Adventures of the last Wild Dragon-Chapter 188: The Colosseum (6)
Violet and Luna walked out into the main arena amidst 30 other fighters to the sound of raucous cheers and shouts from the enthusiastic crowd.
For the start of this next stage the organisers had opted for an open ballot to take place to assign each contestant their place within the tournament. All of the fighters would walk forward and draw a number, this number would determine their positions in the tournament bracket.
They had opted to go in order of first fight to last which meant that Violet would actually be the first one to step forward.
With 32 contestants their would be 2 brackets, each with 16 fighters, the spots numbers 1 through to 32. So if someone picked number 7 they would then have their first battle against number 8.
Soon all of the contestants were lined up before a small stage that had appeared in the center of the area. A massive illusion floated in the air showing a zoomed in scene of the platform and its occupant.
A young looking dwarven man stood atop the stage, an air of whimsy and wonder seemed to emanate from him, when he spoke it became clear that he was the announcer from the earlier matches. It was also clear that he was a powerful Lord from the presence be subtle showed off.
"Congratulations fighters for making it to the tournament." His voice sounded out, it was not overly loud, yet seemed to silence the crowd and allow all to hear him.
"We shall now be deciding your placements, first up is the mysterious mage known as Violet!" Taking that as her queue Violet strode up onto the stage, the announcer directed her to the conspicuous box besides him. She paused for a moment before sticking her hand into the box and soon bringing it back out with a slip of paper held in her hand.
The paper then glowed and rose from her hand, unfurling to display the number 5. The illusion above clearly displaying this for all to see. With that completed, Violet walked back down off the stage only for the announcer to speak up once more. She did notice Tyre staring at her with wide open eyes, clearly surprised to see her here. She gave him a casual wave as she left the stage and returned to stand besides Luna.
"Next we have the indomitable and silent warrior Ivan!" Then the armoured dwarf from Violet’s free for all battle walked up onto the stage next. He waisted no time and promptly reached into the box and grabbed a number. When it displayed for all to see he was designated at number 15.
’So he will be in the same bracket as me’ thought Violet. Casually observing the silent warrior and imagining how she would fight him, and what tricks he may use in a fight.
This process continued on until Luna had her name called up. "Next is the warrior of ice, Luna!" She chuckled to herself at the supposed title but still walked on stage to take out her own slip. When the number was revealed she was pleasantly surprised to see the number 26 being displayed.
Returning to Violet’s side she smiled at her companion. "Looks like we will only get to fight if we both make it to the finals."
"Yup! Guess we shall both have to make it all the way then! I will be sad if I don’t end up facing you when I get there." Violet joked, provoking a pout from Luna.
"Hmph, I should be saying the same about you, you are a squishy mage after all."
"But I thought you liked my squishy parts?"
Luna stumbled in place at that, her face flashing crimson at the unexpected blow her companion sent her way. She stumbled over her words as she tried to respond.
"Eh, wha, but - no I-i do love them, I meant that..." She was interrupted by Violet’s giggles causing her to flush even harder and turn away.
"Hmph I better see you in the finals so I can give you a propper punishment for that!"
"Looking forward to seeing you try!" Was Violet’s cheery reply.
The rest of the participants soon came out to also find out their placements in the tournament. Kaldor, the giant beastkin from Luna’s group was set as number 17, so he too could potentially fight against Luna if they both made it far enough.
The last name that both girls took note of was none kther than Tyre. "A long time warrior here in the Colosseum, returning for his debut as a Lord, come on up Tyre!" The announcer bellowed, the crowd joining in with their exuberant shouts and cheers.
"Hmm seems like Tyre has some fans, that’s some of the loudest cheering of everyone yet!" Violet noted.
When he reached into the box he took a prolonged moment before he retracted his hand. When the paper rose up and displayed its number the crowd seemed to hold its breath, the projection revealing his placement to be as number 2. Meaning that if he wins 2 fights he would be up against Violet in the quarter finals.
As he too figured that out his gaze moved over to Violet, his eyes held a determination in them and he gave a curt nod of acknowledgment before he too left the stage for the next contestant to walk on up.
The rest of the names were soon called out, once every contestant had their placement in the tournament the announcer once more moved to center stage.
With a wave of his hands the crowd began to quieten down slightly to allow him to speak. "Well now that we have the placements set I see no reason to delay the proceedings any longer!" The thundering cheers of the crowd rose up at his words. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶
"Can I have all contestants apart from numbers 1 and 2 return to your waiting room. We will proceed in numerical order." The assembled fighters began to shuffle their way back out of the arena as the announcer had asked. In the meantime the stage the announcer was standing on proceeded to sink down into the group and the box simply vanished.
The announcer began to float up into the air whilst the first two fighter sized each other up as they stood around 10 meters apart.
"Challenger Wanuxa are you ready!" The lithe catkin man on one side raised his duel swords into the air in response.
"Challenger Tyre are you ready!" Tyre slammed his warhammer into his shield as his reply, his gaze never leaving his opponent.
"Then by my right I state this fight to begin!" A gong sounded out at that moment and both fighters rushed forward.
