"You understand your mission, do you not?"

The words slipped off the big man's tongue softly, yet clear enough that anyone in the vast palace could hear. Of course, none of the Encorna's students were there, they were all off training, and battling. He had his room to himself, for a change. The giant surveyed the second figure, a dark knight, deciding if he truly was the best choice for the mission. If anything, Chronos would be more than able to handle anything that came his way, if only he could master himself.

The Encorna was a figure of presence, but Chronos refused to bow to the eternal being. The massively built giant stood silently, hidden in the folds of his coat, his black mask facing forward. Chronos was the ideal specimen to send to do battle, he was a warrior without the needs of humanity. He did not tire, he barely slept, he was perfect.

And yet he was not. As Kenjin studied him, he remembered that Chronos was not fit psychologically. Losing his memories had given him a lack of purpose, something Kenjin had tried to place in the iron-hard warrior. He hoped that, by sending Chronos with Zorlo, perhaps he could find a new sense of purpose.

"Yes, Kenjin." The powerful voice vibrated through the room, dulled with monotone, but with an echo that commanded even Kenjin's respect. It was dark, and soulless, but with a tingle of presence that the Encorna knew he had. It was muffled, thanks to the black mask that covered his face, but Kenjin heard it clearly. "I will take the deshi, and guide him through the battle. And in exchange, you will show me another vision. We have an accord."

Kenjin bowed in agreement. "Go then. Our business is finished." Chronos nodded, and took a step back, a heavy noise issuing from his hard iron boots clunking on the polished floor of the palace. He turned around, and walked from the Encorna's presence, not in the least intimidated by his power. He supposed that was what Kenjin liked about him, he was fearless and wasn't scared of him. Chronos liked that about himself too.

He stepped in front of the doors, considering what he should do. He could always kick the doors out of his way, but that hardly seemed needed. Chronos raised his index finger, and gave the iron-wrought doors a cold, hard tap. He heard the metal clang as his finger changed, forming into harder steel then the door's as the slightest touch, a vibrant noise that echoed through the palace.

The doors swung open to admit him out.

***

Zorlo looked in surprise as a warrior he knew emerged from the doors. Clad all in black, the only part of his flesh that the swordsman could see was the copper-colored hair, short cropped and sticking up. His right hand was held up in front of his face, a single finger sticking out in the direction the door had been before opening.

"Are you Zorlo?" the warrior asked, in a harsh, dark voice that made Zorlo snap to attention. "The fencer the Encorna mentioned?" Zorlo nodded, stunned at the tall figure. Chronos turned to face the youth, his shadow casting around Zorlo's features. "You know who I am, correct?"

"You are one of Master Encorna's allies," Zorlo answered. "You are Chronos."

"Very good youth." Chronos held out his arm, and touched Zorlo gently on the eyes with one of his gloved hands. Zorlo did not question what the metal fighter was doing, but his eyes widened when metal began to lace around the glove, pooling on his face. He felt the cool sting, and a slight tingle, as it touched him. After a moment, the tingle was gone, and the hand withdrew, metal sliding up its black material to wherever it came from. "You shall come with me, Kenjin has felt it unnecessary to attend this tournament, so he has sent us in his stead. Look out for me, and I will look out for you. Come."

Without another word, Chronos turned and walked through another of the Dome's sprawling corridors. Zorlo followed, and together, they found the door that would take them to the arena that fate had chosen. It was a small door, Chronos' massive frame was bigger than it, but the dark knight said nothing about it, certain as always that this was the door that would take them through. Zorlo glanced over the carved surface, spying the yin-yang symbol which marked it as Kenjin's.

"Are you ready?" Chronos asked, not taking his gaze off the surface.

Zorlo nodded. "I am, Chronos. Let's get going."

Chronos placed a giant hand over the handle of the door, and both warriors took a deep breath before walking through the vortex the door led to.

***

Chronos opened the other end of the door, Zorlo and himself surrounded by small, wooden buildings. "A village," he muttered. "Take note of every detail, Zorlo." He bent to the ground, placing his hand firmly on the ground. Metal flowed to the earth, just as it had with Zorlo's face. Just as before, Chronos saw everything that the village had to offer. He took note of the places, people, and where their challengers were located. He rose, keeping his vision on the village ground. Zorlo noticed that he wasn't looking at anything with his eyes, which he presumed were under the mask he was wearing.

"At the market," he said, after a short time. "We will find our quarries there. Get moving." He began to walk, Zorlo taking note that each time his feet hit the ground, they left giant imprints. Both warriors moved forward, passing through the townspeople without a glance. The villagers looked them over, maybe gave a second glance, but mostly ignored them. Chronos liked that just fine, he was at his best when not noticed. The iron giant walked slowly, and deliberately, in contrast to Zorlo, who was anxious to begin fighting. Chronos just wanted it to be over.

When Zorlo saw her, he knew instantly that she was one of the opponents. Chronos regarded her, taking note of the swords that she had on ready. "Now, Zorlo, take no one in this battle lightly. Understand?" Zorlo nodded, and Chronos imitated the motion. "Have at it then."

Chronos had already spotted the second person, who was watching Zorlo run speedily in the girl's direction. He knew that the person would intervene, which was why he was there. Chronos cracked his knuckles, metal snaps issuing in the air around him. Zorlo had his rapier out, getting ready for the first slash.

"Lady, watch out!" the second opponent shouted, and the woman knew instinctively that the voice was speaking to her. Both of the blades were drawn, and she spun around to face Zorlo, blocking the rapier with both swords. While one sword distracted Zorlo, the other was freed, and began moving in the direction of the swordsman's head.

Chronos blurred, in a single instant turning deep gray. He emerged just in front of the sword tip, and grabbed it roughly with one of his hands. The opponent's face twisted in mild surprise, an expression that Chronos did not find appealing. "Watch your own back too, Zorlo," he muttered, before he tightened his grip on the sword tip, and threw the girl into the second opponent. "I'm not a babysitter."

Zorlo stared in shock at the display of strength for a moment, before their opponents got their second wind, and started towards them.

OoC: I'm bad at opening posts. Plus, DIUM hasn't posted yet, so I didn't have much to work on.

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