Chapter Five: Arrival
The four Heroes traveled for two days straight on foot towards Westcliff. They didn't bother catching a carriage ride, they wanted to maintain the status of "unknown" in Westcliff, and anyone they spoke to could have been an informant for the Mayor. Finally, after miles of walking, the four exhausted Heroes reached the outskirts of Westcliff. They stood there stoically as they stared at the massive arena that dominated the skyline, all but Michael wondering if this was still going to be a good idea.
Michael reached for the blue rag that he normally used as a belt, the rag he now knew thanks to Dalga was his baby blanket used to get him here by his father in the first place. He studied it in his hands, "this is for you father," he said to himself before wrapping the rag around his head to form a sort of mask to conceal his runes on his face and his identity. He looked much like his father now, and he didn't want anyone to know just who he was until the time was right. He would have to risk using the sword his father left with him for the Arena battle. He was hoping that by now the style used by his father to make such swords had gone by the wayside in favor of newer techniques, if anyone caught on that this was his father's sword, their cover would be blown and all hell would break loose, and Michael may never have another chance at getting close to Mayor Wilson. Michael turned around and lowered the part of his new mask that was covering his mouth so he could address his fellow Heroes once more before entering the town proper.
"You guys…I can't tell you how much this means to have you with me for this. I know none of you have any personal investment in the success of this quest, and if any of you wanted to leave now I would understand," Michael began, "But turning back is not an option available to me. I won't stop seeing these visions until I get my revenge for what happened to my father. I know it doesn't make any sense, but I know that I'm doing the right thing. Every part of me says so, and whether you're here or not I'm marching into that city to do what has to be done."
The group looked at each other, then back to Michael with eager expressions.
"Are you kidding? I'm going to be the first man to win the Arena in over 100 years! No way I can pass up that sort of prestige," Speer remarked.
"I'm with Speer, this is the kind of opportunity you don't get every day," Shunt chimed in.
Willow stepped forward and held Michael's arms, looking into his eyes with a feeling of loyalty and love.
"There's nothing in this world that will keep me from being by your side through this, because I know you wouldn't waste a thought doing the same for me," she said before kissing him passionately. Speer looked away in disgust, though Shunt thought it was rather touching.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Michael said before reaffixing his mask and heading into the town proper.
The city itself was a monument to greed and disparity. The Arena was built as the center of the city, and rings of the city spanning away from it were increasingly drab and depressing. From immaculate and powerful buildings came broken and dilapidated suburbs where life barely was able to make a claim of existing. The people were sick, dying, poor and most of all angry. Not a single one of them in the outer 8 blocks of the city even knew what it was to smile anymore. The Heroes walking though the suburbs received disdainful looks for daring to walk through their suffering city with their well-made and comfortable clothing. Some pockets of vagrants and thieves made moves to follow or corner them, but the Heroes holding a hand leisurely on their weapons was just cause for them to back away and rethink their foolish plans.
After the 8 blocks of the outer city there seemed to be an invisible line that circled the city in which the ghetto was transformed into an immaculate business center. Glorious buildings built tall were everywhere, and the streets changed from dirt to beautifully maintained cobblestone. The people who frequented this section of town were all well dressed, but they all had that same unmistakable look of disdain and misery.
"Why are these people just as angry and miserable as the ones back there?" Shunt asked his fellow Heroes.
"I have no clue…but maybe we should get some background information on this place. It might explain a few things we might need to know before we compete in the Arena," Michael answered and the four stopped, looking for someone who seemed content enough to answer a few questions. Eventually they found an old man walking through the streets with a cane and decided to approach him.
"Excuse me sir, we've been travelling for days to come here to Westcliff. We're unaware of the status of this place though. Could you tell us why everyone seems so very upset even here in the richer part of town?" Willow inquired.
"RICHER! You think this place wealthy! Little girl, this place is no more impoverished than the ghetto you came through minutes ago! Every building you see in this city is owned by one man, and one man alone. Mayor Wilson!" The old man explained. Michael clenched his fist at the mention of his name. "Every dime of income eventually goes back to him! Just because we have jobs here does not mean we can afford any luxuries! We ALL live in the ghetto, each one of us! While Mayor Wilson lives in the Arena's tower high above us all, mocking us with his very presence!"
"If you all hate him so much then why don't you simply vote against him in the elections?" Shunt asked.
"Election? Boy, there is no election! Anyone who has ever dared run against the Mayor has been executed for treason! Anyone who even speaks of a new regime is taken away and forced to compete in the Arena! You are foolish to speak of such things! I shouldn't even be talking to you! I must go, good day children!" The old man said in a panic and began limping away.
"That is what we intend though, sir. We plan on competing in the Arena and winning." Michael said as the man tried to walk away, but was stopped in his tracks by the mere lunacy of his statement.
"You? You four are going to compete in the Arena? But you're merely children! Children with crossbows and small swords! The Arena is filled with gunmen and monsters the likes of which you've never seen before! You haven't a chance! You should leave this place! Leave and never return while you have that luxury!" The old man called out. The commotion had caught the attention of the local guards and they came to investigate the disturbance.
"What is going on here? Who are these people?" The Captain of the Guard asked.
"These children want to compete in the Arena! They speak slanderous lies about the Mayor! I was trying to talk some sense into them, but they wouldn't listen!" The old man blurted out, to which the Heroes all looked at him with a very confused look upon their faces.
"Is that so?" Said the Captain and he gripped Michael's arm tightly. Speer Shunt and Willow all drew their weapons and were posed to attack the Captain, but Michael failed to move a muscle.
"Yes…now let go of me or you will lose a limb for every moment you hesitate." Michael said sternly, not even looking in the direction of the Captain. His gaze was focused on the Arena which stood before him. The Captain looked around him at the weapons trained on him by the strangely clothed teens. His reinforcements arrived however, and his confidence began to rise.
"You arrogant little snot!" the Captain shouted and threw a mighty blow at Michael's head, of which he ducked and used the Captain's momentum to throw him to the hard cobblestone below. Now the entire army had its rifles trained on the Heroes, completely surrounded. Michael reached for his sword, but was cut off by a familiar and haunting voice.
"My my! What have we here?" the army separated like the red sea and through the passage a short fat man could be seen holding a custom and very expensive walking stick and dressed in the finest garb. He stepped through the army and stood before the four disguised Heroes, not fearing them in the slightest.
"It appears we have…some challengers!"