Flowers of Red

Chapter One

Heaven's Arena is a tower that reaches beyond the sun, casting a shadow upon those not able to conqueror it. It is the place where warriors can seek fame and glory, and win the prestige above all others. The building stands over 3,000 feet tall and has a total of 251 floors where competitors fight one against the other to advance to the different floors. Even entering the building, one can hear the low mummer of bids and personal favorites. A cloaked figure stands before the viewing screens, people shuffle around the figure, in the background one can overhear a conversation:

"Did you hear about Hisoka?" Spoke a man.

"Yeah, he made it to Floor 200!" His friend responded.

"Hisoka is so awesome, but he can be very intimidating." Added another.

"I agree, he walked by me once getting ready for his next fight, sent chills down my spine." Their chatter faded as the group walked away. The cloaked figure turns to move and bumped into another spectator, the man was large enough to engulf the cloaked figure. The man grimaced at the individual, he could faintly see underneath this person's hood: a face shield clasped across the face and short brown hair that allowed for the slight glimmer of emerald eyes to show through. Finally the man spoke,

"You should be more careful, another person might have hurt you for your rudeness."

"My apologizes…would you be so kind and tell me where I can register at?" Came an electronic voice.

"Someone as small as you?" He busted out in laughter, "Take my advice kid, go play somewhere else. But if you really want to try your luck, the registration booth is over there!" He pointed off into the distance and then walked away laughing. The cloak person glanced across the hall and saw to where the man had pointed. There, slightly in the distance, was the registration booth.

After waiting for a few minutes, the he was at the front of the line. The attendant smiled and politely asked his name. Taken aback, he stared at the attendant confused. The attendant explained that a name was necessary in order to have the forms and waivers validated. The green-eyed man pondered for a moment and gave the name "Akuro". The attendant smile and pass Akuro the forms to fill out,

"Once the forms are filled out, please returned them here and we'll schedule your first fight. If you do well, you will promoted to a floor equal to your skill. Otherwise you could be eliminated and start all over, or demoted floors. If you have any other questions please just ask." The attendant smiled.

"I understand." Came the electronic voice. Shortly after, Akuro returned the forms and awaited his first fight. Before too long, the referee called his number. The first opponent was a sumo wrestler by the name Satsuro, but the only leverage this person had was his size. Akuro easily side-step his opponent and knocked him from the ring, promoting Akuro to the 50th Floor. The next few floors were just as easy, with little to no effort, he progressed higher up the tower. It wasn't long until he reached the 200th Floor. Upon reaching this level, Akuro was informed that from this point forward it he would be fighting for honor and not prize money. He accepted the new terms, but noticed that the new opponents were different. Their aura was different, more dense, more intense. The energy seemed to seep across the floor, nipping at his heels like a small dog. He didn't feel threaten by this, it was mostly annoying.

Akuro scheduled his fights sporadically with no rhyme or reason, he couldn't help but want to make the experience last at Heaven's Area. The first few fights garnered to particular following, but he did gather the attention of a few veterans. Sadaso and his gang kept their eyes on the newcomer; Akuro met their gaze in the dimly lit corridor. As he was preoccupied, there came dense dark aura…a sort of bloodlust, creeping through the air. A tingling skulked deep into his body as if to take his breath away, his heart seized and his vision darkened. Akuro quickly turned to where the bloodlust was coming from; however no person was standing there. He spun around to where the other fighters were standing, but alas they were gone as well.

A cold, thick sweat dripped down his face. He has never felt something so intense before, the energy so engulfing of his own soul. Though no one could tell by looking at him, but he bared a smile from under his face guard. He did not know where the bloodlust came from, but he was eager to find out.

Chapter Two

A few months have passed now, each opponent was able to use Nen. Nen is a manipulation of the energy that runs through our bodies. Each individual uses Nen in their own way: as an enhancement, by manipulation, transmutation, conjuring, or emitting. Akuro has fought Sadabo, Gido, and Riehlvelt and has yet to use any Nen. All three were skilled Nen users, minimally in his mind. Tomorrow he will face Kastro, which promises to be more exciting.

The morning comes and the sun waxes to afternoon…Kastro takes the stage, the roar of the crowd causing the air is thick with excitement. Akuro makes his way down the pathway to the arena, his cloak slightly fluttering behind him. The announcer introduces both fighters and commences the fight.

"I'm sure you're a worthy opponent, please don't be upset if I end this quickly." Spoke Kastro in a noble voice.

"I am not as easy as you think I am, I'm afraid." Akuro's voice came across, electronic.

"I take your face shield acts as a voice module, to disguise your voice perhaps?"

"It's of no concern to your's…"

Before Akuro could utter another word, Kastro seemed to disappear from view. Before he could be relocated, Akuro was knocked across the ring. When he settled on the floor, his eyes shown with shock and puzzlement. He sits up, slightly daze from the hit…slightly annoyed. Kastro appears before him.

Announcer: "Clean hit! 2 points!"

"You're out of your league, from what I've gathered, you can't used Nen at all. Since you're up to 4 wins now, I would almost think it a fluke or would you have me think that?"

"How observant of you, but there's no need to use more strength than necessary, no?"

"Do you attend to win this fight without Nen? That's presumptuous of you."

Akuro swiftly hopped to his feet, the hood of his cloak falling back. The audience could clearly see his emerald eyes. The females automatically took a liking to him, dark brown hair, cut short but the undercoat in the back was left long on either side. Kastro once again faded from view and reappeared behind Akuro,

"It feels as if we're meeting again for the first time…" Spoke Kastro as he kicked Akuro to the opposite side of the platform.

Announcer: "Clean hit! 2 Points!"

Akuro slowly rose to his feet and removed his cloak, the clothes underneath were slightly baggy. All that could be discerned was a baggy t-shirt with a rash guard underneath and slightly baggy pants. It was easy to tell that he was lean underneath the clothing, toned and fit.

"I guess we could play a little game, otherwise I'll get bored."

"I'm glad you're finally getting serious." Replied Kastro.

"Angel's Form…" Akuro's Nen formed in the shape of Angels wings on his back. Kastro took a minor step to the rear as Akuro makes his way across the arena. His next move propelled him right before Kastro, kicking to his mid-section, casting Kastro back at least twenty feet.

"If that's all you have, it won't be enough to…" He stops mid-sentence and spews up blood, falling to his knees, "But how? That kick was hardly enough to do this much damage!"

"Under normal circumstances, you would be right." Replied Akuro. Kastro shoots a look of hatred as if Akuro played him. "You only have yourself to blame here. Don't be anger with me."

Kastro moves forward and Akuro responds with a punch, it misses and is met with a fist across his face. "I'm tired of your games, you only have two minutes left. I would advise you to forfeit now."

"You may have surprised me, but your bluffs won't win you this fight!" Kastro hollers.

"Then perhaps you'll enjoy my next form, Heaven's Hall…" Akuro's Nen fills the whole room, even the crowd can feel how dense the energy is. "In Heaven's Hall, only Angels can move freely, leaving mere 'humans' stuck virtually in place."

Kastro could tell that Akuro wasn't lying. He tried to move but was exhausted trying to move only a couple of feet, it would be the last thing he would remember. Akuro would be able to propel himself across the ring over and over again, making critical hits. Slowly he would make small micro-cuts over the vital areas of Kastro's body, leaving a pool a blood.

Announcer: "TKO! Winner, Akuro!"

Akuro released his Nen, grabbed is cloak and slowly walked off stage. He probably used too much of his Nen…Heaven's Hall takes a lot of energy, he's body is weak and vision fading. He begins to walk to his room, the hallway seems longer than it actually was. In his head, he's cursing the fact he made that decision. All work and no play…as they say, and Akuro has not played in a very long time. Just short of his room his hair starts to stand on end, the familiar feeling of bloodlust starts to creep again. The source was standing behind him, he was sure this time. Slowly, wide-eyed, he met his gaze.

"My, my, that was quite a performance…" A tall slim man stood there, his piercing yellow eyes.

"If you want to call it that." Akuro was able to mutter.

"I was very entertained, how would like your next match to be against…me?" He brings his face within inches of Akuro's.

"As long as it's not boring, I don't see why not. What's your name?"

"I'm looking forward to our match…My name is Hisoka."

And it was decided that in one week, Akuro and Hisoka would meet in Heaven's Arena. In the meantime they parted ways, preparing for the upcoming match.