Across The Pond

Vallius slowly made his way to the end of the hallway. He didn't have to speculate as to the source of the commotion. The Khajiit woman was involved and Vallius knew it. He was a few rooms down from his destination and then something happened.

He had expected the Khajiit assassin to be in that room and somehow, despite her injuries, was fighting. What he didn't expect was to see the Khajiit woman carried out in a rush by a large Nord with long blonde hair. The Nord followed closely by a Wood Elf whose brown hair stood up on end despite the two inch length.

The Nord turned to face Vallius as the Wood Elf kept moving in the opposite direction. The two met eyes for a moment, The Nord staring in curiosity and Vallius in confusion. Then the Wood Elf yelled "Come on we have to get out of here."

The Nord turned and left Vallius, taking the Khajiit woman with him. Vallius assumed the Nord had not known he had been the cause of the woman's injuries based on the face that he was still alive. And though the three assassin's left Vallius knew it wouldn't be the last time he saw them.

A few weeks passed and Vallius, being unable to successfully track the assassins, had gone back to Imperial City. Upon his arrival he was told about the colorful talking horses that had went north. Vallius contemplated going back and telling the Khajiit that was helping Twilight about her nearby friends but decided against it, figuring it had been long enough that twilight was probably already home.

Twilight's search team had trained diligently, and while they were by no means expert fighters, Strillian thought they wouldn't do too bad. Fluttershy and Rarity had agreed to work on treating wounds with Rain Step. Rain Step taking it further by learning to fight. Strillian only fears what would happened if they found themselves in a fight and were unable, either because of a lack of skill or willpower, to end their opponent.

The ponies had spent the time their learning how to defend themselves but also about the land of Tamriel. They learned the history and politics of the land, or rather most of them did. During the lectures Rainbow Dash could be found sleeping on a nearby cloud. They hadn't left Sky Ruler Temple yet but were already arranging the trip to Elsweyr.

The situation between the Empire of Tamriel and the Thalmor of the Second Aldmeri Dominion didn't get much better. Thalmor forces managed to annex Valenwood after engineering a coup. Elsweyr had been drawn into the Thalmor's sphere of influence as well. The Thalmor had gained much and were growing more and more confident as the time progressed. This had Emperor Mede on edge.

Vallius stared out from a guard tower. He was bored and the Emperor gave him express orders not to leave the Imperial City. Vallius was not alone in the guard tower. Beside him stood a guard that was quite a few years younger than him but had much experience to show for himself. His name was Lurius.

Lurius and Vallius had been friends for years. During Lurius' time training Vallius took it upon himself to take him under his wing. Lurius and Vallius shared many of the same view points on the world and were both excellent swordsmen. The only thing that kept people from asking if they were in fact related was the fact they looked so different.

Lurius was more hotheaded but had adopted Vallius' nonchalance and tendency to smile. It was like a disease. A disease neither sought to cure.

Vallius just stared out the window for a while, and probably would have spent all day just looking over the city but Lurius couldn't stand the waiting.

"Perhaps it's time we do something a little more productive" Lurius said tauntingly.

Vallius turned slightly, only enough for Lurius to see him shoot a grin at his direction before turning back towards the city.

"Quit your moping and come on, there is bound to be something fun" Lurius said with a smile.

"I'm not moping Lurius, I am merely enjoying a nice view. Something that seems lost on the young" Vallius said playfully.

"Yeah well I happen to know a guy who could get us someplace where we can see something exciting" Lurius said, careful not to let anything slip.

Vallius was interested now. "Oh? And where might this place be? An old bar in the rut end of the market district? Or perhaps you weren't talking about in the city walls?"

"No no, it is definitely inside the city" Lurius said. Vallius looked a little disappointed but kept his usual smile.

"Alright then, I'll bite. Where are we going friend?" Vallius asked.

"Why, the Arena of course!" Lurius shouted.

"The Arena?" asked Vallius.

"Yeah, later today, soon actually, they are having the reigning champion fight some creature who they say can has the strength of Talos and the tactical ability of Julianos" Lurius said. "I'm voting for the Champion."

"Really? I would have thought you would take your chances with the wildcard" Vallius said, very surprised.

"Well normally I would. But it's the official's saying all this so I think it's a trick. The creature probably can't fight and when everyone loses their money from the bets the officials reap the rewards" Lurius said, proud he had figured it out. "I'm so confident I'm betting two hundred septims on this match."

"And, just out of curiosity, what happens if the creature lives up to the hype?" Vallius asked. Though he still smiled the worry in his voice was unmissable.

"Then it'd be one hell of a fight, now lets get moving. If I miss it because you want to lecture me on a bet I already made I can't be held responsible for what I do" Lurius said, motioning for Vallius to start moving. Vallius complied and they made the short walk to the Arena district.

Once they were at the gates of the Arena Lurius held up a piece of paper that had words Vallius couldn't make out from his angle. The Imperial at the gate lead them to a large booth at the front of the Arena. Vallius looked around the booth his young friend had acquired. It was large enough to hold about ten comfortably but only had three chairs. They were so close to the actual arena if Vallius were to lean to far forward he would fall in. On the base of the guard wall that kept them from simply walking into the arena was two words written in dull red paint 'Splash Zone.'

It had been years since Vallius had been to the Arena. It wasn't that he didn't like the Arena, rather he had no reason to go. He didn't exactly like gambling and he got his fill of bloodshed in his line of work so Vallius just never thought about.

"Oh I think it's about to start" Lurius said.

A loud, thunderous voice that seemed to come from nowhere, yet everywhere at once stopped whatever replay Vallius was about to give.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have quite the show for you tonight! As the sun sets, so to will the lives of one of the two combatants fall into darkness!

Now! Without further adieu, I give you your champion!

Horns sounded and the crowd went wild as a Nord walked out of one door, holding a broad sword in each hand. He was sporting no armor save for leather greaves and a pair of iron boots. He was covered in all sorts of scars that ranged from cuts and burns to whipping marks on his back, no doubt from the correction of rebellious behavior. Vallius also thought he saw large bite marks on the Nord's side. It was difficult to tell but they seemed to belong to a bear of sorts.

The Nord walked a lap around the Arena holding both swords high. As he walked past the two legionaries Vallius could have sworn the blades were glowing.

Vallius gave a huff of air before saying to Lurius "enchanted weapons, perhaps you made a wise bet."

Lurius smiled at Vallius but it appeared to be his turn to be interrupted but the thundering announcer.

And his opponent! A magically gifted gem! A creature unique to the Arena! Never before has it been done but you will see it here folks!

Good people of Imperial City, I give you the Purple Punisher!

At those words Vallius sat up. "No, it couldn't be" he whispered to himself.

Proving his denial futile, a scared looking Purple Equine stumbled out of the gates.

"Twilight!" Vallius yelled, his voice drowned out by the roaring of the excited crowd.