“Where are we looking anyways? This place seems a lot bigger than it did at first.” Lyra spun as she walked, taking in her surroundings.

“Should be just down here.” Sachi pointed to a glowing red sign overtop an old building. The sign read “Dojo”, with one of the O’s unlit.

“Can we really find someone here..?”

Sachi scratched his head. “I guess there’s only one way to find out.”

They approached the building and stepped inside. The smell of sweat was almost nauseating, and quick booms erupted from different corners of the building.

A tall, hulking man approached the group, noticing the birds that had accompanied them.

“Ah, you must be new Champions, right? Lady April gonna put you through the tournament tomorrow?”

Sachi nodded. “You know about it?”

The man laughed. “Of course I know about it, the whole city does! The Tournament of Liberation is the city's biggest spectacle all year! Lady April gathers all the new Champions that enter her land, throws them into the tournament, and only the strongest team gets to stay. Thanks to that, the city hardly has any Champions in it, and the ones who are here know not to get on the Lady’s bad side.”

Sachi placed his hand on his hip. “And before that, they get to walk free?”

“Some of them do, the ones that the Lady says are good get to be on their own, but the rest get locked up till the big day.”

‘Glad we’re on her good side then.’

“Lemme guess, you guys are here to practice before the tournament tomorrow? Where’s your fourth?”

Sachi crossed his arms. “It’s just us three. Is that an issue?”

The man laughed once again. “Ha! It might be for you guys. The rest of ‘em are gonna have a man up on ya.”

“All the more reason for us to get stronger then.”

“Damn right you are! Follow me so we can get you all set up.”

Sachi nodded, and the man turned away and began to walk towards a counter at the far end of the room.

Dion tapped Sachi’s shoulder. “Actually Sachi… I’m gonna go browse the market. I’m quite confident in my fighting abilities, I’d rather find some more comfortable equipment than what Vrynax has to offer.”

“Oh, sure…”

Sachi hasn’t seen Dion fight yet, he couldn’t really protest the claim.

“Don’t worry, I’ll come here when I’m done.”

Sachi nodded.

Dion dispersed from the lobby of the building and beyond the fog.

The strong looking man spoke again. “Right this way then. My name is Dave, but other fighters call me Buff Dave.”

“Are there multiple Dave’s?”

Dave shrugged. “There use to be. Now it’s just me. Here we are, just sign in here and you’ll be set.”

It was a regular piece of paper Sachi used to see everywhere. The form had places for a a name, a God, if they were a champion, and a fighting style. There was a list of options on the side of the paper.

‘I guess… sword fighting for me.’

Lyra seemed a bit more uncertain than Sachi.

“There’s no option for dagger here…”

Dave shot up after hearing Lyra’s saddened voice.

“You’re a dagger fighter, missy!?”

Lyra stepped back, shocked by the sudden burst of energy.

“Ah, no… I was hoping to learn, actually…”

He stepped back, placing his hand on his bearded chin. “Well, I dare say you’ve come to the right place. We don’t have a category for dagger fighting, no, but we do have an expert who’s quite good at teaching.”

Lyra's face lit up. “Sign me up then!”

“I will, but… she’s a little scary. We don’t have dagger fighting anymore because she scared away all the competition.”

Lyra winced. “T-that’s fine. I just need to learn the basics, I won’t be competing with her.”

He laughed. “Very well, missy! Come with me. And you, lad, just head on through those doors. You’ll find the ring labeled “Swords” in there.”

Sachi nodded, and turned away towards the doors.

“And once again, it is just the two of us.” Serendelle still sat on his shoulder.

“Yeah, it’s been a while. It’s almost peaceful.”

Serendelle chuckled. “Yes, I would agree. However, I do miss having them around already.”

Sachi gave a light laugh in return. “Give me a couple hours, I might miss ‘em then.”

Through the double doors at the back of the room, a new shinier interior could be found. The sound of sticks of wood clashing rang throughout the room. Sachi almost felt like he was right back at home.

“You there, you’re a newcomer, yes?” A short and skinny man approached Sachi, scanning him up and down. “Well I’ll be damned, a Lesser Champion too. Must’ve been lucky to make it this far.”

Sachi was already getting tired of these Lesser Champion assumptions.

“We’ll see if it was luck once I start sparring.”

The man let out of light chuckle, and extended his hand. “M’names Lett, I’m an elf from Realm 20. I’m also a damned good swordsman.” He finished his sentence with a wink. “I’m a Minor Champion, too. With the Goddess of Food, she said I’d make for a good cook with my skill with a blade, and she was damn right.”

Sachi lightly smiled. “It’s nice to meet you, but I need to train as much as possible, as soon as possible.”

“Ah! You’re one of the Champion’s in tomorrow’s tournament! You’re fresh meat, of course you are! A Lesser is gonna need all the help he can get… I’ll tell ya what, let’s see what you can do, and if you’ve got potential we might even cheer ya on!”

“Right…”

‘Does he have to be so talkative..? I just need to train.’

Finally, Lett lined Sachi up right outside of what looked like a boxing ring. The man standing next to him looked roughed up already, like he’d been here all day.

“Sachi, this is my good buddy Hendrick. He’s beginner level, so he can help ya out.”

‘This is ridiculous… I don’t need to be coddled like I’m some sort of baby.’

“Lett, let me fight you first. I’ve got skill already.”

Lett’s eyes widened. “Really? I mean, I’m a little opposed. It’s like putting a kid up against a man.”

Sachi closed his eyes.

“Get in the ring, Lett. Let’s fight.”