Chapter 19
It began from a corner of the Amphitheater. The corner where the Blue Wind sect were seated, to be exact. Then like a ripple effect, it spread rapidly. From a corner, to an area, to a section, three sections, seven sections, fourteen sections... It took three seconds. In three seconds, the boos and jeers rang out in disdain throughout the Amphitheater.
"DEATH TO THE BERMUDIAN SCUM!!!"
"KILL HIM DEAD, DON'T EVEN SPARE HIS BONES!!!!"
"END THIS VILE VERMIN!! DISINFECT THE ARENA!!!"
"FUCK YOU, DEVON DOUGLAS!!! THE LIKES OF YOU SHOULD BE SUBMERGED IN A PIT OF SH*T AND BE FORGOTTEN!!!!"
"WE WANT HIS EXECUTION!!! WE WANT HIS HEAD!!!"
"HURRY THE F*CK UP AND GET LOST FROM OUR SIGHT, YOU DEFORMED, EXCREMENTAL MISTAKE!!!!"
"SACRIFICE HIS LIFE FOR OUR PLEASURE, PHILEMON HENDRICKSON!!!!!"
"WE ARE COUNTING ON YOU PHILEMON HENDRICKSON TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND WASTE THIS DETESTABLE MIXTURE OF PISS AND SH*T!!!!
The atmosphere was charged with hostility.
The boos, the vulgar insults, the call for his execution, the spittle and the middle fingers directed at him; It went on and on. It was resoundingly deafening. A repeat of yesterday, but a whole lot worse. A lot more intense. Even those from the other neighboring nations, whom weren't too familiar with the Bermudian situation in Arges, joined in on the action. Some for the fun of it, others just to feel among.
The only area with decorum and good comportment was the seating section of the military officials. The reps from the other continents, whom were seated there as well, were confused as to what was going on.
It was like he was an heinous criminal, walking the walk of shame, to the courtroom, to receive his impending judgment. Douglas made history, as the first contestant to ever be booed in the history of the Arges Combat tournament.
Major Conner sighed inwardly. Even though, he had berated this same people yesterday, but he knew inwardly that it was hard to change human nature. Decades of hate and disgust was difficult to contain or subdue, no matter the status one had achieved.
He pitied the young man.
Sure, he had used some unknown means to force his way into this Amphitheater, but he didn't deserve such cruel treatment, irrespective of whatever province he was from. Not even his worst enemy deserved such treatment. It was demoralizing. The contestant would have to battle, as well as, take in all this boos been hurled at him. Only one with a strong mental fortitude could manage this.
But, observing the young man, as he strolled towards the center, he was impressed, by the way he carried himself, despite the audience's clamors. Just like the repeat of yesterday, he oozed with calmness and composure. He seemed to not be bothered by the distractions. He saw the resolve and tenacity on the young man's face. He was focused on the task at hand.
Major Conner was a fair man. He had always sympathized with Bermuda and he strongly felt that they fairly deserved a chance to participate in the tournament, regardless of whatever they were facing, and shouldn't be excluded. It was a province of the state after all.
It was one of the main reasons why he harshly berated those in the audience yesterday.
He was satisfied with Bermuda's candidacy, as of now. Though he, the contestant, didn't go through the proper means, but after thinking it through thoroughly as of yesterday, Major Conner concluded that what Douglas, the contestant, did, however he did it, was necessary. Bermuda was never going to be accepted into the tournament through the appropriate means. But now that things have reached this stage, the higher ups were lazy to investigate the discrepancy and had let things slide. So, it worked out well in the end.
After he observed that the ambience of the Amphitheater didn't get to the slow pacing Douglas, Major Conner nodded in approval at the staunch mentality of the young man.
Things might just get interesting He thought to himself.
He began walking away from the center, to the edge of the arena, leaving the red ground completely open for the two contestants.
Douglas halted a hundred meters away from his opponent and studied his outlook, with his hands deep in his pockets.
Hendrickson's arms were raised sideways and his eyes were shut tight. His long, black robe, swayed gently in the light breeze. It seemed like he was basking in the euphoria of the moment. Basking in the role imposed on him by the audience, to be their judge, jury and executioner. His unusually loud, irritating voice, almost competing with the boos and jeers echoed, as he said scornfully,
"Do you here that, filth? The people are calling on me to do the work of the gods. You have been tried and have been found guilty of existing within the same stratosphere as proper human beings. For the crime of polluting the atmosphere with your stink and with your disease, you have been condemned to a brutal death by my hands!!!"
Hendrickson halted his impassioned rhetoric and dropped his right hand to his side, while his left was outstretched towards Douglas, beckoning on him, with a condescending whisper,
"But, after thorough consideration, I have decided to give you a chance. I am a very merciful person and I don't want to waste one's life without allowing a chance for atonement and a moment of grace. Even a worm like you deserves such. If you lie on the ground and lick my boots, if you disown your heritage and call me your new daddy, I will spare you from the humiliation and despair! You will no longer be a Bermudian, but an underlining of mine. You could be of some use to me. Even a worm has its uses. I will make you my personal disciple and all you'll have to do is sing my praises, till the end of your life!"
Hendrickson had on a somber expression, like some haughty savior, intending to save the condemned from certain despair. He was doing this not out of the goodness of his heart of course, but to humiliate him some more and to show his superiority, above all else.
"BEGIN!!"
Major Conner exclaimed hoarsely, at the top of voice, from the edge of the arena, to commence the first match of the tournament.
The Amphitheater quietened down. All eyes were squarely focused on the two at the center. Their expectation of witnessing a gory execution, exhibited on their highly expectant faces.
"So, what do you say? It's a good offer, yes?" Hendrickson persuaded "All things been considered, I'm been very fair. Because your only other option, is to die like a squashed insect. But, I'm offering you an opportunity of a lifetime. Your shame would be eradicated, your status would be elevated, you would be graced wi-"
"You love to just hear the sound of your hideous voice, don't you? Shut the fuck up and attack already, you weakling! I don't have all day!" Douglas cut in loudly, yawning to indicate his boredom of having to listen to Hendrickson.
"Good, good, good!!!" Hendrickson nodded his head in affirmation. "This is perfect. It seems the filthy miasma of idiocy, in your province, has eaten deeply into your infected brain, that you can't tell how high the sky this. You can't tell a good offer, when you see one. That's okay. I will properly educate you on how harsh life is, and then you can take your self-inflicted, ill-fated fortune to your grave!!"
SHILINK!!
Hendrickson unsheathed his long sabre.
The sound of the blade shlicked viciously through the air. The sharp edge gleamed malignantly, like the sickle of death.
FWOSH!!!
Hendrickson activated his mana. Waves of blue wind suddenly formed around him, with a whoosh, spiraling around his entire frame. It had the semblance of a blue tornado. Then, it shrunk and condensed, till it spiraled furiously, with intent, only around his forearms, and from his knees to his boots.
"PREPARE TO MEET YOUR MAKER!!!"
Hendrickson exclaimed with malignance, before dashing like the wind, towards his opponent. He made the first move, full of confidence of his eminent victory.