Chapter 365: The Dark Tower
Ten o’clock. The time for the doors to open.
Qi Sense deactivated, Dasha made himself aware of every strong fighter in proximity, especially Heidi of Old Blood and Guts. He suspected he could learn from her. The way she wielded her Qi and focused into her legs was intriguing. He figured she was cycling Qi within her legs for double the affect. While that explained the power, it didn’t explain the speed. Simply funnelling Qi in an area would lead to power and weight. Weight slowed down limbs. So what precisely was she doing? He needed a better look next time.
The massive double doors to the Dark Tower creaked open. The noise doubled and the crowd flooded into the foreboding Dark tower.
Dasha stood at the edge of the crowd, his hands locked behind his back, his posture calm and composed. As people swarmed past him, jostling and shoving in their haste to enter, he moved with a quiet grace. It was as if an invisible barrier surrounded him, subtly parting the crowd as he made his way into the tower.
The immediate area inside was bustling and agitating. Stalls had been set up along the walls, vendors hawking their wares with loud, insistent cries. Everything from enchanted weapons to dubious potions was available for purchase. The employees of the Dark Tower, identifiable by their dark uniforms and harried expressions, were stationed at various desks, managing the influx of fighters and spectators.
Dasha approached the reception area, where a line had formed in front of the sign-up desks. He took his place at the end. The walls were plastered with faded banners. The line, like everything else here, buzzed with the conversations, shouts, and laughter.
Dasha glanced over to where most of the people were being sucked in. A huge arch, an opening, where there were stairs. The distant roar of a crowd and the clash of weapons echoed down the stairs into the hall. ’That must be where the spectators go for the stadiums.’
No tickets, nothing. Only the people who wanted to go could go.
The line moved forward and Dasha observed the employees behind the desks. They worked quickly and processed every participant with what must have been years of experience. Behind each station of desks were small doors where registered participants went.
When it was his turn, Dasha stepped up to the desk and met the bored gaze of a young man with dark circles under his eyes.
"Name?" the employee asked, not bothering to look up from his ledger.