- Let's go and warm up - said Druoag.
I nodded, and we entered the ring. It wasn't clearly made to fit as massive creatures as he was, so we were quite stuffed there, but it was enough to exchange a few hits. as we were finishing Yagg ca with so electronic device in his hand.
- I brought so music from earth to be played as you enter - he inford . - Pick which one, and I'll submit it to the staff.
Then he made it drift towards . I stopped in mid-punch and snatched it from the air. It was quite similar to a tablet but very, very light and thin. The list of songs and bands was mostly containing stuff I never heard of, but eventually, I found a few familiar tracks and picked so good old-fashion heavy tal.
- Tell them to blast it at maximum volu - I said as I showed him what I picked, and returned the device.
He nodded and then left the waiting room. We trained a bit more, until his return.
- This is enough - said Druoag. - The ceremony is about to start, and you should calm yourself down a bit before the fight.
I nodded, then left the ring to get sothing to drink from the bar. For him, it took a bit more ti, as he was simply too big.
I joined the Atri sitting on the couch and watching the start of the opening ceremony. The lights over the sandpit and stands were turned off, clearly indicating that the whole event is going to start.
There was a bit of strange performance of a group of musicians, which basically just played so strange music, which I can only compare to a very fast and violent dubstep with so questionable sounds. There was a light show combined with it, that easily could kill sobody with epilepsy.
And then organizers entered the sandpit to announce the beginning of the event and the first fight. All four of us watched it. It was quite good, actually.
I was the second, so before it was finalized I took down the translating device, and went to the bathroom to wash my face with cold water, and prepare myself ntally. I could feel the anxiety and adrenaline kicking in. My stomach felt all tighten up, which was slightly unpleasant. I probably wouldn't feel like that in a normal scenario, but my opponent was here clearly after my life, so it added to the pressure.
Then I heard knocking on the door.
- It's ti - said Yagg.
- I'm coming - I replied and got out.
I put the hood on, and walked out with my hands in my pockets, as the music of my choice was being blasted outside. It brought a smile to my face. The familiar sounds with the lyric I knew quite well.
I went through the corridor, moving slightly to the rhythm. My trainer and owner both were a few steps behind as we got outside. The audience started shouting loudly, cheering, and clapping. I couldn't understand shit. They tried to touch , shake my hand or sothing, as I was going through the pathway leading to the sandpit.
It was quite strange, as I didn't expect such a grand welco.
As I finally reached the entrance, where the judge briefed in a language I couldn't understand and pointed at my weapon, already prepared on a rack standing next to the short tunnel descending to the pit.
He was larger than , with thick brown skin, a hairless head, and puffy lips. Wearing clothes that clearly were imitating Sabhetani style.
Yagg said sothing to him, and he then left.
- Your weapon is there, prepared - he inford .
- I noticed - I replied.
I went to grab it and then noticed Bashan surrounded with the two other Atri, and with two empty seats for the rest of our crew. There was no spot for Druoag, but he was my trainer, so maybe there was a different place for people like him like back on earth they usually handed by the ring.
- Go in - said Yagg, and went to sit down.
I sighed and went down, in the last mont noticing as Druoag started slowly circling around the barrier. He t with the judge halfway, and the alien gave him sothing which looked like headphones with a microphone, which he put on.
At the end of the tunnel, the barrier was turned off, allowing to get inside, and as soon as I did, the entrance got blocked by the deep blue slightly shimring, partially translucent wall.
- Can you hear ? - asked so strange machine voice, reaching through speakers located sowhere inside the sandpit. - It's Druoag.
- Yeah, I can hear you - I replied.
- Good. I'll be giving you tips from outside, so focus on my voice, and ignore Sevva's trainer. He might try yelling to cut off the communication between us.
- Why would he do that?
- Because I'm a forr champion of the Roula Tournant? You saw how they welcod you? That was because of .
Not it all made sense. He was imnsely popular, and his fighting knowledge was incredibly vast. Sobody like that in your corner was granting imnse advantage, ad he had terrifying battle experience forged through countless battles with powerful opponents.
- Ok - I replied. - I'll try my best.
- Just do what we trained for, and everything will be alright.
- Ok - I replied.
Then my opponent's the got blasted through speakers, almost defining , and cutting off all the communication. It was simply too loud to hear anything else. Another piece I can only compare to so crazy dubstep on steroids.
Maybe it was my music taste or the fact I wasn't used to hearing stuff like that even back on earth, but I found it quite annoying. The sounds were just not working for .
When it all beca quiet, my anxiety reached another level.. I could feel my stomach slowly rising all the way to my throat, and my heart racing like it tried to win a hundred-ter dash.
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