Group C's matches began and Runali sat, watching each fight with interest- even the bad fights. Each time, someone showed their own set of skills and how they fought. Some- well a lot of the fighting styles were uncommon to her. Being surrounded by water, the Fishmen still had equal advantage, just like the humans in the arena. Fishmen definitely had a unique set of skills, as long as the human set they acquired as well.
Finally, Luro's first match happened. She sat up, and leaned against one of the rails in front of her, used to assist people walking through the coliseum. As she watched them carefully, she noticed the two were talking and it didn't seem very friendly. 'He knows people here?' The way they looked at each other, if any one noticed anything else besides the fight, it looked as if they had some sort of history together...whatever that may have been. The match ended with a bang- a literal one since Luro decided to shoot the girl, which made Runali shake her head. "You're not s'pose to kill the contestants Luro..." As he walked out, the medics swooped in to retrieve the girl that had been taken down, not saying whether she was alive or not. There was a warning saying the possibilities of death during the match so it wasn't uncommon. Most, that weren't egotistical and evil, had friendly matches. But, people overlooker the kill and continued to cheer.
Not many noticed, but there was a distinct shrill cry of someone...somewhere. Runali turned towards the sound but couldn't figure out where it came from. Maybe she was just hearing things...?
By then, she had reconnected with Danny and Ray, whom she gave a two-finger salute to before adjusting her hood a little lower.
Despite the mixed feelings he had, Nolan made a U-turn back towards the arena. He couldn't just not support his friend. Maybe Luro was just saying things. Maybe he was just a little too sober. He had to be... The chef sighed and walked towards the tournament, moving a little faster when he heard it starting. All the while, he was thinking of the woman's reaction, and the fear the little girl had. No matter how much he wanted to believe Luro was just joking or he was teasing...or anything more rational, he couldn't. Nothing added up. And how harsh Luro had been to the poor girl was inexcusable!
The crowd was cheering, indicating that he had missed a few matches. Nolan took a seat in an area that wasn't too filled with people going overly insane for the fights. He, obviously wasn't too much of a fan for violence, and it baffled him why so many people would be excited to watch people hurt each other. Soon enough, Luro's match was up. There was an immediate pang in his chest as he saw Lily walking out from the opposite side. "Oh dear..." Was all he managed to mumble out before the fight began.
His eyes were wide with fear for the woman. Nolan had witnessed Luro's fighting and knew that he was pretty tough. Maybe not as intimidating as Kai was, but nonetheless Nolan would never think to get into a fight with him. And suddenly, the sound of gunfire rang through his ears. Nolan shot up from his seat, just as everyone else did, and gasped as he watched Lily fall into the water.
"How could he- Why would he do such a thing!?"
Confusion, anger, and sadness for the girl boiled inside the chef as the intermission began. He didn't know what hurt worse; watching an innocent life be taken by someone he trusted, or knowing that Luro said he would kill her. How could he trust him? What could he believe? Luro was such a fun loving, carefree, and humorous spirit...until recently. This cold hearted person he had witnessed now was not the person he knew.
In the month or so that they sailed together.... Did they even know each other?
~~~~~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Oh no, oh no, oh no..." Mary muttered and ran out the coliseum. Her vision was blurred by newly tears. How could he do such a thing!? That tall man knew that Lily was all she had! And- And he killed her! He, Luro, had been so nice to her- even attempting to offer her food... But was all that just some lie?
The child ran as fast as her legs would take her. She ran around the coliseum trying to find the back door where all the contestants entered through. As soon as she found it, and tried to run in, she was blocked by someone guarding it.
"Sorry little Miss, I can't let you go-"
"My sister is in there! She got hurt really bad! I have to get to her! I have to see if she's okay! She's the only one I have left! She can't die! S- She can't die..." Mary had been yelling with tears streaming down her face. As she yelled, she tried escaping the grip of the shark like fishman that held onto her. "Pl-Please." Her voice came out in broken sobs and eventually she gave up trying to pull away from the fishman. Lily may not have been a blood sister to her, but the older girl had definitely protected her like one. And that was the only family she had.
The shark saw how desperate she was and looked inside. He ran his webbed hand through his hair and sighed. "...Alright kid. Just...Just don't get into any trouble." He let arm her go.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The matches continued and Luro had advanced each round of his group. The crowd went crazy for the matches and even Runali applauded for them, especially Luro. She just didn't hoot and holler like everyone else. The final match of Group C took place. Luro against someone else who managed to get far for the title.
And in less than minutes, that person was down for the count.
The crowd roared and cheered for him as he was declared victor and was lead back to where the remaining contestants were held. There were now only three left. The group winners from A, B, and C.
The announcer sounded pretty convincing, but Runali decided to stay in her seat for the time being. She could wait out ten minutes. She could sleep for ten minutes, or wander around the large coliseum to see if there was an even better spot for her to see the fight. Some others stayed as well, conversing with their friends or families, but a lot of them rushed out to go to the concessions or take care of quick personal business like going to the restroom. The captain imagined that would be a long...long line if that was the case.
* * * * * * * * * * * ~ ~ ~ ~ ! ~ ~ ~ * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
People piled in, hurrying to grab any seat they could find. People were already cheering. People were already placing bets as to who would win. Runali on the other hand, lifted her hood from over her eyes and yawned. A ten minute nap. Short, but pretty decent... Like cat napping. Her crew was around...at least she thought they were. No matter, they'd be around soon enough. A bell went off, indicating that the announcer was to get back to announcing.
Our three challengers are:
Of Group A - Ikaros Ryu!
And of Group C, Luro Makachi!"
As their names were called, each contestant was to come out from their respective entrance. The crowd went wild seeing each person walk up in their own way. A moment of cheering went by just for the anticipation.
"Good luck."
And then the bell rang, for the match to begin.
