The sun had peeked over Cabin Mountain; a new day dawned upon the city of Hardires.

Even though it was the start of the ten-end, the four student-gladiators had to report to their school bright and early. For most students, there were six days of school and four days off over the course of a ten-day. Student athletes (gladiatorial or otherwise) sometimes needed to use one of those four days for either a game, practice, or club activity. Fenrick hated that fact when he first signed up for the team, and initially wanted to quit. But after much persuasion from Principal Eppers, he decided to stay on the team and the school benefitted greatly for it.

On that misty Donday morning, Arcanus was the first one to arrive, wearing a light jacket and carrying a gym bag. He waited patiently on a bench in front of the school while reading through a history book. Fenrick was next to appear, stumbling up to the school with his eyes half-closed. His hair was somehow messier than usual and his dirty uniform (which he wasn’t required to wear that day) wasn’t buttoned or tucked in at all. He plopped down on the bench next to Arcanus and fell asleep almost instantly.

About fifteen minutes passed before Caleo showed up. Despite being captain, he was always fashionably late and often the last one to arrive. When he did, he was surprised to see that Zeratron still hadn’t shown up.

The three sat there and waited for the bus as well as their teammate to show up—but they weren’t alone.

For every single road game, without fail, dozens of prideful students and citizens stood around the student-gladiators, offering constant words of encouragement and support for their upcoming battle. As the morning grew old, more supporters flowed in to give their currently-undefeated team an early morale boost and even offered coffee and breakfast. The TAS usually tried to ignore the constant shouts and offerings. That was broken once Ophelia showed up to give Caleo a kiss for good luck (which the crowd “woo’ed” loudly at) and some advice for the impending battle.

Despite all the noisy commotion around them, Fenrick still had yet to stir from his pre-match slumber. His head had slumped onto Arcanus’ shoulder and a thin trail of saliva ran down the front of his jacket and onto the book he was reading. All Arcanus could do was roll his eyes.

A few supporters carried signs and practically begged for the TAS members to sign them. Hardires had a very dedicated fanbase, and since they were a championship team that passion had evolved tenfold. Whenever the bus arrived to take the four to their match, many would go so far as to get in their own cars and follow them to whichever town they were fighting in.

A few minutes before they were scheduled to depart, a bright-white limousine pulled up to the front of the school where everyone was waiting. Many of the supporters ooh’ed and ahh’ed at the sight of such a luxuriously expensive vehicle. The Ephyrean Cross hood ornament was plain for all to see as it stopped in front of the bench the others sat. A halfling driver got out and opened the back-passenger door. Zeratron stepped out of the limousine. The crowd burst into cheers when they saw the final gladiator arrive. Zeratron walked over to Caleo while the limo drove off.

“Damn, that’s one sexy ride,” Caleo whistled.

Zeratron shook his head. “It is quite something alright.”

“You said your dad is going to the game, right?”

“He’s on his way to the arena right now.”

“Are you glad?”

Zeratron looked back at his father’s limo as it left the school parking lot and pulled out onto the highway.

“Yeah. I am.”

Before Zeratron had the chance to sit down, they heard the loud hissing of airbrakes and saw the bulky charter bus arrive to transport the team and staff. Arcanus tried to wake Fenrick up, but he only snored loudly in his face. When he realized that waking him up was futile, he gently pushed his head off his shoulder and got up to board the bus.

The door to the bus opened and a gnome driver with a dark bushy beard sat in the driver’s seat. His foot rested on the elevated brake pedal and he raised his bearded chin angrily. The TAS had been appointed that driver several times before; he had the reputation of being a rather grouchy and abrasive gnome.

“All aboard, you son of a bitch!” He hollered as Arcanus stepped onto the bus.

Caleo was next to board the bus; a supporter in the crowd shouted “Lead us to victory Captain Caleo!” Caleo turned around and made a farewell wave to the crowd as he arched his eyebrow. The suave gesture made many of the female supporters and even some male ones’ swoon.

Meanwhile, Fenrick still wouldn’t wake up. Zeratron shook him forcefully but no luck. A couple of the staff members had no choice but to pick him up and carry him onto the bus. Once Zeratron was on board, the rest of the staff followed and the door closed behind them. The crowd cheered them on and waved goodbye as the bus drove out of the school parking lot and out of the city.

***

It took approximately three and a half hours for the bus to make its way through the windy roads of the Eastland countryside and reach the eastern coast of the continent. Fenrick finally woke up around halfway through the ride. He frantically went on about how he was being stalked by a crazed dwarf who wore a live squid on his head; everyone ignored him and he eventually calmed down once he realized no one was listening.

In another hour of driving, the seemingly-endless forest of tall evergreens were behind them and the Cutlass Coast region was in sight. For the Hardirian residents—as well as most people that lived inland—it was always a thrill to see the vast ocean suddenly appear on the horizon as they rode towards the port town of Gungannon.

A popular tourist destination, only the wealthy and fortunate could afford to live in Gungannon. In more recent times however, there had been an economic downturn for the town due to the elves closing the borders to their lands. The most popular attraction for Gungannon was its many cruises to Sunnymoon. With their cruise industry practically shut down, business was at an all-time low, and a depression set in that lasted years. One of the very few things that Gungannonites took solace in during this tough time was their new and improved gladiator team.

“Even now, I have a hard time comprehending the fact that Gungannon’s team is undefeated. They had never been an especially good team before this season. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t just a tad nervous about what may happen today,” Arcanus said while he wiped his glasses to get a clearer view of the idyllic seaside town.

“I know what you mean, Gungannon was always just a bunch of rich snobby kids that we would annihilate,” Caleo said. He sat right across the aisle from Arcanus, looking out his window at the passing coastal landscape. “I’m sure that Ziggy Ratt has something to do with their recent success.”

“Not only him, but none of their fighters this year were on their T.A.S last season. They must all be highly skilled.”

“Probably. It’s obvious that they went all-in this season. It’s either championship or bust for them, and we’re the biggest threat standing in their way.”

As they talked amongst each other, a head popped up from the seat in front of Arcanus. It was Delvo, the unofficial “fifth” member of the Team Arena Squad, but was only their equipment manager. He was a small, squirrely looking young man who usually had trouble carrying the weapons he was assigned to transport, such as Caleo’s Berserkir Blade or Zeratron’s battle-axe named Ebony.

“I’ve been hearing through the grapevine that Gungannon Primary got so desperate that they went through a rigorous recruitment process and offered ‘special scholarships’ to candidates that were proven to be excellent fighters.” Delvo explained in his nasally voice.

“That sounds kinda shady,” Caleo said.

“It does,” Arcanus mused. “Maybe it has something to do with the town’s recession. A great home team with star power would certainly be something that could reinvigorate their people and give them something to believe in.”

“Hmm… that’s a good point. Too bad we’re going to completely shatter their beliefs when we beat their team.”

“Hey, what you guys talking about?” Fenrick asked the three from a few seats down.

“Nothing you’d be interested in, Fen,” Arcanus answered.

“… Could you tell me anyway?”

“Not necessary.”

“Aw c’mon!”

“Don’t worry about it. Just focus on the fight ahead.”

“Fine then! Me and Z-Tron here are gonna have our own conversation.” He went over to the seat behind Zeratron and began talking with his teammate.

“Hey, Z, have you ever wondered how Archie got to be so lame and dorky?” Fenrick asked in a raised voice so he could be heard by everyone on the bus.

Zeratron didn’t answer him. His mind was too preoccupied with everything that happened the previous day—the incident with Drayson during gym class, being temporarily suspended by Principal Eppers, and the conversation with his father that would inevitably alter his life going forward.

With his question going unanswered and his conversation never beginning, Fenrick grunted and forcefully pressed his face against the glass, growing increasingly bored by the lengthy bus ride.

“Well whatever Gungannon has waiting for us, we’ll be ready for it.” Caleo declared, steeling his resolve. The pivotal battle that would prove whether or not he would captain the greatest gladiator team in Dubion school history inched ever closer. The pressure mounted, but his perseverance remained steadfast.

His team would be victorious.

The gladiators of Hardires High have finally arrived in Gungannon, where they will do battle against four mysterious but undoubtedly skilled warriors. Though their minds are focused on the arena, they will soon learn that just getting TO the venue will become a challenge in itself. What will happen before they even step foot in the locker room? Find out next time on Clubs and Stubs!