Through the door were the backrooms, the place where the fighters prepared and readied themselves for the potentiality of death. All of them were Viltrumites. Tasked with staying on Viltrum and doing menial or bureaucratic work, many Viltrumites found a different way to exercise their evolutionally developed blood lust.
On one end was a large pane of reinforced glass a Viltrumite would struggle to break displaying the current fight going on. On the other side in the back was an elongated desk white and sleek like all of Viltrum with a single terminal for registration the stench of blood heavy even if there were no visible splotches.
Bringing Anessa with him he typed his name in the terminal, using an alias he developed the clacking of keys sounding deafening in the nearly silent room.
"Horizon"
"Horizon? Why did you choose that?" Anessa asked, confused why he would care if anyone knew he fought in the Arena. Thula already knew, who else was he worried about?
"Just something I thought of.. The idea of my enemies seeing me fly over the Horizon and tremble in fear sounds nice." Nathaniel admitted. He thought it sounded cool, nothing much to it honestly, he really didn't want to put immortal dragon fist or something super lame.
With the click of the ENTER button he's registered, 'Horizon' appearing in the queue, 5th in line from the next fighter up. "Plus, once we reach adulthood and they give us our assignments my name being in the Arena would be a smear on my reputation. I want to go to the frontier, not sit here and idle."
Anissa nodded, agreeing that keeping his name in good standing when the council draws positions would be best, even if their family ties guaranteed a combat position. Now simply waiting for Nathaniels turn and Anissa not planning on fighting, she found herself looking out the large glass window, watching the ongoing fight between two Viltrumites.
One wielded a Bo staff, metal gleaming in the artificial yellow light, sand kicked up in the air. The other a long broadsword, holding it steady, his eyes calm and serene as they both waited for the announcer to finish his speech.
"So without further ado, FIGHT!" Anissa's eyes widened seeing them so eager to kill each other for simple entertainment. Viltrumites killed each other all the time, children killed for being weak completely normal in Viltrum society. But for entertainment, it felt wrong to her. Like their sacred blood being spilt for such trivialities is heresy.
"I hadn't imagined how eager they would be." She said still looking out the window a deep frown on her face as she furrows her brow. Bringing two glasses of some bright orange drink Nathaniel nodded as he handed her a glass.
"Yes." Is all he said about it. He didn't like the Arena much either, Viltrumites capable of destroying worlds stuck like rats resorting to savagery to experience a fraction of what they're capable of. However, he also understood that it was necessary, that every species in the entire universe had their own version of an Arena. In a society constraining all emotions, all feelings and insecurity the Arena represents a place where they can release their pent-up stress.
A "necessary evil" lesser men would call it. Nathaniel called it weakness.
The resounding thump of a decapitated head plopping onto the sand marked the end of the fight. The staff wielding Viltrumite coming out victorious, his immense strength forcing the blunt weapon to cut like a sword. The crowd cheered, white on grey roaring into the air at the geyser of blood spraying into the air. Nathaniel and Anissa, however; remained silent. Anissa eyed the blood stained ground with perplexion and malice her eyes stoney.
The next two Viltrumites were called forth, a man and woman this time. Neither wielded any weapon, simply stood ready, their white battle garb ready to be stained in blood.
"You will be killing a Viltrumite? Nolan had only mentioned the beasts." Anissa said side-eyeing him while taking a sip of her drink.
Nathaniel paused. He did not want to say he wanted to kill his kin, that he needed to in order to get stronger. But he didn't want to lie to her either.
"Yes, every-time before now it has been beasts, Greater Talo, Rerine, even a Colossal Sun Nonun once. But they aren't enough, not strong enough, too weak to give me any challenge worth the time barely able to make me bleed now. So, I need to fight other Viltrumites, we are the strongest species in the Universe so there's no better challenge than us." It was the truth; he needed to to fight the strongest which just so happens to be his own people. The was nothing wrong with wanting to be stronger.
"There is nothing wrong with wanting to become stronger, Nathaniel. I very much enjoy seeing you eager to enhance your already formidable strength." Her eyes roam Nathaniels sculpted body, much more sculpted than the already Greek God builds most Viltrumites have naturally.
"I am sure you will bring much glory to Viltrum in the future... despite your peculiarities." She says, turning her eyes back to the current fight satisfied with his answer. To her the glory of Viltrum was paramount still, the strength of its people must be maintained and Nathaniel despite displaying some weakness toward the necessary duties of Viltrumites, he does what must be done.
Love is not a concept in Viltrumite society that weakness was shed long before the purge. She felt respect for Nathaniel. Different from Nolan and the other recruits Nathaniel felt different to her, the way he held himself, how he stayed composed facing Thulas wrath, how he goes out after regular training to strengthen himself even more in the fires of an Arena. It made her feel what she could only see as strong respect of his character.
Nathaniel moves to respond his mouth opening but interrupted half way-
"Adrian is Victorious! Truly a sight to see such brutality from Viltrums finest!" The announcer announced. His voice booming across the stadium, speakers in every room.
"Up next, we have Stirik, breaker of bones." He paused for a moment, quiet static of a hastily covered mic and the imperceptible noises of people talking to each other. A second later and he's back, his voice a completely different tune, "Hoho, do we have a fight tonight ladies and gents! Up against Stirik, breaker of bones we have with us, an all-time fan favorite. Rivers have run red from the blood of beasts he's killed and now he's turned his attention toward his fellow Viltrumites, so beware." The announcer begins his voice teeming with anticipation at every word, excitement rushing through the crowd at the clues presented to them.
"I need to go, looks like it's my turn already." Nathaniel understood the clues as well, they've moved him forward.
Nathaniel said setting his drink on the table next to them and beginning to turn and leave. Before he can Anissa stops him, grabbing his hand roughly.
He turns back faster than he intended, being closer than he remembered his lips couple with hers, with a quick wet peck. Anissa's eyes lock onto his, her lips curling into a small coy smile. A moment of intimacy formerly extinct on viltrum appeared, their eyes staring into each other's, for just a moment. Until it passed as their hands separated.
"Kill him...Horizon." How romantic.
"Welcome, Stirrrrrrrrik, the Bone Breaker!" Drawing out his name the Announcer boomed as a man walked from one end of the Arena. A talk bulky, tan skinned man, fists bigger than his head he walked out with confidence of his victory. The crowd cheered his arrival as he walked forward, his large body leaving deep prints in the sand.
And with out further ado, let the blood shed begin because we have, The beast slaying, Gravity defying, deftly fighting, true son of Viltrum, Hoooorizon!" The crowd roared, crystal white bleachers vibrating from the movement fists in the air at the announcement, excitement a visible phenomenon in the Arena stands.
On the other end, his form fitting Viltrumite uniform clung to his body outlining every single muscle fiber. His abyssal black hair swayed in the air as he drifted forth and his eyes were flat, narrow and focused, honing in, preparing for the kill. His body an inch above the ground he came forward like a God too good to soil himself with the filth of the South Viltrum Arena.
The crowds already deafening roars got even louder, Viltrumite men and women getting out of their seats to bear witness to the young gladiator!