Isaac, The Drinker

Last fight was an interesting one, made all the more interesting when Gerald told me Kobe's plans. The human-elf youth moved with impressive zeal. It was rather pleasant to see the youth these days, so willing to move for their cause. More so, when they actively try to improve or remove the scum of this world. I truly did admire Gerald, but he was still too young and reckless. On more than one occasion I had to cover for his movements.

The boy simply needed to temper his emotions, and better hide his movements. At least it was far better these days, compared to when he first tried to poison people with black blood. So many caught in the crossfire, it was a miracle no body associated the outbreak with our Arena. Mostly in part with me using blood clots to bind the blood I could with the ulcers a number of people had. Still there were people that did question why so many got sick all at once. They didn't keep those questions going for long, after a few coins was spent to bring down a pub with a monster chef.

I ended up berating Gerald back then, but thankfully everything was fine now. I was getting older by the day, resting my tired bones while I sat on the bench. I had my cane and robes on, resting my eyes while waiting for the battle to come. I felt my magic coursing through my veins, helping to ease the burden on my heart. It was hard to believe that I had made it past seventy, with only a few streaks of gray in my beard.

I could remember the time before Kobe and his Minotaurs became a gang. How the Hounds were everything back then, with their main opponent being the Crushers that owned the Arena at the time. Mal had always been around, an unmoving pillar meant to watch the Princess, and keep her safe. Even the Fiend's Eye was just getting started back then.

I let out a slow breath, allowing the memories to go with it. I focused on feeling the blood in my cane, feeling it shape to my will as I focused more on it. I could remember even when blood magic was considered one of the worst magics. The pain it would cause, forcing you to gain an incredible tolerance towards such. Just better than ritual magic, and just below enchanting. Though as our king spread information around, how masters applied their knowledge was revealed. The types of blood one could control, and how such was done.

Everything I could have every wished for, in a small black book given to me by a vampire. To this day, I never understood why I was given such a book, or who else had such. So many nights I spent tossing and turning, in my youth. Wondering if perhaps once I became strong enough, a vampire might come to claim me for the knowledge they gave me. To bring me into their fold, but that was never meant to be. Even after seeking out vampires, they refused to accept me. Their reasoning was simple, in that they had enough members, and to take me would mean the Count would force them into slumber.

The gate opened, rousing me from my musings. Such precious memories, that I began to recall less and less by the day. I walked out into the Arena, taking my spot. My standard introduction was given, before the summoner came out. An otherwise unassuming man, walked into the Arena to face me. He kept a hood on, actually wearing a jacket. Judging by how he moved, he had armor hidden underneath it and carried a couple small daggers.

Judging by how young he was, it was unlikely he was properly taught how to use his magic. Well, unless the Mystic took him under her wing. Though I doubt she'd be too interested in the talent. This was a rare magic to be used, and the audience would be in for a treat after the fight started. It was a flashy magic, as I liked to call it. The real issue was what kind of summoner he was exactly. Was he the type that could summon shades from the things he killed? Maybe the type that summoned spirits, or demons with pacts? He was clearly confident enough to enter the Arena, but judging by the slight tremble in his knees, it didn't extend to his ego. It was a good thing to be wary of a champion.

I smiled warmly at him, "Would you like me to go easy on you?"

He blinked, shaking his head as if thinking he misheard me. Finally he nodded slowly, "Please? I'd rather not die."

I nodded, as the announcer finished talking. The gong sounded a few seconds later, while I waited. "It is good to have caution for one so young. You should always fear the old man, in a profession where the good die young."

Alex smiled a little, clapping his hands together before pressing them on the ground as quickly as he could. I merely walked over as the shadows were forming. Judging by the glaze on his eyes, he was using all his focus. With a small sigh, I bonked him on the head, just hard enough to leave a knot. He pulled back rubbing the spot as the audience laughed. "Hey! I thought you were giving me a chance to do what I needed to!"

I bonked him in the same spot, which had him jumping back in pain. "I did say that, but if you're dumb enough to leave yourself that open, you deserve a few bumps. Never assume your opponent is just going to stand there and watch you prepare. Even if they said they would. People lie, and will use any advantage they can. Especially in a life or death battle." I got a better look at him, realizing he wasn't from around here.

He took a swing at me, while I merely stepped back while he hit the air in front of me. With a small twirl, I rammed the top of my cane into his chest, tossing him backwards through the air. He hit the ground with a groan, holding his head. He was probably from the Fire Kingdom like the other two I saw earlier. I could honestly just end it here, but the Audience enjoyed watching the youth get tossed around.

I buried the tip of my cane in the ground, waiting for Alex to recover. He got up, hot tears in the corners of his eyes. "Does no one here have honor!?"

I tilted my head, "Honor? Sorry, but that is in short supply. You might find some in the city above, but I'm being kind enough to let you get back on your feet. After all, I am going easy on you."

He shot daggers at me, with his glare. He got back on his feet, while I identified his blood type. By this point, I could just make him pass out. Still, it would be disappointing otherwise, and Kobe would likely give the signal to kill him. It really would be such a shame to off someone with a rare magic. The youth slammed his palms together, before trying to summon just one formless shadow this time. It was building quicker than before, arms and legs practically erupting out of the thing after a few seconds. He still wasn't keeping his focus on me, so I merely threw my cane at him. It hit him in the same spot, as he fell backwards, rolling and holding it while screaming out. The audience laughed again.

I casually strolled towards my cane, while the shade faded back into nothing. Picking it up, with a hand behind my back. "What did I just tell you. If you can't pay attention to your surroundings, you're just asking to die."

"Shut up!" He kicked his leg, before pulling out a silver dagger. He jumped to his feet, lunging at me. I spun my cane, knocking the dagger out of his hand. The thing skidded along the dirt, while I kicked the back of his knee in. He received another strike to his ribs, as he fell away from his dagger. I could sense his blood was on the thing, not from this match, but from using it in the past. He probably had a pact with something, be it a spirit or minor demon.

The youth finally pushed himself off the ground, rubbing his head still. He was taking deep breathes to keep himself calm, while I leaned on my cane, letting him do such. He finally lowered his head, "Sorry, I can lose my temper sometimes." The change made me wonder if he was possessed, or simply had multiple personalities. He looked back to me, grim determination in his eyes. "I really shouldn't have asked you to go easy on my."

I tilted my head back, "Oh? You want me to get serious? Are you certain?" He nodded slowly, while I walked towards his side. "Once I get serious I won't stop. You might even end up dead."

He looked away with a smile, "Yeah, I thought I was going to die to the Count. I'm kind of useless on my own. I do my best work when I feel like I'm actually going to die." He licked his lips, before thumping his chest. "Please, fight me like a real warrior!"

I shook my head sadly, as the crowd started to chant for the fireworks. Lowering my head, I bowed to the young man. "I appreciate your dedication, and I'm sorry that I couldn't save you. At the very least, I'll give you a beautiful death." I kicked the tip of my cane into the air, aiming it at him like a gun. The blood soaked in my cane began to move and shift inside the bloodwood itself. All I needed was to get a single splinter inside the youth.

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I took aim, and gathered my focus, before releasing it with an audible pop. The tip careened towards the youth who paled at the display. Then the unthinkable happened. A glossy black wing intercepted the splinter, deflecting it to the side. while a materialized behind the young man. It formed and materialized in thin air over a mater of seconds. Rolling white hair cascading behind the creature's back and wings. Black skin with a purple hue to it. Piercing yellow eyes, with black sclera. The form of a female, covered in a mantle of shadows that fell from her body like a constant fog. She spread her wings, as all eyes were on the two. Those same black angel wings that she saved the youth's life with. A pair on her hips, and back, while a jet black tail swished behind her the tip seeming like the head of a spear.

The air stilled, as this fallen angel looked into the crowd, focusing on someone before looking away. She whispered something, as the youth nodded. My heart skipped a beat, as I felt something I hadn't in a long time. An instinctual fear emanating directly from the demon, this child summoned to protect himself. He walked forward, "Forgive me for not introducing myself properly. My name is Alexander, of the red corps. The tenth warrior, considering that my talent is Guardian Demon."

I rubbed the back of my head, while shadows slowly started to rise from the ground. I was sure the demon was doing the summoning here, but that certainly was a unique talent. To think that I'd find one of the top ten summoners here of all places. At least according to the Fire Kingdom, and who they employed. I tilted my head a little, "May I ask why exactly you are here?"

The youth crossed his arms over his chest, pride and relief washing over his face. "I'm here because I wasn't sure if she died to the Count or not." He gestured at the demon gently folding her wings around his waist and sides. She glared at me, the way a mother Bew would if anyone approached their young. Five shades had fully taken form; a couple of whispering wolves, an adult boulder turtle, and worst of all two humans. I narrowed my eyes, seeing the first was a larger individual clad in shadowy armor, while the other was clearly a mage dressed in robes.

The crowd had fallen deathly silent at the display. While it wasn't exactly illegal to use the shades of people you killed, it was something generally frowned upon when it happened. The wolves immediately started to circle around me, laughing as they once did in life. The boulder turtle lumbering towards me, as the warrior shade jumped on top of it. The mage seemed to press its hands together, and began to start summoning its own shades, meaning it was probably a summoner in life. Thankfully it was much slower at summoning, and this would likely take it a minute.

Alex spread his arms out, "What do you say? Would you like me to go easy on you now?" The boy had grown cocky from his small group. It was clear the demon was controlling the shades, ordering them to keep its master safe. It was even more clear that the thing was tired. I looked to Kobe, who gestured at the youth, allowing me to do as I wished.

I reached to my side, taking out the gourd that was connected to my favorite barrel of ale. "Tell you what." I pointed at the gourd, popping the cork. "When this hits the ground, you hit the ground." I lifted it up, gulping down the ale the poured from it. Absorbing the alcohol into my blood, while wobbling.

Two tongues came at me as they processed my threat. I stumbled forward, before rolling out of the way of the shade that jumped at me. I laid on the ground, the magic making my body feel in its prime once again. Raising my hand into the air, while more of the sweet nectar fell into my mouth. The warm sensation spreading through my body, as I truly started to feel tipsy.

"Hey... I don't think the guy can fight anymore!" Alex shouted out towards the others, "I mean, look at him. He's getting wasted!" The announcer coughed, before telling the youth my title again. He couldn't seem to understand what was going on, since this was completely new for him.

I happily laid there, drinking my fill while the warrior shade charged at me again. I stretched a little, barely avoiding the flat of the sword meant to bludgeon me to sleep. I stabbed the shade with the tip of my cane, causing it to lose form from the fatal blow. A small bloody spike going back into the cane itself while I rolled back onto my feet, hopping back to regain my balance. The world was spinning, but I noticed I just barely avoided two tongues again.

"You see kid *hic* fighting is a lot like dancing. There is a flow to it, much like *hic* magic." He just looked at me confused, while I probably slurred my words. Oh look! More of the summons where here. I rubbed my face, unable to make out the details. The only good thing that came with age, was that it felt like it was easier to get drunk. I swallowed another mouthful of liquid courage, before finally putting the top back on. "It's rude to interrupt someone's *hic* drinking *hic.*"

The kid glared at me, while more wolves started to circle. The turtle was charging at me slowly. The tongues came first, as I wobbled forward. I avoided the first, fell backwards on the second, and rolled back onto my feet by the third. I took aim with my cane and fired another splinter at one of the dogs. They returned to nothing, as their master would have to resummon them. I aimed at the next one, where it tried to jump out of the way. I didn't fire, instead just shaking the cane as if it were out of 'ammo.' The one that tried to dodge lined up to take another shot at me with its tongue.

I cracked my neck, avoiding it, while the other came making me turn and thrust out my hips. "Hoo yeah! I *hic* still got it!" I threw the cane at the closest wolf, crushing its skull in, as it turned into smoke. I jogged towards the boulder turtle, jumping on top of its shell, and climbing. It jumped a little trying to dislodge me, before I used the momentum to jump into the air myself. I tossed the gourd up, knowing it wouldn't break when it hit the ground. The two splinters and the cane coming back to me, as I called the blood inside them.

I rolled down the other side of the turtle, avoiding the other tongue, taking a shot at the mage shade in the middle of summoning more. The summons were slow and sluggish, but got faster when there were only a couple to control at a time. I lined up another shot on the youth as the demon covered the spot I was aiming at with her wings. I made the kid's blood pressure drop as he slumped. The demon opened its eyes in alarm, clearly having control over his blood.

I took a shot at the demon's head, which it deflected with a wing, before smiling smugly as he got the blood pressure back up for the kid. To it, I could only take two shots. I jumped forward, while the turtle snapped at my back, the gourd bouncing off it's head. The kid looked confused, as I took another shot. I pricked his shoulder, despite the demon using her hand to block the splinter. This one was a bit bigger though and just barely went through. My blood surged into the boy, as she took him into the shadows.

The shades disappeared, while I called my splinters back, the gourd landing on the ground. I dug the tip of my cane into the ground to keep myself standing. Ten black spots started to emerge, as the demon and boy likely tried to summon different things to distract me while the rose back up. My blood was already inside Alex however, so I knew exactly where he was. He emerged without his demon, while the thing itself erupted behind me. I rolled back while the boy was on the ground.

The creature was furious, as it slashed at me. I stepped to the side, jumping back as the tail threatened to gut me. I raised both arms, "I win!" Hiccuping at the end. The boy had passed out, sensing that I wasn't going to take it further than that, the demon backed off. The shades were not summoned, and the gong was sounded. If I killed the youth, then that thing would likely have killed me. However, the kid himself was an idiot telling me his talent like that.

I pulled my blood out of the youth, while the demon watched me warily. She picked her master up, and flew away going through the shadows. Likely a shade demon, which were pesky little buggers that could use both shadow and summoning magic. One of the stronger ones, by the looks of it. Not to mention how well it could fight, while being completely exhausted. It was a shame that I couldn't actually teach the youth a few more things.

I rolled onto my back, laying there, looking at the ceiling of the Underground. The slaves coming to carry me away, while I was exhausted and overheated myself. I wasn't as young as I used to be after all. I'd just sleep for a little bit, and wake up to fight the next match.

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Loki, The Announcer

"WELL, WELL, WELL! WASN'T THAT JUST A GLORIOUS WAY TO END THE LAST MATCH OF THE FIRST ROUND!" Each match took roughly thirty minutes on average, and we started at six in the morning. Which put us right around the afternoon mark. My eyes glowed, while I saw the future Kobe wanted for this fight.

"THE NEXT MATCHES WILL START IN THIRTY MINUTES EVERYONE! TAKE THE TIME TO TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS, AND EAT SOMETHING! TALK ALL YOU WANT ABOUT HOW AMAZING THESE NEXT MATCHES WILL BE!" It was my job to satisfy the crowd, and keep them in high spirits. When they were happy, they spent more coin, even as the other slaves offered free refreshments.

"FEEL FREE TO ENJOY THE SLAVE SHOW! SINCE TODAY IS A SPECIAL EVENT, THEY HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL THEMSELVES TO SHOW YOU! SO, YOU'LL KICK YOURSELF IF YOU MISS IT!" I pretended to laugh, while the slaves filtered into the Arena to finish cleaning everything. It would take them fifteen minutes to do so, with another fifteen minute show followed by me making the drawings for the fighters in the next round.

The people were used to this kind of thing, but they didn't understand that the names I drew would be blank. I looked ahead to see how the majority of the fights would play out, judging how the crowd might react to them. The big spenders would start to trickle into the crowd now that the first rounds were over.

It seems that Greg... no the Helmsman will yield in any fight he gets in. Better to have him go first, and save the better fights for last like last time. After all, the customers were paying, and the highest bets were placed when the people were excited for the fight itself. The weakest fights had to go first as 'joke' matches, with the really exciting fights making everything better. Though the rule required that for every two fights there had to be a really good one.

I scratched my chin, before finally deciding the order of the matches. All that was left was to make a very big show of drawing everything, and putting them on the board properly.