Rayden leaned against a wall in the massive stadium and attempted to watch the massive titanitron that was showing the fight. However, he found himself unable to concentrate due to all the noise that that fool Nightmare was making. Rayden rolled his eyes and gently flicked some of his hair out of his eyes. He sensed a presence watching him and turned to one of the many doorway entrances to the stadium to see a short, skinny man in a grey suit with shades and ballroom hat. The man nodded and gestured at him, then disappeared into the hallway.
Rayden narrowed his eyes then got up from his spot against the wall and made his way to the exit. On the way he passed the large warrior that was Nightmare, engaged in conversation with some other guy.
"Wonderful. If the big guy win, I will claim your soul.. I am sure you can not do the same..."
Rayden went out of earshot as he exited the stadium, emerging into the large hallway filled with passing people. Leaning against the wall across the hallway from the door Rayden came through, was the short man in the suit. At a closer distance, Rayden recognized the man as Pedjuj, Rayden's contact from the Kalingrodo. Rayden wrinkled his nose in annoyance.
"What a pleasure to see you again, and so soon... Peduj..."
Peduj ignored Rayden's sarcasm and inserted a piece of gum into his mouth, then started smacking his gums loudly. he gestured to one of the many viewscreens lined along the walls that showed the fight.
"So uh... *smack, smack* you 'fraid , kid."
Rayden's facial expression became that of impassiveness.
"Not especially, no."
Peduj adjusted his shades, which were starting to slip of the bridge of his long nose.
"Well ya should be. I of course du't have ta remind you of what will happen to your family if ya lose."
Rayden said nothing, though his eyes were narrowing again.
"You fail to realize how easy it would be ta kill any of 'em. A quick slash to the neck, maybe. Or we could make it slow, and painful. Ya know, we have some wonderful techniques that involve wrenches and golf clubs that- " Peduj was cut off as in a flash Rayden had his neck at his throat. He slammed Peduj against the wall he was leaning against and elevated him off the floor. Rayden's face was that of pure fury. He growled.
"Give me one reason why I shouldn't just crush your windpipe right here and now, Peduj. "
Peduj's face was starting to turn red from oxygen deprivation, but he laughed regardless, showing off his uncharacteristically white teeth.
"Because, kid. I'm not stupid enough to come here alone. I've got a buddy in this very hallway, watching you and me right now. Watchin' our every move. And if you kill me the first thing he'll do is report immediately back to our boss, and THAT, will result in the instant... execution, of your family. Didja get that? So I'll be a buddy and advise you to put me down."
Rayden face softened to a glare. He slowly lowered Peduj down to the ground and stepped back. He lowered his face in a sign of resignation.
"Did you come here just to torment me?"
Peduj grinned.
"Nah, I just came to remind you why you are here."
Peduj laughed and then turned his back on Rayden, heading down the hallway and toward the exit of the building.
Rayden followed his movement and sighed before going back into the stadium.