Gauge,Var and Xerxes walk upto the arena. It was a large round building with a large central stage. Along the walls of the arena, Audience were seated. They watched from the spectator box. The announcer's voice out of nowhere,
"Welcome to annual Rafter tournaments,Where warriors from different parts of the universe battle for a prize amount. This year the prize amount is higher than ever seen before: 10,000 battle units.."
Fighting continues in the Ring. Sounds of metal clashing rings throughout the Arena. A man larger than an average being, clad in golden armour fighting against a lean warrior wearing lightweight armour in silver.The announcer continues,
"On the battlefield, Our former champions battle to warm up. Meanwhile any being Interested can sign up for the battle for free. Visit our main office."
Everyone rushes to the register for the battle. Var and Gauge think for a while on who has a better chance to win. Feryx suggests,
"Why don't all of us join in? That way we can increase the odds of us winning."
Gauge and Var agree. Xerxes doesn't respond for a while,
"Sorry to disappoint you but I cannot join the battle in my current situation. If I lose control during a battle things wouldn't turn out well. I'll be spectating the battle and if by chance a part of consciousness returns I shall motivate you both."
He walks to the audience section and sits calmly. The audience around him noticed him. a random voice said,
"That's the former High judge of the universe. What is he doing here?"
The duo agrees. Var informed,
"Alright, we will go and register for the battle."
At the office room of the Arena
After waiting in queue for a long time, Var and Gauge finally about to register. The registrar informs,
"You'll need nicknames for yourselves to apply. A list of rules will be uploaded to your riftcore. please connect your device to the system."
Gauge thinks for a minute and goes first,
"I am in. My name will be The Flame Prodigy."
Var giggles, And whispers to him,
"Isn't that a bit dramatic?"
It was Var's turn now. He didn't think much as if he already planned a nickname just in case,
"I like to enter as the Bloody Fangs."
Gauge chuckles this time and responds,
"You are one to talk Mr.Bloody fangs."
They both laugh together. The Rules were uploaded to the Riftcore
Rules of the Annual tournament :
1)No kill is mandatory. Any offenders are not only be disqualified but also punished under universal guidelines
2)Newcomers must participate in prelims - A free for all brawl.
3)6 members from the prelims will be selected for the main event.
4)Selected new members can carry a weapon of choice but only provided armour gear.
5)Main event consists of 3 rounds of 1v1 results of which are decided only based on knockouts.
They finished reading the rules and headed towards the prelims venue.All the participants were ready on the battle field. The announcer informed,
"As you were already informed through the rule, The surviving six will be selected for the main events. Is everyone ready."
Var looks at Gauge and calmly declares,
"Survive the prelims. We both have to enter the main event to increase our odds of winning."
Gauge nods and replies,
"Back at you..."
And they both fist bump each other and go their separate ways on the battlefield.
The announcer continued with excitement,
"3...2...1...let the tournaments begin!!!"
soon a large fat man appeared if front of Gauge,
"I'll start with you the scrawniest of them all. No one stopping from becoming the champion this year."
He swung at Gauge's face-----------Gauge stopped it, effortless. He then tightened his fist. *crack....crackkk*
"AGHHHHH.....That hurts..ahhhhh What are you?"
Gauge with a tired expression replied,
"Wish I knew...."
Placed his other fist one his forearm, Delivered an overhead suplex smashing him to the ground. In an instant a player was eliminated. He gazed at the other participants. Everyone was shocked. He then declared calmly,
"Well let's begin properly this time...." His arms charged and glowing white.
Meanwhile Var was ganged up by a group of opponents,
"he he, Let's take this old man out. Easy game."
Var smiles and closed his eyes. Then his eyes filled with red gleam.
"Blood origami : Scarlet hammer."
and then pummeled two of them into the ground. The others frightened,
"That's a Vampire??? No! Run!"
Var then reshaped it to a whip. captured all three of them,
"What's the big hurry? Rude leave an Oldman alone..."
Elsewhere, A women covered in hood using her shield power to crush the opponent. A Hybrid with wings used his sharp feathers to tear through his enemies missing vital spots. A steel lizard using his heavy tails smashed participants to the ground.
Amidst the chaos one man stood calmly. No one even dared to harm. By the time the dust settled, every contender had taken down at least ten opponents. Suddenly everyone's attention shifted. Var smiled,
"This kid. Always as unruly as ever."
Everyone was shocked. Gauge sitting on a mountain of knocked out enemies cracking his fists, relaxed his muscles and spoke,
"Took you all long enough..." and smiled
Far up in the audience section in a specially made room, The champions were observing. The smaller one remarked,
"That one is good but if he thinks he can defeat me he is wrong. I've selected my opponent."
The large one remained silent. His gaze fixed on a certain Vampire.
The announcer startled for a moment talks,
"The prelims is over. Selected participants are;
The Flame Prodigy" Gauge looks from the mountain of his opponents.
"Shield maiden" The women in robes stood silent.
"Hawk wings" then man raised his mace and declared,"I will win this time!"
"The man with no name." The man stood mysteriously silent.
The announcer continued,
"The Bloody Fangs." Var was sitting on the ground a bit exhausted.
"And last but not least, Silver serpent."The lizard left out a warcry.
"The prelims are over. All selected participants are requested to collect their armors from the Dressing room. The main event will begin once the contenders and champions are ready."
"Next chapter - Fire, Blood and the Shield"