Haemos: Upgraded

Chapter 6

Day 2, zone 1

Harry sat in his room, staring at the screen in front of him. It had just selected the two zones that would be fighting in the first match. The screen had highlighted zone 4, Oliver's zone, and zone 5, Gwen's. "Well, this will be interesting at least." Harry pushed a few buttons, and the camera feed from the arena was broadcast on every television in his zone. Right now it was empty, but that was soon to change.

Day 2, zone 4.

Mary was talking with Kojirou when his script bleeped into life. "Give me a moment Mary, looks like the big man has some plans." He read his script, and what it told him to do stunned him. "Hm, oh well, I gotta do it. Watch the TV, I'm gonna be there soon." He said as he walked out.

Kojirou had trained with his power, he knew what he was doing. He was a weaponsmith, he needed only cut himself, and any number of swords axes or other blades may come out. As he stood in front of the gates to the arena, he uttered a battle prayer that his father had taught him. " I am the bone of my sword. Steel is my body and fire is my blood. I have created over a thousand blades. Unknown to Death, Nor known to Life. Have withstood pain to create many weapons. Yet, those hands will never hold anything. So as I pray, may victory be mine." Kojirou was taught that incantations related to your action were more likely to grant you the assistance of the Kami that reside in the world. He then walked through the doors of the arena.

Day 2, zone 5.

The walls of the sanctuary suddenly began to glow a menacing red colour. Everyone panicked, thinking that it meant the black haired woman had another ability. Daudi stopped everyone, and spoke. "No. This is worse, this means that one of us is to fight." He held up a note from the pile he had. It confirmed what he said. Everyone tried to avoid his gaze, not wanting to leave the sanctuary. "Do not worry, I will fight this battle for us all. If I win, there is supposed to be a very reward, that should make our lives here better."
"But what if you don't? We need you, your the closest thing to a leader we have!" Someone said, in a slight spanish acccent. Daudi walked over to him, and patted him on the shoulder. "Then I will be with you in spirit, my friend." Daudi brought out a very ancient looking dagger, and dug it into his arm. The blood flowed out, and Daudi said, "Come now old friend, let us have one last ride." The blood formed into a large cheetah, which padded around Daudi, and purred, nuzzling up to him. Daudi climbed up onto the cat's back, and they shot off into the maze.

As he rode, he felt a twinge of sadness. He didn't have much experience fighting, and knew that he was probably going to die. Still, he rode on, leaping over traps, ploughing through any enemies that were in his way. He fought not for his own gain, but so that nobody else had to. He found himself at the gates of the arena.

Day 2, arena.

Kojirou walked into the arena, and looked around. Instead of seats, there were six giant screens. The faces on them were; a black haired man in a military uniform, a blonde man in a masquerade mask, a brunette wearing normal outdoor clothes, an obscured man in a black cowl, a black haired woman, with bestial rage in her eyes and a brown haired man looking impossibly sad.

Through one of the six gates, Daudi entered, riding atop a crimson cheetah. He muttered something to it, then patted it, and it shifted into the form of a lion. The military man spoke. "Do we have confirmation that these people are from zones 4 and 5?" The black haired woman and the obscured man nodded. "Good, then let the battle begin!"

Kojirou bowed and said "I am Kojirou Sasaki, it is honour to do battle with you." then cut his arm, shooting out blood, forming it into a naginata (long spear with a sword blade instead of a spearhead) which he prepared in a defensive stance.
"My name is Daudi Owusu. I thank you for your kindness Kojirou." With that, Daudi and his lion lunged towards Kojirou. Kojirou flicked the naginata, slicing the lion's paw clean off. The beast fell, but the weapon's shaft snapped. Daudi ran to the lion as it died, whilst Kojirou stabbed his arm again. "No pets, we are to fight one on one. Choose your weapon." He said, as he formed a pair of katanas for himself.
"A sword will do. Please make it one of my homeland at least." Daudi said as Kojirou handed him an African broadsword (see picture) and stepping back.

Kojirou bowed again before dashing forward, slashing his blades in a cross. Daudi caught his strike on the blade of his sword, but was pushed back. Kojirou didn't let up, his blades dancing through the air, Daudi only just blocking or dodging them. Daudi tried to bring his sword down, but Kojirou sidestepped, and thrust one of his swords into Daudi's side. Daudi dropped his sword, and fell. Kojirou pulled out his sword, and let it lose form, turning back into a puddle of blood.

Daudi lay on the floor, looking to the sky. "Answer me. Can the people back in the sanctuary see this, woman?" The black haired woman nodded. "Good." He said. "Natasha, the sanctuary is your duty now, I'm afraid I won't be coming back." The last glimmer of life left Daudi's eyes, and Kojirou knelt down, closing them. "You fought bravely, you will be remembered." Kojirou whispered to the body. The military man smiled maliciously, "Bravo! Bravo! You are quite the warrior Kojirou!" He was silenced when a throwing axe thrown by Kojirou smashed the screen. Kojirou left, returning to the backstage.