Snippet #1701653

The large man looked to Alphonse with an expression of mild interest, "Ah, now there is the truth. You look to protect someone that will more than likely seal your fate? Interesting, and yet you are willing to betray the one you want to protect in order to insure their safety? I will help you, your cause is very similar to the same one that placed the Ralleys in my service. Therefore, I believe a test is in order for the both of you. While I see many qualities, some bad and some good. I must test your strength of body as well as your strength of will. In times of old I stepped forward to battle the challengers myself, but lately I have noticed your race shrinking, and personally I prefer opponents on my level. With that in mind. Craneo! Jvala! ARIZE AND SERVE YOUR MASTER!"

The great beings voice echoed throughout the cavern, small tiers of dust fell from the cieling as the cave shook. From two of the open tombs came a set of bones. As the two skeletons reached Hadrian's sides, they would assemble themselves and twitch as the darkness began to swirl around them, enveloping them in a thick smoke-like substance. As the smoke finished covering them, it would begin to swirl, giving the bodies form. After the smoke cleared, there would stand before them two strange people. The first was a large, broadshouldered man wearing a black bodysuit adorned with bones except for the two metal skulls worn on his hands like boxing gloves adorned with similar symbols carved into the crown and cheekbones as were painted on the man's shaven and white head. the other was thin, yogic guru with a thick, curly greying beard and dark skin covered by a weathered orange body wrapping.

The larger of the two crashed the two iron skulls together with a sickening grin crossing his face, "I cannot wait to fight once more. It has been far too long, Lord Hadrian, to be brought back for a good fight," As he spoke the man would look over the two and turned his head in confusion, "Wait, this is what I was called back from oblivion to beat up children? This must surely be a joke, my lord." The smaller man would look to his partner and shake his head, "Why must you always think that we were called back to perform violence? There are more ways to settle things beside crashing our fists into each other like barbarians. That being said, Thank you Lord Hadrian for allowing us both this time among the living, it has been quite a while sir."