(Pre-Show) The Barracks

[Retane]

The namekian looked towards the hallway that led to the barracks. He tried to ignore the music, it was one of the songs he had heard in the lobby, but the full version. It mentioned being 'remembered for centuries'. He was lost in his thoughts though, trying to figure everything out. His mind raced, trying to sort things through. He felt as if he was as ready as he could ever be, but still his mind wondered confused. He didn't have but a portion of his memory, and he felt empathy for his former self.

He felt sad and angry at the same time. A lot of the emotions he had felt from long ago had started to come back. He felt anger, happiness, the feeling of being proud. The Emerald Fiend also felt betrayal, understanding, and failure.

Retane and pressed his body and head against a nearby wall. It was cool and almost calming. He had to stop and think for a moment. The Namekian of Exile had to finally take a deep breath. He shook his head. He was finally alone trying to figure it all out, but still he couldn't grasp it all. The namek shook his head and let out a soft laugh, "This truly is chaos"

"Chaos?" A voice questioned? "I think it's beautiful."

Can you hear me yet? I feel us closer then before. Let me help you. Let me show you the way.

The Emerald Warrior heard both voices simultaneously; He recognized both at the same time. The namekian ignored the one in his head for a moment and glanced at the figure striding from the elevator. The slick black look, the flashy suit, Retane knew who it was, "Karl Jak..."

"Hello there, Retane. It's been a while." The Game Producer flashed a smile.

The Emerald fiend cocked his head for a moment trying to gauge the creator of this verse.. This guy knew who he was by name, but the Emerald Warrior was almost positive they had never met face to face before. SOmething about the guy just irked the namekian ever so slightly, "A while? I guess you could put it that way if you wanted. I don't know if one could actually gauge it in time."

"Oh lighten up buddy ol' pal." Mr. Jak flashed his award winning smile, "You'll be back at your old habits butchering and decimating things in just a few hours, I promise."

The namekian heard the words and closed his eyes for a few moments digesting them carefully, "Butchering? Decimating? Chaos? Is that what this is really about? Is that what truly gets you off?"

The orchestrator of Dante's Abyss looked to the skies, almost with a daydreaming expression and a pleased smile on his face and he chuckled, "Oh you don't want to know what TRULY gets me off. But no, that's not what its all about. You see, people like drama; They like action; It's something they need in their life. People also have desires like Power; Recognition; Fame; Wealth; The knowledge that they are worth something; Those wanting to test their mettle against the world; Prove that they are not something that should be overlooked. There are also those that just love killing; People with the closet fetishes and just want to release their inner demons."

Karl clasped his hands together in front of him with the ecstatic daydreaming look and inhaled as if he could smell what he was envisioning.

"Maybe he just farted and is basking in his essence like in that 'Smug' episode of South Park. Oh shit. Wrong post. Sorry about that one, Bryan. Continue"

The Master of Shows looked back at Retane who just watched and listened, bored of the man's dramatics already, "What I do, my friend, is I take it all. Combine it together, and try to give everyone a piece of what they want. You for instant. Seems you get a lot out of this right? Still trying to find yourself? Trying to remember? Get stronger? Get fame? I bet there are people out there that want to see if you can do it. They want to empathize with you and watch you struggle as you try and climb to the top and achieve what you came for. There are those also that will want to watch you fail, see the protagonist die with ease before the climax even comes to unfold."

The namekian listened with open ears. Some of it sounded like pure bullshit, but some of it made sense to the Namek of Exile. Still, the namek had to wonder, "And which one do you want to watch?"

"Oh trust me," Karl Jak started, "I want to see you make it far. You make things exciting. You keep people wanting to watch and wondering what will happen next. It gets them going, and gets me go-." The game host caught himself, "I'm sorry. I'm letting myself get too excited just thinking about it." The host flashed a smile knowing Retane wouldn't really get it.

"So you think chaos is beautiful, do you?" The namekian questioned still trying to size the man up.

"Without a little chaos, life would be boring wouldn't it? You are chaotic. I think there is much beauty in what it is that you do." Karl Jak looked at his wrist, there was no watch there. "You'll have to excuse me if I excuse myself. There is someone I have to meet."

The game host started to stroll off but he turned his head and called back, "Stay out of the dead zones, this time, please? That was getting so exciting!"

The namekian took a deep breath and remembered how he had died that year, back in Dante's AByss '07. Careless. But he knew his mind was numb back then. Numb with the pain of being alone.

Please. Please tell me you hear me. I need you! I want you!

The namekian let out a growl as he clutched at his head. What the hell was this voice he kept hearing? He shook his head in annoyance

See! I know you hear me. Trust me. Let me help you.

Retane wanted to yell back at the voice, but he couldn't figure out how. His eyes caught sight of the a group of people coming towards him and recognized them immediately. It was his comrades, Jack Frost, Enroshia, Tapion, Arith and Inirtias.

The Emerald Warrior closed his eyes for a second, trying to gain his composure. Chaos. That's truly what his mind felt like right now. He heard their foot steps as they got closer and stopped. He knew they were all looking at him. He could feel their eyes just gazing at him.

"Everything okay?" It was Jack that had asked. Retane raised his eye lids and looked back at the Guardian. He had a fire in his eyes, a strong and determined look. Tapion or Enroshia had most likely spoke to him. The namek could only imagine what they had said to him to get him pumped.

"Yeah, everything is fine. Are you ready?" The namekian didn't realize it, until then, but part of him didn't want to step through the elevators alone. Not when he had a comrade that would be there for him and vice-versa.

Jack gave a nod, "I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

The namekian nodded back and straightened himself as he looked towards the elevator. He sucked in the air and exhaled looking at the guards that awaited them to get closer. Jack moved to his side, and gave a more confident grin, "Gonna give them hell right?"

"How does that work? Giving them hell in an Abyss?" Arith asked with a chuckle.

The duo turned around and looked at the Lythians and the Konat. Arith wore his helm. That meant the namekian knew he wasn't being serious, but some how, he knew the Champion of Lythia meant it to be sincere.

Retane looked at Inirtias, who offered a hand and shook it. "Good luck. To both of you. "

The namekian had already used the resources in the the library to understand that Arith and Inirtias wouldn't be able to accompany him once he put the collar on. Plus they wouldn't be allowed into the elevator. Once the collar was latched on, the Lythian's could not be summoned, even if Retane tried as hard as he could.

Arith walked foward and opened his arms and wrapped them around the namekian. "Take care of my friend, please? Good luck down there." The namekian nodded and smirked slightly.

Enroshia stepped forward, and nodded with a grin. He looked at the two eye to eye, and let out a long hard sigh, "The New Horsemen of the Omniverse. That guy hates the shit out of me, Omni that is. But yeah, I can see it now, a perfect combination. You two are compatable. I miss the old guy I once knew. I miss his age, his experience, and his understanding. But maybe going into here as a young, new you, could be good for you. Only time will tell."

"We are The Horsemen." The Emerald Warrior started proud, "We are not the New Horsemen, or of the Omniverse. We are The Horsemen."

Enroshia nodded and stepped back with a face that confused the namekian for a moment. Still he gave a nod, though his face looked grim in the end

Tapion looked at the others and took a step forward. "I was hoping I could do this in private, my old friend."

The Emerald Warrior let out a sigh and looked down at the ground for a moment trying to contemplate the sorrowful. "Alone? I can tell them to leave with ease if you want?"

The mohekian shook his head, "Seems these guys will know almost all of it because of their link with themselves and with you; All but Jack. He would be the outsider on all of this, so I think I'll have to do it here."

The Emerald Warrior looked up to see the sorrow in the eyes of his old friend. Tapion took in a deep breath and steadied himself before he continued, "But, as a Horsemen, and as a guy that is your friend. I need you to take this", The crimson haired warrior pulled the Brave Sword, sheath and all, and offered it to the namek. "Please accept this from me?"

The Emerald Warrior looked deep in the eyes of his old friend. Retane had told him no before, but still Tapion insisted. "And take back your damned wolf too!!!"

Retane paused then, seeing his old friend tear up in anger and annoyance as he looked away, still holding the Brave Sword outward. The namek glanced to Jack who seemed confused as well, but afer looking at Enroshia, who's visage was sad, and looking downward, a deep pit opened up in the stomach of the Emerald Warrior. He felt angry at his friends then. Something was going on and they hadn't told him. He was even more annoyed withhimself as he hadn't noticed it till then, "What is it? What the hell is going around here?"

In the background, down the hallway, Lone had appeared and sat on his haunched, he looked in the direction the sky should be and let out a long saddened howl.

"When I go back, our bond will be broken. Nazirus will find me and he will banish myself and Lone, just as he did you. I'm not near as strong as you were. He's going around stripping away any and all ties you had to the plane. He's realized that his spell wasn't as perfected as he had wished. I'm one of the last ties there are of you. Of what you had become?" Tears fell to the ground as the Konat caught himself from being choked up. "Banished, Exiled. I think it's a lot more painful then death. No one knowing you ever existed. No legacy to leave behind, no one to whisper your name?"

The namekian held a solemn visage, he was still angry and annoyed but he couldn't bring himself to show it, "I know all to well that feeling." Retane was calm then. "I am sorry you are going to have to go through that. It's my fault"

"Then don't let it be in vain then!" Tapion snapped his crying eyes back at the Emerald Fiend. "Don't let me go through that for no reason! Take the Brave Sword and Lone. As long as you have there, there's a chance you can save us all. He's already cast Minoshia into exile. All that remains is me, the Brave Sword, and the Soul of Retane, Lone. Once I get back he will be there waiting. Waiting to finish the spell on me and with me will go the other two. Please! For once, don't let me die the ultimate death! If all three of us go, then there's no chance you will ever be able to reverse the curse. But as long as you have youe soul, and my sword, the Symbol of the Horsemen, You can make it as if it never happened, as long as you can get strong enough! So please take them!"

Retane reached out and grabbed the sheathed blade witg a single hand. The mohekian stared at the green hand for a few moments and watched as the namekian pulled his limb back, bringing the sword with him. Tapion looked up to the Emerald Warrior and offered a weak smile, "At least I have a chance now..."

Tapion started to fade then, as a light showed around him, almost like an aura, but wifts of smoke floated up from it. It was similar how the shadow mist would summon the lythians, but in reverse. Tapion turned into a shite smokey silhouette and just like the wind, he had vanished. Lone bayed once more, and stood up.

The Emerald Warrior looked the wolf in the eye, as it ran in his direction. Come my friend. We have a mission to complete. You understood why I did it right? Why I gave you to him? The wolf barked as it ran in his direction. We will get him back. We will get them all back. We will return there one day, and that son of a bitch will know what it feels to be exiled. I will show him what it means to be the true God of Death[i/] The wolf barked once again, and leapt at the Horsemen. Just before he collided with the namekian, the wolf turned into an aura of light, surrounding the namekian, and dissipating within him, almost as if absorbed by the skin.

The Emerald Warrior took in a deep breath, feeling himself slightly stronger, a bit more calm, but really itching for a hunt. He glanced at the others, not wanting to talk anymore. His mind was swirling with questions and emotions, and he saw that Enroshia was starting to glow white as well. The namekian turned around and started toward the elevator. Jack took a few moments but caught up with his comrade. The namekian looked down at the blade in his hand and sighed. [i]Symbol of the Horsemen. The namek focused on the sheath and a square upon it's material glowed for a few moments, then vanished as a patch with Tapion's determined face appeared upon a black back ground with a crimson wolf running in the distance.

[Jack Frost]

[Before Retane Post]

"So you're going to be okay with this? "Tapion asked, "Killing people?"

Jack sighed, "I am not sure. Honestly, I don't know? These guys are immortal right? That means they will respawn at the Nexus right?"

The ice wielder had been pulled aside by the Konat. Jack had already been announced to be a part of the event, as well as Retane, and was headed that way. He was feeling determined as ever, but the Konat had had a stern look in his eye. The Guardian was starting to feel nervous again.

"You don't have to kill, you know. But they will try to kill you. This is survival of the fittest. You have some pretty neat tricks, they are protective and all that, but I have yet to see you really attack someone. Even if these guys respawn, it's still going to be able to land that killing blow. I know. I was there before." Tapion laughed.

"I had grenades, it wasn't very personal. But I also killed someone with poison, that was personal. I watched him die. I watched him give his last breath. " Tapion didn't smile, he didn't grin, it was as if he was remembering how he did it and the cold look he had given back then. "It's not about dying though. It's about surviving. But to win the event, you will have to kill at least once."

Jack Frost nodded, "Final two should always be a Horsemen right?" The figure with the red mohawk nodded. The Guardian understood that much He was determined to make sure Retane got that far. He was going to pick up where Tapion had fallen. He wouldn't be a burden. He was be an equal. He would make Dante's Abyss his own.

"I see that look, I recognize that look. I once had that look. Retane once wore that look. You want to be the one that defies everything right?" Tapion laughed.Frost paused for a moment confused.The Konat nodded calmly, "You don't have to defy anytihng. You don't have to do anything but be yourself. You are the Guardian now. Not the Guardian of Fun., but the Guardian of the Horsemen. Take that title, and make it your own. Run the Abyss, try your hardest. Just don't try to back stab that damned Namek. It doesn't work. He's too strong."

"Why did you do that to him anyways?" Jack had to ask with a curious eye.

The Mohekian laughed, "I could never beat him face to face. He's pretty damned strong. Even at his weakest, he'll die but will take you with him. I've spent some time with that wolf, Lone. I have spoke to it. I have become to understand a few things, when it comes to Retane. It is a part of him. It is part of his soul. It's a representation in animalistic form. He strives for action. He can be the lone wolf, or he can be a part of a pack. He is a predator, and if you back him into a corner, he will fight for his life.

"It's hard to kill sometihng like that." Tapion shrugged his shoulders.

"That's not the Horsemen way..." Jack almost stammered.

"Eh? You are a Horsemen. You respect the others and their choices and decisions, but we all seek to become stronger. It's just how it works. You are stronger, together you are stronger. Together you dominate and mark out your territory. Anyone that messes with you get's killed. Just like those majestic creatures that resembles Retane's soul."

Jack nodded. He liked the words but was unsure,"Can you tame a wolf?"

Tapion through his shoulders up, "I think he tames himself with age. Just try your best. You were chosen as a Horsemen for a reason. If he gets out of control, just bap him on the nose with that staff of yours and tell him 'no'."

"So do you think we have a shot here?" Jack questioned.

"I think anything can happen. Hope and pray you find him before you both become prey. It's scary, but it's possible..."


[After Retane Post]------------------

The two had been to quiet, Jack had looked back as the elevator closed and saw that no one else was there.

"So it's the two of us against everyone else now right", Jack asked looking ahead, trying to stand up, tall and strong.

"Yeah, It seems that way."

Jack glanced at the sword and sheath Retane held on his back, "Can I ask a favor?"

Retane glances at the Guardian and Frost couldn't help it, "Do you mind, making me a cloak like yours and his?"

The namekian took a deep breath and paused for a few moments and gave a nod as he closed his eyes and put his green hand on the Guardians shoulder, "Think about it hard and concentrate. Let me feel your thoughts on it."

Jack Frost gave a nod and focused, thinking hard, 'no longer a side-kick, truly a Horsemen. The Guardian of the Horsemen'. A warm sensation surrounded the ice wielder for a few seconds as Retane gripped his hand on his shoulder. The feeling subsided and Tapion looked around at his new clothing with a grin. He was now clad in a hooded cloak; The material was light but the main background of the color as a dark hue of blue, nearly black, But a keen eye could see it. On the left arm was a symbol similar to the one on the Brave Swords's sheath. The back drop of the emblem was a shield encrested with his staff, Savior. A wolf of ice was in a strong run just in front of it, and in front of that was face of Tapion, the hair had a slight crimson tint to it, but it looked as if sculptured by ice.

The rest of material was blanketed with slight shimmering white-blue wolves, snow flakes, and imiages of his staff. They glimmered and flashed as if light hit them. Jack grinned, "Once a Horsemen, always a Horsemen."

Retane pulled his own cowl up, "Tapion tell you that?"

Jack laughed, "Yeah"

"When this starts, Let's hope we can find each other." The namekian stated, as the elevator dinged.

[Retane]

Retane and Jack Frost sat in Retane's room. Something had happened in their corridor before they had entered, and there was evidence to show it. The namek took a long slow breath as he looked at his comrade. Both had stood instead of relaxing, for the namekian, it was soothing, for the white haird adolescent, he was unsure. The two met eye to eye and the Emerald Warrior hunted for the words, to encourage himself and his comrade. There was nothing he could think of.

The Leader of the Horsemen let out the lowest of growl deep under his breath as he grabbed at his head. To many things swirled in his head. He had accepted the wolf, a part of his own soul with ease. It truly was a part of him. It felt angry, calmness, peace, and vengeance, and understanding; Just as he did.. It was truly a part of him. It had memories as well. Memories it promised to let Retane know about later on. It promised to help the renegade get stronger. And it gave him a little taste.

The Emerald Warrior felt it. He was the Dark Hunter again; The Mercenary; The true Rogue of Namek. He felt the adrenaline; The desire for the hunt.

We are so close to being together again. I feel you closer then ever. I ache for you. We were so good together

The namekian's mind went black for a moment. He envisioned a picture of Lone, in his shiniest form, haunched up and growling. He was looking at darkness. Hit was as if Lone was in a trifecta battle against his own orgosynth, which was a slow tentacled creature that was red, the orgosynth. At then end of the triangle was darkness, pure anger and the desire to kill things.

think we will be good together once again... Just accept me like you use to...

"Is everything ok?" Jack had asked this for the third time, this time louder.

Retane snapped to realizing his growl got louder then he knew. "Yeah. I'm fine. I just have a lot going on in my head. Trying to adjust to having a part of me that I never knew about, come back to me."

Jack nodded but paused for a moment, "Are you scared?"

The Emerald Warrior would never admit if he was and shook his head, "We have to kill or be killed. I think I'm okay with trying to survive. Plus it will let me gauge how strong I have gotten. I do not fear death. I will never fear death. I am Death." The namekian felt the fire in his body as he spoke the words and knew it to be true. If he faltered, he would recover. He was the God of Death, and sending Death into the Abyss meant people were going to die. You couldn't just beat Death, you were delaying the inevitable.

I like death. Let me help you make it happen.

The namekian closed his eyes straining to ignore the voice, "Things are going to happen there, that you may have never experienced. Just trust your instincts and try to stay alive. Never be the prey. If you have to be, make the think you aren't worth the risk. Be scary, be strong, have an answer."

"That's your advice, huh? How does that work for you exactly?" Jack stood up then curious.

"Me? I'm going to hunt. I'm going to kill. I'm going to do my best to seek out anyone I can and kill them. I'll have your back if we can find each other. Just sniff the air and trust your instincts, and you will find me. I have your scent. I will seek it out. "

"Geeze, Tapion wasn't joking about why your soul resembled a wolf. ". Jack tried to make a joke and the namek actually nodded, knowing Jack had meant it as that. Jack paused for a moment and realized it, "Lone... Wolf.... I get it now!" Jack laughed.

The namekian nodded, "But even a lone wolf can form a new pack..."

[Blackfire]

Blackfire’s late arrival meant that she wasn’t allowed the same privileges as the 44, punctual contestants that had made it past the preliminary process. Instead, DA personnel had instructed her to join the others already at the Barracks. On the plus side, the Tamaranean lacked the type of social skills in order to blend in with the other Primes even if she wanted to. On the minus side, she did not get the opportunity to survey DA’s Preshow facilities in hope of encountering and eliminating the Psion that had signed up. That was the whole point. She never had any intention of participating. Her plan was to obliterate the Psion before the game started and then contently, reap the penalties of her actions. Blackfire felt a tingle from the anticipation of encountering the Psion in the Barracks. He has to be there. She kept assuring herself that he was there among the 43 others. Her mind would not think otherwise.

On her way to the Barracks, she envisioned a variety of scenarios of their encounter, but regardless of difference, each scene concluded with his demise. Just as another scenario played into her mind, the sound of screaming interrupted her thoughts. The screaming caused Komand’r and the two escorts with her to spin around. Somehow, a girl had managed to breach DA’s seemingly, tight security system and was heading full speed towards a tall, muscular, bald-headed man of light brown complexion. The man of her dreams wore a sleeveless-t-shirt with the words JUST BRING IT! on it, and jeans, which Blackfire found to be tacky. She had no idea what possessed someone to leave their house in ripped attire. It was beyond stupid, but apparently, it was ‘trendy’. Society’s general lack of taste disturbed her.

“Foolish girl,” said Blackfire with her arms folded as a hefty security guard stopped the young woman in her tracks. “Speed is meaningless if you cannot control the direction of your movements,” she said to the ushers.

“Rock, Rock, Rock!” continued the fan, stretching her hands towards him, but quickly found herself lifted off her feet and onto the right, shoulder of the large security officer. “I love you! I love you Roooock!” she continued, but no matter how much she flailed her arms towards ‘Rock’, she couldn’t overcome the brute force of the DA security officer in black attire. Meanwhile, the bald superstar continued to giggle and wave at the fan. The moment she was out of sight, he straightened his face. That was a typical characteristic of a showman – the natural ability to turn the charm on and off at any given moment like the flick of a light switch.

Blackfire safely assumed Rock was a big celebrity although she had never heard of him; then again, she rarely watched TV. She preferred reading books. Regardless, the overeager fan proved there were people that would go through extreme lengths just to meet him. That was the power of charisma, which the Tamaranean also possessed.

As a Princess, Komand’r rarely had any responsibilities. With her birthrights passed down to her younger sister, it was Koriand’r that received all of the limelight, while the King’s firstborn, Komand’r, was forced to observe from afar, forever enveloped in her sisters shadow. That all changed the moment the rightful heir Komand’r was officially declared the 50th ruler of Planet Tamaran.

In the Empress’ opinion, society had a screwed up system where nobody could care less about a commoner, but the moment that commoner attains fame; suddenly everybody wants to kiss their derriere.

Komand’r couldn’t deny that becoming Queen was the greatest moment of her life, however, simultaneously, it was the most stressful period of life; that was the moment when it was compulsory to have an agent. “It is necessary,” babbled Lord Tyand’r. “They will help enhance your image and help you appeal to the young generation.” Then the agents hired makeup artists to tamper with her face and wardrobe stylists to tell her how she was supposed to dress. In addition, whether it was Planet Tamaran or the Dante Verse – it did not matter; photographers were all the same. They all told you how you were supposed to pose in order to look ‘sexy’ or ‘hip’.

Rock turned to his left, taking note of Blackfire. Her presence brought a smile to his face. She paid no mind to his big grin, instead, turned to one of the ushers. “Let’s be on our way.”

“Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoooa!” said the 46th participant, turning his head to the left and then straightening it as he made his way over to her with quick, long strides. “Clearly you don’t know who I am, so let me introduce myself.” He bounced his hips up and down twice and then shook his body repeatedly as if he was warming up for a sparring session.

“It’s the Rock!” he directed, thrusting his right hand downwards as if he was slicing thin air.

“It’s the jabroni beating, pie eating, trail blazing, eye brow raising, the best in the present, future and past, and if you dont like me you can kiss the peoples ass!”

Blackfire’s mouth flew open in shock. She had failed to make sense of what he had said, yet she had felt the passion in his voice, witnessed the intensity in his eyes and veins, which had emerged from each side of his baldhead. All of that sent chills all over her body. There was no way of detecting the physical capabilities of this man, but as a speaker, he was more powerful than anyone she had ever witnessed. There was no denying that his vocal skills had a major influence to his rise to prominence.
All Blackfire could do was gaze at him with astonished. He was undoubtable the most intriguing individual she had ever come across.

In response to her widened eyes, The Rock rose his right eyebrow.

Unbeknownst to her, a strand of sweat trickled down the right side of Blackfires face. She tried to move, turn around, but couldn’t move any part of her body. I’m paralysed, she thought. How is this happening to me? How? He is just…a man….so how?

“That’s right, you’re starting to sweat. That’s what The Rock does, The Rock brings the heat.” He smacked the back of his right hand against his left palm. “The rock brings the heat here, The Rock brings the heat to Antarctica, The Rock brings the heat all over the damn universe!” He rose his face towards the ceiling. If you smeeeeelalalalalalalalalalow, what The Rock…” He redirected his face towards her and winked. “Is….cooking,” he finished quietly.

Blackfire’s lips moved but did not have the will to utter a word. This cannot be happening. She tried to speak once again, same result. Im- She tried to move her limps, an arm, a leg, a foot, but the most life from her was the twitching of fingers.

The Rock chuckled. “Don’t worry, The Rock has this effect on everybody, that’s why he’s the great one, the people’s champ, and clearly from the state of your gooorgous body, the most electrifying man in all, in aaaaall of entertainment!”

Not that this behemoth of a guy needed any security, but the one his left whispered something into his eye.

“The Rock’s gotta leave. The people need him, but before I leave…” The Rock stepped closer to her with the utmost swagger of confidence. “Let me leave you with something to think about…” She could feel the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, as he got even closer. “On your watyto the Barracks.”

Even if she had the power to, she was unsure whether she would have wanted to stop him from wrapping his bulky arm around her waist, drawing her forward against her will until their bodies touched, arching his face towards hers…

No, she must have wanted this; there was no other explanation for the warm sensation she felt within. Nobody had ever gotten this close to her face before, nobody.

Growing up as a member of Tamaran’s royal family was tougher than anyone could ever imagine. As the King’s daughter, she was never allowed to roam anywhere outside the palace without at least one guard, and even then, she had to deal with the discomfort of being checked on every five minutes or so. When you added that to the fact that Komand’r was an outcast as the only Tamaranean incapable of flying, you ended up with a girl that experienced an abnormal social life.

The Rock gently placed his lips against hers. Her eyes closed immediately, lips motionless as she embraced the feeling of passion for the first time in her life. As they both opened her eyes, The Rock raised his hands, and without taking his eyes off hers, straightened both sides of her hair. Even when he turned around, she still had her attention on him.

“Did you get all of that?” asked a redheaded reporter to the cameraman beside her.

“Abso-fucking-lutely!” replied the cameraman with delight.

[Gin Yatreg]

A knock came from the door, Gin sat up and responded with a "Come in." The door opened and in walked a man who appeared to work for the company running this event. "Mr. Yatreg, I've come to deliver your collar, it's almost time for the event to start." he said.

"Collar? Well, okay then." Gin said. He got up and took the collar from the man and put it on. "Thank you for participating in this event, we at the company wish you good luck once it starts." the man said. The man turned to leave, but before he could walk out the door, Gin stopped him with a question.

"Wait, how will I know when to head over to where we start the event?" Gin asked.

The man just turned around and smiled, "Don't worry, you'll know when it's time. Get some rest, you'll need it for when it starts." he replied. The man then walked out and closed the door behind him, leaving Gin with his thoughts and a snoring Chocobo.

"You know I really didn't expect a bird to snore so loudly." Gin said. He shrugged and fell back down on his bed, waiting for the start of Dante's Abyss.