When they were both inside the carriage, still with Alejandro, silence reigned. It was clear that there was tension between them and the gatekeeper, but Lloyd stayed calm, as nothing could be done. Alejandro was, after all, a soldier of Gruzia, meaning that there was no way to really sway his opinion despite their time spent together. Such attempts also wouldn't be fair to him, as it would put him in an awkward position.
Meanwhile, Alexander sat comfortably while grinning, happy about what had just transpired. The engineer hadn't seen it, but his last comment had utterly shocked every noble present, as well as making the icy strategist grit his teeth in unimaginable anger. It was the first time he could really say that the small man had been a worthy ruler.
After another long moment of silence passed, the now solemn Alejandro finally decided to speak and explain what was going to unfold.
"The Gladiators' Showdown is an event that usually happens once a month, and it brings together the very best fighters of the Empire. Nobody is barred from participating as long as they're invited by one of the event's sponsors which, in your case, is the Wixton family. Be it a soldier, a foreign mercenary or even a noble, it doesn't matter as long you have backing. As for its structure, it's a tournament seeded into two opposing brackets, each sporting 16 fighters. Two then duel, to incapacity or death, until the final, where the winner gets to claim the grand prize of 1000 gold coins."
Lloyd nearly gasped. This was obscene, especially with such a high frequency. But despite this potential boon, it also made him even more anxious. If the prize was so alluring, it surely meant that the competition was fierce, to the point where he started doubting Alexander's chances. Sure, he was strong, but they hadn't seen Gruzia's true strength yet. Learning about it while battling for survival just seemed like a terrible idea. And Alejandro wasn't done yet.
"However, each participant also has to wager something before the competition starts. Be it gold, merchandise or even your life, it doesn't matter as long as it is considered substantial. These wagers are then won after each fight, meaning that even if you were to lose further down the road, you'll still keep your earlier gains, thus enticing participation."
This caused the scientist's eyes to widen in disbelief. He had to wager something on top of not knowing the level of competition?! This was just going from bad to worse…
When the General noticed that Lloyd was starting to get overwhelmed, he interjected.
"Seems like we've been forced into something annoying, but don't worry. I don't intend on going down easily. I even think it'll be quite fun."
His confidence was simply unwavering, his large smile a testament to his unshakable mental. Yet, to the gatekeeper, the mountain of a man almost seemed insane. This was the cream of the crop for Gruzia, and they'd be damned a thousand times over if they were to ever let an outsider win.
With nothing else to add, the rest of the ride resumed in silence, as Christopher watched the ever-changing scenery while mentally simulating every possible scenario. However, he couldn't think of a single one ending in their favor despite how optimistic some of his calculations were.
The conclusion was grim yet simple: they had to win.
But just as he felt despair starting to creep in, he was welcomed with a breathtaking sight, which was soon paired with the butler announcing their arrival.
"Welcome to Gruzia's Sanguis Arena."
Amidst the sprawling Megapolis and its bustling crowd was a flamboyant marvel that was both sinister and captivating to the uninitiated eye: the Sanguis Arena, a place where the echoes of this Empire's history danced with the specter of death. Enveloped by towering walls adorned with intricately carved reliefs, the arena's exterior appeared to be a testament to Gruzia's timeless might, with entrances flanked by colossal statues that he guessed to be revered beings. Its size was also astonishing, to the point where he believed it mirrored the dome's. Even Alexander, who had seen his fair share of coliseums, was entranced by its beautiful and mighty presence.
When their awe finally subsided, they then decided to exit the vehicle and brave the human sea. But just as they had turned their backs to the carriage, Alejandro's last fleeting words reached their ears.
"Good luck."
Before they could even turn around and respond, the horse had already leaped forward, causing the cart to quickly vanish into the busy horizon.
"Well, there's really no way out now…"
Lloyd's tongue in cheek comment made Alexander scoff. It was finally time to see what they were made of.
After fighting through the dense crowd for a few minutes, they finally reached the mind-bogglingly huge portal, where they were quickly greeted by a beautiful young woman in her twenties. Her attire, consisting of a beige silk dress embroidered with golden accents, complimented her tanned skin, straight black hair and hazel eyes. His guess was that she was part of the nobility, prompting him to treat her with the utmost respect.
"Welcome, Merchant Lloyd. My name's Yelinda, and I'm your assigned guide for the event. I'd first like to get you registered before bringing you to your quarters. Is that okay?"
The engineer was taken aback by her rushed itinerary, but he acquiesced nonetheless. It seemed that they wouldn't be able to breathe until they were out of here…
She then quickly led them through the arena's twisting corridors that hinted at both dread and delight. Adorned in banners of black and crimson, the inscriptions upon the walls told grand tales of gladiatorial champions past, their fates entwined with the very stones upon which those words had been carved. As they kept delving deeper and the history kept unfolding, an overwhelming feeling of apprehension began to run through both the scientist and the General, as both realized that Gruzia wasn't just an important mining hub… No, it was instead a nation that had a deep fascination for the art of combat and its brutality.
During this stroll, they were also bombarded with glances and stares, of which the majority were, of course, towards Alexander, whose focus had begun to sharpen. Everything, from the decor to the ambiance to this seemingly rich past, hinted at fights that would have his life on the line. With his heart rate speeding up, his senses heightened to the max, as he had to win 6 fights in a row, a feat that, if he had been at his peak, would have been a breeze. However, this wasn't his situation. But despite being harder, it was still what he sought, and what he had yearned for when he had been offered the world. It was time to trample on some poor fools and make his name known.
It wasn't long before the trio arrived at the end of the maze, where a veil of light hid everything past it. Was the interior as grand as its facade? As they crossed it, a breathtaking view offered itself, with the arena's vast expanse unfurling before them, a sprawling canvas where battles had transcended mere combat to become a symphony of savagery and artistry. Under the ethereal glow of moonstone sconces, the sands – dyed red with the stain of countless struggles – stretched like a macabre sea. Encircling it all were various tiers of seating, where the richer you were, the higher you placed, as each stone was hewn with opulent designs that whispered of decadence and desire. Noble patrons draped in regal silks reclined on sumptuous chairs, their eyes alive with anticipation and glee. Mingling through them were also servants that moved like phantoms, bearing ornate platters laden with exotic delicacies and goblets brimming with wines of unparalleled vintage. But above this tableau of opulence and brutality were the true elite's gilded booths, which afforded an unobstructed view of the impending drama. Among them, the ruling class of Gruzia convened, their diadems and rich cloaks a stark contrast to the chaos below. And yet, the arena's true stars were right there at the center, fighting and covered in armor that mirrored the monstrous legends of ages past.
It took Christopher a moment to fully take in this simile-Roman sight, making him realize about the immense danger they faced. This arena, packed to the brim, wanted one, and only one, thing: blood. Combined with their merciless shouts for unconditional violence, it was but one of multiple reminders of this Empire's barbaric ways. Meanwhile, adrenaline was violently entering the former King's bloodstream, as he recalled the era in which he had etched his name. His previously solemn look had also transformed into uncontained excitement which, as Lloyd had noticed, troubled Yelinda.
His silhouette, his temperament, his aura… To her, everything he represented was associated with death, a precursor to a horror show they were surely bound to witness.
"Let's keep going."
Following her request, the two dazzled men then regained their senses before continuing their journey inside, finally ending up in a large and stifling crowded room. But this wasn't all. Upon arriving, everyone's attention was re-directed towards them, as if knowing that these two were the ones they had to eliminate at all costs.
Hostility, bloodlust, desire…
A whirl of emotions enveloped them, a brutal signal that everyone here was aware of their circumstances. It was clear that the Emperor's interest was simply too good of an opportunity to pass up, meaning that these were the event's participants. This was further confirmed when Lloyd saw Thomas arrive, with the latter now accompanied by a very imposing third-party. In fact, this new presence prompted Alexander's aura to surge forth, which immediately increased everyone's animosity towards them.
"This man… He's big trouble."
For the General to say this at a mere glance wasn't good, especially since he'd have to face him eventually.
The fairly tall, mysterious figure was clad in light black armor, possessed two sheathed swords at its waist and had a black cloak covering its physical and facial features. But despite its unknown nature, its aura was something that Lloyd had never experienced so far. It felt like… emptiness. Emptiness of life. Even Thomas, who usually had an air of arrogance, stood next to it with a hint of respect and fear. This was clearly not someone the Wixtons controlled.
Once sensing Alexander's aggression, the hooded figure immediately turned in his direction, making the former King grimace and his heart, tighten. This reaction brought forth a vague and twisted smile under the hood, which sent chills through the engineer's body. He wasn't the target, but could yet still feel the aftermath. It was time to break it off, and as if his prayers had been heard, an unfamiliar voice began to boom across the room.
"ATTENTION, ATTENTION! I would like to remind you all that this room isn't meant to pick fights. Any offenders will be kicked out of the event without warning, is that understood?"
Its authority and firmness immediately stole all the attention away from them, a result Lloyd instantly thanked. When he turned around to seek its origin, he found that it came from a middle-aged man who was perched on an overseeing balcony. When compared to the earlier patrons, this person seemed much more dignified and experienced, with a gaze that screamed of indifference.
"With this clarified, let's begin. For those who do not know me, I am Michael DeLoris, the event's supervisor and chairman. Should there be any issues or foul-play, I will be issuing penalties. And yes, those even include death."
A wave of murmurs rose from the floor, with certain fighters even expressing their discontent.
"Oh? I'm not forcing any of you to participate. If you'd like to withdraw, please do so right now. Moreover, this penalty will only be levied against the worst offenders."
His voice, which had already been quite forceful, was now laced with spitefulness, as if begging the cheats to reveal themselves. This open challenge also seemed to have the intended effect, as the discontent immediately died down. But before anything else was said, a woman carrying a notepad appeared next to him.
"Very well. Let's start registering everyone, shall we?"