Shepard had begun his walk up the stairs with his team. Wrex had already taken a vehicle and was on his way to the coliseum or "Grinder," as the Krogan called it. Taking the last few steps up the stairs, the Spectre overheared a pair of Blood pack Krogan whispering amongst themselves. He couldn't make out what they were saying, but the looks on their faces implied they were up to no good. The two Krogan soon noticed him glaring at them and the two walked away, eyes narrowed. Shepard kept his gaze on them and leaned to the side to speak with Legion.
"I want you to watch the shuttle while I take care of this. The locals seem to have a...hidden agenda..." Legion nodded.
"Acknowledged." With that the lone Geth headed back down the stairs toward the landing bay. Shepard glanced at the rest of his team who only nodded in agreement, minus one particular Krogan seeming as impatient as ever. When they rounded the corner, the Shaman noticed them and broke from his talks with the female Krogan emissary, Nartoth.
"Shepard! I hope you track new and fresh blood beneath your boots!" he said as the Spectre and his team approached.
"I'm hoping I won't have to anytime soon, but that seems inevitable at the moment." Shepard replied. The Shaman turned his head to look down upon the chief's throne and then back to Shepard.
"Indeed. You are to battle Urdnot Grunt in the Grinder..." said the Shaman.
"Seems you don't miss a thing that goes on around here." said Shepard. The Shaman smiled.
"My ears pay special attention to the talks of the chief, Shepard." replied the Shaman. Grunt took two steps forward and only glared at the Shaman.
"I see your patience is wearing thin Urdnot Grunt. You will have your blood soon." He turned to Shepard.
"The rules of the Grinder are simple: Two rounds. Round one, you will use one weapon of your choice and the equipment you carry on your backs. Round two begins after 5 minutes in which you will discard your weaponry and equipment and fight to the death... Hand to hand..." A lump grew in Shepard's throat and his heart began to race, not out of fear of death, but fear for his promise to his love...
The Shaman spoke again. "You are both to depart immediately in separate transports. We wouldn't want either of you to have any broken bones before the fight." The Shaman finished with a smile.
"What about the rest of my team?" Shepard said turning to each of his friends taking an extra long look at Tali.
"They are welcome to spectate. That is, if their squishy alien stomachs can handle it." The Shaman replied. Tali grabbed Shepard's hand and looked into his eyes.
"I'll follow you wherever you go..." She said in a very soft, yet serious tone. The Shaman widened one of his eyes, surprised to see a quarian show such concern for a human, he didn't have trouble figuring out what it meant. But unlike most aliens he didn't offer his "opinion" of their relationship.
"I'm coming too commander." said Garrus as he stepped forward with his head turned to Shepard. The Shaman raised his arms in excitement.
"Then all is ready! The scout leadre will have a Tomkah ready and waiting for you. Fight well Shepard and Urdnot Grunt."
...
There they sat inside the Tomkah truck. The ride was rough, bumpy, and quiet. The inside was dark and the hum of the engine was the only sound heard besides the Krogan driver occasionally mumbling to himself but the words were inaudible. Shepard leaned forward in his seat, both hands laced together tightly. The more he thought about the upcoming battle the more nervous he became. His leg began to tremble as he looked over at Tali who was sitting next to him. She noticed this and scooted closer to him, placing both her hands in his.
"I know you Shepard. You don't break your promises..." Shepard looked away, trying to hold back tears. The sight of her eyes was too much.
"Funny, I thought you'd be the one needing comfort right now." he replied. Tali responded by tightening her grip on his hands in a gesture of affection. Shepard smiled genuinely and said.
"You're stronger than I ever will be..." whispered Shepard, bringing one of her hands up and kissing it softly. Garrus dropped his head, feeling worthless. He wished he could follow his commander into the upcoming fight. He would gladly die for him if it meant Shepard could have his happily ever after with Tali.
"2 minutes!" yelled the driver up front. Shepard peaked out the window as the Tomkah began to decelerate slightly. The dust storm began to clear and he could make out an incredibly massive structure. It was similar to Roman architecture but with a Krogan touch to it. Carved spikes of stone covered the walls all around it and from what he could see, it was at least at least 20 stories high. He could see hundreds of Krogan lined up and entering the front gate in a single file line. Some of them engaging in brawls for a spot.
The Tomkah circled around the back of the coliseum and halted in front of a large gate. Two Krogan guards armed with assault rifles approached the driver and asked for his clearance code. Their conversation was brief and they walked back to their post and opened the gate, allowing the driver to pull the Tomkah inside the large garage.
"This is your stop! Give em' hell! I've got 3000 credits on you!" The driver yelled. It felt good to know that he was greatly admired among the Urdnot clan. Although it wouldn't help him in the battle so the thought was quickly dismissed. Shepard exited the vehicle first with Tali and Garrus following one at a time. Wrex was already waiting for them in the garage and walked towards them with two armed guards escorting him.
"You've drawn quite a crowed, Shepard. Thousands of Krogan from clans everywhere have come to observe the coming blood bath." The Krogan battle-master said with great enthusiasm.
"Hate to disappoint them, but I'm hoping it won't end up like that." Shepard replied. Wrex looked at him with a blank stare for a while then turned to each of his guards and gave an authoritative bark. The guards left his side. Wrex moved closer to Shepard and spoke quietly.
"As much as I'd love to see a duel between two of the most powerful beings ever to set foot on this planet, I despise this situation..." Shepard felt very surprised to hear this from someone like Wrex.
Wrex continued. "I saw the rage in his eyes Shepard. I smelled the fury in his blood. The Rite is meant to help Krogan learn to control their blood rage, to allow them to channel it. But the whelp has not learned, he has not overcome his impulses..."
"Wrex?" Shepard said with concern.
"If we do not learn to control the blood rage we live our whole lives with, if we let it make every choice for us, then what are we Shepard? We would be no better than animals..."
"Wrex..." Shepard had never seen this side of Wrex before.
"Shepard, I do not think there is hope for the whelp. Killing him seems to be the only option..." Shepard dropped his head and nodded with a frown on his lips. Suddenly they heard the sound of Krogan horns blowing in the coliseum outside. Wrex looked over his shoulder and then looked back at Shepard.
"It's time. Go, fight, and win, Shepard." He then looked at Garrus and Tali. "The two of you will join me in the chiefs balcony." Shepard motioned for his team to go with Wrex. They began to walk away but when Tali was no more than 10 feet away from him, she halted then spun around quickly and ran into Shepard's arms. They embraced each other for a minute before she backed away, blew a kiss at him, and continued to follow Wrex. Shepard stood at a loss for words. The guards that Wrex had dismissed came walking over to him and motioned for him to follow. They walked into the next room which appeared to be an armory.
"Choose your weapon..." One of the guards growled. Shepard scanned the room. Weapon racks hung on every wall. Shotguns, assault rifles, rocket launchers. Everything that could cause death and destruction was in the room. He walked over to the wall and grabbed a simple M-8 Avenger rifle off the wall, deciding that the weapon he had spent the most time with was the best choice. He was then lead into a small room where could see day light through the cracks in the door in front of him. It was about to begin...
...
"I said one weapon!" The guard yelled seeing Grunt grab two Claymore heavy shotguns off the wall. Grunt responded by simply bashing the guard in the head with the but-stock of one of his shotguns. The other guard just backed off and let Grunt leave the armory regardless of him violating the rules. But this was Tuchanka and Krogan rarely played by them.
...
Wrex walked out onto a balcony on the highest point of the stadium. Garrus and Tali stood on each side of him, Tali wringing her hands together nervously. They gazed upon the crowds that sat everywhere on the many levels of the coliseum. Thunderous roars and cheers echoed throughout the structure. They demanded the shedding of blood. Wrex stepped up to the edge of the balcony where all the crowds could see him and with a wave of his hand, he brought silence to the crowds. Wreav took his place behind his brother.
"Brothers!" Wrex shouted. "Today...you all bear witness...to one of the greatest duels in Krogan history! For all generations to come will remember this moment!" Wrex pointed his finger at one end of the battle grounds. A large door opened and Shepard stepped out into the light where all could see him. Wrex then pointed at the other end of the grounds where another door opened and Grunt slowly stomped his way out, lifting both his Shotguns in the air. The crowds cheered again but with more ferocity.
Shepard scanned the battlefield to learn its tactical advantages and disadvantages. Stone pillars and piles of rubble covered the sandy grounds. Spears and pieces of other ancient weapons littered the area. There were many places to take cover. He narrowed his eyes at the Krogan on the other end of the field and Grunt did the same back to him. They were ready for whatever was to come. They both moved closer to center of the battlefield still keeping quite a distance from one another. Wrex glanced at both of them and then raised both arms high into the air and gave a deafening roar. The battle had begun...
...
"What if he wins and kills the tank-bred?" A decorated Blood pack Krogan said to the human clad in Blue suns armor.
"Even if he does he'll take quite a beating in the process. Thats when we'll finish him off. Of course, I wouldn't mind the tank-bred saving me the trouble..." The Krogan lieutenant turned to face his guards as the human stared into the monitors with a sly smile on his face.
"He's caused both our groups enough damage! Today he will regret being born!"
The human turned around in his chair. "Today...he regrets the day he ever fucked with Vido Santiago..."