Nine Lives

[Gildarts]

“Y’can’t get out from here, but at least you can get a break from it all to recharge.” Cal offered to the respected Prime who held an earnest expression on the creases of his brow. “You really weren’t planning to join this one, were you?”

“I awoke from after the island, and found myself here, amidst this war.” Gildarts spoke.

“Hmph, tough luck. But a guy like you can’t hate fighting too much, you’re rather good at it. Dante’s Abyss is a good opportunity to meet other people like yourself.”

“Funny I didn’t join Dante’s Abyss either. Willingly, that is. But apparently in this world, when you sign a piece of paper, you are obligated to it.” Gildarts paused as he reflected on Cal’s words. “I think quite the opposite. I don’t hate fighting. New challengers make it fun for me. But, though I don’t always like the setting, its nice to test my limits. Hopefully next time, things will be different, and I’ll have a choice in the matter.”

“There’s another tournament after this one, in a few days, maybe a week. It involves Primes from all over. But it’s nothing like Dante’s Abyss. This one is for keeps.” Cal said and gave him a suave nod.

For keeps. Whatever that meant.

Gildarts sighed and fixed up some of his wounds. He was already beginning to heal from his nearly fatal injury from earlier. Things worked differently here, he observed, and still put on his best for Cal, who prodded him to get back into the ring.

“The next tournament will follow a dueling fight style, no more free-for-all, sadly. Lost a lot of contestants. Now they are going to make them kill each other more intimately.” Cal spoke sadistically, as his hand rested on his invisible knife.

Gildarts took a look at Cal, “So, you joined this tournament, what did you hope to accomplish, other than testing your skill?”

“Hah, that’s easy. I joined this tournament for the same reason as everyone else, to fight you.” Cal had mentioned it as though it were a slight detail, yet Gildarts’ attention was immediately snagged.

“Why’s that?” Gildarts challenged, his face was hard as he spoke to the youth.

“Cause, if I can beat you, then I wasn’t brought here for nothing, ya’know? Omni didn’t even summon the Secondaries here, so sometimes it feels we don’t have a purpose. Some fight, others watch the fights like Dante’s Abyss on TV. Others even create things like that. I fight to better myself. Though, no hard feelings no matter who comes out on top. I want a good one on one with you, no Cindy involved.” Cal seemed triumphant but added, “Oh and before you ask why I teamed up with her, don’t.”

Cal’s smile turned into a stern expression, as though the subject was now taboo. Gildarts could respect it. And before he knew it, he realized he was itching to get a fight out of his system.