“Where are you taking us, Yoad?” Hao inquired as he followed the lad into a rather rundown section of the Mile High Depot, a place he had rarely been to. This area was populated with older items that didn’t seem to catch anyone’s interest, hence their abandoned storage.

“Don’t even think of leading us into an ambush, otherwise, you know what will happen to your head.” Mentos threatened while grasping the hilt of his Blade Edge. Yoad’s Bastian growled at him for what he said.

“It’s ok Barkcode, you’ll have the opportunity to eat him up later.” Yoad didn’t whisper this, he said it rather boldly, before stating, “The place where we are going is located at the lowest sector of the Mile High Depot, folks here call it the Hallows. It is a hardcore place, let me tell you that.”

The duo, intrigued by Yoad's words, listened carefully as he explained his knowledge of a hidden sector. They struck a deal with him: if he led them to this secret area and they found a suitable Beast Companion, they would reward him with Blade Tokens.

Hao and Mentos were initially sceptical of Yoad's claims, for they had never heard of the Hallows before during their many visit to the Mile High Depot. However, they decided to trust him for now, curious about what they might find. The name ‘Hallows’ seemed fitting for the area, as it felt like a hollow, abandoned part of the Depot, far removed from the thriving markets above.

With Yoad in the lead, they cautiously made their way through the crumbling halls of the old building in the old sector. The smell became more abysmal the further they went, moreover, less and less people appeared in their vision. They arrived at a seemingly inconspicuous door. Yoad stepped forward, giving a distinct knock as a secret signal.

Knock! Knock!

Yoad had spent his entire life in the Mile High Depot, learning its ins and outs, including its hidden underworld. The Hallows was the closest thing he had to a home, a place where he could test his mettle against other young aspiring fighters and make a few Blade Tokens on the side. For someone like Yoad, who had never ventured beyond the confines of the Depot, the Hallows offered an exciting yet dangerous world to explore.

Creek!

A tired-looking old man opened the door, his face was creased with age and his clothes were tattered and worn. He scowled at Yoad while eyeing Hao and Mentos suspiciously. "You damn brat, what are you doing here again? And who are these people you've brought with you this time?"

Yoad, unphased by the old man's gruff demeanour, replied, "These are my... acquaintances. And before you ask, they have Blade Tokens with them to spend. They're here to check out the battles, and maybe earn a Beast Companion."

The old man grunted in response while drifting his sight to the bag of Blade Tokens at Hao's waist. He also scrutinized the large sword at his back. Seconds later, the door became wider, letting them pass. “Go on down.”

“Thank you, geezer.” Yoad and Barkcode was the first to enter followed by Hao and then Mentos.

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They descended a narrow staircase that seemed to widen magically as they continued downward. Eventually, the staircase opened into a vast underground arena populated with a diverse crowd of onlookers, many posing with swords and accompanied by their Beast Companions.

The Hallows was formed long ago as a secret hub for Blade Masters and their Beasts to test their skills in combat. Over time, it evolved into a thriving underground society where fighters from all walks of life gathered to compete in fierce battles, often to the death. While the fighters were motivated by the prospect of Blade Tokens and notoriety, the audience was drawn to the gruesome spectacle of bloodshed.

Such violence and gore were the reason the Hallows remained hidden from the general public. The battles that took place here often involved the brutal mauling or even death of both human fighters and their Beast Companions. As a result, the people running the Hallows chose to keep their existence a closely guarded secret, known only to those with the right connections and a taste for blood sport. Though he was a child, Yoad gain access through alternative means. It would be no exaggeration to say that he was the only ten-year-old who could come and go as he pleased.

"Welcome to the Hallows," Yoad announced as they approached the viewing rail, gazing down at the ongoing fight that was taking place in an arena that had a sandy floor.

“Wow!” Hao and Mentos couldn't help but be awestruck by the ferocity of the combatants, both human and Beast, battling in the arena below. They had never seen anything quite like it. Blood was splattered all over the arena, mainly from the previous fights that transpired.

“This place is a den of hoodlums.” Commented Hao, he could see more clearly than others the detailed behaviour of the occupants.

“You’re impressed huh?” Yoad smiled at him while pointing to the arena. “See I wasn’t lying about what I said earlier. Down there is where the magic happens.”

The Hallows offered a unique type of battle, specifically pitting Beast Masters and their Companions against each other. Traditional Blade Master versus Blade Master combat was considered uninteresting and mundane in this underground world. Instead, the crowds clamoured for the visceral excitement that came from watching powerful Bastians tear into each other and their human opponents.

Hao zoomed in on the ongoing match, sizing up the competitors and calculating his odds. He knew that to find a powerful Bastian, he would need to enter the fray himself. He turned to Mentos and said, "I'm signing us up for a match. We'll use the Blade Tokens we have."

Mentos looked at him with concern. "Are you sure about this, Hao? These matches can be deadly. I think I spotted about 6 dead bodies by that cage over there. They’re probably going to feed their remains to the Bastians."

“You’ve guessed correctly.” Yoad chuckled. This lifestyle didn’t faze him one bit, for he was in his element.

Responding to his friend's concerns, Hao spoke, "I know, but we need to find a powerful Beast Companion, one that is extremely large, if we're going to have any chance of unlocking the Judgment Day mechanism."

‘Judgment Day…?’ Yoad thought to himself. He had no clue what Hao and his friend were speaking of.

Mentos sighed, then placed a hand on Hao's shoulder. "Alright. If that's what you want mate, I'll fight by your side."

Hao smiled and clapped Mentos on the back. "I appreciate the offer, but I need you in the stands watching my back. Besides, Yoad's Beast will have to do since we don't have our own."

Yoad, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation, interjected, "Wait a minute, you want to use my Bastian? Are you crazy? You're blind! How do you even plan to fight your opponent and their Bastian?"

Hao simply smirked. "You'd be surprised what a blind man can do. Besides, I've fought in worse conditions."

“You what…?” Yoad shared, “This isn’t a playground. Anyone who steps into that arena better expect to kill or be killed, there is no other way of winning. If you don’t slay your opponent, you risk incurring the wrath of all the Hallows.”

Mentos chuckled and reassured Yoad, "Trust me, Hao knows what he's doing. You'll see soon enough."