[center][h2]Mako Kurohiko, Exiled Warrior|Road out of Crocus[/h2][/center]

As the crowds within the grand Stadium built for the first Grand Magic Games since Fairy Tail won over a century ago watched and cheered for the competitors who duked it out inside the city, a single cloaked figure had found his way back to the road that had brought him to the city and was walking back down it. The man he had searched for lay on the edge of death in a medical facility, but Mako had not killed him. His honor had been reclaimed so far as his family need know and the man's past, though eager he had been for a rematch, could be put to rest. Mako could recall the fight clearly, including his challenge to the man who had been responsible for so much change in the young man's life.

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Rosalina Idwal had not attempted to interfere with the Isvanian's code of honor, which had proven to be a surprise of it's own. Most people in Fiore didn't understand the way Isvanian's held honor so high, nor did they care to. In fact, only a year prior, a bartender and several of the establishment's patrons had attempted to teach Mako a lesson about "bringing his foriegn bull shit" with him. The result had been less than pleasant for the five men, who each had earned a different broken bone to nurse for a few months. All the same, Rosalina hadn't gotten in the way, simply informing him that the man's name was Boris. When she opened the door to the Boris' post, he followed her in, waiting until he noticed them and approached, saluting before speaking. [b]"Captain Idwal, I didn't expect to see you so soon. What do you need?"[/b] Rosalina hadn't spoken, simply beckoned to the young Isvanian to step forward, which Mako did. The man frowned, not recognizing him from their encounter five years prior. Or that was, until Mako spoke.

[color=DarkOrange]"Five years ago, you lead a group of bandits on an attack on a convoy that I was charged with protecting. More specifically, I was charged with protecting an Ambassador from Isvan. That night, you bested me in combat and slew my charge. As a result of my inability to both best you and protect the Ambassador, I lost my honor. Five years, since my recovery, I have searched for you. And now that I have found you, I must ask that you fight me, that I might reclaim my honor and return to my home."[/color] The large man didn't waste any time, attaching a saber to his wrist after removing the hand that had been in the socket.

[b]"A rematch with the punk who broke three ribs and my nose? Damn straight I'll do it."[/b] The saber was far from the viscious weapon that he had wielded the night he'd hit the caravan, but the image flashed through Mako's mind all the same, causing him to grimace slightly. [color=DarkOrange][i]I will not loose again. Not this time.[/i][/color] Once Boris was ready, he and Mako stepped outside, the ten or so other soldiers and Rosalina following to observe the fight. Mako only took enough time to shed his cloak and pack, revealing his red tunic, olive pants and light black shoes. They stood across from each other, Mako sliding into a Dragon Style ready stance, and for several moments, no movement or sound came from either of the pair. Then, with a yell, the former bandit leader charged forwards, his movement growing faster as his magic kicked in, speeding it up beyond normal human measure.

As he came within striking distance, his saber swung for Mako's torso, the Dragon Tatoo lit up a light blue once more and Mako dodged under the blow, delivering a rising palm strike to the man's chin. While it did stagger him, Boris maintained both his footing and consciousness and countered with a punch aimed at Mako's chest. The smaller man deflected the blow to his left and delivered a powerful elbow strike to his opponent's gut, doubling him over. At this moment, as Mako's knee then connected with the former bandit's face, it became clear the fight was over. The knee blow forced his head to snap back and Mako immediately delivered a series of short, quick, and powerful punches to his chest and abdomen, Dragon Chi Enhancement magic adding yet more power. Sliding his left foot back, Mako delivered a powerful snap kick to his opponent's chin, stumbling him back, and then both of the martial artist's throwing glaives snapped into his hands, their blades extending. He could hear the soldiers and Rosalina gasp in surprise, but tuned them out. 

Boris, who had managed to somewhat recover from the flurry of blows, swing his saber towards Mako, who caught the blade with one glaive and attempted to slice off the metal fitting, only to recieve a punishing punch to the head for his lack of foresight. Stumbling back, Mako regained his balance in time to dodge an overhead slice and dance out of the way of a thrust. However, upon the larger man's next slash, Mako showed his greater skill, dodging under the blow once more and spinning with his glaives, slicing off the metal fitting and the saber blade by extension. Boris bellowed in pain, but the blows didn't stop, several slashes from the glaives appearing across his back as Mako attacked again. Hooking his opponent's foot, he tripped him to the ground and flipped into the finisher position as the glaive's blades raked his opponent's chest from the move. As he sat on the man's chest, his arm poised to remove Boris' head with the glaive and both of his arms pinned and he unconscious from the pain, Mako stopped.

Standing, he allowed the man's fellows to rush to his aid as he retrieved his things, stopping next to Rosalina as he walked away. [color=DarkOrange]"Tell him to consider my honor reclaimed when he awakes. And not to come searching for me, or I will not be so merciful."[/color]

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After that, Mako had rented a room for the night and set out on the road shortly before the start of the final day of the Grand Magic Games. He was finally able to return home after five years in Fiore, to see his mother and father and siblings and grandparents and uncles and aunts and cousins and all his family. But as he walked, a sense of forboding began to settle on his mind, one he couldn't shake off. After all this time, with his honor reclaimed, why did he feel so on edge?

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It was several hours later, after nightfall, that he arrived in a town to rest. Renting a room, he walked to it, closed the door and locked it before settling into his nightly meditation before bed. Perhaps sunrise would see a better outlook on the future.