Dreams to Become Wishes

"On dang," He exclaimed. "That's insane,"

Sola was seated on one of the couches with the last contestant to arrive and the man wearing headphones. The contestant was a middle-aged man named Gregori with copper-brown hair that was balding around the centre. His face had few wrinkles, most of which were hidden behind his well-kept beard. Around his neck was a pendant in the shape of an upside-down triangle that had been hollowed out. The two were discussing the fight that just took place.

"It doesn't really matter anyway," Sola said. "I'll get them back later in the tournament,"

"You shouldn't hold malice towards them," Gregori said. "Engage them in the tournament but only as a fellow contestant,"

Sola gave the man a strange look. He looked from him to his pendant and frowned. Gregori noticed his eyes on his pendant and smiled.

"I take it you're familiar with her Lady of Bronze, Branith?"

"Only by name," Sola replied.

"I won't fret you too much about her unless you're willing to spare me your time,"

Gregori did not give Sola the chance to refuse before going into a rave about his religion. The grey-haired man zoned out while the man described out his goddess had descended from the heavenly realm and sprang from the earth, losing her divine face. When it came to religion, Sola was not a fan. His history with a particular faith had reduced his perception to seeing them as religious fanatism. The memory of faith sent a sensation down his blood that made him feel uncomfortable.

"-and because the hollowness of her face represents transparency, which is why we believers exemplify her through truth and honesty,"

"If she's supposed to exemplify transparency, why does she hide her form?" Sola asked.

"That's for a completely different reason!" Gregori exclaimed. "Mortal men cannot bear witness to her form so she must keep her body completely covered,"

"If you say so," He sighed.

Gregori noticed his disinterest and decided to shift the focus of the conversation.

"Why are you participating in the tournament?"

"I'm trying to get permission to go to the Moonfall Mine and winning the tournament is the quickest way to get it," Sola replied. "You?"

"A friend of mine is sick and we can't afford to pay the medical fees," The copper-haired man explained. "When I win the tournament I plan to have his expenses paid,"

"That's quite the shame,"

"Yeah, but it won't be for long. I don't plan on losing this tournament, Branith willing,"

"Well, we'll just have to see when we fight,"

A roar of cheers leaked through the waiting room entrance. The second match was done with the eccentric man standing victorious at the centre of the room. Gregori and another contestant got to their feet and made their way to the exit.

"I'll see you after the match," He said.

"I'll be waiting,"

The eccentric man on screen, a man named Jaru Kayemi pointed to the camera. He made a lens with his fingers and made a clicking sound with his mouth, imitating a camera. Someone in the crowd laughed at the sight of it. It was the winner of the first match, a woman with short white hair that was adorned with multi-coloured polka dots. Her right eye was an abyss black and her left eye was light brown. She was dressed in mismatched clothes with her right sleeve being long and her shoulder being bare. Even her pants were of mismatched lengths. Her clothes looked like a rainbow turned into apparel.

"Alright Jaru," She smiled. "Let's see who's the better artist in a couple of days, eh?"

Sola felt the eyes of someone on the back of his neck. Sure enough, when he turned he saw the blue-haired man with headphones staring at him. According to the tournament table, he was the one Sola was about to fight after Gegori's match. Sola recalled his name; William.

"Do you I have something on my face or what?" Sola asked.

William pulled his hands out of his pockets and began signing. Sola did not understand sign language and he did not need to. When he did a sign, the corresponding word annunciated himself. Sola could only assume it had something to do with his Revel Art.

"You should forfeit the match," William signed.

"And why is that?" Sola raised an eyebrow.

"I've already seen your flow and your rhythm," He replied. "And a song is not as good on the second listening,"

The crowd roared again, drawing their attention to the screen. The third match was done with Gregori the victor. It was the quickest match yet. Sola and William looked at each other again.

"I'll see you in the arena," He signed.

The two made their way out of the exit of the waiting room. As they walked, Gregori and his opponent made their way back in. Gregori smiled at Sola and raised his pendant to the grey-haired man as if in prayer. Sola nodded in response and continued to the arena.

The cheers of the crowd grew louder as the two grew closer to the light at the end of the hallway. William scrunched his face at the noise before putting on his headphones. Sola squinted as he walked out. His eyes quickly adjusted to the light. Surrounding him were several stands filled to the brim with people. Placed above at the centre stands was a large box. In it were the members of the Walker Family, with the patriarch of the family seated in the centre.

It was the first time he had ever seen the head of the Walker family. Compared to the last person of a similar position was so alien to the regular person it was terrifying. Alexander Walker was alien as well, but not in the same way as Kenan Immortalis was. He had an air of elegance and high standing about him but not in a manner that made him unapproachable. Rather, it invited adoration. His skin was aged with liver spots all over his forehead, yet his strong posture and vibrant green eyes made him seem younger than he probably was. His white hair, the signifier of his bloodline was starker than any of his 12 children at the box with him. He looked down at the arena with a smile on his face and intrigue in his eyes.

Sola and William walked onto the stage on opposing sides. The announcer took it from the getting the crowd riled up.