[hr][hr][indent][color=DarkGray]I lied. I am scared.

Telling him wasn't any easier from the ebony smog that poisoned the air as the sky bled crimson. My expression mirrored his own, one draped with terror, a dread as overbearing as that monster played with the destruction of our land.

My throat burned of charcoal, a croak passing my soot-stained lips as the earth rattled again. And again. And again.

It's coming apart, I screamed.

But he didn't say anything. Just looked at me, frozen in fear. This wasn't him, the boy with tears welling in his eyes.

Please, save me. We're friends, right? You have to save me, I begged. This is all my fault, he finally spoke. His face fell to his feet, shaking his head in ruin. Wait...

Wait!
Come back!

My screams lingered, unanswered, the sight of his back to me growing smaller in the distance.[/color][/indent][hr][hr]

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[indent][color=DarkGray][b]"Castiel!"[/b][/color]

[color=RoyalBlue][b]Castiel Pace[/b][/color] [color=DarkGray]drew a gasp as a sudden force sent the young man off balance, his footing stammering forward as his face lit with awakening. He would barely catch himself against the guard rail, only after his forehead struck against the stone. With equal irritation, a sound of irritation trailed his lips, his eyes searching for the culprit responsible for his assault. [b]"Ahaha! Ya look like you've seen a pair of aldgoats in heat!"[/b][/color]

[color=RoyalBlue][b]"Thal's balls,"[/b][/color] [color=DarkGray]Castiel cast a long frown upon realization, pulling himself back onto his feet and raising a gauntlet against his aching head. Had he truly been sleeping like such once again? [i]And even after I rested early last night![/i] Wheeling around to the individual, he found himself unsurprised.[/color] [color=RoyalBlue][b]"Trying for some cheap shots before the match now, huh, Harper?"[/b][/color]

[color=DarkGray]A stocky Ala Mhigan of large frame, Harper easily towered over him, crossing his arms together as he tilted his head, scoffing. [b]"Afraid to dent your pretty little face?"[/b] the Hyuran male spoke, a lax confidence about his features.

Castiel sighed, looking up to the darker male with a similar scowl.[/color] [color=RoyalBlue][b]"You forgetting how fast that one lass left you after what happened in that match of ours some months ago?"[/b][/color] [color=DarkGray]Half a smile began to rise on his lips, a lightness behind his voice.[/color] [color=RoyalBlue][b]"I remember those nice drinks that she and I had on that night. And I [i]definitely[/i] remember-[/b][/color]

[color=DarkGray][b]"Alright, alright,"[/b] Harper seemed to admit defeat over the reminder, his imposing structure defusing into a wave from his hand and the onset of laughter. A closer friend to Castiel, he had been embroiled in a highly-publicized rivalry with the larger male many fortnights before, until his victory on the Bloodsands earned the fellowship of the Ala Mhigan. [b]"Can't have you catnapping 'fore the match, an' you go straight fer the throat!"[/b]

Their conversation had persisted even throughout the ruckus of the Quicksands that occurred behind him. Castiel pounded his armored hand against his chestplate, wearing a smug grin with glee.[/color] [color=RoyalBlue][b]"What can I say? Ain't the Phantom Pace for nothin'!"[/b][/color] [color=DarkGray]he nodded with exaggerated swagger, much to the chagrin of his friend. [b]"Yea, an' I'magine you finished just as quick with Ursula than ya did our duel."[/b][/color]

[color=RoyalBlue][b]"Poppycock,"[/b][/color] [color=DarkGray]Castiel brushed off Harper's rebuttal, turning to watch the ragtag brawling that continued on. [i]Always the same dream...[/i] His mind retreated into deeper thought, cupping his chin on the palm of the gauntlet. [i]Yet, it's never in my body, in my shoes. It's always someone else; why?[/i][/color] [color=RoyalBlue][b]"Whaddaya want, anyway? Can't be bothered to have a drink with these whoresons pissin' over themselves."[/b][/color]

[color=DarkGray]Castiel turned his head as Harper stepped beside him, watching the Ala Mhigan speak. [b]"Like I said, ya should stay focused. Today's matchups aren't gonna be a joke this time, I hear."[/b][/color]

[color=RoyalBlue][b]"That's what they always say,"[/b][/color] [color=DarkGray]he interjected over the raucous music, drawing a sigh.[/color] [color=RoyalBlue][b]"Always underestimatin' me like they did back then, but I-"[/b][/color]

[color=DarkGray]Turning his back to the undying brawl had been a folly as Castiel found himself struck with a chair, having been thrown hard enough to break upon impact with the back of his head and his armor. While his Ala Mhigan associate and some other patrons went to his aid, the young man wrestled himself from his large friend's grasp as he felt a pitch in his temper.[/color] 

[color=RoyalBlue][b]"Alright, ye dumb cunts![/b][/color] [color=DarkGray]his shout brought the commotion to a pause, leaping over the guard rail with anger written on his expression. Castiel drew his sword, provoking the incriminating brawlers as he pointed his blade at them. The crowd seemed to die down from all of the fighting, with some realizing who the overseer was.[/color] [color=RoyalBlue][b]"I don't mind a 'lil warm up before the tournament, folks! I could carve all o' you like a dodo for dinner!"[/b][/color][/indent]