In a dark arena lit only with torches scattered around the walls of the room two figures faced off. They were both dressed in long billowing cloaks, though one was a light beige and the other dark ebony. Faceless and therefore expressionless, the one in the dark cloak laughed.
"Are you back again?"
"I will continue to return until I defeat you." The other replied, a scowl marring his features as the light of his glowing blue eyes dimmed in anger.
"Then it looks like we are in for a long acquaintance, you will never accomplish that feat."
"Enough boasting Kuraku."
The faceless figure laughed and bowed mockingly. The light figure raised his arms and took a fighting stance. The two figures waited and then a bell rang as a low voice announcement "Hajime!" Both moved immediately, the dark figure stepped back as the light one came forward, his fist glowing with the same light as his eyes. He struck out towards the dark figure, who simply moved to the side, just out of reach as the blow went past him, and then struck. His blow landed solidly in the light figure's stomach and he doubled over as black lightning shot through his body. The dark figure took advantage of his position and dropped the knife-edge of his hand on the back of the light figure's exposed neck causing the weakened fighter to fall to the ground. The voice in the background began counting, but the figure did not get up. Finally, the voice reached ten and the bell rang again. "Winner: Kuraku Natte Kara." The image shifted and both figures were standing as they had been before the match started though the light one was now clenching his fists.
"Why do you waste your time Tenshi?" Kuraku asked but the light figure did not reply. Finally the dark figure shook his head and his image faded.
"Kuraku Natte Kara is offline." The low voice announced. The light figure continued to stand in the empty arena for a few moments more and then his image faded as well.
Zelgadiss swore as he took off the connection unit and threw it to the ground.
"Tokumei no Tenshi is offline." The computer said and he glared at it.
"No shit Sherlock." He muttered and then hit the power button, and sat back in his seat with frustration. It didn't matter what he did, Kuraku always beat him. Nothing he did mattered, the outcome was always the same. It was frustrating, especially since that was the only opponent he'd met in the Realm that he hadn't been able to defeat. He admitted that his rivalry with the other character was nearing obsession, but he didn't seem to be able to do anything about it. Oh well, it didn't matter right now, he'd failed again. That meant it was back to the training school, boy wouldn't Akai Hanabi just love that. He was getting really tired of the annoying little firebrand's insults. It wasn't his fault that this guy was so good; Kuraku had been in the Realm longer than just about anyone.
And he was just making excuses. There was nothing too it, he'd just swallow his pride and go to the school tomorrow. Right now he really should be getting some sleep. Almost as if to reinforce that fact his grandfather yelled up the stairs,
"Zelgadiss, get off the damn computer and go to bed, I am not driving you if you sleep in again tomorrow!"
"All right!" He called back, getting out of the chair and pulling his clothes off. Falling into the bed he flipped the light switch and then starred up at the darkened ceiling. Kuraku had to have a weakness; he just HAD to!
"Zelgadiss go to sleep!"
"I am."
"You are not, you're staring at the ceiling and brooding about that ridiculous game."
"You're blind and you're in a totally different room, you don't know that."
"Tell me I'm wrong."
He had no answer to that.
"Go to sleep."
"All right, all right." He sighed, then rolled over in the bed, closing his eyes and drifting off into sleep almost immediately.