TOURNAMENT BEGINS (2)

Waiting room BC2

"… wish you luck and happy hunting" blared out the Sound system in the Waiting room

Rico stood silently with his eyes closed in the waiting room. He was trying to get into the right frame of mind before the exhibition match. He took deep breaths and tried to drown out the voice of the Chief. Right now he had more important things to do such as getting in the right frame of mind before the exhibition match. It might be seen as rude by others to be ignoring the words of your Superior but at this stage, he didn't care. Rico had always been a serious person and highly competitive even though he might look outwardly as a cold and calculative person he was also a competitive person just hidden under a cold and calculative veneer besides he was fighting against his self-proclaimed rival Samuel "Eight". "Eight" being his code name due to his weird quirk or OCD.

Knock! knock!

A series of short taps broke him from his meditative state. One of the Ushers, a female, poked her head in after knocking to announce her presence. "Mister Rico please can you start making your way to the auditorium"

"Coming" he replied briefly. He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. Then made one final check on his weapons. He drew his double-edged swords and inspected them both before slinging them over his shoulders and strapped to his back. Rico was not wearing a full-length coat this time but was wearing a form-fitting turtleneck vest and baggy trousers that were riddled with numerous hidden pockets containing a wide range of nasty surprises (pretty much standard brotherhood garb). He patted himself down to ensure that he had his full bag of goodies (for himself, not his enemies) after confirming he turned to the female Usher.

"I am ready, let's go." and win this thought Rico

Rico's blood was boiling in excitement because for all his cold demeanor he was still a Skull and fighting; pitting one's skills against another was always a satisfying experience and his competitive spirit will not let him forgo the chance to prove that he was the best and still is the best among his peers.

****

Rico strode onto the tournament ring with slow measured steps. The tournament ring was an elevated concrete platform surrounded by a ring of bright light that made the ring look like the sun had descended onto the ring. The ring was also surrounded by a large number of video recording devices that were broadcasting everything that happened to the audience within the Arena.

He made a slow circular turn and waved his right hand in acknowledgement of the audience and the crowd went wild.

Various shouts and calls erupted.

"Hey, I bet on you."

"better not lose this match"

"Please look this way and smile."

This among others were being shouted and directed at Rico. He put this all from his mind and turned to the only other person currently on the ring. It was the referee of the tournament.

The chief must really not want any death or external interference thought Rico.

He was looking at none other than George Anyai. one of the highest-ranking members within the brotherhood. George and a few other heads of the great family were the only ones second to Alexander Obara the chief in power(both politically and martially). I wonder what Alexander would do if Joshua and Mitchelle ended up facing each other. Would he replace George as the referee? Hmmm…. Well, that's none of my business thought Rico as he put away such matters out of his mind after all he had a fight to win. He gave a shallow nod to George as a sign of respect which George returned back with an even shallower nod as acknowledgment - for even though they were called a brotherhood there was still an established hierarchy and traditions within the brotherhood.

"... And introducing the one and only, slayer of men and obsessive keeper of numbers, the scourge of his enemies and all unfortunates in his way. I present to you SAAMUEELL THE EIGHT." announced the accountant.

The lights focused on the far end of the ring and a clean-shaven man came into view. He had skin cut on his head. Samuel made his way to the ring with measured steps. Everything about Samuel screamed measured or mechanical. Well, I guess he still has his OCD thought Rico; I guess I can use that to my advantage. Hopefully.

Samuel "eight" made it to the ring bowed in homage to the referee George and then turned to Rico. A small smile crossed his lips and he gave another measured bow to Rico.

"Been a while," said Samuel

"Yes," Rico replied his bow

"don't make this too easy"

"When did I ever."

Rico studied Samuel trying to decipher what weapons he had hidden. Currently, he had four long swords strapped to his back. (two on the left and two on the right) he also had four short swords around his waist. Samuel had four pairs of stiletto needles strapped to both thighs. He was bedecked in an array of weapons that looked like he was going to wage a small war. In comparison, Rico looked under prepared but in actuality, Samuel's look was simply because of his obsessive compulsive disorder.

"Positions people " said George pointing to opposite ends of the rings with both hands.

Rico and Samuel took 15 steps from each other with George the referee in the middle.

"Ready?" asked George, both nodded. "Then without Ado." a pause. "FIGHT."

Rico pulled out his two longswords and began circling around Samuel keeping a safe distance from his reach. Samuel had also pulled out his long swords but unlike Rico's Swords which were one-bladed, his were double-bladed and shaped like a needle and seemed to be made specifically for stabbing. He and Rico began the ritualistic circling of each other around the ring before they fought.

With nary a change in facial expressions, Samuel jumped up slightly on his feet and tapped his feet twice drawing Rico's attention. Rico's eyes zoned in Samuel's feet in suspicion and sure enough, a thin blade had just jutted out of Samuel's boots but in the brief instant that he turned to observe Samuel's feet Samuel flung one of his swords aimed squarely at Rico's face. Rico stepped back to reduce the distance between him and the flying sword. He lightly swung his sword in his left hand to swipe it out of his way. Samuel had used this chance to close the gap between them he would have been even closer if Rico did not backstep.

Samuel's sword made a flowing gesture strangely resembling a figure eight (strangely for anyone that didn't know Samuel) as it raced towards Rico. Rico countered with his right-hand sword and proceeded to stab Samuel with his left. Samuel blocked with his gauntlet-protected hand as Rico tried to pursue his advantage he heard a soft hissing sound that made him whip his head back to dodge something instinctively.

That was his saving grace, he saw a thin blade pass right in front of him right where his face was a second ago. A quick glance downwards confirmed his suspicion only one blade remained on Samuel's other boot.

"an air-propelled projectile from a shoe of all things, Sam. Really? Your toys seemed to have increased since the last time I saw you." Rico Said leisurely while exchanging parries and attacking Samuel. Though he said this leisurely he had to be on the alert to make sure that Samuel didn't shoot him at an inopportune time (for Rico that is).

" You know me, always trying to keep up with the time." replied Samuel with a smile as he launched a crescent kick with his still-bladed boot. Which Rico blocked then he heard another hiss and immediately flipped his head right sideways barely in time to dodge the propelled blade. He felt a small trickle of blood on his left cheek. Well, I guess I didn't completely dodge that. You will pay for that thought Rico as he closes the distance between himself and the smirking Samuel. Samuel stood perfectly still with his short sword held in front of him but facing upwards and his other hand hidden behind his back - - - looking like one of those old fencing masters before they proceeded to stab someone or get stabbed by someone during one of those old duels.

What are you planning now? Thought Rico.

Rico and Samuel exchanged a flurry of attacks, they clashed swords again and again with no deciding blows or Victor. Their exchange of blows continued for almost a full minute with second by second exchange of attacks. Rico's and Samuel's swords became a blur only leaving silver after images, sparks jumped up at their clash of Swords. None of them giving an inch to each other. Slowly and steadily nicks and small wounds began to appear on both contender bodies. And they only seemed to be getting faster and more engrossed in their fights. The crowd was quiet and in rapt attention, they were completely stuck in tension wondering who the Victor will be.