Announcement
New Volume 4 Chapter(s) Weekly. Volumes 1-3 now complete!
“What do you mean I can’t participate?!” The man fumed at the registration counter.
“I apologize, sir,” the Fiendish Coliseum staff member held their composure. “But registration closed a week ago, and we do not allow walk-ups for this event. Additionally, Lesser Fiends are required to participate in teams with a minimum of two individuals, and it appears that you are here by yourself.”
“Well I don’t need anyone else!” the man raged. “I’m worth at least a hundred other Lessers and a dozen Fiends! To think that you would deny me, the great Pense Betitahonk, after I came all this way! No… I won’t stand for it!” Pense whipped out a pistol and pointed it at the clerk. If you don’t allow me through I’ll-bzrrt!”
The depressing Lesser slumped to the ground, paralyzed, and then subsequently tackled by several security guards within seconds. And if they hadn’t acted, the other long line of participants waiting to get registered early in the morning all had their hands on their weapons, ready to dispose of the nuisance.
All participants were required to be registered by [500] on September 29th or they’d be disqualified. They’d been allowed to show up two days early, but the vast majority still arrived the morning of the grand opening. And due to the high volume, as long as they were in line by the deadline, they’d be allowed to get registered. There were several stations open, and the staff was processing them as quickly as possible.
All customer-facing staff had been handpicked by Deborah since she knew more than anyone the iron-will and restraint it took when it came to servicing Fiends. Not everyone could handle that level of eccentricity, general pompousness, and idle/very-real threats. Security had been chosen by Tize and Nachi. Housekeeping and food service had been picked out by Mallea. And anything tech related was delegated by Nathym.
Once the participants were checked in, they were taken to the rooms they’d been given for the duration of the tournament. Even if they were knocked out in the first round, they’d be allowed to stick around for the rest of the tournament and enjoy a bit of luxury. All meals were provided, and they could make requests for just about anything within reason to make them more comfortable.
After settling in, the participants were allowed to wander the venue and could even jump ahead on any purchases for souvenirs and food before the general public. They were also allowed to check out the arena where they’d be fighting, though there wasn’t much to see. It was essentially just a giant circle with the Fiends For Hire logo splashed across it.
Though being in the arena itself was likely more an awe-inspiring event than just looking at it from afar. They were able to see the giant stadium around them, imagining the hundreds of thousands of cheering spectators. It seemed the arena was actually rather popular, since security had to hold heavy guard in order to keep any preemptive fights from breaking out.
Mid-afternoon, roughly an hour before the standard-dinner time, attendees were allowed to start entering and take their seats. It had been purposefully designed this way so they’d start to get hungry while waiting, but not want to leave the stadium to find food, forcing them to buy something at the jacked-up prices.
“Snacks, Souvenirs, and Specialties! Whatever you need, we’ve got it!” A young girl traipsed up and down the stadium's steps once the seats really started to fill. ZjoZjo, working for Roque as a part-time job and to earn experience and course credit, took up the mantle as a salesman once more. Fortunately, she didn’t have to lug all of her offerings around with her, and had a floating cart following her around, along with a small clone of Thievius to keep her safe from any aggravated customers.
“You can order food right to your seat, and I’ve got hot grub and cold drinks with me if you can’t wait! Need binoculars or a seat cushion, maybe a massaging neck pillow? We’ll make you comfier than a Zjiksan king! And check out our limited time Fiends For Hire and Fienidsh Coliseum merch, only available during this tournament. Get a Fighting Pox or a Cheerleader Drimini for your kids who are thankfully at home. They’ll love you for it!”
“And for those looking for a bit of spicier action, we’re also taking bets! The lineups have now been made public. We’re taking human bets up to the semi-finals, Lessers up to the quarter-finals, and up to second round eliminations for Fiends. Don’t hold back. First time betters get one pick free, and 10% increased payouts on your first five bets!”
Roque had practically begged the Drazahs and the Drome Coli Director to allow gambling, even though it was officially outlawed in the city. However, since the Coliseum could be legally distinguished as Fiendish territory if anyone made a fuss, the city granted it, especially since it’d stop tourists from interacting with the city's shadier sides.
As for the Drazahs, Drim had said to ask Phon since he couldn’t be bothered and since the Coliseum had been her project. Phon was convinced when Roque insisted that taking away as much money as possible from stupid people was better for the world.
One caveat, though, was that no actual fight rosters would be posted until the matches themselves. Neither the audience nor the participants would have any idea who was fighting who until they were facing each other in the arena. This meant that early bets could only be placed based on how far someone would go in the tournament, not whether or not they’d lose against specific opponents. However, when a match started, there would be live betting with adapting odds until the end.
Right at [750], every light went out around the stadium, and a single spotlight shone down at the center of the arena. Some of the crowd had already started cheering without even knowing what they were applauding for, and a few were possibly confused when a Lesser woman unaffiliated with the Fiends For Hire appeared suddenly in the light.
“Ladies and Gentleman, Humans and Fiends, welcome to the Fiendish Coliseum!” She gave a grand, exaggerated bow. “Some of you may know me, but I imagine I’m unfamiliar to most. My name is Rallie, the Ringmaster of the Wandering Souls Circus. For those who have been to see our show before, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. And for those of you who haven't, I hope to show you something wonderful.”
“But before we get started, I’d just like to share with you all a brief story about the Fiends For Hire.” There was a lot of whooping from the crowd just from the mere mention of the name. “Back when the group was still just in its infancy, they came to visit our circus. And it was no mere coincidence. We had actually sought out and lured them to our tent.”
“Our plan was to kill them and collect their bounties. Yes, we were stupid enough to think that we could trick them, but they were on to us from the beginning. Yet they didn’t retaliate, didn’t make us suffer for our transgressions. They just walked away like it was no big deal, and it left a lasting impression. Since then, we’ve strived to be better, the best we can be.”
“That just speaks to their character. Not only can they forgive you if you slight them, but they’ll help you find a better path. We’ve had a friendly relationship ever since. They’ve sent some Fiends and Lessers our way that have fit in wonderfully, and even some of our troupe will be competing in this competition, myself included.”
“On top of all that, they’ve asked me to host this tournament. And our group will be providing the entertainment for this opening ceremony, along with smaller acts during interstitials in the tournament. We’ve prepared a wonderful show for you, but first, let’s show some appreciation for those that started it all and made this possible!”
The spotlight slid up one side of the stadium to a spectator booth at the top of the stands. Nathym and Mallea were inside, just beyond the glass windows, since they’d been integral in the stadium's creation. And standing on top of the booth were the four Greater Fiends of the Fiends For Hire.
Applause erupted, booming through the entire stadium. It was so loud that Rallie’s voice had a hard time cutting through it, but she managed with a bit more inflection, and a little help from a certain Fiend. “Even though the Greaters won’t be participating, expect to see them throughout the event. They’ll always be watching from above, and they’ll also be part of a rotating cast providing commentary during the fights.”
“And now, let the show begin!” The spotlight went out, but a small glow of green remained in Drim’s hand. It started as a tiny portal, but it grew and grew until it had expanded over the entire coliseum. Luminescent petals started to fall, a new flora of Drim’s creation.
They lit up the area with glowing green, but not enough to make anything visible, more just a wondrous distraction. Any petals that hit the ground were reabsorbed and redeployed, but those that landed in the stands were left to settle, for anyone who wanted to take home as a souvenir.
After a significant amount of ooo’s and ahh’s, just as the spectacle was about to wane, the arena lit up with hundreds of lights, and the real show began. Wandering Souls Circus put on a wonderful performance, outclassing anything they’d ever done before. Insane acrobatics, spectacles beyond belief, pyrotechnics and stage props that surpassed their entire yearly operating budget for a single show. All while telling a compelling narrative
And not only that, the Fiends For Hire themselves got involved. Those who had performed with the circus before returned and recreated their original performances—properly this time without the chance of death. On top of that, Rezin added illusions, Egawo helped with the sounds, Chorus provided outfit changes, whatever any of them could do to make it the greatest show on Rathe.
By the end, every performer was exhausted and dripping with sweat, but Rallie pushed through and took center stage once more. “Thank you all for coming tonight, and thank you to those watching at home, but the show is just starting. The human bracket begins tomorrow. Check your schedules. We’ll be getting through as many as possible, because we all know what you’re here for. We won’t keep you waiting long.”
“Prepare yourselves for the best action you’ve ever seen. Soon we'll be crowning our champion. What will they wish for? You’ll just have to tune in and see! Goodnight!”
