"Tell me, what do you think you're doing?"
Hitsu turned his head to look over his shoulder at his would-be attacker.
The boy looked back with eyes filled with hatred and malice.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" He asked with his every word dripping venom.
Juno's hair stood on end as she let out a low growl.
"I'm the person you tried to get a cheap shot on," Hitsu replied as his hand began to glow a vibrant pink, "that's all you need to know."
"I should kick your ass right here and now," the boy said as the lightning in his hand began to crackle with energy.
"Why don't you try it?" Hitsu challenged.
Just then, two more people walked out of a nearby corridor. When they saw the situation they immediately ran over in a hurry.
"You two, stop this!" a blue-haired boy shouted as he grabbed the boy's arm. He spoke in a firm but fair tone. His hair was styled nicely unlike Hitsu's more messy hair. He was wearing a blue robe with a white and black checkered design down the center. Something about the way he was dressed and his aura made Hitsu feel like he was being scolded by an adult.
"Yeah, come on, knock it off!" the girl pleaded as she grabbed ahold of Hitsu's arm. She wore a casual combination of a shirt and shorts. She had black hair that was tied off in a ponytail and didn't go any lower than her shoulders. The way she spoke almost made Hitsu feel bad for defending himself in the first place. It was like she wanted the best for him even though he didn't know who she was.
The lightning vanished from the attacker's hand with a snapping sound and he pulled his arm free from the other boy's grip.
"What the hell is wrong with you two?" the boy shouted angrily.
"We should be asking you that," the girl said as she dropped her grip on Hitsu's arm, "it looked like you were trying to attack this guy."
"He was trying to attack him," the blue-haired boy said, "and from the looks of it a blindside assault."
"So what?" The boy challenged, "he's a scummy hero!"
There it was. Hitsu knew deep down that's why he was targeted. Now he braced himself. He could soon be on the end of a three-on-one assault.
"So what?" the girl shouted.
Hitsu's breath caught in his throat. Did he hear her correctly?
"His role as a slayer does not justify violence," the blue-haired boy added.
"They don't care?" Hitsu thought, "They don't care that I'm a hero?"
The boy growled in defeat.
"Fine, defend the scum, but don't be surprised when you get what you deserve."
Following his threat the boy angrily turned and marched away.
"Hey, are you alright," the girl asked Hitsu snapping him out of his trance.
"Y-yeah," Hitsu stammered.
"Who was that fellow?" the boy asked.
"I don't know," was all Hitsu replied.
"Attacking strangers over their roles... What a pity," the boy said with a sigh.
"I know right," the girl said annoyed, "it's so weird how crazy people will act."
The girl seemed to only then notice something was off with Hitsu as he did nothing to hide his surprised expression.
"I'm sorry," she said with a smile, "we never properly met. My name is Ida. I'm the leader of an all-girls defenders team from Shinjabi. You've probably never heard of it. It's a small town a little ways away from here. We help escort outside of the walls."
The boy did a polite bow. "Greetings. My name is Futaro. I am the leader of a guardian team that is based here in Sithstopolis. It fills me with sorrow that you have experienced so much hostility in the city I call my home."
It took Hitsu a few moments before he collected himself enough to speak.
"I'm Hitsu. I'm the leader of a hero team in New Faith."
Hitsu noticed that Juno now stood on his shoulder calmly, but her focus was seemingly on Ida's neck.
"This is Juno," Hitsu introduced, "she seems interested in something."
"Ohh, it's probably Spot," Ida said.
She carefully reached to the back of her neck and then held it out to reveal a spider in the palm of her hand. It was a decently large arachnid that covered her hand with its fuzzy brown and black body and legs. Juno leaned her body as close as she could to Ida's hand and examined the spider. She meowed, seemingly content that she had figured out what Ida had on her person. Spot the spider looked up and waved one of his legs in response.
"Did it just wave at me?" Hitsu asked surprised.
"Yep," Ida answered happily, "Spot is a smart little guy."
"Isn't that a rarity," Futaro chuckled, "I've met people with animal partners who seem more intelligent than average today."
"The two of you just met?" Hitsu asked.
"This is my first time here," Ida replied, "I don't really know anyone outside of my town."
"It's my first time competing as well," Futaro added, "Ida was just telling me about Shinjabi when we came across your scuffle.
The three continued to wonder and converse, talking about their hometowns and team members, until the PA system announced that the opening ceremony would begin in thirty minutes.
"We best find our teams and prepare," Futaro advised.
"I'll see you guys later," Ida cheered, "I hope I see your teams in the finals."
"You betcha," Hitsu promised.
With that, the three leaders split off. As Hitsu walked away some part of him hoped he wouldn't come across during the tournament. The only two people who showed him kindness outside of his hometown could be the ones he would have to face. The problem was he wouldn't be able to go easy on them. The hatred he had been shown since arriving in this city just made him want to win even more.
...
"Are you sure you're okay?" Nox asked concerned
"Yeah, I'm fine," Hitsu replied, "the guy didn't even touch me."
"You think saw Juno and that's how he knew you were a hero?" Jinsuke suggested.
"That would make sense," Hitsu agreed, "I'm sure word about a team of heroes with a giant cat spread around town quickly."
"I still can't believe someone would try to attack you over something like that," Enai said while looking at the ground.
"I still say we go find the punk," Sel said angrily.
"That won't help anything," Hitsu replied as he put a hand on Sel's shoulder, "besides, I'm sure we'll meet him again shortly.
Hitsu stared down the dark corridor they were walking along. In front of and behind them walked a handful of other teams. On the other side of the Colosseum, they were doing the same. All of the teams marched their way toward the bright lights of the arena floor. In just a few moments they would be walking out for the opening ceremony. The Voyage knew that the moment they were introduced they would be public enemy number one.
"You guys ready?" Hitsu asked determined.
"Yeah," Nox replied.
"Of course," Enai answered
"Ready," Jinsuke repeated.
"Hell yeah," Sel said as he palmed his fist making a sharp slapping sound.
"Alright then."
Hitsu smirked towards the awaiting battleground.
"Let's go!"
...
End of Episode 56