[Flashback] Let there be Blood (Closed)

[Shakaar]

Shakaar 19th of Summer 505AV The monotony of Shakaars new life was draining to say the least. He had little to do but train, eat, and sleep. He watched every single game hoping to find a weakness in his to be opponents, or find a new technique to practice. For every moment of his life revolved around the pit. It was both his work and his home. He could no more escape it then he could escape his slavery. He was stuck in one continual rut. A path rife with violence and hate, a road of sorrow but exhilaration. He had grown fond of the duels. They were his only escape from reality. They gave him a rush of adrenaline that could not be found outside of battle. It was a beautiful feeling, but it was bittersweet. Shakaar enjoyed the screams of terror that his enemies released, he enjoyed the feeling that he got right before he struck the final blow. The feeling of life and death in harmony. There was nothing that came close to pleasing him in that way. Ahajii however did not enjoy the death of his opponents. He didn't mind killing, but he did not see the purpose of slaughtering men for the amusement of others. He saw the terror and hopelessness in the eyes of the men that knew death was upon them, and he was disgusted by it. But both the brothers knew that the law of the pit was irreversible. Kill or be killed was the charter of those sentenced to the pits. No one would give in, no one would give up. All the fighters would use every ounce of their strength, every trick they could remember to kill you. There is no mercy.... This one law was the all encompassing thought that filled the mind of Shakaar this day. For he was preparing for the pits. His name had been called, the people had summoned him. It was his privilege to obey, and to fight whomever they saw fit. Shakaar breathed deeply as he walked through the tunnels, he saw a dim light ahead. It grew larger and took on shape as he took each step. The open circle of dirt grew plain to his eyes, and the stadium of seats began to be seen through the light. The roaring of the crowds, savage and bloodthirsty began to reach his ears. Growing to a deafening level as his tall form became visible. With a roar he ran into the field hands raised into the air, acknowledging those who called him. He was greeted with an even louder roar of approval from the stands. When he reached the center of the field the crowd came to a sudden and complete silence. Tendrils of the crowds tension floated across the stands, and then out of the silence came the baying of a goats horn. Clear and melodic it flung out across the open grounds. However the beauty of the note was lost on Shakaar and most if not all of the crowd. As the sound could mean only one thing.... The fight was to begin!

[Shakaar]

Shakaar His lips were dry, it was hot, the sun burned upon his face. But this was of no consequence to Shakaar. This was a time for battle, not for comfort. It began as all duels in the pits with the blowing of the goats horn. Now as he ran through the tunnels, he drew in deep breaths of air. This was beauty, this is what he was meant to be. A hunter of men... Shakaar was searching, he was searching the depths of the pits for the slime he was sentenced to slaughter. He bent low to the ground choosing to see heat rather than the reflection of light. Walking slowly now, always looking to the floor searching for any sign of a footprint. Suddenly he stopped, stooping closer to the ground. The slightest glow was to be seen. Someone had stepped here not too long ago. Shakaar lifted his head in triumph, the trail was open. No human would escape his hands now! Walking faster and faster, the prints grew less faint. His quarry was nearing, and Shakaar was gaining speed. Turning once again in the maze, Shakaar followed the marks in a fury. He was now completely savege, his mind bent upon one thing only. His opponent... It was then that he caught sight of the man. A shimmer of heat against the cold earth. He was frantically trying to find his way out of the tunnels. "You will never get out of this maze foolish man" he laughed in the darkness. He enjoyed watching the man jump. His fear was tangible, it drifted into through tunnels. At the sound of the Akalak's voice the man stopped his search, and ran full speed. Disregarding the bumps, and bruises he recieved y slamming into walls he rushed onward. Shakaar followed with a peal of mocking laughter. "You can run all you want my dear, but there is nowhere you can HIDE!" he finished with a growl and a burst of speed. As he neared the man he brought his fist down heavily on the humans back, but as the being fell his foot came into Shakaar's eye. With a roar of pain Shakaar gripped his face, and let the man run. After a few seconds the pain receded and the Akalak stood. He rushed down the tunnel, roaring with rage. Quickly catching the man he saw him enter the light. Rushing out into the stadium he shouted "Well done, you went and made this personal! I'm going to enjoy killing you... Bit by bit..."

[Shakaar]

Shakaar The crowd was bored. The tunnels covered any action and that was not something that drew them here. They were here for blood and for the mayhem of the pits. So when the man ran out of a tunnel, coming into the light of day. A onlooker could feel the very tension rise. A dull murmur ran through the stands, and grew louder by the second. Flaring instantly at the sight of a tall blue figure bursting out of the tunnels. A bloodthirsty roar overpowered all other sounds. The crowd in a blood frenzy. They knew that no mercy was shown n the pits, no pity was shown to a fallen man. Backing down was a sentence of death, and no one gave up their life without a fight. When the Akalak shouted his challenge a strange hush fell. A silence that deafened the ears, and heightened the feeling of terror in Shakaar's opponent. The human raised his weapon defensively, a old looking rusty blade. However he looked more fit to use a plow than a blade. Shakaar advanced, head held high, hands loose near his chest. Slowly coming towards the human, coming in a circle gradually decreasing it's radius. When he came to around 10 feet from his opponent Shakaar stopped. He bent his knees very slightly, and brought his head down a few inches. Preparing himself for a sudden blow. However before he had the chance to strike, the human leaped forward swinging the blade wildly. Shakaar wove back and forth, barely avoiding the cold hard edge of the sword. Then he swung to the right, as the sword came left. He had maneuvered to the side of the human. Once there he quickly brought his fist down, like a hammer to the anvil. Striking the human just above the spinal column... A dull crack resounded, cutting through the dull silence of the pit clearly. Shakaar bent down to the fallen man, looking into the fading light of the humans eyes. He stayed bent for several seconds, but finally stood and grabbed the old blade. He raised the blade over his head and let out a roar full of bloodlust and savagery. The crowd, much pleased by his performance gave him a hearty cheer of approval.... -END-

[Mastermind]

AWARDS Shakaar Skills Tracking +1, Running +1, Unarmed Combat +2 Lores The Rush of Fighting for a Crowd The Thrill of the Hunt Items Notes Not exactly how I see the Blood Pits, but it was still a good read. If you've seen the TV show Spartacus, those Pits are more along where I think Hatter got his inspiration for this location, especially since the picture for the location is straight from that show.