The seven year old, blue haired boy waves the torch around, illuminating the cave, the dog-boy next to him quickly shaking to get the water out of his fur.

"Don't wave it around.", the dog-boy says, "You don't want to wake up every bat here, do you?"

"Sorry, Bow.", the boy says, as Bow leads him through the cave.

"This route'll get us out near a port town.", Bow says, "From there, we can go just about anywhere we want. I hear Simaforte is ripe for the picking, nowadays."

A noise rumbles through the cave.

"...what was that?", Bow asks, waving around his own torch.

He leads Bow down a narrow passage, to an open chamber near the entrance.

Something zips right past them.

Like a tail.....

Bow trails the light along the floor, up the walls, and to the back wall....where something is waiting.

Something big.

Thirty feet tall, covered in scales so dark, they almost blend in with the blackness surrounding them.

Three eyes adorn the center of the massive head, a spiked tail thrashing by its side.

The being lifts itself on two massive legs, staring down the two interlopers, sets of claws popping from its hands.

"Holy...", Bow whispers, when the tail lashes out, striking Bow and sending him across the chamber, into the wall.

The demon turns to the boy, who backs away, slowly, eyes wide with terror.

"Destined One....", the being rumbles, crossing the distance with two steps.

The boy backs up against the wall, as the demon lowers its head, staring at him face-to-face.

"Destined Child.....I have been waiting for you.....my brethren knew you would come..."

The tail lashes about, whipping past the boy.

He takes the torch, and stabs at the demon, frantically.

A blast of green fire from its eye swats away the torch, putting it out, the demons eyes illuminating the darkness.

"Waiting for so long, Last Child.", it rumbles, "Waiting for you to open the gates. Remember us. Remember when your destiny comes. Remember my name when fate is sealed...."

He can smell the brimstone from the demon's mouth. He can smell the blood of others on its scales.

"Remember me.", the demon says, almost a whisper, "Barubary."

******

Kale wakes up, screaming, covered in sweat from the nightmare.

He can still smell the brimstone in his nostrils. Still feel the heat of that....thing's.....gaze.

He jumps when he feels Nina's hand on his arm, seeing her concerned face as she turns on one of the lamps by the bed.

"Kale....Kale, what happened?", she demands.

He tries to speak, but no sounds come out of this throat.

He doesn't remember that ever happening, meeting that thing...does he?

"Kale...."

"I don't know.", he finally says, "It was a nightmare, that's it."

He can tell she's not convinced.

"Really, it's nothing....it just happens.", he responds, "It just happens. Let's go back to sleep."

She stares at him, for a moment, and finally nods.

"Alright.", she says, "Alright. Good night, Kale."

He doesn't say anything as she goes back to sleep, lying back and closing his eyes, again.

******

Kale slowly slides his sword into the scabbard, testing the leather strap with a swift tug.

He's waiting in a small, somewhat damp stone-walled room, right outside the Null Magic arena.

10:44....

The door opens, a man in a perfectly ironed black suit walking through. He has light brown hair, tied back into a ponytail, and a demeanor about him that makes you want to wash yourself after speaking with him for five minutes.

"Mr. Bateson.", he says, in a deep, resounding voice, "My name is Angus Jacobi, the director of the Arena. I hear you got into the elimination rounds on your credentials alone."

"I did, Mr. Jacobi.", Kale says, standing up.

"Please. Call me Angus.", Angus responds, extending a hand.

Kale carefully grips it in a handshake, never taking his other hand off his sword's hilt.

"Well, just wanted to see the new wunderchild.", Angus says, smiling widely, "Good luck on your first fight."

He turns, and strides out.

The other door, to the arena opens.

A young woman in....a stewardess's outfit...walks through.

"Hello, Mr. Bateson.", she says, "Your fight will begin in five minutes. The rules of the Null Magic Arena are simple: If you use magic, you will be disqualified. Do you understand?"

"Perfectly.", he responds.

She nods, standing aside.

10:46....

******

Nina and Bow take their seats at the front row.

"This oughtta be interesting.", Bow says, "He's been in professional fights, but not somethin' on this level."

"Too bad we couldn't help out.", she says.

"Yeah, but it'd blow our cover.", he responds, "Try to spot anyone acting a bit feline or wary. Chances are, that'll be Khasra's man."

The lights begin to dim, spotlights marking the arena floor.

10:49....

******

"You're on, Mr. Bateson.", the woman says, "Good luck!"

He walks through, hand on the hilt of his sword.

10:50......

******

"Ladies aaaaaand Gentlemen!", a deep voice echoes, "Welcome to Battle 2 of the Contest of Champions Elimination Round! Standing in this-a corner, hailing from Rhapala, the kamakazai knight himself, Patrio Bonotaray!"

The spotlights shine on the northern-most entrance, as the doors open, a six foot tall, gold armored, blonde haired man with a trimmed mustache walking through, holding a dual-edged broadsword in his right hand, the audience wildly cheering.

"And our newest superstar, a man who got into the elimination rounds on his portfolio alone, hailing from the Southern Continent. Ladies and Gentlemen......Ryu Bateson!"

The other doors open, the spotlight shining on Kale as he walks through, the crowd still applauding as his hand reaches for his sword. His hand pulls away from it, as he sums up his opponent with a measured glance.

"Our winner will go on to face Battle 3's winna for the chance to battle with the Champion of Champions Himself! Good luck to all, your bets have been placed! Lets get ready to rrrrrummmmmble!"

Kale instantly sidesteps as Patrio lunges forward, his broadsword embedding itself in the floor, Kale falling to one hand and bringing his foot up into his opponent's solar plexus.

He spins about, planting both hands on the floor as he flips up, both feet slamming into Patrio's face, sending him back as blood flows from his nose and into his mustache.

"Son of .....", he growls, stumbling backwards.

Kale slowly draws his sword, gripping it steadily in his left hand.

Patrio, eyes red with rage, lunges for him, screaming.

Kale sidesteps, swinging the flatedge of his sword into Patrio's legs, tripping him and sending him, flipping through the air, to the ground, on his back.

Patrio quickly flips up, swinging his sword, locking with Kale's block, the two staring down each other.

He swings again, each stroke of his blade forcing Kale back, the two locking eyes, grinning with equal respect for the other.

"You're good.", Patrio says, in a lightly accented voice.

"So are you. How long have you trained?", Kale asks, as he blocks another blow, stepping out of the way, Patrio's blade scrapping the floor as he raises it to block Kale's attack.

"Fifteen years. Mainly the longsword, but I've grown pretty fond of the broadsword.", Patrio responds, twirling about the blade, Kale stepping back to pull his weapon away.

"Not just because of cutting power?"

"More weight. Gives you more power for attacks.", Patrio says, "Had to train to carry it. Too used to one swipe ending my fights. You seem to be a martial artist, correct?"

Kale grunts as Patrio nearly forces him to one knee.

"Yes.....mainly use it when I can't get my sword out quickly. Ranger training.", he responds, pushing back, against the wall.

Patrio swings, Kale blocking, pushing Kale against the wall.

"So, surrender?", Patrio asks.

"I would....but I have something I need to tell you."

"And that is?"

Kale smiles, slightly.

"I'm not left handed."

He pushes Patrio away, tossing his sword up and catching it in his right hand, swinging it about as he lunges, Patrio just blocking.

The two duel to the cheers of the crowd, Kale leaping up as Patrio swings low, blocking a high blow, swords scraping against each other as they lunge across the distance of the arena.

"So, you prefer the long sword?", Kale asks, their swords letting off sparks as they collide.

"Usually. Lighter weight, faster strokes.", Patrio responds, trying to force Kale's sword to the ground, "Usually compensates for less cutting power."

Kale twirls about his sword, catching Patrio's, and tossing it right out of his hand, to the floor.

Kale straightens the sword, holding it at Patrio's throat, the crowd tensing with anticipation.

Patrio falls to his knees, his brow slicking with perspiration.

"Well?", he asks, "Now what?"

"I'd just as soon break a priceless vase then an artist like you.", Kale says, "But, since I need you unconscious to procede...."

He takes the flatedge of the sword, and whacks him in the side of the head, Patrio grunting as he falls, unconscious, to the ground.

"Please remember, I have the utmost respect for you.", he says, as the crowd cheers.

"And....wow! Our winna, Ryu Bateson!", the voice announces, and the crowd goes wild.

******

Nina lets off a relieved breath, sitting back, much of the crowd standing and applauding.

"You didn't think he'd kill'em, did you?", Bow asks.

"Well...did cross my mind.", Nina says, "He enjoyed that."

"You'd be surprised. He's weird.", Bow responds, "His hobbies can scare me."

Bow sits back, to, as the crowd begins to file out, Kale walking back to his door as some attendants help Patrio to his.

The two stare across to each other, before Patrio gives off an arkward, shaky salute, walking through his door, closing it behind him.