Nightshift 35: The Coliseum

[givemeoblivion]

[from here]When she came to, Callisto found herself sitting in what appeared to be a small set of stands. That didn't last for long, as she was soon on her feet and staring around at her new surroundings

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Arena Floor

[31st_of_china]

The sudden darkness cleared, as abruptly as it'd come. He was on his hands and knees on some hard-packed flooring. Sand. Unlike the last room, it was bright in here, like day out in the desert, minus the heat.

Sanzo got to his feet. Something felt different. His body felt different. Lighter, more confident.

Or maybe there wasn't ever a change, he thought. For some reason, whatever dampening powers had been placed on him were suddenly gone.

And...

A hand touched the banded fabric draped over his shoulders. There was no reason to suddenly have it back, just like that, but it was the sutra. There wasn't any doubt about it. The same hum of power throbbed from the scripture, the same glow that only he could see.

[braidless]

Obi-Wan was not sure how much time had passed since he'd pricked his finger on the fang, but as his eyes opened, the first thing he noticed were feelings from the Force swirling around him. It'd felt like ages since he'd last been this sensitive to his surroundings, and it would have been like taking in a breath of fresh, much-needed air after being kept in a cold, dark prison for years. That is, if he hadn't been bombarded by the thick clouds of fear, anger and aggression clinging to everything around him. It was stifling, making it almost uncomfortable to breathe. His stomach turned with a sudden wave of nausea, but he forced himself onto his feet, and tried to fully take in his surroundings

[31st_of_china]

Obi-Wan had been dumped here too, which accounted for the other person giving the so-called blood sacrifice. But where were the others? Callisto he didn't give too much a fuck about, but Qui-Gon hadn't been that bad. And the monkey...

Sanzo stepped out further into the wide space, looking around. It didn't take him long to locate Goku, in time to see him shove Callisto back. They were all seated together, high above the field, in what looked like some seating box.

The suspicion began to grow. The priest looked around, uneasily. Admittedly, he'd just gotten fed up with the bickering; he'd only pricked his finger just to get their asses moving again. Something useful. Goku was partially to blame for it. Of course he'd find someone to fight with in the kappa's absence.

Except there was going to be more to it than just a warning. Sanzo did not like how this was looking to shape up: the wide open space - far too much like a stage for his liking - and the high walls, topped with seats. Seats which offered a perfect view of the entire

[31st_of_china]

{{Got the okay to break posting order))

[over here]

STANDS

[prevails]

Now that he was awake, Goku had too many conflicting emotions. About Sanzo, what happened, Callisto, being grabbed, and (most recently) being screamed at. Why he stopped her? "I didn't want you to get hurt," he breathed a bit numbly. Even if that was true, the one he didn't want to be in danger more than that was Sanzo.

... which was exactly the person who jumped in to take Callisto's spot after he stopped her. What just happened - where was Sanzo? The other guy? Where were they?

Goku stared around himself, slowly coming out of his haze. Okay, first thing was first: get Callisto off. He gave her a push, which he hoped would get her off without pushing her too far back.

"Where did they go?" This question would be directed at Q.G., who he'd seen standing... somewhere.

Re: STANDS

[qui_gonjinn]

Qui-Gon watched as Obi-Wan turned his back to him, walked to the door, and

Re: STANDS

[givemeoblivion]

For someone so small, Goku was surprisingly strong. When he pushed her, Callisto fell backwards into one of the other seats. When she'd gotten over the shock, she growled back at him. "You little--"

But then what Qui-Gon said caused her to pause, and her attention was drawn to the arena below. She rushed to the balcony, peering over and down. Sure enough, there were the two missing members of their group. They were dressed differently now, and Callisto recognized the weapon on Obi-Wan as one of the light weapons she'd seen the night before. They'd had their clothing and weapons returned to them, then?

It appeared as though they were set up to fight. How infuriating! She'd rather be down there herself, not sitting up here as a spectator, even if the fight might prove interesting.

When this was over, she'd have to pay that brat back for interfering.

[prevails]

... oops? "Eh-heh..." He should probably help her u -

What? Immediately his eyes followed Q.G.'s, needing to see Sanzo for himself. When he did, Goku gave a relieved sigh and trotted a bit closer to the edge of the stands; okay, Sanzo was fine and the other guy looked about the same (was he dressed different?). Something to feel eased about, despite how the situation was startin' to look.

Whatever, worry later, right (the infamous "later")? Goku, being the brilliant thing that he was, attempted to jump over the ledge right after seeing Sanzo. The height? ... probably somethin' to worry about right now, but since he wasn't thinking in "Landels power down" mode, he was going to do it anyway. Key word being "was". Before he could even get over the side Goku was bounced and landed uncomfortably back in the stands

The Head Doctor's Seats

[the_head_doctor]

"Good evening, patients

Re: The Head Doctor's Seats

[31st_of_china]

[Stepping in to act against the Doctor from here]

So the twisted fucker couldn't resist showing his face. Whatever was about to happen, Landel couldn't resist having a front row seat to it. That kind of arrogance, that sadism was going to be his undoing.

Sanzo didn't wait for him to get any further. He strode towards the man's seat high above them, closing the distance with long strides, sandals whipping up sand. His right hand raised, bringing with it the Smith & Wesson.

The monk fired, gun aimed towards the Landel's head.

[the_head_doctor]

The Head Doctor didn't flinch or blink at Sanzo's sudden move, though he did turn his head to watch curiously when the bullet's speed seemed to slow and then stop completely at a space a few feet away from the balcony. Landel's eyes followed the object as it fell to the floor and he chuckled as he glanced up again.

"Really, Mr. Sanzo..." he took a few steps to the side as he met the man's eyes, clicking his tongue admonishingly. "I'm not going to die as easily as one of your home-grown demons."

He paused, as if in thought, and smirked. "Although... you might. You see -" he extended a hand towards the two men as he leaned over the railing, "that's the way a battle always ends in this room: with a death. Oh, yes-" he said, anticipating the protests that would follow his words as he paced to the other side of this section, "you may be thinking nobly and you may think there's a way out of here, but trust me, you won't be so keen on morality once you hear the rules you'll be playing by

[31st_of_china]

Another barrier. It'd been worth a shot.

Sanzo was already reloading the Smith & Wesson, sliding in a bullet to replace the one he'd just spent, mind running over the implications of the Head Doctor's words.

So that's what this was all about. A battle to the death, and all for his entertainment. If anything, the monk detested being a pawn in someone's plans.

Sanzo glared up at the man. "I"m not playing your fucking games, you piece of shit."

He didn't see any guards, or any archers or marksman stationed around the arena, much less any vantage points for a sniper. Which left the question of just how the bastard could make good on that threat... or whether it was even a threat at all.

Could be a bluff, Sanzo thought. Not likely though. From what he knew of Landel, the asshole didn't have to use bluffs.