Maureen
Athena Carefully takes in everything William said and begins to ponder on the competition.

```
Yellow Belly? What the hell could that mean, telekinesis and an arm cannon and likes to steal from the sounds of it, greedy bastard sounds like trouble even if he has that weakness with the focus or whatever. And that goat fellow, Fire Magic, fast and can has a mortar that as far as i'm now aware can shoot things out that are as big and heavy as a bike, should keep that in mind. As for the other two, they don't sound like that much trouble, Interesting.

```

She then heads towards the ladder motioning for William to follow by waving her hand, saying 

```
"You don't have to salute, call me boss or follow my suggestions. We are friends, not military buddies and like i said these are suggestions not orders, you dont have to follow them. On another note the biggest threat from the sounds of it is that magical yellow belly, what ever that means thief, but if we find max and find and team up with the magic purple haired leader wanna be, i say we would have a decent chance against this foe and as for the goat, might be a bit of trouble but should be fair fight. The other two don't seem like that much trouble, from the sounds of it at least. This will be fun, also where the fuck did you get a bomb, and both you and max got stolen from? Welp, we will get your guys stuff back when we get the chance now lets get going to the arena, I'll lead the way and thanks for the info."

```

She proceeds to slide down the ladder and starts heading towards the arena.
Bonnie
Following Athena down the ladder, he stayed silent thinking about what to say until he opened his mouth when they both reached the bottom, "Athena, you don't know much about me and while I am grateful for you saving my life when I appeared here, in my life I can't afford friends. Truthfully my last true friend died in 1924, it'll take some getting use to but I'll quit with the salute, but i do consider you and the group comrades so i guess friends. " While speaking he reaches into his coat and adds, "Here I also got this sweeper for you, you got 5 rounds of 12 gauge and the barrel been cut off, at a distance it won't be much use but up close its best thing one can have." He grips it by the receiver and hands it to her grip first. He's now following her close behind, keeping his rifle close while his hand is still ready to grip his revolver at a moment notice
Justin
Participants are selected and sorted. The *Custos Regni* Flock about the stage, through them passing-between O.S.A agents, each making preparation for the duel to come: some transport cases carrying specialized, enchanted weapons, items, and trinkets; others prepare spells that are ingrained into the foundation of the arena itself; still others attend their paperwork, a number of legal ramifications prepared for ahead of time. Spectators are gathered in concentric seating all around the arena, as the selected participants are gathered close to the foot of the stage.

Following a long period of wait, the Captain of the Custos Regni rises to the summit of the great stage, her voice projecting all across the general proximity as she spoke:

 ***"ATTENTION!"***
***"All participants of the Festival of Convergence, make ready for the beginning of the __Margo Aeternitatis__!"***

**THUMP THUMP.**
**THUMP THUMP.**

In sync, the *Custos Regni* Again slam their spears against the ground, the reverberation of their impact resounding all around the arena. The King, now withdrawn to an elevated position, oversaw the arena, the spectators, and the participants from a hollow marble throne, __***Ardens Caelum***__ burning in scarlet hue within the clutch of his right hand.
_ _

**THUMP THUMP.**
**THUMP THUMP.**

 ***"THE MARGO AETERNITATIS—"***
*"...Is a historical Medeian duel—*
*"—and a ritual battle between two interlinked **SOUL**S!"*

**THUMP. CLASH!**

The tall and fully-armored Medei representing the *Custos Regni* As Captain is approached by several of her subordinates, each equipped with various weapons: a sword, a shield, a spear, a bow, and a staff each.

 ***"IT IS A BATTLE BETWEEN STRENGTH OF BODY—"***
*"...Strength of mind..."*
*"...And strength of **SOUL!**"*

 ***"AND IT IS A BATTLE—"***
*"...That transcends the limitations of a mundane world—"*
*"—a battle of true strength: of both **Will and character!**"*

Flourishing the glittering cobalt spear of magicka in her right hand, the Captain of the Guard beckons the participants to step forward.

*"Before you step into the ring, you'll be healed right up by the Royal Physician."*
***"Consider it an honor of a lifetime, chumps!"*** —she lightly thrust the edge of her spear toward them.
_ _

The onyx-feathered avian Medei stepped forward, bowing lightly: the Royal Physician, in the flesh. Were any to step up to him, he would offer them advanced, fast-working healing: a true marvel of Medeian magic, one cast by the one who held the honor of holding a lofty position amidst the *Regni Medeas.* They would be granted a moment to acclimate and to hear her elaborate upon the rules of combat — the code, the *Regulae Pugnae* — for the **Margo Aeternitatis**.

*"...Hmph."*
"Some of ya look more familiar than I'd like to say..." —she commented, squinting at one behind her regal helmet, yet not pressing the matter further.
***"...IN ANY CASE!"***

—she swung her spear outward, its razor-sharp edge gliding just beyond the brows of the contestant, as she snapped back to the matter at hand, swaying her weapon in a motion for their complete attention.

 ***"THE RULES ARE ABSOLUTE—"***
*"And I won't repeat myself, so listen up!"*
_ _

__***"ONE!!!"***__
**"THE DUEL ENDS WHEN ONE COMBATANT IS RENDERED INCAPACITATED OR FORFEITS!"**
***"BUT!** DO NOT CONCERN YOURSELVES WITHHOLDING YOUR FULL POWER!"*
*"Anyone at threat of death will be protected by the spell on the Arena and—"* She shifted toward one of the knights at her side, retrieving a bangle from their grip. ***"The enchanted equipment provided by the Royal Family!"***
*"The **Margo Aeternitatis** Is a duel and show of one's true power and resolve! That makes holding back an insult to the tradition! **SO YOU'LL BE FIGHTING AT FULL STRENGTH, UNDERSTAND?!**"*
"In any case, if you're too weak to hold your wounds, you'll be healed by the Royal Physician... **AGAIN!**"

"And speaking of the equipment..."

 __***"TWO!!!"***__
**"ENCHANTED EQUIPMENT WILL BE PROVIDED TO THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE THEIR OWN WEAPONS!"**
*"For each weapon you have that is **NOT SUPPLIED** By the tournament, your opponent will be granted **ONE ENCHANTED WEAPON** Of their choice!"*
*"If you're unarmed to begin with, you're also eligible."*
*"You ARE ALLOWED to switch up your choice of weapons between duels! You're also free to forfeit what weapons are your own between matches, 'f you wish to use the equipment of the Tournament."*

*"As for your weapons, your options are as such... Each taken from the Royal Armory."*
***"If you're not feeling honored yet, you sure as hell should now."***
_ _

**THE SWORD.** *A simple shortsword that coalesces the energy of one's **SOUL** Into physical power. Its power output is balanced between all users; its ability to employ that power is entirely dependent on the willingness of its user to employ it. An identical longsword variation also exists.*

**THE SHIELD.** *A buckler that reinforces one's spiritual energy in the form of a powerful shield. May be activated once every other turn. As is for the sword and all other equipment, the strength of this shield is incredible, fixed between users, merely requiring willpower to bring the most out of it.*

**THE BOW.** *An arrowless bow that forges shards of magic from the output of a **SOUL**, hurling them as potent projectiles.*

**THE SPEAR.** *A weapon with no unique qualities in a vacuum. Its true purpose is to shatter the guard of the all-powerful Shield and other impassable defensive spells: a niche, but potent weapon.*
_ _

__***"THREE!!!"***__
**"ONCE YOU'RE ON THE ARENA GROUNDS..."**
*"It's a battle of the **SOUL**S, understand?!"*
*"Can't explain it to someone who hasn't felt it before. But your **SOUL**'s the real swing behind this battle, **Understand?!**"*
*"The stronger-willed will win. The weaker-willed will lose. **SIMPLE TO UNDERSTAND, RIGHT?!"***

 __***"FINALLY!"***__
*"SINGLE ELIMINATION! BEST OF ONE! YOU LOSE, YOU'RE **OUT!!!** NO WHINING FROM LOSERS! AND I BETTER NOT SEE ANY **BAD SPORTS**! I'LL **KICK YOUR ASS MYSELF!**"*

*"And with that, I think I've done enough explaining."*
***"TIME TO FIGHT, CHUMPS! GET UP THERE AND GO!!!"***

_ _
As the Captain of the Custos Regni roars out an announcement, the crowd echoes a howl of cheer in response. The concentric seating is filled with numerous spectators — those of Medeikind and humanity alike — each watching with bated breath as the contestants step upon the stage of the **Margo Aeternitatis**.

Besides those the festivalgoers had already acquainted themselves (those of the primary group that had already acquainted themselves earlier), there seemed to be several other challengers approaching the foot of the stage. In their midst is...
Charles
...A black-scaled lizardlike Medei, a long tail flowing from his gold-accented cloak, a commingling of deterministic fire and slyness in his eyes...
Sharon
...A fae-eared woman, mischievous in appearance and light on each step...
Kathleen
...And an austere-seeming magician, permeated by an aura of intense focus as keen and distinct as his pure-black irises.
Justin
||

The Royal Physician stood before Gryphon, her being one of the several participants. While he offered most other of the participants healing, to Gryphon herself, he would not extend the offer — she had not been in combat prior to the event. Her concerns might have been answered just by the implication of him not offering to assist. However, upon any further prompting—

*`"My apologies,"`* The Medei of ink-black feathers, bowed his head lightly, his voice clear, fully-articulate, refined, and of a pleassantly-smooth, middle-pitched resonance.

*`"Aged wounds are not within my capability to heal."`*

So it was. His incapability to heal her eye clearly communicated, he would make no attempt to do so.