A human is the most selfish creation of God.
Zylus and Xema were two countries in ancient Europe. The two neighborhood exemplified strength of great nation. But there was a great difference between the two.
One Zylus was known for peace loving nature and excellent standard of life. At the same time Xema though not very far in terms of living but always had apparent evil instincts.
In both the states it was looked after that none of its native opposed the society at large. But what defined Society at large was confined to few at Zylus and what defined individual was not known much in Xema. Quiet confusing to be true.
Ness was born in Sepia, a small town in Xema. And he was to define the role of individual characters in building societies. Ness was different to each and every person born in Xema. Xema was to discover that sooner than later.
Zylus had a tradition of holding annual champion series, a showcase of sole human strength; whoever won could ask for anything and no denial on anybody’s part for it. Every person from the earth could take part in and it were only the Xemians who were denied only for diplomatic reasons. To put matter on hold Xemians heads had their own ego to pacify; they never participated.
Zylus was always aware that holding such an event meant that the sovereignty of the state was always at stake. The champion could always claim the head of any state. Non participating nation have to also bear the outcome in such a case. But since it was accepted by most states barring few like Xema and Omila, it always seemed to be a championship of honor, more than anything else.
Zylus in order to support the honor of hosting such an event ensured top class participation. There was an entire chain of institutes all over Zylus to support this endeavor. For Zylus winning this honor was second only to piece in land.
Xema always wanted to win this but never had a champion of its own. Even if they had, their ego varnished the strength to dust.
Icho was born in the most effluent family of Zylus. More effluent family, best facilities, rooming ground, most safe haven to build your strength; Icho was destined to be the next champion of Zylus Champion series. What happened after can become a legend.
Zylus knew it was four years still before the day Icho will arrive to put his strength to test. He was sent to Omila, one of the most hostile places to train. Omila was not as evil as Xema, it was only that they supported Xemas ideology of being self approved right, which put them in the wrong eyes in the corridors of powers.
It was also known that the year Icho was to enter the champion series, Kyso, the ambitious nation from remote Africa was to put their stake at being champion. Kyso though opportunistic, had every right in thinking so. They had the opportunity; it was only that intentions should have been limited.
Abin was the sole chance Kyso was relying upon. Abin had won the championships held in different states till then. He had defeated every competitor of his age including Icho from Zylus. Zylus never admitted this but Abin had them worried and for the very fact Icho found himself in the dungeons of Omila.
Omila’s venture had a huge transitional change in Icho; not only he managed to defeat Abin in a reverse pre-contest but the locals of Zylus began to look him as the next king of Zylian empire.
Just to add weight age to the ante of Icho winning championship, Zylian king, Zymus pronounced that if Icho wins the championship, he would be the crowned king of Zylus till the next leader can be eligible.
Abin in the meanwhile went to Xema to train himself; one year pending after the pre-contest for the champion series. At this point he was more determined than ever. He fought with champions elder than him to test out his strength. Abin knew of the evils in and around every stone in Xema. He reconsidered his decision of being aggressive and offensive and might leave very little for ‘The Day’, sapping out of energy. He knew such battle are long, time-driven and strategy would also be necessary than being more aggressive.
One year to go, everything seemed to be driving or rather whirl pooling to an anticlimax in a lead up to the year of thought destiny for Zylus best champion.
Abin had been to Sapia once during his training and he found little odd that in spite of being in the middle of evil-thought wrecked state, there was this serene but strange calmness about the place. All the people from here were as strong as from anywhere else in Xena but quiet little aggressive. Legends have characters and situation make characters.
The anticlimax rush that was unfolding fast by the day was brought to standstill. While returning from Xema, Abin, on way to Kyso, was struck. Never proved but rumors had strong voice in the corridors of powers of Kyso, that it was Zymus who had done this. Three months to go, when this alleged rumor reached Icho, his strength was destroyed, his status was questioned and more importantly his strength appalled his status about lost opportunity of being undisputed champion.
Abin was wrenched because of this but too everybody’s astonishment he never lost heart and in fact was immediately looking for a worthy competitor from the week after when he recovered. On the other side, Zymus was able to convince Icho of his destiny and that led to a rise of augur in him. He saw no one greater to him and pronounced an open challenge for anybody.
Abin went to Sepia for the one. He eventually met Ness, who unaware of such championships was asked to fight for Abin in lieu of wealth. Abin kept him in dark about the true implication of being at Zylus. He took him to Omila where nobody would ask of Ness. Lyon was the new identity of Ness. Icho with Zylian family was also there then.
The royal stature of Zylian family came in the eye of Lyon escorted by Abin. Lyon had his eye set on the dace that he had to defeat, Icho. But somehow he could never take eye of the Princess next to his target, daughter of Zylus. This distraction seemed quiet annoying to Abin who was trying to avenge his own right.
Before leaving for Kyso from Omila, their eyes crisscrossed and Saara, the princess fell for Lyon. Lyon talked about length, hiding nothing from her, about his identity. As soon as his true identity was revealed to her, without any change in her emotions or commotions, she left in a jiffy. Moreover knowing the fact he was born in Xema, and not knowing about Sepia, she made this decision and would never identify him distinct from rest of Xemians.
Abin knew this could be detrimental, probably could create some barrier when Lyon finally put his challenge in front of Icho. Saara however never told this to Icho, but somehow Zymus came to know.
Three days prior to the event, the contestants are locked up in cells outside the battleground; not knowing what is going outside. Taking advantage of this and understanding clearly that it can’t change Icho’s psyche Abin spread the new about Lyon actually being from Xema, the so called evil-state. Even prior to this, nobody was giving any chance to Lyon; it was only that Abin was supporting him created the hysteria.
Xemians were shocked that somebody could go against the state to participate and eventually decided to disown him. On the day of championship, he was neither a Kyson nor a Xemian, not even Ness; he was a lone fellow disowned by his state. The only true nation he belonged to was the ground he carried with himself while walking under his two feet. Oblivious to the fact that even his mentor or rather buyer has left him, he was left on his own. Even Saara could be blamed for unintentionally ditching him.
The moment had arrived; he came in light a Coliseum but in darkness about the situation around him. As soon as he stepped, he looked out for never to be found Abin. After that next was the crowd from various nations booing out him like hell; then presence of a few Xemians took him by surprise that were there only to take him away and decapitate him.
Seven contenders took their position in seven intersecting circles at the center of coliseum with champion occupying the center circle. All circles intersected the center one and two neighboring circles. In the first round, center circle was empty as reigning champion was given bye. The remaining fought with person in neighboring circle in anti-clockwise direction. The person who won the battle would get a bye in the next round, after defeating the reigning champion in next round. Strategy was again useful; Lyon was in first circle and Icho in sixth. Beryl, the reigning champion was standing a full hundred feet away from the first round action. A hundred feet for the fact that each circle was some twenty feet in diameter.
Each warrior was fully loaded with iron armor suite and seven razor-sharp swords of only two-feet long each.
The other fighters proved to be fillers. The first fight between Icho and Rhodesian Craville lasted no more than seven seconds. Icho cut Craville into two from the center of his ribs, such sharp blades, such sharp desires. Parallel running Quella’s Schill axed the two arm of Papy in two corners taking him not more than twenty seconds. Icho could meanwhile savor the fight between Lyon and Milean, which seemed to be never ending.
Neither of the two wanted to attack, this was making Icho happy but damaging the strategy of Lyon. Somebody from the crowd shouted ‘Shameful Coward, Xemian’ – on hearing this –everything flashed and connected in front of Lyon – the absence of Abin, booing of crowd, presence of Xemians and Saara being quiet in the Courtship Gallery. He went to the furthest part of his circle and raising two swords in his hand, cutting across diameter, leaping in air with full strength, he pierced the two swords into Milean’s heart and taking it out from the other side. This sent tremors in the heart of Beryl for whom hundred feet seemed only inches from his death now. Still inconsequential of outcome, Lyon was fighting for his honor.
Beryl started strongly, his first sling of blade took away a hemisphere of Lyon’s left shoulder, blood exploding out. After three seconds more Lyon was again at the furthest part of the center circle. Again raising his two swords, he leapt, his first, left hand sling only took away few strands of Beryl’s hair but his second, Beryl’s throat away from his chest, his body stood still for a while; seemed to be sensing what has happened, before tasting the dust.
Some first timers in crowd wondered of evils in Xema, seeing this from peace loving Zylians. There is always something common in all of us humans which we are after and there are some principles of ours. These first timers wondered what made Zylian’s honor override their peace. The reason for well known to others who have moved around the complete coliseum, rather only to the winners.
After defeating Beryl, Lyon was one win away from being champion. It was up to Icho to prove the worth of fighting Lyon, Abin’s idea. Meanwhile Lyon read what was inscribed on the circumference of the circle. ”He who owns this can get anything but should desire only his worth” twice, once clockwise and once anticlockwise.
Schill was ready, so was Icho and so were the Zylians and Quellains in crowd. They were in circle 3 and 6, diametrically opposite, separated by a mere twenty feet of center circle, with the same two feet long seven swords each. Both wondering of how to even get close to each other, leave the idea of striking.
When two participants from outside circles are fighting they are not allowed to enter any other circle. They were now supposed to be fighting just on the periphery of the center circle or inner of their own circle and both could run only anticlockwise; else other would be given a bye. The other thing was neither could hurl a flying sword on each other.
Schill was known for his running and he proved his thinkers right. They started running in anticlockwise direction around the center circle with swords in both hand. Icho had another one strap at his back. Inadvertently they took break simultaneously moving at the far end in their own circles. Crowd could see them zapping out of energy; after two hours of royal chase; they found themselves again running after one another on the periphery of center circle; no change.
Only this time crowd could sense a finale not knowing what! Schill was approaching Icho and closing in fast. Icho, seemingly had given up, started to slow down. As Schill got closer to his back, Icho put the two swords in his left and right closets wrapped around his waist and hurled the spear sword on the Lyon standing hundred feet away on the far side.
This took everybody by surprise. Zymus knew of Icho’s strategy immediately. In self-defense Lyon hurled his spear-sword towards the Icho, which he manage to duct successfully and went thru Schill who was thrown to the centre of coliseum because of the speed of throw. Schill became a bait of strategy.
Saara’s heart cried for Lyon. He was already a champion for her. “Hail the Champion”, she shouted. A gush went around the coliseum. A Pandemonium switched over. The crowd thought this to be a treachery on part of the Princess. Lyon moved to the center circle where Icho was already there.
“No swords allowed to be allowed, no weapons allowed, man to man it would be, waiting to be champion” – shouted out the courtyard. Their arms taken away, their armor stripped. In two piece cloth of decency, they were ready to defend their few pounds of flesh and a champion worthy soul.
Just before their first hair swayed from the still positions they were in; demoralizing slogan were shouted by Zylians,
“Disowned by state,
Disowned by fate,
You are alone,
Nobody’s mate”.
Before the start signal could be given, Lyon raised his hand, indicating of a little more time, shouting,
“Owner of billions,
Possessor of zillions,
You are still a borrower,
I at least have my honor”.
One circle, two men, no time limit, only space and energy bound. They wrestled.
Lyon had height to his advantage where as Icho was more powerful by arms.
They wrenched their fist together in order to get hold of each other. The first big move came from Icho, ten minutes into the contest. He bent in front of Lyon, took him by his knew and gave a thump on his chest, falling on him with his whole body weight while taking him down.
Zymus in the stand could not control his emotions and shouted, “Hail the champion!”. The crowd at large began to chant Icho’s name. Citing the opportunity Icho further raised his knee and let in fall crushingly into Lyon’s abdomen.
The whole of Zylus started the countdown. Again to wonder why after having rounds of blood, a mere wrestling countdowns match to decide the Championship?
On the count of five, Lyon jumped to his feet in one go, leaving most of the mouth in the coliseum open. Icho could hear the echo of his nemesis’s paw thudding into ground, as if it has given rise to a seismic wave.
At once, Lyon raised his hand and clinched his fist, raising challenge to Icho, as if to say,’ Was that you best!’ Icho knew that this was far from over.
Icho thought of gathering a little energy for a while, since his last two feats have taken away quiet a lot.
On the other hand, Lyon knew that he can finish it there and then itself. But he was still not aware of the ultimate catch of the championship. But he knew one thing for sure; Xemians are not liked in any small way outside Xema.
But everybody knew that lose can’t walk out free. Lyon went ballistic at this point. He showered left and right punches all over Icho’s body, in the process slamming him down on the floor several times.
This was not enough; Icho got up but was limping. Lyon again targeted his hand throws primarily on Icho’s abdomen. His last punch went thru ribs destroying Icho’s spine. Then came possibly the fastest count for Icho,”One……..Ten!” it sounded from the lone counter in arena.
Lyon walked to the winner ball completely unaware of his prize and desire. He read the inscription,
“The winner can get whatever he desires….. The loser gets mortality immediately.” Just having read this he scampered back to arena and before anybody can touch Icho to meet his fate, at the top of his voice he raised his desire,
“I am a champion,
He is a champion,
I don’t know my desire,
But know my worth.
And it is nothing
Less than a champion!”
Icho was spared. Lyon went back to read the inscription wanting to know of the gruesome ideology of peace loving Zylians. The answer was still frozen, calm, unmoving on the walls of the Hall.
He thus read,
“.. All forms of aggression can co-exist, till the point they don’t confront each other. Once they become dynamic and come face to face, it may give out the most evil form of negative energy. Now, if they continue to co-exist in this dynamic form of theirs, it can give rise to a sort of domino effect triggering new larger battles, even wars. In order that this aggression never come face to face uncontrolled, it is imperative they are tamed in a closure. At the end of this tamed encounter, who ever survive will be moderated and Society will be once again at peace.”
No loser ever before had survived. Icho had, for Lyon.
This was understood by one and all. Lyon was given the most deserved standing ovation and salute of approval to be the next king of Zylian Empire, inspite of him being from Xema.
Lyon said, “I fought for my honor, he was fighting for his nation’s. My honor lived as I won; his honor live for he fought not for himself. My nation, Xema gets its honor back for him, Icho fought against me, his nation’s honor lie in making him the king. As far as my desire is considered since my nation now would be honored and at peace, my all aggression is for Saara”. The sole reasonable truth for all thing is love in varied forms.
