OOC: Hectic school, work, writer's block and musical things aside, here's a post, 6 days later than it should have been written. Sorry for the wait, Alpha.

IC:

Leaving the cracked and bloodstained scene behind him, Alpha advances to the Colosseum that Malak and Helena of the alliance had investigated the previous day. The road to this segment of the Training District is less run-down than the Town Square or the Training Headquarters. While those regions remained messy and cluttered, this area appears to have been partially restored at some point, perhaps recently. In the distance, the great arena towers over the District. Many tattered flags hang from poles in front of the enormous building. It seems as though this was once a gathering place for many races to come together and enjoy stunning entertainment. For reasons still unknown, the Colosseum is void of all biotic features.

Old statues and dead hedges decorate the plaza in front of the building. The plant life was obviously doomed when the city receded into the ground, but the statues are well cared for and seem to shine in the darkness. There are seven in total. Each one is of a different race; Hylian, Goron, Zora, Deku, Sheikah, Gerudo and Kokiri, most of the original races of the country above the surface. Each statue's hands are outstretched and cupped, for reasons unknown.

A shaded walkway (although shade is plentiful without the it) leads to the excellent glass doors of the Colosseum. They are unlocked, and through them is the plain sight of a well-kempt arena lobby.

OOC: Don't worry about it, Blank. I understand completely. Work, writer's block, reading, time with friends, having your car towed...

Wait, hectic school? What the - you're still in school??? ...nevermind.

IC:
Alpha draws his cape even tighter around his body as he enters the area before the Coliseum. His suspicions are aroused immediately as the landscape's cluttered appearance vanishes, being replaced with a more restored look. The way the Sheikah sees it, there can only be one of two explanations for this change in scenery. 'Either there has been little or no fighting in this area - unlikely - or someone's been restoring this place - more likely. And since it's doubtful the organization's been coming here for repair jobs...' He nods at the most likely conclusion, gladdened by the fact that it's the one he wants. 'Probably those Intellegent Ones are behind this.'

Walking past the motionless flags, he looks cautiously to the large statues in the plaza. Seven of the most prominent races of Hyrule stand before the Coliseum, though the Kokiri statue seems a bit out of place, as the peace-loving children of the forest would be unlikely to have anything to do with this place of fighting. He bows his head with respect to each of them, especially that of the Sheikah. Then he heads under the walkway and pushes apart the glass doors to the lobby, ready to confront whatever he may find within.

OOC: We don't get out of school for another week or two. Very sad.

IC:

The lobby of the underground Colosseum is absolutely gigantic. To the left is a wide desk, perhaps used for sign-ups and other related business. Beside it, a glass staircase spirals upwards to the second floor, where thousands upon thousands of comfortable seats line the outer rim of the main floor of the arena. The floor itself is empty, it appears to have been left barren long ago.

To the right of the Colosseum's entrance is a small alcove filled with tables and chairs. A massive kitchen can be seen at the back of the dining outcrop. Another staircase of equal beauty ascends to the patron seating. Directly in front of the Sheikah is a sliding glass door that leads to the center of the Colosseum, the very core of the building. The audience seating circles the immense floor.

There are few places for Alpha to go. The available destinations are the Diner, the Desk, the Stands, the Floor or back outside.

OOC: Ouch...man, that really stinks. I pity you.

On a completely different note, that last sentence reminds me of Thy Dungeon Man. I just hope you don't make me 'get ye flask'.

IC:
Alpha gazes around the lobby, surprised to see glass everywhere. 'Breakable glass doesn't normally belong in a place like this...whoever's been keeping the place going has done a remarkable job indeed.'

Always on the lookout for information, the Sheikah heads over to the desk and begins looking through it, seeking papers, notes - anything that would tell him what had gone on in this Coliseum, and who had been keeping it in such good condition. And any information as to the whereabouts of these Intellegent Ones. Although, he does begin to wonder what the heck he intends to do once he finds an Intellegent One...

Set aside from a stack of documents, a neatly written memo has been loosely set on the polished, black desk. In plain, easy to understand language, a short paragraph has been written on the paper in dark ink.

The Colosseum has been restored. There is still no sign of the Stones of Curse. We are missing five of them. Only with all seven will our souls be redeemed. Such a cruel joke orchestrated by the Goddesses.

We were very fortunate to have so easily swayed the young Hylian boy into delivering the second of our trinkets to us. He knows nothing, yet he is already considered an asset by we Elders. No doubt he was told the significance of the pendant after Drejudar's encounter with him. The boy must be removed from our land if we are to prevent the theft of our Stones. The Bright Dark will be useful to our cause if we can only perfect the technique. The fools in our castle, they really believe that they are progressing towards our ruin. A laughable idea.

Wraith has arrived in our city. It is a great day indeed. With help from the defectors, the Sheikah will soon be working for us. Only then will we be able to unleash the Inferno.

A woman's voice sounds out from behind the Sheikah. It has an air of contempt and arrogance to it. The woman, cloaked entirely in a deep purple cloak, stares into Alpha's eyes. Her short blond hair hangs lazily by her face, and her content smirk shows signs of a trap, or an unwanted confrontation. She does not appear to be a member or the alliance. Could she be one of the fabled Intelligent Ones?

So glad you could make it, Alpha.

Alpha carefully reads through the note, shock coming upon him in such an enormous amount that he lets his guard down. He slowly reorganizes everything that he reads into a more comprehensive form. 'So, these Intelligent Ones had a curse placed on them by the goddesses, and they need the seven Stones of Curse to redeem themselves. They searched here, but failed to find any of them.

'A Hylian gave them their second one, but it seems he didn't have any idea as to what it was and gave it to them out because of fear or deception.' It does occur to him that this Hylian might be Victor, but he continues forward in his analysis. 'Victor - er, whoever this Hylian was - probably Victor - met someone named Drejudar, presumably the Intelligent One who recovered the Stone of Curse from Vict - the Hylian.

'The Intelligent Ones believe that the Bright Dark can help them.' This causes him to pause in his thoughts, as he remembers Fassix's near obsession over this technique...as well as how Wraith...er, Alpha himself...was supposed to be a master of it. Based on the final paragraph, the Intelligent Ones knew he was in the city...and there were 'defectors' in the organization. 'Perhaps Fassix is one of these defectors...that, or his superiors are traitors. Or both are. This merits further investigation.'

After the word 'defectors', however, the statement causes Alpha to burst out laughing. 'Me, working for them? I learned my lesson long ago - I work for no one.'

He turns to the woman who suddenly appears, angered at the fact that he is surprised by her voice. 'I let my guard down in a place like this? Idiot! Master Zaris would have me stand in a freezing, muck-filled lake for 24 hours for a failure like this!' But his face remains calm, his features stone-like, as if he's not surprised - as if he was expecting this being. "You know me, obviously. Who am I speaking to?"

The woman gives Alpha an irritated look. She crosses here arms and stares at the mage with a frosty glare, her content expressions having vanished from her face after the Sheikah's quick inquiry.

And who says I know you? Why, I haven't known more than a few people for the last few hundred years. But, I suppose you want answers. That memo probably left you thirsting for knowledge. My name is Meridel Hansen. Long ago, this city was my home. You have come at a very convenient time, Alpha. I will refrain from referring to you as Wraith, as you are not here on business, I take it.

What you must know is that you are merely a pawn in this game, a tool in the research of the Bright Dark, the Blaze, and other such terms. By now you may have guessed, I am what the fools in the castle know as an "Intelligent One," but we are no more intelligent than you or your Hylian friend. Rather, we are just far more so than our minions, the Cursed Ones. We are not a force to be opposed, Alpha. Terrible things could happen if you choose not to cooperate with us.

The woman raises an eyebrow and remains in a relaxed position, expecting Alpha to respond and question further.

Alpha decides to match cold expression with cold expression. "I was referring to the fact that you know my name," comes his chilly tone. "I suppose it doesn't matter if you call me Wraith; as long as no one else is around to hear it, I've given up caring."

He pauses for a moment, allowing himself to perform the usual analysis of Meridel's words, gleaning all the information he can from it. His voice takes on an ironic, perhaps even going so far as to be a mocking, tone. "Very well, Meridel, if you're willing to answer my questions, then so be it. I wish to know exactly what you mean by 'the Bright Dark'. I've never called any of my techniques by that title; I can't help you with it if I don't know what it is." Silently, he adds, 'Not that I'm going to help you regardless. You can't scare me with idle threats; He attempted to do that, and I still escaped with but a single scar to show for it...though what a burden that scar has been...'

Meridel's expression seem to lighten up, although it still holds signs of contempt and disgust. The woman - Hylian, apparently, by the looks of her - is not enjoying her task of apprehending Alpha on this day.

If you are lucky enough to see it, you will know. It is simple, Alpha. As I said, you are a tool in the research of never before used magic. It is not a technique that you have ever used, and I highly doubt that you will ever be endowed with the magical prowess needed to maneuver such an excellent spell. I might add, unfortunately, that you may not even live to see it conjured. It seems that cooperation is not in your blood. Defiance will gain you nothing, Sheikah. We mean business. 300 years... You are one of many keys needed to restore us... Do not take away our right to live and breath!

A long staff appears in her hands, sanded down and intricately carved into a delicate pole. The weapon is of an excellent type. There is a club like ball on one end, while on the other the weapon curves to a sharp, smooth wooden point. Halfway between each end is a series of carved grooves laced with leather, for maximum comfort while wielding. It is a deadly long-staff.

You have two options, Alpha. Follow me by foot, conscious... or be dragged through the mud by me, unconscious. Take your pick, Scarchest, I'm ready for you.

'Scarchest? Haven't ever been called that before...you'd think she'd call me 'Scar-face'...' Alpha sighs and brings his staff out from beneath his cape. "I never back down from a fight - unless I've already lost. And even if that does happen," he chuckles, "trust me, you won't be able to catch me." His scar color changes from blue to violet as he charges forward, taking the initiative and swinging his staff with the speed of the Sheikah.

Meridel's smile fades as Alpha charges at her in what would definitely be a powerful physical attack. The Hylian woman knows that Alpha's Class Two staff is capable of inflicting serious damage, but it doesn't not bother her. Although she admires the Sheikah, she knows the sad truth: he is powerless before her.

------------
Meridel - Intelligent One

HP: 200
SPL: 250
STR: 30
DEF: 50
INT: 100
SPI: 50
AGI: 100
Staff of Ancia DMG: 10

------------

Easily deflecting Alpha's attack (15+4+2[Roll+Agi+Bonus]), Meridel jumps back and swings her staff expertly in her left hand, bringing the whirling pole within an inch of her opponent's face with every passing movement. Finally, growing bored of the taunting show of expertise, the Hylian brings her weapon crashing into Alpha's stomach, obliterating his defense of 12. Her attack (17+100[Roll+Agi]) finds its target and deals a massive damage toll; Alpha loses 40 HP from one

It is as I told you, Alpha. This is no game. I am considered one of the weaker of my comrades. You are about to experience a world of pain, Sheikah!

Meridel HP: 100

Alpha HP: 13

OOC: Definitely a strong enemy, no? Of course, it would be impossible to ever defeat an enemy with stats like these. All I can say is that the odds will even... eventually

Alpha staggers back from the sheer power behind the attack. 'That took more of my power than I thought possible...' He angrily consults his options while switching his stance to a defensive form. 'Only two options: escape, or keep fighting and lose. Luck won't last me in this fight; eventually she'll hit me again. Escape it is.'

He leaps back to stand beneath the shadows the desk casts on the ground. "Well, I said I never back down from a fight unless I've already lost. And with your power, it's obvious I've already lost. Until next time, Meridel." He gives her a mock salute with two fingers, and suddenly it is as if a trapdoor opens beneath him. He falls like a rock as the Void instantly swallows him, leaving the area.

But not for long. Rather than completely flee the Coliseum, he silently steps out of the shadows found in the Diner portion of the area. He gets on one knee as he draws his dark clothing even farther around him, hiding in the darkness, observing how the Intelligent One responds to his flight.

Meridel stands still for a moment, studying her enemy's form of escape. Thoroughly impressed by this 'Void' that the Sheikah so casually manipulates, she ponders the newly presented opportunity.

Yes... it will be quite interesting, an excellent new method of destroying him when the time comes.

She snaps her fingers, and instantly her flesh is replaced by a horrible, molding skeleton. Her cranium is easily visible through the thin skull, and it pulses violently as she processes her latest idea. In a cloud of silver mist, the hideous true form of the Intelligent One disappears, leaving Alpha alone in the Colosseum.

Alpha watches Meridel's transformation, raising an eyebrow at the true body of an Intelligent One. "My, my, my...they truly are cursed," he says after she disappears. "But did they really frighten Victor that much?" he says with a chuckle, rising from the shadows and walking through the dining area. "Those vicious Moreks of His were much worse than that...and when compared with the Kroperg - bah, she's a gorgeous daisy compared to that thing."

With Meridel gone, Alpha quickly casts a Life spell upon himself, then begins looking around the dining area for any further information. But the last thing he'd heard the cursed woman say begins to nag him. 'What did she mean...'an excellent new method of destroying him'...?'

In the cafe section of the Colosseum are three ovens standing side by side on the far wall. Five small tables with four chairs apiece decorate the bronze-tan coloured tiled floor. A large blackboard hangs above the ovens, with faded chalk spelling out a message centuries in age. The note is illegible due to years upon years of solitude, but it was more than likely a menu of some kind in the past.

Aside from admiring the excellent architecture and perfect restoration of the magnificent Colosseum, there is little else to do in this district. But before Alpha has the chance to move from his hiding place in the shadows, a voice calls out to him from the edge of the diner.

You! Hands in the air, now, outsider!

The man is sporting the uniform cloak of the castle dwellers. He more than likely does not realize that Alpha has already been formally welcomed to the city.