Sereth was the first to arrive, the stands of the stadium were mostly empty, considering how he arrived early. He found a row and seated himself, and kicked his feet up on top of the row in front of him. He was pondering on his encounter with Thalen from the day prior, and there was something about him that just really unnerved Sereth.
Masaru arrived next. At this point there were some more people.
He came and sat next to Sereth, who turned his head to face Masaru.
"You'll never guess who I met yesterday."
Masaru closed his eyes in slight annoyance with Sereth's childish comment, but decided to indulge him.
"Who?"
"Your favorite person."
"What do you mea-" Masaru stopped and opened his eyes and faced Sereth.
"Do you mean...?"
"You weren't kidding," Sereth replied, "I'm gonna have nightmares about that dude for a while. I totally see what you meant."
The two slightly chuckled for a moment, before returning to silence.
Aeon arrived third, in the same fashion as always, drifting in quietly. He saw Masaru and Sereth seated together and decided to join them.
"Hello Masaru. Hello Sereth." He said quietly.
"Hello Aeon." Masaru replied.
Sereth briefly looked over at Aeon, remembering their past encounter, and greeted him.
The three continued to watch the arena fill up, and they saw something curious.
Several of the Creatures were buzzing around the stadium like they were in a kind of panic. Sereth eyed them and wondered why they were here. They usually just floated around the halls of the corridors, or would look for you if you were next for a fight.
Suddenly, they all dispersed and let out a shrieking sound as they all flew away in different directions, though the sound was drowned out by the sound of the crowds chatter.
Torvak arrived last, and he was hard to miss. The sound of his boots thundered through the arena, and he took one of the only seats left—the one next to Aeon.
The four of them sat in a row now, not quite a unit, not quite strangers. This was the first time they had all been in one place, together.
They didn't know it yet, but nothing from this point would be the same.
"Hey kid!" Torvak's voice thundered and poor Aeon, who had to respond by plugging one of his ears.
"Hello Torvak."
Torvak gave a grunt as he dropped into his seat. "Damn bugs flying like they saw a ghost. Anyone else see that?"
"I saw," Aeon said softly, eyes still following the last of the Creatures as it vanished into the shadows. "I was unaware they could feel fear."
Sereth raised an eyebrow. "Great. Bugs are scared now. That's exactly the kind of comforting vibe I needed today."
Masaru crossed his arms. "If they're panicked, something's wrong."
Torvak gave him a look. "Gee, you think?"
"I mean," Sereth said, leaning back with his arms behind his head, "what's the worst it could be? A giant can of bug spray?"
Masaru let out a low sigh.
"Y'know," Sereth said, "I'll bet those mosquitoes are scared of him."
"I think anybody who isn't must have brain damage." Masaru replied.
"Who are we talking about?" Torvak asked, glancing between them.
"Thalen," Masaru and Sereth said at the same time.
Torvak stared for a moment. "That idiot with the pink vest? I thought he was just a hallucination."
"Nope," Sereth said grimly. "He's real. And is a photo album of every nightmare I've ever had. "
"He's also very kind," Aeon added, smiling faintly. "Just difficult to understand."
Sereth blinked. "You talked to him? When did you do that?"
"Later. Or maybe yesterday. It will happen again though." Aeon stated gently.
"Again with the mangled fortune cookie nonsense! Be normal!" Torvak yelled.
"I agree with big guy over here!" Sereth exclaimed, "What's up with how you talk?"
Torvak and Sereth chuckled for a moment, and Aeon couldn't help but feel a little ganged up on, but ultimately decided that they were bonding, and that was more important than complaining.
Masaru rubbed his eyes in annoyance.
...
Before anyone could press Aeon further, the stadium lights flickered once, then twice.
A sudden hush swept through the crowd like a ripple of static. Even Sereth sat up straighter.
Then the booming voice of the announcer cut through the air—normally chipper, verging on manic, but this time... strained.
"Laaaadies and gentlemen, combatants and curious onlookers… today's first match is… uh…"
There was a long pause.
"…ah. Yes. A matchup featuring one of the more… odd contestants."
Masaru narrowed his eyes. Sereth elbowed him lightly. "Guess who."
The announcer coughed. "In the right corner, entering from... oh. Not the golden gate. Never mind. He's—uh—here now."
A beat of silence.
Thalen Skierth entered out of the empty space next to the gate, mid-cartwheel, and stuck the landing.
"…It's Thalen Skierth..." the announcer finished, voice hollow, like he was processing a minor existential crisis in real time. Almost like speaking his name caused immense pain.
In the stands, Sereth leaned over Masaru and Aeon to speak to Torvak. "You see that?"
"I'm not looking directly at him," Torvak muttered. "I value my sanity."
Aeon gave a quiet, delighted clap. "He stuck the landing better this time."
Masaru didn't say anything. Just stared ahead like a man bracing for a natural disaster.
Thalen, completely unaware—or perhaps too aware—stood tall, adjusted his pink vest, and waved enthusiastically at the crowd.
The crowd did not wave back.
"The red gate has some guy named Senta Ulqiuer...? Anyway," He cleared his voice and took a deep breath, "BEGIN!"
The red gate slid opened and a tall, imposing figure strode out. Senta Ulqiuer was all sharp lines and focused fury—scarred armor, a red sword nearly as tall as he was, and the kind of walk that said "Don't try me". The crowd gave a polite but slightly confused cheer.
Then he noticed Thalen.
And paused.
Thalen was laying face down on the arena floor, arms and legs spread wide like a starfish mid-existential crisis.
Senta blinked. "...Is he dead?"
Thalen's hand slowly rose from the ground and gave a thumbs up. "I contain exactly twelve grapes of wrath."
Senta looked around for some sort of guidance, but found nothing.
From the stands, Sereth leaned forward, whispering, "Do you think this guy's actually gonna try to fight him?"
Masaru's eyes narrowed. "I think he's trying to decide if this is some kind of test."
"I hope it's a test," Torvak grunted. "Because otherwise we're gonna watch a man get mugged by a sentient fever dream."
"I believe in him." Aeon said softly.
"Which one?" Sereth asked, though Aeon didn't reply.
Back in the ring, Senta adjusted his grip on his weapon and slowly approached Thalen—cautious, professional. He'd fought monsters, he'd fought mind games, but he hadn't fought... whatever this was.
Thalen suddenly sprang to his feet, pirouetted once, and screamed "PANTS!" before hurling directly toward Senta.
Senta raised his weapon, eyes wide.
And the match began.