Emeralds theme: Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers

The dank room of the arena's preparatory area was shrouded on a dim light. The bulb of the only lamp flickering in and out randomly throwing shadows about the room wildly and earning the ire of the rooms occupants. A lone teenager stands before one of the lockers, strapping ammunition over his tattered rags serving as clothing. Looking himself over in the mirror he glowers at the face staring back. Long messy blonde hair hangs down over is eyes while a soul patch of matching hair sits upon his thin jaw. His forest green eyes are dull with fatigue as he closes up the locker. His weapon is the only thing well maintained, an overly simple design consisting of a single break action barrel chambered for thirty caliber rifle cartridges. The wood handle is ornate and well carved, stained a deep cherry red, while the barrel has been chromed and polished to a dazzling finish. Next the youth goes over the ammunition supply contained within his belt wrapping around his body. A multitude of thirty caliber shells tipped with different types of dust designed to engage various effects, form shocking or freezing the target, to absorbing life force, upon striking the target. Drawing five shells tipped with blue crystals, the youth begins to go through simple exercises to familiarize himself with his weapon. Taking an open stance, gun held down by his hip pointing alongside his leg, he lines up his target, set upon the far wall. The guns movement is a blur as his left hand loads the first round, while a snap of his wrist closes the chamber. The bang is earsplitting in the small prep room, but the youth ignores it as his left hand moves to load the second shot before the sound of the first one has even stopped echoing about the room. The process is continued 4 more times in the blink of an eye, the brass casings ejected from the gun falling nearly as one upon the floor. The target is a wreck each shot has delivered a burst of deadly electrical energy into the target, the heat of which has scarred the once red and white steal plate an ugly black. The youth takes a breath willing his aura to repair the small amount of damage done to his ears with the practice session. After finishing his final checks the youth adjusts his tattered rags before walking out to the gate and awaiting his call to battle.

The announcer's voice cuts through that of the roaring crowd, rapidly gaining the attention of the waiting youth "let's hear it for EMERALD ERICKSON!" at this the steel portcullis begins to rise allowing Emerald to step out into the battleground before him.

Bright lights shine into Emerald's eyes, temporarily blinding him as he enters the noisy arena. His feet crunch across the soft sand making up the arena floor as the cheers and jeers of the crowd reach a maddening pitch reverberating off the ancient stone walls and pounding in his ears. Sighing deeply he focuses his mind on the upcoming fight, his foe unknown, the prize money and a place to rest his head are his only motivations. Making a last minute check over his break action pistol Kurushimi to ensure its working condition, he signals for the operator that he has prepared himself. With a loud clang the gate behind him drops, sealing him to his fate, win or die. At the other end of the arena an identical gate begins to slowly clink open, Emerald's heart beating in time with the clangs of the heavy chain. Two red orbs glow in the depths of the darkness, radiating menace and blood lust.

Emerald's thoughts race wildly "Is it a Beowulf, no the eyes are to low? An Ursa, no its eyes are bobbing up and down, they tend to be fixed on their prey. Can't be a Deathstalker, or a..."

The creature of grim stalked out into the light, rearing up and screeching at the assembled crowd as its lithe body entered the light. A white mask made of dense bone covers a wedge shaped head filled with razor sharp teeth. Crimson eyes pulse with rage and bloodlust as they swing to focus on Emerald standing at the other side of the arena. The beast's muscles ripple under a scaly hide as it crouches into an attack position. Its long tail is ramrod straight acting as a counter balance as twin sickle claws on its feet stretch in preparation to shred their prey's flesh from the bone.

"…Fleshraker" Emerald's thoughts seize as he gazes upon his foe. His heart hammering in his chest as fear takes hold.

With an inhuman screech the grim charges across the battle field, kicking up sand beneath its feet with each powerful step. Emerald draws Kurushimi with a flourish, loading up a yellow dust tipped round and flicking the breach closed. Sighting up the charging grim Emerald fires off the loaded pistol, the round screams by the grim detonating against the far wall in a burst of brilliant blue electric sparks. Seeing his shot fail to hit, Emerald draws another four rounds from his belt and rapidly loads and fires as the grim closes the distance. Another four shots, and another four misses, and the grim is upon him lashing out with its fangs and grabbing Emerald's left leg. Tearing through the thin material and Emerald's aura, the teeth puncture Emerald's flesh causing his brilliant red blood to splash the hot sand. Screaming in agony, Emerald is thrown to the ground as the grim lashes out with its terrible sickle claws. Emerald rolls to his feet as the claws dig into the sand where his chest was moments before. Jumping backwards to open the space between the grim and himself while reloading Kurushimi, Emerald panics as he releases another flurry of shots. Four of the rounds go wild the fifth screams into the awning as Emerald is thrown to the ground beneath the terrible beast. Screeching, slashing, clawing and biting, the grim tears into Emeralds flesh over and over dying the ground with his blood. Emerald manages to dodge away again; rolling to his knees and firing another flurry of rapid shots form Kurushimi, striking the grim in between the eyes five times. Giving a slight gurgle as its brain is shocked into a blackened crisp, the grim falls on its side.

Emerald struggles to his feet while drawing a vial filled with black dust out of his pocket. Staggering towards the gate where he entered from, he pushes the needle into his arm while depressing the plunger. He focuses on the dust now coursing through his tattered body and using it to amplify his body's natural healing, Emerald forces himself to slowly stich back together; each tiny bit causing another burst of agonizing pain. Counting each step he slowly makes it to the gate, he staggers into the dark hall and slumps into the wall, the cool stone feeling pleasant against the burning wounds covering his body. After making his way back to his room in the bowels of the arena's labyrinth and collapsing into the bed he allows sleep to overtake his shattered frame. A single thought pierces through his mind before he gives in completely.

Alone….. I'm always alone.

Tap…Tap…Tap…

The noise slowly penetrates the darkness that is Emerald's mind, once again bringing him back to the land of the living. His eyes slowly opening to take in the view of his small bunk room in the basement of the main arena. The bright florescent lights are buzzing away, forcing him to slam his eyes closed again in pain. Groaning as his head continues to throb in pain; Emerald sits up and tries to locate the source of the infernal noise that has woken him. Looking to the far corner he sees a blonde woman sitting on the stool in the corner, the noise is coming from the scroll that she is tapping her stylist against. The woman is wearing a white blouse and black skirt, a leather riding crop hangs off her hip while her eyes continue to glare at the scroll in her hands.

"w…Who are you" Emerald manages to croak out, his voice dry and raspy.

The woman looks up for the first time, as if just now taking note of Emerald's existence. Reaching into a pouch on her side and withdrawing an envelope marked with Emerald's name in swooping stylistic lettering, she places it on the small table in the room. Standing up she brushes herself off before finally addressing the batted youth still lying on the bed.

"Your ride will leave in one hour, I suggest you make a decision soon" as she finishes her statement she turns and strides out of the room leaving a now very confused Emerald alone on his bed.

Reaching over to grasp the letter Emerald proceeds to inspect it. A symbol consisting of two crossed axes over top of a wreath adorns the green envelope, a red wax seal holds it closed. Breaking the seal Emerald skims over the letter that is printed on the clean white paper, causing is eyebrows to shoot up towards his hairline while his jaw drops with astonishment. The letter is an acceptance letter for beacon academy, with this he can become a hunter and stay by her side. Pulling a second sheet of paper from the envelope and reading it over to find that it is directions to beacon. To make it to classes on time he needs to get to the airship docks NOW! Throwing his meager belongings into a small ruck sack Emerald begins his mad dash to the docks half limping half running. This is his chance; he is going to make it, he has to.

A/N: that's it for the first arc, we will be getting into the real story next chapter. I thank all the people who have read my story for doing so and ask that if anyone has suggestions on my writtin style to please put them fourth so I may yet improve.

thank you
borsniel