Apart from a few sporadic mutterings that sprang up from amongst the increasingly restless crowd, and the late morning breeze as it whistling through the brightly coloured banners that adorned the stands, the stadium was silent. Anticipation hung heavily in the air, everyone’s eyes straining the get the best possible view of the soon to be battlefield. Impatient for the fighting to begin. It was the first match of the afternoon and after the morning fights had ended, the crowds appetite had once again grown. Excited chatter was beginning to fill the vast stadium with its excited note. Spreading across the stands more and more people were unable to conceal their anticipation. The growing conversations meant that few people noticed the lone figure walking steadily out into the center of the empty battlefield. Dressed in simple, but practical clothing that suggested that he was some sort of umpire for the upcoming fight. One by one the people started to notice his presence and turned their attention to him, expecting an announcement regarding the beginning of the fight. As he reached the center he stopped and rested his hands firmly behind his back, clearing his throat and raising his expressionless face to the towering stands.
“ Round one, Reisame Nenshoukami against Sora Toutetsu…”
The proctor’s sudden shout rang out from the middle of the battlefield where he stood, his voice carrying surprisingly clearly over the excited babble of the crowd. Sora heard his name and stepped out into the vast expanse of the gigantic stadium. As soon as his figure emerged from the shadows the crowd’s voice rose in a huge cheer that seemed to rise above every other sound until it held the entire sky with its deafening noise. Wind screeched through the banners, almost as if it was being forced by the power of the spectators booming cheers. Sora walked steadily to where the proctor stood, staring at him with his emotionless eyes. All around him the crowd continued their frantic shouts, happy to finally be able to release their boredom now that the impending fight was to begin. With a perfunctory nod in Sora’s direction, the proctor took a step back and glanced to the other side of the stadium, where the second contestant was soon to appear. There was no movement, and for a moment the crowd faltered, unsure whether they should still be cheering or not. A frantic whispering took over in the stands as the spectators’ voices became hushed and hesitant. Gesturing for Sora to stay where he was, and indicating for the crowd to wait, the proctor strode over to the opposite side of the battlefield and began speak to someone in an anxious tone. Although he couldn’t hear their words, Sora sighed with frustration; either his opponent was late or they had decided to not participate.