Chapter 3
In the morning, the ship reached the Tolbi docks. Artemis and Raees left immediately for Tolbi, which was a little northwest of the docks. When they reached the town, it was better than their wildest dreams! Directly ahead lay the gurgling Tolbi spring, shops were everywhere, and the peak of the coliseum could be seen over the rooftops. Everything was made out of gleaming white stone, which dazzled their eyes. Artemis could see plainly why this town was so popular. He was paralysed with a joy that seemed to seep into him. Everywhere, there was happiness. Artemis only moved out of this position when he noticed that Raees had already started for the inn. Artemis blinked wildly to get the dazzle out of his eye before following.
Artemis entered the dark-seeming inn. It was full with tourists, as the festival the Colloso was halfway though. It turned out that Raees had booked tickets for the finals. Artemis could see him checking in at the reception. Raees walked over, a key jangling in his hand.
"C'mon, Art!" He said happily. "Let's dump our stuff and go!"
The excitement filling the stadium was overwhelming. It took some time for Artemis and Raees to find their seats. Suddenly, the crowds went silent. The atmosphere was filled with emotion and anticipation. Finally, two large, muscled men in armour stepped into the arena. Someone started a Mexican wave, (obviously not called a Mexican wave there) and soon the crowds were rippling with the wave. The two contestants warmed up, and a referee stepped into the centre. He held up three fingers. One went down. Everyone was on the edge of his or her seat, as the ref put down the last finger at a painfully slow rate. At last, the hand became a fist. The first round of the Colloso finals had begun.
In the finals, both contestants had to journey through a series of obstacles, picking up armour and weapons on the way. The first to reach the centre circle of the stadium would get the best item there. Then, when the other contestant reached the centre, a battle would occur. The victor of that went through to the next round, and faces someone who also reached that round. Eventually, there would be an overall victor, whom would be the Colloso Champion.
The cheering was deafening; everyone was enthusiastic. Artemis decided to keep his eye on only one of the contestants. The one he chose was wearing red armour; the other, green. The red armour had to go through a miniature maze. He reached a fork. Instead of choosing one and seeing where it went, the warrior held out his hand. Suddenly, white rings encircled him, and a massive hand pointed to the right direction. Artemis looked round, puzzled. No one else seemed to have noticed.
"He's using psynergy," Raees whispered in Artemis' ear, making him jump.
"Huh?"
"Well, no one else has noticed, have they? Non-adepts can't see psynergy!" Raees explained. Even though he wasn't completely satisfied with Raees' answer, Artemis turned back to the action. It amazed him how long they had been talking; both contestants were already in the centre stadium. They drew their long swords, and battle commenced.
In the morning, the ship reached the Tolbi docks. Artemis and Raees left immediately for Tolbi, which was a little northwest of the docks. When they reached the town, it was better than their wildest dreams! Directly ahead lay the gurgling Tolbi spring, shops were everywhere, and the peak of the coliseum could be seen over the rooftops. Everything was made out of gleaming white stone, which dazzled their eyes. Artemis could see plainly why this town was so popular. He was paralysed with a joy that seemed to seep into him. Everywhere, there was happiness. Artemis only moved out of this position when he noticed that Raees had already started for the inn. Artemis blinked wildly to get the dazzle out of his eye before following.
Artemis entered the dark-seeming inn. It was full with tourists, as the festival the Colloso was halfway though. It turned out that Raees had booked tickets for the finals. Artemis could see him checking in at the reception. Raees walked over, a key jangling in his hand.
"C'mon, Art!" He said happily. "Let's dump our stuff and go!"
The excitement filling the stadium was overwhelming. It took some time for Artemis and Raees to find their seats. Suddenly, the crowds went silent. The atmosphere was filled with emotion and anticipation. Finally, two large, muscled men in armour stepped into the arena. Someone started a Mexican wave, (obviously not called a Mexican wave there) and soon the crowds were rippling with the wave. The two contestants warmed up, and a referee stepped into the centre. He held up three fingers. One went down. Everyone was on the edge of his or her seat, as the ref put down the last finger at a painfully slow rate. At last, the hand became a fist. The first round of the Colloso finals had begun.
In the finals, both contestants had to journey through a series of obstacles, picking up armour and weapons on the way. The first to reach the centre circle of the stadium would get the best item there. Then, when the other contestant reached the centre, a battle would occur. The victor of that went through to the next round, and faces someone who also reached that round. Eventually, there would be an overall victor, whom would be the Colloso Champion.
The cheering was deafening; everyone was enthusiastic. Artemis decided to keep his eye on only one of the contestants. The one he chose was wearing red armour; the other, green. The red armour had to go through a miniature maze. He reached a fork. Instead of choosing one and seeing where it went, the warrior held out his hand. Suddenly, white rings encircled him, and a massive hand pointed to the right direction. Artemis looked round, puzzled. No one else seemed to have noticed.
"He's using psynergy," Raees whispered in Artemis' ear, making him jump.
"Huh?"
"Well, no one else has noticed, have they? Non-adepts can't see psynergy!" Raees explained. Even though he wasn't completely satisfied with Raees' answer, Artemis turned back to the action. It amazed him how long they had been talking; both contestants were already in the centre stadium. They drew their long swords, and battle commenced.