding the line back and seemed to have run to catch up.
”Wow, you already have a title? That's so cool! So... where is your team?” May inquired to which Riyku would shift his glance back to the girl. ”Right here,” Riyku stated which caused the guys as well as her to give off a dumbfounded expression. ”Wait... you are joking, right? You do not seriously plan on taking the Games on by yourself, do you?” May inquired hastily to which Riyku nodded slowly. ”There is no rule that states I am not allowed to do so alone. Soo... I don't see the problem.” Riyku replied to her which caused her to shake her heard. ”Well, you don't look strong to me. But, I'll wish you the best of luck anyway. By the way, it's your turn.” May pointed in front of them. Riyku would turn to notice it was indeed his turn and he stepped up to the counter to pick up a letter before proceeding to space elsewhere. Ripping up the envelope he would slide out a piece of paper that read Block One, Group One A on it. A smirk curved across his lips from the thought of going first. Stuffing the paper into his pocket he would look around for a changing room to get ready. It seemed that people had been either already dressed and ready or had their stuff stored in some kind of luggage. Riyku had everything in his inventory so neither had been that way for him.
Riyku had found a restroom area, proceeding inside he would lock the door before calling to his inventory menu and putting on his suit of armor. Taking a look in the mirror it seemed to fit nicely upon him and it even came with under armor which was a one-piece black cotton style skin-tight suit. Though it held no sleeves, so his arms were bare even with the top piece of his armor. The bottom happened to have been more similar to pants in their fashion. In fact, the armor itself appeared to be made out of leather rather than metal and was rather lightweight. The gloves seemed to match nicely with the suit of armor. All that was missing was his weapon which was in his inventory, but the truth in the matter was that he looked sharp and ready.
Death Games Armor:
Type- Armor
Condition- Speical
Rarity- A
A set of armor tailor-made to fit Riyku. It is also provided with under armor. There are also three enchantment sockets filled that allow the wearer to use Hyrdo, Aero and Blaze Magical Arts without incantation as long as they are fully aware of the art they are trying to use. +30 Toughness.
Elemental Distortion Gloves
Type- Special Armor
Condition- Special
Rarity- SS
A pair of gloves thought lost since the times of ancient war. Not many know of the power it holds, and those who do can do nothing to wield this ancient power. The gloves allow the wearer to manipulate the elements around them. Effect: Elemental Distortion.
Indeed this set of armor would help in out in the games. Well, that and the accessories he had still been wearing since he first put them on. The Elven Bracelet, Ring of Mana, Ring of Vitality, and Necklace of Shade.
Elven Bracelet:
Type- Wrist
Rarity- A
Condition- Used
A bracelet that was worn by the ancient elven civilization. It is said to hold magical power locked away. +5 Wisdom, + 5 Intelligence, +50 Mana.
Ring of Mana:
Type- Ring
Rarity- A
Condition- Used
A ring that is infused with an abundance of mana as well as allows one to cultivate mana from the surrounding area when worn. +100 Mana, +2 mana points per second.