The roar of the crowd was becoming louder every milliBeat. From a large hole in the center of the amphitheater rose a lift platform carrying the four chosen hunters. As they came into view rising from unseen depths the crowd became even more excited, rising to their feet in unison.
Ash raised his arms above his head to acknowledge his adoring public. As defending champion of the previous 'Last Survivor' battle series he was already odds-favourite to win. This opening first round match attracting levels of interest not seen since his triumph of last season's final round. He allowed himself a broad grin as he reveled in their adoration.
He glanced around at the competition positioned at each of the other three corners of the lift. The entry draw had been held in secret, his name was the only one known for this first match. As a precaution separate changing rooms, entrances and corridors had meant no contact before the match itself. Now with the bright studio lights beaming down he could finally see what he was up against.
The HUnewearl closest to him was called Mirya Danse. They had crossed swords before, she certainly was quite a feisty one, but her determination had proved to be no match for his... Flair. He liked the sound of that, flair. Of course tonight at his victory party, he would console her, buy her a couple of drinks and they would become better 'friends'. His grin turned to a wry smile at that thought as he moved his attention over to the next competitor.
The imposing form of the HUcast standing with his back to him at the opposite corner of the lift touched Ash briefly with awe. The guy looked like he could take it as well as dish it out. Ash had overheard his name when he was ushered into the building more than sixty Beats ago, Mandroid, but that was pretty much all he knew about him. One to watch he was. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end when the android tilted his head to stare back at him over his shoulder. He quickly moved his gaze on to the final competitor.
The last hunter, a scrawny young FOnewm, was waving to the crowd and basking in HIS glory. Ash tutted disapprovingly. This guy should earn his respect first! Ash knew little about this one too, his name was Jackson Forain and he was a big fan of Ash's. He had approached Ash during the off season for his blessing to compete and now he had qualified for round one AND had gotten an opportunity to take on his idol. Wasn't he the lucky one!
The lift slowly came to a halt flush with the floor as the floor staff for the show indicated that they should move to the large metallic doors before them. The other three obliged, but Ash took his time, he knew how to play the crowd. With the deftest touch of a button on the photon-storage unit mounted to his forearm, a large sword materialised into his hand. He raised it high above his head in the manner of a conquering hero. Incredibly, the audience became even louder when they saw it: The Last Survivor.
His signature weapon, it was a replica, getting an original proving to be impossible even for him, but no one would care. Some others had used similar weapons in the previous season but they had faded from the memories of fans and so he had made the weapon his own. He had many more suitable weapons which he used for the bulk of his fighting, but it was important that he used it for finishing an opponent off.
After much insistent tugging on his arm from a cute little Newman he sauntered over to where his impatient rivals waited in front of the massive doors leading to the VR arena. With a hiss and some clanking, the doors parted and they entered. Once inside, the doors closed leaving them in darkness for a few milliBeats before the lights came back on.
"Do we fight now?" Inquired Jackson.
Ash sighed and he was pretty sure that Mirya did the same. Newbies! It took him back to his first match... It seemed like so long ago now. At the time he had been so nervous that he had almost thrown-up. Jackson's expression indicated that he was unlikely to embarrass himself like that.
It was not even like he had been some fresh faced rookie at the time, he was a veteran of the campaigns on Ragol's surface. Part of a select few called up by the government to investigate a mystery where the military had failed, he would have faced the mighty Falz himself had he not been involved in the incident...
The thought of dwelling on such an unpleasant event made his entire body shudder and he cast it from his mind hoping not to show weakness to those present that might exploit it. As he looked around he realised that the others had already stepped through the teleporter that would transport them directly to the VR field. Switching to a Partisan of Lightning, he stepped into the soft green light and vanished.
A brief sensation of disorientation and he arrived. The flashing lights from the ceiling and numerous sounds of mechanical systems operating in the distance informed him that this was the 'spaceship' level. It was not one of his favourites, the warm glow of the sun of the 'temple' area always felt better to battle under, instead of the harsh lights they laboured under now. He gripped the handle of the double bladed weapon, its blades materialising gradually into view and he readied himself. The door to his starting room would not unlock until everyone was ready.
He pressed a button on his Comms device to indicate he was ready and briefly closed his eyes and imagined what might be taking place outside the Arena, where the audience would wait and in hushed tones whisper Ash's name onto victory. Not just them of course, the show was broadcast primetime throughout Pioneer Two and the fleet of ships that accompanied it in orbit around Ragol.
His eyes opened once more, jolted back to life by the disembodied voice counting down from five, the round was about to begin! He gripped the handle more tightly and when the doors opened he sprang forth. He raced up the narrow corridor into the network of interconnected rooms that made up the actual fighting area.
He crouched against an adjacent wall and listened for footsteps that would indicate an approaching adversary. He looked down at the weapon in his hand and cursing himself for a fool, deactivated the photon blades. The cost in power-up time would more than be offset by the advantage gained by not glowing like a neon sign saying "Hunter hiding here, please attack me!"
After a few moments of listening and sure that he was alone, he cautiously ran over to the far exit, head kept low to minimise his profile. This next room was filled with a series of short walls, forming an impromptu maze. He paused in the doorway and listened once more. Hearing nothing, he dashed into the centre of the room to wait for a target. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Mirya lying face down.
He frowned, he had not heard the announcer call out that someone had been defeated. He quickly realised that she must be faking. He activated his weapon and edged around to she what weapon she was holding in her hands. Moving further still he caught sight of her face and her expression, She's a pretty good actress! He thought.
When he glimpsed what was pooled beside her mouth he froze, dread seizing control of his muscles. It was blood!