Thong walked through the halls with the other fighters around him. A bright light appeared at the end of the hall, Thong raising his arm to cover his eyes from the light. The fighters entered a large space with several rows of seats facing down at the opening. Thong lowered his arm, noticing the large ring that surrounded him. Thong released his grasp on Hugo, Hugo's head slamming against the ground. Hugo's eyes shot open as he sat up.
Hugo: Hey, what's wrong with-
Hugo's words were cut off as he looked around. Thong looked up at the stands noticing how empty they were except for the few people that sat scattered about. Thong didn't recognize most people that were sitting, other than one that started laughing loudly.
Carrie: You guys can do it! Terry wanted me to cheer for ya!
Thong's thoughts: Who is she even cheering for?
An intercom flipped on, Shizu's voice ringing over.
Shizu: Now that all participants have entered the ring, there will be a free-for-all match between all of you until a specific number is left standing. There are no referees, so there will be no casualties other than fellow fighters.
Thong's thoughts: Why did she have to use the word "casualty"?
Shizu: The match will start shortly. There are no restrictions in this preliminary match. Your objective is to be one of the last standing. I wish you all luck.
The intercom shut off, the fighters that filled the ring had changed their expressions. Many pulled out weapons hidden in their clothing, others entered fighting stances. Thong looked around in fear as he felt a hand be placed on his shoulder.
Hugo: Don't worry, Trevor. She specifically said there are no restrictions. Meaning teaming up is allowed here, so let's show these guys what our training has led to.
Thong looked at Hugo with a surprised expression. He didn't consider that idea. His fear faded away as he raised his fists. Noticing Hugo was now behind him, Thong felt a sense of safety. A buzzer went off, marking the beginning of the preliminaries.
Thong immediately noticed to his left that Cuff was confidently standing in the middle of the ring, both hands in his pockets. One fighter immediately charged at him, Cuff taking one hand out, where then Thong notices a pair of knuckle dusters on his right hand. Cuff punched the fighter, knocking the fighter to the ground.
Cuff: This competition is going to be a piece of cake!
As Cuff said that, he immediately whipped around, another fighter standing right behind him. The fighter stood at around 182 cm, wearing a pair of boxer shorts along with an orange t-shirt, messy dirty blonde hair, and quite the smug look on his face.
Joseph: Is that so?
Cuff scoffed as he threw out a quick right punch. Joseph stepped around the punch, stopping at Cuff's side.
Joseph: A street brawler will never outdo a boxer.
Joseph moved like a blur, Thong watching as Joseph's punch landed square on Cuff's chest. Blood gushed out of Cuff's mouth as his chest began to cave in, causing him to fall to the floor limp.
Joseph: He couldn't even survive that. I guess making it to the end will be pretty easy.
Thong's thoughts: What was that?! He killed him with no remorse!
Thong's worries were immediately shifted as he turned around to see Hugo struggling with another fighter. The fighter was of a large build with the name "Colton Zemin" tattooed down his arm. Thong immediately jumped into action, moving below Hugo's hold and aiming at Colton's solar plexus. Colton staggered slightly, but Thong's punch seemed not to do much. Hugo smiled as he pulled his arms back, Colton swinging his arm as Hugo loosely limped back, his foot shooting up, sending Colton's head flying upward. Thong moved around, striking the back of Colton's neck, Colton falling to the floor.
Thong: That guy was durable.
Hugo: But with my masterful lead, we took him down in no time. And you said we weren't going to be able to team up.
Thong: I think teaming up is only allowed for the preliminaries.
One fighter stood in the corner of the ring, staring around as several fighters broke out in brawls. He held his flag in hand, the symbol of the Imperium flying proudly. He stepped back as his back hit the wall, jumping in his skin as he heard a voice from right above him. He looked up to see a woman with a wide smirk.
Carrie: Ooohhh Remyyyyyy~ What's wrong? Scared of this free-for-all?
Remy: Why wouldn't I be?! These guys are actual fighters! I've never had to fight so many at once before…
Carrie: Pfffffft- Don't tell me that the proud staff user of the Imperium is scared of a little combat.
Remy: I-I'm not s-scared! I'm just… I'm just scouting them out… Yeah! I'm scouting out who would be the easiest to take out… yeah.
Carrie: Yeah yeaah, whatever. I bet you're upset that only Gonzalez and Dan got a pass, huuuhh?
Carrie's face was pushed upward as Remy raised his flag pole to poke at her face. Carrie swatted the pole away as her expression turned sour.
Carrie: Oi! What do you think you're doing?!
Remy: Getting my revenge...
Carrie: Tch! Then don't look behind you.
Remy: What?
Remy whipped around as another fighter charged at him from behind. Remy spun his staff around, slamming it into the side of the fighter before slamming them into the ring wall. Remy started breathing heavily as he stepped back.
Remy: Carrie, why didn't you tell me sooner?!
Carrie: I was just getting my own revenge.
Several meters away, a group of fighters stood around each other. One held a glaive in his hand, slamming the butt of the weapon into another fighter's face.
Shun: There's a lot of fighters this time around. I think I counted around sixty or so coming in. Why did we have to do this again?
Nupan slammed the back of his fists into two incoming combatants, letting out a sigh before looking at the three others behind him.
Nupan: Boss said he wouldn't allow us in the main tournament if we can't prove to make it through the preliminaries, saying a few others with us are around in the ring as well, I wonder where they currently are.
Yussuf: They must be trying to prove themselves by fighting on their lonesome.
Shun: That sounds pretty stupid.
Arthur holds off another fighter with one of his bats as he looks back at his comrades.
Arthur: Less talking, more fighting!
Shun: If you're struggling with some rando, I don't think we should help.
Arthur: Bastard!
Arthur pulled out another bat and bashed the fighter on the head, sending them crashing to the ground, then turning around and placing a finger on Shun's chest.
Arthur: I really hope the boss allows infighting, cause I'm going to take you down.
Shun: Why not fight me here and now?
Arthur: Is that an offer? Because I will take it.
Yussuf: The boss said the first order is to make it to the main tournament, so let's not be idiots here, alright?
Arthur walked away from Shun, an annoyed look on his face.
Arthur's thoughts: I'll get my chance.
Nupan's thoughts: I'm grouped up with idiots.
Dianshi sits in the stands, staring down at his group.
Dianshi: Looks like my brother can't handle them so easily. I'm happy I sure don't need to, but looking at Thong over there… I wonder if he has what it takes to make it to the main tournament with my teammates involved. Plus any of the dark horses that may be among them.
Dianshi pushed up his glasses, looking down at his clipboard.
Dianshi: I truly do wonder…