A Challenger Appears

A young hero enters the arena. He is armed with the best armor and sword money can’t buy (he claims to have found it in the Maze of Tribulations, but no one believes him). The townsfolk gather around, eager to see how he handles against the toughest opponents in the universe. He defeats them one by one without breaking a sweat. Upon winning the final match, he decides to give the audience a show they’ll never forget. He holds up the Silver Trumpet and brings it to his lips. He begins playing the Evil Melody. It echoes across time.

Storm clouds move in, shrouding the arena in darkness. Lightning pierces the sky and thunder rumbles, sounding very much like the heavens splitting. From the skies a single beam of light touches the ground. From above, an angel wearing a black skirt and white dress descends into the arena. She is wielding a crescent moon scepter. Her six wings flutter silently as she floats gently down. Upon toughing the ground, she points her scepter at the young hero.

*Incarnation of Devil plays*

“Are you the one who summoned me?”

The hero pointed his sword toward the angel. “It was I who summoned you, Ethereal Queen, for I am the champion of this realm. I seek strong opponents, and people tell me you are among the toughest.”

“Your research does not lie. I am the toughest! Do you think you’re brave and strong enough to take me down like you did Gabriel Celeste?”

The hero entered a fighting stance. “Show me what you’ve got!”

Ethereal Queen charged at the hero. The sounds of their weapons struck like thunder, and could be heard throughout the cosmos. Who would taste sweet victory, the courageous hero, or the unholy angel?

This is my Ethereal Queen picture given a Photoshop makeover, placed in a bull fighting arena I pulled from Google (I believe this arena is in Spain). Because when you fight the toughest enemy in any video game, it is only appropriate that you should fight in an arena! Two warriors enter, only one leaves! Such is the philosophy of arenas.

By the way, Gabriel Celeste and Ethereal Queen are recurring characters in the Tri-Ace series of games, and they are often the most difficult and enduring boss battles in the game (and thank goodness they’re also optional). The song “Incarnation of Devil” usually plays when fighting them (depends on game), which is also a recurring theme.

Ethereal Queen and “Incarnation of Devil” property of Tri-Ace
Arena property of Spain (and the guys who built it!)
Storm clouds provided by an upcoming storm.
Lightning bolt pulled from Google
Art done by me in photoshop CS4