Closed The undead and the pitfighter (miro)

[Gregory]

spring 12th 514 av Gregory grinned as he walked into the cage. Gripping his bastard sword in one hand and checking if his dagger was secure in his belt. He rolled his shoulders to losen them up a bit and then looked towards his opponent. His opponent was a massive man, having to at least be taller then six feet, his frame bulging with muscles and was wielding a large axe. Gregory wasn't afraid though. It was only a single guy. He had fought against people with axes enough to know how to go around them as well. And just because somebody was tall and musclebound didn't mean they were good fighters. The crowd however wasn't thinking along the same lines from what he heard. Comments about his hight and lots of bet on the large guy with the axe. He scoffed. Today's crowd were a bunch of morons it seemed. The big guy was new to the pit and he had been here for more then five years. Fighting every other day. This wouldn't be as horribly onesided as the others were thinking. He walked towards his opponent. His bastard sword up in a guarded position and a keen eye on the man. Not moments after he started walking towards his opponent the large man let out a loud battlecry in a language he didn't know and charged at him. Swinging his axe in a large overhand strike. Gregory easily sidestepped the strike and got some distance again. Not taking advantage of the opening. The Crowd was expecting a show, not him killing the man on the spot. The handlers would get his hide for that. He just watched with a bored face as the larger man readied himself for another attack, this time a wide horizontal swing. Too wide and too obvious. Gregory simplely took a large step backwards and it harmlessly sailed past. Two swings, both sloppy and badly done. This guy was a complete amatuer. They probably just got him because of his large, intimidating frame and the muscles. He quickly closed in after the man was completely open and kneed the large man right in the balls. As the man bend over, cradeling his injured groin, he smashed the pommel of his bastard sword right in the man's face. Sending him toppeling to the ground. He spat on the man and took a few steps back. “Come on big guy. This all you got?” He taunted the fallen man as he readied himself. The man slowly got back to his feet and yelled in anger as he charged, once again with a wide swing with the axe. This wasn't just getting boring, it was getting pathetic. Had this guy ever been in a fight before today? He dodged the swing again. This time retaliating with a slash of his own at the man's arm. Drawing a long bloody wound on his lower arm.

[Miro]

Miro had decided to check out a rarely visited entertainment location known as the Pit. It was a place where combatants were thrown in a ring to fight one another. It was almost like the Colosseum in Alvadas, but not quite. Not even close really. This was a place where the glory in fighting was replaced by grit. It was not the kind of place where the wizard would fight. He was sure none would enjoy the powerful displays he would present. Though the location did allow a popular Ravokian hobby, the fine sport of gambling.

The Chained One was here for the fight, but he was all for the spirit of things. The odds on the fight were presented, and the favorite was the larger of the two men. A large axe wielding man, against a smaller man with a smaller weapon, the undead went with the odds. He had put five miza down on the little guy being split open. It was certainly what he hoped to see. The desperate fools in the Pit fighting for their lives were often nobodies. This was fortunate for those who hunted down such individuals.

Perhaps after the fight the winner could be presented with an opportunity. The large man certainly would make a fine addition to the ranks of the Returned. A tease with money, an offer of power, the promise of eternal life, it would be all too easy to draw in those who fight in this blood pit. And those who were well trained in the arts of killing always had a place under Uldr. They only needed to be drawn in, bought by whatever means necessary. But before any of that there was a fight at hand.

The large man did not waste any time, instantly on the offense. Though he was slow, his form sloppy, his mind seemingly dull. It was as if the combatant was not trained with his weapon at all, but instead had just chosen to wield it for the first time. A large axe was a fine weapon for a man of his size, but only when properly trained. There was a strategy to such a powerful piece of weaponry. Such things were lost on the dim fighter, but his opponent seemed to understand.

The smaller man used a blade, one that he seemed comfortable with. As well the fighter seemed at home in the ring, able to keep concentration with his life on the line. The sloppy offense provided by the larger opponent was easily danced around. It seemed the smaller combatant sought to put on a show, to embarrass his challenger. It seemed perhaps the bet was lost already. The sword wielding combatant, after dropping his opponent, managed to draw first blood.

This was a pathetic fight, hardly worth any money. It would be a lesson to all of those who bet so shallowly, that was for sure. But Miro would not let things end so easily. He was a Hypnotist and a sore loser. As the crowds booed the fight, the wizard joined in, his voice ripe with Djed. He began to manipulate the combatants with his magic to try and level the odds. There was not much he could do from here, but perhaps enough to make the difference.

Miro focused first on the man he had bet on, began to manipulate his mind. He reaffirmed his mental state with emotional responses first, a way to keep the man level. He pushed feelings to calm and focus the man, to give him confidence and determination. These feelings were complimented by suggestions, subliminal hints. "Corner the target, only swing at an opening, fight with more than just the axe."

These were simple enough hints at a strategy, though far from perfect. At least it was better than the blind swinging method presented. Hopefully with newly found composure the axe fighter could land a strike. However there was also the issue of breaking the advantage fighter's mind and bringing him out of his element. This was slightly harder. It would likely take a more active role, a well timed push. The key was to guide the man into a foolish move that left him open.

The Hypnotist began to roar louder, concentrated directly at the swordsman. He began to push emotional responses of fear, anxiety, doubt and anger. An odd mix of emotions that would feel out of place and would likely not manifest immediately. Though these feelings would linger. As well suggestions were pushed into the mind. "Draw things out, put on a show, give him a chance, get the crowd cheering, show off a little"

There, the Chained One had evened things a bit, but only a bit. The effects were likely to hold little sway, if any at all. To effect a mind focused on battle was hard, but somewhat easier with an audience. They held great sway over the performances given. The undead had only one more manipulation to make, a more powerful spell, the sudden thought. He had one prepared for each combatant, something they could not so easily ignore.

First the wizard concentrated on the axe wielder, he turned to him and gave a cheer. The reassuring hoot was Djed charged and would inspire the thought, "I'll back him into a corner and kill him with one well placed strike." Then a hissing boo was directed at the swordsman on the opposing side. His spell would inspire the thought, "I'll keep dodging his attacks, get the crowd going. I'll wait until my back is against the wall, then end things."

Now all that was left to do was watch the show. There was no way to know how things would turn out. Magic, much like a fight, was unpredictable. Miro continued to cheer on the fighters, more invested in the fight now than ever.

[Gregory]

The mixture of feelings that coursed through him as the large man stood back up brought a vicious grin on Gregories face. The familiar rush when you fought against somebody and where the only way out of the fight was to kill the other guy. And by the gods he was going to pound this large vagic in the ground in the most humiliating way possible. Give those petchers in the stands a reason why one shouldn't underestimate the shorter folks. “Come on big guy! Lift that axe up and do something! You haven't even hit me yet” He yelled at the man with a feral grin on his face. Gesturing for him to come at him. It seemed that the large fighter had figured out enough that he knew charging in again wasn't a good idea as he just slowly inched closer to him. One hand still guarding his balls. Gregory scoffed, sunberth would have eaten this guy alive and spat out the bones afterwards. “How could that have hurt you vagik! You don't have any balls for me too kick there!” he sniggered after the insult. The results were obvious as the large man went red with anger and went after him again. This time however he didn't just blindly swing his axe at him with large strikes. But actually tried not to overextend himself to badly. Trying to force him into a corner with them. Seems like the big ape was able to learn something after all. But such a basic trick wouldn't work on him. Not when he was using as badly as that at least. He got out of the way of another one of his strikes and slashed at the man's weapon hand. Drawing blood again. It was a light wound, but the large man still howled in pain. Gregory just grinned, this fight was going exactly like he wanted it to go. With the larger man being slowly ground down into the dust. He took a step closer, wanting to follow up his swing with another attack. Maybe at the man's chest but he paid for that piece of overconfidence with a meaty fist into his face, throwing him to the ground. The crowd loved it, cheering the larger man on while laughing at him. Greg just gritted his teeth as he got back to his feet and glared the larger man. Red with embarrassment from the slip up against a guy like that. “playtime is over.” He growled. The man once again closed the distance, trying to drag use the same tactic on him again. Gregory just slapped the axe out of the way with the blunt of his blade. Gripped the weapon with both of his hands and did a basic upwards slash underneath the larger man's guard. The attack hit hope, cutting through the man's abdomen and hitting his ribcage. The cheering went towards a large groan as the man fell to the ground. Gregory finished him off with a stab in the back of his neck. Spitting on the man's corpse. He heard the gate of the pit being opened. The guard mentioning for him to get out. He did so, handing his weapons back to the guard before he was escorted back to his cell.

[Miro]

Miro watched as the fighters played their game of tag in the ring. The undead had hope for his combatant, but found it quickly frittering away. It seemed that a few simple manipulations could not make the difference. It was not long before the swordsman struck a fatal blow on the axe fighter. A damn shame about the money, but perhaps it was not wasted. The crowd began to clear. Those who lost their money left, while the winners moved on to collect.

The Chained One did not follow the crowd though. He waited for them to clear and made his way to the entrance of the Pit to wait for the victor to emerge. He stood by and thought about how he felt after seeing such a display. He was not sure that he wanted the swordsman to win, but there was apparently nothing that could be done. At least there was no doubt who the greater fighter of the two competitors was.

Much the same as planned for the other man, the wizard would lure in the fighter. He would make some attempts at flattery to begin with, but needed to decide a greater direction for his plan. He could not just attempt to buy a follower. If he wanted that he would just go for a slave. No, this was something different, more tricky. The Reimancer could offer to train the fighter. Perhaps show him a taste of what those marked by Uldr were capable of.

Miro waited, though nobody emerged. It got to a point where the anxiety became overwhelming. If the man was not going to come out, then the undead would go in. He pulled his badge that proved his affiliation with the Ebonstryfe and walked into the establishment. He found his way easily to a simple out of ring prep area. A few guards tended weapon stock and caged fighters back there. It seemed that there might be another round before long.

One by one he passed by the people, each of them with the same suspicious look. They were easy to ignore, for there was something worthy of his attention. He kept his badge visible until finally he found the man he looked for. A shorter, lean bodied, filthy man stood before the wizard. His hair and beard looked rather shabby, as if he hadn't groomed himself in seasons. As well his body appeared quite scarred.

Miro looked at the fighter from behind his gruesome mask with some curiosity in his gaze. The badge was finally tucked away. "I watched you fight out there. Bet against you too. Money thrown away, but I'll know better next time." Time to get to the point. "You've got some skill, but you're nothing special. Though I could change that. I am Miro. What about you, who are you, what is your story? You can leave this place, can't you?"

[Gregory]

gregory couldn't do much else then just stare at the strange man that had called him out. Not only the mask of bone caught his attention, but also the fact that he had a lame arm hanging in his his robe. But he had seen that badge of the ebonstryfe that he had been showing around. What in petch name was a ebonstryfe guy talking to him for? He let the comment of him being nothing special slide of him though. He knew that he wasn't a great fighter, just a stubborn and half decent one. That's how he survived up till now. He bit back a few snide remarks about the man's questions and his fashion choices as well. What freak wore a skull mask when he was going around? But still, the man was affiliated with the ebonstryfe, better not to piss him off or who knows what kind of monster he was forced to fight next. “I'm Gregory. Born in sunberth Slave forced to fight in these pits for five years. Nothing else to say.” He spat out, just because he was answering the man didn't mean he had to like it. The bastards he was working with were the ones that were forcing him to fight in the pits after all. Still, the idea that he lost money because he bet on the wrong guy was fairly funny. “So no I can't leave this place. Unless somebody buy's me out of this place or till I'm dead.” He grit his teeth as he said that. He wanted nothing more then get out of this place. Gregory looked at the masked man with a suspicious look. The offer of vague power. The offer to be more. This all sounded ripped right out of a tale from some drunken storyteller to be honest. “So what about you? Why are you in this place, talking to me. Offering change? You better give me some more info about that offer your putting on the table here. Because as it is now. It's one that reeks of hollow promises and hot air.” He said in a resolute tone. Waiting for the man to answer his own questions. If this had happened in sunberth he would have written off the man as a dangerous madman. But that guy was in the ebonstryfe. So he had some pull and power of his own. So his offer might have some worth.

[Miro]

Miro was not sure how to deal with the man in the cage. Apparently he wasn't allowed to leave. That would cause some problems for what the wizard had in mind. Not only that, but the man was crass. Just talk would not satisfy him, so there would need to be some proof. Gregory, he said his name was. From Sunberth, a slave here for five years. That city, passed through it once, not a place fond of magic. That was the one warning about the city given that stuck.

Perhaps to flaunt magic was not such a wise idea. Perhaps the plan was fundamentally flawed. This place was great to find the desperate, but hardly a place to claim them. For that there was the slave market, a place where you could have a variety of choices. Here there were people like Gregory and the other unrefined killers. But it was too late to turn back. This man was just the type that made a fine servant. Desperate and already tarnished by blood spilled.

The undead attempted to whistle, though his dry mouth could not manage it. He wet his tongue with Reified water and licked at his chapped lips. A long breath of air was drawn into his lungs as he let out a loud whistle to draw attention to him. An unhappy looking cage guard approached with a hand on his weapon. "What do you think you're doing?" This was just fine, he would do what he was supposed to.

Again Miro pulled his badge and showed it, but it seemed to have little effect. "I am on business given to me by my Paladin. I need to, well, it's complicated. Confidential even, as the information is sensitive." Right, sensitive information, he had nothing. But he needed to make up something. "I can't let you know what it is, but I can give you a chance to help. Come here, let's get a bit of privacy."

This guy would need to be convinced, but it was likely not going to be easy. The Hypnotist walked over a ways and the guard followed behind. This close together, Hypnotism was practically effortless. The wizard spoke in a hushed voice. "Look, I need to borrow this guy, but I understand you can't just do that. So you won't. But you will. Nobody will know he's gone, and nobody will know you were paid for loaning him to me."

Still the guard was not impressed at all. It was more than apparent by the scowl that grew on his face. "No, that won’t do. Not at all. That piece of meat is worth hundreds, and if it comes back to me, I don't even want to know what happens." Not the right answer at all. A good excuse to say no though. A compromise then. The pit was cleared for now, it would be the perfect place to hold a private meeting.

Miro cast an emotional response of awe through the sheer force of his presence. "Do you know who I am?" He followed with a sudden thought, "This is the Master Apprentice Miro." He charged his words with the emotion of trust, "My word is good," and he placed a firm hand on the man's shoulder. "I'll just take him down to the Pit while it's cleared out for a few chimes. Give you five miza."

The Hypnotist continued to impress minor hypnotic spells. He wrapped his will around the man and began to push his target's mind to align with his own desires. Emotional responses to build excitement, anxiety, feelings of greed. His mind wracked with suggestions, "Take the money, it will be just a few minutes, nobody will know, just do it." It was apparent that it was having an effect on the man. The coins were taken in hand and offered.

The guard seemed to be coming around. It was apparent in his eyes, the language of his body, his shaking hands. Slowly he began to reach for the money and finally he snatched it away. He walked back over to Gregory's cage, the undead behind him, and unlocked the container. The guard held a stern look on his face as he spoke to the slave. "Come with me. Don't try anything." He backed away from the cage with a hand on his weapon ready to draw.

Miro walked forth and beckoned to the man whom he'd given a taste of freedom to. "You'll be coming with me, having a bit of a talk." The undead began to lead the way back around to the pit. The guard remained behind to ensure that the slave followed and did as he was told. When finally they arrived at the entrance to the pit, the man stayed behind to ensure nothing compromising happened.

To be in the iron fences, it was almost nice. The sand beneath the feet, the benches that surrounded, it brought with it nostalgia. The place did not offer them a place to be out of sight, but it would allow words to be shared in secret. The wizard walked to the center of the sandy pit and turned to his guest. "I may have told them we had official city business to discuss. I may have lied a bit, though we do have some things to discuss."

All the talk of Miro just putting up a front, not being able to deliver, it ended here. He drew his gladius from his belt and held it's point outward to the slave and threw it to the ground before his feet. "I told you what I can offer you, but that wasn't enough. Now I'll have to show you." The Chained One was not much of an unarmed fighter, but he had faith in his ability. "I have a dead arm and a weak leg, yet you are powerless against me. Take my weapon, fight me."

[Gregory]

Gregory patiently waited for the masked man to give an explination. But he didn't get one. He watched with suspicion as the man called a guard to him with a sharp whistle and said he needed to borrow him. Gregory already wanted to drive his fist in the man's face with enough force to break that ridiculous skull mask of his. He was a human, not just a bloody piece of meat that one could borrow and trade. He gritted his teeth and just slowly seethed in anger as he heard Miro talk to the guard. Gregory didn't know how he did it, but miro actually managed to convince the guard to see it his way after a bit of cayoling and the promise of a bribe. He couldn't help but shake his head at that. Seemed like no matter how much the ebonstryfe tried to style itself. They weren't much better then the hired thugs, if you dangled enough gold in front of them they just bend over backwards to accommodate you. “Have I ever tried anything?” He just said with a toothy grin as he stepped out of the cage. The guard just glowered at him in response. “Fine, I'll behave.” He said in an annoyed tone as the guard gripped his weapon slightly harder. Then Miro beckoned him to follow him towards the pit. Seeing as he was slightly curious as to the man's offer. What was important enough to talk about with him of all people. That he was willing to give up money to get him alone. Why couldn't he just talk about it with the guard listening in? Was it something that would hurt them? Something that could set him free permanently? “Of course you lied. Nobody has city dbusiness to discuss with a slave. The vagik has rocks for brains since he believed that weak excuse.” He shot back. Then he saw Miro pull out his gladuis and he immediately got ready to fight, even when the man just threw it in front of his feet. “You? A cripple like you wants to fight against me?” He said with a feral grin. This was going to be fun He had wanted to punch him in the face.. So whatever power he was going to offer was going to be able to throw him in the dust was it. Well he would see about that. He bend over, keeping an eye on Miro, and grabbed the gladius. It was worthless to him. The balance was all different' from what he was used to with a bastard sword. It was shorter as well. He took a step closer and threw the Gladius right at Miro's face. He immediately closed the gap in between them and tried to smash him to the ground with his whole body. A one armed idiot with a weak leg. How was he going to win against a pitfighter? That freak better show him the power he promised or else he was going to bash his skull in with his bare fists.

[Miro]

Gregory took the gladius in hand, the fine Isurian made piece of cold iron it was, and he felt it over. But there was something odd in the man's body language. It was not like in the fight, it was not so open, something was concealed instead. There was something going through the man's head, perhaps thinking over the offer. No, it seemed not, for the man made a sudden move. With a step in, the gladius was launched directly at Miro's face. That blade was likely worth more than the slave's life.

The undead's eyes widened, his mind quick to react. It had been a while since he was in such a light toned fight, but it seemed that things would not be so easy. The blade sailed point first for his face, an easy enough dodge. But this was not to be a fight, rather a show, a performance for a crowd of one. The key to any good show was showmanship, and there was nothing more showy than magic. Though always it should be veiled, leave the audience with the thrill of mystery. This pitfighter had no idea what he was up against, a true gladiator.

The wizard in that instant formulated his reaction and brought it into existence by an automatic force of will. His trained battle senses had taught him to react quickly, but his body could not always keep up. He focused on the Djed in his body, the pathways that flowed through his nerves, guided all movement. He began to move to the right, push with his right leg and turn, but focused on redirection as well. He drew a redirection of his right leg's Djed to his right arm, and with the limb's increased speed caught the gladius as it sailed by him.

But his quick reactions and showy nature held a fault, and that was that it left him open. He lacked the foresight to predict such an act was but a distraction, an move to leave an opening. Gregory charged in behind the blade at an alarming speed. The awkward stance, the imbalance of Djed in the body, this was not a great position to be in. His footing was all wrong, he had only a moment to react. Dodge, that was the only answer. He would need the Flux to even stand a chance. He turned his body back to face his foe, ready for another trick.

Miro focused on the Djed built in his right arm and reversed the redirection. He willed the strength of his right arm to surge down, through his spine, into his right leg, and he felt its strength well. He drew empowered leg back and shifted his weight back. His coiled leg launched his body back, but his assailant was already upon him. "Zlynge, I should have dodged right," the thought passed through his mind as the heavy body rammed into his midsection. The pitfighter managed to tackle the Chained One into the sand, and was now atop him.

This was not a favorable situation to be in. When their bodies slammed into the ground, the undead's took most of the force. It would be enough to drive the wind out of a breathing man. It was however enough to wrench the gladius from his grip. Normally the wizard's response would be magic, Reimancy in most cases, but in this one Leeching. However this was not an option. Both disciplines would reveal him for what he was, a cheater. Hypnotism would do nothing for him now, so the only answer was the Flux.

The weight of a man on his legs, they were not viable. The way he was pinned, his weakened body could not break free so easily. There was only one answer, and that was to finally provide a counter attack. Miro focused on the pathways of his entire lower body and drew them to his upper body. His legs and waist's strength flowed upward to empower his abs, chest and arm. He sat himself up as much as possible and began to launch one reckless and powerful punch after another. This kind of fight was something he hadn't encountered before. Did Gregory have any choice but to back off?

[Gregory]

Gregory's eyes widened as the weak looking man snatched the thrown blade out of the air with his good hand. That shouldn't be possible, nobody could move nor react that fast. He still pressed on though, not that he could stop his body with the momentum he had behind him now anyway. The assailant threw himself backwards quite a deal for what should have just been a single good leg, but he still smashed into him and pinned him to the ground. had he been lying about his body being weak? Was it an illusion of some sort? The things that could have been the power Miro had mentioned ran through his mind. Greg pushed the man's good hand to the ground and raised his other fist to smash it in the man's face. Hopefully that would daze him a bit. Then the arm he thought he had pinned against the ground with his arm moved. Moving as if it wasn't even held down. How could a slander and weak looking thing have such strength in him. He backed of as fast as he could. The first fist landed right on his shoulder and threw him slightly backwards, he already could feel the bruise form from that hard hit. Greg backed off as fast as he could from the strangely strong frail looking man. He didn't want too eat another one of those, next time it could even hit something less though then his shoulder. He jumped up, if that was power he was offering then it just might be something to take the man up on. But how the petch did he even do that. He backed of from the man. The fact he was able to snatch thrown swords out of the air without cutting himself, punch as hard as the guy he killed not a few moments ago and now had a weapon while he hadn't. Made this a fight he wasn't going to drag out in any way. So he didn't get a last kick in. Sunberth had long ago beaten it into his head that you shouldn't go around pissing of people stronger and better armed then you. Especially not if they were willing to offer some of that power too you. “Okay. You got my attention with the stuff you just pulled off.” Gregory. “That's some power alright.” Gregory admitted. Wondering if the man still had more up his sleeve. Just pure strength wouldn't do the guy much good. Especially if one of his arms was dead. Those punches had been completely shyke as well. “You're a lot stronger then you look like. Lost faster too. How the petch did you do that?” It was teachable at the very least. Otherwise he wouldn't be able to offer it as power.

[Miro]

Miro was glad to be out of that situation. Being put on his back like that, being held down, it made him uncomfortable. No, more than uncomfortable, nervous, frightened even. It was not often that he was put at a disadvantage, but even rarer he was helpless. It was that latter thing that frightened him, to be rendered unable to do anything. The few times it happened, there was nothing more terrifying. A wizard was never supposed to be left without an option, however dire the cost might be.

The Djed in the undead's body returned to equilibrium, and again he could feel his legs. Being on his back, it was an awful position to be left. His weak body and metal robe made lifting himself difficult. He was forced to push himself on his left side with his right leg and arm, then fall onto his stomach. His body hit the ground hard, his arm unable to support the shifted weight. He then lifted himself progressively, first his right leg, then his left knee settled, and finally his right arm to push him upright. To actually lift himself, he placed a hand on the ground, then firmly planted his right foot, then his left, before finally he rose to stand.

The pitfighter had a few things to say, finally ready to come around. Miro smirked behind the Mask of Many and gave a subtle nod. He bent over to reclaim his weapon and sheathed it. His attention was turned back to his company. "You fought well yourself. Much better than I thought you would. Though, it was hardly a fair fight." He did not refer to his weakness of his body, but rather his its enhancements. "You fought as a mere mortal, a man alone. I did not. I stand here as a man eternal, and I have a god behind me. You are alive, a Pulser, a man with need to eat, sleep, drink. I am not, and I am far stronger than any who live because of it."

There would be no mention of the Flux's use in the fight, for oft people held a distaste for such things. Trickery they called it. Unnatural even, for they failed to understand the opposite was true, that nothing was more natural. The Chained One spoke in a hushed yet firm voice. "I saw you fight, and I saw potential in you. Not in your fighting, which was admirable, but in your heart. You were able to operate under pressure, perform for the crowd, defy the odds. You were as canny as you were merciless. I like that, and so does my god." He hoped to further ingrain these desires into the man.

The best way to do that was through flattery and promise of gain, but a bit of Hypnotism never hurt. Miro drew nearer to Gregory and stared him down. The undead's smirk turned to a grin, and he began to chuckle softly. He began to expand his aura of influence and impress his presence onto the man before him. "I am what you call an undead. No, not a Nuit, they are impure, weak. I am an undead created directly be the hand of a god. Uldr, lord of undeath, my lord. He can grant you immortality, gift you with power beyond anything you've imagined."

The Hypnotist stood directly before the slave now, ready to begin adding magic to his argument. He stood close enough to weave his most subtle manipulations with just his force of presence. He began to elicit emotional responses, feelings of envy, excitement, happiness, anxiety. Along with it he pushed a single suggestion, "I want what he has." But with all things, there was a catch. "Though, Uldr does not offer his mark for nothing, as is the way of the world." With luck this was a price willingly paid.

To ask what Uldr asked, not many would agree to it. To gain from him, something must also be lost. The god was not one to deal in charity, nor was he one to give more than he received. "To receive the god's mark, a deal must be made. You must offer your will to Uldr, accept his gracious offer. To be made an immortal, to have your body made perfect, you must accept undeniable cravings. You must become his eternal servant." When presented in such a way, it did not seem as appealing. A final push always helped.

Miro gave a shrug and let out a soft sigh as he walked to stand beside the man. It was almost time they finished things up. "With Uldr you'd have all you needed to be free of the reign of the living. Though you would never be completely free, you would know a freedom that no living man could ever hope to experience. Think about it for a while. Our time here is up." He placed a hand firmly and Gregory's shoulder and leaned in. He whispered one last thing. "I'll stop by every once in a while. If ever you find yourself free of this place and wish to meet again, put a job up at the Spot. Title it, "Seeking Immortality", leave the details with Bohir."

With business here concluded, the Chained One removed his hand and began to limp forth. He walked out of the pit and to the other side of the iron fence. The guard on the other side turned to greet him. Miro offer a handshake and a few parting words. "My business here is concluded. It seems that he did not know exactly what I needed, but gave me a few hints. In return I taught him a thing or two about fighting. I appreciate the assistance. I owe you one." The guard gave a firm nod and accepted the handshake. "Anytime. I'll be sure to call that in."

The wizard began to depart, no longer concerned with what became of the pitfighter. It was best that the thought was left with the man. That he was left to toy with the idea, let his desires grow. Eventually, left in that cage, forced to fight against the living, his mind would be drawn back to today. He would think of what could be, the endless possibilities of immortality. Yes, the man would be left to sit, fester in his pitiful existence. In a few weeks or so, Chained One would return, offer a chance of escape. Though, as usual, he would routinely check the Spot. Only now with an eye for that certain job made just for him.