(Preshow) Registration [Where you sign up IC]

[Yu Kanda]

A few days have passed since the aftermath of his ordeal with Victor and the so called shadow-queen. The days that followed mainly consisted out of cleaning up the mess that was left behind and processing the men and women who were arrested. Many people saw this as an opportunity to start their own business. It gave Kanda a satisfying feeling, knowing he and his guards contributed to this.

During one of his daily patrols he noticed a small group of strangers setting up shop. Their sign and uniform all said Syntech. The captain decided to inquire what business they had in Nippur.

“Morning, so what's all this then? Syntech branching out?” One of the female staff members walked up to him, “Good morning!” She spoke with an unpleasantly high pitched tone of voice, “ We are here to celebrate the wonderful Omniverse greatest spectacle returning. It's a new year and a new Dante’s Abyss.” It was as if a cheerleader on an overdose of caffeine tried to sell him happy pills. “We of Syntech are here to open registration for primes willing to participate in this fabulous competition of power. The board recognises the new Nippur as a beacon of civilisation here in the dunes, and that's why we are here!” She ended her pathetic speech filled with enthusiasm with her hands raised in the air. The captain did not flinch, nor did he seem excited. He heard of the competition before but never competed himself. “Thank you for considering our town. On behalf of the guards i welcome Syntech to Nippur. If there is anything we can do to assist you, please let us know.” He felt proud of the fact that he did not let his true opinion of the sugar rushed woman shimmer through. He continued his daily routine.

After his walk Kanda returned to the Guard station. At the reception there was only a single female guard. Dave had been given a few days off to spend with his daughter whom he finally was reunited with. The receptionist gave Kanda a kind nod and a warm hello walking past to his office. The past few days have been quiet, giving the captain time to read up on the events that happened to Nippur in the past. Reading about what happened during the war, banishment of the king, a city in turmoil and leaving the civilians to fend for themselves. Unprotected they were an easy pray for people like the Shadow-queen to use for their own gain. Now that Nippur was being rebuild, the people in the Omniverse would need to be aware that the shit that happened all this time ago wasn't going to fly anymore. That whomever got it in their thick skull to go on a rampage within the city borders, they would be swiftly dealt with, using brute force.

The captain leaned back in his chair, spun it around to look outside and continue his thoughts. Perhaps this Dante’s Abyss wasn't such a bad idea. It would make a statement towards potential enemies and allies alike. These thoughts continued for a little while as he stared outside. He didn’t even notice Barry walking in his office,”I know that look, i take it you’ve seen the syntech folk as well?” Kanda turned his black leather chair around, facing Barry. “Indeed i have.” The soldier grinned,”I have known you for quite some time now. We both know you love an opportunity to hurt people and get away with it. And representing this city is not a bad idea seeing the position it’s in.” It would have seemed that Barry was already thinking the same way. “You're right. Not about me wanting to fight but about representing what the nippur guards stand for.” Barry shrugged,”Whatever you need to tell yourself, Sir. I believe sign ups start tomorrow.” His mind was set, this year would be Kanda’s first year of participating in Syntech Dante’s Abyss.

The next day Kanda walked back to the signup station, not looking forward of dealing with that same hyped up sugarcane of a woman again. Luckily for him she was nowhere to be seen. An older woman was sitting at a desk next to a transporter. In front of her there were several forms, all blank. Perhaps he was the first prime of nippur to register? He walked up to her, “I’m here to sign up for the competition.”

“Name?” She said with the least amount of interest as she placed a pair of glasses onto her nose.

“Kanda”

The woman sighed, “Full name, please.”
“Kanda….Yu. He never liked sharing his full name, for years he tried to either avoid it or bury it.

“Prime or secondary?”
“Prime”
“occupation?”
“Black order exorcist and Guard Captain of Nippur”

She looked up at him, “Well aren't you important mister guard captain the exorcist.” The mocking tone of the woman started to annoy Kanda but he remained in control of his temper.

“Place of residence? Let me guess, the sandbox?”
“Nippur, correct.”

“Associated Faction?”
“New Babylon.”

“Are you aware that Syntech is in no way responsible for both physical and mental harm this competition may or may not cause?”
“I am.”

“Are you aware that destruction of Syntech property or assaulting staff and or other participants within the facility is prohibited and results in disqualification?”
“I am now.”

she pushes a filled out form towards him and handed him a pen. “if you agree to all this, sign at the dotted line.” Kanda complied and signed the form before handing it back. With the most boring and monogamous of tones she sent the captain off, “ Congratulations, you are now officially registered as a competitor for this years Dante’s Abyss. Please head to our facility through this teleporter. Goodluck and watch out for the first step.

Kanda got up the platform and before he was sent off he noticed how Barry together with some guards came to see him off. Even some of the civilians stood and watched as Kanda got teleported away.