I was just walking by on my way to Ximo's roughhouse when I spotted a poster pinned on the wall about a tournament. I grabbed the poster, and read it.

"Welcome to the Auctorian Stadium! Where the greatest fighters from all over the world come to compete to prove their worth at the Collaboration Colosseum; a place where competitors show their strength in the arena. We value camaraderie, courage and integrity above all. If you have these qualities, you are more than welcome to partake in the arena for the prize that is in store for you." To be honest, I wasn't interested in the prize money. I just wanted to test my strength in the arena and this tournament gave me a great opportunity to compete. My sister on the other hand, wasn't so thrilled about the idea.

"Absolutely not! I don't want you entering another tournament. I'm the one who has to treat your injuries whenever you return from roughhousing. Do I have to remind you that you broke your right arm and left leg after you and Nooq fought Nudx at the circus?" I hated to admit it, but Eimy was right. Nooq and I barely made it out that time.

The gilded fighter was a quite a handful, he was a 6ft tall, muscular man that was covered in golden grease. At first glance, it seemed that he was wearing golden body paint, but it was a solid shell that was hard like metal. And the most awkward part was that he was bare. No joke! The gold grease was the only thing he was wearing.

"Come on Eimy, I've gotten a lot stronger since then." I assured her.

"I don't care!" My sister shouted before I showed her the poster along with the prize money. "Really Faim, do you expect me to change my mind after looking at the prize mo-mo-mother of D'or! That's a lot genzies. With this we could fix the damages of the house and pay off the debt."

Eimy wasn't greedy, she was a workaholic with a kind heart, but Dirlu, her boss, could bring out the worst in her at times. Dirlu D'or is a 6th generation in the D'or Dynasty, though she's currently third in line or so I've heard. Honestly, hierarchies never interested me, to me it was a bunch of nonsense wrapped in random titles. My endeavor in testing my strength was becoming a demand for victory and riches on her end.

"Faim, you have to go in and win. This is our only chance to pay off the debt!" Eimy said it with such determination, that it was almost a command.

"What is all the fuzz about, can't a cat take a nap?" I heard Mewmi speak in her cat form before letting out a yawn. Eimy leaned in and whispered into my ear. "Sign up, stat." I walked my way out of the house while my sister rolled up the poster. When I stepped out of the house, I picked up the pace and walked faster when I was two blocks away before I ran as fast as I could.

While I ran, I had to dodge a lot of obstacles; stray animals, carts, people that were crossing, one of them being Ximo's brother, Uiwo. I would've liked to stick around and chat, but I was in a rush. If Mewmi found out about the tournament, she would do anything to get in the way. Once something piqued her interest, she can be a force to be reckoned with.

By the time I arrived to the stadium Ximo was there, apparently, one of the receptionists was an old friend of his. I heard them laughing while I held unto my knees, panting. They were both happy to see me. "Is this the young man you've been telling me about?" He asked Ximo.

"Goung, meet Faim. Faim, meet Goung." Ximo introduced us. The receptionist was wearing a sandy tunic, a golden medallion clung around his neck, and sandals made out of skin and straws.

"Nice to meet you Faim." He shook my hand with a firm frip.
"Likewise." I replied between ragged breaths.
"I have to guess that you came here to compete in the tournament." That made me stand up with renewed vigor.
"You got that right!"
"That's the spirit! Follow me." I followed the receptionist to the booth to sign. He passed the quill to me and placed a small jar full of ink. I dipped the quill in ink and I signed the form with my name and the division which I was participating. When I returned the form he put a seal of approval confirming my participation. "Welcome to the Gladatorium, we are glad to have a new contender." Goung greeted me, when I walked out of the reception. I already found Mewmi in her human form, Dirlu, Uiwo, and my sister there.

"Why didn't you tell me you were going to compete!" Mewmi whined.

"How did you find out?" I asked her.

"There are posters around the street you dummy! I can't believe you didn't tell me!" Mewmi whined, "I would've cheered you on!"

"I'm only here because my father is investing this event." Dirlu replied as she fanned herself.

"I knew that it was too good to be true." Eimy had her hand on her forehead, in a facepalm.

"I can't believe that you left me out of all the action! Oh wait, actually, I can." Uiwo stated before his brother hook an arm around his neck before playfully giving him a noogie.

"Do I still have a chance to compete?" Mewmi asked the receptionist.
"Sorry, we're closed." Goung replied.
"Aw!" Mewmi pouted.
"But there are tryouts that are still open, but you would have to enter the stadium and ask Adrian, he is the one holding the tryouts." Goung mentioned. "Do you still want to buy a ticket and watch the main event?"

"Wouldn't mind if I do!" Ximo was the first to pay for the ticket.
"Why not? I have enough to buy the whole stadium if I wanted to." Dirlu said before she paid for the tickets, one for herself, one for Mewmi, and one for Eimy. Uiwo paid for the ticket which cost 450 genzies.

After they entered the stadium, the gem embedded on the entrance emitted a yellow light before they were teleported without their knowledge.

⚔

Now the backstory phase is coming to an end. Don't forget my fellow Auctors, the Gladatorium Tryouts will have a significant role in the Collaboration Colosseum.