Character 1: Ma Tan Ning

Arena: A small, oval fighting-pit, the sand white-hot under the Mediteranian sun.

Entry

Ma's bare feet barely left an impression on the sand as he padded across the arena, his hook-swords hanging loosely at his sides. The monk was stripped to the waist, revealing his impressive musculature, and the green curve of an oriental dragon that began on his left shoulder, and traced all the way down to the back of his right hand.

With a deft flick of his wrists, he buried his blades in the sand, pausing to tie up his flowing black hair into a top-knot with an orange ribbon, adjusting the thick leather straps that held his butterfly swords. In place of the course woolen tunic, Ma had taken a broad leather belt, which now circled his mid-section, offering some form of protection against a blade or staff.

His opponent had not arrived yet, so the monk sat down on the sand, between his two swords, crossing his legs underneath him. The quiet calm of the arena made for the perfect place to prepare before a battle.