Eru entered the change room nervous. His stomach was tied up in knots. He went and relieved himself in the washroom but that was no help. In his mind Eru knew that he should not be so nervous before a big fight. Waiting was the hardest part for him. One the match started it would be painful and push himself physically but he had to make sure he was ready for that. He went to the water fountain took a sip of water. Just enough to not be dehydrated but not to much to slow him down.

He neatly took out his ceremonial gear and laid it across the bench in front of him. There were others around him but he did not notice them. He tuned them out even his managers. They knew better to disturb him now. Eru was an independent no one owned him like most of the others. He had won his freedom as a young boy. No one would try to take that away from him and live.

Undressing temporary calmed Eru down as he focused on everything being perfect. He loosened himself up a bit before his fight clothes came on. This was no normal fight usually they had no meaning on his career they were just for fun. Heh he laughed at that. Fun. If he won this battle he would no longer be assigned as a body guard. He would go and clean up the messes that politicians created. “Back to the fight”, Eru told himself. Dreaming was no way to make that future come true.

Eru unsheathed his sword. A primitive weapon but still effective. He did not know if he would need it or not. No one what happened during these fights and was willing to talk about. You get called to do it and if you fail that is it. His sword was well used but not dull or brittle. It had the marks of wear but was strong. He put it back in it’s case and put it down.

Trying to slow his breathing down would be beneficial he thought. He must conserve his energy. He would use it all up and more. “Would it be enough?” He questioned himself and put that thought out of his mind. He was down putting his fight clothes on. They were heavy but no match for a weapon of any kind. It was just for show and tradition. Back to the ancient days.

Some people asked him questions he answered not paying any attention to what they asked or he said. He could not recall it as soon as he answered. Attacks, defenses and counters were going through his head. No point in worrying about them if he didn’t know them now it was too late. Besides being here was a sign that he knew his stuff.

His manager told him to follow him. It must be time, finally. The stress was probably wearing him down though the adrenaline would kick in soon enough. He picked up his weapons put them on and followed his manager out of the change room. Various guards were standing by as he walked through a maze of hallways, changing levels and walking past rings he had fought in before. Indeterminate time passed when he arrived at a room he had never seen before. Eru was the only one to go into this room. The rest of his entourage and guards stayed behind.

Eru looked around, entering as custom dictated.

“Put your weapons down at the side”, an unknown voice said. Eru did and could see the council before him. There was five of them all dressed up in their ceremonial gear as well. It was much different then his though. He had never seen the council before. They were a shadowy organization somehow separate from politics yet always had the ability to affect it as desired.

“You have 5 minutes to prepare” The one in the center whispered barely audible yet commanded attention. They left the room and left Eru alone. He loosened his muscles up got his lungs working and tried to be ready for what was to come next.