Private - A Test of Skill

A Test of Skill​

Time: Afternoon
Location: Sirensong Colosseum

Warm beams of light washed over Alric's exposed skin as the sun finally reached its highest point in the sky. How long had it been since the last time he set foot in Dunnstads? With all the exciting developments that happened over the last month it was hard for him to remember. But as one who was always fond of the sea, the sandy ground, salt-filled air, and rhythmical tides were welcome changes from the blood-soaked battlefields that had scarily become more comfortable with each passing day.

While crouched on the side of the pier he watched as water passed by underneath. These moments needed to be savored as they were just too far and few between in this world. Even so, he couldn't stick around for long. This was not a vacation.

The bridge ended at a large, bowl-shaped building; the Sirensong Coliseum as it had come to be known. Leave it to a land of pirates and ruffians to set up an arena. Maybe they were tired of having to wait for the taverns to rebuild after their drunken rumbles and decided to just hold organized matches instead. Regardless of the reasoning behind it's conception, it was clear anyone who wanted to test their might was welcomed here and that was exactly what Alric was going to do.

---

Inside was just as impressive as outside; all sorts of people converged at the various counters scattered throughout for collecting entry fees from onlookers and signing up those who wanted to participate in the matches. After waiting on line and being signed in, the worker motioned for him to enter the sitting room where fighters rested in between duels.

Wonder what kind of opponent I'll get...

He mumbled after taking a seat on one of the benches. Looking around there weren't many people, but the few who were there seemed to have seen their fair share of brawls. Was he really ready for something like this?

@Portia Ahrens

 

When two of her companions fell to mistakes of their own in the battle against the World Boss, she was left reflecting on the usefulness of the abilities she possessed, how strong she truly was. Battling beasts on a solo mission meant there was no one to protect, no one to worry about who might hinder her progress; but facing threats much greater than her while being accompanied had proved to be a task she wasn't ready for, and so she lost her motivation.

Attempting to regain her spark, what truly defined her and separated her from the rest of Martial Artists, she had resulted in trying a variety of different activities, ranging from bandit hunting to simple physical training. It didn't matter, everything simply yielded the same result, and here was attempt number... Oh, she had already lost the count.

Glancing around her, she saw some of the battered warriors who'd each lost their respective matches, their expressions more or less reflecting the determination and courage she felt. Although an unfamiliar environment, an adventurer like her had to pride herself on knowing as much of the world she resided in as she possibly could. Experiences to enlighten future generations of NPCs and an unknown number of magnificent tales of her greatest exploits. If only she could achieve any of that, wouldn't it mean she would be one step closer to healing?

''First timer?'' Despite her own lack of expertise when it came to fighting anything unrelated to beasts or monsters, the voice that issued from the bounty huntress' throat was clear as compass wind, enveloped in a confidence she hadn't used in quite a while. Another male she hadn't seen before sat in one of the benches, his eyes darting from the different fighters in front of them, from those who emerged victorious to those who hadn't been as lucky.

Me too, the woman thought to say but bit her tongue in the last second, struggling to control a pleasant smile on her lips.