forum I'm lacking the creative ingenuity to provide a clever and witty name (Character Chat 5)

Started March 16, 2019 by Deleted user

tune

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It took Runner a long time to fall asleep, staring at the ceiling for a while as his head and his body calmed down. Eventually, he fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

In the morning, Tess knocked on Runner's door. "Rise and shine," she sung.

"Mmmmmmmmm," came from behind the door, and the sound of Runner rolling over.

She rolled her eyes and knocked a little harder. "Get up, Amore. We're already behind schedule."

"Mhhhhhhhhm!" The sound of footsteps, then Runner opened the door, squinting in the hall light.

Tessa leaned against the door frame, already dressed in black a sports bra and black shorts with her hair pulled up in a ponytail. "Get dressed. We're leaving in ten minutes." She ran her eyes up and down his figure. "I'd suggest wearing something you won't miss."

"Uhhhhhggg." The door closed and he was back out in 7 minutes, now dressed in a pair of black sweatpants and a Quick-Dri T-Shirt of the same color. He chose to go barefoot, since he always felt like he ran better without shoes.

Tessa was downstairs, talking to a woman with long, silky hair of various shades of blue. Her skin had a faint tint of sea green, and she had big, deep blue eyes that matched the color of the ocean just outside. Her features were strong and angular as opposed to soft and round. She, too, was wearing similar clothes as Tessa.

He rubbed his eyes as he thump thumped his way down the stairs, yawning.

The woman looked up at Runner as he came downstairs, exposing needle-like teeth as she smiled. "So this is your little plaything? Cute." Her voice was slippery and her accent was thick. Tessa rolled her eyes.

"Mmmph." was his only response, still barely awake. It was a miracle he got his clothes on that quickly.

Tessa grabbed his arm. "Alright sleepy head. Let's go." She nodded at the woman, who pulled out a portal gem and activated it. Tess pulled Runner through and the woman followed.
They entered the outskirts of what seemed to be a giant colosseum, with stands filled to the brim with spectators. Hundreds upon hundreds of participants circled the arena, held back by a waist high concrete wall.

He blinked a few times, putting a hand over his eyes. "Huh. Seems like this is a big deal."

"It is," the woman said. "People from across the realm challenge their skills and battle for glory and fame. Gods from all over see just how well their children do in the art of war. Skill and strategy are tested, not just brute force." She shot a look at Tessa, who feigned a look of hurt. "Not many make it to the final round, however, and most chicken out before a winner can be declared. But people are optimistic that this year's War Games will yield the first winner in…" She tilted her head in thought. "About 500 years."

"Oh. Huh, alright." He tilted his head, his brain starting to clear from the cloud of sleep. "Think my mom's gonna be here?"

Tess scanned the competition. "Likely." Something snagged her attention, and she pointed up at the more fancy section of the stands. "There she is. With the Creator and Oracle."

His eyes squinted ever more, blinking a few times. "She can't be here for me, I just joined yesterday."

She shrugged. "She can look into the future with that Between shit." She went back to scanning the gathered participants.

He shrugged in response. "When does it start?"

"In a few minutes." Cinthia came up behind them with someone else beside her. It was a brown-skinned girl from the waist up and a winged lion from the waist down. The girl eyed Runner like a hawk sizing up its next meal.

"Is there a problem?" he asked, putting on his I don't care face.

The lion girl smiled faintly and turned to Cinthia. "I'll see you later in the Games."
Cin nodded at the girl. "No hard feelings, right?"
"Never." The two clasped hands and parted ways, the girl heading to one group while Cinthia remained with Runner and Tessa.
Cin smiled at Runner. "Runner, nice to see you here."

Tessa stepped in before any more conversation ensued. "It's starting."

"Is it?" He asked, looking around once again.

"WELCOME MALES AND FEMALES!" A voice over a hidden speaker boomed across the arena. "TO THIS YEARS WAR GAMES!" the crowd roared with cheers, and the people in the arena shifted with anticipation. "I'm sure you all are itching for some entertainment, so let's get started!" The voice paused as the crowd cheered again. "First up is Kiriti of the Myriad Vanguard."
Kiriti, a small girl with white fox ears and tail, stepped up to the concrete wall and climbed over. She looked nervous as three large cages appeared on the opposite side of the arena, each covered with cloth. They shook and rattled, angry snarling coming from beneath the cloth.