Life in the Coliseum

As I mentioned previously, I had honed my skills as far as I thought I could currently take them with most weapons available to us adventurers in Eorzea and so I decided I had spent a long time neglecting certain responsibilities (such as signing up at appropriate guilds) and thus I turned to the Coliseum in order to try my skills at being a true gladiator on the bloodsands. I was greeted by Lulutsu at the front desk who quickly registered me to fight in the upcoming games. I wasn't at all nervous, since I was a novice here I knew I wouldn't be trying to take any titles as champion. I'd be matched against another novice and I was sure to defeat him. I'd defeated the Imperials on numerous occasions now for goodness sake. Perhaps, I was being over confident.

Stepping onto the Bloodsands!

I made my way down to the gates and waited for my turn to be called out onto the arena sands. I could hear the roar of the crowd as a match finished and knew I was to be next. The gates opened and I heard myself assigned to fight a new Ala Mhigan ready to prove himself and though none knew us the excitement of the crowd filled me with a sense of awe I had not felt in any previous battle. I could get used to this! I twirled my blade in some showmanship but then went straight in with a thrust to my Ala Mhigan opponent.

Ala Mhigan Challenger!

He sadly was no match for me as I had suspected, but I did not hurt him too badly. I purposely missed and hit his shield a few times for sport, hopefully not wounding his pride if he knew it was falsified, but ultimately I wasted no time in drawing a bit of blood and dropping him to his knees.

Victory in the Arena!

Yoyobina, the master of ceremony, announced me the victor and told me a piece of advice I hope to carry with me forever. " A true gladiator knows the only fight worth thinking of is the next one." It's true and I had not thought much about it. I've been dwelling a lot in the past, on things said and the meaning of the Echo, but have I spent enough time preparing for what is to come? I like to think I've done both, but henceforth I will only focus on the future and find my answers as they come to me.

I collected my prize money and caught a glimpse of the Ala Mihgan Lalafell I had bested sulking in the lobby, but we did not speak. I wondered what fate was in store for me in the future at the Coliseum. It was a grand time to be sure and I will have to recommend it to Nimla when I get the chance. I'd like to participate in many more games if the Coliseum would allow it - though thoughts of glory on the bloodsand do not stir me as much as glory on the battlefield against the Empire and the Primals.

Speculations on the Echo

Over the past year I have trained heavily in martial and magical arts in order to prepare myself for the looming invasion of the Imperials. It occurred to me at several points that many people only succeed at one or two things by dedicating themselves to those things. Though for me (although it certainly is not instant) I pick up a weapon and become as skilled as any around me within a matter of weeks. I have trained heavily with both conjury and thaumaturgy as far as I could. I turned my attention to the sword and shield, the bow, fisticuffs and finally spear and battleaxe. All of these things I have tried and succeeded and I wonder if the Echo has something to do with it.

Y'shtola told me on one fateful day to seek the truth of the Echo and while I have not quite understood her promptings I have dedicated myself to learning these ways of war and magic. I feel I will soon have  mastery over carpentry and alchemy as well. Could it be that any pursuit I try my hand at will meet the same fate? Could it be that the Echo is honing within me a renaissance adventurer - skilled at all he touches? I fear to grow too self-confident and slip up, but so far only Ifrit has stood on equal terms with me and those who fight with me on the battlefield. Nimla, too, has become a master of all arms available to us in Eorzea. We are ready to fight for the future.

As for where to go from here - I still seek information on the Echo. I will turn my attention to fighting the Empire when and where I can and focusing on the crafts I have yet to truly tackle so that I may be as versatile and mercantile as possible. The Maelstrom will find use for these skills, I am sure of it.