Rosh Zenzara's Story

He settled in, looking to Tien the Young to see if she would rather explain. Quan's orb wasn't just any prize, but well worth the covet and hype it had earned.

"Well, at the center of every Gargantua exists a core," He held his hands out, as if physically holding something as large as his chest. "They're not exactly life, they're not exactly fire, but they're energy."

When everyone bowed, Tien sighed. "No, no." she said to them. "Rise. I'm not your Queen here. I'm just a patron."

She tugged the hood further over her head. To think that, after only a year of taking the throne, her face was so unforgettable. She turned her attention to Rosh and Damioa, crossing her legs.

"Mmm, yes. The Core, a source of great power. The first Core to be taken in Vien was that of Lac Long Quan. One of the largest known in history. It powers the city to this day. Another incarnation of Quan has shown up this year, which is why this competition is so popular right now. It's been years since another Quan has been found. We are keeping him far from the city for now, but in time we will round him into the arena, though we think this one might be too big." She managed a chuckle.

"All the vehicles you see flying around here, in Aberash, are powered by much smaller Cores. Much of our other technology, as well. Some people infuse the Cores with their weapons for devastating effects. Others use them to expose the beauty that they hold. One thing is for sure: they're absolutely valuable, no matter where you come from."

Damioa nodded as they both explained about the core. He became disinterested when he found out it was about power and not money, but, he still kept his attention going. He chugged down his beer and happily wiped his face. "Ahhhh, that's good stuff." He could have fell asleep right there, but, he had more questions to ask. "So when does the hunt start?"

Rosh listened and nodded along. He was here for the hunts as well, but not as a champion or spectator. This old man had his own things he was doing. As the they spoke another water arrived. He pulled out a small book from his bag and began scribbling in it. Every now and then he would look to the television and make a note.

"It's already started. You have to defeat smaller Gargantuan and receive points for them to be able to battle the next Gargantuan. The finalists will be able to go against Quan." she explained. "And you will choose your prizes in the end. Quan's Core, the lovely lady's hand, or...perhaps even a large sum of money."

Aneres's guardians listened from across the room. The girl herself sipped at her prikka milk not caring too much for the talk of the prizes. She, like Rosh, was interested in the fights being hosted on the screens. Battle and glory were all very interesting to the young Princess, who was all too interested in glamour. Rosh scribbled away in his notebooks.

"For Quan's Core...I might even compete!" The old man piped up, peering from Damioa to the hooded Queen. He smiled earnestly, folding his book and placing it away. It was hard for Rosh Zensara to imagine himself going up against a great beast, but supposed he had to sooner or later in his line of research.

"Hmm. Sounds dangerous. I'm in." Damioa said with a smile. He scratched his head a little while he thought. "Can we team up? Are teams allowed? If so, then it'll be a snap to kill a couple Gargantuan thingies. Hahaha. We'll burn them alive." At this a really tasty thought popped into his head. "Are we allowed to eat them? Do they taste delicious? Ahh. My mouth is watering just thinking about it."

The door of the bar suddenly slammed open, revealing a menacing sight: a tall muscular man, his body without a shirt, his body marred with old scars and bullet marks, makeshift gloves covering both of his arms, and equally makeshift boots, a strange gasmask adorned on his face, only one eye visible, making quite an imposing visage.

Beneath the mask, the man's mind was going a million miles a minute... how did he get here! All he could remember was that he snuck onto a ship some Bandits got ahold of a ship and then... oh yeah, there was something involving his buzz-axe slicing into the back of someone's skull! And then he spent a couple days walking around the planet looking for... who knows what.

"Alright, don't freak these people out, alright?" came a voice that only Krieg could hear. "Just... order some water or booze or something, do not say something crazy..."

"...I REQUIRE... the blOOD of your oRphans to feed my STOMACH SACK! THEIR SPLEENS WILL SATIATE IT FOR A THOUSAND YEARS!" he yelled at the top of his lungs, his words apparently having odd emphasis at random.

"...Awesome..."

"Great!" The kid was gonna fight! It was the best news Rosh had heard all day for someone! Rosh's grin faded slightly as the newcomer got...weird. What? Eat them? That was about six times as abstract as what he was planning on doing. He supposed there were stranger things out there. Weren't there people from other places that ate people?

SLAM! The Hangover seemed to gasp and settle into a murmur at the sound. A man filled to doorway, shirtless (!), scarred, and imposing. What was that on his face? Rosh Paled, straightening his figure as the man eyed them all up. Over at the table, Aneres's guardians shoved her further into the booth. For once, the Princess didn't complain.

And then it shouted, talked, whatever the heck. Rosh raised a brow, the guardians rising with their hands on their weapon holsters. It seemed everyone was waiting for the man in the door to make a move.

"Well this is new," Rosh muttered under his breath.

"And thus I prePARED for the RIBCAGE SLAUGHTER and I looked into the ABYSS and said 'YOU LOOK DELICIOUS!' directly to it's STUNNINGLY UGLY FACE and I ate IT ALL." the obviously insane man continued to rant, before smashing his face on the counter at full force, pulling his face back up, seeming unfazed by the blow. "I feel LIKE A THOUSAND CENTIMETERS!" Despite his obvious insanity and his imposing appearance, he didn't look like he was ready to start trouble.

The guardians cringed, hesitant on whether or not they should interfere with the insane individuals actions. He was...violent? But not towards others. Aneres reached out and placed a hand on one of their wrists. With a sigh, they let off and settled into the booth. One shook his head.

Rosh managed to catch up his water before the dude slammed his face into the bar, but flinched as a couple drinks spilled. Ohhh boy. This..This could be not good or very bad.

"So, ah...The Hunt," Rosh continued, "You sign up at the Arena, yea?" Every now and then he would glance at faceplant man. Slowly the bar increased in volume.

While Krieg mumbled to himself, his ears picked up Rosh talking about something called 'The Hunt'...

"The Hunt? Sounds... dangerous... hey, go and see if this 'Hunt' is something that will let you kill things..." Krieg's inner voice suggested, well aware that Krieg would steadily get more difficult to control if they didn't kill anything... Krieg didn't need to be told twice. The moment his inner voice said 'kill', he was ready to discuss the Hunt... in... his own words.

"THE HUNT, YES, let me HUNT... I WISH TO BATHE... IN THE MEAAAT CHUNKS... TELL ME ABOUT THE HUNT WITH MEAT CHUNKS!" Krieg screamed at Rosh, trying to convey he wished to learn about 'The Hunt'.

Well, go figure. That's two people in one day who considered Gargantuan beasts potential food. He never thought he'd ever see the day, and Rosh had lived a long time.
"Yes," He scootched away a hair and offered an apologetic look to Damioa, "The Hunt is a great event in which Champions compete against great Gargantuan beasts, uh," Rosh took a drink from his water.

Aneres Coreveon finished her glass of prikka milk and touched her Guardian's shoulder. She was about ready to leave. The milk was delicious, I'll have to look into getting some for a private stash.

"Shall we depart?" The princess was asked, she nodded in response. Her guardians rose, she slid out behind them. The triad made their way to the door. When passing the Queen, all three descended in honorable mention. Aneres curtsied, one foot sweeping behind the other bent leg, her guardians went halfway down on one knee.

"It will be our honor to attend the Hunts," Princess Aneres Coreveon pronounced to Tien the Young, shoulder straight and guards still kneeling beside her. After a moments pause, "I hear the Miss Multiverse pageant will be here as well."

"BWAHAHAHAAAA! I'll kill the GARGANTUAN MEAT MUSCLES AND THEIR NEPHEWS!" the crazed man yelled, before cackling, obviously ready to kill things... this guy will probably end up being one of the most crazed contestants ever...

The big guy was so funny, Damioa couldn't help but laugh. "Hahahaha. He reminds me of a guy I met in wing city. Sure has allot of heart if I do say so myself. Hewww." He wiped fake tears of laughter from his eyes. "Anyway," He said trying to get back on topic, where is this arena? Is it far? Do I have to pay money for it? Kinda broke right now. Hehe." He then saw a beautiful woman stand up with a couple of men and turn to talk to Tien. 'So even beautiful girls like fighting too huh? This planet sure is weird.' He chuckled a little bit under his breath as he thought this.

"Wing City?" Rosh said from where he had pressed himself away from the screaming individual into the bar. "Must be one hell of a place."

"Yes, er, the Lac Long Quan arena. It's right over there," He pointed at a wall, "On the other side of that wall. Huge, loud, busiest place in town aside's here. Can't really miss it!" Rosh turned to look at the young Princess. He doubted she was fighting, personally, but then again there were always stranger things.

"Beautiful girls fight, sure! Anyone with drive enough to fight fights, or of course anyone with their eye on the prize."

That seemed all good to him. Damioa was going to sign up and earn that prize. "Thank you for letting me know. I shall be back." He declared as he walked pass the two ladies. Flashing a wink he said, "If I may, if I win the prize then I might just ask for one of your hands in marriage. Hehehe." He didn't really mean it, but all in the same he did like flirting with women every now and then. He was a man after all.
With that said and done, he headed towards the Lac Long Quan arena to sign up for the hunts. 'Oh boy, I can't wait. This should be fun if not anything else.

Tien glanced to the man who had banged his head against the table. He was rather intimidating, but Tien was used to such beasts. "Come in, have a seat, try not to break anything. Bao might get angry." said the Queen softly.

"The Gargantuan might not be so delicious. Not all of them...in fact, most of them are not organic. Spinners are, but they have an exterior made of copper. Many Gargantuan are made up of the elements that surround them, with the Core in the middle. Though we do not understand these creatures completely yet, we do know it is not only the Core that allows these creatures to think, move, and do as they wish. We are just not sure, just yet."

She flicked her eyes to the Princess. She got up, herself, and gave a curt bow. "I will be honored to have you. If you plan to attend the Miss Multiverse Pageant, I do wish you the best of luck, but I do not believe you will need it."

She eyed Damioa, smirking. "Perhaps that would be nice, but unfortunately, the things holding me back from being a participant in the Hunt this year would hold me back from that one, as well. But I am charmed. Truly."

Her eyes shifted to Rosh, commenting that, "You should join, but you don't strike me as a warrior. You have more fire for knowledge in your eyes than you do fight." And then, to Krieg:

"You may sign up at the Arena, if you wish."

The speakers of the television screens boomed to life, suddenly, as one of the Hunts came to an end. Tien brought her eyes to a screen, watching as a blonde-headed, dark-skinned warrior woman tossed a Gargantuan to the ground, climbing atop it with her arms tossed into the air in victory.

"Looks like we finally have a female champion climbing the ranks. Nekala."

Krieg laughed in triumph upon hearing Tien suggesting he sign up at the arena. "I WILL DANCE IN THEIR RIBCAGES AND SING PRAISES FOR THE MEAT SLAUGHTER! MAN FOR CENTURIES WILL KNOW OF MY CRUMBLING FACE!" the psycho rambled on once more... sooo... I'm... guessing that means 'yes'?

Suddenly, two men wearing jumpsuits marked with yellow and black checkers started to wheel in... uh... a vending machine? The logo of the vending machine featured a drawing of a torque wrench, with cartoonish arms and legs coming from it, a logo above it stating 'TORGUE'.

Upon setting the vending machine down, one of the men pulled out a strange device and pressed a button on it, as an incredibly gruff voice came from it.

"HOW ARE YOU BADASSES DOIN'?! THIS IS MR. TORGUE, FOUNDER OF THE TORGUE CORPORATION! I HEARD ABOUT YOUR LITTLE SHINDIG GOING ON DOWN HERE AND I DECIDED THAT IT IS PRETTY F*CKING AWESOME!" the voice shouted, the instance of 'fuck' being bleeped out. "SO, IN HONOR OF THIS BADASS OCCASION, WE AT THE TORGUE CORPORATION HAVE DECIDED TO PLACE TORGUE VENDING MACHINES AROUND THIS PLACE, BECAUSE DAMMIT, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH MOTHERF*CKING EXPLOSIONS! WHY THE F*CK AREN'T THERE ANY EXPLOSIONS! GET YOUR SH*T TOGETHER!" Mr. Torgue yelled, his voice being bleeped out. "SO, USE THESE TORGUE VENDING MACHINES TO GET SOME TORGUE BRAND WEAPONRY! THEY BLOW SH*T UP! SO STOP USING REGULAR BULLETS LIKE A BUNCH OF P*SSIES! ...TORGUE OUT!"