"HELLO GAMETOPIA!!!!!!!"
The sound of the microphone pierced through the air as the cries of excited spectators swept in the dark skies of the City of Gametopia. The numbers were in multitudes with excitement oozing out of their very being.
Spectators in similar costumes were huddled together with intriguing props featuring giant foam hand gloves with lion-shaped helmets or masks and red paint on their skin. There was another group of spectators in a different set of costumes, featuring blue paints and fish-like ears.
The ecstasy had reached an all-time high as two prominent figures emerged from their corners to the sparring ring.
"It's that time of the year, Folks! The Arena of Flesh and Blood! The Battle Finale of the two Powerhouse Pro Players for the past Five Years!!!"
The Voice of the commentator was like a hum of celebration as the piercing sound of the microphone vibrated through the air.
As their cries echoed in a loud symphony of sounds and vibration, the two figures stepped into the Arena, one on the side painted blue and the other painted red.
"At the Blue Corner! GIVE IT UP FOR THE RAGING STORMS!!!!"
The cheers were euphoric, and the cries of entertainment bliss.
A man in a black tracksuit stood in the Blue corner. His hair was a wavy blonde, and his eyes sparkled with excitement.
He had a trimmed goatee and sharp features that made the fan girls scream at a glance and the fanboys bow in reverence.
"Raging Storms, a level 145 Caster, is a pro player who became one at the young age of twenty-seven. He is a three-time silver medallist for the MageChampions-themed Tournament.
This is his first BattletoDeath-themed Tournament, so cheer him up!!"
The Voice of the commentator was a loud orchestra, unable to crack or break at the intensity of his voice.
"And at the Red Corner, two times Gold Medallist for the StrongestFist-themed event and three times Bronze Medalist for the BattleMage-themed event, give it up for FIST OF FLAMES!!!"
The Cheers were radiant, unable to escalate or diminish, but simply reverberated in a constant hum of delight.
A man with a huge build and bulging muscles stood at the Red Corner. His gaze held a fury that had never been quenched, but beneath that was a burning desire for love.
He was putting on black boxing shorts and a Hawaiian-style loose-buttoned shirt, revealing his aching muscular features.
His chin was chiselled, with red and yellow flame-like hair and red burning eyes.
"Fist Of Flames, a level 140 Brawler, is a pro player that has been in the spotlight for the past Five Years and counting. This is also his first BattletoDeath-themed Tournament, so ensure you cheer him up!".
Soon, the loud cheers had begun to die down. Why? Because the introductions were done, and now it was time for action.
The BattletoDeath-themed Tournament was just as it sounded. A tournament where players sign up with their lives as collateral. The reward was so insanely tempting that so many had chosen to throw away their lives to get a taste of even a spectre of that reward.
A dumb tournament? Yes but an Exciting one? YES!
"Players are you, READY???!"
The players weren't even allowed to turn down because the spectators would go crazy with rage at their sudden change of heart.
If you have chosen to take away your life in a tournament, then you must go through with it.
The two players were locked in a staring contest that spelt death and danger as the Arena went pin-drop silent. In about five seconds, the Spectators chorused in unison, together with the commentator.
"GAME! SET!! ON!!!"
The last statement was like a call of judgement as at the same time, rays of energy exploded out of the two players as their figures transformed into their Battle characters.
Raging Storm's skin was a pale blue, and his ears perched into fins. His blonde hair turned blue and flowing while a blue bodysuit armour emerged out of a blue ray of energy that suffused him in unparalleled cold. The blue ray manifested into a pool of water and twirled into his right hand, forming a giant lance that oozed cold royalty.
Fist Of Flames remained human, but the Red rays swept through his body like a flowing river, forming a red armour of steel and chivalry. His face was hidden behind a lion helmet as its visor ignited two pools of little flames.
His size seemed to have doubled up thanks to the mass of his armour as his flames danced at the palm of his hands forming golden gauntlets.
With the shift of the air, the two powerful figures appeared in the middle of the Arena, fist clashing against Lance as an unparalleled explosion of power shook the Arena in a might of glory.
BOOM!
The two figures smirked at each other as their collision intensified while the screams of the Spectacles filled the Arena in bloody glory.
"Hey, Is that the World Player Tournament Final match?"
A boy, about sixteen years old, snapped back to reality as his gaze shifted from the screen of his phone to the girl who stood in front of him.
His eyes flickered for a moment before he glanced at the video he had been watching before turning towards the Girl once again.
"Yes, so what if it is?" He asked in a rather unpleasant tone.
"Ruby!! We warned you already. Leave that loner alone and come sit with us".
A boy's voice pierced through the School Bus, as the students gathered turned towards the boy and the girl.
"Yeah, Paxton is only going to be a jerk. Come sit with us" Another boy's voice rang in the air as if supporting the claim of the former.
Paxton, an ambered-haired young boy with a lean build and tall appearance, glanced at the seat, two to five steps away with a scowl.
"Your friends are calling you. Don't disturb me". He said as he adjusted his ear pads before playing the video.
The girl, Ruby, had crimson hair and sparkling ruby eyes that seemed to shimmer as she glanced around.
She pouted slightly in her sailor outfit as she said. "I only wanted to talk about the final fight with you" She mused, disappointment laced in her tone.
Three boys, seated at the front, glanced behind them, towards the end of the Bus where Paxton was seated, and Ruby stood with annoyed gazes.
"Fist of Fury got sentenced to death after that. Why would you want to talk about it?
The students gathered, about twenty in total, turned towards the boy in unison with startled expressions, causing the boy to clasp his mouth on realizing his blunder.
Paxton sighed as he paused the video again and closed his phone while Ruby turned around to give the three boys a stern expression.
"So–Sorry about that, Paxton, they meant well". She muttered with an apologetic expression on her face.
Paxton sighed and waved it off.
"No biggie, I'm used to it. Just, leave me alone, can you?" He asked.
Ruby nodded in response and turned to her seat, where two other girls were waiting for her. 'He was watching it on mute?' She wondered as she took her seat next to her friends who cheered her up.
Paxton took a glance out the window as he watched the trail of cars and houses pass by. He could hear the sounds of tires screeching, people conversing, horns honking, birds chirping and any other form of sound that caused a chill to creep down his spine.
He looked away and adjusted his white ear pads, trying to calm himself.
'Don't worry. Today's the day'. He thought as the bus turned around a corner while the students' conversations got louder with excitement.
'...I'm finally getting the Test Of Humanity'.