TOURNAMENT BEGINS

Williams was picked up from his "room" on the fateful day by The middle-aged woman and kid he had first met when he was "brought" to The Fortress. He had later found out that the two were called Pain and Quiet respectively, and most importantly that they were not mother and child. He was "escorted " by the two to the venue.

"So are we going out, leaving the base today or what? " he asked.

"Ha, I like ya but don't think you are so smart. The Fortress has everything that you will need and much more. The tournament is still going to be held here. "

"Oh well, you can't blame a guy for trying " Williams shrugged as the two led him through the exceedingly complex corridors. He took note that they were allowed access through various barriers they encountered simply by Pain pressing her palm against a rectangular cutout beside each door. Some kind of palm reader but what astounded William was the speed with which the palm reader scanned and unlocked the door. Everything could be counted in seconds.

After meandering through a few more corridors accompanied by Quiet's chatter, they reached a larger corridor that seemed to be having a lot of traffic. All the individuals were heading in the same direction and were engaged in various discussions causing quite a bit of noise.

The atmosphere felt as if it was some kind of sporting event except that it would probably be one of the most secretive events of history hosted around a kilometer underground.

"Wow, this feels like a football match or something " murmured Williams

"It's definitely something. I will tell you that" replied Quiet "If you were a betting man Boyo I could hook you up with a couple of friends into that. Just hit me up."

“Quiet right? I will really like to know who your parents are? just for studies ”

“Oh my mom, bless her soul, passed away when I was young. My father well I don't know where that no gooder is and good riddance I say.” Quiet said in mock sorrow feigning grief as he thumbed the corner of his eyes feigning cleaning imaginary tears.

“But You are still so little” stated Williams.

"Curse you young man. I will have you know that I am much more mature than I look."

"Really?" asked Williams, staring down at Quiet.

"Yes" sniffed Quiet self righteously

"Really?" asked Williams turning to Pain.

"Quiet stop playing with the boy"

"spoilsport" muttered Quiet grumpily.

As they followed and joined up with the excited crowd, Williams noticed that some of the people were not following the crowd but seemed to be stationed at various points of intersection. They patrolled in twos. They were in strange full body armor with their helmets faceplate shaped like a skull. They also carried one of the most weirdest looking guns William had ever seen. The guns seemed to be completely smooth, slick, and shiny with no opening to expend any spent shells.

Williams leaned down and tapped Quiet.

"Who are those people? " Williams asked, pointing at another set of the people in the Armored gear.

"Ah, that will be the security. That's the minimum requirement that is needed to keep this rabble in line you know "

"We are here"Pain interrupted

As Quiet and Williams were discussing they had actually reached their destination, The Arena.

"What in the world?" choked out Williams in surprise "How do you keep on building this underground without any cave in? "

"Welcome to the Arena, Boyo " Quiet said with a mischievous grin on his face.

The Arena where the tournament was to be held was mind-boggling. Especially due to its sheer size and the fact that it was built underground, it was built like a World-Class stadium and had the capacity to seat thousands. It had four humongous Television screens facing all four directions hovering above the field or stage. There were many lights fixed to the roof of the Arena that it made the place look like the Sun was actually above. Williams had to strain his neck backward to try to even view the ceiling of this place. He wondered how much money and time--No, scratch that years it will take or would have taken to build this place the whole base of "The Fortress". Probably over a couple of generations. it was a literal underground city from all indications.

"Whatcha standing there for? Let's go get our seats. "

While he had been gaping transfixed by the Arena Quiet and Pain had actually moved a bit ahead of him.

"Ah sorry about that. Am coming" Williams said as he hastened to catch up to them.

****

"Welcome Ladies and gentlemen to THE TOURNAMENT " said the Announcer on the mic. He was the one who had introduced himself as the accountant Michael Ego when Mitchelle and Williams had first been "brought" to "The Fortress"

"I would like to welcome everyone to the start of our very sacred and traditional event in which the next generation of leaders for our sect will be chosen. I would like to invite the Current Chief of Our esteemed sect and brotherhood, Mr. Alexander Obara to say a few words and commemorate his opening of the tournament." The accountant turned to Alexander" Please, Sir can you say a few words. "

Rachel's grandfather, Alexander stood up from his throne-like chair and mounted the stage. As he stood on the stage, the stadium fell to a deathly silence as people stopped talking and their eyes seemed to become transfixed to Alexander. Today, he stood ramrod straight and didn't have any look of sickly pallor. His posture connoted stiffness but his face and general demeanor radiated happiness and eagerness.

"That was a nice speech, Michael. Though if I had something to nitpick it will be that reference to sect, I know you wanted to be politically correct but we are always and will always be a brotherhood." Alexander joked dryly and was rewarded with a spattering of sycophantic dry laughs.

" Moving on. I would like to personally thank and welcome you all to the thirty-third (33rd) tournament of the Skull brotherhood. This time I have a personal stake in it as my lovely granddaughter is taking part in this year's tournament. This shall be a competition to be remembered for all times I promise"

He swiveled his head around slowly as if trying to make eye contact with the whole audience and everyone stood silent waiting on his every word. “I don't want to bore you so I will make my speech. To the participants in these tournaments I wish you well, do your best and make your family proud. Do not bring shame to your family. To the spectators enjoy yourself and make sure you only spectate. I don't need to tell you why or the consequences .” There was another scattering of laughter among the audience except that it was filled with nervousness as everyone knew that the Chief was not joking. He continued on “We have something special planned to commemorate the opening of The Tournament. An exhibition match between two of our best warriors.”

There was suddenly an excited chatter among the audience. The air seemed to be charged with energy from the audience's excitement.

“Settle down, people. You probably guessed it right. The exhibition match will be between two of our own very best. That's between RiiiiiiCo the ripper and Samuueeellll The eighth.”

There was suddenly an explosion of cheers and catcalls among the audience. It was like being in the stadium when the team scores a goal and supporters go wild except that here it felt different. More primal and raw.

“Oh one more thing to the Participants please don't die on me. That will spoil the sport. I wish you luck and happy hunting. Toodle.”

“He is joking right?” asked Williams with a frown

“Nope.” replied Quiet