The crowd goes wild, as the crowd should. After all, they are celebrating the victory of the future hero of Zegon. He may be a lowly Knight now but very soon, the Grand Army has no choice but to appoint him the new High Commander. As the grandson of Harlek, the first High Commander of Grand Army of Zegon, and son of Hulzek, the first High Commander of the Protectorate, his birthright demands adulation from the plebians and obedience from his inferiors in the army. He raises his hands up high and soaks in the applause and cheers. He will experience such victorious moments a few more times on his way to becoming the victor of the arena in the Reyda Festival. After all, he is the future hero of the kingdom. He is destined to win.
His next battle would be the last battle of the next day. All the better for the plebians to sing his name in exultation as they revel in festivities at night after bearing witness to his glorious and inevitable victory. His opponent is one Tik, of the Pathless. A great fighter worth his mettle should have decided on a Path and joined one of the various recognized factions in the kingdom where he could get the proper training. These Pathless are frowned upon and barely tolerated in a kingdom that holds the factions in high regard. There are even rumors that suspected dangerous individuals may even be killed and their bodies dumped unceremoniously by the King's assassins. In any case, this Tik should be an easy opponent, one of the bothersome but necessary stepping stone to winning the arena and gaining reputation and acclaim. Maybe this Tik is instead actually one of the King's assassins himself. A member of the elusive Guild of Assassins, the King's secret service, may masquerade himself as a Pathless while partaking in the arena in order to maintain his secrecy in the process of proving himself to his Guild. An assassin should be no match for the great Hulzek II. He is destined for greatness. He stifles a smile as he sleeps for the night.
"And for the next round!!! Hulzek the Second, Knight and Tik, Pathless!!!"
He looks at the pathetic figure before him, barely clothed and unkempt, holding two small daggers uneasily. This should be over with no time at all. He raises his sword and points the tip straight at the chest of this pathetic creature. Tik lets out a sharp cry and charges forward.. He holds his stance and welcomes Tik's advance. Almost before Tik reached the tip of his sword, Tik ducks under and sweeps his twin daggers across his knees that are barely uncovered by his armor. He falls knees first onto the sandy ground. He tries to sweep his sword to attempt to catch in an over-extending arc but Tik was already clear. He implants his sword on the ground to keep his balance. This fight is over in an instant and has not ended in his victory. He wills himself to stand up and continue the fight but he fails.
"And the victory goes to... Tik, Pathless!"
He will bide his time. Ever since his grandfather's death, High Commander Tolt is only temporarily occupying a position meant for him. He will once again bring glory to his family and honor his recently deceased father, who died a glorious death defending the kingdom against the savage barbarians. It is just a matter of time.
It is, after all, his destiny.
