[color=92278f][b][h2]Bonesword's Tale[/h2][/b][/color]
What in the 7 circles just happened to the skeletal swordsman? Everything that just happened was like a blur to him, and from one moment he had been preparing to dive his sword between the flesh of a succubus' breasts to hum being on the ground in the middle of a city square. The skeleton would say he had the wind knocked out of him, but he really didn't.

Well... city square was a bit of an overstatement. There was barely anyone here. It was more akin to a deserted village than a city. The skeleton began to roam around the town, trying to find anyone to speak to when everything was in a dark void. The silence would finally cease when two people, donned in pale green cloaks approached the skeleton, getting his attention. The voice that rang from one of them was that of a feminine voice, and she held a lantern that produced a small influx of... magic? It didn't seem like magic but it looked magical. [color=82ca9d]"Bonesword. The skeletal warrior of the Machina."[/color]

The skeleton paused as he heard this. How did these two men know his name, and more importantly who were these people. The skeleton placed his hand on the hilt of his blade as he spoke back to the cloaked figures. [color=92278f][b]"Yes...? Who are you?"[/b][/color]

[color=82ca9d]"We are representatives from the Inquisitional College. I trust that you got here safely?"[/color]

[color=92278f][b]"I'd say that it wouldn't be... well... safe, more or less I got here."[/b][/color]

[color=82ca9d]"That's just as good. We've been watching your skills and prowess and we believe that you may be a strong opponent for an upcoming tournament that we are hosting here in the city. The Crucible."[/color]

The skeleton tilted his head as he brought his hand off his sword blade. [color=92278f][b]"Go on."[/b][/color]

The previously silent one started to advertise, his far more masculine voice ringing throughout the town. [color=a2d39c]"Thirty-two contenders! Each fighting the others for their souls, all of it leading to the end of the tournament, where the one who holds thirty-two souls is allowed to obtain a single wish, granting them anything that their heart desires!"[/color]

The skeleton would have believed this as a false promise, largely due to the winner being able to claim a wish, but then he realized that this was incredibly similar to the trials of Hohenheim, where the winner was literally able to bring an entire race back from extinction. Maybe this would function the same way? It was too much to dwell on though, as the thought of his wish made a theoretical stream of drool fall from his jaw. He could bring Abigail back from her death at the hands of Rhine. He could do it.

He could win her back.

[b][color=92278f]"... I'll bite. Get me to the registration."[/color][/b]

[color=82ca9d]"Automatically done. Follow me to the arena, and Trentus will explain a few things about this tournament."[/color]

Bonesword followed the feminine voice as Trentus began to speak to him about something that he wasn't really knowledgeable on. [color=a2d39c]"This is held in the City of Echoes, but that's the unimportant part. The actual important part is that you have a place that's important to you and that will be one of the biggest factors in your wish. That's slightly more important, but the real big thing here is that everyone in this tournament has a soul you must obtain."[/color]

[color=92278f][b]"What in the fuck?"[/b][/color] Bonesword inquired, pulling a bottle of scotch out of his knapsack. Thank Eos it was still intact from the incredible entrance the swordsman made.

[color=a2d39c]"Everyone must claim another's soul in order to proceed, and when someone gives their soul, they give all of their souls to you. You also don't need to kill someone to claim their soul."[/color]

[color=92278f][b]"So I can make someone give me their soul from mercy? That's a relief."[/b][/color]

[color=a2d39c]"Oh, one for mercy are we? You'll be popular with the College, I know that."[/color]

[color=92278f][b]"... when will I know who I'm fighting against?"[/b][/color]

[color=a2d39c]"No clue, hopefully soon."[/color]

[color=82ca9d]"Here."[/color]

The woman stopped in front of a rather-large door, with smoke and fog creeping out from underneath it, it's knob a pristine glean of silver. It was clear that this door led to somewhere, but the skeleton just didn't know where it took him when it did. The woman also held out a small item for Bonesword, seemingly created out of nothing for him. [color=82ca9d]"Take this phylactery and go through this door. "[/color]

Bonesword nodded as he grabbed the phylactery and opened the door, stepping inside and joining the other combatants in the area.