The stadium buzzed with excitement as the Hero Grand Tournament prepared to go underway. The first battle was being held in the finalist ring, a domed building surrounded by high spectators stands and encased in a magical barrier to keep energy from straying too far. This was done for two reasons, one was that the other battlefields were still being prepared, and the other was because this fight proved to be one of the more anticipated of battles, and deserved a high-excitement atmosphere.

The field itself was a perfect circle, with two broad adamantine doors on either side. The floor was tightly packed dirt, and unnaturally smooth.

Both doors slid easily open, and two figures emerged onto the field, almost completely in unison.

One was a grizzled old man in white robes and long, flowing white hair. In one hand he held a white staff that almost seemed to glow, and in the other he held a rather formidable-looking sword.

The other was an older man dressed in a brown cloak. He wore blue armor underneath his cloak and held a blue and gold kite shield on his left arm. In his right hand was a blade that hummed with holy energy and was carved with a myriad of runes that seemed to glow with power.

"The first battle of the Hero Grand Tournament is between Gandalf the White and Cidolfas 'Thunder God Cid' Orlandu! BEGIN!"

"Lightning Stab!" Orlandu yelled in a powerful voice, thrusting his blade forward.

At the same moment, Gandalf raised his staff and released a bolt of lightning of his own. The power of the two attacks met with crackling energy, before dissipating.

Gandalf raised his staff once more, and a burst of powerful flame shot forth, streaking towards Orlandu and trailing flame, like a miniature meteor.

Orlandu dodged to the side, his feet moving much faster than would normally be possible as his sword's holy energy sped his limbs. The fireball exploded on the space that he had just occupied as he raised his sword, the blade glowing blue.

"Stasis Sword!" he roared, swinging the blade at Gandalf and releasing a group of ice shards.

Gandalf slammed his staff on the ground, causing a wall of flame to rise up around him.

The ice melted upon contacting with the wall, causing a great cloud of steam to burst forth and envelop Gandalf.

In the next instant there was a clash of steel as Orlandu's sword met with Gandalf's.

Gandalf moved back and disengaged Orlandu's blade, leveling his staff at Orlandu's chest and releasing a burst of lightning.

Orlandu raised his shield and blocked the attack, causing the spell to be cast harmlessly aside.

His blade glowing an angry, he moved in once more, slashing horizontally and causing Gandalf to intercept the blade again, this time with his staff.

"Hellcry Punch!"

A burst of energy shot from Orlandu's sword, slamming into Gandalf's body and throwing him like a rag doll. As the energy hit him, Gandalf's sword shattered, the shards falling harmlessly to the ground.

As Gandalf struggled to his feet, Orlandu rushed in once more, his blade glowing red once more.

"Hellcry Punch!" he yelled again.

Gandalf instinctively threw his staff up, creating a mystic barrier. The energy slammed into the barrier and knocked him to the floor, although not doing as much damage to Gandalf as it had before.

However, the intent of the attack was not necessarily to damage Gandalf. A large crack appeared in Gandalf's staff, and it, too, shattered, the shards falling to the ground.

Still moving at a heightened speed, Orlandu rushed in and brought his blade to Gandalf's neck and his shield to Gandalf's chest, holding him down. The sword pulsing with holy energy as he prepared another sword attack.

Gandalf raised his hands.

"I yield," he said.

Orlandu nodded and removed his sword, proferring a hand to help Gandalf to his feet.

1st Match: Gandalf vs. Orlandu

Victory: Orlandu

The next match will be between Laharl and Knuckles. It will take place in Larry's Lair. Betting will close at midnight tomorrow.

It's advised that you all make more battlefields, unless, of course, you want Rase to get all of the rent money for having one.