It was dark, deep into the night only one moon shone above Viltrum tonight casting a thin veil over everything. Nathaniel awoke with a grunt, his ankle sending a dull throb throughout his body but it only seemed to wake him up even more, his eyes sharpening in alertness as he slowly climbed out of bed. When his feet fell off the side they didn't touch the ground, frozen a mere inch above it, his control perfect. He fixed his sheet and began moving, slow like a snail he floated out of his lone window and into the night careful to stay low. Thula never slept after all. Controlling his flight so no sound would come of it he deftly went over the walls and sneakily flew to the park.
Floating at a slightly faster than walking pace he made good time turning through alleys and under solar panel canopies to hide from the patrolling police. His mind began to wander, the closer he got to his destination, just a small park, with a trail to a little creek, Viltrumites took care of its ecosystem after all.
But he began to think about this whole situation. He liked Anissa there was no doubt about it, he's known her since forever and wouldn't mind their relationship getting a little more... intimate. However, that was also a problem, Anissa was a Viltrumite, through and through, she would never agree with him when the time came. He would leave Viltrum, leave the whole damn empire, maybe find a planet on the fringes and just relax, no mass genocide, conquering or destruction, just peace, that's what he wanted, and he would get it if it was the last thing he did. It was why he went to the arena, to fight those honor less fights, to get stronger quicker, his disability was simply a set back nothing more.
Turning the last corner the park comes into view, one of the benches sat Anissa, the lamplight cascading down her form dressed in her battle garb, her long black hair sat at her shoulder like a shroud yet her striking blue eyes shone like lightning bolts. She was beautiful, and Nathaniel couldn't help but take in a breath as he approached her. A smile grew on her face as she saw him fly to her, she got there much earlier than needed, and he was nervous, he knew she never did anything like this especially sneaking out after curfew, he found it heartwarming, that she'd violate the rules she'd adhered to all her life for him.
"Hey." is what he says as he gently lands on the bench beside her, his body relaxing as he sits next to Anissa. Anissa looked relaxed too, leaning against the back of the bench she looked over to him, her eyes meeting his, he couldn't help but hold his breath from the connection. They were so close right now. And they weren't brawling, throwing punches of trying to kill each other.
"I got here a little early, didn't want you to think I chickened out." She said a with a chuckle and a lighthearted smile on her face, her long black hair rusting with the movements. She was beautiful. He grew up with her, born in the same generation he was around her a lot, but only now did he really see her. Sitting under the Viltrum Moons ligh
t, a mellow streetlamp illuminating her features, and her smile, god, her smile. He would burn worlds if it meant he could see it forever.
As quickly as it came, her smile went. Nathaniel quickly came back to his senses responding to her after a second. "I knew you wouldn't, you're too strong." His voice came out a little huskier that he probably intended the complement, but she takes it without showing any signs she noticed.
"So, what did you want to do out here, can't exactly go to the zoo. I know you're smart enough to not bring me on a boring date." A smirk creeping up both their faces. Anissa was confident that Nathaniel had something fun planned, and when she saw the smirk grow on his face one instantly grew on hers as well.
"Zoo is pretty close actually, lets go." Grabbing her hand he jumps up and flies into the sky, pulling her along with him. They quickly arrive to a place Anissa has only heard of, The Arenas.
Unlike what most other races thought of Viltrumites, they don't really fight things for fun, especially captured creatures like the ones in the Arena, they view it as weak, since the animal has already been captured. But this is the only place Nathaniel could really let loose, as all the other Viltrumite trainees save for Anissa or Nolan were too weak to really give him a challenge.
Fans roared in the stands, the colosseum like structure deep underground vibrating with their cheers. As they both entered, down the main hall that led to the bleachers, or branched off to the backrooms, multiple food stands were erected. The slave class of Viltrum along with some blood hungry Viltrumites themselves enjoyed diverse food and drink but the busiest stand was where they placed their bets.
"So how does this work? Do you just volunteer to fight?" Anissa said, her eyes darting every which way, obvious she's never experienced something quite like this.
"Just follow me." Holding her hand Nathaniel leads them through the crowds, further and further away from them until the loud voices are little more than white noise in the background.
Coming up to a tall black door sectioned off to the side, a large man stood at the entrance. He rippled with muscle.
"Ah Nathaniel?" The man said, his previously ridged posture relaxing a millimeter he readied a dap for Nathaniel. He met the man's hand a crisp clap sounding in the hall as they greeted each other. It was an unusual sight anywhere on Viltrum, but Nathaniel had that impact on other Viltumites, more relaxed and calmer compared to normal upright and dutiful behavior.
"What's up Vamor? How's the wife been?" Nathaniel said to Vamor, the man grunting as he began to talk about his newborn kid. The Viltrumite empire couldn't possibly survive if every single noncombatant role was in the hands of a non-Viltrumite. Basic laborers were for sure, but protection jobs or scientists were almost entirely Viltrumite ran, such as the Arena, an old Viltrumite ran it. Vamor was just the bouncer for the Viltrumite running this particular Arena, like a secretary who diverts all the spam calls and annoying small fries.
".. she's been good. Speaking of women though I see you got one with you this time. When did you become a ladies man huh? Last time I saw you talk to a girl you could barely say your own name hah!" Nathaniel jabbed him on the shoulder for bringing that up, it was a lapse in self control. A beautiful alien lady and he couldn't not ask her out. It ended embarrasingly.
"I'm Anissa, pleasure meeting you." She said extending her hand in a formal handshake, her eyes neutral. Vamor met her and welcomed them in, his large hand peering open the door.
"Nice to meet you Anissa, Nathaniels a good boy, but if he ever does something stupid let me know, I'll make sure he stays in line. Anyway, welcome, to the South Viltrum Arena enjoy the fights."