I sat there...waiting and waiting. The Coliseum filling with more and more spectators. It was odd...now that I was a nobody...I wasn't even nervous in the slightest. I'd always felt I had to prove myself...to my father. But now...I just wanted a good battle. Suddenly I felt his familiar presence...he walked in and sat down among the Gods. I felt a tinge of sadness and regret...but then it was gone. I felt nothing. Well, that wasn't entirely true either. I could still sense the presence of another nobody...and now it too was coming from the Gods/goddesses stands. Yet...that wasn't possible...right?? I ignored it.
Suddenly Hades stood up and began the Tournament. One of the little minions took over...after he declared it to begin...
"A Brave new challenger seeking death has appeared!" He announced. "ALL HAIL XIMH!!!" They all began clapping as I entered the ring. "All you have to do...is survive. Good luck to you...you'll need it." The minion spoke then left.
"Chh...I hope so. If my opponents are all weak...it won't be entertaining at all. For those in the crowd...or myself." I mumbled.
It went silent...and suddenly a batch of heartless appeared. I cut them down in a matter of seconds. Then a second batch. A couple of minutes. The third batch. There were fewer...and immediately, I sensed a huge level increase. These were faster...and while they weren't difficult for ME to defeat...I realized this tournament was the source of the increase of activity in this world. I continually eliminated ALL in my way...this wasn't even a challenge.
Not until the tenth match. A huge heartless appeared. It was nothing like anything I'd seen before...I attacked it...and it vanished. It sent spells at me...which I eliminated with ease. Yet this heartless was stubborn. I defeated it...but it had taken me quite a bit of time. And it was all downhill from there. The next few made me use my lightning...and tried as hard as they could to drag out the battle.
Match 17. I only had four more matches. I wondered just what my next opponent would be. Suddenly I heard a loud howl. A huge three headed dog appeared. It's drool covering the ground in pools of acid. It eyed me with hungry eyes. I scoffed at such a beast. It's size was it's biggest weakness. I waited for the match to begin...as the tiny minion began introducing the final competitors.
"CERBERUS! HELL HOUND OF THE UNDERWORLD!" He declared. "BEGIN!"
Cerberus came at me fiercely...I merely sidestepped all of his measly attempts. With a quick slash, I cut his back leg. He whined and began to limp. Yet I showed no mercy. I hadn't battled like this in ages...so many opponents at once. I didn't have the time or luxury to be lenient. So I went straight for the heads. I carved at him, with such speed...there was no time for him to react. In a matter of moments...he was downed from my barrage. I stood arrogantly before him as he toppled down to the ground.
"THE WINNER....XIMH!" The fat minion shouted. "THE NEXT OPPONENT....THE MIGHTY.....HYYYYYDRAAAAA!!!"
From the ground there sprang a lizard/dragon like creature. It had what? 7 heads! I sighed...why all these multiple headed creatures?? I charged at it's main body...but it had a good defense. Three heads snapped at me at once. Jumping back to avoid their fangs, I suddenly sensed another threat. 4 huge waves of power rushing at me...I couldn't dodge them all. I shot a ball of lightning to lessen the damage. Yet still...I burned from the attack. Now I was enraged. My beast of battle was nearly awakened...and I laughed loudly.
Shoving my sword deep into the stone of the ring, I charged the Hydra. Electrocuting it first...four of the heads lay limp. I rushed in and began punching at them fiercely. Grabbing one of the heads...I tore it from the neck....casting it on the ground. Suddenly...two heads sprang from that place.
"What's this?" I shouted jumping back.
The minion began to narrate the battle. "Hydra's special ability is the ability to re-grow his heads! No matter how many you rip off...he will grow double to compensate for the loss!"
I laughed again. "THEN I'LL TAKE A DIFFERENT APPROACH!" I shouted. Jumping back, I seized my sword and held it up above my head. I summoned a huge amount of lightning...and cast it upon the Hydra. It screamed loudly...causing all of the gods to cover their ears from the shrillness of it's shriek. But I wasn't done with it. I walked over to it casually...it laying flat and sparking from the electricity. Jumping onto it's back...I lifted my sword...and plunged it in...directly to the monster's heart. With a sharp twist of my blade...I was sure I'd carved it's heart to pieces. And it stopped moving....
"......" There was silence in the crowd. Even the narrator had fallen silent...but then..."WINNER! XIMH!"
I took my place...back on my side of the ring as the mess was cleaned up. I winced a bit from the burns that had been inflicted on me...but...following the silence...I had somewhat come back to myself. Yet...my blood was still boiling with fierce excitement. It was desperately longing for the next match. An EVEN STRONGER opponent....
A gate opened from the other side of the Arena...a dense fog seemed to flow in. I could make out a small silhouette...they were entering slowly.
"For the next match...a very special guest!" The Narrator suddenly boomed. "SON OF THOR! MODIIIIIII!!!!!" He echoed.
"Domix..." I corrected under my breath. He stood opposite of me...not wearing his uniform...but a Greek Toga. He smiled and held his hammer leisurely laying on his shoulder.
"Hello there Ximh." He announced. "I hope you'll offer me a challenge this time..." He taunted. "After all...we are destined to endlessly compete...so please...don't hold anything back."
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In the stands...Hades suddenly jumped from his seat. He finally recognized just who Herc's "friend" actually was. His flame shot straight up in rage. MAGNI! His thoughts shouted. But wait...this may be even MORE entertaining...it's become...a FAMILY AFFAIR now. He snickered quietly sitting back down. For there was even more of a surprise than this in the works...oh yes...and it would be more than just a slight shock to the brothers locked in combat...
Ximh
