The second time around. [Completed]

[Vind101]

The second time around.

Spoiler:

Part one: The return.
Part two: The beginning
Part three: Another chance
Part four: The real training
Part five: Mastering
Part six: "Gladiator"

Part 1


Journal Entry 1#

On my way back to Booty Bay... nine years has went by fast... faster than I had hoped. What to do... what to do. Well atleast one thing is for certain I am old, tired, and travelling... not a good combonation. Well enough about what's obvious, I will write once I make my next stop.

I have arrived in a suitable camping spot just out of the snow... not exactly sure where I am. Note to self, next time you buy a map make sure you can read it, oh and bring a companion. After a good two days without sleep and nobody to talk to... I don't think I am exactly sane right now.

Finally... I have made it to Stormwind a quick night rest before I make my way to Stranglethorn and then Booty Bay. I really don't fit in here, but hey better than sleeping in a forest, or staying with a bunch of dwarves...

I have now arrived in Booty Bay time to find out what I am exactly going to do here... booze anyone?

Vindaes finally arrived in Booty Bay, the moist air and the smell of the tavern was more than enough to bring him back into his old self. After just a day of staying there he stumbled upon his son, Iscaro Laveas. "Well 'ello there lad, might I ask wear you got those tattoos?" He says with a smirk. "Hmm... was about to ask you the same thing". The conversation went on like this until they found out, they were related... immediatly words were thrown around until, Vindaes lost his temper.

He challenged his son to an arena battle, not having fought in the arena in around twenty years he was not entirely sure he could handle him. Upon arrival Vindaes seemed re-energized by the feeling of the arena. He took a deep breath from the salty air. After the dust settled Vindaes was left standing above his son, he managed to knock him out, yet suffered many injuries from the battle.

Journal Entry 2#

Seems like I found my son... damn bastard can fight, yet it seems I still got it. I have heared about a place in the outlands that has an arena... two areas actually. I will look into this further before writing again.

After asking around I have discovered in Blad Edge's Mountains there is an arena, I will get enough money to hire a merc to scout out the area and perhaps escort me.

Vindaes ran into a merc that called himself simply as Grimsong, after speaking with him for some time he managed to convince him to scout out the area. He drank himself to sleep after their conversation and woke up with a gnome on the table. He rubbed his eyes and talked to the gnome for some time before surprisingly fighting her in the arena. He managed to win yet another fight versus a skilled opponent. After the fight a elf challenged him to a group battle, he stood beside a Death Knight and fought against his opponents once again winning the bout.

Vindaes was now 3-0 from returning, he was very proud to know he still had it in him. He waited some weeks training outside the arena before running into the merc named Grimsong in Booty Bay tavern. They talked for some time before Vindaes realized there was no chance he would be able to get there alive. So he decided to go to another arena in a place called Nagrand, Grimsong nodded and took the money and told him to be ready the next day.

Vindaes ended up challenging a young man, never getting his name but once again prevailed in the battle, forcing the man to give up. After the bout Vindaes went back to the tavern and drank himself to sleep as he "prepares" for the journey to regain his title and perhaps finally stick with it.

[Vind101]

Part 2


Vindaes was sitting with his face on the table sleeping, when "Grimsong" woke him up and told him to get ready. His head was throbbing, but he managed to get his things and get ready. He had a mage waiting outside that opened a portal to Shattarath. Upon arrival Vindaes seemed lost not understand anything he saw, but seemed to ignore it before they road off to Nagrand. The trip was long and exhausting, that took an entire week.

Journal Entry 3#

Well after my hangover cleared up I am now thinkin' clearly, the downside is I am in another world. After hours of travelling we are now making camp, well after a good hour of putting it up i'm going to sleep, gonna' be a long day toomorow. Never knew waking up to a new world would be so... hectic I don't recognize anything, but I am going to have to suck it up and keep on going.

After days of travelling they managed to arrive in Nagrand. They searched for hours before finally finding the arena, Vindaes payed the merc and he departed. Outside of the arena was camps, trainers, and sparring grounds. Vindaes approached the main trainer and spoke with him, "I am Vindaes Laveas former Gladiator I-" The large man looked down at Vindaes and laughed "Words are for the weak if you are a former Gladiator, then you know this. I assume you come here to regain your title?" Vindaes nods "Aye, that is correct." The man grunts and says "Alright, stay here." Vindaes nods while waiting for the man to return. Minutes later the man returned with a pack of clothing.

The man tosses the pack at him "There you go, that will be your training gear." Vindaes catches the pack and looks inside of it before nodding. "Go change and prepare for training, pit dog." Vindaes went into one of the tents and changed into the attire before approaching him "I am ready." The man laughs at him "I hope so, because I don't want to clean your corpse off of the sparring ground." Vindaes nods with a determined look in his eyes. "Alright... now I want you to go train with..." The man looks around before screaming a name, a short man approaches the two. Vindaes looks down at the man and nods at him with respect "Now, this man here will be your training partner." He points over to an area full of training dummys, and a small ring in the middle. "Go over there each day you will train on the dummys for six hours, then immediatly after fight in the ring." He nods and says "Dismissed."

Journal Entry 4#

This is goin' to be harder than I thought... it has been an entire week and I don' know if I can do this. I will suck it up and keep on going it will be worth it to regain my title. That 'ittle one that is my training partner, is faster than me and seems unfazed by all of this training. I need to step up my game and get in there make him feel as tired as I am.

After another week Vindaes was bruised and exhausted barely being able to stand, but managed to keep on going. Finally the trainer approached them "Alright it's been two weeks and it seems both of you have kept to the schedule. Now to test your fighting skills." He points at Vindaes "You!" He then points at a dwarf from across the training grounds. "And you! Go to the pit and fight, first one to yeild or die looses the winner of this 'bout advances to Knucklebuster." Vindaes and the dwarf said "Understood!" they then went down to the pit and began to battle. After several momments Vindaes arosed with many injuries, but stood on top of the dwarf's life-less body.

The trainer seemed surprised "Wow, you aren't as frail as I thought, well then Kuncklebuster you will now be training with me. The first five days there will be no sleep, only food and restroom breaks, Understood?" Vindaes takes a deep breath and nods.

Journal Entry 5#

This man, is like a machine he never backs off... I have lost every spar with him, but I feel like I am getting back in shape, I feel more agile and loose. Hopefully if I continue I will be able to gain the title I seek, only if he doesn't kill me in training...

It had been two months of non-stop training, Vindaes was back in shape and seemed better than before. The trainer approached him "Alright it has been two months and you have not left or given up. I give you this chance to face me in the arena". He points up to the arena "If you win, you will become Gladiator Laveas if you loose... well you will have to go back and try somewhere else." Vindaes looked determined "I accept." The two made their way to the arena, Vindeas was in his old gear, his blade had been sharpened and he was ready for the battle. Upon arriving he heard the chants of the spectators, and felt re-energized and even more determined.

Finally the gates opened and the two charged into the center, quickly Vindaes realized he was no match for the man quickly being thrown down to the ground and being forced to yeild. His trainer was dissapointed in him "Well... I guess you need more training, this is your last chance we will go back to the training grounds and continue. Next time you better be ready." Vindaes looked dissapointed in himself, but agreed to more training.

[Vind101]

Part 3


Journal Entry 6#

I have never fought a man with the strength and speed like that. I really am old, I will devote everything I have to training, learning new things instead of trying to remember. I may have held the title at a time, but that does not mean I am any better than an unexperienced child. It will come time that I will have to find myself, I will not leave here until I have the title. Even if it leads to my death...

Vindaes sat in his tent blood pooring from his nose as the medic cleaned it up and bandaged his face. His trainer said he could take a day off, yet Vindaes refused and wished for even more training. His trainer smirked "Heh, seems I didn't knock the fight out of you. Very well I will be sending you to an arena called Circle of Blood." Vindaes' eyes widen over the name and said "How will I go about gettin' there?" He laughed and said "Well you will be using my gryphon, upon getting there you will need to find a man that looks like he is covered in blood, and wears a large belt."

He pondered and said "First we need to get rid of that long hair of yours, he likes his trainees to be quick and agile. Believe it or not that will slow you down." Vindaes sighed and said "Alright." After several momments of having his hair cut the finnally stopped and handed him a peice of glass so he could see his reflection. "A buzz cut eh?" The trainer laughed and said "Yep, now my gryphon knows the route and how to avoid the ogres, good luck send me a letter when you finally get what you seek."

Vindaes packed up his things and put them on the gryphon. His trainer or rather ex-trainer screamed a command and the gryphon flew high into the air and begin to head towards the destination. Vindaes was rather uncomftorble on the beast, but after hours of flying he finally got used to it. About twelve hours later they arrived in a training camp, Vindaes assumed it was the one he was told he would be staying at. Vindaes got off of the gryphon taking his belongings and heading into the camp. He eyed the men he would be training with, unlike the other one there were Horde races such as trolls and orcs.

He was spit on and glared at by the races, he just laughed and went on before running into a human standing eye-to-eye with Vindaes his armor covered in blood, he assume he was his new trainer. The man eyed him up and down "You be Vindaes?" Vindaes rolled his shoulders and said "Aye." The man pondered over his physic before nodding in approvale "How long were you trained ova' there before bein' sent here?" Vindaes pondered and said "About two months."

He nods and says "You will not like me, I will not be your friend, nor your enemy simply call me sir. Follow all of my commands and we will be just fine alright?" Vindaes nods and says "Where will I be trainin'?" The man spit on the ground and pointed to a section of tents, humans and dwarves could be seen eating and resting in the area. Vindeas inspected them before nodding at his new trainer and heading to the group. Vindeas shook each one of the trainees hands conversing with each of them before resting after his long journey.

His sleep was cut short when he was woke up by commands being yelled outside his tent, he quickly jumped out of his tent and put on his training gear.

Journal Entry 7#

My eyes are red... my skin is bruised and covered in blood. All I feel is exhaustion, pain, and determination. That is all I wish to feel at this point, for it will bring me a better life. It has been three days in this new camp and it is already harder than two months of the other one. Maybe his armor is covered in blood from his trainees... I do not know, the training and conditioning is beyond anything I have ever felt.

Each day I feel like I am being broken' down and then being rebuilt...

It had been two weeks sense he had arrived, he was at the verge of giving up. Not being able to breath from the different types of training, having to learn how to use any weapon handed to them. Learning things about their opponent before seeing them fight, knowing to use anything to win. Their trainer hosted a tournament pinning his trainees against the Horde races. The tournament was vicious with no mercy two of Vindaes fellow trainees were killed from one orc. Vindaes managed to survive the tournament, but immediatly after was forced to go back into training.

Vindeas was becoming larger, faster, with that his determination and confidence was growing.

[Vind101]

Part 4


Journal Entry 8#

After the tournament I realized that the men I had been training with were dead... I remember seeing the orc killing them. The next tournament will be the end of his days, I will avenge my training partners.

The trainer continued to push Vindaes and the others to their limit, seeing that the Horde trainees only suffered injuries when the Alliance suffered three deaths. Across camp the orc always taunted Vindaes to the verge of him coming over there, but it was always settled in the pit. Most of the time it was a battle of willpower, the training and the sparring did not help to the conflict between them.

Being taunted from the side-lines while sparring always fustrated Vindaes until one day he approached his trainer. "Hey can I have a word?", "Hmm?". Vindaes rolled his shoulders grunting in relief "Well, it seems that orc is fuckin' out to get me." The trainer waved a dismissive hand "Settle it in the pit." Vindaes spit on the ground and said "What the f**k is that gonna' solve he's still gonna taunt if I win or loose." "You want blood...?" "Aye I do."

The trainer sighed and announced the battle between the two. Immediatly the orc grabbed his axe and headed towards the arena during that time Vindaes was strapping on his armor the orc approached him. "You ready to die?" Vindaes ignored him strapping on the rest of his armor. "You fuckin' hear me human?" The orc spit on Vindaes while he was strapping on his footwraps. Vindaes looked up at him "I do my talkin' in the arena." The orc grunted and went inside the arena without anything else to say.

Vindaes entered the arena and awaited his trainer's permission to start. "Start!" The orc charged at Vindaes with a vicous roar, immediatly Vindaes noticed no technique rather than a brute charge. He managed to dodge him and impale his blade into his back, he then front kicked the blade deeper into the orc. The orc roared in rage turning around to cleave his axe into him, he quickly dodged kicking up dirt into the orc's eyes as he did. He pulled the blade out of the orc's back and cleaved it into the back of his neck. The orc screamed in pain as he was about to be decapitated he turned around to kick Vindaes to the ground. Vindaes was slammed to the ground by the kick, he quickly charged pulling the blade out of the orc's neck making another cleave.

The dust settled and the orc's life-less body fell to the ground his head rolling on the arena floor. Vindaes walked out of the arena covered in the orc's blood he sat down outside his tent removing his armor, his trainer approached him. "You happy?" Vindaes continued to un-strap his armor "Yes." The trainer eyed Vindaes before saying "Alright get back to training."

Journal Entry 9#

I have avenged the deaths of my teamates and ended the war of words. The training has seem to gotten' harder, if that is even possible... Every vein on my body is visible as I barely manage to hold back my food. We have been told the next week will be strength and conditioning week... I do not look forward to this, but I do look forward to the outcome.

The next week was so brutal of training that within an hour of training Vindaes would pass out in his own vomit. After the week his trainer realized that they were not in good enough shape so extended it to four weeks. Within two weeks Vindaes began to be able to survive the days of training, until one day during an intense run exercise Vindaes misplaced his foot while running and tore a muscle in his upper thigh. He was forced to continue slowly rebuilding his muscle, but the incident reminded him how easy it was to loose everything in a blink of an eye.

After the weeks of strength and conditioning they moved to weapon mastery. Vindaes was given a pole-arm, an axe, and a hammer, for the first week. He was told to spend six hours on each weapon, after he had finished training on those weapons for the day he was given a shotgun, and bow. He trained on learning how to use the two different weapons, for two hours. He then woke up and repeated until he could pick up any of the weapons and use it without thought.

After he learned to use any weapon he was given, he was then taught how to fight without a weapon training on hand-to-hand for an entire week. There he was taught advanced grappling, advanced striking and how to disarm an opponent. After the week the trainees sparred in the pit, one holding a weapon the other unarmed. Vindaes' first spar was unarmed, his opponent was holding a mace. Vindaes kicked his opponent lead leg until he couldn't put the weight on it to swing the mace. He then quickly grabbed the injured leg and dragged him to the ground.

There Vindaes sat on top of his opponent punching him until he was out. After all of the sparring the trainer mixed the weapon mastery and the unarmed training to increase learning.

[Vind101]

Part 5

Journal Entry 10#

I have lost track of time, I have no idea how long I have been training... All I know is this is my life. Nobody will take away what I have worked for. Nobody...

Vindaes' trainer had brought in several experts on hand-to-hand and masters of weapons. He had them teach the trainees special moves, weak spots in armor, and much more. For an entire week half of the camp trained under the weapon masters, while the other trained under the hand-to-hand experts. Vindaes first week was with the weapon masters, he learned how to cleave through any armor and how to use blade mommentum to cause more damage.

After the week they switched, he was being taught how to disarm any weapon from any opponent. How to punch in vunerable places, weak spots on someones head, and various other things. Vindaes was forced to become extremely flexible to do some of the training, during the process he pulled a muscle in his thigh again. He didn't let that keep him down though and continued to train through the injury. After the two weeks they went back to strength and conditioning training for a couple of days. The trainer then hosted another tournament.

"Alright, it's been quite some time, since we last did a tournament. So we will be doing arena bouts to show how well everyone has progressed through training." Vindaes strapped on his armor and waited his turn to fight, he watched three bouts before making his way into the arena with a troll. The battle began and immediatly the troll started shooting at Vindaes. He was clipped in the right shoulder, but managed to charge up to the troll and cleave deep into his ribs.

The troll kicked up dirt in Vindaes' eyes and ran back before coming back with an axe, cleaving it into Vindaes' injured shoulder. Vindaes screamed in pain, but managed to disarm the troll and punch him in the ribs. The troll fell to thr ground coughing up blood, but grabbed his gun and went to shoot Vindaes. He barely dodged the bullet, before kicking his gun to the side and punching him in the throat breaking his windpipe. Vindaes had won, and made it to phase two of the tournament. After all of the bouts Vindaes won the tournament, but could barely walk back to his tent.

Even though he had suffered various injuries he continued his training. His trainer approached him the next day "Alright, pick a weapon and master it." Vindaes looked at him seeming confused "What...?" "Blade, axe, spear, fist-weapon." Vindaes spit on the ground and smirked at him "Blade." Vindaes training was focused on only mastering his blade for three weeks straight. He learned things he never thought was possible with his weapon. After the two weeks he learned how to move mix hand-to-hand with his weapon.

It became very effective, and useful during a spar, or battle. His trainer approached him one day while he was resting "I got some news for you." Vindaes looked up at him "Hmm?" "I'm gonna be bringing a gladiator down here... or rather retired gladiator to help you train." Vindaes rubbed his face seeming surprised "He gonna help the others aswell?" The trainer shrugged "That's up to him."

[Vind101]

Part 6

After a week of training on mainly his blade, attempting to master it. He was resting from his morning warm up, wrapping his hands to prepare for sparring. He then saw a man approach the camp, his physic looked of ones of a soldier. The two talked introducing themselves "Who might you be?" Vindaes looked up at the man swet pooring from his face "Vindaes... Laveas." The man inspected Vindaes before saying "I am Saif Ibn Al-Essa, fighting out of Gurabashi. Now Vindaes, why are you here...?" Vindaes began to sharpen his blade before stopping he said bluntly "To regain my title."

Saif pulled out a pipe from his pack and put it between his lips "Why do you want to be a gladiator...?" Vindaes looked up at the man "My days in Gurabashi were the best days of my life, the chants from the spectators... the overall feeling." He wiped the swet from his face "There is only glory in death, so why not die doing what you love?" Saif nodded in approval of his answer before saying "Let us begin."

The two battled for several momments, fighting with blades, on the ground and standing until finally the two were to tired to continue. Vindaes left after their fight tending to his injuries, before going to train his skills with his blade. His trainer approached Saif "Gladiator Al-Essa?" Saif nodded at the man. "Seems you two got aquainted, I have an interest for that particular trainee. He's been training longer than the rest, care to share any comments on him?" "He is a large man, that is surprisingly swift and agile. If he learns how to rely on his blade as he does in his hands he will be prodigy. Even due his age." The trainer nodded in approval of Saif's answer. Saif pondered "I must admit that I have wandered astray from the lifestyle of a Gladiator. Perhaps my presence here will motivate me anew." The trainer pondered before saying "Perhaps you could induct Vindaes into the ranks of a gladiator. Only if he makes through training of course." Saif pondered before saying "Allow me to ponder over it."

Journal Entry 11#

I have sparred with a "gladiator" it is a strange feeling to be able to be on the same level as one. I guess my training is making me better than I ever was... when I held the title when I was young it was always difficult for me to hold my own. Yet this time it seemed natural as if that is the only thing I am supposed to do...

It had been a week Saif had been aiding trainees, but always seemed to give the main training to Vindaes. It seemed as of late, the attention had been on him as if they were expecting something of him. It had made him slightly confused, but more determined. Not wanting to let them down or himself down, he continued to train getting closer and closer to mastering his blade. With the help of Saif it was becoming easier, and less of him trying, more of him learning.

After the week Saif approached him "I heard you wish to master your blade." Vindaes stopped training and turned around eyeing Saif "You have heard correctly." Saif pondered before saying "We shall venture into the arena, come." Vindaes sheated his blade and said "Shall I get me arena gear?" Saif pondered before saying "Yes, make use of what you have." They entered the arena as they eyed their surroundings they quickly made their way to the middle.

There they clashed blades for some time, before Saif finally said "Enough playing around, defeat me and you shall join my ranks." Vindaes had determination and confidence in his eyes and quickly charged at Saif. When the dust settled Saif arrosed from Vindaes. Winning by jamming his knife in the inside of Vindaes' leg. They talked for a breif momment, before Vindaes returned to camp to bandage his injuries. His trainer approached Saif after he had exited the arena. "Is he ready to join your ranks?" Saif pondereed before saying "He needs more time, I suggest one final test when you deem him ready."

The trainer pondered before nodding at Saif "Will you be making your leave?" "Aiwa.. Yes. I will depart, may the gods be merciful upon your trainees." After the two talked for some time, Saif made his leave and his trainer approached Vindaes as he was training with his injured leg. "Well then... this is your final chance. Two more weeks of training, we need you to master your blade. While at the same time be able to walk on that leg of your's."

Vindaes stopped training and looked at his trainer "Alright." He said bluntly. The next two weeks were worst than any of his training. After a week he began to be able to move at his normal speed with his injured leg. After the two weeks were up, his trainer believed he had mastered the blade. Vindaes' trainer approached him as he was warming up. "It has been two weeks, how do you feel?" Vindaes looked at the man and said "Ready." His trainer eyed him and said "Are you sure?" Vindaes had a look of determination in his eyes "Yes."

His trainer sighed before saying "You will be facing me, for your title. If you have the mind-set, and have tooken' in all of the training. It should not be a problem." Vindaes quickly got on his gear and entered the arena. Once the battle began it was clear Vindaes had mastered the blade, but his injury still affected him. His trainer was a very large man that had the speed and strength to match Vindaes. His trainer made a swift move cutting deep into Vindaes ribs, nearly forcing him to give up. He continued to dig them deeper and deeper. The only thing keeping Vindaes up was Saif's words "Your heart will carry you when your limbs are too weak"

Vindaes managed to pull the blade out of him and cleave deep into his trainer's upper chest. He fell to the ground as they both began to bleed out, but Vindaes managed to win. After all of the training and commitment. After they became bandaged his trainer rewarded him the title of "Gladiator".