(Pre-Show) The Lobby

[Retane]

Retane glanced around as he stepped through the portal, and entered the lobby. THe place looked unfamiliar to him and the Emerald Fiend felt discontent. Part of him felt as if he should recognize something. Perhaps he hoped the place would instantly trigger his memory.

But, there was nothing. The Emerald Warrior looked around once more, taking in all the grandeur there was to offer when it came to the large arching marbled hallway of the lobby. Still, it was strange for him to imagine this to be the welcoming of an event that only involved killing. The Emerald Fiend mused, once it all started, exactly how many people would look back and think, 'A lot of people are going to die soon enough, but that lobby for the Preshow sure was beautiful.'

Retane laughed under his breath doubting many would think or do that, if any at all.

"Can you hear me yet?" The voice was low and faint, as if carried by the winds of a whisper.

The Emerald Warrior looked around searching for the owner of the voice, but no one near by was looking at him, or even whispering. None of them had voices that matched what he had heard. Perhaps his mind was playing tricks on him? Had that ever happened before? The namekian couldn't recall. He shook the thoughts out of his head, not wanting any additional distractions.

It was then that he noticed a man in a burgundy suit and microphone in hand pointing at a television feed, and then at him. The namekian knew it must have been his entrance into the lobby at the sign-up. He really hated cameras. The man didn't miss a a beat as he took a sip out of a nearby glass and strode towards him as he straightened his tie and a camera man followed him. The dark namekian thought about destroying the camera, and punching them both in the face. Maybe they would get the hint.

"Hi, Ron Burgundy Head Anchorman for ONN, perhaps you heard of me?" The newscaster offered a genuine smile.

The namekian took a moment to think. He was pretty sure he hadn't and shrugged, "No."

"What? Do you live under a rock or something?" The newscaster seemed genuinely shocked and offended.

Retane's visage squinted in confusion, "Not last I checked. In a forest though."

Ron chuckled, "Oh okay. I'm sorry, I meant no offense. You are from the Tangled Greens, right? So are you a mix between a goblin and an orc perhaps?"

"I am a Namek!" Retane was annoyed and outraged by the assumption that he was either of the two afore mentioned.

Mr.. Burgundy looked around at fellow newscasters whispering what a namek was, and they all shrugged their shoulders. He cleared his throat, "Sorry for the confusion we don't get your kind around much. So what brings you to entering Karl Jak's Dante's Abyss?"

The Emerald Warrior scoffed, "To remember. To get stronger."

"Oh, to remember? Test your strength? So you have been involved in this before? Are you a former Grand Champion like Android-18?" Mr.. Burgundy had no problems missing a beat.

Retane thought long and hard on the question. If he had been champion of this, would he come back? He didn't think so, but maybe he would. Arith would have told him however. "No. Not a Grand Champion-"

Retane paused his answer then as he looked to the air as saw a soft silvery mist appear. The Mark and Sigil of Lythian tingled on his arm. This had happened before, and Retane pushed his way past the anchorman and the cameraman.

The mist took shape as an elf with long locks, loose pants, a loosely wrapped vest revealing part of his chest, and two sheathed scimitars. As the elf took a step from the fog, revealing the Mystic, Enroshia. The half-elf looked around as he lowered himself to meet Retane, "I offered a warning, and you disobeyed it."

The Emerald Warrior looked angry, "You don't own me."

The Crimson Fiend glared deep into the eyes of the Namekian in a threatening manner but calmed himself after a few moments and offered a smile, "You're different, slightly, I don't know why, but something has changed. Still defiant, but there's something changed about you. I can't tell if it's good or bad, but we shall find out anyways."

The Emerald Warrior let out a low annoyed growl, "You owe me answers. Tell me who the fuck I am and what I can't remember."

The Lythian held up a hand, " Calm down. You and I both know that even if I tried, it wouldn't make sense. You know as well as I do, deep down that you have to find yourself. I have faith that you can do it. But I am here for a few days, I am stronger now, and can stabilize that much. Chaos has ensued back where you use to reign. We have much to do. Where is Arith, and have you been able to summon any others?"

Retane paused for a moment and wondered what his reign meant. God of Death? Chaos had ensued without him there? "Arith and Inirtias are back where I left them to watch over Jack, and the others."

Enroshia paused and eyed the namekian suspiciously, "Didn't let this, 'Jack' join you?"

Retane shook his head, "He's to innocent."

"Oh really?" Enroshia cocked his head slightly.