A week passes.....

“Welcome, competitor Maur Crescendo.”

The arena guard greets me. I can't see him well, but my personal bodyguards were waiting for me in the arena. We each had our section and around them were the brainwashed masses of the high priest. Refugees from the Ryoken tribes and Neandeleria were also present. I could hear them talking in the stands. At least there was some entertainment in the city today.

I know what the arena looks like from memory. The entire structure was carved from an ancient mesa, hollowed out to make room for the flying heirs. Golden beasts protruded from its sides, with rich inlays of black marble running up the arena walls like veins. Names of renowned and fallen kings added touches to the artwork, drawn in spewed crimson, as a reminder of their sacrifice. The paint still dripped like blood and I hoped it wouldn't be mine.

Surrounding the arena entrance was a massive stone beast with its head raised to the sky. The rounded complex had four large torch pillars extending upward with it. They were thinner and painted black like death. Each one was to be put out when a competitor died.

The torch pillars also serve as boundary markers, keeping the duelers inside an imaginary wall as they flew around. Salts added virility and color to their many flames and several flying killers were pouring them from above. I could hear the fires hiss. The whole arena reached far into the sky. From its shadow, my vision becomes clearer. The arena was open air, so the sunlight could bathe me in disadvantage. I try to focus on my thoughts.

“It has all come down to this, dear self. A single thought and a last plan to fulfill.”

I walk passed more guards, listening for potential assassins. I check for fast and suspicious movements and changes. The crowds are being held back. I could see them through my darkened visor. I had visited the Neandelerian refugees on my way in to Capara. I had a special visor made for the event. They even gave me a handicap discount. Today I was to fight Desparsa Amorora. I could hear his loyal followers chanting his name. A distant glow distracts. The Lady of the land was there in her sky chamber. The winner would get to mate with her astounding beauty. I enter the massive arena.

Inside the outer arena, I hear the voices echo. I felt all alone with my thoughts. I was nervous and decided to make a pit stop to the bathroom. It was time to pay the holy water closet a visit. I didn't want to embarrass myself while fighting.

When I leave the bathroom, the smell of soups and hearty breads fill my nose. There were salty snacks, brushed with dripping butter. I could hear the hum of jet-packs from the entertainers. In the distance was the riled up the crowds and our personal entourage of flying killers allowed to witness the event. I smell the alcohol in the air. We do more than make expensive cannon fodder in Capara. We also make fantastic beer. The sound of my supporters seems to enter the inner arena with me. I pass through the stands and out into the open. I walk to the center of the massive roar, feeling like the tidal waves around me would crash and obliterate my ears at any moment.

The high priest sits before me and the others. He scribbles with his pen and gets up from his chair. He opens his arms wide and the crowds cheer.

“Welcome to the death of the impostors!,” he bellows.

“One king! One king!,” chants the crowd. The roar like lions.

I hear Desparsa talking to Luer. They look over at me and I ignore them. I could tell they were planning to insult me. Luer, interrupts me as the crowds die down. I hear him whisper in my ear.

“I'm going to rape and kill you Crescendo. Your lover cried your name when you had her. She cried my name when I forced it in her.”

I continue to ponder, doing my best to ignore Luer. The arena was bright, but I was allowed to cover my half with shade as much as I pleased. The dividing line would provide me a shelter. I had to lure my opponent to me like the massive beasts of prey that lingered over the mesas. It should be dark enough for me to see on my half. The high priest interrupts my thoughts.

“Competitors, the privileged one may now be chosen. The divine tradition states that the privileged one shall not fight until the final duel. He is to be set aside as the other four fight each other first! I present you Luer Tellacoselli!”

The high priest bellows and the Caparans cheer. They chant and howl as the high priest hold his arms out and looks all around him. The noise grows as people wildly wave their snacks and wave their knives and weapons in the air. They start to chant. Anything the high priest says is gospel. They will chant for anything concerning the divine tradition. The high one smiles and sits back down in his chair. I interrupt him and speak out. I point at the high priest and catch him off guard.

“I, Maur Crescendo, would also like to add something.” The crowd grows quiet, as I ponder. It wasn't fair that Luer was chosen and not me. There was more to the divine tradition than the high priest was stating. How he concluded Luer to be the privileged one, I did not know. I wanted to be the privileged one. I loudly voice my concern, as the high priest acknowledges me.

“You may speak, Crescendo.”

I pause to collect my thoughts.

“That is not all the divine tradition states,” I begin. I try my best to look out among the crowds. Everyone is hushed. I walk in front of the high priest and wait until everyone is paying attention. I continue.

“The divine tradition also states the privileged one shall not fight until the final duel. He is to be set aside as the other four fight each other first! I present to you....him!” I point at Luer.

I repeat the high priest exactly. I raise my arms and the Caparans cheer. They chant and howl and begin to cause an uproar. The noise grows as people wildly wave their snacks and wave their knives and weapons in the air. The crowds start to chant my name. The chanting gets louder and louder as I instigate the noise.

“Silence!.” bellows the high priest. “If you dare mock me again, Crescendo, I will personally have you.....dismembered!”

The crowd boos. I was merely stating the divine tradition.

Several courtesan priestesses walk out as the match gets ready to start. They sway around with their dresses and several are given to those in the audience for a pit stop. The lucky audience members are taken to several private rooms near the outer arena. I listen as the crowds fight over who gets the sex. Their brief rendezvous would give me time to think. I try to recall how Desparsa fought. Lani helped me with my memories using her tempest.

I take a drink of water from my cup and splash some on my face. I toss it somewhere on the ground and ponder. It was hot and I could be one fight away from my death. My other competitors leave to go prepare. I remain standing, until I realize I am still here. I leave to prepare along with them.