Across the far reaches of space, time and dimensions. Television screens, viewfinders, crystal balls and seeing pools all flicked on at once. Strangely in sync, despite the differences in time between them. 

Folks gathered around their viewing tools, gazing into them with awe and excitement. They all knew what was coming, they all knew what time it was. 

They knew and were so very happy to see it once again.

[center][b]The Everlasting Arena was Open![/b][/center]

The screens all came into focus on a grand being, draped in alabaster cloth that floated unnaturally around his form. Silver eyes and silver hair, his form was borderline angellic. Salarus, the God of Champions and Heroes. The host of the Everlasting Arena himself, for untold millenia he has hosted this battle royalle with all of his power. Now, once again, he appears before all that is, was, and ever will be with the greatest spectacle ever hosted. 

The camera panned away, zooming over a crowd of powerful beings and normal folks alike. Thousands of warriors bunched together before Salarus, some were already trying to make themselves noticable. Breathing flames, cracking knuckles. Some even shoving other warriors aside to get closer to the front of the pack. 

There was much bustling and chatter, those warriors in the back jumping up and down to get a better view of the stage. A quick hush washed over the crowd as Salarus raised his hand. 

Again the Camera panned away, further from the crowd and to a landscape view of where Last Year's tournament was held. The competitors were instructed to wait at the last Arena every year, the dramatic change of scenery as they announced the new Arena was always eye catching. Last year's Arena was simple, a massive 15 mile wide dome with three primary biomes. A forest that was scattered across the landscape, a small northern frostscape, and a southern desert. 

Finally the camera returned to Salarus's face, the hushed crowd was intently staring at him. 

He spoke, after a long silence. A voice unbefitting of his gentle form, it was deep and heavy, echoing across the landscape and surrounding every combatant with his words. "Welcome once again to the Everlasting Arena." With a small pause he turned his head from his far left to his far right, looking at the crowd in a wide sweep. "My pride and joy has entertained myself and viewers for countless millenia, showing the pride and honor of warfare without the unfortunate loss of life and love. This Arena has served a second purpose. As a prison for those who are deemed unfit for the real world but unable to die by normal methods. This place binds them and allows them to release their so-called urges in a safe environment." Again he paused, raising his hand once more to form a dim fog before him. It showed the faces of a few of the bound warriors, ensnared in the Arena permanently. Forced to fight until they die of natural causes.

Upon lowering his hand the fog faded and he began to speak once again. "I love this tournament dearly, it has changed things across so many worlds and touched so many lives. Most especially the lives of those who have won in the past. Speaking of, let us welcome back the previous winners of the Everlasting Arena!" 

With five consecutive explosions, a group of five warriors materialized on the stage beside the lithe figure of Salarus. A colossal woman, standing a head above Salarus himself. A thin girl in a machine suit, towering above all but one figure among them. Beside her was the largest of the group, a massive automaton of metal. Glowing brightly in the center was an average man with a not so average appearance. And finally was the elderly warrior so heavily encumbered with weaponry. "Jean, Crash, Lob, Martin, and Solomon. The aptly named 'Five Extremes.' Let's have a round of applause for the previous champions!" The crowd burst into an excited roar, for a moment you could hear the screams of a thousand warriors. The sound was remarkable.

As the crowd hushed itself, each of the five took their bows and sat down in their appointed seating. "Let's see if they maintain their title, or if they're usurped by an upcoming band of warriors." Salarus raised his hand to his chin and rubbed it down to the point and back up to his ears. "Now, just what am I forgetting?" He snapped his fingers, feigning ignorance for the sake of his own amusement. "Oh that's right!" 

An bright luminescent white orb formed before him and exploded outwards, enveloping the crowd and the entire Arena itself. As the orb's light faded a vast sprawling landscape, at least 40 miles across was presented to the viewers and warriors. Seven vastly differing terrains, dragged from some of the most shocking places across time and space. 

[hider= North]
To the North was a vast field of tall golden grasses. Rather uninteresting until you were to walk into it. The grasses themselves are not grass at all, they're something similar to Saffron except standing up to four feet tall in some places. The scent of spice is so strong here that some might be overpowered by its stench. Others might find it the safest battlefield, it is perfectly flat and difficult to hide in.
[/hider]
[hider= Northwest]
To the Northwest is a stark transition from the golden fields, an immediate plunge into a wedge shaped valley of grey crags and ash. Spikes of stone, pitfalls, black caves, and echoes of battles long since passed. Descending into this place is as treacherous as the battles that take place there.
[/hider]
[hider= Northeast]
To the Northeast is the swamps, leaking just over into the edge of the grasslands is the swamp. A thick slop of muck and plant matter, this place is unfit for those who do not have the will to battle on unsteady ground. The stink of ichorous earth is prominent here.
[/hider]
[hider= Southeast]
To the Southeast is the field of bone. The field of bone is a wasteland, dried earth and a beating hot sun over a fetid landscape. Dotting the empty fields are the corpses of thousands of warriors passed, in some places the bone coverage is so intense that caves of human and alien remains alike exist. Built up around the bones of a great beast, the skeletons of fallen warriors have created walls of decay.
[/hider]
[hider= Southwest]
To the Southwest are the most standard battlefields among this year's Arenas. A wide berth of land, mostly forested area. This forest is thinly spaced but provides enough cover for those sneaky sorts to get around. Within the forested area there are a few old abandoned houses, some more decrepit than others.
[/hider]
[hider= South]
To the far South is the red sand desert. This desert is unique in that its sand is not in fact sand, the gritty substance that goes on for miles is pure rust. High hills of rusted iron flow across this landscape. Watch your step in this land, sinking into rust can cost you your life.
[/hider]
[hider= Center]
In the center lies a massive mountain, taking up fifty percent of the Arena itself. The mountain is twisted and jagged. It is a frozen waste and not for the weak of heart. Those who come here are certainly the bravest of warriors, or the most foolish.
[/hider]

The Camera panned back inwards, returning to Salarus' face once more. "This year I have provided a wide variety of combat areas to allow for unique combat. Variety for all involved, makes for entertaining combat and television!" Salarus chuckled, covering his mouth a bit to hide his smile. "As you know, by the end of the tournament the number of kills you have on your record are all that matter. At the end you will be rewarded based on the number of kills you have, last year there was a five way tie. However this year I'm hoping for more adversity!"

"Now!" 

"The stage is set, my combatants! The bound warriors have been released! Be free! Go, now, and fight for great hon-!" Just before the fireworks were set off, as is customary every year to signal the beginning of the Everlasting Arena, a charcoal grey hand reached from the ether and wrapped itself around Salarus' mouth. Silencing him before the final words were spoke. 

The five extremes leapt from their seats, as well as hundreds more warriors, bum rushing the stage. They slammed into an invisible wall, some kind of barrier that prevented them from getting to them. They banged on the walls as a figure began to take shape. "Now now, kiddies. I'll just be a moment, I need to speak with my old friend Salarus."

This mysterious figure emerged from nothingness behind him, futher entangling him in his arms by wrapping his lower arm around his gut. "I'm very sorry for the rude interruption, but this time around I've decided to change things up a bit!" Salarus struggled in his grasp, muffled shouting was heard. He could not break free, this incredibly powerful being was held at arm by a lithe figure with skin as craggy and dark as charcoal. "Sshh, Salarus. Shhh. You must really understand my position. When you started this Arena, senseless violence dropped to an all time low. So many people who fancy themselves strong came here, and now they've vented all of their senseless fury. And now here I am, a being that loves war and turmoil with nothing to feed off of." As he spoke he raised a third hand, the third hand of four apparently, and began caressing Salarus' cheek. 

"This time around, I'm going to enter five champions of my own. Five beings of uncontrollable violence, with a long history of murder and torture. I've made sure that two of them stay back until later, when all of the more powerful warriors begin stepping out from the shadows. But three of them have already been released into the Arena, and they're ready to 'take home the gold.' If you know what I mean." He nudged Salarus in the side with his fourth and final arm, raising his eyebrows up and down to taunt him. 

With his speach completed and his five champions lurking, hidden in the shadows, the charcoal figure released Salarus and faded into nothingness once again. "Ciao! I hope you enjoy my friends, I know I'll enjoy the pain they bring." The last thing that disappeared was his smile, absurdly white despite his craggy grey appearance. 

With the mysterious figure gone, Salarus fell to his knees, taking in a few long deep breaths before rising once again. The barrier had fallen and dozens of warriors flooded the stage, trying to see if he was alright. Salarus waved his hand. "I'm fine. I'm fine, the only thing hurt is my pride." The god brushed himself off and the cloth around him began floating once more. It had gone placcid while the other being had been near. "That was Tarvin, one of the many gods of War and Turmoil. While some feed on individual armies, or countries, so on. Tarvin is one of the most powerful. He feeds across all time and space, using their pain and suffering to feed his power. He is barely a god, his power is too similar to lesser beings. However his power is great enough to usurp mine own, even in his starved state." 

Turning his head upwards, he raised his hands to the heavens above. "Well, I suppose there is not much I may personally do to stop him. However, he said there were champions out there that would 'feed' him. So, let's be a bit cheeky, eh? The price on the heads of his champions is thrice that of a normal warrior. Where you would walk home with the equivalent of 20,000 gold pieces from one kill, you'll walk home with the equivalent of 60,000 gold pieces from his champions."

Salarus smiled, even though he wasn't as powerful he was certainly more cunning. "That should give you plenty incentive to hunt them down and prevent him from feeding!" 

With that, the crowd began cheering. Their passion burning bright, they raised their hands and weapons to the sky. "Let this year's Everlasting Arena, begin!" Fireworks exploded from behind him, flashing brightly into the sky overhead. Sending luminescent sparks showering down over the heads of the warriors. 

The crowd dispersed into the huge battleground. Choosing the locations where their first battles would take place.

Within minutes the sound of sword against sword, gunfire, and explosions began ringing out. 

Salarus opened a doorway, leaving the Arena to observe from an outside perspective. 

Where will you begin your first battle? Who will you fight? Who will you work together with? That's up to you. 

[Center][b]The Main Thread IC will be set in the Mountains Area of the Battlefield. [/b][/center]